Living steadily in the world of gods and mystery

Evening.

Afterward!

Zhou Hong’s face was flushed, gasping for breath, it took her a long time to catch her breath, and then she glanced at him with watery, charming eyes, and said, "Didn’t you say you wanted to have a clear mind and desireless, and cultivate in peace for a while, why aren’t you cultivating today?"

"Hehe, isn’t it because the cultivation period has ended?" Chen Li laughed slyly, and then he rolled over and got on top again.

"Stop it... I can’t take it anymore, go find Shu... Oh!"

Chen Li had been deprived of sensual pleasures for several months.

He wrung Zhou Hong to the brink of death and desire.

After finishing with her, he went to Zhang Shuniang’s room, followed the same recipe, and got the job done solidly.

He let out a hearty sigh of relief.

The next day, Chen Li got up feeling refreshed in both spirit and mood.

"Without Yin, there is no life; without Yang, there is no growth. It seems that a person really needs the harmony of Yin and Yang," he thought to himself.

He checked his game panel.

"Realm: Foundation Establishment Second Order: 94/100"

"Not far from the third level!"

"In as little as a month and a half, or by the arrival of autumn at the latest, I’ll be able to step into the next level. This year can indeed be considered a period of leap in my strength," Chen Li thought cheerily to himself.

First, his basic swordsmanship reached max level.

Then, the breakthrough in cultivation wasn’t far off.

Plus, Earth-Shocking Skill, Rainbow Transformation Skill, and Earth Escape Skill, these three Second Order techniques, would also reach max level successively within the year.

"By then, even if facing those in the later stages of Foundation Establishment..."

Chen Li pondered carefully for a while, then shook his head.

Difficult!

Facing those in the later stages of Foundation Establishment, he would at best have a chance of self-preservation.

"My attacking power is still not enough; I lack a good sword! A Second Order mid-grade Green Jade Sword, coupled with my high explosive strength, is sufficient against the middle stages of Foundation Establishment. But when facing the later stages, I’m afraid I wouldn’t even be able to break their defenses."

"Pity that superior-grade magic swords are even harder to buy than superior-grade flying swords, they are something one can only hope for, not seek."

Feeling helpless, he walked to the talisman room. As usual, he finished drawing the talismans for the day, then took up his sword and headed to the courtyard, assumed his stance, and began to refine his body and polish his muscular force, while also being aware of the surroundings.

Although the rapid advancement period of brain cultivation had ended, it was still slowly improving. Clearly, this cultivation technique was far from reaching its limit.

Chen Li practiced until dawn began to break, and with the first light of morning, he wiped his face, preparing to finish, when suddenly his brow twitched and he subconsciously looked up at the sky.

He saw a streak of flight light rapidly approaching from afar.

"Golden Core!"

"Hongshan Sect Leader!"

Using Far Sight Skill, Chen Li recognized the person and was slightly shocked, "Could it be that something has happened!"

"It should be impossible. I cleaned up everything, even the bodies have been turned to ashes and vanished. The few magic artifacts I bought in White Stone City have also been hidden well in my storage bag, never seen by others.

It was only recently during my retreat that I used that set of formations.

But the formation itself has the effect of concealment. Unless an Array Master discerns it face to face, it’s generally impossible for a regular Foundation Establishment cultivator to recognize."

Regaining his composure, he stopped scaring himself.

Ever since the alliance through marital ties, there had been frequent interactions between Hongshan Sect and Returning True Sect. This time, it was just the Sect Leader of Hongshan Sect coming over in person.

The rapid flight light soon stopped in front of the sect gate, a flick of a finger sent a silent flame infiltrating the formation, heading towards the summit. What kind of skill was that?

It wasn’t long before the Mountain Protection Array opened up and a figure flew out from the mountain top – it was the Sect Leader of Returning True Sect.

Chen Li dared not look any longer and quickly withdrew his gaze.

"Alas, the trees long to be still, but the wind keeps blowing!"

He was somewhat worried in his heart.

Hongshan Sect, Sky Star Sect, Shen Jian Sect, and Artefact Sect, which had just welcomed a new Golden Core from the Fiery Cloud Sect.

Returning True Sect bordered these sects.

Currently, the strife between Sky Star Sect and Hongshan Sect was not abating but intensifying.

Meanwhile, the alliance between Returning True Sect and Hongshan Sect was also becoming more evident. It was uncertain how the situation would develop in the future?

...

In the month of July.

Returning True Sect welcomed a new Foundation Establishment, this time it was a female cultivator by the name of Luo Mingying, still an inner sect disciple.

Not as monstrous as Ding Jian, who had reached Foundation Establishment at the age of twenty.

This woman was already twenty-eight. Although still quite young, her achievement was considered nothing extraordinary among sect disciples and did not attract much attention.

She spoke with confidence and grace, and could only be considered not ugly in terms of appearance.

With a new Foundation Establishment occurring in the sect for two consecutive years, it seemed like a sign of prosperity for the sect.

Life in the sect gate was boring, and idle time was plentiful. Unless in seclusion or away on tasks, Chen Li always took part in such activities without fail, though they were few and far between each year.

When a beautifully dressed woman noticed Chen Li, she immediately moved towards him and said, "You are Chen Li, right?"

