"The House Spirit was really good to , very good. After I ca to Iron Gate Fort and settled down, the House Spirit guided in my cultivation practice. It said that Iron Gate Fort had changed. It wasn’t the sa as before, but it was still livable. It told I had good talent but was just too honest. After practicing for over a decade, it helped reach the Fourth Layer."
That’s the trouble with Ho Cultivation. If you find a House Spirit that matches you well, your cultivation level grows rapidly, but if you clash with your House Spirit, you might stagnate for decades.
Old Lady Han is one example, Old Hu Tou is another.
"What’s the highest level of cultivation achieved by ho cultivators in Iron Gate Fort?"
Wu Yongchao answered without hesitation, "It’s the Fourth Layer. We can’t go any higher. If anyone reaches a higher level, they can’t stay in the fort."
"Who made this rule?"
"It’s Lord Zhou of the Fortress’s rule. He said that Iron Gate Fort provides for the incapable ho cultivators, but those who are capable should set out to make their own way and not linger here for an entire lifeti."
Absurd.
The combat power above the Fourth Layer is exceedingly valuable, yet the Fortress Lord doesn’t seem to want it.
Perhaps the thoughts of a superior person are different.
"Ho cultivators don’t relocate easily. Once their cultivation reaches the Fifth Layer, can they still be forced out?"
Wu Yongchao shook his head. "No need to force. Ho cultivators care about their reputation. We never cause trouble for others. If soone tells us to leave, we just leave. If worst cos to worst, we’ll have one last fight with our own ho.
"The year before last, Old Wang, who lived diagonally across from , reached the Fifth Layer. The Fortress Lord personally visited to persuade him to leave, and he agreed.
"He fought with his House Spirit and ho for three full days and ultimately died inside his ho. He told that rules are rules, and there’s nothing to complain about."
Li Banfeng understood. It wasn’t that all ho cultivators were unsuited for life outside; those who ca here sought to avoid the tumult of the outside world. Their temperants were among the simplest of all ho cultivators. Though life was tough, there were far fewer unnecessary disputes here. Traders might take advantage of these honest folks, but it was still much better than them losing everything out there.
And this Fortress Lord had these ho cultivators’ thoughts figured out completely!
"Do you know what it’s like up on this cliff?"
Wu Yongchao shook his head. "Up on the cliff is the mountaintop. What else could there be?"
No wonder they said he was talented. He wasn’t even familiar with the surroundings of Iron Gate Fort.
"Then, do you usually go out?"
"You an out of the house door, or the main iron gate? We generally don’t go out of the main iron gate..."
According to Wu Yongchao, other ho cultivators were in a similar situation. They rarely went out or mingled, keeping their distance from the outside world as much as possible.
As he spoke, a knock on the door resounded once more.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Wu Yongchao looked at Li Banfeng.
Why look at ? I’m right in front of you. Could it have been knocking?
Wu Yongchao went to check the door, but Li Banfeng stopped him.
He signaled Wu Yongchao to stay quiet.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"Are you asleep? It’s , Ma Dingfu! I’ve co to talk to you about money!"
Wu Yongchao moved to open the door but was once again stopped by Li Banfeng.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"Sleeping like the dead, are you? Let tell you, don’t play dumb! You owe Old Hu a life, and I’ll co find you tomorrow!"
Ma Dingfu left.
Wu Yongchao was deeply ashad.
"This is my fault, all my fault. I sold the house. No matter what, I have to gather enough money."
Li Banfeng looked into Wu Yongchao’s eyes. "Brother, it’s not your fault. From beginning to end, none of it is your fault.
"Rember, from now on, unless you hear knock, you are not to leave this ho—not even one step!"
*PS: There are so things Ban Feng understands only half of. The other half hides beneath the mask, and he must personally unveil it!*
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