For the next few days, Lin Yun repeated the same trick. He knew his actions would eventually draw Xiao Pingtian to him, which was precisely the effect he wanted. However, for most of the cultivators who targeted him, he didn't actually harm them severely.
Killing them all was unrealistic. The Beast Taming Sect was not yet strong enough, and even if Lin Yun had the ability, he had to consider the pressure from public opinion the sect would face if he slaughtered them. But robbing them of some treasures, materials, and their geomancy maps was enough to give the other sects a massive headache.
After confirming that he had been leading Xiao Pingtian by the nose for several days, Lin Yun finally made his way to Soul-Hooking Valley. The time was about right. He should go and see what the situation was like.
Soul-Hooking Valley was a rather special place in the Spirit Realm. Although it was located near the outer edges, ordinary cultivators dared not enter. It was said that some Spirit Cauldron Realm experts had ventured inside in the past, but not a single one had ever returned. When they were eventually found, the state of their deaths was always gruesome. No one knew what had happened inside.
As Lin Yun arrived at the entrance to Soul-Hooking Valley, a sinister wind blew past him. An indescribably fragrant scent drifted out from within. In the haze, he seemed to see a graceful figure ahead, beckoning to him with a single finger.
Come...
Come on...
Hmph. Just a deceptive parlor trick. Lin Yun snorted inwardly and strode boldly into Soul-Hooking Valley.
Over the past few days, he had managed to gather quite a bit of information about the valley from the disciples of other sects. Piecing the clues together, he could be fairly certain that a powerful, resentful soul was suppressed here. It had not dissipated for a thousand years. By now, it had likely cultivated into a fully formed being. Could that woman just now be it?
From the outside, Soul-Hooking Valley looked desolate and eerie. But when Lin Yun stepped inside, he was surprised to find a completely different scene.
Birds sang, flowers gave off a sweet fragrance, and the landscape was breathtakingly beautiful. In the distance was a small courtyard, from which the faint sound of singing could be heard.
Lin Yun walked up to the courtyard gate, pushed it open, and stepped inside.
"Is anyone here?" he called out. "I'm just passing through and would like to ask for a cup of water."
Soon, the door to the main house opened, and a woman slowly walked out. Her eyes lit up when she saw Lin Yun.
What a handsome lad.
"My, my. We're in the middle of nowhere. How did a handsome young man like you find your way to my humble home?" the woman said, her lotus-like steps carrying her forward, a fragrant breeze preceding her.
Lin Yun's expression didn't change. He looked at the woman's panel.
[Name]: Pei Miaojin
[Realm]: ???
[Destiny Template]: Vengeful Ghost Claims Life (Black)
[Attributes]: Soaring Resentment (Black), Thousand-Year Resentful Ghost (Black), Overflowing with Death Qi (Black)
[Vengeful Ghost Claims Life]: Has become a complete and utter vengeful ghost. Will kill any man she sees.
[Soaring Resentment]: Influenced by Soul-Hooking Valley, has accumulated immense resentment. Prolonged exposure to this place will damage one's life force.
[Thousand-Year Resentful Ghost]: A resentful ghost formed over a thousand years by devouring countless human lives. However, there seems to be a way to resolve her inner conflict. [Overflowing with Death Qi]: Increased probability of cultivating ghostly secret arts.
[Fate]: Due to love turning to hate, she was imprisoned for life and never obtained what she desired. After a tragic death, she transformed into a vengeful ghost, forever doomed to sink into depravity.
[Recent Turning Point]: By absorbing male essence to supplement her yin energy, her strength has greatly increased, with the chance of a breakthrough.
Damn, absorbing male essence?
Looking at Pei Miaojin, who was now pressing close to him, Lin Yun instinctively took two steps back. Pei Miaojin was dressed in a light, red gauze that did little to conceal her stunning figure. Combined with her every graceful movement, she was indeed a heart-stopping sight.
But Lin Yun didn't dare to take any liberties. This was a goddamn thousand-year-old resentful ghost!
He quickly checked his own panel. At this point, all he could do was pray for the system's blessing.
[Name]: Lin Yun
[Realm]: Origin Sea - Stage 6
[Destiny Template]: Son of Misfortune (Gray)
[Attributes]: Peach Blossom Luck (Blue), Entangled by Resentment (Black), Date of Death is Approaching
[Fate]: In Soul-Hooking Valley, his feigned love for Pei Miaojin is seen through, and he ultimately dies by having his vital energy drained by her.
[Recent Turning Point]: Met Pei Miaojin in Soul-Hooking Valley. Because his appearance resembles 'his', his life is spared for now.
'His'? Who is 'he'? Don't speak in riddles! Spell it out! This was a matter of life and death! Lin Yun felt his heart ache as he stared at the ambiguous panel. He was completely screwed.
"Little brother, what are you thinking about?"
"Hello? Little brother?" Pei Miaojin looked at Lin Yun with a coquettish, concerned expression. But deep within her eyes, a murderous intent was brewing.
Another lecher. She had seen too many men like this over the years. Why couldn't a single one of them be like him? Every time she thought of this, her resentment deepened.
As Lin Yun was studying his panel, he suddenly felt as if he had been plunged into an ice cellar. Though the weather here was like a perpetual spring, he now felt the biting chill of the harshest winter. Looking at Pei Miaojin again, although she was still smiling, a closer look revealed that her fingernails had turned completely black.
Lin Yun took a deep breath.
Strategy! Since ancient times, deep affection is fleeting. Only clever strategy can win the heart!
"Miss, I am a traveler from outside the valley," he said with a smile. "If it's inconvenient, I'll be on my way." He then turned around and began to walk away without a backward glance.
One step.
Two steps.
Pei Miaojin still hadn't called for him to stop. Lin Yun frowned. Could it be that the opportunity in Soul-Hooking Valley isn't here?
With this doubt in mind, he no longer hesitated and walked directly toward the other side of the valley.
Pei Miaojin watched him quietly from behind.
A quarter of an hour passed like this. Lin Yun discovered the problem.
He couldn't get out. No matter which way he walked, he was merely treading in place. Everything here seemed to be frozen in time.
Finally, Pei Miaojin spoke. "Since you wanted a drink of water, little brother, why don't you come inside with me?"
Lin Yun's forehead was covered in cold sweat. He couldn't run. But if he stayed, he might have his life force drained. It was hard to be a person. It was even harder to be a man.
Pei Miaojin led him into the house and had him sit at the table in the living room. She then went to pour him a cup of tea. He had to admit, the woman had a natural coquettish charm; her every move was filled with an immense allure. If Lin Yun wasn't so afraid of dying, he wouldn't have minded playing the part of the romantic scholar.
"Have some tea, little brother," Pei Miaojin said, propping her chin on her hand and staring at Lin Yun wistfully. "It's been many years since I've had a visitor."
Lin Yun took a sip, his face impassive. "You're all alone here, miss. Aren't you afraid?"
Pei Miaojin gave a playful smile. "Afraid? Of course I'm afraid. But what can I do about it? Men are so rare these days." As she spoke, she lightly licked her red lips and looked at Lin Yun through narrowed eyes. "Especially a man as handsome as you, little brother. That's even rarer."
Lin Yun felt a headache coming on. But right now, he had to figure out what this female ghost had experienced before she died.