Chapter 89: Obscure Character Illusion

"What is called a ghost domain is actually very simple in essence. It uses a large amount of yin qi to form an illusion array around you. The living people within it, affected by the yin qi, will see many hallucinations."

The Daoist swayed back and forth on top of the bear-ghoul's head: "And these hallucinations can affect the subject's will. Everything here, you will feel is real."

【Illusion +1】

【Illusion +1】

【Illusion +1】

A long string of proficiency points popped up.

Li Lin suddenly understood a bit about the essence of the so-called ghost domain.

"Is there more?"

"A large amount of yang qi can actually be made into a similar array." The Daoist said with a grin: "It's just called something different. An illusion formed by yang qi is generally called a spirit realm."

【Illusion +1】

Li Lin's face showed delight: "Then, to break through this ghost domain, what should I do?"

"Telling you won't hurt." The Daoist put on a generous, magnanimous look: "You could create your own illusion to counter it. But can you do it? A Spirit Hunter who just entered the ranks? Hahahahaha."

Illusion?

Illusion.

Illusion!!!

Li Lin immediately thought of something—he had an illusion of his own.

He immediately began to forcefully recall the contents of the 'Obscure Character Art.'

Soon, a ring of white 'water' first appeared beneath his feet.

Then this white water ring rapidly expanded, staining the entire ghost domain, and the whole world turned into a white ocean.

The silver moon hung high, and a transparent ice path flowed out from its surface.

Countless ice dust scattered down from the ice path.

This scene came too fast. The bear and the one human head opposite were clearly stunned.

After a good while, a look of terror appeared on the bear-ghoul's face.

And the Daoist violently shook his head left and right, both looking at the situation nearby and shaking his head in disbelief.

"What is this, what is this, what is this!"

Tears of blood streamed from the Daoist's eyes as he screamed wildly: "This isn't a ghost domain, nor is it a spirit realm. What on earth is this?"

No one could answer him, because Li Lin also didn't know what this illusion actually was.

After those ice dust descended to a certain height, they transformed into a sky full of snowflakes.

The snowflakes falling on Li Lin were still just snowflakes.

But the snowflakes falling on the bear-ghoul were blade after blade of sharp edges.

The bear-ghoul ran forward frantically, even dropping onto all fours.

The Daoist's face was already covered in dense scratch marks. Black blood seeped from his flesh and skin, and as the bear-ghoul ran, it splattered everywhere.

The white ocean in the illusion looked like an ocean, but it was not an ocean.

The bear-ghoul could run on it, but with every step, a blossom of blood would be left on the sea surface.

It was unknown whether the bear-ghoul felt pain or not.

Li Lin wanted to go up and pursue, but he suddenly discovered that he couldn't move.

Just like when he had created this illusion earlier, he simply couldn't move.

He could only watch helplessly as the bear-ghoul ran at full speed, ran into the distance, then leaped with all its might, smashed through a big hole, and escaped.

Leaving only a trail of bloody water marks, gradually fading away.

That Daoist really was a liar.

He said you could only counter it with an illusion, but didn't say you could run to the edge of the illusion and forcefully break through.

At this moment, that ice path appeared again in the silver moon, carrying countless shards of cold ice, sinking into his body.

His body grew colder and colder, colder and colder.

When he was about to be unable to bear it, the illusion finally vanished.

【Obscure Character Art +1】

Li Lin wrapped his arms around himself, hunched his body, and slowly walked toward the 'new home.'

A layer of frost appeared on the surface of his body.

So cold, so cold!

At this moment, Su Huafang and Zhao Hao rushed over and supported him.

"Li Xunshou, how do you feel?" Su Huafang felt that his own hands were like pressing against a block of ice.

Zhao Hao looked around and said: "Su Xunshou, you escort Li Xunshou home. I'll chase after them and take a look."

"Be careful."

"Alright." Zhao Hao transformed into a streak of light and vanished.

