The group returned to the yamen.
Although the fierce ghost had been vanquished, none of them felt sleepy.
"Although Qingyang County is the closest county to Liang City, it's still over a hundred li away," Lin Ji said in a deep voice. "Now that fierce ghosts have entered the city, and not just one, it indicates there are more on the way."
"Not only Qingyang County, but in all directions of Liang City, in various counties, there will be fierce ghosts and even stronger ghostly beings."
At this moment, a sense of tension, as if facing an approaching army, lingered in everyone's hearts.
"These three fierce ghosts tonight were probably just the appetizers. It seems the days ahead will be tough, Lao Guo, it looks like you and I won't have much time to rest at night," Lin Ji said.
"Understood," Guo Yi nodded.
The matter of going back to Qingcheng Sect to pick up his wife that was mentioned earlier could only be temporarily set aside.
Lin Ji then looked at Ling Yin and Lu Cong.
"Lu Cong, go back and focus on your cultivation diligently. Don't wander around outside all day until you reach the second realm," Lin Ji said. "Struggling so hard against mere fierce ghosts, isn't it embarrassing?"
"I understand," Lu Cong nodded repeatedly, feeling somewhat disheartened.
In fact, Lu Cong's talent was quite ordinary. Although he was naturally strong, his aptitude was not considered good. It was already not easy for him to become a cultivator, let alone advancing further.
But Lin Ji didn't want him to lack ambition.
Just the second realm, no matter how poor his aptitude, with effort, there would always be a chance.
After sending Lu Cong away, Lin Ji turned to Ling Yin and said, "Ling Yin, you should set off for Qingcheng Sect tomorrow."
Ling Yin was taken aback for a moment, then said discontentedly, "No, how can I leave at a time like this?"
"Last night, the three fierce ghosts exhausted you. If you stay, will you be a burden to me and Lao Guo?" Lin Ji spoke frankly.
"But..."
"I don't want to deal with fierce ghosts on one side and worry about saving you on the other," Lin Ji said bluntly. "Talent is just talent. Even if you are a genius, you are only a cultivator in the second realm for now."
"Your spiritual eyes haven't opened yet, and the ghostly domain of fierce ghosts can affect you. Staying here is of no use. Go back to the mountain," Lin Ji said.
Ling Yin wanted to argue further but was stopped by Guo Yi.
"Lin Head Catcher is right. Junior Sister, under normal circumstances, it would be fine, but the current situation has clearly exceeded the scope of training," Guo Yi said solemnly. "Think about the elders of the sect who have high hopes for you. Now is not the time to be willful. After you return, intensify your cultivation and strive to break through as soon as possible."
After hearing this, Ling Yin fell silent for a long time.
"I understand. I will return tomorrow."
After Ling Yin left, Lin Ji and Guo Yi looked at each other and smiled bitterly.
"The message requesting support has been sent out, but in this situation, I doubt the Monitoring Bureau will be able to send more people," Guo Yi said.
"We can only wait," Lin Ji said, with no better solution.
The night had grown late.
After bidding farewell to Guo Yi, Lin Ji walked towards his home.
He took out the Book of Cause and Effect from his bosom and added new content to a blank page.
"Killed the night watchman Lao Qiao, who was harmed by the fierce ghost. Executed."
When the final stroke fell, Lin Ji suddenly felt a sense of clarity in his heart.
It wasn't as dramatic as the last time, where his cultivation soared after slaying a demon. Dealing with just a few fierce ghosts wouldn't have such a drastic effect, but cultivating at this moment would definitely be more efficient.
Lin Ji didn't want to delay. He quickened his pace, returned home, and soon entered a state of cultivation.
This round of cultivation lasted until noon the next day.
Opening his eyes, Lin Ji took a deep breath, calming the surging spiritual energy in his meridians.
"The cultivation last night is equivalent to a week's worth of effort for me under normal circumstances," Lin Ji pondered silently.
At this moment, the spiritual energy in his dantian was nearing saturation.
"After the spiritual energy can no longer increase, I will go into seclusion for two to three days. I should be able to break through to the fourth realm," Lin Ji thought.
For others trying to break through realms, it would take months or even years to break through bottlenecks. But thanks to the Book of Cause and Effect, Lin Ji didn't encounter bottlenecks during cultivation.
Even at the peak of a realm, when he closed himself off for cultivation, the breakthrough insights would naturally appear in his mind, like a sudden enlightenment, leading to a breakthrough.
This had been the case when he broke through the second and third realms, so Lin Ji didn't expect any surprises in reaching the fourth realm.
Pushing open the door, Lin Ji yawned as he faced the sunlight.
Leisurely walking out of the courtyard, he followed the familiar street to Ruyi Pavilion.
He still occupied the window seat on the second floor, and without Lin Ji needing to say anything, the servant had already poured tea for him.
After a while, Lin Ji's favorite dishes were served one by one.
It was a rule at Ruyi Pavilion that whenever Lin Ji arrived, the chef had to serve him first.
While enjoying his meal, Lin Ji noticed Zhou Qian downstairs outside the window.
"Zhou Qian, come up here."
"I'm coming." Zhou Qian saw Lin Ji and quickly responded.
Zhou Qian came up to the second floor and sat opposite Lin Ji.
"Boss, I heard there was a ghostly disturbance last night."
"It has nothing to do with you," Lin Ji replied casually. Since Zhou Qian had just gotten married and was about to move, it was best not to involve him in such matters.
As Lin Ji ate, he casually asked, "I see you're in a hurry, where are you off to?"
"Ah, there are too many properties in the county, it's a headache," Zhou Qian said with a troubled expression. "I discussed it with Xiaomei, and it seemed fine, but when it came time to actually move, I realized it's troublesome."
Lin Ji listened quietly without saying a word.
"There are over a dozen houses, and there are precious furniture inside."
"There are plenty of shops, and those can't be taken with me."
"Gold, silver, jewelry, and other miscellaneous items, it's all a mess, just looking at them annoys me."
"I also have the women I used to keep, they need to be settled one by one."
"In that case, you won't be able to leave for a while?" Lin Ji couldn't bear to listen any longer and asked.
"It's not that bad. I just asked my father for a hundred thousand taels of silver, and all these miscellaneous items will belong to him," Zhou Qian said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Lin Ji suddenly lost his appetite, stood up, and walked out, saying, "There's Lao Li's pancake shop, the donkey meat shop in the county, and Ruyi Pavilion."
"What's wrong?" Zhou Qian was puzzled.
"I owe quite a bit of money. Go settle it for me later," Lin Ji said.
Zhou Qian smiled and agreed.
Lin Ji patted his shoulder.
"When are you leaving? The county is not peaceful these days. If you're leaving, do it quickly, don't delay."
"Tomorrow."
"I'm too lazy to see you off. Have a safe journey."
"Alright."
After bidding farewell to Zhou Qian, Lin Ji left Ruyi Pavilion. But as he had taken only a few steps, he suddenly saw a fortune-telling Taoist setting up a stall by the roadside.
Recognizing him, Lin Ji approached the stall.
The Taoist was as untidy as ever, with a dusty face, eyes closed, and muttering words.
"Knows the heavens above and the earth below, foresees five hundred years past and five hundred years future! What would you like me to predict, sir?"
"Taoist, when did you go blind?" Lin Ji chuckled.
The Taoist opened his eyes, saw Lin Ji, and was pleasantly surprised.
"Brother, it's you!"
(End of Chapter)