yōu zhōu yōng yǒu jiǔ jiǔ bā shí yī chéng ，“ tiān shuǐ ” shì qí nán bù zuì dà de chéng shì zhī yī ， zhè lǐ dì chǔ jiāo tōng yào dào ， shāng yè fán róng ， rén kǒu zhòng duō 。
幽州拥有九九八十一城，“天水”是其南部最大的城市之一，这里地处交通要道，商业繁荣，人口众多。
Yōu Zhōu had ninety-nine cities, with "Tiān Shuǐ" being one of the largest in its southern region. Located along a major transportation route, it was bustling and teeming with commerce and people.
sān rì hòu ， lín xuān lái dào le tiān shuǐ chéng jiāo ， mò xiǎng le yī biàn cǐ chéng de zī liào ， mǎn yì de diǎn le diǎn tóu ， zài zhè ér zhù jī ， dào yě shì yí gè jué jiā de xuǎn zé 。
三日后，林轩来到了天水城郊，默想了一遍此城的资料，满意的点了点头，在这儿筑基，倒也是一个绝佳的选择。
Three days later, Lin Xuan arrived at the outskirts of Tiān Shuǐ City. After reviewing the city's information mentally, he nodded satisfactorily. Establishing his foundation here would indeed be an excellent choice.
yì bān xiū shì bì guān ， zǒng huì xuǎn zé rén jì hǎn zhì de dì diǎn ， yīn wèi xiū liàn gōng fǎ ， shì zuì jì huì bèi rén dǎ rǎo le ， yǒu de xiū shì wèi tú ān jìng ， shèn zhì jiāng dòng fǔ kāi pì zài yīn hún xiá gǔ ， shí wàn dà shān ， zhè děng dǐng dǐng wēi xiǎn de suǒ zài ， jié guǒ méi yǒu rén dǎ rǎo ， què biàn chéng le yāo shòu de guǒ fù zhī cān 。
一般修士闭关，总会选择人迹罕至的地点，因为修炼功法，是最忌讳被人打扰了，有的修士为图安静，甚至将洞府开辟在阴魂峡谷，十万大山，这等顶顶危险的所在，结果没有人打扰，却变成了妖兽的裹腹之餐。
Most cultivators chose secluded locations for their seclusion, as they were most concerned about being disturbed while practicing techniques. Some even opened their dwellings in dangerous places like the Yin Hu Valley or the Ten Thousand Mountains to achieve tranquility. However, such solitude often attracted unwanted attention from beasts and resulted in their demise.
shàng cì cuì liàn jí pǐn dān ， lín xuān tóng yàng shì xuǎn zé huāng mán zhī dì ， míng míng yǐ jīng shí fēn yǐn bì ， kě zuì hòu hái shì yǒu bù sù zhī kè zhǎo shàng mén lái ， suī rán yǒu jīng wú xiǎn ， dàn yě zhe shí ràng lín xuān chū le yī shēn lěng hàn 。
上次淬炼极品丹，林轩同样是选择荒蛮之地，明明已经十分隐蔽，可最后还是有不速之客找上门来，虽然有惊无险，但也着实让林轩出了一身冷汗。
Last time when he refined a top-grade pill, Lin Xuan had chosen a remote wilderness for its concealment. Despite his efforts, an unexpected visitor still found him, though it was a close call. This experience made him break out in cold sweats.
hái hǎo jǐn jǐn shì liàn dān ， zhè yī cì chōng jī zhù jī ， shì bì gèng jiā wēi xiǎn ， lín xuān jīng guò zǐ xì sī suǒ ， zuì hòu zhōng yú xiǎng dào le yī tiáo wàn quán zhī cè 。
还好仅仅是炼丹，这一次冲击筑基，势必更加危险，林轩经过仔细思索，最后终于想到了一条万全之策。
Fortunately, this time he only needed to refine a pill; the risk of establishing his foundation would be much higher. After careful consideration, Lin Xuan finally devised a foolproof plan: "Hide in plain sight."
