Chapter 179: No Movement

After resting a night, the township militia of Yulin County arrived at the eastern side of Luofeng Ridge.

Li Lin planned to have them begin clearing the newly formed minor guimei from this point.

The world of guimei has its own rules.

The lowest tier of guimei are huang guimei, appearing in clusters.

The next level up are the newly formed minor guimei, taking on the appearance of adolescents.

They are transformed from waigui.

Generally speaking, except for waigui, all guimei have their own “territories.”

The more powerful the guimei, the larger its territory—this is a competitive instinct formed to facilitate hunting and absorbing “blood qi.”

These newly “born” minor guimei instinctively clear away all waigui in their vicinity, creating one hollow after another.

These hollows, originally the hunting grounds of minor guimei, also provided convenience for the militia to surround and hunt them.

Under Su Huafang’s coordination, the militia formed an encircling formation.

They were not the main attackers; instead, they used their own blood qi, combined with Barrier Powder, to create a separation zone, keeping the huang guimei at bay so they wouldn’t swarm in immediately after a minor guimei was destroyed and threaten the already exhausted Spirit Hunters.

At the center of the formation hovered a… minor guimei.

It retained its former appearance, dressed in a worn, short tunic, its face weathered and grim.

Compared to humans, its eyes were gray-white, devoid of pupils.

“Xiaohu, you take position behind it—I’ll lead the attack.” Bai Lifei swung his twin short blades and charged forward.

Zhao Xiaohu obeyed and ran to the rear of the minor guimei.

Aside from the three Spirit Hunters, no one else could see this guimei, but all could feel the cold seeping from the space it occupied.

They looked on with admiration as the two Spirit Hunters fought against “empty air.”

Perhaps in the Jianghu, Spirit Hunters had a poor reputation, entangled with guimei.

But among ordinary people, Spirit Hunters carried a special aura.

Because when truly haunted by guimei, only Spirit Hunters could intervene to help them.

Jianghu heroes… wouldn’t bother with such matters.

Li Lin stood to the side, watching silently.

Why had he brought only Zhao Xiaohu and Bai Lifei?

Because this mission was meant to train newcomers.

A minor guimei?—it’s what Li Lin had killed alone back in Shangtikou Village: those two female guimei.

One slap per one.

At that time, Li Lin had just entered the path.

These minor guimei here were about the same strength; they had formed only because too many Yin Qi Stones had scattered after Taowu’s death and weren’t fully recovered.

As the militia watched the two Spirit Hunters struggle with “thin air” for a while, a Yin Qi Stone fell to the ground.

Everyone knew one guimei had been eliminated.

Zhao Xiaohu picked up the Yin Qi Stone and said, “This is a Yin Qi Stone?”

Bai Lifei walked over, nodded, and said, “Yes, I’ve seen them at my uncle’s.”

Zhao Xiaohu brought the Yin Qi Stone to Li Lin: “Lin Ge, here you go.”

“You two killed it—you two decide how to split it.”

“But—”

Li Lin shook his head again: “I don’t lack these.”

He truly didn’t lack them—he still had about half a chest at home.

Since he switched to Immortal cultivation, he no longer needed Yin Qi Stones; now they were Li Yanjing’s snacks.

In fact, after absorbing Li Lin’s blood qi, even Li Yanjing had grown less fond of Yin Qi Stones.

“Then let Xiao Fan take it—you put in the most effort.”

Bai Lifei thought for a moment, then smiled: “Alright, I’ll take this one for now. Next one’s yours.”

“Good.” Zhao Xiaohu grinned foolishly, his thick beard giving him an oddly endearing look.

After that, they proceeded the same way—smoothly, killing seven minor guimei that night.

These minor guimei were newly formed and far too weak.

As dawn arrived, Li Lin assigned watch shifts, and most of the militia ate breakfast and went to sleep.

Li Lin did not rest; he sat in his tent, pretending to nap.

