Chapter 31: Grace Given Without Boasting

Li Lin gazed at this object resembling some kind of leather product, sensing a faint evil qi rising from it.

Evil qi is a tier higher than resentful qi.

Resentful qi spawns minor apparitions, while evil qi spawns major apparitions.

Someone is planning trouble at the Upper Stairs Village.

Li Lin surveyed the surroundings, then jumped down, used a wooden stick to lift the leather-like object aside, and covered Sister Xiu Niang's coffin lid again.

"Sister Xiu Niang, just stay down in the earth properly; do not think of returning."

Afterwards, he used a hoe to push the surrounding soil back into the grave and rebuilt the mound.

By the time he finished, it was nearing evening.

He returned to the village, which had already grown very quiet; the villagers habitually went home, closing doors and windows, with only a few people still busily working anxiously because their tasks were unfinished.

Li Lin carried the evil qi-laden leather object to the altar.

At that moment, the Tree Immortal Lady immediately appeared, looking at the leather-like thing in Li Lin's hand with a strange gaze.

"Lady, what is this?"

"The fetal membrane!"

Was this the fetal membrane the Tree Immortal Lady mentioned some time ago?

That means the Tree Immortal Lady already knew about Sister Xiu Niang's problem back then!

Why didn't she tell him?

After a moment of thought, he understood: back then, he hadn't even learned the fist technique or spear technique, let alone the Spirit-Taming Art; he was just a rookie Soul Hunter who had barely entered the path, with decent blood qi at best.

Her even uttering the term "fetal membrane" was already giving him face.

If she had said someone was causing trouble outside the village, setting aside whether he dared to stop them, the core issue was whether he could stop them at all.

Going would likely mean death; not going... would be shameful.

Thinking this, Li Lin smiled at the Tree Immortal Lady: "Thank you, Lady, for your care."

The Tree Immortal Lady gave a slight huff, then pointed at the altar.

Li Lin placed the fetal membrane upon it.

Shortly after, the evil qi on the fetal membrane vanished, and the membrane itself ignited, quickly turning to ash.

The Tree Immortal Lady also disappeared.

Li Lin returned home, ate dinner, and then began alchemy.

He still used the large iron wok.

【Alchemy +1】【Alchemy +1】【Alchemy +1】

Two hours later, a large wok full of fragrant Life-Breath Pills was boiled out.

But one-third were defective.

"It seems I really need an alchemy furnace," Li Lin said regretfully.

After bottling the Life-Breath Pills, he took two, then lay on the bed and sat cross-legged to practice.

【Yin-Nourishing Art +1】

【Yin-Nourishing Art +1】

He did not know how long passed; at the first break of dawn, he suddenly felt his spirit tremble, then a numb qi arose in his lower abdomen, traveling up the meridians all the way to the Niwan Palace in his head.

Then, within his consciousness, many floating firework sparks appeared, densely packed and scattered throughout the entire 'vision', constantly dancing and spinning.

But in fact, his eyes were closed now; that is to say, these firework sparks were all illusions.

After a while, these firework sparks gradually blurred and vanished.

He felt his body light and filled with a cool sensation.

"Finally entered the ranks!" Li Lin opened his eyes and smiled.

Entering the ranks means the Ninth Rank; nurturing yin qi within a living human body is extremely difficult; ordinary people simply cannot do it.

With yin qi accompanying the body, one can then use techniques.

It is just that Li Lin does not yet possess any technique manuals.

This reminded him of Huang Qi's words.

In a few days, someone from the Demon-Suppression Bureau will come, one of whom can teach him techniques.

The problem is... all gifts come with a price.

He had asked Huang Qi back then, but the latter only smiled without speaking.

Just as he was worrying about where to get a technique manual, Zhao Xiaohu's voice came from outside.

"Lin Ge, Lin Ge!"

He pushed the door open and saw that Uncle Zhao's entire family of three had arrived.

Uncle Zhao held cured meat in his left hand and a large fat chicken in his right.

Aunt Hua carried a very heavy basket, which must contain quite a few things.

And Zhao Xiaohu held a jar of wine in each hand.

Li Lin welcomed the three inside, invited them to sit, then smiled: "It seems you intend for Zhao Xiaohu to become a Soul Hunter!"

Uncle Zhao nodded and said: "Yes, Zhao Xiaohu is rather dull; from now on, Li Xiaolang will have to trouble you to teach him."

"I am merely his guide; I will not become his master."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiaohu grew somewhat anxious.

Li Lin continued: "But I have always regarded Zhao Xiaohu as a younger brother; I will teach him the fist technique, the spear technique, and the Yin-Nourishing Art. If I learn any techniques in the future, I will teach him those as well. How well he learns and how to proceed on the path ahead, however, must depend on himself."

Uncle Zhao breathed a sigh of relief: "That is enough; that is already very good."

He knew very well that things like the fist technique, spear technique, and arts were far, far beyond ordinary people like them; Zhao Xiaohu could not even read, so if no one taught him, even if a manual were thrown at him, Zhao Xiaohu would not understand it.

Zhao Xiaohu also felt relieved.

Uncle Zhao chatted with Li Lin for a while, left a tuition gift, and then departed with Aunt Hua.

Zhao Xiaohu stayed behind and asked eagerly, "Lin Ge, what do we learn first?"

"We learn nothing today," Li Lin said with a smile. "We eat first. Eat red rice... First, we must fully nourish your body."

Zhao Xiaohu nodded repeatedly. "Good, I'll go wash the rice and cook."

Li Lin nodded with a smile.

At noon, Zhao Xiaohu ate a bowl of red rice. After finishing, his whole body grew hot, his face flushed red, and he felt a strong urge to stand up and shout to vent.

"Endure it," Li Lin said in a calm tone.

Zhao Xiaohu obediently sat on the chair without moving; only his tightly clenched jaw and the veins bulging on his forehead showed how much he was suffering at that moment.

Li Lin sat cross-legged on the bed, circulating the Spring-Returning Health Cultivation Art to refine the blood qi of the blood rice, while keeping an eye on Zhao Xiaohu's condition to prevent anything sudden from happening to the latter.

After a while, Zhao Xiaohu felt less uncomfortable and asked, "Lin Ge, you clearly ate more than me, so why are you completely fine?"

Li Lin opened his eyes and said, "Because I am a true Spirit Hunter, and you are not yet."

Oh! Zhao Xiaohu's eyes filled with anticipation.

Actually... when Li Lin first ate the blood rice, it was a whole big bowl, he felt nothing wrong, and even thought the taste was quite good.

The difference between people is truly very, very great.

After waiting another hour and a bit, Zhao Xiaohu's blood qi calmed down.

Li Lin checked his pulse, nodded lightly, and said, "Not bad. Your body has also recovered quite a bit."

Zhao Xiaohu smiled foolishly.

And just at this moment, a voice came from outside the door: "May I ask if Li Xunshou is at home?"

This voice was familiar.

Li Lin pushed the door open and saw Bai Liwei bringing Bai Bufan standing outside the courtyard; behind them, they were leading a donkey.

On the donkey's back were loaded large and small bundles of things.

"Senior Bai, Bai Xunshou!" Li Lin clasped his fists and went out to greet them: "You have traveled far and worked hard; please come in quickly!"

Then he turned his head and said, "Zhao Xiaohu, boil water and brew tea to welcome our honored guest!"

(End of this chapter)