dà yǐn yǐn yú shì ， àn zhào zhèng cháng de sī wéi luó jí ， xiū shì bì guān dōu shì qióng shān è shuǐ ， nà zì jǐ hé bù fǎn qí dào ér xíng zhī ， xuǎn zé yī fán huá de dà chéng shì 。
大隐隐于市，按照正常的思维逻辑，修士闭关都是穷山恶水，那自己何不反其道而行之，选择一繁华的大城市。
In accordance with conventional logic, cultivators chose remote and harsh locations for their seclusion. Why not reverse this trend and choose a bustling metropolis instead? Few cultivators sought to linger in the mortal world; thus, his chances of encountering danger would be lower.
xiū zhēn zhě zhuī qiú tiān dào ， xǐ huān zài hóng chén zhōng dòu liú de qū zhǐ kě shǔ ， yě jiù shì shuō ， zì jǐ zài nà lǐ zhù jī yù jiàn wēi xiǎn de jī lǜ fǎn ér gèng xiǎo yī xiē 。
修真者追求天道，喜欢在红尘中逗留的屈指可数，也就是说，自己在那里筑基遇见危险的几率反而更小一些。
The sky was still early when Lin Xuan approached Tiān Shuǐ City unhurriedly. The sturdy walls were constructed from massive stones that weighed hundreds of pounds each, and a wide moat protected the entrance. At the gate stood a row of imposing soldiers.
cǐ shí tiān sè shàng zǎo ， lín xuān dào yě bù huāng ， màn màn de xiàng zhe tiān shuǐ zǒu le guò qù 。
此时天色尚早，林轩倒也不慌，慢慢的向着天水走了过去。
Entering the city, Lin Xuan marveled at the densely packed buildings and bustling crowds. It had been ages since he walked among mortals after embarking on his cultivation path.
jiān shí de chéng qiáng ， quán bù shì yòng shù bǎi jīn zhòng de jù shí duī qì chéng ， kuān kuò de hù chéng hé ， chéng mén kǒu zhàn zhe yī duì wēi fēng lǐn lǐn de bīng dīng 。
坚实的城墙，全部是用数百斤重的巨石堆砌成，宽阔的护城河，城门口站着一队威风凛凛的兵丁。
Chasing immortality did not mean renouncing all desires; it was merely one means to that end. Therefore, when he saw a "Xiān Jí Fú" (Sweet Fragrance Prosperity) tavern nearby, Lin Xuan immediately entered and ordered an entire table of delicacies.
jìn rù tiān shuǐ yǐ hòu ， kàn zhe sì zhōu lín cì zhì bǐ de jiàn zhù ， xī xī rǎng rǎng de rén liú ， lín xuān yě shì gǎn kǎi wàn qiān ， zì cóng tà rù xiū zhēn zhī lù ， tā yǐ jīng hǎo jiǔ méi yǒu zài fán jiān zǒu dòng le 。
进入天水以后，看着四周鳞次栉比的建筑，熙熙攘攘的人流，林轩也是感慨万千，自从踏入修真之路，他已经好久没有在凡间走动了。
After feasting, he called the waiter over: "Waiter, do you have any fine properties for sale in Tiān Shuǐ City?"
zhuī qiú xiān dào 。 bìng bù yì wèi zhe yào jué qíng jué yù ， zhè jǐn jǐn shì zhuī qiú cháng shēng de yī zhǒng shǒu duàn ér yǐ ， suǒ yǐ zài kàn jiàn bù yuǎn chù de yī jiā “ xiāng jí fú ” jiǔ lóu yǐ hòu ， lín xuān háo bù yóu yù jiù shàng qù le 。
追求仙道。并不意味着要绝情绝欲，这仅仅是追求长生的一种手段而已，所以在看见不远处的一家“香即福”酒楼以后，林轩毫不犹豫就上去了。
"Yes, sir. The Li family in the southern part of the city or the Zhang family in the eastern suburbs..."
diǎn le mǎn mǎn yī zhuō shān zhēn hǎi wèi 。 lín xuān dà kuài duǒ yí ， jiǔ zú fàn bǎo yǐ hòu ， tā jiāng pǎo táng dì jiào le guò lái ：“ xiǎo èr ， tiān shuǐ chéng lǐ kě yǒu shàng hǎo de fáng zi chū shòu ？”
点了满满一桌山珍海味。林轩大快朵颐，酒足饭饱以后，他将跑堂地叫了过来：“小二，天水城里可有上好的房子出售？”
Lin Xuan interrupted him with a frown. "I want to buy an estate."
