Hide in the world of gods and demons

Chapter 12 First Conflict
Chen Li stopped, panting, when the city center came into view.

It calmed the scattered spiritual energy.

Take a deep breath.

He then calmly walked home.

After a long and winding journey home, I closed the door, picked up a jar, and gulped down a whole jar of water to barely calm my still-rapid heartbeat.

For a little over a month ago, this was a typical urban worker working 996 hours a week who had never even killed a chicken...

For a little over a month ago, this was a typical urban worker who worked 996 hours a week and felt terrified even at the sight of a snake…

For a little over a month ago, this was a typical urban worker working 996 hours a week who didn't even dare to walk in dark alleys without streetlights...

Walking alone in this strange world of gods and ghosts is quite thrilling.

However, amidst the tension and excitement, there was also a sense of exhilaration.

"No wonder some books say that 'the genes for hunting and adventure are ingrained in a man's blood.'"

This kind of activity is truly exhilarating.

My heart can't take it.

Next time I go, I must not go alone. It's best to find a reliable and experienced companion.

He still knows too little about this world and is completely unaware of the various dangers.

For example, he doesn't know which of the creatures he encounters in the wild today are poisonous and which are not.

Perhaps an inconspicuous, seemingly harmless insect carries a deadly toxin.

Perhaps a single moment of carelessness could cause him to suffer a devastating setback.

With this in mind, he made up his mind that he would not go there again for at least a month.

Before noon arrives.

After drinking the water, he returned to his bedroom and quickly began meditating and regulating his breathing.

In any case, we can't waste this talisman for warding off evil spirits today.

……

Three hours later.

Chen Li exhaled a breath of stale air and slowly pressed his hands down.

He then habitually opened the game panel and glanced at it, when suddenly he stopped.

"Hey! It's finally risen a little bit again."

The original 'Qi Refining Level 3: 32/100' has been changed to 'Qi Refining Level 3: 33/100'

When was the last time?
Chen Li quickly calculated.

"It should have been thirteen days ago."

"That means it takes thirteen days to break through one point. If a year here is also 365 days, then reaching the fourth level of Qi Refining would require..."

Chen Li counted on his fingers... but he couldn't count on his fingers, so he quickly stood up and went to the talisman-making room.

I took up my pen and did some calculations.

Approximately 2.3863 years ago.

"Even with a longer timeframe and without putting pressure on myself, I can reach the fourth level of Qi Refining in three years at most." Chen Li thought excitedly.
"To reach the fifth level of Qi Refining..."

He then took up his pen and did some calculations.

Approximately 3.6 years ago.

Let's round it off and just say it's a leap of one level every four years.

He will be able to establish his foundation in 27 to 30 years at most.

Thirty years later, he will be... only 70 years old.

"I should still be in my prime by then, right?"

"No, that's not how it works! Right now, the Longevity Technique is at the Proficiency level. If it reaches the Expert level, the cultivation speed will obviously be even faster..."

He put down his brush.

I felt at ease.

"Draw a talisman, draw a talisman!"

He walked out of the talisman-making room and looked at the sky. Unfortunately, it was cloudy today, so he couldn't see the sky clearly, but he estimated that it should be around noon. He returned to the talisman-making room.

Enter a state of tranquility, refine your mind, and chant mantras for blessings.

After the formal ceremony, he added another line to his own head.

"Countless blessings have been bestowed upon me!"

He picked up his brush, dipped it in the 'blood ink,' and began to draw... The talisman was completed.

Another one succeeded.

.........

three days later.

Fangshi.

Chen Li, who was setting up his stall, noticed that there were a lot of people today, and many cultivators were flying down from the sky on flying swords. The flow of people was at least twice as usual, and the entire market was bustling with activity.

"Senior, why are there so many people today?" Chen Li asked curiously to the elderly rogue cultivator selling herbs next to him.

"The Changsheng Sect's auction, which takes place every three months, naturally attracts a large number of people, all of whom have come from other places," the rogue cultivator said casually, glancing at Chen Li's stall.

The elderly rogue cultivator looked to be around sixty years old, though he was probably older. He wore a robe that was neither new nor old, and his half-white goatee was meticulously groomed, giving him the appearance of a poor, unassuming Taoist.

"I see. Who are those people?" Chen Li looked up and gestured.

A large group of cultivators dressed in uniform blue Taoist robes, whose sects were unknown, were chatting about something not far away.
"These must be people from the True Sect." The poor Taoist priest, perhaps having nothing better to do, looked over there with a hint of envy in his eyes.

"You are truly knowledgeable, sir. By the way, how difficult is it to join a sect?" Chen Li asked curiously.

"You? Don't even think about it. You're over forty, aren't you? At your age, still dreaming? If you were in the late stage of Qi Refining and about to establish your foundation, then maybe you'd have a chance. Otherwise, just give up." The poor Taoist glanced at him.

What does it mean to be in your forties?
What does it mean to be "very old"?

She's only forty years old.

Chen Li felt inexplicably annoyed, but since a customer happened to be there, he simply ignored the old man who was trying to act superior.

Because the flow of people was several times greater than usual, business was exceptionally good today. The three "exorcism talismans" were sold out before the sun even rose.

Chen Li simply took out the 'Lightness Talisman' and 'Protective Talisman' he had bought a few days ago, and added a spirit stone to the original price and put them on the table.

As it turned out, some people actually bought it.

They earned two more low-grade spirit stones in one go.

……

Walking home, Chen Li felt the eleven spirit stones in the inner pocket of his shirt, and his steps became light as he was immersed in the joy of his harvest.

Completely unaware that they were being watched.

As he brushed past a monk, he suddenly felt a void in his chest.

He was immediately jolted out of his thoughts.

As someone who has mastered the finest control over all his muscles, Chen Li's reaction speed is incredibly fast. Before the other party could even pull away and escape, a large, steel-like hand had already instinctively gripped the other party's wrist tightly.

"Fellow Daoist, it seems you took my things?" Chen Li, unwilling to start a conflict, gave the other party a way out.

However, good intentions are often mistaken for weakness.

Especially in these chaotic shantytowns, killing and robbing are commonplace for many independent cultivators.

"Fellow Daoist, forgive my poor eyesight this time. I'll return it to you now. Please release me first." The other party smiled obsequiously, but a hint of ferocity flashed in his eyes as he spoke, his free left hand secretly reaching towards his waist.

Chen Li breathed a sigh of relief and was just about to let go.

The next moment, he keenly sensed a fluctuation of spiritual energy. His hair stood on end and his scalp tingled, as if he could feel the breath of death. In the blink of an eye, the 'spiritual energy flick' was instinctively activated.

The last come first!

"boom!"

One of his left arms exploded at the shoulder.

The blood mist exploded.

The rogue cultivator looked on in disbelief, let out a shrill scream, and struggled violently.

Chen Li subconsciously let go of his hand, staring blankly as the other person quickly fled and disappeared around the corner.

(End of this chapter)