Chen Li already had striking features and had adapted to the changes of sensory perception after brain cultivation, his entire aura had become calm and collected without even realizing it. Every move he made was measured and unhurried.

Among the assembled Foundation Establishment cultivators, he was not exactly the center of attention but certainly stood out.

"Indeed, I am. I’ve seen Fellow Daoist Wen," Chen Li politely stood up and returned the greeting with his hand.

The visitor was none other than the believer in the art of fate from Hongshan Sect, who had married into Returning True Sect. Contrasting her previous bridal attire, she was wearing a pale yellow wide robe that concealed her delicate figure, looking fair-skinned, with bright eyes and white teeth, and exuding the charm of a young married woman.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, there’s no need for formalities, just call me Wen Hui. I know so few people here it’s really quite boring!"

We aren’t even that familiar, are we?

I’ve only met him once at the wedding last year.

Chen Li was at a loss for words.

"How come Peng didn’t come with you?"

"Ah, he’s in closed-door cultivation, no telling when he will come out!"

The two chatted casually, attracting quite a few curious glances.

Chen Li was also somewhat helpless.

He was merely exchanging pleasantries, passing the time, but the other person seemed to have stuck to him...

Doesn’t Peng usually care?

Seeing Guo Xingquan enter the room, Chen Li breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. He made his excuses to Wen Hui and quickly approached: "Guo..."

Guo Xingquan had aged a lot and no longer possessed the sharp energy he had when they first met.

"It’s Chen! I haven’t seen you for so long," Guo Xingquan greeted with a clasped fist, his spirit seemingly languid.

"I see worry in the center of your brow, has something happened?" Chen Li couldn’t help but ask upon seeing his state.

"Alas, the path is arduous. Since reaching the second layer of Foundation Establishment, I’ve made practically no progress in the past two years. I fear the Returning True Skill might not be suitable for me. Continuing to practice it is just a waste of time and money. I’ve been hesitating these days about whether or not to change cultivation techniques," Guo Xingquan sighed.

This...

Chen Li was momentarily speechless.

His own cultivation was going smoothly, with the third layer of Foundation Establishment just around the corner.

He wanted to console him but felt it would be insincere.

"Changing techniques is quite risky, and could lead to deviation if not careful."

Each Cultivation Technique has different pathways for Spiritual Power.

If the pathways of Spiritual Power are likened to rivers of varying sizes, then changing techniques is like forcibly redirecting the course of a river to create new channels.

The risk of changing techniques is relatively low at the initial stage of Foundation Establishment.

The further one progresses, the greater the risk, and by the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, it’s almost impossible to change techniques.

"I’m also considering it. What Cultivation Technique do you practice?" Guo Xingquan asked in turn.

"Longevity Skill. I’ve been practicing it since the Qi Cultivation Stage, and didn’t think about changing it after reaching Foundation Establishment," Chen Li said.

"The Longevity Skill is especially good for extending one’s life. Even if one’s future has no connection to the great Dao, it can grant a few more years of life. It might not be a bad option!" Guo Xingquan said.

...

The Foundation Establishment ceremony was the same old routine.

Nothing new.

Chen Li helped himself to a meal, exchanged insights into cultivation with fellow practitioners, and stayed until evening when it was time for the gathering to disperse.

A Qi Cultivation disciple hurriedly ran in:

"Senior uncles, elders, the Sect Leader summons you!"

"Do you know what it’s about?"

"I am truly not sure, senior uncles," the disciple responded.

Chen Li was instantly confused and hurriedly followed the crowd, heading towards the council hall.

Upon entering the grand hall, Chen Li realized that the Sect Leader was already seated in his place, resting with closed eyes, a trace of worry visible on his face.

Chen Li secretly wondered if something had happened.

One by one, those in Foundation Establishment arrived and respectfully took their places.

The hall was silent as a grave.

Completely quiet.

Only their glances continuously exchanged, probing and inquiring.

After a long while, once almost all of the Foundation Establishment cultivators had arrived, the Sect Leader finally opened his eyes. His sharp gaze swept over the assembly, his presence imposing and grave, he said solemnly:

"The situation may change soon, and we might go to war at any moment. For the next year, no one is to leave."

Chen Li’s heart skipped a beat when he heard this.

Although it wasn’t stated explicitly, the implication was clear.

"Yes, Sect Leader!" everyone responded in unison.

"Xia Hongyi, stay. The rest of you are dismissed."

The crowd filtered out one by one, each with a different expression, some excited, some worried, their feelings mixed.

Chen Li felt heavy-hearted.

How peaceful it had been just a short time ago?

It had only been five years since the last war, and ten years since the one before that.

...

Chen Li returned to his cave abode.

"Seeing your frown and worried expression, what is troubling you?" Zhou Hong noticed the change in Chen Li’s demeanor, took the tea that the maid brought, handed it to him, and asked with concern.

"Alas, another war is on the horizon!" Chen Li picked up the teacup, took a sip, and sighed.

"Ah! When?" Zhang Shuniang asked worriedly.

Zhou Hong also looked over with concern.

"It’s not clear yet, but it will probably be soon. In this world, wishing for a peaceful life is so difficult!" Chen Li said.

...

That night, Chen Li cultivated in his quiet room the entire evening.

No matter what the future holds, increasing his strength by even a little would give him a better chance of survival in wartime.