Living steadily in the world of gods and mystery

Third-order demon beasts are equivalent to a human’s Golden Core.

Moreover, due to their strong physiques and many innate divine skills, they are generally stronger than cultivators of the same level.

Facing such an existence, can the Returning True Sect really withstand it?

Unless... the Golden Core Ancestor comes out of seclusion.

Chen Li felt uneasy. If he wasn’t worried about running straight into that third-order demon beast, he would have wanted to flee the sect right now. He could make a living in the Red Pillar City of the Fire Cloud Sect if necessary.

The Fire Cloud Sect is a Nascent Soul major faction, safe and sound. With his superb talisman-making skills, he could still live a life "without worries about food and clothing," even if the prices were high.

Shu Hongyi, the Sect Leader in charge of mundane affairs, quickly came hurrying over.

"Sect Leader of mundane affairs, you must make a decision!"

"Yes, we’ll do whatever you say!" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"I don’t have any good solutions either. Isn’t that why I called you all here to discuss it?" Xia Hongyi sighed and said.

After all, he was not a Golden Core Ancestor. As the steward of the sect, he did not have the authority to make decisions on his own, and he was often seen as a kind-hearted figure.

"Why not seek external help? During my travels, I met a Loose Cultivator Golden Core Ancestor who would take action as long as he is paid, though his price is very high."

"That’s like inviting a wolf into the house, no, that won’t do."

Before Xia Hongyi could speak, his suggestion was immediately rejected by others.

...

After discussing back and forth until almost nightfall, everyone decided to shut the doors tightly and defend the sect at all costs.

A line of Foundation Establishment cultivators walked out of the grand hall one by one.

Just as they reached the open space in front of the hall, a Qi Cultivation disciple hurried over and said mournfully, "Sect Leader in charge of mundane affairs, esteemed uncles, Uncle Luo Shen is.... he’s gone!"

Xia Hongyi was startled upon hearing this and couldn’t believe the bad news, muttering to himself, "How could this be?"

"It happened so suddenly. Just a few days ago, I was still chatting with Fellow Daoist Luo," Zhou Yuanpeng said in agony.

Chen Li listened in silence. Luo Shen was one of the five mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Returning True Sect, usually handling mundane tasks in the Hall of Accomplishments, and he was the eldest among them. It was Luo Shen who had accompanied him during his initiation ceremony.

Many Foundation Establishment cultivators showed signs of grief. Their relationship with Luo Shen was undoubtedly deeper, as some had dealt with Luo Shen for most of their lives, which was not comparable to Chen Li’s relationship with him.

"Reporting to the Sect Leader in charge of mundane affairs, when we heard the bell earlier, it is said that Uncle Luo was very agitated and wanted to come over. A few disciples who served him managed to persuade him to stay put, but in no more than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Uncle Luo’s spirit faltered. He sat dozing off in his chair, and by the time we discovered it, he had already passed away," the Qi Cultivation disciple said.

"Old Luo passed away a natural death; this is a ’happy’ funeral," Xia Hongyi sighed, feeling that when it rains, it pours. Although birth, aging, sickness, and death are all part of life, dying at such a critical juncture was not a good omen.

Such an incident made it inappropriate to simply return to their homes.

The group then hurried to the Luo family residence within the sect.

Behind a two-hundred-and-forty-year-old Foundation Establishment cultivator would often be a big family, with several generations all living within the sect.

Inside, the wailing was as loud as the sky falling down. Seeing Xia Hongyi arrive with a group of Foundation Establishment disciples, several Luo family elders dressed in mourning clothes quickly surrounded them.

"Sect Leader of mundane affairs, our old ancestor has ascended to immortality. What shall we do in the future?"

"In memory of the old ancestor, could you let our Luo family continue to live within the sect?"

...

The Luo family members chatted away in a frenzied manner.

Dealing with the affairs of a deceased Foundation Establishment cultivator was always the most troublesome, especially for those who were older. Having many wives and a multitude of children was common, not to mention their descendants and great-grandchildren, leading to a family of several hundred people. Although there is a limit in principle to the number of relatives a sect’s Foundation Establishment cultivator can bring inside.

But principles are principles, and outside of them, there are favors and worldly affairs.

If a Foundation Establishment cultivator wished to take more concubines, should they really be managed?

And for the children born in excess, could they truly endure having flesh and blood separated and living in different places?

Wanting one’s grandson to live together and enjoy the happiness of a family is only human nature!

...

Such issues, in the end, we can only turn a blind eye, which is a persistent problem within the sect.

Fortunately, those at the Foundation Establishment will eventually die!

Those who should be consoled, console them.

Those who should be treated well, treat them well.

It’s unreasonable to have a large family of hundreds remain in the sect after a Foundation Establishment dies.

But for Xia Hongyi at this moment, overwhelmed with troubles, who had the mood to deal with such matters? He could only muster up some energy to console them briefly, promising that the Luo family could stay a bit longer and move out of the sect when they were ready.

...

Chen Li followed and paid his respects, then left the Luo residence with Xiao Yuan.

"I think Ji Kai is close to his end too," Xiao Yuan sighed. "Last time I saw him, I noticed the black aura on his forehead was faintly visible, clearly a sign that his time is approaching."

"Troublesome times! It’s still uncertain whether we can get through this safely," Chen Li said.

The two men exchanged glances and couldn’t help but sigh.

...

At night.

After the event!

"Having been by your side for so many years, even if I die now, this life is already worth it," Zhou Hong snuggled in Chen Li’s embrace and murmured after their joyful time.

"Don’t talk about death, nothing will happen, and besides, the Mountain Protection Array of the Returning True Sect is not of a low level. Generally, a Golden Core won’t be able to breach it in a short time, and when the time comes, the Demon Beasts may retreat knowing the difficulty," Chen Li held Zhou Hong and tenderly stroked her, softly comforting.

"Stop it!" Zhou Hong playfully grabbed Chen Li’s wandering hand, "I was just feeling emotional. Alright, you can go now!"

"Huh!?" Chen Li was a bit slow to react.

"Silly, go comfort Shu," Zhou Hong looked at his dazed expression and laughed with a "pfft."

Chen Li remembered Zhang Shuniang’s dream of the dimly lit small hut, the lonely and small figure constantly on alert for any movement outside like a cautious deer, perhaps always lacking a sense of security. In times like this, she really needed more companionship.

Sigh, why all this hassle? If he knew earlier, he would have brought everyone to the same bed.

Chen Li had no choice but to get up, dress himself, and head to Zhang Shuniang’s room.

...

The next day.

Chen Li finally saw the silhouette of the third-tier Demon Beast.

It was a large bird.

With pure white feathers resembling a crane and a red beak sharp as a spike,

Under the bright summer sun, it glowed with a faint halo, looking sacred and elegant. It hovered high in the sky, circling round and round, sometimes flying lower, sometimes uttering sharp cries, continuously probing and provoking!

This was a cautious bird.

Perhaps past encounters had taught it a lesson; it was patient, hovering for several hours without attacking, just like the day before, and after relieving itself in the air, it quickly disappeared.

For several consecutive days, it came to hover for a while, leaving behind a few provocations.

It flew lower and lower, its cries growing increasingly fierce, even reaching out a claw towards the Mountain Protection Array, though it quickly fled as if escaping.

But Chen Li knew, this might be the final test.