Chapter 36: No Spirit Hunter Is Foolish

Li Lin gave Zhao Xiaohu a light tap on the head and scolded with a smile: “Don’t think you can swallow a fatty whole—first master the Revival Technique. If you can’t rapidly metabolize blood rice, you’re not qualified to learn the Nourishing Yin Scripture.”

“Oh!”

Zhao Xiaohu rubbed his head and ran off to practice spear techniques.

After all, he was barely at the passing threshold of talent; whether learning body arts or cultivation, Zhao Xiaohu was average at best.

To Li Lin, he was even “slow.”

But Zhao Xiaohu had his own strengths: perseverance and determination.

Though he constantly talked about wanting to learn this and that, he never slacked on the tasks Li Lin assigned—he completed them faithfully, often adding extra practice.

Watching Zhao Xiaohu clumsily wield his spear, Li Lin smiled and returned to practicing his Thunder Strike Spell.

He could feel the spell’s power was great—but… its speed was painfully slow.

You had to form seals, draw in energy… That single Thunder Strike, from seal initiation to completion, took nearly ten breaths.

In a battle between experts, that time would be enough for you to die ten times over.

Therefore, improving proficiency and accelerating seal formation was currently the most critical task.

Not demanding instantaneous casting, but at least being able to unleash the Thunder Strike Spell within one breath.

Only then would the Thunder Strike Spell carry real deterrent power.

He practiced the Thunder Strike Spell three more times; his seal formation grew slightly faster, but he also felt wave after wave of emptiness in his body!

His yin energy was nearly depleted.

He didn’t know whether the Thunder Strike Spell consumed too much—or if his own stored yin energy was simply too scarce.

But he had prepared for this.

He swallowed a Shengxi Pill.

After sitting cross-legged to metabolize the primal energy, he could practice the Thunder Strike Spell again.

Thus, in Shangtikou Village, thunderclaps began to strike the sky over a dozen times a day.

At first, the villagers were frightened, but after hearing it repeatedly and learning it was Li Xunshou practicing, they grew relaxed.

In casual chats, they’d marvel at how formidable Li Xunshou was.

They’d also marvel at how lucky Zhao Xiaohu was.

Four days later, Li Lin reduced his seal formation time to under four breaths—an impressive advancement.

On that same day, the Demon Extermination Corps arrived at the village entrance.

They were heading to Bo Bai Military Garrison Fortress to install the new “True Lord.”

Li Lin had to accompany them—it was a military order, and Huang Yan had approved it.

Accompanying the Demon Extermination Corps were Bai Liwei, Zhao Hao, and Su Huafang.

The Jincheng gathering had ended; Su Huafang and Zhao Hao had returned from Jincheng, and they clearly had encountered good fortune—their expressions radiated joy.

Especially Zhao Hao—he looked down on everyone, except when speaking with Deputy Commandant Zhang Minsheng, when his demeanor returned to normal.

Li Lin sat atop his steed, carrying his red-plumed spear, his mask, and Shengxi Pills.

As he rode slowly, he scanned the Demon Extermination Corps and noticed Huang Xiu was not among them.

Su Huafang approached and said: “Li Xunshou, I heard about what happened before—I never imagined Old Xu would turn on his own.”

“It’s a pity we still don’t know why Xu Saifeng betrayed us.”

At that moment, Zhao Hao also drew near, laughing loudly: “I say you’re all too weak. If I’d been there, none of those people would’ve died. Xu Saifeng and Old Hou—I could’ve crushed them with one hand.”

Hearing this, Li Lin, Su Huafang, and Bai Liwei—the three Spirit Hunters—smiled faintly, as if in agreement.

Li Lin glanced around and pointed to a cart behind them: “Is the True Lord’s altar inside?”

Su Huafang nodded: “Yes.”

Bai Liwei added: “This True Lord seems different—I can feel its malevolent aura is extremely heavy.”

“Of course!” Zhao Hao leaned in again, smugly saying: “I heard from my uncle that this True Lord was summoned from a temple in Jincheng.”

“Isn’t that overkill?” Su Huafang exclaimed.

“Who knows?” Bai Liwei stared at the Demon Extermination Corps’ caravan, his tone implying deeper meaning: “Perhaps the problems in Bo Bai Garrison are worse than we imagined.”

Li Lin and Su Huafang’s expressions grew grim.

Zhao Hao laughed heartily: “Don’t worry—I’ll protect the three of you. As long as I’m alive, you won’t be harmed.”

He slapped his chest hard.

Li Lin and Bai Liwei exchanged strange glances.

Su Huafang, older and more tactful, bowed and said: “Thank you, Young Master Zhao.”

“Hahaha, no need to thank me!”

With Su Huafang as an intermediary, Zhao Hao could now barely converse with Bai Liwei and Li Lin.

By evening, the Demon Extermination Corps set up camp in an open area.

At this point, the Corps’ resources became evident.

They immediately scattered three concentric rings of “Defensive Powder” around the campsite, covering a vast area.

They also carried the altar out of the cart and placed it on the ground.

Above the altar floated a demon with a human face, an immensely muscular body, and crimson fur all over.

Its expression was cold, its gaze upon the living around it… almost amused.

This only confirmed that this “True Lord” was clearly not to be trifled with.

Under these dual protections, not even wild demons would dare appear—let alone major ones.

Though all were within the camp, the Spirit Hunters and the Demon Extermination Corps remained sharply divided.

The four Spirit Hunters sat in a corner eating dried rations, while over twenty members of the Demon Extermination Corps gathered in the center, cooking meals.

“Most in the Demon Extermination Corps are martial warriors; only a few are Spirit Hunters,” Bai Liwei explained, knowing Li Lin was new: “So they all carry some military habits.”

No wonder.

Li Lin nodded—he now understood why he’d sensed a rigid, disciplined air from them.

The food was quickly cooked.

Then Zhang Minsheng walked over, carrying a large iron pot in both hands, filled with chunks of meat.

“Four Xunshou, this journey to the military garrison will require much from you,” Zhang Minsheng said with a smile as he set down the pot: “We prepared extra meat—please enjoy.”

Zhao Hao stood up immediately, bowing: “No problem at all—if you encounter any difficulties, just say the word—we’ll find a way to solve them.”

Bai Liwei’s eyebrows involuntarily twitched upward.

Who the hell are you? Why are you taking responsibility without asking us?

Su Huafang, however, remained calm.

Zhang Minsheng chuckled twice, exchanged a few more casual words with Zhao Hao, then left.

Zhao Hao sat down.

Su Huafang turned his back to the Demon Extermination Corps, flicked his right hand—and between his fingers appeared several long, slender needles.

The needles probed into the meat, then withdrew quickly.

“Should be fine—eat.”

Bai Liwei and Li Lin both froze.

Yet Zhao Hao acted as if he hadn’t seen Su Huafang’s move—he reached out, grabbed a piece of meat, and chewed loudly.

Bai Liwei and Li Lin stared at Zhao Hao with strange expressions.

Zhao Hao grinned: “Don’t just stare at me—eat. You’ll need strength to travel tomorrow.”

Li Lin chuckled softly—he’d clearly underestimated people.

(End of Chapter)