Living steadily in the world of gods and mystery

Feng Min combed her hair into a married woman’s bun and donned a moon-white robe, cinched at the waist with an emerald belt that accentuated her slender and graceful figure.

Compared to a few days ago, she had clearly applied makeup this time, her pretty lips vibrant and her cheeks rosy with a hint of fragrance.

She was already strikingly beautiful.

Now she appeared even more ravishing by threefold.

"I’ve taken the liberty of coming here today specifically to thank Fellow Daoist. Had it not been for your numerous pieces of advice, I might have fallen into the hands of my enemies by now!"

Not long after Feng Min took her seat and exchanged a few polite remarks, she took a gift box out of her storage bag, stood up, and presented it to Chen Li with both hands, "Last time I left in such a hurry, I reflected on it and felt quite impolite. Fortunately, it’s not too late now. I can never repay the great kindness you’ve shown, and this token of my gratitude hardly suffices, but please accept it."

Chen Li waved his hands, unwilling to accept, "I only offered a little help and a few pointers, it’s nothing much. You are alone and life is not easy; you will need money for everything. You better keep this for yourself."

"I am not lacking in money; this is just a gesture of my sincerity..."

One insisted on not accepting, and the other was adamant about giving; the two of them stood up and politely refused back and forth.

Just then, the door suddenly opened.

Zhou Hong came in to serve tea.

Chen Li hurriedly sat back down, "Why are you serving tea? Where is Bai Wei?"

"Bai Wei isn’t feeling well, so it’s been left to me to take care of this," Zhou Hong, wary, glanced at Feng Min, noting her gorgeousness and the blush of modesty on the powdered cheeks, an instant sourness rising within her as she felt a pang of jealousy,

"I hope I’m not disturbing you!"

Chen Li found it amusing within, "We’re just chatting, nothing disturbing about that."

Even though Zhou Hong felt reassured, she did not let down her guard. The woman before her exuded seductiveness to the bone, extremely beautiful even to another woman’s eyes, let alone a man’s. She made a few insincere pleasantries.

Once she was out the door, she called Zhang Shuniang over and whispered a few words in her ear.

...

After this small interruption,

Feng Min saw that Chen Li truly insisted on not accepting and reluctantly took back her gift.

"Fellow Daoist truly exemplifies a noble character and righteous cultivation!" Feng Min took a careful look at Chen Li, her cheeks reddening involuntarily, as she quickly lowered her eyes and spoke softly.

"Alas, since my husband passed away, I’ve been alone with no relatives, drifting and wandering. Encountering Loose Cultivators who are often deceitful and brutish, it’s truly uncomfortable for a woman cultivator like myself to mingle amongst them. I will be staying here for a while and hope for Fellow Daoist’s continued support."

This woman was simply a natural beauty.

With just a few simple words, she could ignite fanciful thoughts and evoke a sense of pity.

"That is too serious, too serious!" Chen Li hurriedly waved his hands and modestly demurred a few times, "The world is difficult nowadays, and I often have a sense of unease. In the future, let us support each other." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

In his heart, however, he was clear as a mirror, becoming even more vigilant.

First, it was an expression of admiration, and then a hint.

Next...

What might it be?

Maybe it would be best to toughen my heart and simply kill her.

Put an end to all future worries in one stroke.

Just as Chen Li was hesitating whether to commit such a ruthless act, the door opened again.

"Uh, my lord, I... I’ve come to refill your water," said Zhang Shuniang timidly, holding a kettle, and she quickly cast a glance at Feng Min.

"Hmm! Just set it down for now," said Chen Li with a nod, feeling helpless in his heart.

Just a few words had been exchanged, and they hadn’t even taken a sip of the tea she had brought earlier. He hadn’t expected that even the usually well-behaved Shuniang would be jealous.

"It seems that Fellow Daoist is somewhat indisposed today!" Feng Min stood up somewhat embarrassingly, and said with a bashful tone, "I’ll not impose any further today and will come to visit another day when time permits."

