xú yīn zǒu hòu ， lín xuān gēn zhe lóng jùn lái dào le yīn shā jiào zhōng ， bīn zhǔ luò zuò ， shì nǚ fèng shàng xiāng míng 。
徐茵走后，林轩跟着龙俊来到了阴煞教中，宾主落座，侍女奉上香茗。
After Xu Yin left, Lin Xuan followed Long Jun to the Yinshara Sect. The guests and host took their seats, and a maidservant served them tea.
“ xián dì zhè cì lái tiān mó chéng ， bù zhī yǒu hé shì ， kě yǒu yòng dé shàng yú xiōng de dì fāng ？”
“贤弟这次来天魔城，不知有何事，可有用得上愚兄的地方？”
"Brother Younger, why have you come to Demon City? Is there anything I can assist you with?"
lín xuān tīng le zhè huà ， lüè yī chén yín ：“ xiǎo dì xū yào yī zhù jī qī suǒ yòng de guǐ xiū gōng fǎ ， bù zhī lóng xiōng kě yǒu bàn fǎ ？”
林轩听了这话，略一沉吟：“小弟需要一筑基期所用的鬼修功法，不知龙兄可有办法？”
Lin Xuan thought for a moment before replying, "I need a cultivation technique for the Foundation Establishment stage, one used by ghost cultivators. Do you know of any way to obtain such a technique?"
“ guǐ xiū gōng fǎ ？” lóng jùn yī lèng ， mǎn liǎn chà yì de dào ：“ xián dì bú shì xiū zhēn zhě ma ， zěn me ， xiǎng yào gǎi tóu wǒ men mó dào ？”
“鬼修功法？”龙俊一愣，满脸诧异的道：“贤弟不是修真者吗，怎么，想要改投我们魔道？”
"Ghost Cultivator techniques?" Long Jun was taken aback and asked curiously, "Brother Younger is a cultivator, right? Why do you want to switch over to our demonic path?"
lín xuān xiào ér bù yǔ ， lóng jùn dào yě méi yǒu zhuī wèn xià qù ， bì jìng ， měi gè rén dōu yǒu zì jǐ de mì mì ， tā zhòu le zhòu méi ， zài wū zhōng huǎn huǎn duó bù ， shǎo qǐng ， tíng le xià lái ， yǒu diǎn wéi nán de dào ：“ xián dì xiǎng yě zhī dào ， zhè lèi gōng fǎ mì jí ， fāng shì de diàn pù zhōng yì bān méi yǒu ， jiù suàn ǒu ěr chū xiàn ， yě dà duō shì lā jī 。”
林轩笑而不语，龙俊倒也没有追问下去，毕竟，每个人都有自己的秘密，他皱了皱眉，在屋中缓缓踱步，少顷，停了下来，有点为难的道：“贤弟想也知道，这类功法秘籍，坊市的店铺中一般没有，就算偶尔出现，也大多是垃圾。”
Lin Xuan smiled but said nothing more. Long Jun did not press the matter further; after all, everyone had their own secrets. He frowned as he paced around the room for a moment before stopping and saying hesitantly, "Brother Younger should know that such techniques are rarely found in shops or markets. Even if they do appear, most of them are just garbage."
“ suǒ yǐ cái xiǎng qǐng lóng xiōng bāng máng 。”
“所以才想请龙兄帮忙。”
"That's why I'm asking Brother Long to help me," Lin Xuan said.
lóng jùn tàn le kǒu qì ， wéi nán de dào ：“ rú guǒ shì pǔ tōng de xiū mó gōng fǎ ， yǐ wǒ yīn shā jiào shǎo zhǔ de shēn fèn ， dào yě bù nán nòng dào ， dàn guǐ xiū suī rán yě shǔ yú mó dào fēn zhī ， què jí qí xī shǎo ……”
龙俊叹了口气，为难的道：“如果是普通的修魔功法，以我阴煞教少主的身份，倒也不难弄到，但鬼修虽然也属于魔道分支，却极其稀少……”
Long Jun sighed, looking troubled as he replied, "If it were a common demonic cultivation technique, I could probably get one for you with my status as the sect leader. But ghost cultivators belong to a rare branch of our path..."