“ kè guān nín yào gòu zhì dì chǎn ， yǒu a ， yǒu a ， nán chéng de lǐ jiā ， dōng jiāo de zhāng yuán wài ……”
“客官您要购置地产，有啊，有啊，南城的李家，东郊的张员外……”
The old man's face lit up: "One hundred taels of silver."
lín xuān bǎi le bǎi shǒu ：“ wǒ yào xún yī chù ān jìng dì 。 zuì hǎo cháng nián méi yǒu rén dǎ rǎo 。”
林轩摆了摆手：“我要寻一处安静地。最好常年没有人打扰。”
"One hundred taels?" Lin Xuan was surprised but quickly understood. The true value of this estate far exceeded that price, but it was being sold cheaply as a haunted house.
“ cháng nián méi yǒu rén dǎ rǎo 。” xiǎo èr chén yín le yī xià ：“ yǒu dǎo shì yǒu ， jiù shì ……”
“常年没有人打扰。”小二沉吟了一下：“有倒是有，就是……”
After paying the money and signing the deed, Lin Xuan began to explore his new home. He would establish his foundation here for some time.
“ tūn tūn tǔ tǔ de gàn má 。 zhǐ yào mǎn zú wǒ de yāo qiú ， jià qián bú shì wèn tí 。” lín xuān yī biān shuō ， yī biān dì gěi tā yī kuài yuán bǎo 。
“吞吞吐吐的干嘛。只要满足我的要求，价钱不是问题。”林轩一边说，一边递给他一块元宝。
Unlike advancing in cultivation techniques, transitioning from the灵动 stage to the筑基 stage signified a leap in cultivation realms. Success meant not only a qualitative change in internal energy but also a transformation of one's body through the washing and purifying process described in the Book of Changes (易经), doubling his lifespan.
xiǎo èr dùn shí liǎng yǎn fàng guāng ， zhè me dà fāng de kè rén ， tā cóng lái bù céng yù dào 。 biǎo qíng gèng jiā gōng jìng le ：“ xiè kè guān shǎng cì ， zài tiān shuǐ chéng běi jiāo yuē shí lǐ de dì fāng ， què shí yǒu yī zuò bù cuò de zhuāng yuán ， zhàn dì shù mǔ ， tíng tái lóu gé ， huā yuán xiǎo hú ， yīng yǒu jìn yǒu ， yuán shì běn chéng shǒu fù ， chén lǎo yé de dì chǎn 。 ér qiě zhuāng yuán fēi cháng ān jìng ， děng xián bú huì yǒu rén dǎ rǎo ， zhèng mǎn zú nín de yāo qiú ， zhǐ ， zhǐ shì ……”
小二顿时两眼放光，这么大方的客人，他从来不曾遇到。表情更加恭敬了：“谢客官赏赐，在天水城北郊约十里的地方，确实有一座不错的庄园，占地数亩，亭台楼阁，花园小湖，应有尽有，原是本城首富，陈老爷的地产。而且庄园非常安静，等闲不会有人打扰，正满足您的要求，只，只是……”
Before that, he had something else to do. Closing his eyes, Lin Xuan released his divine sense. After a moment, he smiled playfully when he opened his eyes again.
“ zěn me le ？” lín xuān zhòu le zhòu méi ：“ nà chén lǎo yé bù yuàn yì mài ？”
“怎么了？”林轩皱了皱眉：“那陈老爷不愿意卖？”
Lin Xuan walked into the rear garden, where an unremarkable small house stood unlocked. Pushing open the door, he found the interior dimly lit despite it being daytime. The temperature seemed to drop significantly in an instant.
