Chapter 109: Let’s See Who’s Bullying Whom! The Disparity Is Too Great!

At this moment, Bai Ke and the others appeared as if they were terminally ill. To rouse them, it was necessary to replenish the energy within their bodies and awaken their consciousness.

Vast amounts of energy from the "Great Cavern True Scripture" were poured into them, instantly clearing their minds. The gray, lifeless look in their eyes faded, replaced by the vibrant colors of vitality as they became animated once more.

That was not enough, however. Lin Yi took out the stone milk he had gathered from the Dove Cave earlier. He smeared the substance onto his hands and continuously wiped it onto the lips of Bai Ke and his companions. He did not overlook the villagers from Shanghe Village, either. As the energy from the stone milk entered through their mouths and seeped into their bodies, it jolted them awake.

In their daze, Bai Ke and the others regained their senses. While they were still bewildered, Lin Yi hurriedly pointed toward Zhang Xu.

"Everyone, get out! Follow them! Brother Bai Ke, run quickly! This secret realm is about to collapse!"

Lin Yi had put in the effort this time, yet he had gained little. Most of the ghostly shadows he destroyed had merely been low-level spirits or demons sealed within, yielding only a few days to a week or so of cultivation as a reward. However, being able to rescue his colleagues—especially since they had shown him such care and stood by him—made it feel worthwhile to Lin Yi. Of course, had it been a matter of life and death where he could barely save himself, he would not have played the hero. But where he could do good, Lin Yi felt it was worth doing.

Once Bai Ke and the others recovered, their memories flooded back, recalling everything that had transpired. This was the same for the Shanghe Village villagers, including Old Man Zhang and the others. Bai Ke and his team were genuinely upright and kind. Even after hearing Lin Yi state that the space was collapsing, these Paranormal Investigation Bureau agents showed their high moral fiber and positive energy. Several of them rushed to the side of Old Man Zhang and the others, supporting them to ensure they could escape quickly, rather than relying on their own superior strength to flee first.

Before long, Bai Ke and his group rendezvoused with Zhang Xu. Seeing so many people, Zhang Xu finally caught his breath; his courage bolstered, he quickly stepped forward to support one of the elders. Though Bai Ke and the others remained weak, they at least had the strength to keep moving.

Looking back, Bai Ke gritted his teeth, wanting to turn around and join the fight alongside Lin Yi. "You all go ahead! Brother Lin Yi saved us; I cannot leave him behind to fight alone. I must stand by his side!"

That was Bai Ke's declaration, and the other men echoed his sentiment. Zhang Xu felt like crying. *Brother, you didn't see how fierce Brother Lin was earlier! If you had, you wouldn't be saying this. Does Brother Lin even need your help?*

Lin Yi was currently radiating the energy of the "Great Cavern True Scripture," which had drawn the attention of every demon and ghost in the vicinity. Even Zhao Qilin, from atop the pillar of blood-red light that was nearing its final transformation, had begun to speak. Clearly, Lin Yi had caught his interest. Last time, Lin Yi had been too far away for Zhao Qilin to notice him through the hazy consciousness of the fragmented barrier. Now, however, Lin Yi was right before him. Zhao Qilin was no blind man; through the pillar of light, his gaze seemed to fixate on Lin Yi like two beams of blood-red rays.

Within the crimson beam, Zhao Qilin expressed his surprise, then let out a light chuckle. "Where did this little one come from? To dare rescue these people... I was planning on eating them all after I got out of here. They are mine, after all! Don't you run, little one. In a moment... tsk tsk tsk... It seems you practice a supreme Yang cultivation technique; it will be a perfect tonic for me. You alone are worth more than all of them combined. Yes, yes, it's you! I shall feast upon you..."

"No, no, no... You would be better suited to be refined into a zombie. With your potential, you could surely become the supreme Zombie King. But no, I want to eat you! I’ve been eating nothing but snakes, insects, rats, and filthy beasts for over half a year. Just surviving on energy alone has made my mouth go bland enough to drive one mad..."

With those words, Lin Yi understood. No wonder only the ghost-child Han Er had died among the five households of Shanghe Village; the rest had been spared because that ghost had been sent by Zhao Qilin to capture them and bring them here to be eaten!

Lin Yi was incensed. *Isn't this Zhao Qilin supposed to be human? Isn't he a descendant of a zombie-refining family? How is he talking about eating me, and then refining me? Fine, I hadn't even started on you, and yet you're already coveting me? Do you think you can act like a human and eat your own kind?*

Lin Yi waved at Bai Ke and the others. "Brother Bai Ke, you all go quickly. Don't worry, I have other things to attend to. I'll catch up with you shortly. Oh, and Zhao Qilin, is it? I was going to show you respect because you're an old man, but since you've abandoned your dignity, I won't be so polite. You just wash yourself clean and wait there. In a moment, this young master is coming back to bully you. Yes, you heard me right—I am going to bully you."