bàn gè shí chén yǐ hòu ， lín xuān chū le yīn shā jiào 。
半个时辰以后，林轩出了阴煞教。
Half an hour later, Lin Xuan left the Yinshara Sect. Long Jun was unable to help him find the ghost cultivator techniques he needed, but his visit wasn't entirely fruitless. From Long Jun's mouth, Lin Xuan learned that the Ghost Demon Gang had some top-tier ghost cultivation techniques.
duì yú tā xū yào de guǐ xiū gōng fǎ ， lóng jùn ài mò néng zhù ， dāng rán ， lín xuān cǐ xíng dào yě bìng fēi quán wú shōu huò ， cóng lóng jùn de kǒu zhōng ， tā dé zhī lì guǐ bāng shǒu zhōng jiù yǒu dǐng jiān de guǐ xiū gōng fǎ 。
对于他需要的鬼修功法，龙俊爱莫能助，当然，林轩此行倒也并非全无收获，从龙俊的口中，他得知厉鬼帮手中就有顶尖的鬼修功法。
The Ghost Demon Gang was one of the three major forces in Demon City, and its leaders were indeed ghost cultivators by nature.
lì guǐ bāng ， tiān mó chéng sān dà shì lì zhī yī ， gù míng sī yì ， qí gāo céng běn lái jiù shì yī qún guǐ dào xiū shì 。
厉鬼帮，天魔城三大势力之一，顾名思义，其高层本来就是一群鬼道修士。
However, Lin Xuan didn't want to take a risk with them. The Ghost Demon Gang's strength might not match the Three Great Clans like Jade Cloud Mountain, but each faction had dozens of Condensation Core cultivators. It wasn't something he could easily provoke now.
bù guò lín xuān kě bù xiǎng zài lǎo hǔ zuǐ lǐ bá yá 。 dǎ tā men dì zhǔ yì 。
不过林轩可不想在老虎嘴里拔牙。打他们地主意。
Although he felt his chances were slim, Lin Xuan still went around the shops run by the Ghost Demon Gang in hopes that luck would favor him. After all, a blind cat might catch a mouse...
mó dào sān pài de shí lì suī rán bù jí bì yún shān děng sān jù tóu ， dàn měi yī pài de níng dān qī xiū shì ， yě yǒu shù shí rén zhī duō 。 bìng fēi xiàn zài dì zì jǐ kě yǐ qīng yì zhāo rě 。
魔道三派的实力虽然不及碧云山等三巨头，但每一派的凝丹期修士，也有数十人之多。并非现在地自己可以轻易招惹。
Unfortunately, there was no luck for him this time. As soon as he moved to pass them, Long Jun stopped and looked contemplative. The reason? A message had just been passed through sound from the white-robed scholar: "I hope you will act with righteousness and lend me your hand. My wife and I have a valuable treasure we would like to offer."
bù guò suī rán jué de xī wàng bù dà ， dàn lín xuān hái shì bù sǐ xīn de qù lì guǐ bāng suǒ kāi shè de jǐ gè diàn pù guàng le yī quān ， shuō bù dìng xiā māo zhuàng shàng sǐ hào zi ……
不过虽然觉得希望不大，但林轩还是不死心的去厉鬼帮所开设的几个店铺逛了一圈，说不定瞎猫撞上死耗子……
The only hesitation was enough for Lin Xuan to fly over.
kě xī ， yī wú suǒ huò 。
可惜，一无所获。
The demonic cultivator noticed him too, his face showing signs of caution. He was about to speak when Lin Xuan already summoned his Wu Gou saber.
gǎn dào yǒu xiē jǔ sàng de lín xuān méi yǒu zài tiān mó chéng duō zuò tíng liú ， jì rán zhè lǐ xún zhǎo guǐ xiū gōng fǎ wú wàng ， nà jiù qù bié de dì fāng 。$
感到有些沮丧的林轩没有在天魔城多做停留，既然这里寻找鬼修功法无望，那就去别的地方。$
Since he had decided to act, it was better to strike first!
chū le tiān mó chéng ， lín xuān yì xìng lán shān ， gāng gāng dùn guāng fēi le bù guò shù shí lǐ 。 sān dào hù xiāng jiū jié de guāng máng luò rù le yǎn lián lǐ 。
出了天魔城，林轩意兴阑珊，刚刚遁光飞了不过数十里。三道互相纠结的光芒落入了眼帘里。
With the Thousand Illusions Transformation technique in play, the Wu Gou transformed into a fiery dragon and rushed towards the demonic cultivator.