Due to his Foundation Establishment method and the “Lin Yuan” minor spiritual vein, his spiritual energy had grown significantly deeper than before.

This brought him exceptional stamina.

Even without sleep for three days and nights, the effect was minimal.

Of course… sleeping was best.

He had scattered some small paper figures; now his paper figures had gradually shifted from pink to purple.

As his spiritual energy increased, this transformation became more pronounced.

These paper figures were also somewhat “smarter” than before—they moved in abstract, human-like strides, yet already knew to avoid others’ sight and sought out hidden paths.

Now, this group of paper figures had crossed thick vine forests and reached the western side of Luofeng Ridge, lying in wait, watching the encampment of Beiliu County’s militia.

It wasn’t that Li Lin had a voyeuristic urge—it was because he genuinely felt something off about Gao Haiya.

It was an intuition.

Since becoming a Spirit Hunter, he trusted his intuition.

Time passed slowly until afternoon, when most of the militia rose to prepare meals.

By evening, after dinner, they prepared to move to the next location to surround the newly formed minor guimei.

Li Lin stepped out of his tent and froze.

Su Huafang stood before the tent, bowing with a smile: “County Magistrate, please.”

Before him stood a makeshift “palanquin.”

Li Lin waved his hand: “No need.”

To be honest, the thing was ostentatious.

Only those who liked to appear superior enjoyed riding in one, carried by others.

Su Huafang felt awkward—he hadn’t expected Li Lin to dislike such empty formalities.

Li Lin glanced at the resting militia and said: “Let them rest another hour, then move to the next location.”

Su Huafang nodded. Seeing Li Lin wasn’t angered, he exhaled in relief and withdrew immediately.

Li Lin found a stone nearby and sat down like a stool.

Bai Lifei walked over and asked: “County Magistrate, you really won’t take any Yin Qi Stones?”

“Just convert my share into silver,” Li Lin replied—he didn’t say he’d give away all the Yin Qi Stones.

In human relations, defending and protecting one’s own interests appropriately earns greater respect.

If you give away all your gains, others will only see you as a fool.

Besides, he was now County Magistrate—taking only his own share was already generous; other County Magistrates would likely seize most of the Yin Qi Stones.

After all, they were quite valuable.

Bai Lifei nodded: “When we return, Xiao Hu and I will pool money to pay you.”

An hour passed quickly; night fell completely.

The militia dismantled their temporary camp and arrived at the designated location.

There were four guimei here… not particularly strong; Li Lin still didn’t need to act.

The militia quickly encircled the area.

Zhao Xiaohu exhaled, visibly excited.

Bai Lifei stared at the floating female guimei and exclaimed: “Huh, this guimei is quite pretty, County Magistrate—you know the Spirit-Keeping Art—want to capture her?”

Li Lin shook his head.

Keeping guimei requires feeding them blood qi; he already had Li Yanjing and the Tree Immortal Lady. With his Foundation Establishment method, he barely managed to sustain those two—adding another… his kidneys would give out.

Besides, this guimei clearly had no intelligence and little potential.

“That’s a shame.”

Li Lin smiled—Bai Lifei was simply lustful.

Zhao Xiaohu glanced and said: “Not as pretty as Qiu Jie.”

Bai Lifei gave him a “what did you just say?” look.

Ding Yingqiu was indeed a good person, but “pretty” had nothing to do with her.

At that moment, Li Lin’s expression turned strange.

Because according to the paper figures’ reports, the Beiliu Town encampment… still had no movement at all.

Precisely speaking—no sound at all.

Li Lin frowned and said: “Mission paused. Everyone leave this place and set up camp elsewhere.”

The night wind was cool; Su Huafang and the others turned to look.

Li Lin said: “My paper figures reached the other side—the Beiliu County encampment seems to have encountered trouble.”

Everyone tensed.

Su Huafang asked: “Should we rush over to reinforce them?”

"No, let’s hide first and see what happens."

(End of Chapter)