[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-dark-and-dawn-light-years":3,"chapter-dark-and-dawn-light-years-dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-134":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Dark and Dawn Light-Years",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2264734,4420,"Chapter 134: Friends Abound","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-134",134,"\u003Cp>Looking at the dense cluster of ice needles in the Liulihu , Ding Feng paused, then asked, “What is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin shook his head: “I don’t know either, but I know this thing carries extreme yin energy—even a great ghost can’t withstand it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Feng glanced at Yan Jing, standing beside Li Lin like a young maid, and said, “You’ve already tested it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could you spare me a few? Let me try too. Don’t worry—I’ll repay you handsomely afterward.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Feng gave a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin tilted the Liulihu ; Yan Jing held out a wine cup, waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, four ice needles fell into the cup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Jing carried the cup over and placed it before Ding Feng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Feng’s body stiffened; he stared at Yan Jing, clearly wary of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when Yan Jing returned to Li Lin’s side did he relax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin noticed this phenomenon—he found it strange. This man seemed even more afraid of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he was in their own stronghold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be… Yan Jing was terrifying to these people?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Feng stared at the four ice needles in the cup, reached out a finger to touch them, then changed his mind and withdrew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He told his servant: “Go get Old Eight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a young man approached. He glanced at Li Lin and Yan Jing—especially at Yan Jing, whose presence clearly stirred admiration in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A beautiful female ghost was something every spirit hunter desired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this one could appear in daylight—making her even more extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clan Chief, what do you need me for?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Feng pointed at the ice needles in the cup: “Try swallowing them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ice needles were thin—slightly thicker than a hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, the young man swallowed them whole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, there was no reaction. But after a while, he felt his entire body grow cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lips turned white; he began trembling, then frost began forming on his skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clan Chief… it’s too cold.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a word, Ding Feng pressed his right palm against the young man’s back and transferred his blood qi into him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the ice needles’ ferocity exceeded Ding Feng’s expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ice began forming on his palms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Need help?” Li Lin asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Feng shook his head: “Don’t worry—it’s within my estimate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Ding Feng closed his eyes and poured all his blood qi into the young man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Jing leaned close to Li Lin, her lips nearly brushing his ear as she whispered: “His blood qi quality is far inferior to yours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin didn’t even want to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was normal—he was middle-aged; his blood qi couldn’t compare to a young man’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After about two incense sticks’ time, the frost on the young man’s body slowly faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Feng exhaled, removed his palms from the young man’s back, and asked, “How do you feel now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Clan Chief. I feel much better—and my yin energy has increased.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Feng nodded: “How does it compare to yin stone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If they’re the same size, this ice needle contains more yin energy—but… absorbing yin stone isn’t nearly this painful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Feng nodded: “Alright, you may go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man bowed and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Feng returned to his seat and looked at Li Lin: “Li County Warden, could you spare me a few more ice needles?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin fell into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Feng bowed: “Also, I will give you a celestial artifact.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Jing handed over another cup with ten more ice needles. Ding Feng bowed: “Please wait a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rose and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he was far away, Yan Jing said: “Clearly, they’re wary of you, County Warden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin shook his head: “He fears you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Jing smiled seductively: “So I am useful after all. Why not keep me around permanently, County Warden?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t afford it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Jing gazed at him, sorrowful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Ding Feng returned, holding something resembling a jade pendant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please accept it, Li County Warden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin took it and examined it—he realized it wasn’t jade. It was a round, crystal-like substance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath a semi-translucent slab, a sphere was enclosed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black and white, slowly rotating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin studied it for a while and sensed a peculiar “qi” emanating from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt pleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This must be very precious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Feng waved his hand: “It’s been passed down in our family for over a hundred years—we’ve never discovered its use. Its ‘spiritual nature’ has also weakened. When I was a child, I saw this artifact spinning much faster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin placed it into his satchel and bowed: “Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li County Warden, you’re too polite. You gave us over a dozen celestial ice needles—really, we’re the ones who gained.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin stood: “I should be going. If you have time, Clan Chief, visit us in Yulin County.