Living steadily in the world of gods and mystery

As a low-level Loose Cultivator parasitic in the market district, Chen Li didn't care who was on top, nor could he change it.

However, living within it, he still either actively or passively heard some rumors.

There are no walls that can keep out the wind in this world.

No matter the secret, as long as more than two people know it, it can no longer be truly kept, especially when it involves an alliance of multiple sects. Too many people and complicated eyes make it difficult to maintain secrecy.

It hadn't even been a few days before rumors about the war had spread everywhere.

The war was initiated by an alliance of three neighboring sects, with the Artefact Sect being just one of them. The other two were the Returning True Sect and the Hongshan Sect. This war was not the all-out conflict one might imagine, but merely a probe.

It was said that three Golden Core Ancestors were seated on the three Flying Boats initially.

However, from beginning to end, the Longevity Sect made no response whatsoever.

Maybe the withering Golden Core Ancestor of the Longevity Sect really had met some calamity, or perhaps they had other plans, or maybe something else... but no matter which, there was no doubt that the turmoil in this area was not truly over.

Chen Li only hoped that this turmoil would not spread to 'Green River District' again.

He was inclined to leave this place, but on second thought, the road might not be any safer than where he was.

By comparison, as long as he remained careful and cautious here, didn't get involved in the war, and stayed away from danger when it loomed, it could actually be safer.

...

"Gurgle gurgle!"

Chunks of Demon Beast Meat stewed in the iron pot, and their hearty aroma filled the entire kitchen.

Chen Li entered the kitchen, fetched a basin of water from the large tank, and quickly wiped the sweat from his body and washed his hands.

Then he moved to the stove, lifted the lid, and after half a morning of simmering, the meat soup had stewed to a milky white. The meat had become tender, and he picked up a coarse porcelain bowl to scoop the meat out of the pot one by one.

Each chunk was the size of a fist.

A full large basin of it.

He poured the creamy meat broth over it, then garnished it with a handful of fresh and pleasant wild scallions.

That rich fragrance.

Even Chen Li couldn't help but swallow his saliva.

Demon Beast Meat, robust in energy and constitution and far surpassing ordinary wild beasts in the strength of their bodies, was highly nourishing for those in Body Refinement, but it was also pricier than inferior Spirit Rice. With his current appetite, he could only afford to eat it every other day, alternating with ordinary wild beast meat.

After practicing swordsmanship all morning and drawing an Evil-Repelling Talisman, he was feeling his hungriest.

Chen Li placed the meat on the table, not minding the heat, and grabbed a large chunk of meat, starting to tear at it with vigor. Despite appearing tender from the stewing, only the fat had melted slightly; the meat itself was still full of chewiness.

If you had poor teeth, you might break a few incisors.

He wolfed down the entire basin of meat and then picked up a coarse porcelain bowl, hardly smaller than a washbasin, and drank the creamy, rich broth until it was all gone.

"Comfortable, ah." He patted his stomach, feeling an immense sense of satisfaction.

"If only I could eat like this every day!"

He let his thoughts fly and relaxed for a while.

Then hastily took the time to sit in meditation and recover his Qi.

Two hours later, he slowly opened his eyes and immediately opened the game panel to take a look.

[Name: Chen Li]

[Lifespan: 41/98 years]

[Realm: Qi Cultivation Third Layer: 37/100]

[Cultivation Technique: Longevity Technique Mastery: 210/400] 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

[Skills:]

Talisman Making: Cleaning Talisman Mastery: 25/400; Silencing Talisman Proficiency: 100/200; Guiding Talisman Proficiency: 45/200; Evil-Repelling Talisman Beginner: 39/100

Spell: Spiritual Power Bullet Master: 965/1600;

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Swordsmanship: Basic Swordsmanship Mastery: 371/400

[Divine Skills: None]

He first glanced at his realm.

He noticed that he had gained another point today.

He calculated with his fingers.

"It was ten days ago last time!" He couldn't help but ponder, "As the proficiency of my Longevity Technique increases, my cultivation speed also becomes faster, showing an accelerated state."

"Perhaps, breaking through to the fourth level of Qi Cultivation will take less time than I imagined."

However, before he could revel in delight for long, he caught sight of the change in his lifespan and instantly lost all mood.

"I've aged another year!"

He then remembered that today was the birthday of this body. No one knew his birthday, no friends to celebrate with, only the inanimate game panel for company. He immediately felt all the more desolate.

He intermittently indulged in self-pity and sorrow.

But next, whatever he needed to do, he still had to do.

A few minutes later, he began practicing today's 'Spiritual Power Finger Snap'

...

In the evening, Chen Li stepped out to find a secluded corner to take care of nature's call.

Upon returning, he noticed that a new neighbor had moved in next door.

Since Zhao Wanjun left, the house had been empty. He didn't expect it to be occupied so quickly, so he hurriedly went over to greet them.

The new neighbor said with a smile, "It was my oversight. I just moved in today and have been so busy that I inadvertently made Fellow Daoist come to my door. I should have personally visited Chen first."

"I'm the one who disturbed you, Fellow Daoist. I hope we can take care of each other in the future."

The two quickly exchanged names.

This new neighbor, a cultivator surnamed Lin and named Gui, appeared to be in his fifties with a round and wealthy-looking face, glowing with health and vitality that left a deep impression on anyone who saw him.

"Chen, you are in luck. I just happen to have a batch of pills coming out of the furnace. I'll bring some over later." Lin Gui said enthusiastically.

"Fellow Daoist also knows Alchemy!" Upon hearing this, Chen Li immediately saw him in a new light, no wonder there was a thick scent of medicine here.

To tell the truth, this was the first time he had seen a Loose Cultivator engage in Alchemy.

Alchemy, like Artifact Refining, is not something that an ordinary Loose Cultivator can afford.

This is a profession with extremely high barriers. Without resources, without a mentor, without a large investment of Spirit Stones, one shouldn't even dream about it.

"I just refine some minor pills, nothing worth mentioning, nothing at all," Lin Gui said humbly, stroking his long beard with a smile: "After thirty years of Alchemy, now I can only produce the 'Elixir of Many Wonders' and 'Ascension Elixirs', it's quite embarrassing, really!"

Unfortunately, Chen Li had never heard of either and quickly lowered his own posture again to pay compliments.

Seeing Chen Li oblivious and unaware of what was valuable, Lin Gui said with a laugh, "What do you think of my current state?"

"I see Fellow Daoist is glowing with health, strong and full of vigor; naturally, your condition is excellent."

"This is the effect of the Ascension Elixir. Just pop one and all worldly troubles vanish. Whether meditating or chanting spells, the efficiency is doubled," Lin Gui said proudly:

"As for the Elixir of Many Wonders, it's equally indescribable. Compared to the Ascension Elixir, they each have their own strengths. You will know their effects once I give some to you."

Lin Gui concluded with a sly smile.

"Er, no need, no need. These are the items you use to make a living; I can't take advantage of you." Chen Li's expression stiffened, and he inwardly sighed, repeatedly declining.

The effects of these pills... one could tell at a glance they were not legitimate pills.

"I felt a connection with you at first sight..."

It took quite a while before Chen Li found an excuse to extricate himself from his overly enthusiastic neighbor.

He felt somewhat drained.

"What kind of person is this?"

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