Living steadily in the world of gods and mystery

Chen Li’s hand paused slightly, he had never really thought about the issue of descendants, and it didn’t concern him much. He was surprised and said,

"Why bring this up all of a sudden? Pregnancy would affect your cultivation, wouldn’t it? You’re still young, there’s no rush for children. We should focus on our cultivation levels first. Besides, now is not the time to get pregnant. Let’s wait until we’re settled."

Zhou Hong wriggled in his arms and said softly, "This lifetime, I’m probably just going to end up like this. Being lucky enough to advance to the late stages of Qi Cultivation is already satisfying enough. For most Loose Cultivators, reaching Foundation Establishment is but a distant dream. I used to fantasize about it when I was younger, but not anymore."

Chen Li laughed, "You’re still so young, why so pessimistic? Life is full of uncertainties; who can say for sure what will happen? I’m already forty-two and still dream of Foundation Establishment!"

"In two more years, I’ll be thirty, not young anymore." Zhou Hong couldn’t help but pinch him lightly, a smile tugging at her lips, "But you’re different, not like the rest of us. You’ll definitely become someone important in the future, someone high above."

"How do you know that?" 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Hmph, I just know!" Zhou Hong retorted cutely.

"Alas, if I’m loved by my wife, it’s a private matter." Chen Li said with a smile.

At the word "wife," Zhou Hong’s nose turned sour, and her eyes reddened.

The two were actually a couple by circumstance, without ceremony or the traditional Six Rites of Marriage. Rather than say they were husband and wife, it’s more like they were living together out of convenience.

Chen Li had never called her his wife.

She also restrained herself and never called him husband.

They just addressed each other by name.

This was the first time she had heard the term "wife" from his lips.

Chen Li felt something unusual and was utterly confused, "Everything was fine, why the sudden tears?"

"It’s just happiness." Zhou Hong quickly covered up, wiping her eyes and changing the subject, "When the time comes, will the Yu Family agree to have us to join their caravan?"

Though puzzled, Chen Li did not press for details. Women are emotional beings, sometimes crying for no apparent reason.

She had already cried once just a short while ago.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "I’ve had a few dealings with the Yu Family, and we have some relationship. This shouldn’t be difficult, at worst it’s just a matter of paying some money."

...

Chen Li was always a man of action.

The next day, bright and early.

After finishing a meal that included two pounds of Second Order Demon Beast Meat, he headed to the market.

He could have set out even earlier, but upon waking up, he was ensnared by Zhou Hong’s initiative, and after an exchange of caresses hidden beneath tenderness, much time was delayed.

"Ah! Wine and pleasure lead astray," Chen Li thought to himself.

Then he considered,

"Fortunately, I don’t drink."

Chen Li exhaled a long breath of white air.

The early morning deep in autumn was quite cold; the ground was frozen solid, crunching underfoot.

Despite his thin clothes, Chen Li didn’t feel the slightest chill.

As the Demon Beast Meat digested quickly in his stomach, his entire body felt warm, even hot, making him want to take off his robe and cool down.

Ever since he began the practice of internal organ cultivation.

He found his organs had become much stronger.

His digestive ability improved, his heart beat more vigorously, and his lung capacity had also noticeably increased.

He could even control the movements of his internal organs as easily as his muscles.

However, after a few experiments left him feeling unwell, he stopped trying so casually and left it to his subconscious. The organs are too complex, and a small change can affect the whole body, many involving hormone secretion.

He dared not experiment recklessly on himself.

Half an hour later, Chen Li arrived at the market.

It had been almost a month since his last visit. Perhaps due to the cold weather, the place was much quieter. Although there were still many vendors, the flow of people was noticeably less.

"Any need for firewood, all dried and high-quality timber!"

"Warm cotton clothes on sale cheaply, come take a look, all nearly new and without patches."

...

Chen Li made his way through the streets and alleys to the Yu Family’s potion shop, only to discover it was already deserted.

The adjacent magic artifact and talisman store was the same.

"It seems the rumors are true; the Yu Family really is determined to leave. I estimate it will happen within the next few days."

With no other options, Chen Li hurriedly continued towards the Yu Family estate.

"If I can meet with Yu Fan Zhen this time that would be best. Although I’ve only had a few encounters with her, I can tell she has a soft and gentle character, with little experience in the ways of the world, not as cunning as a Loose Cultivator—easier to talk to.

If it comes to it and she cannot decide, I can possibly ask her to introduce me to the elder of the Yu Family. That might give me some room to maneuver.

If I don’t get to meet her, then I’ll have to visit the Yu Family elder directly." Chen Li silently calculated in his mind.

He checked the storage space in his storage bag. Since obtaining it, almost all of his valuable possessions were placed inside.

Spirit Stones, magic artifacts, talismans, Demon Cores.

Chen Li’s gaze lingered on the Demon Cores for a moment before he swiftly moved on.

After much contemplation,

he singled out an upper-grade magic artifact that looked quite presentable.

This visiting gift was neither too expensive nor too cheap and suited his status as a late-stage Qi Cultivator. Of course, if he could avoid meeting the elder of the Yu Family, that would be even better.

Then he could save the gift entirely.

Chen Li moved quickly, and before long, he arrived at what the Loose Cultivators called "Yu Family Street," where the entire street was inhabited by the Yu Family. Compared to the dilapidation and desolation of other areas, this place undoubtedly seemed like another world.

Orderly, clean.

Of course, that is only a relative term.

Chen Li noticed there were quite a few Loose Cultivators coming and going, all seemingly with the same idea.

The gates of the mansion were wide open.

Groups of Loose Cultivators went in and out in twos and threes at the entrance.

Chen Li entered, and no one questioned his business there.

Inside the courtyard, he saw a large number of Loose Cultivators lined up in a long queue, with two members of the Yu Family in front—one collecting money and the other sitting at a table registering.

"Let me say it again, Fellow Daoists at the mid-stage of Qi Cultivation and above may come with us. Those below the mid-stage, please head back home. It’s not that the Yu Family lacks compassion, but the journey is difficult and dangerous. This trade route has been closed for nearly a year, and it’s uncertain what dangers might arise on the road during the migration.

By then, you’ll not only have wasted your money, but you might also lose your life and hinder the progress of the group," announced the person registering, loudly.

Some hesitated and left the line.

Others clenched their teeth and insisted on staying: "We beg for the Yu Family’s mercy. We understand that we undertake this journey at our own risk. We only ask that you allow us to follow."

"Enough, enough, enough!" The registrar shook his head and spoke no more.

"I didn’t expect to achieve my goal so easily when I was fretting over it on the way here," thought Chen Li to himself as he let out a sigh of relief. Meeting a Foundation Establishment expert would indeed be quite pressure-inducing.

He quickly took his place at the end of the line.

A few minutes later, it was his turn.

"Name?"

"Chen Wen."

"Cultivation level?"

"Late-stage of Qi Cultivation."

"The fee for joining the journey is one Mid-grade Spirit Stone."

Chen Li reached into his sleeve, and under the cover of his sleeve bag, he was about to take out money from his storage bag.

"Chen, it really is you! I’ve been looking for you these past few days. Quickly, come with me; my family’s elder wishes to see you,"

a familiar voice called out.

Looking up, it was Yu Fan Zhen.

ps: Procrastination to the extreme, dragging on and on until now, sigh, there’s only this much for today.