Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

"Old Five, do you know what the Old Land is?"

Ma Wu nodded. "I know the Old Land. It's a good place to make money."

"How can one make money there?"

"The way to make money there... well, first you have to, uh, do a certain thing, and then... Listen, Old Qi, if we're discussing business, can we send the band out first?"

Ma Wu couldn't tolerate it any longer. They were discussing matters in the council hall, and Li Banfeng had brought in a band that was playing noisily on the side.

If they had been any good, it would have been fine, but the drummer was off-beat, and the trumpet player was out of tune.

Li Banfeng was also aware that the band was not up to par, but it was all about the atmosphere. "Bear with it," he said. "In a few days, I'll recruit a few more people."

"Don't you still have a Phonograph? Can't you just use that to play music?"

"That Phonograph is for another use; I'll tell you about it later. Let's first talk about the Old Land."

Ma Wu couldn't bear it. "Old Qi," he exclaimed, "what I'm about to say are all confidential secrets about making money! Are you sure you want them to hear this?"

Li Banfeng immediately sent the band out. Matters that needed to be kept secret couldn't be compromised.

Ma Wu began to explain about the Old Land. Compared to Zuo Wugang, he was much better at expressing himself. His conceptual introduction was basically the same as the wife's, but his focus was different—he talked about how to make money.

"Earning money in the Old Land is different from the New Land. In the New Land, you collect items, both living and non-living. In the Old Land, you gather Spirit Attribute, which includes both living spirits and Ethereal Spirits."

The terms 'living spirits' and 'Ethereal Spirits' were familiar to Li Banfeng, but what Ma Wu meant clearly went beyond their literal meanings.

"In the Old Land, human energy fades away, leaving only ghostly energy. Lost Souls that have lingered in the human realm for years can live in the Old Land without restrictions.

After these Lost Souls have stayed in the Old Land for a long time, they become bold and carefree. Their thoughts begin to change, and they start to regard themselves as living people.

Once a Lost Soul starts thinking of itself as human, it forgets the methods to guard its Soul. Over the years, the Soul gradually dissipates, leaving behind only its Spirit Attribute. This type of Spirit Attribute is called 'Ethereal Spirits' and is a perfect material for the Refinement of Magical Treasures and Spiritual Objects."

Li Banfeng understood this.

Before the Refinement of Magical Treasures, Red Lotus had to let the wife consume the Soul, leaving behind the Spirit Attribute. This way, the Magical Treasure would bear a mark, making it easier to control.

Ma Wu continued, "Some Lost Souls haven't been in the Old Land for long, or they naturally possess the means to protect their Souls, so their Souls remain intact—these are called living spirits.

These living spirits can't be used for the Refinement of Magical Treasures or Spiritual Objects. Even if you manage to refine something from them, it won't be obedient. Yet, they are what make the Old Land dangerous.

There's a saying among Hunters: 'Better to brave the New Land for ten years than walk a day in the Old Land.' It means the Old Land is much more dangerous than the New Land.

The anomalies of the New Land mostly lack Spiritual Wisdom. Even those that possess Spiritual Wisdom are ultimately inferior to humans. Furthermore, they are subject to the limitations set by the Local Deity, so they dare not do anything excessive.

The Old Land is different. The Spiritual Wisdom of Ethereal Spirits is only slightly less than that of humans. However, the Spiritual Wisdom of living spirits is comparable to humans. Because they have lived longer, many living spirits possess even greater Spiritual Wisdom than ordinary people.

Hunters who venture into the Old Land face a nine-in-ten chance of death, and most of them lack the means to collect Ethereal Spirits.

The Swallowthorn Pearl we hunted before is an excellent tool for capturing Spirit Attributes, but a single pearl of good quality costs hundreds of thousands. How can an ordinary Hunter afford that?

Even if a Hunter possesses a Magical Treasure capable of capturing Spirit Attributes, is intelligent, and has superior skills, successfully capturing a Spirit Attribute doesn't guarantee a profit."

Li Banfeng frowned. "How can you not make a profit? As far as I know, even a single Spiritual Object commands a price of over ten thousand Ocean Dollars, not to mention Magical Treasures.

Since Spirit Attributes are crucial for Magical Treasures and Spiritual Objects, they're definitely worth a high price. Calculated in Huan Country Banknotes, selling one for around a million wouldn't be unreasonable."

Ma Wu nodded. "It can sell for around a million, but you have to pay the toll.

There are bandits in the Old Land who guard the various passages. Once Hunters enter the Old Land, they must pay a toll to get out. If they can't produce the money, they can trade with the Spirit Attributes they've collected.

A Hunter who enters the Old Land and returns empty-handed will suffer a huge loss.

If he only collects a single Ethereal Spirit, that Ethereal Spirit must then be given to the Mountain King.

Old Qi, if you're thinking about hunting in the Old Land, you'd better drop the idea. We don't lack that kind of money, nor do we need to take such risks."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "I don't intend to hunt; I'm just looking for revenge. I learned some information from the Iron Sheep Trio.

Lu Xiaolan is now the Chief Qian of Iron Sheep Mountain. Iron Sheep Mountain sent her to sweep our territory, and they almost succeeded. We must seek revenge for this.

If we don't, they will come again, and they'll be even more ruthless next time."

Li Banfeng was certain of this.

Lu Xiaolan won't give up. For Red Lotus's sake, she'll keep pestering us.

Ma Wu was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Indeed, we need to take revenge. But the key question is, how?

If the bandits of Iron Sheep Mountain were right here before us, we'd have to fight them to the death.

If they come out of the Old Land, we might have a chance to make a move.

But if they're hiding inside the Old Land, we're completely powerless.

Years ago, the He Family was transporting a Great Demon sourced from the Old Land. They passed by Iron Sheep Mountain without paying respects to Rong Yeguang, and as a result, the Great Demon was snatched away."

Li Banfeng asked, "What's a Great Demon?"

"A Great Demon is also a type of Ethereal Spirit. It's formed when dozens or even hundreds of Lost Souls merge and coalesce over many years.

It was incredibly difficult for the He Family to capture that Great Demon. After it was seized, they were furious. They led their forces to attack Iron Sheep Mountain and besieged it for half a month, but they still failed to take it down.

Even the He Family couldn't manage it. What hope do we have?"