[{"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-136":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},2264736,4420,"Chapter 136: Found the Method","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-136",136,"\u003Cp>Jiang Jili watched Li Lin leave, clutching his cheek, his eyes filled with rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after Li Lin departed, his gaze shifted from anger to fearful unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spat out blood, mixed with a tooth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jili’s gaze swept over the two retainers and said, “Didn’t you say an eighth-rank martialist could handle a seventh-rank Spirit Hunter? He’s only an eighth-rank Spirit Hunter—how did he easily take you both down?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Asheng rubbed his face, wincing as he spoke: “Young Master, Li Lin is clearly unusual. He’s cultivated the Spear Intent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Spear Intent? Impossible!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though different arts are like mountains apart, Jiang Jili had heard of the basic concepts and theories of martial techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was Fists Intent, Sword Intent, Knife Intent, or Spear Intent—these were special realms that only emerged after a martialist had immersed themselves in a weapon or art for many years, requiring not only time to hone but also sufficient talent for “awakening.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the man was clearly young, no older than twenty-five.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But it truly is Spear Intent,” Jiang Aqiang stepped forward, also rubbing his face. “Brother didn’t misread it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jili drew a breath, unsure whether from fear or pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat down and said, “Li Lin is more troublesome than I imagined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jiang brothers remained silent; this was not their place to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, Jiang Jili said, “If I can’t handle Li Lin, how can I possibly deal with the crafty Huang Yan? You two, send a pigeon message to Jingcheng—have the family send two or three fifth-rank martialists here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifth-rank?” Jiang Asheng exclaimed. “Isn’t that overkill?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Lin, an eighth-rank Spirit Hunter, easily defeated you two—how can you claim fifth-rank isn’t needed? That’s Spear Intent, adding two ranks’ strength, plus his spellcraft, adding another rank—so fifth-rank martialists? Just barely enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jiang brothers exchanged glances; they thought their Young Master had been frightened by Li Lin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sixth-rank martialists would be more than enough—why fifth-rank?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they dared not say it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Huang Yan was handling official affairs in the county magistrate’s hall, listening as his son Huang Ying recounted the events.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Yan nodded and said, “Good. It seems reckless, but it exploited bureaucratic norms, gave him legitimate grounds, damaged Jiang Jili’s reputation and authority in the government office, and let him vent his anger—excellent strategy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ying said, “Father, you should’ve seen Jiang Jili’s face—it was priceless. I could learn from this—next time I face a similar situation, I’ll…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can’t learn it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why not?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your sister-in-law holds both official rank and martial strength,” Huang Yan smiled. “He only slapped Jiang Jili after defeating those two martial artists—can you defeat them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ying shook his head—of course not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he went up, he couldn’t even scratch one of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then that’s settled. Don’t overthink it. Follow the path I’ve laid out for you—it’s safe enough. No need for extra actions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Ying nodded: “Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Li Lin led a squad of government office runners on patrol along the streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though every runner bore bruises on their faces, each stood tall and proud, clearly delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Li Lin’s absence of over a fortnight, they had been miserable for that long—now, at last, their suffering had ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the runners patrolling again under Li Lin’s command, merchants in the marketplace sighed with relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, under Li Lin’s restraint and example, the runners rarely beat or cursed merchants or commoners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Li Lin remained absent long, the merchants knew the runners would revert to their old ways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the morning patrol, Li Lin returned home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no afternoon duties— as Assistant Prefect, he was this leisurely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back home, he saw several laborers leaving his house, Zhang Afu seeing them off; they carried copper coins, bowing and thanking him profusely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Lin, Zhang Afu stepped forward to bow and smiled: “Master, you’re back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The laborers all bowed to Li Lin, then departed with humble demeanors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Li Lin’s official robes terrified commoners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who were they?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady Huang brought back a smaller altar from her family’s home—they helped transport it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing had indeed mentioned this last night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He went to the back courtyard and saw Huang Qing and Hong Luan busy there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the main hall, a new altar made of green stone had been placed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked over and asked, “You got the altar from your father’s house so quickly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing nodded: “Mother arranged to send it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin nodded: “This is the altar?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He studied it for a while—it was indistinguishable from the altar at Shangtikou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just smaller.