“ bù ， chén lǎo yé bā bù dé kuài diǎn chū shǒu ， zhǐ shì zhè zhuāng yuán yǒu diǎn bù gàn jìng 。 zhù zài lǐ miàn dì rén bú shì wú yuán wú gù de dé yī cháng dà bìng 。 jiù shì chǎn shēng gè zhǒng xī qí gǔ guài dì huàn jué ， yǒu rén shuō 。 nào guǐ 。”
“不，陈老爷巴不得快点出手，只是这庄园有点不干净。住在里面地人不是无缘无故的得一场大病。就是产生各种稀奇古怪地幻觉，有人说。闹鬼。”
"Whim! Whim!"
bàn gè shí chén hòu ， lín xuān lái dào le tiān shuǐ chéng běi jiāo ， zài tā qián miàn ， yǒu yī zuò jīng zhì huá lì de zhuāng yuán ， yīng gāi jiù shì xiǎo èr suǒ shuō de guǐ zhái ， dǎ liàng le yī xià zhōu wéi de huán jìng ， lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū mǎn yì de biǎo qíng ， bù jǐn ān jìng ， ér qiě hái yǒu yī chù xiǎo xiǎo dì líng mài ， zhèng shì xiū shì liàn gōng de jué jiā dì diǎn 。
半个时辰后，林轩来到了天水城北郊，在他前面，有一座精致华丽的庄园，应该就是小二所说的鬼宅，打量了一下周围的环境，林轩脸上露出满意的表情，不仅安静，而且还有一处小小地灵脉，正是修士练功的绝佳地点。
A woman's sobs echoed from a corner of the room, and furniture began to shake inexplicably.
zhì yú suǒ wèi de nào guǐ ， lín xuān kě shì yì diǎn méi yǒu fàng zài yǎn lǐ ， jǐn guǎn xiǎo èr shuō guò ， céng qǐng bù shǎo tiān shī lái jiàng yāo chú mó ， què dōu shā yǔ ér guī 。
至于所谓的闹鬼，林轩可是一点没有放在眼里，尽管小二说过，曾请不少天师来降妖除魔，却都铩羽而归。
Lin Xuan frowned but showed no interest in playing with a ghost. He closed his eyes, channeling internal energy into his right hand, which emitted a white light that transformed into a giant palm, reaching for the corner of the room.
“ tiān shī ？” lín xuān zuǐ jiǎo biān lù chū yī sī jī cháo ， zài tā men zhè xiē zhēn zhèng xiū shì de yǎn lǐ ， nà bù guò shì yī qún zhuāng shén nòng guǐ de jiā huo ér yǐ 。
“天师？”林轩嘴角边露出一丝讥嘲，在他们这些真正修士的眼里，那不过是一群装神弄鬼的家伙而已。
The sound of a wailing ghost abruptly ceased as it was replaced by a terrified scream. A shadow appeared and darted towards the door.
lín xuān zǒu dào zhuāng yuán de mén kǒu ， kòu le kòu mén ， děng le bàn xiǎng ， cái zhōng yú yǒu yí gè xū fà jiē bái de tuó bèi lǎo zhě zǒu le chū lái 。
林轩走到庄园的门口，叩了叩门，等了半响，才终于有一个须发皆白的驼背老者走了出来。
"Trying to run?"
“ nǐ ……”
“你……”
Lin Xuan's divine sense activated, transforming the palm into shimmering ropes that bound the ghostly figure.
“ lǎo zhě qǐng le ， wǒ shì lái mǎi fáng zi de 。”
“老者请了，我是来买房子的。”
"Pardon me, sir! Pardon me!" The ghost revealed itself to be a sixteen-year-old girl with a delicate appearance. Lin Xuan sized her up and pondered.
“ nǐ yào gòu mǎi zhuāng yuán ？” lǎo rén de liǎn shàng mǎn shì xǐ sè ：“ yì bǎi liǎng yín zi 。
“你要购买庄园？”老人的脸上满是喜色：“一百两银子。
It wasn't because of her beauty; he had noticed she was a pure yin entity.
cái yì bǎi liǎng ， lín xuān yī lèng ， bù guò hěn kuài jiù wèi zhī shì rán ， zhè zuò zhuāng yuán dì zhēn zhèng jià zhí dāng rán yuǎn yuǎn bù zhǐ ， dàn shuí ràng tā shì guǐ zhái ， suǒ yǐ zhǐ néng lián jià shuǎi mài 。
才一百两，林轩一愣，不过很快就为之释然，这座庄园地真正价值当然远远不止，但谁让它是鬼宅，所以只能廉价甩卖。
In the cultivation world, entities with pure yin bodies could become ghost cultivators. Unlike ordinary厉鬼 (angry spirits), these ghosts retained their intelligence but could solidify into forms after deepening their cultivation.
