Living steadily in the world of gods and mystery

"At last, I’ve broken through. I never expected it would take this long..."

Chen Li had believed he would reach the Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation before the New Year, but he had been stuck at a bottleneck for over two months, only managing a successful breakthrough in the spring of the following year.

"Each layer is more difficult than the last."

Chen Li also felt a trace of pressure; his age was not on the younger side anymore.

Real age 43, nominal 44, almost 45, nearly 46, approaching 47, he was already close to fifty years old.

"They say the older you are, the harder it is to achieve Foundation Establishment. The longer you delay, the slimmer the hope becomes!" Chen Li sighed, took a moment to regulate his restive spiritual power, then stood up, "Some sect disciples begin their assault on Foundation Establishment in their twenties or thirties. Even so, their success rate is not high, and here I am, probably looking at trying for it at the age of forty-five."

He walked out of the basement, opened the front door, and stood under the eaves.

It was deep into the night, the darkness tranquil like flowing water, all quiet on the front, as Chen Li gazed at the distant stars.

He relaxed for a while, then opened the game panel.

In the past six months, he had successively maxed out his Scolding Skill, Flash Skill, and Palm Thunder. Of the remaining few spells he focused on practicing, aside from the Invisibility Technique, which was still at expert level, the rest had advanced to Grandmaster level.

However, he only glanced briefly at these skills.

His attention finally turned to his lifespan.

’Lifespan: 43/140 years’

"The increase in lifespan is getting slower and slower. If I can’t break through to Foundation Establishment, living to 150 years old is probably the limit... Since I’ve come this far, I must give it my all, no matter what. Who knows, maybe I’ll succeed!" Chen Li made up his mind.

"To attempt Foundation Establishment, one must have a Foundation Establishment Elixir. The success rate for Foundation Establishment is extremely low, and without the aid of a Foundation Establishment Elixir, it’s probably even more pitiful. Now, I must start preparing."

Fortunately, he had never lacked finances.

Recently, he had sold all of his surplus magic artifacts, robes, and storage bags that were not excessively sensitive.

He had given Zhou Hong one of the three Single Storage Bags, and sold the rest, netting 150 mid-grade Spirit Stones from that sale alone, amassing an unprecedented total of 1018 mid-grade Spirit Stones (including four top-grade Spirit Stones).

Probably some down-on-their-luck Foundation Establishment cultivators weren’t as wealthy as he was.

"Also, the situation has been becoming increasingly ominous. Not long ago, there were rumors that an elder of the Eternal Life Sect had been seriously injured while out... Sigh, since arriving in this world, this region has never truly been peaceful."

Chen Li shook his head and stood outside alone for a while.

Then he closed the door and returned to his bedroom.

Zhou Hong was deep in the spring slumber of Haitang blossoms. He uncovered the quilt, climbed into bed, and, holding the beloved woman in his arms, was soon sound asleep.

...

Half a month later.

Chen Li followed the crowd into the auction house of Luoluo City, his first time entering such a place. It was a messy scene inside, filled with the noise of chatter. Most people were either wearing masks or had their heads covered, concealing themselves and deeply aware of the need for a low profile and caution.

Few were as unabashed as Chen Li. He found a corner and sat down.

This auction house held sales every month, catering specifically to Loose Cultivators in Qi Cultivation. It was rare to see any Foundation Establishment cultivators here; they clearly had other channels for transactions. The Foundation Establishment Elixirs from the Eternal Life Sect also traded hands here.

Before long, the auction began.

The host, a Qi Cultivation cultivator, stepped onto the stage.

After some opening remarks and explaining the auction rules, the sale started.

The warm-up item was a rare bell-shaped top-grade magic artifact.

The starting bid was only one mid-grade Spirit Stone, and it was quickly snapped up for seven mid-grade Spirit Stones.

...

Chen Li found that the auction offered a wide array of items—magic artifacts, robes, Spiritual Medicine, Cultivation Techniques, and more, all at reasonable prices, which caused quite a stir among the Loose Cultivators, who eagerly bid on items, creating an enthusiastic atmosphere.

There were many things that he had never heard of before, broadening his horizons significantly.

He even saw ’Evil-Dispelling Powder’ for auction.

So-called Evil-Dispelling Powder is the residue left after an Evil Wraith is purified by an Evil-Breaking Talisman.

Only through the host’s introduction did he learn that this powder could be used to drive away Evil Wraiths because of its unique scent, which Evil Wraiths naturally abhor and instinctively avoid, and it was even affordable—one porcelain bottle for just five low-grade Spirit Stones.

