[{"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-84":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},2264684,4420,"Chapter 84: Paper Figure? Real Person?","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-84",84,"\u003Cp>Li Lin’s first thought was that Master Zhao had conspired with the apparition to trap him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he soon abandoned this idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because there was no need for such directness—it would be too easy to detect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stronger apparitions could manipulate ordinary people’s behavior through mental suggestion, making their actions far more covert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin glanced around the room and immediately ran outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The yellow mist followed him out, continuing to shroud him, blocking his view of the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, one by one, the small paper figures vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qin family’s female apparition had realized that Li Lin relied on the small paper figures to perceive his surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she sliced the last small paper figure into shreds, Li Lin lost his “perception” of the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Lin, Li Patrol Commander… I’ve been thinking of you all along,” the female apparition drifted slowly to a spot not far from Li Lin; she spoke, yet her voice came from all directions at once: “You must repay the debt owed to my Qin family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she uttered the last two words, her face twisted, her voice thick with malice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin swung his spear around him; the blood-tinged spear tip did tear through the yellow mist, creating a momentary clarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the yellow mist immediately filled the space again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The female apparition moved behind Li Lin, her eyes gleaming with delight; her right hand transformed into a massive black claw, ready to press down on his skull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet at that exact moment, Li Lin suddenly spun and thrust his spear backward, aiming for her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strike was swift; the female apparition dared not continue her attack and instead raised the giant black claw before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp clang rang out; the female apparition stepped back several paces, and where the spear tip had touched her claw, faint smoke rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A virgin!” the apparition hissed bitterly: “That bitch Liu Zhe never drained your primordial yang. Snakes are inherently lustful—why did she endure it so long? What was her purpose?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin snorted at the sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He truly couldn’t see—but that didn’t mean he lacked “perception.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The profession of Spirit Hunter was born specifically to combat apparitions; all cultivation methods that harness yin energy naturally sense the density and proximity of yin energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a thought, two Soul-Calling Paper Figures chased after the female apparition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though these Soul-Calling Paper Figures had no combat power, they could “capture” spirit bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether apparition or human soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he pulled out another stack of paper figures and scattered them on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as they appeared, the paper figures darted and hopped about, lively and energetic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin immediately regained his “vision”—actually, the small paper figures were providing sensory input.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the female apparition frowned at the two approaching paper figures and sneered: “Liu Zhe’s paper figures? All show, no substance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She swept her massive black claw forward—logically, those two paper figures should have been instantly destroyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at that precise moment, the left Soul-Calling Paper Figure lifted its hand and blocked the claw effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The female apparition froze, then realized with shock that the eye of the blocking paper figure was a vivid crimson, as if shifting lights danced within it, and its lips seemed to curl in a sneer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other paper figure’s eyes were ordinary vermilion red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liu…” Her voice broke off halfway; her body was seized by the other paper figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that instant, Li Lin’s spear arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the help of the small paper figures, Li Lin saw clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spear technique, wreathed in crimson blood energy, pierced her skull, shattering her head outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her head begin to reform, Li Lin stabbed with his spear at maximum speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, he struck eight times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The female apparition’s yin energy body could no longer hold together and dissolved into a cloud of black mist hovering in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until her death, the female apparition uttered not another word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black mist continuously condensed until it formed a transparent black bead, which fell to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the red-eyed Soul-Calling Paper Figure turned, reached out, and grasped a wisp of mist in her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mist screamed within her palm, thrashing wildly as if trying to escape, yet unable to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the paper figure clenched her fist tightly, crushing the thick yellow mist into nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding yellow mist gradually faded away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin stared at the paper figure before him, disbelief in his eyes, and whispered: “Lady?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Soul-Calling Paper Figure ignored him, walked out of the mansion, and headed straight outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin immediately followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing a moving paper figure burst from the Zhao household terrified many onlookers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the Paper Figure Lady stood before the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Spirit of Shendu appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ba!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp crack rang out as the Spirit of Shendu’s face was slapped sideways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he dared not resist, only grinned obsequiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the Paper Figure Lady turned to look at Li Lin—seemingly snorting—and the paper figure slowly collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No yin energy remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin walked over, picked up the paper figure, carefully folded it, and tucked it into his clothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This paper figure would now be enshrined at home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a family heirloom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Spirit of Shendu dared not look at Li Lin and hid himself within the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin returned to Master Zhao’s mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, he picked up the black bead and put it in his pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Master Zhao and the others had awakened, merely dizzy from the ordeal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s over—the apparition is gone,” Li Lin said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Zhao looked around, clutching his head and asked confusedly: “Strange… why am I sleeping here? Wait—you’re Patrol Commander Li. Where’s my concubine?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your concubine?” Li Lin chuckled. “You slept with an apparition, didn’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Zhao froze, then his body began to tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Memories of the apparition’s interference returned to his mind—vivid and clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the image of him engaging in carnal acts with the apparition—most distinct of all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt no allure, only nausea—he wanted to vomit, for the apparition’s face was truly hideous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Give me your hand,” Li Lin said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Zhao obediently extended his left hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin felt his pulse, then shook his head: “Yin energy has entered your body—you won’t live two years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t lying; anyone who slept with an apparition, unless they were a Spirit Hunter, would never escape unscathed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Zhao collapsed to his knees: “Please, Patrol Commander Li, save my life!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin thought for a moment, then pulled a Life-Restoring Pill from his pack and handed it over: “One hundred taels. Take it, or don’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Zhao didn’t hesitate—he snatched the pill and swallowed it immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a cool sensation rose in his belly, spreading through his body; wherever it flowed, comfort followed, old ailments seemed to vanish, and even his mind grew clearer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So effective?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Patrol Commander Li, can you sell me a few more?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin gave him a withering look: “If you weren’t about to die, I wouldn’t sell you one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll raise the price!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin ignored him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Four hundred taels per pill! Please, Patrol Commander Li, sell me five more!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin turned slowly, looking at him with gentle eyes: “Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your humble servant would never dare deceive my lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin pulled five pills from his pack and handed them over: “These are called Yin-Expelling Pills. You can take them if yin energy ever enters your body again. Store them in a clean porcelain bottle, in a dry place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin had no intention of revealing the pills’ true purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, they were extremely precious—revealing their nature could bring death upon Master Zhao’s family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, my lord!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An hour later, Li Lin left Pingzheng Village with two gold ingots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He planned not to return home first, but to go to the county town to buy gold ornaments for the Tree Immortal Lady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Lin now felt the Tree Immortal Lady’s head lacked some beautiful, glittering adornments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1342,"2026-06-19T19:39:18.782Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a24e62c87fc9eb2d59db679e8e6a83be94d112eb4f10879e6fa0ef5ee0dc1f6e","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-85","dark-and-dawn-light-years-chapter-83",221,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdark-and-dawn-light-years-cover.jpg"]