Chapter 96: Secret Knowledge

Because new Spirit Hunters had arrived, Huang Yan had the best restaurant prepare two tables of fine dishes, letting the Spirit Hunters feast at public expense.

As for Huang Yan, he naturally did not attend.

The dignity of a superior must often be maintained.

With wine and meat as medium, the three new Spirit Hunters clearly grew familiar with the original ones here.

Even the cold-faced Bai Yunfei looked considerably more relaxed.

Ding Yingchun, of course, received the most warmth.

Though she was not beautiful, with a member of the opposite sex among colleagues, one ought to show some consideration, wouldn’t one?

Moreover, Zhao Xiaohu paid special attention to Ding Yingchun, always seeking to speak with her, though she paid little heed to him, leaving him somewhat disheartened.

Li Lin was in no hurry to ask Ding Yingchun for the exchange of secret manuals; haste won’t get you hot tofu—wait until they were more familiar.

More than an hour later, the wine was gone and the guests dispersed.

As Li Lin walked home, someone called out to him.

“Senior Li, please wait.”

Li Lin turned and saw it was Bai Yunfei.

This man had a decent appearance, but compared to Li Lin, he fell short.

Especially in terms of aura, the gap was greater.

Li Lin was warm and composed; Bai Yunfei was like a sharpened longsword—sharp and intimidating.

Li Lin bowed his fists: “Senior Bai, what is it?”

“I heard your spear technique is exceptional—would you care to spar a few rounds?”

Li Lin thought for a moment, then agreed.

He too wanted to know how strong his spear technique truly was.

These past months, he had never slackened in his cultivation, especially in spear technique, which he had devoted himself to most.

Several Spirit Hunters who had not yet left, hearing there was a show, turned back.

The group went to the county government office’s “Weapons Room.”

There was an open training ground, with wooden swords, wooden daggers, and wooden spears for practice.

The two took their weapons and stood apart.

Yan Han also stayed, asking: “Senior Su, who do you think will win?”

“Hard to say—I don’t know Senior Bai’s exact strength,” Su Huafang mused. “His eighth-rank spiritual power is formidable. Senior Li has only just entered ninth rank; logically, his chances are slim. But in sparring, neither blood qi nor yin qi may be used—only technique. Senior Li’s spear technique is also formidable; his spear has ‘intent.’”

Yan Han was surprised: “Intent?”

At that moment, the two began exchanging strikes.

Bai Yunfei used an unusual footwork, strangely erratic, as if leaping sideways, moving with astonishing speed.

But the moment Bai Yunfei drew within the range of Li Lin’s spear, his expression changed.

Because the opposite spear had already thrust directly toward the spot he intended to appear.

This forced him to break his footwork and shift direction.

Yet the next instant, the spear pointed again before his face.

Again, his move had been anticipated.

Bai Yunfei could only retreat, using his wooden sword to parry the thrust.

But now he was on the defensive.

The opposite spear kept thrusting—no matter how he used his footwork, he could not evade.

He could only block with his sword, unable to counterattack.

After all, there was a great difference in weapon length.

After blocking over a dozen strikes, Bai Yunfei was pondering how to break the deadlock when he realized the wooden spearhead had stopped just before his throat.

He lost.

Bai Yunfei’s face was filled with dejection.

Yan Han muttered beside him: “So this is ‘intent’? Truly impressive.”

He too used a sword; imagining himself in Bai Yunfei’s position, without using yin qi or blood qi, he could not conceive how to counter such spear technique.

That kind of attack—like foreseeing the future—was something warriors who did not understand ‘intent’ could not withstand.

Then Bai Yunfei’s expression brightened: “Your power is less than his, but your spear technique is stronger!”

Huh?

Li Lin was puzzled.

The man’s words made no sense.

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

Li Lin thought a moment, then said: “Of course.”

He needed a training partner.

Though he had lost, Bai Yunfei seemed much happier.

Yan Han walked over and asked: “Senior Li, is that Yu Clan Spear Technique you’re using?”

“Yes!”

“Impressive. Admirable,” Yan Han bowed with a smile. “Many in the martial world practice this spear technique, but I’ve never seen anyone reach your level.”

Bai Yunfei also nodded: “Indeed, it’s very strong.”

Li Lin replied modestly: “Just luck.”

The group chatted a while longer before finally dispersing.

Li Lin returned to his new residence and saw Hong Luan, accompanied by two maids, washing bedding.

Seeing Li Lin, she immediately set the bedding back into the large wooden tub and ran over, smiling: “Master, you’re finally back.”

He had stayed in the village ten days; she had missed him ten days.

A brief separation surpasses a new marriage—Hong Luan devoted herself entirely to serving her husband, utterly unable to be surpassed.

Though he could not cultivate at night, Li Lin still made full use of his daytime hours.

Practicing short sword, spear technique, and thunder arts.

Several days passed, and Ding Yingchun invited him to dinner.

Of course, not just him—also Su Huafang, Bai Liwei, and Zhao Hao.

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

Ding Yingchun sat in the main seat, dressed in a fitted outfit, smiling: “Four Senior Hunters, I’ve hosted this banquet to speak of two matters.”

All looked at her.

“First, I urgently need yin qi stones. Please part with some,” Ding Yingchun bowed further. “I’m willing to pay a high price—silver, or barter!”

Su Huafang and the others fell silent.

Li Lin, however, said strangely: “I don’t have any yin qi stones.”

At this, Ding Yingchun looked at Li Lin’s face, her eyes showing a trace of admiration: “Senior Li, you’re being modest. Among the four of you, you possess the most yin qi stones.”

Li Lin was confused.

He truly had not a single yin qi stone.

“After the death of the Taowu True Lord, his spirit transformed into vast quantities of yin qi stones, seized by the imperial court and stored in the palace,” Ding Yingchun smiled. “The Huang family used their connections to apply for many yin qi stones on your behalf. You haven’t received them yet—likely still in transit.”

Li Lin understood—it must have been his future father-in-law’s doing.

He finally understood why Huang Yan had kept him from “witnessing” the Taowu True Lord’s death.

He had a way to get him yin qi stones.

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

Li Lin smiled helplessly: “Let’s talk about this once I’ve received the yin qi stones.”

Ding Yingchun narrowed her eyes and nodded: “Fine. I’ll wait.”

Then she turned serious: “The second matter: I hope the four of you will lend me your aid—I will repay you handsomely.”

All four looked at her.

“Have any of you heard the term ‘cultivating immortality’?”

Bai Liwei and Zhao Hao both shook their heads.

Su Huafang gave a slight nod; Li Lin was startled.

Could it be the cultivation of “immortals” I’m thinking of?

But this world has countless spirits—someone cultivating immortality isn’t strange.

Ding Yingchun smiled: “It seems Senior Su and Senior Li come from distinguished families.”

(End of Chapter)