Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'-Chapter 664 - 459: The Stranger in the Portable Residence
Mind Traverse Thousand Mountains.
Literally, it should mean traversing thousands of mountains and rivers through the power of thought, thereby increasing one’s cultivation level.
In Eighth Layer Techniques, Li Banfeng was self-taught, because the Mind Traverse Thousand Mountains Technique itself fit perfectly with the feature of the Portable Residence.
When Li Banfeng thought of a place inside the Portable Residence, it could take him to that location. During this process, Li Banfeng’s cultivation level also experienced a certain degree of growth because he moved along with the Portable Residence. Although the principle was different, the process and outcome were somewhat similar.
This also explained why, back at the Ink Shop, Li Banfeng remained stationary and yet could feel his cultivation level increasing.
He had been reading travelogues the whole time, journeying through mountains and rivers within the books, thus completing the stationary cultivation in another way.
It seems this technique is used for increasing one’s cultivation level.
"Ying Ying, with this technique, our Traveling Cultivator... or whatever your sect is called, do you no longer have to travel everywhere?"
Hong Ying shook her head and said, "It’s not that simple. Our Taoist Sect is special, and Traveling Cultivators need to wander through mountains and rivers. But sometimes, Cultivators are not free to leave, like when I was in the military. Taking one step away from the camp would get me caned by that shrew.
"If this is delayed for too long, it would hinder cultivation and lead to a backlash from the cultivation level. The Mind Traverse Thousand Mountains Technique provides some compensation for the cultivation level, thus mitigating the risk of cultivation backlash. However, with Qi Lang’s current cultivation level, he can’t compensate too much. Achieving two or three-tenths is already quite good. The rest Qi Lang must traverse by himself."
Li Banfeng lowered his head and said, "I am not a Traveling Cultivator; I am borrowing the Technique."
Hong Ying touched Li Banfeng’s cheek and said, "Qi Lang, don’t hide it anymore. It hurts me to watch. Let’s find a place to talk in detail without letting that shrew hear."
SMACK! SMACK!
The Phonograph, enraged, caned Hong Ying a full ten times.
Hong Ying rubbed herself for a long time and, panting, continued, "I’ve seen many Traveling Cultivators who treat the Mind Traverse Thousand Mountains Technique merely as a means to make up for their cultivation levels. This is a misconception.
"The mind can traverse the Thousand Mountains, and the Thousand Mountains can be traversed by the mind. The essence of the Mind Traverse Thousand Mountains Technique lies not in supplementing cultivation levels, but in its combat techniques."
Combat?
This technique can also be used in battle?
Li Banfeng imagined a battle scenario: While in combat with an enemy, Li Banfeng would first unfold a painting, take a look, and then increase his cultivation level...
This seems unfeasible.
"Ying Ying, I don’t understand this combat method."
Hong Ying suddenly looked up, exuding a pressing aura.
Li Banfeng sprang up, thinking Hong Ying had gone mad, and hastily prepared for battle.
Hong Ying’s long hair fluttered, seeming ready to launch an assault at any moment.
To be on the safe side, Li Banfeng took two steps back and suddenly felt a sense of mortal peril approaching from behind.
Li Banfeng glanced over with the corner of his eye and his hair stood on end.
He could not retreat any further.
Less than five centimeters from his heel lay a precipitous cliff, and around the cliff walls, birds were soaring.
"Is this an Illusion Technique?" Li Banfeng asked Hong Ying.
"It’s not an Illusion Technique. If you fall, you will truly be shattered to pieces." Hong Ying grabbed Li Banfeng, and the cliff behind them instantly vanished. "This cliff is a dangerous spot I passed by during a military campaign. I just ’moved’ it here. This is a real move. This is what it means by ’the Thousand Mountains can be traversed by the mind.’"
"Moved here?" Li Banfeng exclaimed in astonishment. "You ’moved’ an entire cliff into the Portable Residence?"
Hong Ying shook her head and said, "What I ’moved’ wasn’t the cliff itself, but the danger it holds. Our Traveling Cultivator sect specializes in battling in treacherous terrain. If you ’move’ the danger to the battlefield, you can gain a significant advantage over the enemy."
So the key element of Mind Traverse Thousand Mountains lay in the concept of danger. Li Banfeng said, "Then why isn’t it called the Technique of a Thousand Perils?"
Hong Ying laughed and said, "Because sometimes it’s a real move, and other times it’s a Fake Move. What’s ’moved’ isn’t always danger. Sometimes it’s powder and rouge."
Li Banfeng, puzzled, asked, "What use is there in ’moving’ powder and rouge?"
"Watch closely, Qi Lang!" A whiff of fragrant powder filled the air. Li Banfeng looked around but this time didn’t see cliffs or a barrage of spears and swords. Instead, he saw a throng of seductive, unclothed women.
Li Banfeng said, "How is this useful?"
Hong Ying replied, "This tactic can be used against those who are lustful. On the battlefield, anyone who has seen this scene ended up as a ghost beneath the blade—every time without fail."
The group of women vanished in the blink of an eye, and Li Banfeng said, "Was this also a real move?"
Hong Ying shook her head and said, "This wasn’t a real move. This was a Fake Move. Qi Lang, you cannot learn the Fake Moving Skill just yet."
Li Banfeng pondered for a moment. "What’s the difference between the two?"
"With the True Moving Skill, what you ’move’ is the actual location. When Qi Lang saw the cliff, did you hear birds chirping?"
"I heard them and even saw a few birds."
"That proves there were indeed birds on the cliff at that moment. To use the True Moving Skill, you must have seen the place; you must know the danger it has. By focusing the mind on it, you bring the real scenery, the real danger to the battlefield, and only then can the Technique be successful.
"For the second time, I used the Fake Moving Skill. Those girls were not actually there, but a figment of my imagination. This technique touches on the Above the Clouds, and Qi Lang, for now, you cannot learn it."
Imagination?
Li Banfeng remembered the scene just moments before; there was a girl dealing in dual trades.
"Ying Ying, what do you normally think about?"
Hong Ying stutteringly responded, "Just, just random thoughts."
The Phonograph sneered, "Back in the military, she used to read ’Fragrant Words Tales’ all day long, so engrossed that she couldn’t let go of the book. What do you think she normally thinks about?"
Hong Ying defended herself, "I read that book for waging war, to seize the initiative on the battlefield!"
"For waging war..." The Phonograph scoffed. "Next time I should pull down your pants and spank you, then see if you still lack shame!"
