Living steadily in the world of gods and mystery

Ever since he transmigrated into this world, Chen Li had become extremely self-disciplined. Initially, it was due to a lack of a sense of security, but gradually, he got used to it. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Besides indulging himself slightly on the first night, his daily routine hadn’t changed much since then.

In the living room,

Chen Li, bare-chested, was practicing swordsmanship.

The twenty-some catties heavy black iron sword felt weightless in his hand; the tip of the sword, like a hissing viper, flickered in and out of view, emitting a sinister ’ssss’ sound.

Zhou Hong leaned lightly against the doorframe, watching Chen Li practice his swordsmanship in the distance, a serene smile on her lips. She was very content with their current life—peaceful and joyful. In just a few days, she appeared even more radiant and charming.

Chen Li soon stopped.

"Wipe your sweat, you must be tired," Zhou Hong said, stepping forward with a towel. "Lunch is already prepared."

Chen Li took the towel and wiped his face carelessly. "Thank you for your hard work."

"I just don’t know whether you’ll like it or not!"

"I love anything you cook."

The two walked to the kitchen table, where dishes and chopsticks had already been set.

"The Spirit Tiger Gang and the Ju Xiong Bang (Giant Bear Gang) are at it again these past few days. It’s best not to go out," Chen Li said.

"We’re not short on food at home, and I don’t usually need to buy anything. Even if I do go out, we go out together," Zhou Hong said with a smile.

Mmm, let’s wait a few days, and then we’ll have a good wander around the market!" Chen Li patted her hand, feeling guilty.

Zhou Hong had given him as much as twenty-four mid-grade spirit stones a few days ago. He thought about it and didn’t refuse. After all, when living together, being too precise about money seems distasteful.

But he had already decided that he must spend that money on her.

...

"This Qiao Guanyuan is getting too much. Today, he sent someone to ask me to join his Spirit Tiger Gang to do alchemy. Chen, you have to say something for me. Qiao Guanyuan will definitely give you face."

Lin Gui came over again in the afternoon, a worried look on his face.

Chen Li frowned upon hearing this and fell silent for a moment:

"I do want to help you, but there are too many interests involved here, and I’m afraid nobody’s face counts for much, let alone mine as Qiao Guanyuan and I don’t exactly have a close relationship.

Qiao Guanyuan wants you because your Ascension Elixirs and Elixirs of Many Wonders are in huge demand in the market, which means a significant and stable source of wealth for him—like a spirit stone-laying hen... Even without Qiao Guanyuan, there would be Zhao Guanyuan and Li Guanyuan coming after you."

"Slap!" Lin Gui angrily slapped himself on the face. "You just can’t seem to learn your lesson, sigh, these Ascension Elixirs are really the root of all trouble. If I had known, I would have neither concocted them nor sold them."

"Actually, going to the Spirit Tiger Gang to concoct isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The way you were selling before, I’ve always been worried that one day you’d end up dead on the streets," Chen Li reassured him.

Lin Gui slumped into his chair. "Sigh, this is karma, I guess. I used to be so prestigious. When my master discovered my aptitude for Qi cultivation, he took me away from the village. I can’t even remember what the village was called now.

My master always said I had talent, and that I would definitely achieve Foundation Establishment. He was a down-and-out Loose Cultivator but a good man; he would skimp and save to buy nice things, and though he never indulged himself, he would always give them to me.

I didn’t let him down, either. In merely six years of cultivation, by the age of twenty, I had already reached the fourth level of Qi cultivation. But I was still poor, unable to afford even Spirit Rice.

Then, by chance, I acquired a secret technique for alchemy, and I began to try my hand at it. Without an Alchemy Furnace, I used primitive methods, and when there were no herbs, I went mountain-climbing and foraging myself. Luckily, I was dealing with miscellaneous pills, and in the end, I actually figured it out.

The moment I sold my pills and earned the spirit stones, that excitement, that joy that shot straight to my crown chakra... it’s still fresh in my memory. Ah, the fear of poverty... I just love alchemy, making spirit stones, and saving them."

Lin Gui rambled endlessly, going from the gifted youth of the past to the old man obsessed with concocting drugs today, constantly sighing, "If I had continued cultivating back then, even if I wouldn’t have achieved Foundation Establishment by now, I would at least be in the late stages of Qi cultivation, instead of being forced to concoct pills like I am now."

"It’s never too late to cultivate. Live old, cultivate old!" Chen Li comforted.

As they were speaking, Zhou Hong brought over tea with light steps and placed it on the table, "Here’s some tea for you."

She then turned around, left, and closed the door behind her.

"Zhou... Zhou, you... you... you guys..." Lin Gui’s eyes widened as he stared at Chen Li.

"We’ve gotten together!" Chen Li picked up the tea and took a sip.

"Sigh, it’s still because you’re young. Women are troublesome and not that enjoyable, not as satisfying as popping an Ascension Elixir. What’s so good about them? How about I give you a few to try?"

Chen Li was speechless and inwardly mocked that it was no wonder he was captured for alchemy.

...

After the event that night.

Chen Li brought it up with Zhou Hong.

"Qiao Guanyuan has been getting more and more overbearing. He wasn’t like this before." Zhou Hong tensed up and nestled closer in Chen Li’s embrace. "Don’t get me wrong, he’s on good terms with Gao Bo, and that’s how I got to know him after a while."

"Don’t worry, I’m not so petty," Chen Li said with a smile: "People change. After sitting in that position for a while, he’s probably no longer who he was before. But regardless of how he changes, as long as he doesn’t provoke us, it’s none of our business."

"Mhm!" Zhou Hong nodded gently, snuggling even closer.

...

Another day passed, and Chen Li’s Scolding Skill finally advanced to the master level.

Whether it was chanting spells or circulating spiritual power, both became faster, the activation more concealed, and the power seemed a few notches stronger.

Chen Li didn’t dare to experiment on Zhou Hong. He pushed open the door and looked around for a target to try it on, hoping to find a small animal. His gaze suddenly met with a Loose Cultivator standing in the distance.

The other party’s eyes dodged, and his expression panicked as he quickly turned away.

Chen Li was slightly taken aback, but then he reacted and his expression immediately turned stern as he quickly walked toward him.

"Whose man are you, and why are you surveilling this place?" Chen Li demanded coldly.

"I don’t understand what you’re talking about, I’m just passing by here," the Loose Cultivator hastily said, trying to appear calm.

"Lies. If you’re just passing by, why are you standing here? I recognize everyone on this street. Which street are you from, and what are you doing here?" Chen Li pressed on, with a threatening aura enveloping him.

The Loose Cultivator couldn’t help but swallow, his hand instinctively reaching for his magic artifact.

"Scram!"

The next moment, a sharp reprimand interrupted his action.

His mind went blank, and before he could come to, Chen Li had slapped him hard to the ground. At the same time, the magic artifact on his waist flew into Chen Li’s hand.

The Loose Cultivator lay on the ground, his mouth full of blood, his ears ringing, and his vision fading in and out of darkness.

Chen Li stepped on his neck with one foot, applying slight pressure, and spoke with an icy tone, "Won’t talk, huh? Then don’t blame me."

"Fellow Daoist Chen, it’s a misunderstanding," another unfamiliar Loose Cultivator hurried over, his face brimming with an apologetic smile.