lín xuān tíng xià ， xuán fú zài bàn kōng zhī zhōng ， miàn wú biǎo qíng de fàng chū shén shí ， suí jí liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī yà sè ， méi xiǎng dào zhēng dòu de shuāng fāng zhī zhōng ， yǒu liǎng rén zì jǐ jū rán rèn shí 。
林轩停下，悬浮在半空之中，面无表情的放出神识，随即脸上露出一丝讶色，没想到争斗的双方之中，有两人自己居然认识。
The demonic cultivator's expression turned to shock. His spirit weapon was being tightly held by the couple of cultivators, leaving him unable to retrieve it in time. Desperate, he formed a series of complex hand gestures, and black mist emerged from his ears and nose, forming a protective barrier around him.
céng jīng yāo zì jǐ yī tóng rù chéng dì nà duì shuāng xiū dào lǚ 。
曾经邀自己一同入城地那对双修道侣。
"Hmph. You're asking for death," Lin Xuan remained unmoved as he pointed at the fire dragon, which grew even more fierce. The demonic cultivator's shield creaked under the pressure before finally breaking apart.
yǔ tā men duì dí de shì yī wèi mó dào xiū shì 。
与他们对敌的是一位魔道修士。
The demonic cultivator was alarmed but still tried to flee using secret techniques. However, Lin Xuan wouldn't let him get away and released another flying sword through his chest, burning the corpse's soul into ashes.
suī rán sān rén dōu shì zhù jī zhōng qī de xiū wèi ， dàn nà xiū mó zhě gōng fǎ wēi lì jí dà ， suǒ yòng de líng qì yě fēi tóng yī bān ， nà bái páo shū shēng fū fù suī rán shì èr ér dí yī ， xíng shì què wēi xiǎn wú bǐ 。
虽然三人都是筑基中期的修为，但那修魔者功法威力极大，所用的灵器也非同一般，那白袍书生夫妇虽然是二而敌一，形势却危险无比。
Lin Xuan then calmly swept his sleeves and sent a beam of white light that snatched the other party's storage bracelet.
lín xuān jiàn le 。 liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng què yī rán lěng mò ， suī rán yǔ zhè duì fū fù yǒu yí miàn zhī yuán ， dàn tā cái bú huì qù wú gù fàn xiǎn ， yǐ lín xuān de xìng gé ， gèng bú huì yǒu shén me yuán shǒu tóng dào de wú liáo xīn lǐ 。
林轩见了。脸上的表情却依然冷漠，虽然与这对夫妇有一面之缘，但他才不会去无故犯险，以林轩的性格，更不会有什么援手同道的无聊心理。
"Thank you for your assistance."
lěng lěng de dǎ liàng le jǐ yǎn ， lín xuān jiù zhǔn bèi dùn guāng rào guò qù 。 rán ér tā shēn xíng gāng dòng ， què yòu tíng le xià lái ， liǎn shàng lù chū chén yín zhī sè ， yuán yīn wú tā ， nà bái páo shū shēng jiāng yī jù huà chuán yīn le guò lái ：“ hái wàng dào yǒu zhàng yì chū shǒu 。 bǐ fū fù yǒu zhòng bǎo xiāng zèng 。”
冷冷的打量了几眼，林轩就准备遁光绕过去。然而他身形刚动，却又停了下来，脸上露出沉吟之色，原因无他，那白袍书生将一句话传音了过来：“还望道友仗义出手。鄙夫妇有重宝相赠。”
The white-robed scholar bowed gratefully. His red-clothed partner also looked less arrogant as she respectfully bowed. In the cultivation world, status was determined by strength. Although this mysterious youth was at the Foundation Establishment stage like them, his power far surpassed theirs.
wéi yī chóu chú ， lín xuān fēi le guò qù 。
唯一踌躇，林轩飞了过去。
"You're welcome. What did you mean by 'valuable treasure'?" Lin Xuan asked coldly.