fù le yín liǎng ， jiāo le fáng qì ， dài lǎo zhě lí qù yǐ hòu ， lín xuān jiù kāi shǐ dǎ liàng zì jǐ de xīn jū ， wèi lái de yī duàn shí jiān lǐ ， zì jǐ jiāng zài zhè ér zhù jī 。
付了银两，交了房契，待老者离去以后，林轩就开始打量自己的新居，未来的一段时间里，自己将在这儿筑基。
Cultivators could become immortals, and so could ghost cultivators if they successfully transcended their trials to become ghost immortals.
yǔ tí shēng gōng fǎ de céng cì bù tóng ， cóng líng dòng dào zhù jī ， nǎi shì xiū zhēn jìng jiè de tiào yuè ， yí dàn chéng gōng ， bù jǐn tǐ nèi de líng lì huì fā shēng zhì biàn ， shēn tǐ de yě huì bèi yì jīng xǐ suǐ ， shòu mìng fān shàng yí bèi 。
与提升功法的层次不同，从灵动到筑基，乃是修真境界的跳跃，一旦成功，不仅体内的灵力会发生质变，身体的也会被易经洗髓，寿命翻上一倍。
In other words, a pure yin entity was akin to a living person with a灵根 (spirit root), but much rarer. Typically, only one in tens of thousands of ghosts would be lucky enough to have such an entity.
dāng rán zài cǐ zhī qián ， tā hái yǒu yì diǎn xiǎo shì yào zuò ， lín xuān bì shàng yǎn jīng ， fàng chū shén shí ， piàn kè hòu ， tái qǐ tóu ， zuǐ jiǎo biān liú lù chū yī sī wán wèi dì xiào róng 。
当然在此之前，他还有一点小事要做，林轩闭上眼睛，放出神识，片刻后，抬起头，嘴角边流露出一丝玩味地笑容。
Of those fortunate ones, the chance of becoming a ghost cultivator was even slimmer—less than ten percent. Talent alone wasn't enough; someone had to introduce them into the cultivation path.
lín xuān lái dào le hòu huā yuán ， zhè ér yǒu yī dòng bù qǐ yǎn dì xiǎo lóu ， mén méi yǒu suǒ ， qīng qīng yī tuī jiù kāi le 。
林轩来到了后花园，这儿有一栋不起眼地小楼，门没有锁，轻轻一推就开了。
Lin Xuan secretly observed the young girl. She grew more frightened as he stared at her silently. She only wanted peace in this estate and hadn't done anything wrong.
xiǎo lóu lǐ de guāng xiàn hěn àn ， míng míng shì bái tiān ， què gěi rén yī zhǒng yīn sēn kǒng bù dì gǎn jué ， qì wēn yě fǎng fú zài yī shùn jiān xià jiàng le hěn duō 。
小楼里的光线很暗，明明是白天，却给人一种阴森恐怖地感觉，气温也仿佛在一瞬间下降了很多。
Although she had been a ghost for a short time, she had heard of cultivators' legends—immortals who could refine ghosts to create magical treasures.
“ wū ！”
“呜！”
"Your name?" Lin Xuan asked when the girl's fear reached its peak.
jiǎo luò lǐ ， chuán lái yī nǚ zǐ kū qì de shēng yīn ， fáng jiān lǐ de jiā jù yě mò míng qí miào de huàng dòng le qǐ lái 。
角落里，传来一女子哭泣的声音，房间里的家具也莫名其妙的晃动了起来。
"Línér."
