Living steadily in the world of gods and mystery

Since arriving in Luoluo City, Chen Li had always acted discreetly, exercising caution in every aspect and avoiding conflicts whenever possible. He never exhibited his strength in front of others, leading a peaceful and stable life.

He had been immersed in arduous training day after day throughout the entire summer.

As the saying goes, hard work pays off.

Beyond perfecting his Spiritual Power Flick with a snap of his fingers, he had finally made progress in his Spells, advancing to Grandmaster level, and not just in one area.

It started with the Scolding Skill and Flash Skill—these low-level spells reached Grandmaster status, followed by the Palm Thunder and Traction Skill. As for the Body Protection Skill and Wind Control Skill, although they had not reached Grandmaster level, the progress was quite pleasing, as both had advanced to Master level.

In just one summer, his strength had improved beyond comparison.

...

In the underground training room.

A terrifying traction force field permeated the entire space.

At this moment, Chen Li was enveloped in a solid Protective Shield, moving at high speed like a shadow, not limited to the ground. His form flickered past walls and ceilings alike.

Under the traction force field, every move he made seemed in harmony with heaven and earth, greatly amplifying both speed and attack.

Chen Li suddenly drew his sword.

The sword light flashed like a startled swan passing by.

Even though Chen Li was more than ten meters away from the wall, far beyond the range of the Sword Qi, the wall still bore a deep, seemingly bottomless cut as if sliced by an invisible blade.

"A talisman-made Protective Shield would probably shatter with one hit under the Traction Skill, and even a Golden Light Body Protection Talisman is unlikely to last much longer," Chen Li paused, deep in thought.

The Grandmaster-level Traction Skill was as powerful as a First Order Eighth Grade spell, while a talisman version of a Protective Shield was roughly equivalent to a First Order Sixth Grade spell. Even though the Traction Skill was not purely offensive, its power was not something that a First Order Sixth Grade spell could withstand.

"Add to that my Body Protection Skill, which is akin to a First Order Ninth Grade spell at Master level. I can even take on a cultivator in the early stages of Foundation Establishment!" Chen Li clenched his fists powerfully, causing a faint burst of sound in the air.

The entire training room trembled, and pebbles cascaded down.

"Now, at last, I feel a sense of security and can stand on my own in Luoluo City."

Chen Li felt uplifted.

"Dinner’s ready!" Zhou Hong’s voice called from outside.

"I’ll be right there!"

Chen Li deactivated the Traction Skill and Body Protection Skill and left the training room, arriving at the entrance of the corridor.

With a light jump, he reached for a protrusion on the rock wall, using hands and feet to swiftly climb over in a breath’s time.

After freshening up, Chen Li had just taken his seat at the table when Zhou Hong handed him an invitation, "It’s from the Yu Family, inviting you to attend the 200th birthday celebration of the Yu Family’s ancestor. The person left right after delivering it."

A 200th birthday celebration.

That’s quite a long life.

Chen Li opened the invitation and noted that it was set for the following month.

About half a month away.

"Will you go?" Zhou Hong set a bowl of rice in front of Chen Li.

"Of course, I will go. They’ve sent an invitation, and both emotionally and logically, it would not be right to refuse," Chen Li glanced at the invitation, placed it into his storage bag, picked up his chopsticks and began to eat.

"Sigh, a 200th birthday celebration; that must be close to the end, right?" Zhou Hong sighed.

"Here you are, a Qi Cultivation Stage cultivator, feeling sorry for a Foundation Establishment Grandmaster!" Chen Li teased: "How many people can live to be 200 years old, with their days filled with glorious wealth, surrounded by the warmth of bright flowers and the richness of boiled oils? Any way you look at it, such a life has been worthwhile. If they endure a little longer, who knows, maybe they’ll live another decade or two."

"When it comes to that point, who would really feel that their life was worthwhile!"

"That is true," Chen Li paused, then continued thoughtfully.

