Hide in the world of gods and demons

Chapter 16 Breaking the Calm
Although Green River Village was quite far from Luanluo City, where the Longevity Sect was located, which made Chen Li feel a little more at ease, he still had to go to the wilderness trials he was supposed to go to.

On the one hand, it's to prepare for both possibilities, just in case it really gets affected.

On the other hand, it also increases the 'real combat' experience that I lack most. Even killing insects and small animals is better than practicing blindly on my own.

The next morning, before dawn, he set off early.

He had planned to find an experienced and reliable partner to work with, but he never actually did so.

Because I've been staying home practicing Buddhism and rarely go out, my social circle is very narrow. Almost everyone I know is just a nodding acquaintance. Of all the people I've talked to the most, the only one I can barely trust is my neighbor, Zhou Hong.

Humans are just strange like that.

Zhou Hong speaks harshly and her words are like knives, but I actually feel that she doesn't mean me any harm.

However, after giving the hairpin, their relationship became... somewhat awkward.

The other person started avoiding him, intentionally or unintentionally.

Chen Li had originally planned to ask the other party to introduce him to a reliable friend, but now he felt embarrassed to go to her again.

As for just picking one randomly, I think I'll pass.

The foundation of trust does not exist.

On Earth, making the wrong friends mostly results in financial loss; in this world, it could very well cost you your life.

Moreover, they would go to the wilderness together.

……

He quickly found his way back to the place he had returned to before.

Before arriving here, Chen Li was quite calm, after all, he had been here once before. But as he continued forward, his heart started racing again. The trees in the wilderness began to grow denser, and at the same time, there were more and more strange creatures.

……

"what!"

Accompanied by a piercing, shrill scream.

Suddenly, the nearby bushes stirred violently, and then shot off like an arrow, leaving a long trail in the grass.

"laugh!"

Before it could escape.

An invisible force instantly disappeared into the grass.

It exploded into a cloud of blood mist.

"Damn it, what are you yelling about?"

Upon hearing that shrill and ear-piercing scream, Chen Li knew without even looking what it was.
There is a section in the local chronicles that specifically introduces this creature called the Howling Rat.

It was only the size of a kitten, completely black, and looked quite unremarkable.

However, despite its small size, it has a loud voice.

When startled, this creature emits a scream that is extremely loud and unbearable for ordinary people.

It is said, and only said, that the presence of howling rats nearby can indicate whether there are monsters in the area.

This is the original quote from the "Treatise on Local Customs".

If so, it most likely means there are no monsters here.

vice versa.

It is evident how much this creature is hated and disliked, so much so that even demonic beasts would want to get rid of it as soon as possible.

Chen Li initially thought the description was exaggerated, but he only realized what it meant to want to kill them as soon as possible after actually encountering them. These howling rats were particularly numerous as soon as you approached the forest. As you moved forward, they would jump out one after another, scurrying around in the grass while screaming loudly.

Although it posed no threat to him, its sudden, startling movements were frightening enough.

Especially when you're on edge, a sudden, extremely high-pitched scream can really ignite a surge of anger.

……

Chen Li slaughtered his way through the enemy ranks, using spiritual energy to flick his fingers at those far away and his sword to deal with those closer.

No living creature, not even a tiny insect, can get within three feet of him.

He killed his way through the enemy ranks until his hands were almost sore. Even his swordsmanship seemed to have subtly leaped to another level. His sword strikes became more precise, and his ability to detect moving objects became more acute. Even the most flamboyant flying insects were dealt with in a single strike.

Chen Li walked all the way to the edge of the forest before turning back; going any deeper would really be a bit risky.

……

When he returned, Chen Li walked briskly.

It's like returning from a picnic, feeling happy and content.

He deliberately took a long detour he had never taken before, appreciating the similar yet different scenery around him.

In the crystal-clear river, schools of small fish foraged among the water plants. On the bank, many young female cultivators rolled up their sleeves, revealing their fair arms, and chatted loudly while washing toilets, their clear and melodious laughter echoing from time to time.

There were no flush toilets in this world, not even outhouses. Men usually dug pits to use as toilets, and that was considered a proper way of life.

If you're not particular...

You really have to be careful when you walk.

Women are different; every morning, there are female cultivators everywhere carrying toilets to the stream to wash themselves.

"Fellow Daoist, you've been watching us for so long, is there anything here that catches your eye?" A female cultivator noticed Chen Li's gaze and called out loudly.

“This one is too old, you keep him, we don’t want him,” another female cultivator said with a sweet laugh.

This immediately drew a burst of cheerful laughter.

"Older men are better; they know how to take care of people."

Chen Li gave an awkward smile and quickly looked away.

Heartbroken!
.........

The situation is developing faster than expected.

The tranquility of the market was soon shattered.

Six days later, in the middle of the night, Chen Li was awakened from his deep sleep by a sudden rumble of thunder.

He thought it was going to rain, so he groggily turned over to go back to sleep. But then he heard faint voices outside. A thought struck him, and he was instantly wide awake.

He quickly picked up the sword that was beside him.
I had just gotten up.

Then someone outside shouted, "My God, someone is attacking the market!"

The next moment, the entire shantytown erupted in a frenzy, becoming incredibly noisy.

Chen Li's heart pounded violently. He hurriedly and carefully placed the spirit stones he had hidden in a concealed spot close to his body, preparing to flee at any moment.

When he opened the door, the outside was already bustling with wandering cultivators, and there was a great deal of noise. He had never realized that there were so many people here.

The sky in the direction of the market was glowing with an eerie, ominous red light, sometimes bright and sometimes dim, accompanied by a continuous rumble of thunder.

It looks incredibly terrifying.

Soon, the couple next door, Gao Bo and Zhou Hong, also came out. Only the door of the new neighbor, Zhao Wanjun, remained tightly closed without any movement, which was expected.

"Don't go! You mustn't go."

It was Zhou Hong's voice.

Upon hearing this, Chen Li turned his head and saw that Gao Bo had broken free from Zhou Hong's hand and was walking towards the running crowd.

“This might be my only chance in my life, and I don’t want to give it up. Stay home and don’t follow me. I’ll be back soon,” Gao Bo shouted as he turned around.

His eyes burned with desire, as if flames were burning within them.

"You bastard, come back here!" Zhou Hong shouted, her voice already trembling with tears.

Gao Bo didn't say anything more, turned around and quickly blended into the running crowd, disappearing from sight.

Chen Li was completely confused. What were they going to do?
Shouldn't we run away?

.........

P.S.: Sorry it's late today.

(End of this chapter)