Chapter 107: Slaying Ghosts and Gods in the Supernatural World! When the Snipe and the Clam Grapple!

As time passed, it became clear that the transformation of the entire world would be far more thorough than anticipated.

Lin Yi finally understood why Zhao Qilin had spoken those words within the memories of the Human-Faced Spider: certain demons and ghosts had emerged from the misty locations atop the thirty-three high mountains. Correlating the two, it was evident that the thirty-three misty sites were veiled in red fog precisely because the demons within them had grown significantly more powerful. That red fog, a manifestation of an eruption of ominous energy, was what had swept across the entire world.

In short, each of the thirty-three misty locations where high mountains had surfaced might well be an entire world unto itself. The red fog served as the barrier between these worlds. Furthermore, it was possible that each misty site was a self-contained, fragmented pocket dimension. Perhaps they had developed fissures or other issues, forcing them to integrate with the reality of this world. Consequently, this reality was already being invaded—and it was in grave danger.

Could it be that this was not a story of reality, but rather the revival of a supernatural world? If so, did that mean he, Lin Yi, was destined to slay ghosts and gods in a paranormal realm? This realization caused Lin Yi’s assault to pause momentarily.

"Who... who is it... courting death... how dare you... absorb the energy of the dimension's master... death... death..."

At that moment, an ancient voice began to resonate. It carried no trace of emotional fluctuation, yet it sounded profoundly furious. Simultaneously, the entire fragmented pocket dimension shuddered, as if the ominous energy were whipping up a storm. Countless plumes of black smoke grew denser, rapidly converging toward the center. Above, the shimmering, multicolored light ribbons in the sky grew increasingly brilliant.

*Rumble, rumble.*

The fragmented pocket dimension seemed to grow even more unstable; the massive influx of ominous energy toward the center threatened to collapse it entirely. Clearly, the source of the voice was the nascent, hazy consciousness of the pocket dimension itself.

Just then, a sinister, cackling laughter erupted.

"I truly did not expect that you, this secret realm, would still not be fully converted by me even now. To think you could manifest consciousness during my refinement process—not bad, not bad at all. The game is up. Once I extinguish your consciousness, this secret realm will surely be mine. As soon as I finish converting the Demon King's blood essence within the Demon King Pearl, you shall perish immediately..."

These were clearly the words of Zhao Qilin, laden with intense emotion and volatility. He was evidently on the verge of fully refining the blood essence of the Demon King. Once Zhao Qilin replaced the Demon King and ascended to that rank, he would be able to turn the world upside down, possessing the terrifying power of a supreme master. In an instant, he would seize the fragmented pocket dimension and claim it for his own.

However, because Zhao Qilin had not yet succeeded, he lacked the awareness of the dimension's own consciousness, failing to realize that someone was inside, slaughtering the demons and ghosts like stalks of grain and siphoning away all their ominous energy. Zhao Qilin remained unaware and thus unconcerned.

After the hazy consciousness of the dimension appeared, its hostility was directed solely at Lin Yi. However, Lin Yi was already completely enveloped in layers of dense, ominous black mist, leaving even the dimension's consciousness unable to pinpoint his exact location.

The demons and ghosts rushing toward the center began to scramble even faster than before, their movements frantic and devoid of any formation. It was clear that Zhao Qilin was close to success, and the hazy consciousness was desperate, urgently needing the ominous energy contained within these creatures.

Lin Yi remained hidden, successful in his deception.

For Lin Yi, the stakes had grown higher. Previously, he had only intended to see if he could waylay Zhao Qilin and snatch the Demon King Pearl. Now, he felt it was time to sweep up the entire fragmented pocket dimension.

"Just thinking about it is intoxicating..."

The mere thought made Lin Yi tremble with excitement. If the fragmented pocket dimension were destroyed and the *Slayer’s Scripture* credited him with the defeat of an Earth-grade minor demon or ghost... the rewards would be immense. Shivering, Lin Yi quickened his pace. He had to hurry; if he didn't, the demons and ghosts would all be gone.