Putting himself in the shoes of the Yu Family’s ancestor, feeling that his days were numbered and death was drawing near, even if he spoke of it nonchalantly, there would probably be unwillingness in his heart.

A commonplace person— who would ever think they’ve lived long enough!

At a hundred, they dream of two hundred.

At two hundred, they desire immortality.

Human wants are never satisfied.

...

Time quickly advanced to half a month later.

Chen Li got up early, washed up, and waited for the sun to climb high before he set off for the 200th birthday celebration of the Yu Family’s ancestor.

The Yu Residence’s gates were wide open.

Lanterns hung high, red ribbons paved the way, and there was a constant stream of guests, making for a festive atmosphere.

After reporting his name and presenting a fine Magic Artifact as a gift along with the invitation, a member of the Yu Family immediately led Chen Li to the grand hall to take his seat. The Yu Family’s ancestor had not yet made an appearance, and the main table remained empty.

The hall was filled with distinguished guests, buzzing with conversation.

Everyone was in high spirits, inviting friends and acquaintances, mingling and networking.

Yu Fan Zhen and several other prominent Yu scions were not seen, clearly having other arrangements.

Some scantily clad dancers had already begun performing in front of the gathering, presenting a bustling and festive scene.

Chen Li observed one of the dancers.

To his surprise, it was Sun Yu, his neighbor.

Sun Yu also noticed Chen Li, and her expression showed a hint of surprise.

"Are all the courtesan cultivators in this world so talented?" Chen Li mused to himself.

He simply enjoyed watching the graceful dance of the performers.

Guests continuously arrived, and a variety of exquisite spiritual delicacies were served in succession. As noon approached, the Yu Family’s ancestor finally made his appearance.

Perhaps it was because the joy of the occasion afforded him strength, but he looked hale and hearty, youthful despite his white hair, and seemed in better spirits than in previous encounters, showing no signs that he was already two centuries old.

With a smile, he greeted everyone with a cupped fist salute, uttered some pleasantries, and then downed a cup of wine in one go, adding even more excitement to the already lively atmosphere.

Guests came forward one after another to offer toasts and congratulations, which the elder ancestor of the Yu Family accepted with a smile. This time, he merely sipped to moisten his lips.

...

"Wang Xu of the Wang Family has arrived!"

...

"Liu Honghui of the Liu Family has arrived!"

...

"Xu Anding of the Xu Family has arrived!"

...

"Zhou Xutang of the Zhou Family has arrived!"

...

"Xu Renchun of the Xu Family has arrived!"

...

"Wen Jianwei of the Eternal Life Sect has arrived!"

...

As time passed, the real guests of honor arrived one after another.

The elder ancestor of the Yu Family went out to welcome each one personally, his face beaming with joy.

"All six Foundation Establishment families have arrived, and even the Eternal Life Sect has sent someone!" Chen Li thought to himself, sizing up the situation. The elder ancestors of the Wang and Xu Families, Wang Xu and Xu Renchun, also had old-looking appearances, but they were quite a bit younger than the elder ancestor of the Yu Family.

The rest had the appearance of middle-aged men.

"Xu Anding... that’s the person the elder ancestor of the Zhou Family wanted to see in the restaurant last time," Chen Li realized. He found this Foundation Establishment cultivator somewhat familiar and, after thinking hard, remembered him.

A year ago, when he visited the elder ancestor of the Yu Family, he had encountered this Foundation Establishment cultivator, who had an unassuming appearance.

Wen Jianwei of the Eternal Life Sect looked to be in his forties or fifties, with a cheerful round face and a pair of small eyes, looking inconspicuous among this group of Foundation Establishment cultivators, yet subtly the center of attention.

The entire birthday celebration seemed harmonious and cheerful on the surface.

At least Chen Li could not see any overt disputes or covert struggles between the Foundation Establishment cultivators.

