Chapter 88: Barbarian Daoist

Now Li Lin was certain he had entered a ghost domain.

Generally, only powerful great ghosts could open such a place.

And all True Jun were, in essence, great ghosts.

Within the county, beneath the eyes of the Four Marvels True Jun, only a True Jun or a roaming possessing great ghost could drag me into this ghost domain.

The latter is more likely.

Li Lin walked forward in the direction indicated by the Tree Immortal Lady.

The earlier sensation of his heart being “stepped on” with every step had vanished.

He walked faster and faster.

The surroundings changed with his movement—each step caused the scenery to rapidly recede.

After walking a few steps, the surroundings were no longer the county town, but a mountain hollow.

Ahead stood a large altar, upon which a Daoist stood, his back to Li Lin.

Even without seeing his face, Li Lin knew this Daoist was the same “Flying Head Man” from before.

“You’ve broken through my Li Fire Array to reach here—you’re capable.”

The Daoist turned around; his face was indeed that of the previous demonic Daoist.

Li Lin said nothing, instead observing his surroundings—this illusion might yet hold the key to victory.

Seeing Li Lin ignore him, the Daoist flicked his right hand, and the scenery changed.

Barren dunes, dead trees, occasional oases filled with people—eyes vacant, clothes tattered, their original styles unrecognizable.

These people wandered nearby; some even passed through Li Lin’s body.

“Do you know where this is?”

Li Lin remained silent; this ghost domain radiated a sinister aura.

Seeing Li Lin still ignored him, the Daoist chuckled: “Don’t be so tense—I have no intention of killing you yet. These past days, I’ve been investigating you, and discovered something fascinating.”

“What?” Li Lin asked.

“You’re a good man!”

Li Lin sneered.

“Don’t you feel any pity for these poor souls?”

Li Lin snorted, hands clasped behind his back: “Just an illusion.”

“These people are illusions, yes—but they’re also the world I saw two years ago.”

“And then?”

“Don’t you want to save them?”

“They’re barbarians. Why should I save them?”

The Daoist laughed heartily: “Good. You’re just like most Qi people—you don’t see barbarians as human. But I heard you’re close to the County Magistrate’s daughter.”

He found this out too?

But it wasn’t exactly a secret.

“She’s different.”

“How so?”

“She was born here, raised here. She speaks Han language, wears Han clothing, and holds a Qi household registration. Aside from her appearance, everything about her is Qi.”

The Daoist fell silent for a moment: “So barbarians mean nothing to you?”

“And do they mean something to you?”

“I’m from Yue Prefecture,” the Daoist chuckled. “Half my blood is barbarian. Yet when I entered Qi territory, no one suspected I was a barbarian—not even my master.”

“So you’re a barbarian. No wonder you can fly your head.”

The Daoist roared with laughter: “Li Xunshou, join us. Qi is decaying. The Qin Prince has taken Yuecheng and will soon march north. Join now, and you’ll earn the merit of founding a new dynasty.”

Li Lin stared at him, then a thought flashed through his mind: “Wait—An Zhijian was also persuaded by you?”

“Clever,” the Daoist smiled. “We need talents like you.”

Li Lin smiled too: “You went to such lengths to create this ghost domain, just for this?”

“Just for this,” the Daoist sighed. “Come with me, and you live. Refuse, and this is your grave.”

At that moment, a chain of crimson-and-green lightning descended from the sky and struck the Daoist.

Li Lin had kept his hands behind his back all along—forming a seal.

This was a ghost domain, where yin energy was exceptionally strong, so the qi disturbance from his seal was barely noticeable.

His subtle move succeeded—but the Daoist stood motionless; the lightning writhed over him, yet left him unharmed.

“I sensed your move long ago. I ignored it just to show you one thing—in a ghost domain, only the domain master is supreme.”

“But you shouldn’t have the ability to open a ghost domain,” Li Lin said, hands at his sides, puzzled. “You’re not a ghost.”

The Daoist’s face twisted: “Who said I’m not a ghost.”

As he spoke, his head transformed into a bear’s head.

Fur sprouted across his face, his mouth jutted forward, fangs grew.

Li Lin instinctively stepped back two paces.

“You’re not that Daoist.”

“I ate him. Now I am him.”

As he spoke, another human head grew atop the bear’s—its face unmistakably the previous Daoist’s.

“Who am I? Who am I?” the Daoist’s head giggled. “Bear body, bear bones, shedding human form; human guise, beast heart. Hahaha! Li Lin, surrender—or you’ll be the Bear-Grizzly True Jun’s second head, keeping me company.”

Li Lin said nothing.

The Daoist’s head sighed.

The Bear-Grizzly leapt forward, charging at Li Lin.

Li Lin thrust his spear, blood qi blazing like a crimson streak.

The Bear-Grizzly didn’t dodge—it took the spear to the abdomen, yet the tip failed to pierce his skin.

As he landed, the spear shaft bent violently.

It was about to snap.

Li Lin slammed the spear’s butt into the ground and leapt backward.

As the Bear-Grizzly landed, the spear curved into a crescent—and snapped.

The Bear-Grizzly swung his arm; an invisible shockwave hurled Li Lin through the air.

Li Lin rolled several times on the ground before rising.

He felt his ribs—likely fractured.

The Daoist’s head swayed above: “Surrender now. This is your last chance.”

Li Lin wiped blood from his lip: “I’m curious—if you had the Bear-Grizzly True Jun’s help, why didn’t you drag me into this ghost domain days ago?”

“Because I’m running out of time,” the Daoist grinned. “I thought a small trick—using the Chang Feng Escort Company—would lure you in, make you suffer unjust blame and turn against the County Magistrate. But you reacted too fast, and the Magistrate’s clean—refused even Chang Feng’s silver. So I had to bring the Bear-Grizzly True Jun here.”

“The Bear-Grizzly True Jun must be the guardian of some county in Yuecheng.”

“Very clever.”

No wonder the Four Marvels True Jun didn’t react—the ghost had been a “colleague.”

“I’ll join you—but I have a condition.”

“Living is the condition…”

Li Lin snorted: “Without benefit, I’d rather die.”

The Daoist’s expression turned odd: “Fine. You’re truly a talent. What do you want?”

“I want to learn this ghost domain.”

After a brief silence, the Daoist burst into laughter—even the Bear-Grizzly True Jun grinned.

A ghost domain… no living person could ever comprehend it.

“You’re trying to grasp its essence quickly, just to escape?” the Daoist sneered. “Do you think that’s possible?”

“Try me,” Li Lin’s eyes narrowed. “Tell me. If I can’t learn it, I’ll join you willingly.”

“Agreed!” the Daoist laughed. “Deal.”

(End of Chapter)