Living steadily in the world of gods and mystery

There was a pervasive sense of panic among the crowd.

In just six short months, two had died at the Foundation Establishment level and another was seriously injured.

Chen Li admitted to himself that he had a hand in it too, and it was even highly likely that he was the spark that caused the already fragile situation to plummet rapidly, leading to an accidental discharge.

"Alas, do I have to run away again?" Chen Li pondered in secret.

But where could he go?

The entire Longevity Domain was either under the control of rebellious Foundation Establishment families or the authority of the Longevity Sect.

What about returning to the Green River District?

Nearly two years had passed, and the situation there might have become even worse, and more dangerous to boot.

Perhaps... it had even been wiped out.

"Just take it one step at a time, Let’s see how the situation unfolds first."

Besides, he was no longer as weak as he was at the beginning; even if faced with an ordinary early-stage Foundation Establishment practitioner, he had the strength to fight.

No matter how bad the situation got, it was a matter of facing the music and dealing with problems as they arose.

As long as he didn’t show himself and kept a low profile, he should be able to get through this safely.

Since arriving in this world, he had always lived this way and had gotten somewhat used to it.

Zhou Hong also stepped out of the house, followed by Zhang Shuniang, who clung to Chen Li.

He gently patted her hand and soothed her, "Don’t worry, I’ve got this."

Just then, the clear sky suddenly filled with a layer of yellow light, the air around the yellow light distorting.

Chen Li looked up.

This was the first time he had seen the City Defense Array fully powered up since he migrated to Luoluo City.

Looking at this array,

He couldn’t help but feel a lurch in his heart.

His subconscious thought was:

Could the tunnel he dug still be used to leave the city?

At that moment, a figure flew out, hovering in mid-air with a thunderous yell:

"The Longevity Sect is apprehending the culprit; everyone go back to your homes, no one is allowed to go out, wait quietly for the inspection, or you will be executed without mercy!"

The voice was like thunder, filled with barely repressed fury, and clearly traveling to everyone’s ears as if enhanced by sonic power, making eardrums ache.

The City Defense Array had the effect of preventing flight, but this clearly did not include the Longevity Sect who held the authority over the array.

For a while, Luoluo City fell eerily silent; all Loose Cultivators out on the streets retreated in a panic like a receding tide.

"Shu, come back quickly!" Zhang Yan, hearing the commotion, rushed out of his home in a hurry.

"Uncle, Ms. Zhou! I’m going back now," Zhang Shuniang said with unease on her small face.

"Hmm, go back," was the reply.

After Zhang Shuniang was taken away by Zhang Yan, Chen Li and Zhou Hong also retreated back to their home.

In a short while, the entire street was deserted.

"For a Foundation Establishment to be this terrifying..." Zhou Hong closed the door, still feeling the aftereffects: "Those people really have some nerve to carry out assassinations in Luoluo City. Including the old ancestor of the Zhou Family, this is already the second time. This time, the Longevity Sect will certainly not let it slide."

Chen Li: ...

He suspected this woman was speaking in veiled criticism.

...

Chen Li put the Five Directions Storage Bag in the basement, then carefully sealed the entrance, closed the door, and waited quietly for the Longevity Sect to come searching.

Several hours later.

A roar came from the sky: "Thinking of escaping, Li Zhaolong, it’s you, an ungrateful wretch! Would you be where you are today without the Longevity Sect?"

"Hahaha, since I’ve been discovered, death is but a death. Huang Xiaohan, you old fool, calling me ungrateful, what virtue do you have? All these years I’ve toiled like an ox and a horse for the Longevity Sect, everything I have is well deserved... You unilaterally broke the truce and ordered your disciples to slaughter my clan, this is revenge!"

"Nonsense, slandering with malicious accusations, seeking death!"

The next moment, a series of explosions rang out, like rolling thunder, one after another.

Chen Li endured it and did not go outside.

The entire battle was incredibly brief, lasting only a dozen or so seconds before it was completely over.