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he took out a talisman and released Yan Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Jing glanced at the altar, then at Li Lin, and sighed: “I suppose I’m selling myself to the Li family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing stepped forward, taking Yan Jing’s hand: “Don’t say that… once you become a True Lord, we’ll be family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin smiled: “You still have a chance to back out. Once you enter the altar, I won’t be able to release you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Jing was a great spirit—Li Lin lacked the power to subdue her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless she volunteered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the talisman was one thing—he could still use the Spirit-Nurturing Art to free her. But once inside the altar, after the ritual, escape would be nearly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Jing looked troubled, but seeing Li Lin, she instinctively licked her lips and said: “Fine. Let’s do it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After tasting Li Lin’s white blood qi once, she’d grown slightly addicted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she didn’t join Li Lin now, she’d never get another chance to enter the Li household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Li Lin refused to give her blood qi now, proximity offered advantage—there’d be opportunities later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Luan brought incense, candles, paper money, cinnabar, and a large rooster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s begin,” Li Lin said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Jing stepped beside the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Luan seized the rooster’s neck and cut swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rooster blood sprayed onto the green stone altar, flowing into its grooves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a mysterious pattern formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing placed the incense burner atop it and inserted the lit incense sticks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Hong Luan handed Li Lin three lit incense sticks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do I do?” Li Lin asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bow three times, then channel yin qi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin obeyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As yin qi flowed into the altar, the rooster blood instantly evaporated, leaving behind crimson patterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now the altar exuded a mysterious aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing stepped closer, sniffed, and said: “Hmm, your yin qi is unusual—this altar doesn’t feel particularly sinister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, altars were deeply sinister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Yan Jing’s eyes brightened; she stepped to the altar, sniffed, then immediately slipped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crimson patterns on the altar began to fade, vanishing completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two incense sticks in the burner burned out at an astonishing speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Yan Jing emerged again—her demonic aura was clearly diminished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not bad,” she smiled. “From now on, I’ll be called Li Yan Jing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing beamed: “Sister Yan Jing, come down—I’ll take you to the back courtyard to play.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t you afraid of me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re part of the Li family now—why would I fear you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Jing paused, then smiled: “Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the three women walk peacefully toward the back courtyard, Li Lin went to his study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took out the immortal artifact and studied it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The artifact’s texture was neither jade nor anything else—translucent, yet not glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Lin touched it, it felt almost like plastic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it wasn’t plastic—just similar in texture and feel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The swirling black-and-white energy inside resembled a Taiji diagram.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not surprising—the Daoists were the most skilled in cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was normal for a Daoist to walk the immortal path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what was its use?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Generally, anything created had a purpose—even if only for ornamentation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin tried channeling yin qi—no reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then tried channeling blood qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still no reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After pondering for a moment, Li Lin placed the object before his eyes and examined it closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he saw that when the yin and yang energies rotated, there were countless tiny holes—extremely small… nearly the size of needle punctures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for Li Lin’s sharp eyesight, he would never have seen them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But… what purpose did these tiny holes serve?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin found it perplexing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried closing all doors and windows until the room was pitch black, then shone a candle’s light upon the immortal artifact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the darkness, countless pinpoint lights appeared, resembling a star chart—myriad “stars” slowly revolving across the walls and ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin sighed. Could this thing have been crafted by immortals just to observe the stars?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, astrology… was also a skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disappointed, he placed the immortal artifact on the desk and left the study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the Ding family had studied it for decades without uncovering any secrets—how could he expect quick results alone?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin put the artifact away, then reopened the doors and windows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At dinner, Li Yanjing sat at the table as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she was a ghost, she could still taste food—though the food gave her no “energy” whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was eating for nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Li Yanjing greatly enjoyed the atmosphere of the whole family eating together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, after their usual dual-cultivation session, Li Lin embraced his two wives as they slept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even before falling asleep, he kept pondering the purpose of the immortal artifact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, without realizing it, he drifted off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dreamed of his former world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A world ablaze with neon lights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On top of a tall building stood a three-bladed fan, its surface flashing with different points of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the fan spun rapidly, those points of light moved swiftly, forming a distinct image.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Figures and scenes—all came alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Li Lin jolted awake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I get it! So that’s how it works!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His loud shout woke both his wives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin leapt out of bed, threw on a nightgown at random, and rushed toward the study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1651,"2026-06-19T19:39:18.782Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","cbcddee1f612fd1b457a98a8c0825c32e8d5c4bc260aaffcb76a094388f7de69","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-137","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-135",221,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdark-and-dawn-light-years-cover.jpg"]