They were all charging toward the center. As Lin Yi accelerated, he struck down several slower, weaker demons. They were insignificant, and even killing them only rewarded him with a few days' worth of internal energy.

"Sealed and recorded low-grade ghost demon; reward: thirty days of internal energy."

That was the best he had received so far. Most others were merely: "Sealed and recorded low-grade vengeful spirit; reward: ten days of internal energy."

Still, he couldn't resist the sheer volume of "wool" he could shear. Even with ten-day increments, the energy constantly accumulated. As streams of multicolored light funneled the ominous energy into the *Slayer’s Scripture*, the scripture fed that power back into Lin Yi. His aura grew increasingly vast and boundless. Fortunately, he had the ominous energy stones rewarded by the scripture; otherwise, he would have surely been exposed.

Behind him, Zhang Xu watched with growing astonishment. Over the course of half an hour, the internal energy within Lin Yi had accumulated significantly—a gain of perhaps two or three years of cultivation out of thin air. Lin Yi felt his energy surging through his three *dantian*, reaching a peak. He felt that at any moment, a breakthrough would occur, allowing him to reach the true physical standard of a martial arts grandmaster. Among his peers, Lin Yi was now completely invincible.

In that half-hour, Lin Yi had killed countless more creatures and, alongside Zhang Xu, reached the true center of the hellscape. The fragmented pocket dimension was far from small; it was vast. At a rough estimate, accounting for the need to look after Zhang Xu, they had traveled at least fifty or sixty thousand meters in a straight line. They had passed through mountains, dried-up swamps, and dilapidated forests. Everything here was just like the real world, only decayed. Everything was composed of ominous energy, and the air was deathly thin. Throughout the journey, Zhang Xu had no time to ask questions, his eyes widening with every passing moment.

Finally, they reached the center. Having absorbed the memories of so many demons and ghosts, Lin Yi felt a strange sense of familiarity. Before him, countless demons, ghosts, and phantoms surrounded the area in layer upon layer. Some were engaged in fierce combat, battling three ragged-looking corpses that were holding their ground against the horde.

The corpses had vacant eyes and stiff, rigid bodies. They were identical to the three zombies Zhao Qilin had brought and refined six months prior, according to Lin Yi’s memories; it was obvious Zhao Qilin was controlling them. Trails of blood-red light adhered to the stiff corpses, granting them immense power. Whenever this red light touched a demon or ghost, it scorched their bodies, leaving behind burn marks as the creatures dissolved into wisps of ominous energy, their souls scattered.

Meanwhile, more streaks of blood-red light continued to erupt from a massive, cylindrical mass of gas swirling within the black fog. This was the source of the dimension's hazy consciousness, the very spot where Zhao Qilin sat.

At first glance, the cylindrical mass appeared uniform, covered in roiling black smoke. But upon closer inspection, one could see that more than two-thirds of it had been overtaken by the blood-red light. It was on the verge of breaking through the surface of the black fog. There was no doubt that Zhao Qilin had seized control of at least two-thirds of the energy source.

As the blood-red light continued to spray outward, more demons and ghosts were ensnared. Instantly, their vacant eyes lost all remaining luster, turning them into mere puppets. Enveloped in the red light, they were forced to join the ranks of the zombies, swelling their numbers from three to over twenty.

From within the cylinder, Zhao Qilin’s laughter boomed again.

"I, Zhao Qilin, am the true destined ruler! Blood essence of the Demon King, refine for me! Once I attain the power of a supernatural being... all shall bow before me!"

"Secret realm, do you submit? Do you submit?"

His voice seemed to sweep across the heavens and the earth. Lin Yi scanned the area from above, searching for Bai Ke and the others. Sure enough, he spotted them among the layers of demons and ghosts, their bodies possessed by phantoms, standing there blankly with hollow eyes.

"It’s Brother Bai Ke and the others! My god, what is happening here? Brother Lin Yi, let’s save them and get out of here quickly! This place is just..."