[{"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-73":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},2264673,4420,"Chapter 73: The Master of Things","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-73",73,"\u003Cp>It was already night when Li Lin returned to his “new home” and slept soundly through the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, after waking, he practiced several sets of “White Tiger Rolling Posture” in the practice hall, steam rising from his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Martial Art +1]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, practicing the fist form no longer increased his proficiency in “White Tiger Rolling Posture” itself—this meant he had fully mastered it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the growth rate of his “Martial Art” proficiency had slowed considerably; previously, one set would trigger multiple prompts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he had to practice several sets before receiving a single proficiency prompt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, the White Tiger Rolling Posture no longer significantly aided his growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed to find a better fist technique to learn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But… martial arts manuals were rare, with no fixed market price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, the Yu Family Spear Technique still consistently granted many proficiency prompts, meaning its upper limit remained far beyond Li Lin’s current reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While waiting nearby, Xing’er handed him a clean towel; after wiping himself, Li Lin prepared to rest briefly before resuming spear cultivation when Zhang Afu entered through the second gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, a noble young lady has arrived outside—she appears to be the County Magistrate’s daughter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing was well-known in Yulin County; after all, she was the only “Hu Ji” here, a stunning beauty and the magistrate’s daughter—nearly everyone knew her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Show her in. Brew tea to receive our guest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin immediately returned to his room and changed into casual home attire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he emerged, he saw Huang Qing seated in the main hall, accompanied by a familiar young maid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both rose at once upon seeing Li Lin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing bowed slightly, then lowered her head and spoke softly: “Elder Brother, I’ve intruded unannounced—I apologize for the disturbance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin smiled: “Sit. No need for formalities. Treat this as your own home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, Huang Qing’s face flushed crimson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young maid covered her mouth and giggled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin knew this casual remark sounded normal to him, but to her, it carried hidden meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long pause, Huang Qing whispered: “Elder Brother, please stop teasing me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mix of annoyance and delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin stopped there; though she looked like a tall, statuesque woman, inwardly she was still a Han maiden untouched by marriage—this level of teasing was already the limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled: “Sister, what brings you here specifically?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin understood: a maiden of marriageable age visiting a man’s home alone carried clear implications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But their relationship had not yet reached that point—he could only pretend ignorance for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard Elder Brother has been traveling for nearly ten days, so I brewed some tonic soup to help restore your strength.\" She opened the delicate bamboo basket beside her and took out two lacquered food boxes: \"I also made some thousand-layer cake—please taste it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maid beside her opened the two boxes; a rich aroma filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The medicinal soup smelled excellent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin clasped his fists: “Thank you, Sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maid proudly added: “My mistress’s cooking is exceptional—not everyone gets to enjoy this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Huang Qing rose, blushing: “I’ve delivered the food—I’ll take my leave now. If Elder Brother has free time, please visit my home often—I’ll do my best to receive you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Won’t you stay longer?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing shook her head: “It wouldn’t be proper to linger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed—it was already quite unorthodox for her to come alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet wasn’t that also an act of courage?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin escorted them to the gate: “In a few days, I’ll visit your home to return the courtesy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qing softly murmured “Mm,” gazing at Li Lin with sparkling eyes: “I await your arrival, Elder Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, she departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young maid turned back: “By the way, I’m Hongluan—if you have any message for my mistress, come find me first…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin watched them leave, then returned to the inner courtyard hall and drank the medicinal broth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, the taste was truly excellent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thousand-layer cake was also delicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed Huang Qing had come to declare her feelings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She meant: I like you, and I’m also an excellent cook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin pondered: since she had made her feelings clear, he must now respond in kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That afternoon, he returned to Shangtikou Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Villagers greeted him warmly, and he responded to each in turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he went to the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tree Immortal Lady appeared, wrapping her arms around Li Lin’s and licking him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin occasionally let out a soft hiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, the Tree Immortal Lady covered her mouth and regarded Li Lin with a pair of gray eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These eyes had once been dull and lifeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Li Lin could detect faint vitality within them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a feeling hard to describe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Lin felt—it was vitality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady, here is the Snow Marrow Cinnabar you requested.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin handed her the box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tree Immortal Lady took it, opened it, saw the rouge inside, and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then her figure faded and vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin felt disappointed—he had wanted to see how beautiful she’d look with rouge on her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin turned and went home. He checked the sky, then climbed the mountain to gather herbs and refine pills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back home, he continued refining Life-Sustaining Pills using his newly purchased alchemy furnace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a feeling he’d soon break through in alchemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed… after successfully refining a new batch of Life-Sustaining Pills, a new pill formula appeared in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beauty-Preserving Pill!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This pill… was useful, yet somehow not terribly useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Li Lin suddenly slapped his palm—he remembered what he could use for his return gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Beauty-Preserving Pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t believe any woman could refuse this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to refine another batch immediately, but the sky was too dark to climb the mountain—he gave up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next came cooking rice, bathing, and going to bed to cultivate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He practiced the Spring Revival Nourishing Method in the first half of the night, and the Yin-Nourishing Heart Method in the second half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, he practiced several martial forms, then cut out a paper doll.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly had an idea: if small paper dolls could guide, could a full-sized Soul-Calling Paper Doll be used for labor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using Soul-Calling Paper Dolls solely for harm felt like wasting their potential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately crafted a new Soul-Calling Paper Doll—naturally modeled after the Tree Immortal Lady—and infused it with yin energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Soul-Calling Paper Doll came to life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin commanded it mentally to gather herbs on the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The doll immediately went inside, grabbed a sickle, slung a bamboo basket over its back, retracted its long paper serpent tail, then snapped it outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its entire body floated upward, drifted to a tree, gripped a branch with one hand, swung its body, and launched itself to another tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Repeating this, it quickly reached the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each time it swung through the air, Li Lin seemed to hear a woman’s voice whisper: “Wu-hu…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A perfect female monkey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hss… his own creation felt strangely odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Li Lin felt a chill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned—and saw the Tree Immortal Lady watching him coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1202,"2026-06-19T19:39:18.782Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","3281dcacefafc5c887a6b292f9e8899813cd7623413e67ddcee38c5aa766110a","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-74","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-72",221,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdark-and-dawn-light-years-cover.jpg"]