Living steadily in the world of gods and mystery
Chapter 177 - 149: Return

Chapter 177: Chapter 149: Return

Chen Li glanced at the game panel:

"Invisibility Technique Grandmaster: 3200/3200"

"Invisibility Technique has finally reached max level!" Chen Li’s face beamed with joy.

The dim flame of the oil lamp on the table danced cheerfully; despite Chen Li clearly standing beside the table, he did not cast even the slightest shadow on the floor. He paced back and forth in front of the bronze mirror, carefully observing:

"As expected of the max level Invisibility Technique, it’s imperceptible to the naked eye, flawless!" Chen Li thought to himself:

"But I wonder if it could be detected by the Spiritual Sense of someone at the Foundation Establishment level?"

"Why not... try it out!"

Intrigued, Chen Li could hardly resist any longer. He utilized his Breath-Concealing Skill, which was also at max level and quietly stepped out the door.

It was already evening; the cold wind whistled, carrying the chilly air of late autumn with it.

Walking under the bright moonlight, Chen Li headed towards Guo Xingquan’s wooden hut, choosing him as the subject for experimentation. For one, his cultivation level was low, identical to Chen Li’s own first level of Foundation Establishment, making him the safest test subject.

Secondly, they were quite familiar with each other, so even if discovered, there was room to maneuver.

The night was tranquil; his footsteps made no sound as he approached Guo Xingquan’s doorstep, only to discover that the man had already locked his door.

"Forget it, I’ll try another time."

Arriving with eagerness, Chen Li returned home dispirited.

In the end, he could only slip in and out of a few houses belonging to Qi Cultivation practitioners and commoners who had not yet closed their doors, unseen by anyone. It was only after he’d had his fill of excitement and the spell began to wane that he returned anxiously like a thief with a guilty conscience.

Chen Li calmed his slightly quickening heartbeat and looked up at the stars, estimating the time:

"The duration is about an hour, huh? That’s more than enough for anything... Whether it’s for assassinations or avoiding danger, combining Invisibility Technique with Breath-Concealing Skill is truly godly."

Chen Li walked into his house.

What else to do when you’re out and about?

He practiced his swordsmanship for a while, then popped a Gathering Qi Elixir and sat down cross-legged on the bed to meditate and cultivate his energy.

...

For those at the Foundation Establishment level, clearing the wilds generally isn’t too dangerous under normal circumstances.

Not to mention Second Order Demon Beasts that are comparable to the Foundation Establishment level, even First Order Demon Beasts are not commonly seen unless it’s in a spiritual land. Trekking through deep mountains and forests, encountering Demon Beasts is considered a matter of luck.

Often, within a ten-mile radius, there might only be one First Order Demon Beast.

As for Third Order Demon Beasts.

They are even rarer, typically occupying high-level spiritual lands and having a strong sense of territory. They seldom venture beyond their realms, and most cultivators live their whole lives without ever seeing a Third Order Demon Beast.

It’s just that the situation in the Green River District was special, which attracted many Demon Beasts to gather.

However, as the area of cleared land continued to expand, nearby Demon Beasts either died or fled. After the second month, it was rare to see any trace of them, let alone Second Order ones.

Days passed, and life progressed in dullness and monotony.

This year, winter came earlier than usual.

With the arrival of the first heavy snowfall catching everyone by surprise, the wilderness was blanketed in white. The clearing effort came to a complete stop.

However, the construction within the market district didn’t halt; under the tireless effort of thousands of laborers, the previously deserted district began to take shape in less than three months.

Streets were laid with cobblestones, and buildings and grand halls gradually rose on either side.

Perhaps, before long, this place would become even more prosperous than before, with cultivators coming and going like clouds.

But all this had nothing to do with commoners.

...

The morning sun was fiery, reflecting on the red hues of the piled snow.

A massive Flying Boat quietly departed from the Green River District. Thousands had arrived, but now only a meager hundred Returning True Sect disciples and cultivators at the Foundation Establishment level returned. All Loose Cultivators and commoners stayed behind in the Green River District.

Many outer disciples stared blankly at the neatly arranged dozen or so coffins; the atmosphere was heavy.

"Fellow Daoist Cao, we used to deal with each other before..." Guo Xingquan sighed, "I never thought that this time it would be his turn."

Chen Li silently stood by.

Too many who had reached Foundation Establishment had died in these years.

The first time they settled in the new lands, four had died, and another one in the following two years. With this time included, six had passed away in total.

And of the newly promoted Foundation Establishment cultivators, he was the only one in these years.

"Alas, now that the sect has relocated and frequently opens new territories, casualties are inevitable. It will get better once things stabilize in a few years," an elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator sighed and spoke out.

...

The flying boat flew leisurely along its journey, and by the time it arrived at Luoluo City, it was already evening.

The city gates were packed with people.

Countless individuals stood on tiptoe in anticipation.

"Shu, is it this one?" Zhou Hong clutched her fingers tightly, looking up at the massive flying boat with deep concern on her face.

"I heard from others that it’s this one!" Zhang Shuniang said reassuringly, "Sister, don’t worry. Your husband is so powerful; he’ll surely return safely."

The flying boat slowly docked, and the cabin doors opened.

One by one, the cultivators filed out and descended to the ground.

The two women stared intently.

"There, my husband!" Zhang Shuniang exclaimed with joy.

Zhou Hong saw him as well and cried tears of joy, excitedly waving her hands non-stop.

As soon as Chen Li descended, Zhou Hong rushed towards him, "Blessed by the heavens, you’ve finally returned safely!"

He hugged her, wiping the tears from her face, and said softly, "What’s there to worry about? What could have happened? Shu, stop crying too."

While Chen Li was having a private conversation with his wives.

"Ancestor!"

"Wuwuwu!"

Not far away, a chorus of weeping arose.

Zhou Yuanpeng found the family of the Cao-named Foundation Establishment cultivator, retrieved the coffin containing the body, explained the reason for his death, and the children and wives who came to meet him were grief-stricken, their cries resounding through the heavens. With the family’s elder immortar passing away, it was as if the sky had collapsed for the family.

"The belongings of Fellow Daoist Cao will be returned along with the sect’s compensation in a day or two, and there’s no need to worry about your current family businesses. You won’t have to pay rent for the next fifty years. If any of your descendants wish to join the Returning True Sect, you can submit a list when the time comes. How does that sound?" Zhou Yuanpeng finished speaking and sighed, "The man is gone; mourning is what remains for you now."

Chen Li watched for a while, then withdrew his gaze, "Let’s go, don’t stand here. We’ll talk more when we get back."

...

That night.

In the intimate quarters of Xuan Yiqing,

Afterwards!

Zhou Hong’s cheeks were still flushed, her eyes dreamily lost. Coming back to her senses, she couldn’t help but punch Chen Li and said reproachfully, "Annoying, don’t expect us to serve you together in the future, always taking advantage of us."

Zhang Shuniang, on the other hand, shyly buried herself in the quilt like an ostrich.

"We haven’t seen each other for many days, so I couldn’t help being excited," Chen Li chuckled, "Look, even Shu didn’t say anything."

"Husband, please, no more! It’s too embarrassing!" Zhang Shuniang said from under the quilt, her voice muffled.

The three of them frolicked for a while.

"Another cultivator of Foundation Establishment has died; I think being a Guest Elder of the Returning True Sect is getting too dangerous," Zhou Hong said, clinging to Chen Li’s arm, voicing her concerns.

"In this world, there is no such thing as absolute safety. Haven’t we always gotten by like this?" Chen Li sighed, "As long as we’re careful, nothing will go wrong!"

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