Living steadily in the world of gods and mystery

In the dead of night.

Chen Li suddenly trembled and woke from his sleep, his eyes snapping open to realize it had only been a dream that made him exhale a breath of relief. The pounding of his heart gradually calmed down.

"Why would I have such a dream?"

He touched his forehead, his hand coming away slick with sweat.

"I actually had an inexplicable nightmare about that terrifying figure encountered on the journey."

"Is it ’daytime thoughts become nighttime dreams’?"

"Or is it..."

Chen Li frowned deeply.

"What’s wrong?" Zhou Hong asked drowsily from beside him.

"It’s nothing, just a dream. You go back to sleep," he reassured her.

"Mhm," Zhou Hong closed her eyes and soon fell into a deep sleep again.

But Chen Li, his sleep utterly disrupted by the nightmare, could no longer fall asleep. He simply got out of bed and put on his robe.

He walked to the kitchen, drew some water from the tank, took a towel, and washed his face.

Then he went to the talisman-making room and lit the oil lamp.

He stared blankly at the flickering flame for a while before coming back to his senses.

This nightmare was too terrifying, striking at the most dreadful existence in his heart.

He was still somewhat shaken.

Thinking over it, he took out talisman paper, blood ink, and a talisman brush.

Then, he picked up the brush, dipped it in the blood ink, steadied his spirit, and proceeded to draw twelve Evil-Repelling Talismans in a row.

"I must be overthinking it!" he muttered to himself.

Clearly, he was influenced by the day’s happenings.

...

However, stimulated by the nightmare, Chen Li still made a trip early in the morning to the talisman shop of the Eternal Life Sect. With what little savings he had left, he purchased ten Evil-Breaking Talismans, and for the next seven or eight days, he continuously drew Evil-Repelling Talismans. Only after accumulating a hundred did he stop.

So much so, that in every corner of his home, one could find the presence of Evil-Repelling Talismans.

At the same time, he also began to put more emphasis on practicing Palm Thunder.

Since encountering that terrifying Evil Wraith on the journey, Chen Li’s heart harbored a shadow towards such sinister things, terrifying him more than Second Order Demon Beasts.

The Thunder Skill, Palm Thunder, inherently possesses the effect of breaking evil and annihilating demons, and although it’s slightly less effective against Evil Wraiths compared to the Evil-Repelling Skill of the same level, the difference isn’t significant.

...

"Snap!"

"Snap!"

"Snap!"

The basement was a play of light and shadow.

Like a sudden thunderclap, the roaring sound of Palm Thunder was deafening.

A first order, fourth-level spell, for Chen Li who had reached the seventh Layer of Qi Cultivation, the consumption of Spiritual Power was now negligible. After focusing his practice, within just a few days, this spell had nearly reached the level of a master.

"Snap!"

Each bolt of lightning was slightly stronger than the last.

"Snap!"

Each casting was a bit quicker than before.

"Snap!"

The three-syllable spell nearly merged into one, and the coordination of Spiritual Power within his body gradually became instinct.

Now, it took only half a second to release a Palm Thunder.

"Snap!"

Chen Li suddenly felt a sensation in his heart.

He stopped.

He checked his game panel.

Sure enough, Palm Thunder had advanced to master level.

"The power is equivalent to that of a first order, sixth-level spell... better than nothing, I suppose!"

Chen Li looked at the game panel, realizing he still needed to practice it 1,600 more times to reach the Grandmaster level, and to perfect it, he’d have to practice another 3,200 times; in total, 4,800 times.

"If I set aside the consumption of Spiritual Power for other spells and talismans and focus on one, it would take at most three months..." Chen Li thought for a moment, then rejected this unreasonable approach:

"Never mind, I’ve been a bit obsessed these past few days. Best to proceed step by step. Moreover, even if I perfected it, its power would only be that of a first order, eighth-level spell. Against Evil Wraiths, it might not be as effective as an Evil-Breaking Talisman."

"No wonder so few people practice spells—they’re really not as convenient and quick to use as talismans, which can be used beyond one’s own level. As long as one has enough Spirit Stones, even a novice Loose Cultivator could use high-level talismans against their enemies."

Of course, while Palm Thunder was less effective against Evil Wraiths compared to Evil-Breaking Talismans.

That didn’t mean it was useless.

Compared to the specialized Evil-Breaking Talisman, Palm Thunder was far more versatile, possessing significant damage against demon beasts, Evil Wraiths, and even human opponents.

A nearly instantaneous sixth-level spell with the effects of breaking spells, dispelling evil, and causing rigidity.

To any enemy, it would be terrifying.

Chen Li popped a Qi Replenishing Pill to slowly recover his Spiritual Power, pulled the sword planted by his side, and commenced practicing his swordsmanship.

...

Days passed by one after another.

Chen Li’s life remained tranquil, every day being immensely fulfilling. Besides Zhang Shuniang coming over to his place every other day, Bai Jinwang also frequently visited. After days of recuperation, the old man had recovered quite a bit.

He was no longer skin and bones like when we first met. He had gained some flesh on his body and cheeks, and his complexion had become much rosier.

But his head full of white hair and his aged body could never return to the way they used to be.

...

"Alas, it’s all fate!" Bai Jinwang sighed.

This sentence had become his recent catchphrase.

It showed how great an impact this had on him.

Seeing Chen Li dismissive, Bai Jinwang said, "Don’t discredit fate, just look at how many Loose Cultivators there are in Luoluo City, at least sixty to seventy thousand. Not to mention the later stages of Qi Cultivation, take the Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation for example, there are at least hundreds, and there are quite a few who reach Complete Qi Cultivation every year, but how many can actually achieve Foundation Establishment?

