[{"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-155":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},2264755,4420,"Chapter 155: Crafting Spirit-Stone Aggregates","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-155",155,"\u003Cp>Taking someone by force and borrowing someone are two different things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was willing to lend personnel if needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled: “Fine, but these men will be lent to you for about ten days, and you’ll have to pay them overtime.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Agreed.” Jiang Jili nodded in acceptance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you get any news or leads, just let me know,” Li Lin said after a moment’s thought. “If you need me to step in, say the word—I’ll help if the situation calls for it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t helping guaranteed?” Jiang Jili chuckled. “We’re allies now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin shook his head: “What if it’s a power I can’t afford to challenge?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Jili snapped: “You’re Huang’s son-in-law, an eighth-rank Spirit Hunter yourself, and your Li family’s ancestor is enshrined in the True Lord Temple—you’re already a major power. Don’t you have any sense of that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin truly had no such awareness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the Huang family was merely a supporting tree, not his own true strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If pressed, the Tree Immortal Lady counted as half—why only half?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because she wasn’t yet Li Lin’s woman, but she was nearly there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That “nearly” only counted as half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To truly make her his woman, Li Lin still needed to work hard—to reach at least third-rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then he realized something was off: the Tree Immortal Lady had clearly stated back in Shangtikou Village that one needed third-rank to unite with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now she was the Great Lord of Yulin County, her power surely growing constantly—how many ranks would he need to unite with her now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First-rank Spirit Hunter?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would be difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How old would he have to be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d heard that in the entire Daqi Empire, there were only two first-rank Spirit Hunters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And both were old men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he remembered: he had cultivated the Foundation Establishment scripture and now absorbed spiritual energy—perhaps he didn’t need first-rank to draw near the Tree Immortal Lady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the “quality” of spiritual energy was far higher than that of yin energy or yuan energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Lin lost in thought, Jiang Jili asked: “What are you thinking about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin smiled: “Nothing much. Just keep me informed of anything—after all, we’re on the same rope, grasshoppers together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s a disgusting way to put it. We’re not that desperate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin chuckled twice: “That day at the tavern, if not for me… you’d have died right there. Oddly, where were your guards?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I neglected to bring them along.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tomorrow I’ll go to the county office and have the Second Squad’s government office runners temporarily placed under your command.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you,” Jiang Jili said, clasping his fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some idle chatter, the two parted ways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin returned home and began crafting spirit-stone aggregates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He first gathered wooden planks and made molds for over a dozen brick-sized forms, then poured Spirit-Repelling Powder into them and mixed in well water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Different ratios of well water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to see whether the water-to-powder ratio affected the speed of solidification, quality, hardness, and so on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The results were successful: among all ratios, the one with roughly one-third well water produced the most beautiful bricks—translucent blue, pure and smooth like crystal, and with the strongest repelling effect against foreign “energies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Success. This is the one,” Li Lin said, holding a spirit-stone aggregate, delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing came over too; women naturally favored such gem-like objects. She glanced at it, then smiled: “A house built with these treasures must be stunning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not too stunning,” Li Lin said. “When building the house, you must lay an outer layer of ordinary bricks and tile the roof to conceal its appearance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“True. We must prevent others from finding out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the three of them were in the back courtyard now; servants had been ordered to stay away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the female wraith Li Jingyan was watching—under normal circumstances, no one could spy on this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So we’ll build the brick house ourselves from now on?” Hong Luan asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin nodded: “Regardless, never let your guard down. No matter how effective these spirit-stone aggregates are, just their appearance alone makes them treasures—extremely valuable. If anyone found out we had a small house built from such treasures, they’d covet it far more than a golden palace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“True,” Hong Luan nodded, then pointed to the less successful aggregates nearby: “What do we do with these? Destroy them? Seems a shame.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other spirit-stone aggregates, though not as translucent as those in Huang Qing’s hands, were still quite beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing smiled: “Keep them for now. Who knows? Maybe someday we’ll need to give them as gifts to impress someone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Won’t that attract envy?” Hong Luan asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing looked at Li Lin, her eyes glowing with admiration: “By then, Master will no longer need to be so discreet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was indirectly flattering Li Lin’s boundless future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin laughed twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing had always liked Li Lin; after dual-cultivation, she liked him even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin had recently studied the characteristics of dual-cultivation techniques and discovered that not only did they allow the two parties’ “energies” to merge, achieving the wondrous harmony of yin and yang, but they also had a unique effect: resetting the pleasure threshold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Human nerves develop tolerance to dopamine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who frequently indulge in pleasure grow accustomed to it over time, requiring stronger stimuli to feel joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, they might even descend into self-destruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Resetting the pleasure threshold was therefore crucial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant that no matter how often the three of them practiced dual-cultivation, each session would feel as fresh, joyful, and thrilling as the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No stronger or more frequent stimulation was needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, for cultivators, dual-cultivation techniques were never a burden, but always a reward and a source of joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A joy that never faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The person who created this dual-cultivation technique was a true genius.