nà xiū mó zhě yě fā xiàn tā le ， liǎn shàng lù chū jiè bèi zhī sè ， zhèng xiǎng kāi kǒu 。 lín xuān què yǐ jì chū le wú gōu 。
那修魔者也发现他了，脸上露出戒备之色，正想开口。林轩却已祭出了吴钩。
"Ah..." The white-robed scholar's face showed signs of embarrassment. Seeing this, Lin Xuan's expression turned colder still.
jì rán jué dìng le yào xíng dòng ， nà jiù xiān xià shǒu wéi qiáng ！
既然决定了要行动，那就先下手为强！
Was this person lying to him?
qiān huàn biàn mì shù shǐ chū ， wú gōu huà shēn huǒ lóng ， xiàng zhe tā pū le guò qù 。
千幻变秘术使出，吴钩化身火龙，向着他扑了过去。
If he was trying to manipulate him for help...
xiū mó zhě lù chū hài rán zhī sè ， tā de líng qì zhèng bèi nà shuāng xiū dào lǚ sǐ sǐ chán zhù ， jí qiè jiān wú fǎ shōu huí ， wú nài zhǐ néng shuāng shǒu qiā jué ， biàn huàn le yī lián chuàn fù zá de shǒu shì 。 yī dào hēi sè dì wù qì cóng qí ěr bí zhōng guǐ yì de mào chū 。 bìng huà wèi yī céng bǎo hù mó ， jiāng tā bāo guǒ zài qí zhōng 。
修魔者露出骇然之色，他的灵器正被那双修道侣死死缠住，急切间无法收回，无奈只能双手掐诀，变幻了一连串复杂的手势。一道黑色地雾气从其耳鼻中诡异的冒出。并化为一层保护膜，将他包裹在其中。
Lin Xuan wasn't inherently bad and wouldn't seek trouble, but he certainly wouldn't be used as a tool by others.
“ hēng 。@ zhǎo sǐ 。” lín xuān bù wèi suǒ dòng ， chōng zháo huǒ lóng yì diǎn ， nà hóng lóng de shēng shì yòu kuáng zhǎng le jǐ fēn ， xiū mó zhě de hù zhào fā chū “ gā gā ” de shēng xiǎng ， zhōng yú bù zhī de pò miè diào 。
“哼。@找死。”林轩不为所动，冲着火龙一点，那红龙的声势又狂涨了几分，修魔者的护罩发出“嘎嘎”的声响，终于不支的破灭掉。
"If that's the case, I'll make you regret it," Lin Xuan said firmly.
nà xiū mó zhě dà jīng ， hái xiǎng yào yòng mì shù táo pǎo ， lín xuān qǐ huì ràng tā rú yì ， yòu fàng chū le yī bǐng fēi jiàn ， chuān xiōng ér guò ， rán hòu shī tǐ cán hún bèi huǒ yàn shāo wèi le huī jìn 。
那修魔者大惊，还想要用秘术逃跑，林轩岂会让他如意，又放出了一柄飞剑，穿胸而过，然后尸体残魂被火焰烧为了灰烬。
"Brother Younger, don't misunderstand." The white-robed scholar quickly explained, "After our failed attempt to travel with you, my wife and I also entered Demon City and coincidentally met Brother Younger at a place called Ghost Demon Tower."
lín xuān zhè cái bù huāng bù máng xiù páo yī fú ， fàng chū yī dào bái guāng ， jiāng duì fāng de chǔ wù shǒu zhuó xí juǎn le guò lái 。
林轩这才不慌不忙袖袍一拂，放出一道白光，将对方的储物手镯席卷了过来。
"Ghost Demon Tower?" Lin Xuan thought for a moment. He had indeed been there before, where several other cultivators were trading. It was just that he hadn't paid attention.
“ xiè xiè dào yǒu chū shǒu xiàng zhù 。”
“谢谢道友出手相助。”
They must have overheard his conversation with the shopkeeper to know about his need for ghost cultivation techniques.
nà bái páo shū shēng bào quán gǎn jī de shuō ， biàn shì tā nà shēn chuān hóng yī de shuāng xiū dào lǚ ， liǎn shàng de ào qì yě qù le xǔ duō ， gōng gōng jìng jìng dì fú le yī fú ， xiū zhēn jiè shì yǐ shí lì jué dìng dì wèi ， yǎn qián zhè shén mì shào nián suī rán yǔ zì jǐ fū fù èr rén yī yàng shì zhù jī zhōng qī ， dàn shí lì què bù kě tóng rì ér yǔ 。
那白袍书生抱拳感激的说，便是他那身穿红衣的双修道侣，脸上的傲气也去了许多，恭恭敬敬地福了一福，修真界是以实力决定地位，眼前这神秘少年虽然与自己夫妇二人一样是筑基中期，但实力却不可同日而语。
With this in mind, Lin Xuan's expression softened slightly.