All fifty bottles were quickly sold out.

Chen Li had no interest in these items and remained still.

While tempted by some Cultivation Techniques and secret techniques, he ultimately gave up the idea; none were essential. He realized that what he lacked most now was time. Learning one more technique would mean dividing his attention even further.

Better to focus on a few things rather than on many.

With the time available, it was better to improve the levels of his swordsmanship and spells.

"Notes on crafting the Golden Light Body Protection Talisman, the content has been verified as complete. This needs no introduction, as I believe Fellow Daoists all know its value. The starting bid is five mid-grade Spirit Stones, each increase must be of at least one mid-grade Spirit Stone above. Don’t miss this rare opportunity," the host announced loudly.

No sooner had his voice faded than there was an unexpectedly long silence without any bids.

The Golden Light Body Protection Talisman is a top-level talisman for the Qi Cultivation Stage.

Talisman Masters who had reached the eighth layer of Qi Cultivation barely possessed the capability to draw them, but there weren’t many such characters in the whole Luoluo City.

Quite a while passed before a few people sporadically raised their hands.

"Six!"

"Seven!"

...

"Ten, are there any higher bids?" the auctioneer asked hoarsely.

"Eleven... Eleven for the first time!"

Chen Li finally couldn’t help but raise his hand.

As a Talisman Master, he had no resistance against the top-tier talismans of the Qi Cultivation Stage.

"Good, twelve!"

Another competitor clearly hadn’t given up.

The two’s bids closely followed each other until Chen Li coolly called out sixteen and finally secured the item.

After more than three hours, the auction continued, and the real climax finally arrived.

"The final item for auction, the Foundation Establishment Elixir, starts at one hundred mid-grade Spirit Stones."

No sooner had the voice fallen

than someone called out one hundred and fifty straight away.

...

"One hundred and sixty!"

"One hundred and seventy!"

About a dozen people competed, and the price kept soaring.

"One hundred and eighty!" Chen Li shouted as he raised his hand.

It’s no wonder Bai Jinwang had been scrambling outside, desperately earning Spirit Stones, as the Foundation Establishment Elixir was simply too expensive, and most late-stage Loose Cultivators couldn’t afford it.

The price continued to be called out until it reached two hundred, and the once heated scene gradually quieted down.

"Two hundred and ten!" Chen Li raised the bid once more, feeling a pang of pain as even all his savings couldn’t buy five.

This price finally completely defeated the other bidder.

"Two hundred and ten, are there any further bids?"

"Going once, twice, three times, sold!"

...

After the auction ended, Chen Li paid 226 mid-grade Spirit Stones to the auction house and retrieved two items.

When he left, he felt he was being watched and shook his head. He did not want any conflict, so he quickly changed his appearance and shook off the follower.

"This is the Foundation Establishment Elixir!"

The Foundation Establishment Elixir was stored in a porcelain bottle, sealed with beeswax. He picked up the bottle and sniffed it, and a rich medicinal fragrance rushed into his nostrils, seemingly activating the Spiritual Power in his body.

"Such potent medicinal properties!"

"But one might not be safe enough; I’d better prepare one more," Chen Li thought to himself.

He put the Foundation Establishment Elixir back into the storage bag and walked out of the talisman crafting room.

Zhou Hong and Zhang Shuniang were chatting.

"Shuniang, how come you’re free today? Did your dad let you out?" Chen Li asked with a smile.

Ever since she broke through to the third layer of Qi Cultivation, Zhang Shuniang hadn’t often come over to visit, always kept under watch by Zhang Yan to learn the craft of talisman-making, appearing like she was on prison parole each time, sneaking around.

"Uncle, I’ve learned the Evil-Repelling Talisman!" Zhang Shuniang said, beaming.

"Not bad talent!" Chen Li said.

"To learn the Evil-Repelling Talisman, you won’t starve to death in the future. Back in the day, your uncle lived by drawing Evil-Repelling Talismans!" Zhou Hong said with a laugh.

"Heehee, my dad said the same thing."

As they laughed and talked, a commotion suddenly erupted outside.

Chen Li quickly stepped out to inquire and learned that a Foundation Establishment elder of the Everlasting Sect had been assassinated in broad daylight within the city.

He was stunned for a long time.

"Including last month’s heavily wounded elder, two months in a row, the Everlasting Sect’s strength has nearly halved. It looks like chaos is about to start."

PS: I’ve moved my character attributes to the bottom, not padding this time.