Living steadily in the world of gods and mystery

Following that, Zhang Songlin detailed the specific treatment for Foundation Establishment Guest Elders.

For example, the annual salary would be fifty mid-grade Spirit Stones, and each month one could receive a bottle of Gathering Qi Elixirs for use in the early stages of Foundation Establishment cultivation.

Furthermore, one could also bring family and servants up the mountain, as long as the number did not exceed five.

"...As for the specific situations in more distant places, I do not know, but if the elder were to visit other nearby sects, the treatment would likely not exceed this, and there might even be discrimination and differential treatment because of being an outsider!" Zhang Songlin said respectfully.

Unlike Qi Cultivation Loose Cultivators, who could not evade poverty and had to submit to power, Foundation Establishment cultivators had more choices.

If one could not mix well in this domain, one could always go to another domain to get by.

If this place would not keep a lord, surely there was another place that would!

It was of course possible to force Loose Cultivators to perform labor, and under the authoritative power of a sect, who would dare not to comply?

But that could not be done to Foundation Establishment cultivators.

At least, not too excessively.

Chen Li half-listened with a vaguely tempted feeling, the annual salary of fifty mid-grade Spirit Stones did not matter to him, what he valued were the third-tier spirit lands and the Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique, but he did not immediately agree.

He planned to look around first.

To see the specific situation and weigh the pros and cons.

Setting other matters aside for now, once one joined a sect, there was no longer the freedom that a Loose Cultivator had.

The risks would greatly increase.

However, that being said,

even if one did not join a sect, unless one lived in isolation and had no ties with the Returning True Sect, one would still be a dependent force under it.

When the time came for service, one would still have to serve, and when danger arose, one still had to face it, just like the last time during land-reclamation when four Foundation Establishment cultivators died, and who knows how many from among Loose Cultivators.

It would probably be the same in other places, as the saying goes, ’crows are the same color wherever you go’; there was no such thing as absolute freedom while living on someone else’s territory.

Using the need to consider for a few days as a reason, Chen Li sent Zhang Songlin away.

...

In the following days, Chen Li began to frequent the Foundation Establishment families in Luoluo City.

Hearing that a new Foundation Establishment cultivator had come, these Loose Cultivator Foundation Establishments were quite courteous.

The information gathered was consistent.

These Foundation Establishment families had mostly had experiences as Guest Elders of the Returning True Sect, with many withdrawing from the sect after aging, feeling hopeless in their path of cultivation, taking concubines, and enjoying a life of wealth and comfort.

No wonder most of these Loose Cultivator Foundation Establishments were quite old.

The youngest one also appeared to be middle-aged.

Given their real age, they should be over a hundred years old.

Even more exhibited signs of old age.

...

"Unlike these hopeless Loose Cultivator Foundation Establishments, I still have prospects for the future; joining the Returning True Sect is truly the best choice!" After leaving a Foundation Establishment family estate, Chen Li firmly decided in his heart.

At lunchtime,

Chen Li mentioned the matter of joining the Returning True Sect as a Guest Elder to Zhou Hong.

Zhou Hong, who was in the midst of eating, paused at the words, her eyes reddening as she lowered her head and asked, "Does that mean you will still come back often?"

"What are you thinking about?" Chen Li said laughingly, looking at her, "We are husband and wife; you will naturally come with me. In fact, there are five spots for going up the mountain this time and I was even considering whether to hire two servants, so that you can have an easier time day-to-day."

Zhou Hong immediately broke into a smile: "Actually, household chores aren’t that taxing. How about... we bring Zhang Shuniang along? She has talent for cultivation, and with the richer spiritual energy and more cultivation resources on the mountain, she may even hope to achieve Foundation Establishment in the future, and I’d have company."

"I have no objections," Chen Li thought aloud, "but will Zhang Yan agree? His daughter is his life."

"He will certainly agree, this is an opportunity many Loose Cultivators dream of! I will go and talk to him when the time comes."

She still had her own little strategies.

As Chen Li’s strength continued to grow, especially after Foundation Establishment, she felt increasingly inferior.

She was thirty-two this year, and although the years had not yet left their mark, it was only a matter of time until they did, whereas Chen Li was becoming younger by the day. With the lengthy lifespan brought by Foundation Establishment, how much longer could she stay by his side?

When her youth faded, and she was no longer young, even if Chen Li did not despise her, she would no longer have the face to share a bed with him or stay beside him.

And Zhang Shuniang, well-known and sensible...

...

It was unclear how Zhou Hong had talked with him,

but that evening, Zhang Yan came with Zhang Shuniang:

"Chen, considering Shuniang calls you uncle, you must take her with you!"

"Are you willing to let her go? Once you’re up the mountain, it’s not like being cut off from the world, but coming down is not so convenient," Chen Li said.

"What’s there to be unwilling about? We can still meet. Shuniang can do any chore and endure any hardship, if she doesn’t listen to you, feel free to discipline her, don’t worry about me!"

"Hey, that’s too much to say. Alright, since you agree, Shuniang will come with us then," Chen Li quickly replied.

...

Two days later.

Zhang Songlin came again, and it was finally time to depart.

Zhang Yan, holding onto Zhang Shuniang, chattered nonstop, incessantly giving instructions:

"You must listen to your uncle from now on, understand? Do whatever he tells you to do?"

"Dad! I will definitely listen to Uncle’s words," Zhang Shuniang said with tears in her eyes.

"Take the initiative to work. You’re not here to be a guest, nor should you act whimsical. If you end up being sent back, you’ll have lost all my face..."

Endless exhortations could never fully express the universal concerns of all parents.