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin smiled, pulled out a talisman paper, sealed Yan Jing inside, and left the Ding household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After seeing Li Lin off, the Ding Clan Chief returned to the mountain pavilion. He stared at the ice needles in the cup, smiled, then without hesitation, swallowed all Shiji  of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, frost engulfed Ding Feng’s entire body—but his face showed no pain, only delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The frost spread; within moments, the pavilion’s floor, table, and even ceiling began frosting over. This continued until evening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The frost gradually vanished, leaving the pavilion drenched, as if a heavy rain had just passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A warmth rose from Ding Feng’s body, drying his dampness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a middle-aged man approached and said: “Congratulations, Elder Brother. Your strength has surged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Feng turned, smiling: “Finally, I’ve broken through.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man said: “But giving that celestial artifact to that boy—wasn’t that too generous?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not at all,” Ding Feng said. “That artifact’s been in our family for over a century, and we never figured out its purpose. We’ve searched the Tai Xuan Cave countless times—no results. Yet Li County Warden arrived and immediately gained something. He has celestial fortune.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Precisely—so we shouldn’t have given it to him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Feng chuckled: “When one man attains the Dao, even his dogs and chickens ascend! If we can’t walk this path ourselves, why not let someone with destiny lead, and follow behind to pick up scraps?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what if he figures out the artifact’s use and doesn’t tell us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No problem,” Ding Feng waved his hand. “Our family has many treasures—we can trade with him later. Second Brother, remember: those who always think of seizing will never have good outcomes. If we can trade, why seize?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What if he refuses to trade?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then it means our family has nothing worth coveting—we must invest more thought and time to cultivate value until we possess something worthy enough for him to trade with.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man nodded, half-understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Feng continued smiling: “Of course, cooperation depends on character. Those who break promises—we avoid them entirely. Li County Warden is excellent. According to Qiu’s investigation, he’s a young man of outstanding virtue. Too bad the Huang family got to him first—if not, I’d have sent Qing to approach him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin didn’t know Ding Feng’s evaluation of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was already riding his steed home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, whether mounted or resting at night, he studied the celestial artifact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But found nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood oath didn’t work. Fire, water—no effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Injecting yin energy yielded nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If this thing’s secret were easy to uncover, the Ding family wouldn’t have given it away so freely,” Yan Jing said helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin agreed—but he felt the pleasant qi it emitted seemed vaguely familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was too faint, just a hazy impression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed swiftly in travel and artifact study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four days later, Li Lin returned to his home in Yulin County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing and Hong Luan were overjoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while of affectionate mingling, Li Lin pulled out the talisman paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Yan Jing materialized from it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the eerie aura of Yan Jing, Hong Luan trembled violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing, though pale, bowed gracefully and said, “Miss, are you the True Lord kept by my husband?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a member of the Huang family, she knew many aristocratic clans possessed the ability to keep spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Four Marvels True Lord was the great spirit kept by the Huang family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Jing gripped Huang Qing’s hand and sighed mournfully, “Li County Wei  used me and now wants to discard me—so heartless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing and Hong Luan exchanged glances at Li Lin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing then said, “I believe my husband is not such a heartless man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Luan nodded vigorously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Jing laughed, “Sister, I was just teasing—don’t take it to heart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing exhaled in relief; she felt Yan Jing’s hands were cold, yet dared not pull away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin said, “Hong Luan, go fetch two yin-energy stones from the room.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two?” Yan Jing was startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin smiled, “You protected me all along the journey—without you, we’d have faced many troubles. One yin-energy stone would make me seem stingy. I’ll give you two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Jing’s eyes softened with emotion; then she turned to Huang Qing and said, “Sister, I don’t want the yin-energy stones—I want to join your Li family’s spirit. Could you please plead my case to the County Wei ?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin sighed, “I truly can’t afford to keep you. Even the Tree Immortal Lady’s demand for blood essence is already beyond my capacity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin was no longer the novice he once was—he could now tell that the Tree Immortal Lady was restrained when drawing his blood essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This clearly indicated… she was still hungry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He already felt guilty letting the Tree Immortal Lady go hungry; keeping Yan Jing too would mean diverting part of his essence, making her even hungrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not want this to happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Huang Qing suddenly said, “Husband, keeping this sister doesn’t require your blood essence—you can use incense offerings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Jing did not wish to consume incense; she preferred Li Lin’s blood essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then she realized: if she settled into this household, she’d surely find chances to taste a few drops of his blood essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, she seized Huang Qing’s hand and said, “Thank you, sister—from now on, you are my mistress.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin sighed, “I don’t even have an altar…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ask the Huang family… ask Father!” Huang Qing smiled. “Father actually owns two small altars. Our Huang family built its reputation on this very skill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1749,"2026-06-19T19:39:18.782Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","7582433f5b2a35521ee2c44909b87cdc196c0df9298adae7e1c4be95260392c2","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-135","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-133",221,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdark-and-dawn-light-years-cover.jpg"]