After three rounds of drinks and five different dishes, the banquet reached its latter half, and the elder ancestor of the Yu Family rose to toast each table. Soon, he reached Chen Li’s table, where everyone promptly stood up to offer congratulations.

The elder ancestor of the Yu Family downed his cup with a smile and turned to Chen with the words, "Chen, it’s been quite a while since you last visited the Yu Family."

Chen quickly put down his cup and said with a bow, "I often think of visiting, but I fear being a nuisance..."

"Nuisance? No such thing!" the elder ancestor of the Yu Family waved away the thought. "There aren’t so many formalities here. You should visit us more often."

"I am honored by your appreciation and will remember it," Chen Li thought to himself, a bit helpless.

The others couldn’t help but glance sideway.

Even the Foundation Establishment cultivators at another table turned their gaze.

Wen Jianwei, with a chuckling smile, called over a Yu Family cultivator who was serving at the side: "Who is this young talent that your ancestor takes such an interest in?"

"To answer the senior, his surname is Chen and his given name is Wen. He is a cultivator from the Green River District. We don’t know much else," the Yu Family cultivator replied with haste, not daring to neglect the question.

Since killing Qiao Guanyuan, Chen Li had been using the alias Chen Wen.

Now, throughout Luoluo City, other than Zhou Hong, outsiders only knew him as Chen Wen and knew nothing of his real name.

Green River District! Hearing this, Zhou Xutang’s brows furrowed ever so slightly, a thought flashing through his mind, then sneering at himself for being suspicious without cause.

A Loose Cultivator at the Qi Cultivation stage surely couldn’t possess such strength.

Not to mention killing Zhou Dongbo.

The second time, he killed seven family cultivators including one at the eighth level of Qi Cultivation in an instant, and until they died, they didn’t even see the assailant’s face. This was certainly not something a Qi Cultivation cultivator could do.

But if it were done by someone at the Foundation Establishment stage...

Then who could it be? There were too many suspects!

He sighed in his heart.

It had already been nearly half a year.

Although he had been investigating in secret...

He still had no useful clues to this day; the whole incident seemed to be shrouded in fog.

"Who would have thought that such a talent could emerge from a remote place like the Green River District," Xu Renchun glanced at Zhou Xutang and said with an easy smile, "No wonder Fellow Daoist Zhou searched the entire city for people from the Green River District. By the way, did you ever find the culprit?"

Zhou Xutang’s face darkened, but facing a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, he dared not provoke him. With a silent huff, he responded with a tone that was neither weak nor aggressive, "That’s none of Fellow Daoist Xu’s concern!"

"Look at this, what kind of response is that? I was just kindly showing concern," Xu Renchun said.

"Is that concern? Looks more like you’re reveling in misfortune," Xu Anding said with a laugh.

Seeing the atmosphere turning sour, Wen Jianwei immediately smoothed things over, and the tension quickly eased.

At Chen’s table, once the elder ancestor of the Yu Family had left, the demeanor of the cultivators at his table and nearby became much warmer. Chen reluctantly drank quite a bit more, and by the end of the event, even with his constitution, he felt slightly tipsy.

...

"Why did you drink so much? You never drink," Zhou Hong said, escorting Chen inside and pouring him a cup of tea, which she handed to him.

"I can hardly refuse the goodwill of others offering a drink. In this life, we can’t always do as we please," he replied.

In fact, Chen didn’t have much to complain about. In just three short years, he had advanced from the third level of Qi Cultivation to the eighth, from living in constant fear to establishing a precarious foothold for himself, not lacking for money, having a wife, and looking forward to achieving Foundation Establishment and the prospect of longevity.

Compared to his previous life, he was undoubtedly doing a hundred times better.

Chen finished the tea, which sobered him up quite a bit. He thoroughly pondered the expressions and reactions of Zhou Xutang, the elder ancestor of the Zhou Family, throughout the banquet. Soon his brows relaxed; it seemed that the other party had not noticed anything unusual from start to end.

He probably hadn’t become suspicious of him.