"I won’t say much more. Your uncle is already waiting!"

"Dad, then I’m leaving!" Zhang Shuniang looked back three steps at a time.

"Go on, go on, don’t miss home too much. Concentrate on cultivating well there!" Zhang Yan turned his head, concealing a wipe at the corner of his eye.

...

The sect of the Returning True Sect was located just above Luoluo City.

Following the long mountain path, led by Zhang Songlin through the misty illusions, the mysterious mountaintop finally unveiled itself before Chen Li and his companions.

The place was even more vast than imagined, with spirit fields and medicinal herb fields lining the sides of the mountain path, stretching upwards in layers upon layers and extending all the way to the summit. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

There, various pavilions and lofty buildings were densely packed, presenting a spectacular sight.

Moreover, countless cultivators busied themselves, commuting back and forth with their magic artifacts.

Compared to Luoluo City, this was like another world.

"Brother Zhang, who are these few?" A Sect Disciple guarding the mountain gate asked with a bow.

"These are the new Guest Elders, Chen of the senior Chen Li. I’m taking him to meet with the Sect Leader in charge of miscellaneous affairs."

The two disciples immediately bowed deeply and said, "Greetings to senior Chen."

Chen Li nodded slightly.

Along the way, Zhang Songlin introduced the specifics of the Returning True Sect to Chen Li, who listened carefully, occasionally asking questions and gaining at least a preliminary understanding of the sect.

In total, excluding mundane servants, the sect had more than a thousand people.

These Qi Cultivation Stage disciples were divided into outer and inner sect disciples.

Generally, based on one’s cultivation, those under twenty who reached the late Qi Cultivation Stage would be promoted to inner sect disciples. These individuals were provided with the best resources and the finest spirit land. Their only concern was to cultivate, free from any other affairs.

However, the outer sect disciples had a more arduous time. In addition to cultivation, they also had to handle various miscellaneous duties and engage in production.

The disciples accompanying the labor servicing were precisely these disciples.

"Actually, in terms of cultivation level, many of the outer sect disciples are not inferior to the inner sect disciples, and the late Qi Cultivation Stage is also not uncommon; it’s just that they are older, with little hope for Foundation Establishment," Zhang Songlin couldn’t help but add.

He was one of the outer sect disciples himself.

"Does being older significantly affect Foundation Establishment?" Chen Li asked curiously, turning his head. "I was forty-six when I established my foundation."

"... Senior is someone with great fortune. How can we ordinary folks compare with you?" Zhang Songlin said, his heart full of gloom, and hurriedly continued. His face couldn’t conceal the envy, and even jealousy, he felt towards Chen Li.

Chen Li caught on. This youngster was suggesting he had a fluke of luck.

It was his own effort!

But he didn’t bother to argue.

He could feel that despite the other’s respectful exterior and the propriety of his words, there was some disdain at heart for his origins as a Loose Cultivator.

This was not surprising. Sect disciples, often considered the favored children of heaven, were usually proud. Even if circumstances forced them to bow their heads, deep down they would not truly respect someone who rose from humble beginnings.

Chen Li wasn’t particularly upset, in fact, he felt somewhat secretly pleased.

Zhang Songlin quickly adjusted his emotions and continued to introduce the sect to Chen Li.

The entire Returning True Sect, including the Guest Elders, comprised a total of twenty-four Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Of these, there was only one in the late Foundation Establishment Stage, surnamed Xia and named Hongyi, who was the very Returning True Sect Leader of miscellaneous affairs they were on their way to meet.

Besides, there were six at the mid Foundation Establishment Stage, and the rest were at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

As for the only Returning True Sect’s Golden Core Ancestor, with a mid-stage Golden Core cultivation, he was already over three hundred years old. Of course, for a Golden Core Ancestor, this age was still considered in the prime of life, with prospects for advancing to the late Golden Core Stage, or even breaking through to the Nascent Soul, still possible.

The group finally reached the summit.

Chen Li discovered that the place was like a miniature Cultivation City, with a huge number of buildings constructed along the mountainside in an orderly and layered fashion, forming a mesmerizing vista with shops and restaurants of every kind.

Zhang Songlin led Chen Li and his companions into the hall of a grand palace. After beckoning to the guarding disciples to serve tea, he respectfully said, "Senior, please wait here for a moment while I go and inform the Sect Leader."

"No trouble at all," Chen Li replied.

After Zhang Songlin left.

Chen Li turned towards Zhou Hong, who had been silent and somewhat constrained during the journey, and reassuringly said, "Relax, I’ll take care of everything."

"Mhm," Zhou Hong felt a warmth in her heart. "You don’t need to worry about us."

Chen Li thought for a moment and then called over a gatekeeping disciple.

"Senior, how may I serve you?" the gatekeeping disciple asked as he bowed.

"I will meet with the Sect Leader soon. Is there a place to rest? Please take them to sit there for a while."

"Of course, of course, this way please," the gatekeeping disciple said without any delay, leading Zhou Hong and Zhang Shuniang to a nearby room to rest.

Before long.

A hearty laugh echoed.

Chen Li quickly stood up from his seat as the person entered through the doorway, a tall figure looking around fifty or sixty years old with a magnificent beard, striding in with great presence.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, please take a seat. There’s no need for formalities here," the man said.

"I am Chen Li, greetings to the Sect Leader in charge of miscellaneous affairs!" Chen Li greeted with his hands clasped.

"It seems that the Returning True Sect’s relocation here was the right choice. In the second year, we’ve had a guest elder like Daoist friend join us. Good, very good!" Xia Hongyi laughed heartily.