Living steadily in the world of gods and mystery

After Feng Min left,

Chen Li had been waiting for her next move.

But no matter how long he waited,

months had passed.

Even his cultivation had improved significantly,

yet there was still no sign of activity.

It seemed like she had disappeared, never to appear again.

Chen Li couldn’t help but wonder if he had overthought things.

Perhaps the last visit was really just to express gratitude.

As for those seemingly ambiguous hints in her words, upon reflection, they could be explained.

After all,

she was just a poor widow who lost her husband and was all alone.

It’s perfectly normal for her to seek someone to rely on!

And he, Chen Li, was not only handsome and distinguished but also righteous and of good conduct.

Ask yourself,

which widow could remain unmoved upon meeting him?

Days went by, one after another.

After reaching the fifth level of Foundation Establishment, Chen Li’s cultivation pace slowed down again.

From an initial pace of one advancement every four days, it became five to six days for each advancement, but even that rate was still extremely astonishing.

Calculating,

he could advance to the sixth level of Foundation Establishment in about a year and a half.

It was also fortunate that the max-level Immortal Muscles Jade Bones Skill improved his cultivation talent; otherwise, according to past experiences, it would probably take at least four years. The difference between then and now had saved him two and a half years.

During this period, a significant event occurred.

Two Golden Core cultivators battled fiercely in the wilderness not far outside the city; eventually, one died, and the other fled, their whereabouts unknown.

This was the first time Chen Li had seen a Golden Core cultivator die since he moved to Red Pillar City.

The remnants of the battlefield attracted many loose cultivators.

Chen Li also went to join the excitement.

He got there rather late.

By the time he arrived,

the body was long gone.

Who took it away, nobody knew.

Aside from the many fallen trees and bushes, there was no other damage to the ground; evidently, the fight had taken place midair and was likely an ambush.

After returning from the scene,

Chen Li devoted more energy to practicing the Sky-Shaking Skill.

Underground.

In the spell training room.

Four phantom bodies lined up in a row, casting spells non-stop.

The loud booming sounds almost joined together continuously.

Gale-force winds, earthquakes, surging waves—it nearly turned the place into chaos, like a scene from the apocalypse.

The surrounding rocks kept cracking and peeling away, but before even falling to the ground, they were smashed to dust by this wild energy. Not to mention a Qi Cultivation cultivator would die instantly in this environment, even Chen Li’s phantom bodies had to activate a max-level water barrier to avoid collapsing.

Initially, this spell practice room was not very large.

It was merely three meters high.

The area was just over a hundred square meters.

But it couldn’t withstand the constant destruction and expansion.

In just two years, the entire practice room transformed from a squarish underground chamber to the present vast cavern, fifteen or sixteen meters tall, with the space almost expanded a thousandfold.

And it was fortunate that the spell practice room was located on the edge and relatively independent, connected only by a long corridor to the shelter; otherwise, the underground haven would have been affected.

In this way,

Chen Li worked non-stop for a month.

Finally, he leveled up the Sky-Shaking Skill to max level.

...

August.

The sun was blazing hot.

The cicadas buzzed noisily.

It was the hottest time of the year.

Even the City Defense Array, which made every season feel like spring, seemed to have lost its usual effect.

On this day, the couple, Peng Yan Wenhui, had agreed to meet with Xiao Yuan for a small gathering.

Under the shade of a tree,

a long mat was laid out.

The few of them sat leisurely.

"This weather is really too hot," Wen Hui said with a light chuckle as she gently fanned herself with a round fan.

She wore a pale yellow palace-style spell robe, a low neckline revealing a hint of plush, snowy flesh, complemented by cheeks as delicate as peach blossoms—she was lovelier than a flower itself.

Chen Li still had no idea how many spell robes she owned.

She never wore the same one twice whenever they met.

Although mostly not of a high grade, almost all being Second Order of the lower grade.

But each set cost around ten Top-grade Spirit Stones.

Splurging on so many sets was a staggering expense indeed.

Chen Li estimated most of her savings went into buying spell robes.

"After all, it’s not as serene and cool as the sect in the mountains." Xiao Yuan sighed, "Red Pillar City has its charms, but it’s too bustling. The mundane world is too strong here; staying long-term is really not conducive to cultivation."

Peng Yan deeply agreed and said, "Indeed!"

"I find it quite nice, though. As long as one keeps to their own heart, isn’t cultivation the same everywhere!" said Wen Hui.

The words were true enough, but you hardly looked like someone devoted to ascetic cultivation.

Hearing this, Chen Li couldn’t help but mentally criticize.

He then spoke up:

"If not here, where else could we go?"

Xiao Yuan obviously hesitated for a moment before sighing, "I’ve been thinking a lot recently, and I’ve found that I really can’t adapt to the life of a Loose Cultivator. These past two years, I feel like I’m just enduring each day, with an emptiness in my heart, doing nothing with conviction. I plan to seek a sect and become a Guest Elder."

The atmosphere quieted down.

"Where do you plan to go?" Chen Li asked.

Being a Guest Elder was no easy position.

Big sects like the Zhenzong wouldn’t even consider it, as they weren’t lacking cultivators at the Foundation Establishment level in the least.

Even regular sects preferred Loose Cultivators who were born and raised in their own domains, rarely recruiting outsiders.

Firstly, loyalty was a concern.

Secondly, their backgrounds were unclear, and they could be spies sent by other sects.

For instance, the old Returning True Sect had no Guest Elders who came from other domains. If Chen Li hadn’t been a local Loose Cultivator with no ties to the former Sect of Longevity, he could forget about joining at all.

"I’m thinking of trying Divine Sword Sect. I know quite a few people there, and they are well aware of my background, so becoming a Guest Elder shouldn’t be too difficult," Xiao Yuan said.

"That’s far too dangerous," Peng Yan quickly admonished, "You’re practically walking into your grave!"

Chen Li’s face was solemn.

The Divine Sword Sect was directly adjacent to the Returning True Sect.

With the downfall of Returning True Sect and its destruction, the Divine Sword Sect was essentially on the front line.

"I’ve asked around, and it’s not as dangerous as the rumors say. The Demon Beasts are mainly ravaging the area near the Artefact Sect. As long as I am careful, being at mid Foundation Establishment, there shouldn’t be any major problems," said Xiao Yuan with a smile.

Seeing the rejuvenated spirit in Xiao Yuan upon his return, Chen Li knew no words could dissuade him.

Xiao Yuan had lived his life within a sect since childhood; he was accustomed to the life within a sect and was willing to take some risks for it.

...

Xiao Yuan left shortly thereafter.

Perhaps he had not firmly made up his mind, with the thought only lingering in his mind, but after that day’s conversation, he sped up the process.

Outside Red Pillar City, in the wildlands,

Chen Li, and the couple Peng Yan Wenhui, came to see him off.

"Let’s stop here, hoping there will be a day when we meet again." Xiao Yuan’s eyes were slightly moist as he spoke with emotion, "Take care, all of you!"

"Take care!"

"Take care!"

"Take care!"

...

Chen Li watched as Xiao Yuan stylishly took to his flying sword, quickly disappearing into the distance, flying toward the far horizon where the dawn’s sunlight cast a crimson glow upon him.

He felt a heavy weight in his heart.

This departure felt like they might never meet again.