"I really am embarrassed before Fellow Daoist," Chen Li said, giving up on the thought that had crossed his mind.

After a few more pleasantries,

he courteously saw her to the door.

"Ah, I forgot to ask where she’s staying now," Chen Li was somewhat annoyed in his heart.

He returned to the main house.

Zhou Hong and Zhang Shuniang were sitting around the table drinking tea, while Bai Wei stood by, attending to them.

It was like a scene from a tribunal.

"You sent off that Foundation Establishment senior so quickly, why not keep her company a little longer?" As soon as Zhou Hong saw Chen Li come in, she said with a sour tone.

Chen Li’s face became stern, and he assumed the authority of the head of the family, saying irritably, "You two are yet to be scolded, and instead you accuse me first. We barely exchanged a few words, and you both became jealous and resentful, serving tea and pouring water, using Bai Wei’s illness as an excuse, which is truly inappropriate."

"Oh dear, husband, we were just worried you’d be seduced and forget about us," Zhang Shuniang couldn’t resist and, getting up, she grabbed Chen Li’s arm and cooed, "That Foundation Establishment senior was really beautiful!"

"Hmph, do I seem like someone who could be enchanted by a woman’s beauty?" Chen Li huffed.

Zhang Shuniang was afraid of him, but Zhou Hong was not: "Heh, who knows? In the past, you even..."

"Alright, enough!" Chen Li instantly became flustered, hastily interrupting, "Let’s not mention the black history of my past self, it affects my image. Anyway, I’ll be honest with you, that woman is a remnant of Tianxing Sect..."

Then, Chen Li explained the entire story from beginning to end.

"So, you killed her husband and fellow sect members, saw her beauty, and out of pity, spared her," Zhou Hong said agape with astonishment, "And now you’re uncertain whether she suspects anything, worried about whether you should kill her?"

"Uh, when you put it that way, it seems... right..." Chen Li found himself at a loss for words, then added, "It’s also troubling for me; it’s been two years since all that happened. To kill her seems somewhat cruel, but not killing her poses a potential threat!"

"What’s her strength like?" Zhou Hong inquired.

"If I wanted to kill her, it would take no effort at all," replied Chen Li.

A common Foundation Establishment cultivator posed no threat to him at all.

Especially since he had perfected the Immortal Muscles Jade Bones Skill, his defense was astonishing. Even if a seventh layer Foundation Establishment cultivator were to attack him unrestrained, they could not even scratch him.

"Hmph, if I asked you to kill her, you wouldn’t say it, but deep down you’d surely think I’m a wicked woman. You handle this matter yourself. Just be cautious and vigilant," Zhou Hong said coldly, feeling slightly relieved upon hearing that Feng Min’s strength was not strong.

In her heart, Chen Li sometimes indeed displayed excessive compassion, not at all befitting of his origins as a Loose Cultivator.

...

In the following days,

Feng Min never showed up again.

Before you knew it, spring turned to summer, and three months had passed in the blink of an eye.

"It’s done!"

Chen Li exhaled a long breath, slowly circulated his spiritual energy, carefully sorting out the unstable Spiritual Power in his body.

It took almost two and a half years to progress from the fourth to the fifth level of Foundation Establishment, and now he had finally made a successful breakthrough.

During this period, a lot had happened: from the destruction of the Returning True Sect to relocating and settling in Red Pillar City thousands of miles away, surviving several crises by a hair’s breadth. His collection of Spirit Stones and strength grew ever stronger!

Chen Li slowly opened his eyes.

He opened the attributes panel.

"Lifespan: 55/310"

His lifespan had increased by another two years, a minor consolation.

"Age 55, at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment, halfway to the Golden Core. I’m still young, I guess. I wonder what cultivation level Ding Jian has reached now?"

At that moment, Chen Li’s mind inexplicably drifted to Ding Jian at the Fire Cloud Sect, and the contempt that had briefly crossed his face.

One day, he vowed to put this arrogance in its place!

Never underestimate the ambitions of a middle-aged man!