[{"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-36":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},2264636,4420,"Chapter 36: No Spirit Hunter Is Foolish","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-36",36,"\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaohu rubbed his head and ran off to practice spear techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he was barely at the passing threshold of talent; whether learning body arts or cultivation, Zhao Xiaohu was average at best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Li Lin, he was even “slow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhao Xiaohu had his own strengths: perseverance and determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Zhao Xiaohu clumsily wield his spear, Li Lin smiled and returned to practicing his Thunder Strike Spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could feel the spell’s power was great—but… its speed was painfully slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You had to form seals, draw in energy… That single Thunder Strike, from seal initiation to completion, took nearly ten breaths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a battle between experts, that time would be enough for you to die ten times over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, improving proficiency and accelerating seal formation was currently the most critical task.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not demanding instantaneous casting, but at least being able to unleash the Thunder Strike Spell within one breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then would the Thunder Strike Spell carry real deterrent power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His yin energy was nearly depleted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know whether the Thunder Strike Spell consumed too much—or if his own stored yin energy was simply too scarce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had prepared for this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swallowed a Shengxi Pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sitting cross-legged to metabolize the primal energy, he could practice the Thunder Strike Spell again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, in Shangtikou Village, thunderclaps began to strike the sky over a dozen times a day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, the villagers were frightened, but after hearing it repeatedly and learning it was Li Xunshou practicing, they grew relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In casual chats, they’d marvel at how formidable Li Xunshou was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d also marvel at how lucky Zhao Xiaohu was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four days later, Li Lin reduced his seal formation time to under four breaths—an impressive advancement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On that same day, the Demon Extermination Corps arrived at the village entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were heading to Bo Bai Military Garrison Fortress to install the new “True Lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin had to accompany them—it was a military order, and Huang Yan had approved it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accompanying the Demon Extermination Corps were Bai Liwei, Zhao Hao, and Su Huafang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Zhao Hao—he looked down on everyone, except when speaking with Deputy Commandant Zhang Minsheng, when his demeanor returned to normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin sat atop his steed, carrying his red-plumed spear, his mask, and Shengxi Pills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he rode slowly, he scanned the Demon Extermination Corps and noticed Huang Xiu was not among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Huafang approached and said: “Li Xunshou, I heard about what happened before—I never imagined Old Xu would turn on his own.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a pity we still don’t know why Xu Saifeng betrayed us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Lin, Su Huafang, and Bai Liwei—the three Spirit Hunters—smiled faintly, as if in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin glanced around and pointed to a cart behind them: “Is the True Lord’s altar inside?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Huafang nodded: “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Liwei added: “This True Lord seems different—I can feel its malevolent aura is extremely heavy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t that overkill?” Su Huafang exclaimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin and Su Huafang’s expressions grew grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slapped his chest hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin and Bai Liwei exchanged strange glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Huafang, older and more tactful, bowed and said: “Thank you, Young Master Zhao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha, no need to thank me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Su Huafang as an intermediary, Zhao Hao could now barely converse with Bai Liwei and Li Lin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By evening, the Demon Extermination Corps set up camp in an open area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, the Corps’ resources became evident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They immediately scattered three concentric rings of “Defensive Powder” around the campsite, covering a vast area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They also carried the altar out of the cart and placed it on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above the altar floated a demon with a human face, an immensely muscular body, and crimson fur all over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its expression was cold, its gaze upon the living around it… almost amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This only confirmed that this “True Lord” was clearly not to be trifled with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under these dual protections, not even wild demons would dare appear—let alone major ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though all were within the camp, the Spirit Hunters and the Demon Extermination Corps remained sharply divided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin nodded—he now understood why he’d sensed a rigid, disciplined air from them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The food was quickly cooked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Zhang Minsheng walked over, carrying a large iron pot in both hands, filled with chunks of meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Liwei’s eyebrows involuntarily twitched upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who the hell are you? Why are you taking responsibility without asking us?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Huafang, however, remained calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Minsheng chuckled twice, exchanged a few more casual words with Zhao Hao, then left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Hao sat down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Huafang turned his back to the Demon Extermination Corps, flicked his right hand—and between his fingers appeared several long, slender needles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The needles probed into the meat, then withdrew quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should be fine—eat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Liwei and Li Lin both froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Liwei and Li Lin stared at Zhao Hao with strange expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Hao grinned: “Don’t just stare at me—eat. You’ll need strength to travel tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin chuckled softly—he’d clearly underestimated people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1207,"2026-06-19T19:39:18.782Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","773e086c15429fc7bd2f520eb0e59bf92e7b9bc57096ccea6ce1d2bed2e35a0f","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-37","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-35",221,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdark-and-dawn-light-years-cover.jpg"]