“ bù yòng kè qì ， dào yǒu gāng cái shuō de zhòng bǎo shì shén me yì si ？”
“不用客气，道友刚才说的重宝是什么意思？”
"Brother Younger needs a ghost cultivation technique. I happen to have some information that might interest you."
“ zhè ……” nà bái páo shū shēng de liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī gān gà zhī sè ， jiàn le tā zhè fù biǎo qíng ， lín xuān de liǎn sè jiàn jiàn lěng xià qù le 。
“这……”那白袍书生的脸上露出一丝尴尬之色，见了他这副表情，林轩的脸色渐渐冷下去了。
"Tell me more."
nán dào zhè rén jìng shì huǎng yán xiāng qī ？
难道这人竟是谎言相欺？
It was like finding a needle in a haystack and getting it without effort. Lin Xuan's heart leaped with joy as he remained outwardly calm, saying indifferently, "Go on."
rú guǒ tā wèi le dé dào bāng zhù ér yú nòng zì jǐ ……
如果他为了得到帮助而愚弄自己……
Seeing Lin Xuan's cold response, the white-robed scholar's face showed disappointment, but he continued, "Have you heard of the name Yin Ghost Senior?"
lín xuān běn xìng bù huài ， bú huì qù zhǔ dòng zhāo shuí rě shuí ， dàn yě jué bú huì shǎ shǎ dì bèi rén dàng zuò qiāng lái shǐ huàn 。
林轩本性不坏，不会去主动招谁惹谁，但也绝不会傻傻地被人当作枪来使唤。
"Yin Ghost Senior?" Lin Xuan frowned and was taken aback.
jiǎ rú zhēn shì nà yàng ， lín xuān jué duì huì ràng liǎng rén zhuī huǐ mò jí 。
假如真是那样，林轩绝对会让两人追悔莫及。
This was a wandering cultivator, yet his fame rivaled that of famous experts from both the orthodox and demonic sects.
“ dào yǒu bú yào wù huì 。” nà bái páo shū shēng yě kàn chū lín xuān liǎn sè bù shàn ， máng dào ：“ yú fū fù shēn shàng què shí méi yǒu shén me dào yǒu kàn dé shàng de bǎo bèi ， dàn què yǒu yí gè xiāo xī ， kě yǐ ràng nǐ dé dào mò dà hǎo chù 。”
“道友不要误会。”那白袍书生也看出林轩脸色不善，忙道：“愚夫妇身上确实没有什么道友看得上的宝贝，但却有一个消息，可以让你得到莫大好处。”
It wasn't because his strength was extraordinary; while he was indeed formidable for a wandering cultivator—his Foundation Establishment stage mastery was almost at the Condensation Core threshold—he gained his reputation through his vicious and evil methods.
“ ó ？” lín xuān méi tóu yī tiāo ， jì xù bǎo chí chén mò ， děng zhe tā wǎng xià shuō 。
“哦？”林轩眉头一挑，继续保持沉默，等着他往下说。
While demonic cultivators were known to be cruel, often taking heads in a fit of anger, Yin Ghost Senior's cruelty even shocked other demonic cultivators.
“ bù zhī dào yǒu kě shì xū yào yī běn zhù jī qī de guǐ xiū gōng fǎ ？”
“不知道友可是需要一本筑基期的鬼修功法？”
**Kidnapping, committing every conceivable evil!
tīng le zhè huà ， lín xuān biǎo qíng què dùn shí yīn lì le xià lái ， hán shēng dào ：“ nǐ zěn me zhī dào ？”
听了这话，林轩表情却顿时阴厉了下来，寒声道：“你怎么知道？”
His methods were so brutal that they made one shudder. Every cultivator he defeated had their soul and essence extracted, suffering torment even after death.
nán dào cǐ rén jìng rán tōu tōu gēn zōng zì jǐ ？
难道此人竟然偷偷跟踪自己？
He wasn't just cruel to other cultivators; he even killed ordinary people who offended him.