I’m telling you, the last time I heard of someone managing to establish their foundation was five years ago; that was one person in five years, and they were a disciple of the Everlasting Sect."

Upon hearing this, Chen Li looked surprised: "How can there be so few?"

"Heh, that’s just how few there are! This is the tribulation of Foundation Establishment. Once you enter the Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation, you’ll strangely encounter disasters as if the heavens and earth despise you. Whether it’s natural disasters or man-made calamities, even if you are lucky enough to sustain yourself until Complete Qi Cultivation and get ready for Foundation Establishment, you’ll most likely fail. I used to not believe it, but now I have no choice but to," Bai Jinwang said with wide-open eyes.

This was the first time Chen Li had heard such a claim.

He shook his head and said, "That seems rather far-fetched. I think you’re obsessed, blaming what happened with the Evil Wraith on some vague predestined fate."

"Believe it or not, it’s up to you. When you reach my stage, you’ll understand," Bai Jinwang said, without getting angry, and then sighed, "Forget it, let’s not talk about these depressing things. I have no hope in this life. What I regret most now is not having a child sooner."

"It’s not too late now. Even eighty-year-old mortals can have offspring. Could it be that, in your case, there’s an issue..."

"How could that be possible!" Bai Jinwang bristled with anger, shakily stood up, and said indignantly, "Come on, let’s go to the brothel, and I’ll show you how capable I am! Not to boast, but..."

"Big brother, don’t get so agitated, I believe you, all right?" Chen Li said with a mixture of laughter and helplessness, hastily interrupting.

With his body so frail, what was the use of all this bluster?

Wasn’t he afraid of those brothel cultivators with evil skills draining his marrow and passing away on top of a woman?

"Your expression clearly shows disbelief!" Bai Jinwang, who had just settled into his chair, stood up again, "Hmph, no more chat, no more chat, talking to you is really no fun!"

Saying that, he huffily walked away.

Chen Li could only helplessly see him out the door.

Alas, I’ve wounded his pride.

He understood this reaction; not long ago, Bai Jinwang was still a middle-aged man, and in the blink of an eye, he became an old man—his mentality obviously hadn’t fully adjusted yet, so he was understandably sensitive about this aspect.

After a while, he would surely accept the reality.

...

Unexpectedly, just seven days passed.

An invitation to a wedding was delivered into Chen Li’s hands.

"You’re getting married?" Chen Li asked in astonishment.

The efficiency was astounding.

It had only been a few days.

Pleased with Chen Li’s reaction, Bai Jinwang stroked his beard and said proudly, "I’m taking concubines, three at a single stroke. Whichever one bears a child first will be promoted to wife."

Three...

Chen Li opened his mouth, wondering if Bai Jinwang wasn’t afraid of wearing out his old bones!

What a reckless old man!

tut tut!

As it was a matter of taking concubines, the affair was to be kept simple.

Three days later, the wedding banquet was held, attended only by close neighbors and Bai Jinwang’s friends and relatives, totaling only three tables.

The three concubines were all daughters of respectable families from the secular world, each around sixteen or seventeen years old, radiating with the fresh aura of youth. They were about the same age as Zhang Shuniang, and dressed in red auspicious outfits, they seemed even lovelier.

"Brother Bai is truly fortunate. With these three beautiful concubines, you’ll enjoy a life of pleasure. Here, I raise my glass to you," one of Bai Jinwang’s friends said with a laugh, lifting their cup.

Bai Jinwang laughed heartily, raising his cup and emptying it in one gulp, "Today is my big day. Everybody, eat well, drink well, and don’t hold back!"

He seemed determined, accepting toasts from anyone who offered, always emptying his glass.

The wine doesn’t intoxicate; the drinker gets himself drunk, and in no time, he was flushed with alcohol.

"Hey, Jinwang, my younger brother, stop drinking, or how will you perform the consummation later?" one of his friends advised.

Everyone burst into laughter.

"I’m happy today, I must drink to my heart’s content. Drink up! Are you looking down on me?" Bai Jinwang held up his cup, his words slurred.

Seeing no other choice, the man raised his cup and finished his drink.

The banquet hadn’t even reached its halfway point when Bai Jinwang already slipped under the table, muttering nonsense while sitting on the ground. In the end, everyone had to call upon the three beauties to help him back to his room to rest.

...

"On this joyous day, Fellow Daoist Bai didn’t seem as happy as he let on," Zhou Hong said after they returned home.

"Alas, his path in cultivation has been severed, and he has suddenly aged so much, losing many years of his life in the process. Although he doesn’t usually show it, he’s been repressing these feelings. How could he simply let go? He was just forcing a smile," Chen Li responded.

"Fellow Daoist Bai, an old and decrepit man, has taken three concubines; perhaps you should also take a concubine. I wouldn’t mind," Zhou Hong suddenly suggested.

Chen Li laughed and said, "What are you thinking about? One of you is enough for me!"

He wrapped his arms around Zhou Hong, "He has no hopes left for his remaining years and only wants to continue his family line, but I am different, I still have ambitions. We’re so busy normally, sometimes I don’t even have time for you, let alone spare attention for others."

Zhou Hong felt a sweet warmth in her heart, resting in the embrace of her man.

She thought to herself, it’s better when he’s busy.

Otherwise, with her man’s character, and the money at hand,

He would probably go to the brothel every day.

That in itself wouldn’t be the issue; the key point was that it harmed his health.

She even suspected that the reason Chen Li’s cultivation had been stagnant for so long was due to the harm caused by those brothel women who practiced evil arts.