lín xuān zhòu le zhòu méi ， tā kě méi yǒu xìng qù hé yí gè xiǎo guǐ hú nào ， yě bù duō yán ， tǐ nèi líng lì yùn zhuàn ， yòu shǒu yī fú ， yī dào bái guāng cóng yī xiù lǐ jī shè ér chū ， zài bàn kōng zhōng huà wèi yī jù dà shǒu zhǎng ， zhuā xiàng fáng jiān de jiǎo luò 。
林轩皱了皱眉，他可没有兴趣和一个小鬼胡闹，也不多言，体内灵力运转，右手一拂，一道白光从衣袖里激射而出，在半空中化为一巨大手掌，抓像房间的角落。
Lin Xuan was taken aback. They shared the same surname. He carefully examined her again before speaking: "Do you want me to spare your life?"
guǐ kū de shēng yīn gā rán ér zhì ， qǔ ér dài zhī de shì jīng huáng de jiān jiào ， yī xū yǐng zài bàn kōng zhōng fú xiàn ， cuàn xiàng mén de fāng xiàng 。
鬼哭的声音嘎然而至，取而代之的是惊惶的尖叫，一虚影在半空中浮现，窜像门的方向。
"Yes, please, sir! I really haven't done anything wrong."
“ xiǎng pǎo ？”
“想跑？”
"Alright, but you must recognize me as your master."
lín xuān shén shí yī dòng ， nà huà xíng chū lái de shǒu zhǎng biàn wèi le háo guāng shǎn shǎn de shéng zi ， jiāng xū yǐng kǔn zhù 。
林轩神识一动，那化形出来的手掌变为了毫光闪闪的绳子，将虚影捆住。
"Recognize a master?"
“ xiān shī ráo mìng ， xiān shī ráo mìng ！” lín xuān kàn zhuó yǎn qián de yīn hún ， shì yī shí liù ， qī suì de shào nǚ ， róng mào qīng xiù ， jiāo qiào kě rén ， lín xuān dǎ liàng le tā jǐ yǎn ， chén yín qǐ lái 。
“仙师饶命，仙师饶命！”林轩看着眼前的阴魂，是一十六，七岁的少女，容貌清秀，娇俏可人，林轩打量了她几眼，沉吟起来。
"Yes, if you do so, not only will I spare your life, but I can also teach you the methods of ghost cultivation. In time, you'll solidify into a form and achieve immortality."
bié wù huì ， lín xuān kě bú shì yīn wèi kàn shàng le zhè nǚ guǐ de zī sè ， ér shì fā xiàn cǐ nǚ jū rán shì chún yīn zhī tǐ 。
别误会，林轩可不是因为看上了这女鬼的姿色，而是发现此女居然是纯阴之体。
Lin Xuan's voice was alluring. He wasn't suddenly compassionate; he was considering his own benefits.
suǒ wèi chún yīn zhī tǐ ， nǎi shì xiū zhēn jiè de yī zhǒng jiào fǎ ， yōng yǒu zhè zhǒng tǐ zhì yīn hún ， kě yǐ chéng wéi guǐ xiū 。
所谓纯阴之体，乃是修真界的一种叫法，拥有这种体质阴魂，可以成为鬼修。
Encountering a pure yin entity was a great fortune for cultivators. Cultivator strength came from various sources: cultivation level, pills, crystals, and magical treasures.
guǐ xiū yǔ pǔ tōng de lì guǐ bù tóng ， lì guǐ nǎi shì xīn zhōng yǒu yuàn qì ， bù yuàn yì qù dì fǔ tóu tāi ， zhòng rù lún huí ， suī rán suí zhe suì yuè de liú shì ， shí lì yě kě yǐ zēng qiáng ， dàn què huì shī qù líng zhì ， biàn dé gēn yě shòu yī yàng 。
鬼修与普通的厉鬼不同，厉鬼乃是心中有怨气，不愿意去地府投胎，重入轮回，虽然随着岁月的流逝，实力也可以增强，但却会失去灵智，变得跟野兽一样。
However, this was the usual case. The path of cultivation encompassed many aspects—refining pills, drawing talismans, crafting tools, setting up arrays, and more. Keeping powerful insects or signing with formidable beasts were also ways to enhance one's strength.