Lin Yi's words left everyone stunned. Moments later, Zhao Qilin let out a roar of laughter, though the sound grew even more sinister.

*Boom! Boom! Boom!*

Several beams of crimson light struck toward Lin Yi. Lin Yi immediately activated the "Character Movement Technique" to dodge. He had not expected Zhao Qilin to be able to spare the effort to bully him directly instead of continuing to struggle against the hazy consciousness of the fragmented barrier.

With the technique activated, Lin Yi moved with a terrifying speed that rivaled even that of a grandmaster. This move not only widened the eyes of Bai Ke and the others, who had intended to stay and help, but it also caused Zhao Qilin, within the blood-red pillar, to pause before breaking into a cackling laugh.

"Good! Good! Good! With that speed, you must be a genius among humans. A disciple of some sect, perhaps? No, no, those people earlier looked like they were from the Paranormal Investigation Bureau, so you must be one of them too. Good, I love using geniuses like you, or eating them. You are the one!"

As Zhao Qilin spoke, countless beams of blood-red light erupted from the pillar. These rays shot out rapidly, seizing demons and ghosts and turning them into controlled puppets. These zombies then quickly swarmed toward Lin Yi.

Lin Yi could not remain, for without him, Bai Ke and the others would never escape; the idea of them breaking through this fragmented barrier on their own was pure fantasy. Lin Yi’s movements were so fast that the reason Bai Ke and his men were so astonished was that if his combat power during the fight with Tang Jie at the cave entrance was rated as one, and his performance against the corpse-ghost Zhang Fang was a two, then his current speed had pushed his combat capability to at least a three. Having surpassed them even at a level of one, it was impossible for them to keep up with him at a level of three.

Bai Ke and his companions, having just regained consciousness, felt like weeping. They had spent years in the field, carrying out countless missions for the Paranormal Investigation Bureau, yet they had still fallen into the hands of demons. In the end, it was this young man, Lin Yi, who had saved them. Most importantly, they felt ashamed of their years of life. Lin Yi was only about twenty years old, yet his strength was vastly superior to theirs. As the creature in the blood-red pillar had said, he was a true genius of the human race; they couldn't catch up even if they rode a rocket.

Seeing Lin Yi signal them to leave again, the men gritted their teeth and finally decided to retreat. Unexpectedly, Lin Yi added one final jab: "Brother Bai Ke, hurry up! Don't drag me down."

"..."

Bai Ke and his team were speechless. With tears in their eyes and the phantom sound of camel bells ringing in their ears, they said nothing more. Supporting the villagers of Shanghe Village, they fled as fast as they could. Just as Lin Yi had said, they understood that Lin Yi, whose strength far exceeded their own, could survive in this secret realm, while they had no such chance. The feeling that "people are compared to others to their own detriment" was the true reflection of their hearts.

Lin Yi had intended to follow them, but Zhao Qilin had controlled too many demons and zombies, and they were all rushing toward him. Watching as Bai Ke and the others vanished into the distant, desolate woods, Lin Yi finally turned around.

He balled his fists, the "Great Cavern True Scripture" circulating incessantly. Like a miniature sun, he radiated a glorious light in the gloomy world. With every punch, he easily dispatched the demons and zombies, while Zhao Qilin let out constant gasps of surprise. Meanwhile, the hazy consciousness of the fragmented barrier grew increasingly frantic and enraged. With every punch Lin Yi landed, he not only destroyed the demons and zombies but also obliterated the spirits belonging to the realm itself, causing the consciousness genuine pain. Most crucially, the ominous energy was vanishing rather than returning to the small space, leaving the hazy consciousness filled with both fury and confusion.

"You... who... who exactly... are you... my... my energy... why... has it disappeared..."

Lin Yi thought this fragmented barrier must have a hole in its head. Listening to its stuttering questions, he realized it was genuinely confused and couldn't fathom the reason. It was obvious even to a pig's brain.

Lin Yi had no desire to bicker with these two. He only wanted to turn and leave to ensure Bai Ke and the others made it out. Because of his punches, a vast vacuum had been created ahead. Lin Yi charged through it, while behind him, the demons and zombies continued their relentless pursuit.

"I will not let you escape, human genius, genius of my race! Hahaha... you are mine, mine..."