“ dào yǒu bié duō xīn 。” bái páo shū shēng huāng máng jiě shì ：“ nà tiān yāo qǐng dào yǒu tóng háng wèi guǒ hòu ， wǒ fū fù èr rén yě mào xiǎn jìn rù le tiān mó chéng ， bìng zài yī jiān jiào zuò lì guǐ lóu de diàn pù qiǎo yù le dào yǒu 。“ lì guǐ lóu ？” lín xuān shāo yī sī suǒ ， zì jǐ què shí qù guò ， dāng shí yě yǒu jǐ gè bié de xiū shì zài nà lǐ jiāo yì ， zhǐ shì zì jǐ méi yǒu zhù yì 。
“道友别多心。”白袍书生慌忙解释：“那天邀请道友同行未果后，我夫妇二人也冒险进入了天魔城，并在一间叫做厉鬼楼的店铺巧遇了道友。“厉鬼楼？”林轩稍一思索，自己确实去过，当时也有几个别的修士在那里交易，只是自己没有注意。
And he was a notorious womanizer, with many female cultivators being forced into his bed, enduring unimaginable torture.
yīng gāi shì tā men tīng jiàn le zì jǐ yǔ zhǎng guì de duì huà ， suǒ yǐ cái zhī dào zì jǐ xū yào guǐ xiū de gōng fǎ 。
应该是他们听见了自己与掌柜的对话，所以才知道自己需要鬼修的功法。
Logically, such an evil person deserved to die. However, the cultivation world was selfish and self-serving. As long as it didn't touch their interests, "upholding justice" was just a lie for children.
niàn jí zhì cǐ ， lín xuān liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng hé huǎn le yī xiē 。
念及至此，林轩脸上的表情和缓了一些。
Yin Ghost Senior was very cunning; he never provoked major sects directly and only harmed wandering cultivators or ordinary people.
“ dào yǒu xū yào guǐ xiū gōng fǎ ， pèng qiǎo wǒ fū fù yǒu yí gè xiāo xī ， bù zhī dào dào yǒu shì fǒu yǒu xìng qù ？”
“道友需要鬼修功法，碰巧我夫妇有一个消息，不知道道友是否有兴趣？”
Thus, despite being despised by heaven and earth, he lived freely.
“ shuō lái tīng tīng 。”
“说来听听。”
"It seems Brother Younger has heard of Yin Ghost Senior's reputation. He is indeed a ghost cultivator who mastered a top-tier technique, exactly what you need," the white-robed scholar said.
tà pò tiě xié wú mì chù ， dé lái quán bù fèi gōng fu ， lín xuān xīn zhōng kuáng xǐ ， liǎn shàng què sī háo bù lù shēng sè ， dàn dàn dì shuō 。
踏破铁鞋无觅处，得来全不费工夫，林轩心中狂喜，脸上却丝毫不露声色，淡淡地说。
"Is that so? Do you have any grudge against him?" Lin Xuan wasn't stupid; he wouldn't be used as a pawn by others!
jiàn lín xuān fǎn yìng lěng dàn ， bái páo shū shēng dì liǎn shàng shǎn guò yī sī shī wàng de biǎo qíng ， dàn hái shì jiē zhe wǎng xià shuō ：“ bù zhī dào yǒu kě tīng guò yīn guǐ shàng rén dì míng zì ？”
见林轩反应冷淡，白袍书生地脸上闪过一丝失望的表情，但还是接着往下说：“不知道友可听过阴鬼上人地名字？”
"That...," the white-robed scholar hesitated before his red-clothed partner spoke up, "Brother Younger is right. This monster has a deep-seated grudge with us!"