ér guǐ xiū zé shì yǔ xiū xiān zhě ， xiū mó zhě yī yàng ， bù jǐn bú huì sàng shī líng zhì ， ér qiě xiū wèi jīng shēn yǐ hòu ， hái kě yǐ gù tǐ huà xíng 。
而鬼修则是与修仙者，修魔者一样，不仅不会丧失灵智，而且修为精深以后，还可以固体化形。
But raising such creatures required immense effort. It would be wiser to focus on personal cultivation rather than spending so much time and energy.
xiū zhēn zhě kě yǐ chéng wéi xiān rén ， xiū mó zhě kě yǐ chéng wéi mó zūn ， guǐ xiū dù jié chéng gōng yǐ hòu ， yī yàng kě yǐ biàn wèi guǐ xiān 。
修真者可以成为仙人，修魔者可以成为魔尊，鬼修渡劫成功以后，一样可以变为鬼仙。
However, encountering a pure yin entity was different. By forming a master-servant contract with him, the ghost could cultivate independently without expending any of his own energy. He would gain an obedient servant who would grow stronger over time.
huàn jù huà shuō ， yīn hún yōng yǒu chún yīn zhī tǐ ， jiù xiāng dāng yú huó rén yōng yǒu líng gēn ， ér qiě gèng jiā de xī shǎo ， tōng cháng shù shí wàn yīn hún zhī zhōng ， cái huì chū xiàn yí gè xìng yùn zhě 。
换句话说，阴魂拥有纯阴之体，就相当于活人拥有灵根，而且更加的稀少，通常数十万阴魂之中，才会出现一个幸运者。
In fact, a pure yin entity could double one's cultivation strength.
ér xìng yùn de yīn hún ， chéng wéi guǐ xiū de jī lǜ shí bù zú yī ， guāng yǒu tiān fèn ， hái xū yào yǒu rén yǐn jiàn rù mén 。
而幸运的阴魂，成为鬼修的几率十不足一，光有天分，还需要有人引荐入门。
Such benefits were known to all cultivators, but finding such entities was incredibly difficult. Even condensation-stage cultivators spent decades searching in areas with heavy阴气 (yin energy) without success. Lin Xuan's luck had been exceptionally good.
Yōu Zhōu had ninety-nine cities, with "Tiān Shuǐ" being one of the largest in its southern region. Located along a major transportation route, it was bustling and teeming with commerce and people.
Three days later, Lin Xuan arrived at the outskirts of Tiān Shuǐ City. After reviewing the city's information mentally, he nodded satisfactorily. Establishing his foundation here would indeed be an excellent choice.
Most cultivators chose secluded locations for their seclusion, as they were most concerned about being disturbed while practicing techniques. Some even opened their dwellings in dangerous places like the Yin Hu Valley or the Ten Thousand Mountains to achieve tranquility. However, such solitude often attracted unwanted attention from beasts and resulted in their demise.
Last time when he refined a top-grade pill, Lin Xuan had chosen a remote wilderness for its concealment. Despite his efforts, an unexpected visitor still found him, though it was a close call. This experience made him break out in cold sweats.
Fortunately, this time he only needed to refine a pill; the risk of establishing his foundation would be much higher. After careful consideration, Lin Xuan finally devised a foolproof plan: "Hide in plain sight."
In accordance with conventional logic, cultivators chose remote and harsh locations for their seclusion. Why not reverse this trend and choose a bustling metropolis instead? Few cultivators sought to linger in the mortal world; thus, his chances of encountering danger would be lower.
The sky was still early when Lin Xuan approached Tiān Shuǐ City unhurriedly. The sturdy walls were constructed from massive stones that weighed hundreds of pounds each, and a wide moat protected the entrance. At the gate stood a row of imposing soldiers.
Entering the city, Lin Xuan marveled at the densely packed buildings and bustling crowds. It had been ages since he walked among mortals after embarking on his cultivation path.
Chasing immortality did not mean renouncing all desires; it was merely one means to that end. Therefore, when he saw a "Xiān Jí Fú" (Sweet Fragrance Prosperity) tavern nearby, Lin Xuan immediately entered and ordered an entire table of delicacies.
After feasting, he called the waiter over: "Waiter, do you have any fine properties for sale in Tiān Shuǐ City?"
"Yes, sir. The Li family in the southern part of the city or the Zhang family in the eastern suburbs..."