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Li Lin’s most sincere praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the following days, Li Lin had servants purchase materials; to avoid suspicion, he even bought several unrelated—and even conflicting—materials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anyone discovered something and extracted the material list from the servants, the extra materials would confuse them, making it impossible to know how to use or handle them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After his morning shift, he kept refining elixirs, kept refining elixirs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several days, he had filled an entire room with spirit-stone aggregates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room storing the spirit-stone aggregates, when approached, gave off a feeling of unusually “fresh” air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jingyan loved this atmosphere, but she dared not get too close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?” Li Lin asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jingyan said: “This spiritual energy is harmful to us. Do you understand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin understood her meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only after being refined by a cultivator like you can we absorb it,” Li Jingyan said, placing her hand on Li Lin’s chest, seductively. “So, considering how obedient I’ve been… ah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scream rang out as Li Jingyan was flung backward, landing several meters away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a long serpent tail slowly vanished into thin air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing, watching from the side, covered her mouth and laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such simple, fulfilling days passed for several more days, then, on this morning’s shift, Li Lin was summoned to the courtroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li County Warden, Fuxin Village has suddenly lost contact. You must lead a team to investigate what happened,” Zhang Guangqi said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When did contact stop?” Li Lin asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We received word yesterday afternoon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood,” Li Lin nodded. “I’ll assemble two hundred village soldiers and depart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you,” Zhang Guangqi said, expressionless, strictly official.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin didn’t mind; he turned and left the courtroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back home, Li Lin gathered all his tools for the job, then spoke in the main hall of the back courtyard: “Though this is official business, I’m worried Zhang Guangqi is scheming behind the scenes—he’s clearly lost all goodwill toward me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because we didn’t give him the True Lord Temple’s location?” Hong Luan muttered angrily. “He’s still a Huang family man, isn’t he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s only half a Huang family man,” Li Lin smiled. “We’re the same.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Luan sighed: “True enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she brightened: “But here, I feel happier than anywhere else. Huang family or not—I don’t care.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing playfully tapped Hong Luan’s head: “Don’t pretend I’m not here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss, you’re now Lady Li.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing smiled, offering no rebuttal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Li Lin said to Li Jingyan: “I’m counting on you to safeguard the household.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No problem,” Li Jingyan smiled. “I love it here, and I especially love Miss Qing and Sister Hong Luan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Li Lin extended his left palm: “Take a sip.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jingyan froze, cautiously glancing at the phantom peach tree in the sky, then around her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had braced herself to be flung away—but nothing happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she understood, and smiled: “So the Lady also…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t finish; some things were better known than spoken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned close to Li Lin and gently sipped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, her face flushed crimson, she sank into deep rapture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, she opened her eyes and smiled at Li Lin: “Don’t worry about home—I’ll watch over it well. As long as I’m alive, Qing’er and Hongluan won’t suffer the slightest injustice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving home, Li Lin arrived at the northern city gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two hundred village soldiers had already assembled there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Huafang was among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since this was a reconnaissance mission, no large force was needed—two hundred men were sufficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the urgency, Li Lin did not waste time with words but gave the direct order to march out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fuxin Village was not far from here; they arrived after half a day’s march.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire village was eerily quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from the calls of birds, there was no sound at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, during the day, one would see people working outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin said: “Fang Commandant, take fifty archers and secure the nearby high ground. If anything happens, shoot immediately to support us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An Commandant, take your fifty shield-bearers and fifty spear-bearers, advance steadily into the village, and determine the situation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The rest of you, set up camp here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1669,"2026-06-19T19:39:18.782Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","7da5d314e1cd3cb5ec0e60bb40a3ae585d691c71c6cfcef803973f3119745fea","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-156","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-154",221,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdark-and-dawn-light-years-cover.jpg"]