"Bring someone here, hang the corpse on the city walls, and expose it to the elements for three days! Let him serve as a warning, this is the fate of those who offend our Longevity Sect!"

This person, presumably Huang Xiaohan, must be the sect master of the Longevity Sect, Chen Li thought to himself.

The martial law was lifted shortly after.

"I’ll go outside and have a look!"

Chen Li informed Zhou Hong and walked out the door, where the street was bustling with people.

When he arrived at the city gates, the place was already crowded with onlookers.

A corpse with its head smashed and a large hole in its chest was hanging at the entrance of the gates.

It has to be said.

The vitality of a Foundation Establishment cultivator is incredibly strong.

To this moment, the body was still twitching violently, swinging back and forth in mid-air.

...

Several days later.

Chen Li paid another visit to the Yu Family’s elder.

The hospitality was the same as before.

"I see that you are glowing with health, Junior, and there are traces of spiritual power fluctuations around you. You must be close to reaching Foundation Establishment," said the elder, who seemed to have aged more and appeared slightly less energetic and rather haggard since their last meeting half a year ago.

"I can’t hide it from the senior’s discerning eyes, I’ve recently entered the Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation," Chen Li replied respectfully, and took the opportunity to ask, "I’m quite puzzled about Foundation Establishment, may I know if there is anything in particular I should pay attention to?"

"Foundation Establishment, ah!" Yu Cheng thought for a moment and then said with a kind smile, "Actually, I’ve only experienced it once myself, so I don’t have much experience to speak of. Just remember to align with the right timing, favorable location, and harmonious human relations. Do not force Foundation Establishment, let it come naturally. When your cultivation is sufficient, you’ll naturally encounter the opportunity to establish your foundation, of course, the Foundation Establishment Elixir is indispensable."

Chen Li immediately expressed his gratitude, then added, "I’ve heard people say that once you reach the Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation, you’ll unexpectedly encounter natural and man-made disasters."

"These are all misunderstandings passed down by others. Everyone has their own experiences and opinions. If you think there are such things, then they exist for you, if you think there aren’t, then they don’t," Yu Cheng replied with a hint of nonchalance.

"Most Qi Cultivation cultivators begin planning for their Foundation Establishment once they reach the Ninth Layer, running around every day to earn Spirit Stones. Many even take risks for this goal, and when one walks the dangerous paths often, how can they not encounter trouble?" Yu Cheng continued.

Chen Li thought about it and found it to make sense; Bai Jinwang would not have encountered danger had he not become a bounty hunter, taking on various tasks.

"Moreover, with the current situation!" Yu Cheng sighed, then said, "Once war breaks out, people’s lives are as worthless as grass. No matter if you are Foundation Establishment or Golden Core, when it’s your time to die, you just die. Who knows how many will perish this time."

"You don’t plan to leave, senior?" Chen Li asked.

"Alas, I can’t move anymore! This old skeleton of mine doesn’t have many good years left anyway. I might as well accumulate some blessings for those unworthy descendants, not knowing whether this decision is right or wrong," Yu Cheng said with a wry smile.

...

The next day.

Morning.

The spring rain continued gently, fine as silk.

In his hand, Chen Li held a teacup, looking into the mist-shrouded sky.

All of a sudden, he called out to Zhou Hong, who was busy inside, "We’re moving house tomorrow!"

"Where to?"

"To the foot of the mountain!"

Ever since the Longevity Sect elder was assassinated, Luoluo City had suddenly become much quieter and no longer as lively as before. Many people had moved out of the city to live at the foot of the mountain. As the saying goes, ’the ducks will be the first to know when the river warms in spring’—it was clearly the survival strategy adopted by the local Loose Cultivators.

Although Luoluo City was easy to defend and hard to attack, and it possessed a City Defense Array, it could also become a prison. In the event of a war, one could easily be caught up in it. On the other hand, living at the foot of the mountain meant that they could leave at a moment’s notice if they sensed danger.

"Okay, should we invite Zhang and his family as well?"

"I’ll go and ask them in a while!"