Lin Xuan interrupted him with a frown. "I want to buy an estate."
The old man's face lit up: "One hundred taels of silver."
"One hundred taels?" Lin Xuan was surprised but quickly understood. The true value of this estate far exceeded that price, but it was being sold cheaply as a haunted house.
After paying the money and signing the deed, Lin Xuan began to explore his new home. He would establish his foundation here for some time.
Unlike advancing in cultivation techniques, transitioning from the灵动 stage to the筑基 stage signified a leap in cultivation realms. Success meant not only a qualitative change in internal energy but also a transformation of one's body through the washing and purifying process described in the Book of Changes (易经), doubling his lifespan.
Before that, he had something else to do. Closing his eyes, Lin Xuan released his divine sense. After a moment, he smiled playfully when he opened his eyes again.
Lin Xuan walked into the rear garden, where an unremarkable small house stood unlocked. Pushing open the door, he found the interior dimly lit despite it being daytime. The temperature seemed to drop significantly in an instant.
"Whim! Whim!"
A woman's sobs echoed from a corner of the room, and furniture began to shake inexplicably.
Lin Xuan frowned but showed no interest in playing with a ghost. He closed his eyes, channeling internal energy into his right hand, which emitted a white light that transformed into a giant palm, reaching for the corner of the room.
The sound of a wailing ghost abruptly ceased as it was replaced by a terrified scream. A shadow appeared and darted towards the door.
"Trying to run?"
Lin Xuan's divine sense activated, transforming the palm into shimmering ropes that bound the ghostly figure.
"Pardon me, sir! Pardon me!" The ghost revealed itself to be a sixteen-year-old girl with a delicate appearance. Lin Xuan sized her up and pondered.
It wasn't because of her beauty; he had noticed she was a pure yin entity.
In the cultivation world, entities with pure yin bodies could become ghost cultivators. Unlike ordinary厉鬼 (angry spirits), these ghosts retained their intelligence but could solidify into forms after deepening their cultivation.
Cultivators could become immortals, and so could ghost cultivators if they successfully transcended their trials to become ghost immortals.
In other words, a pure yin entity was akin to a living person with a灵根 (spirit root), but much rarer. Typically, only one in tens of thousands of ghosts would be lucky enough to have such an entity.
Of those fortunate ones, the chance of becoming a ghost cultivator was even slimmer—less than ten percent. Talent alone wasn't enough; someone had to introduce them into the cultivation path.
Lin Xuan secretly observed the young girl. She grew more frightened as he stared at her silently. She only wanted peace in this estate and hadn't done anything wrong.
Although she had been a ghost for a short time, she had heard of cultivators' legends—immortals who could refine ghosts to create magical treasures.
"Your name?" Lin Xuan asked when the girl's fear reached its peak.
"Línér."
Lin Xuan was taken aback. They shared the same surname. He carefully examined her again before speaking: "Do you want me to spare your life?"
"Yes, please, sir! I really haven't done anything wrong."
"Alright, but you must recognize me as your master."
"Recognize a master?"
"Yes, if you do so, not only will I spare your life, but I can also teach you the methods of ghost cultivation. In time, you'll solidify into a form and achieve immortality."
Lin Xuan's voice was alluring. He wasn't suddenly compassionate; he was considering his own benefits.
Encountering a pure yin entity was a great fortune for cultivators. Cultivator strength came from various sources: cultivation level, pills, crystals, and magical treasures.
However, this was the usual case. The path of cultivation encompassed many aspects—refining pills, drawing talismans, crafting tools, setting up arrays, and more. Keeping powerful insects or signing with formidable beasts were also ways to enhance one's strength.
But raising such creatures required immense effort. It would be wiser to focus on personal cultivation rather than spending so much time and energy.
However, encountering a pure yin entity was different. By forming a master-servant contract with him, the ghost could cultivate independently without expending any of his own energy. He would gain an obedient servant who would grow stronger over time.
In fact, a pure yin entity could double one's cultivation strength.
Such benefits were known to all cultivators, but finding such entities was incredibly difficult. Even condensation-stage cultivators spent decades searching in areas with heavy阴气 (yin energy) without success. Lin Xuan's luck had been exceptionally good.