“ yīn guǐ shàng rén ？”
“阴鬼上人？”
The straightforwardness of their confession surprised Lin Xuan, but his voice remained icy: "If that's so, why did you call me? Don't you think I'm too smart to be used by you?"
lín xuān zhòu le zhòu méi ， sǒng rán dòng róng 。
林轩皱了皱眉，耸然动容。
"We didn't mean it that way," the red-clothed woman explained sincerely. "Although we do want your help to avenge us, Brother Younger won't lose out either. After eliminating Yin Ghost Senior, you'll get the ghost cultivation technique you need. That's one."
cǐ rén nǎi shì yī jiè sàn xiū ， rán ér míng qì zhī dà ， què sī háo bù xùn sè yú zhèng xié liǎng pài de zhù míng gāo shǒu 。
此人乃是一介散修，然而名气之大，却丝毫不逊色于正邪两派的著名高手。
"Secondly, this monster has committed countless atrocities over the years and accumulated many treasures. If you agree to help, we will give all of them to you as a reward. What do you think?"
zhè dào bú shì yīn wèi tā de shí lì yǒu duō jīng rén ， suī rán jiù sàn xiū ér yán ， yě hěn bú cuò ， zhù jī qī dà yuán mǎn ， jù lí níng dān ， jǐn yǒu yī bù zhī yáo 。
这倒不是因为他的实力有多惊人，虽然就散修而言，也很不错，筑基期大圆满，距离凝丹，仅有一步之遥。
"Yes, Brother Younger, it's a win-win situation for both of us!" The white-robed scholar also chimed in from the side.
After Xu Yin left, Lin Xuan followed Long Jun to the Yinshara Sect. The guests and host took their seats, and a maidservant served them tea.
"Brother Younger, why have you come to Demon City? Is there anything I can assist you with?"
Lin Xuan thought for a moment before replying, "I need a cultivation technique for the Foundation Establishment stage, one used by ghost cultivators. Do you know of any way to obtain such a technique?"
"Ghost Cultivator techniques?" Long Jun was taken aback and asked curiously, "Brother Younger is a cultivator, right? Why do you want to switch over to our demonic path?"
Lin Xuan smiled but said nothing more. Long Jun did not press the matter further; after all, everyone had their own secrets. He frowned as he paced around the room for a moment before stopping and saying hesitantly, "Brother Younger should know that such techniques are rarely found in shops or markets. Even if they do appear, most of them are just garbage."
"That's why I'm asking Brother Long to help me," Lin Xuan said.
Long Jun sighed, looking troubled as he replied, "If it were a common demonic cultivation technique, I could probably get one for you with my status as the sect leader. But ghost cultivators belong to a rare branch of our path..."
Half an hour later, Lin Xuan left the Yinshara Sect. Long Jun was unable to help him find the ghost cultivator techniques he needed, but his visit wasn't entirely fruitless. From Long Jun's mouth, Lin Xuan learned that the Ghost Demon Gang had some top-tier ghost cultivation techniques.
The Ghost Demon Gang was one of the three major forces in Demon City, and its leaders were indeed ghost cultivators by nature.
However, Lin Xuan didn't want to take a risk with them. The Ghost Demon Gang's strength might not match the Three Great Clans like Jade Cloud Mountain, but each faction had dozens of Condensation Core cultivators. It wasn't something he could easily provoke now.
Although he felt his chances were slim, Lin Xuan still went around the shops run by the Ghost Demon Gang in hopes that luck would favor him. After all, a blind cat might catch a mouse...
Unfortunately, there was no luck for him this time. As soon as he moved to pass them, Long Jun stopped and looked contemplative. The reason? A message had just been passed through sound from the white-robed scholar: "I hope you will act with righteousness and lend me your hand. My wife and I have a valuable treasure we would like to offer."
The only hesitation was enough for Lin Xuan to fly over.
The demonic cultivator noticed him too, his face showing signs of caution. He was about to speak when Lin Xuan already summoned his Wu Gou saber.
Since he had decided to act, it was better to strike first!
With the Thousand Illusions Transformation technique in play, the Wu Gou transformed into a fiery dragon and rushed towards the demonic cultivator.
The demonic cultivator's expression turned to shock. His spirit weapon was being tightly held by the couple of cultivators, leaving him unable to retrieve it in time. Desperate, he formed a series of complex hand gestures, and black mist emerged from his ears and nose, forming a protective barrier around him.
"Hmph. You're asking for death," Lin Xuan remained unmoved as he pointed at the fire dragon, which grew even more fierce. The demonic cultivator's shield creaked under the pressure before finally breaking apart.
