Chapter 96: Secret News

Because a new Spirit Hunter had arrived, Huang Yan had the best restaurant prepare two tables of delicious dishes, letting the Spirit Hunters eat and drink at public expense.

As for Huang Yan, he naturally would not attend.

The airs of an official must often be maintained.

With wine and meat as a medium, the three newly arrived Spirit Hunters clearly became familiar with the Spirit Hunters already here.

Even Bai Yunfei, whose face was usually cold, looked much better in expression.

And Ding Yingchun naturally received the most enthusiasm.

Although she was not beautiful, with a female colleague joining the group, one had to take care of her to some extent, didn't one!

Additionally, Zhao Xiaohu paid special attention to Ding Yingchun, always finding ways to talk to her, but the latter paid little attention to him, leaving him somewhat disappointed.

Li Lin was also not in a hurry to ask Ding Yingchun to exchange manuals; one cannot eat hot tofu in a hurry, so he would wait until they were more familiar later.

After a bit more than an hour, the wine was gone and the people dispersed.

When Li Lin was walking home, he was called back.

"Li Xunshou, please wait a moment."

Li Lin turned around and found it was Bai Yunfei.

This person had good looks, but compared to Li Lin, there was a gap.

Especially in temperament, the gap was even greater.

Li Lin was warm and amiable, while Bai Yunfei was like a long blade that had been sharpened, sharp and imposing.

Li Lin clasped his fist: "Bai Xunshou, what is the matter?"

"I heard your spear skills are extraordinary; may I spar a few moves with you?"

Li Lin thought for a moment and agreed.

Actually, he also wanted to know how strong his spear skills had become.

During this period, he had never relaxed his cultivation, especially his spear skills, which he practiced with the most care.

At this time, several Spirit Hunters who had not left, hearing there was a show to watch, all turned back.

The group arrived at the county government office's "Soldiers' Quarters."

There was an open training ground here, along with many wooden knives, wooden swords, and wooden spears for training.

The two took their weapons and stood apart.

Yan Han had not left either; he asked, "Su Xunshou, who do you think will win?"

"It is hard to say; I do not know Bai Xunshou's specific strength." Su Huafang thought for a moment and said, "His eighth-rank cultivation is very formidable. Li Xunshou has only recently entered the ninth rank; logically, Li Xunshou's chances of winning are not high. However, in a spar, one cannot use blood qi or yin qi; judging purely by technique, Li Xunshou is also very formidable. His spear skills have reached the state of 'Intent'."

Yan Han was somewhat surprised: "Has reached 'Intent'?"

At this moment, the two had already begun exchanging moves.

Bai Yunfei used a very special footwork that looked extremely strange, as if he was striding sideways, with speed that was astonishing.

However, as soon as Bai Yunfei approached within the range of Li Lin's spear attacks, his expression changed.

Because the spear on the opposite side had directly thrust toward the spot where he was about to 'appear'.

This forced him to interrupt his footwork and change direction again.

However, in the next breath, the spear pointed at him again.

He had been predicted by the opponent once more.

Bai Yunfei could only retreat and use the wooden sword in his hand to parry the opponent's thrust.

However, this made him passive.

The spear on the opposite side kept thrusting; no matter how he used his footwork, he could not dodge.

Using a long sword could only block; he could not counterattack.

After all, there was a great difference in the length of the weapons on both sides.

After blocking more than ten times, while Bai Yunfei was thinking about how to break the stalemate, he discovered that the opponent's wooden spear tip had already stopped in front of his throat.

He had lost.

Bai Yunfei's face was full of dejection.

Yan Han made a clicking sound nearby: "So this is 'Intent'? Truly formidable."

He also used a sword; putting himself in Bai Yunfei's situation just now, without using yin qi or blood qi, he simply could not think of how to break the opponent's spear skills.

That kind of attack method, as if foreseeing the future, was something martial artists like them who did not understand 'Intent' could not contend with.

Afterwards, Bai Yunfei's expression became excited again: "Your strength is inferior to his, but your spear skills are stronger than his!"

Hmm?

Li Lin was somewhat confused.

The other person's words were somewhat nonsensical.

"Can we spar often in the future?" Bai Yunfei asked.

Li Lin thought for a moment and said, "Naturally, that is possible."

He also needed a sparring partner.

Although he had lost, Bai Yunfei's mood seemed much better.

Yan Han walked over and asked, "Li Xunshou, is the spear skill you use the Yu Family Spear Skill?"

"Yes!"

"Formidable, I admire it." Yan Han clasped his hands and smiled: "Many people in the Jianghu practice this spear skill, but I have never seen anyone with your realm before."

Bai Yunfei also nodded: "Indeed, it is very strong."

Li Lin said modestly, "It was merely luck."

The few of them chatted for a while longer before finally dispersing.

Li Lin returned to his new residence and saw Hong Luan leading two young maids in washing the bedding.

Seeing Li Lin, she immediately placed the bedding back into the large wooden basin, ran over with a smile, and said, "Official, you have finally returned."

Li Lin had stayed in the village for ten days, and she had missed him for ten days.

A brief parting makes a reunion sweeter; Hong Luan devoted all her strength to serving her husband, unable to be defeated.

Although he could not cultivate at night, Li Lin still made the best use of his daytime hours.

He practiced with the short sword, practiced spear techniques, and practiced thunder arts.

After several days, Ding Yingqiu hosted a banquet for him.

Of course, it was not just him; it also included Su Huafang, Bai Liwei, and Zhao Hao.

The private room was on the third floor, where the view was excellent.

Ding Yingqiu sat in the main seat, dressed in tight-fitting attire, and said with a smile, "Four Li Xunshou, this humble woman invites you to this banquet for only two matters to discuss."

Everyone looked at her.

"First, I urgently need Yin Qi Stones; please part with yours." Ding Yingqiu clasped her fists and continued, "This humble woman is willing to pay a high price; silver is acceptable, or trade for goods is also fine!"

Su Huafang and the others fell silent.

Li Lin said strangely, "I do not have any Yin Qi Stones."

At this moment, Ding Yingqiu looked at Li Lin's face, a hint of admiration appearing in her eyes: "Li Xunshou, you are being modest. Among the four, the one possessing the most Yin Qi Stones is you."

Li Lin did not understand.

He truly did not have a single Yin Qi Stone.

"After Taowu Zhenjun died, his spirit body transformed into a large quantity of Yin Qi Stones, which were taken by the imperial court and stored in the palace." Ding Yingqiu said with a smile, "The Huang family used their connections to apply for many Yin Qi Stones for you. You have not received them yet, probably because they are still in transit."

Li Lin understood; this must be the work of his future father-in-law.

He finally understood why Huang Yan had not allowed him to 'watch' the scene of Taowu Zhenjun's death.

It turned out he had a way to get Yin Qi Stones for him.

At this moment, Su Huafang and the other two also looked at Li Lin with envy.

Li Lin smiled helplessly and said, "Let us discuss this matter after I have Yin Qi Stones."

Ding Yingqiu narrowed her eyes and nodded: "Very well, I will wait."

Then she spoke seriously: "The second matter is that I hope the four of you will lend me a hand; there will surely be a generous reward."

All four looked at her.

"Have you heard of the term 'cultivating immortals'?"

Bai Liwei and Zhao Hao both shook their heads.

Su Huafang nodded slightly, while Li Lin was somewhat surprised.

Could it be the 'cultivating immortals' I am thinking of?

However, since this world has a vast number of Apparitions, it is not strange for someone to cultivate immortals.

Ding Yingchun said with a smile, "It seems Su Xunshou and Li Xunshou come from extraordinary families."

(End of this chapter)