Su Huafang supported Li Lin as they walked toward the north of the city.

Fortunately, home wasn't far. The two of them quickly arrived at the doorstep. There were usually few people here. They met two or three pedestrians on the way, who saw Li Lin's ice-covered appearance, took one look, and turned and ran.

In this world with ghosts, for something that obviously wasn't a normal phenomenon upon looking, ordinary people didn't dare to crowd around.

Su Huafang knocked on the door.

The door opened. Zhang Afu saw Li Lin in this state and exclaimed in shock: "Master, how did you…"

Then he suddenly shouted inside: "Xinger, Xiaoqing, quickly light a fire!"

"Master, hurry to the kitchen and warm yourself by the fire."

Zhang Afu wanted to help Li Lin up, but seeing the frost covering his whole body, he didn't dare touch him carelessly.

Li Lin nodded and shuffled his way to the kitchen.

Su Huafang followed along beside him.

By then the stove in the kitchen had already been lit. Li Lin sat on a small stool and held out both hands to warm them by the fire.

After a while, warmed by the stove fire, the frost on Li Lin's body began to thaw, turning into damp patches.

Li Lin was no longer shivering as badly as before.

Zhang Afu breathed a sigh of relief and said to the side, "Little Rain Sparrow, go boil some water and get the washing things ready. The master will need to warm himself up later."

The maids all got moving.

Su Huafang, seeing Li Lin was fine, also breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I'll go meet up with Zhao Hao too, see how he's doing!"

Li Lin nodded.

Su Huafang turned and left.

An hour later, Li Lin had enjoyed a nice soak in the bath and was now lying relaxed all over in bed.

The hand-copied "Obscure Character Scripture" was placed right at the head of the bed.

But right now he didn't dare so much as glance at it.

Every time that illusion appeared, the degree of cold would grow more intense.

The first time he only felt cold, and a session of seated meditation could dispel it.

The second time the air around him was terribly cold, but still within what he could bear.

But this time, he felt cold down to the marrow, as if he were about to freeze to death.

For the moment he didn't dare open that book again.

Unless he found a way to resist the cold.

He went to sleep.

Meanwhile, outside Yulin County town, the Tree Immortal Lady floated in mid-air. Below her, a Daoist's head had already turned black.

And a little further ahead, there was a bear-yao that had been kowtowing and begging for mercy the whole time.

By the next day, Li Lin woke up and went to the Silverwork Bureau to pick up a few silver ornaments.

It had to be said, the public-works craftsmen really had skill — these silver ornaments were truly elegant and exquisite.

Then he went to the county government office.

Both Su Huafang and Zhao Hao were there. Seeing Li Lin, they immediately came forward to greet him.

"How's your body?" Zhao Hao asked.

"I'm fine." Li Lin asked in turn, "After you chased out last night, how did it go?"

Zhao Hao said, a little guiltily, "That thing was way too fast."

"I see."

Su Huafang asked, "What are your plans from here?"

Li Lin thought for a moment, then said, "First go back to Shangtikou Village — the Tree Immortal Lady is there."

"That's fine too." Su Huafang looked up at the sky. "Compared to the Four Wonders True Lord, the Tree Immortal Lady is more humane — she should protect you."

Li Lin cupped his hands in salute, turned, and took his leave.

He went to the Huang residence, found Hongluan, and handed her a wooden box: "This is for your young lady."

Hongluan nodded vigorously. "Don't worry, I'll give this to the young lady right away… Li Lang, aren't you going to come in and sit for a while?"

Her face was a little flushed.

Li Lin shook his head. "I need to get back to the village first."

Hongluan stood at the door until Li Lin's figure had completely disappeared, then only then turned around.

A moment later, she held the box out to Huang Qi: "This is what Li Lang asked me to give you."

"Sent by Li Shixiong?"

Huang Qi's face instantly lit up, radiant and bright.

She couldn't wait and opened the wooden box.

(End of chapter)