The demonic cultivator was alarmed but still tried to flee using secret techniques. However, Lin Xuan wouldn't let him get away and released another flying sword through his chest, burning the corpse's soul into ashes.
Lin Xuan then calmly swept his sleeves and sent a beam of white light that snatched the other party's storage bracelet.
"Thank you for your assistance."
The white-robed scholar bowed gratefully. His red-clothed partner also looked less arrogant as she respectfully bowed. In the cultivation world, status was determined by strength. Although this mysterious youth was at the Foundation Establishment stage like them, his power far surpassed theirs.
"You're welcome. What did you mean by 'valuable treasure'?" Lin Xuan asked coldly.
"Ah..." The white-robed scholar's face showed signs of embarrassment. Seeing this, Lin Xuan's expression turned colder still.
Was this person lying to him?
If he was trying to manipulate him for help...
Lin Xuan wasn't inherently bad and wouldn't seek trouble, but he certainly wouldn't be used as a tool by others.
"If that's the case, I'll make you regret it," Lin Xuan said firmly.
"Brother Younger, don't misunderstand." The white-robed scholar quickly explained, "After our failed attempt to travel with you, my wife and I also entered Demon City and coincidentally met Brother Younger at a place called Ghost Demon Tower."
"Ghost Demon Tower?" Lin Xuan thought for a moment. He had indeed been there before, where several other cultivators were trading. It was just that he hadn't paid attention.
They must have overheard his conversation with the shopkeeper to know about his need for ghost cultivation techniques.
With this in mind, Lin Xuan's expression softened slightly.
"Brother Younger needs a ghost cultivation technique. I happen to have some information that might interest you."
"Tell me more."
It was like finding a needle in a haystack and getting it without effort. Lin Xuan's heart leaped with joy as he remained outwardly calm, saying indifferently, "Go on."
Seeing Lin Xuan's cold response, the white-robed scholar's face showed disappointment, but he continued, "Have you heard of the name Yin Ghost Senior?"
"Yin Ghost Senior?" Lin Xuan frowned and was taken aback.
This was a wandering cultivator, yet his fame rivaled that of famous experts from both the orthodox and demonic sects.
It wasn't because his strength was extraordinary; while he was indeed formidable for a wandering cultivator—his Foundation Establishment stage mastery was almost at the Condensation Core threshold—he gained his reputation through his vicious and evil methods.
While demonic cultivators were known to be cruel, often taking heads in a fit of anger, Yin Ghost Senior's cruelty even shocked other demonic cultivators.
**Kidnapping, committing every conceivable evil!
His methods were so brutal that they made one shudder. Every cultivator he defeated had their soul and essence extracted, suffering torment even after death.
He wasn't just cruel to other cultivators; he even killed ordinary people who offended him.
And he was a notorious womanizer, with many female cultivators being forced into his bed, enduring unimaginable torture.
Logically, such an evil person deserved to die. However, the cultivation world was selfish and self-serving. As long as it didn't touch their interests, "upholding justice" was just a lie for children.
Yin Ghost Senior was very cunning; he never provoked major sects directly and only harmed wandering cultivators or ordinary people.
Thus, despite being despised by heaven and earth, he lived freely.
"It seems Brother Younger has heard of Yin Ghost Senior's reputation. He is indeed a ghost cultivator who mastered a top-tier technique, exactly what you need," the white-robed scholar said.
"Is that so? Do you have any grudge against him?" Lin Xuan wasn't stupid; he wouldn't be used as a pawn by others!
"That...," the white-robed scholar hesitated before his red-clothed partner spoke up, "Brother Younger is right. This monster has a deep-seated grudge with us!"
The straightforwardness of their confession surprised Lin Xuan, but his voice remained icy: "If that's so, why did you call me? Don't you think I'm too smart to be used by you?"
"We didn't mean it that way," the red-clothed woman explained sincerely. "Although we do want your help to avenge us, Brother Younger won't lose out either. After eliminating Yin Ghost Senior, you'll get the ghost cultivation technique you need. That's one."
"Secondly, this monster has committed countless atrocities over the years and accumulated many treasures. If you agree to help, we will give all of them to you as a reward. What do you think?"
"Yes, Brother Younger, it's a win-win situation for both of us!" The white-robed scholar also chimed in from the side.