Chapter 296 - 198: The Painter’s Trap

Words : 1155 Updated : Oct 7th, 2025

Chapter 296: Chapter 198: The Painter’s TrapLin Xia took Zhou Xuan’s Bone Teeth. As soon as it was in her hand, she felt its weight. "Heavier, denser material. Let me use my perception to check it." Lin Xia’s perception penetrated the inner structure of the Bone Teeth, and instantly, a dense response clung around her perception. She felt the Bone Teeth come alive. Inside the shell of the tooth, it was as if there was a living consciousness; it could discern any summoning directed at it with clarity. The inscriptions on the Bone Teeth even gave off a sense of breathing. It was not just the impressive responsiveness of the Bone Teeth; it seemed to have developed emotions. Although this tooth originally belonged to Lin Xia herself, after being nurtured by Zhou Xuan, it had acknowledged him as its new master. Feeling that it was not being held by its master, the Bone Teeth trembled slightly... as if expressing some disdain toward Lin Xia. "Such powerful resonance, such profound spirituality..." Lin Xia was shocked. Even though the tusk grew out of her body when she was very young and had been nurtured for years, it never carried the same depth of spiritual resonance as Zhou Xuan’s Bone Teeth. "You Liao Ghosts put ’Liao’ first and ’Ghost’ second. The tusks are your primary combat strength. Relying on manipulating papermen won’t channel much power." Zhou Xuan’s knowledge was a case of "learning and selling on the spot," utilizing mystical knowledge previously imparted by Yun Ziliang. As someone from a Liao Ghost family, Lin Xia was naturally well aware of this principle. However, the technique for cultivating tusks had been lost for years. Her elder brother had been traveling everywhere seeking the Teeth Cultivation Technique but had come up empty-handed. Now, Zhou Xuan could provide the Teeth Cultivation Technique, an unexpected gift for her. While she was indeed thrilled, the question arose: What could she offer in exchange for this technique? Lin Xia felt embarrassed about letting Zhou Xuan take a loss again. Her eyes revealed her longing for the Teeth Cultivation Technique, but she still resolutely declined: "Benefactor, our Liao Ghost Hall has few people and weak strength. Apart from earning some money in Ping Shui Prefecture over the years, we genuinely have no bargaining chips. This Teeth Cultivation Technique of yours is far too precious... I can only sigh in longing..." "You have bargaining chips," Zhou Xuan said. "The Liao Ghost Hall has a tough disposition, and I admire your toughness. I will give you the Teeth Cultivation Technique, and all I ask for is your loyalty." The meaning behind his words was unmistakable. Exchanging the Teeth Cultivation Technique for the Liao Ghost Hall’s operational loyalty. The Liao Ghost Hall was currently weak, but with the Teeth Cultivation Technique, its strength would see considerable growth within six months. By then, the Liao Ghost would no longer be as weak. At the same time, Zhou Xuan, as he traveled through the incense-lit path of nine halls, often faced foggy obstructions; he sometimes needed loyal death warriors to scout the way. "The Liao Ghost Hall is willing to serve the benefactor with unwavering loyalty." Lin Xia understood all too well the significant impact the Teeth Cultivation Technique would have on the Liao Ghosts, and she also knew Zhou Xuan’s character. He was a true benefactor, someone who helped without calculating returns, with extensive connections. Mingling with the God Traveling Department and the Bone Elder Association, having the Liao Ghost Hall under his command wasn’t a betrayal—it was giving the hall a formidable backing. The kidnappers rose from a small hall to the Great Hall—how did they manage that? By initially attaching themselves to the City God and the Bone Elder Association, of course! Without hesitation, she dropped to one knee and clasped her fists before Zhou Xuan. "It’s good that you’re willing. Wait for me a moment." Zhou Xuan headed upstairs to his bedroom, entering the Blood Well Secret Realm. "Well spirit, last time I asked you, the Teeth Cultivation Technique requires a four-incense-stick sacrifice, right?" The eye on the wall of the Blood Well Secret Realm blinked slowly, expressing agreement. "Alright, let’s proceed. Grant me a divination for the Teeth Cultivation Technique." Zhou Xuan now had plenty of sacrifices. He had already grasped some exchange rules: seven five-incense-stick sacrifices could be exchanged for one six-incense-stick sacrifice. So, by extension, seven four-incense-stick sacrifices could trade for one five-incense-stick offering, right? In the Blood Well, he had stored up one six-incense-stick sacrifice; deducting a four-incense-stick offering wouldn’t make much difference. With Zhou Xuan’s approval, snow fell within the Blood Well, writing the character "three" on the ground. Accompanied by the lazy glance of the eye on the wall, Zhou Xuan understood immediately—it meant to return in three days. Two nights ago, the Blood Well had just completed a divination and needed time to recover. Zhou Xuan cut off his connection to the Blood Well, went downstairs, and said to Lin Xia, "In three days, come to my shop, and I will teach you the Teeth Cultivation Technique." Lin Xia received the definitive promise and, full of excitement, left the shop with her husband, Feng Xigui. "Benefactor, I know you are not short on money, but in three days, my husband and I will still bring four boxes of gold bars with us—you must accept them graciously." Rest assured, Zhou Xuan had never turned down money brought to him. ... Feng Xigui and Lin Xia had just left when Li Chengfeng arrived. Today, Li Chengfeng walked with a slight swagger, the wind sweeping at his coat, causing it to rustle loudly. "Well, if it isn’t our esteemed Heavenly God Scholar!" Zhou Xuan teased Li Chengfeng with a smile. Li Chengfeng immediately softened, smiling as he said, "This title of Heavenly God Scholar I owe entirely to the High Priest." He shut the door of the Jingyi Shop, indicating he wanted a private chat with Zhou Xuan. Suddenly, a roar echoed from inside the store. "Damn it! Who closed the door? I was reading the newspaper!" Yun Ziliang emerged from the inner hall and, upon spotting Li Chengfeng, calmed down and greeted him: "Oh, Old Li, just got promoted, and you’re not out celebrating? At the very least, you should be romancing a singer, drinking wine, or something." "Don’t embarrass me. I left the Bone Elder Temple with trembling legs—I was scared out of my wits." Li Chengfeng wasn’t as cool-headed as Zhou Xuan. From the start to the end of the gathering, anxiety filled his mind, worried his charade would be exposed. "High Priest, your scripted choreography yesterday was truly brilliant, meticulously laying step after step. But why didn’t you tell me your plan beforehand?" "What plan?" "The Divine Miracle! That heartbeat of the Heavenly God rippling through Mingjiang Prefecture’s lands, and the Heavenly God’s Fire—it all felt so real..."

Chapter 296 - 198: The Painter’s Trap

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