Hide in the world of gods and demons

Chapter 174 Lively
Snow fell in the dead of winter, and the cold wind howled. After more than ten days of heavy snowfall, the weather remained unchanged, with snow falling intermittently. The distant land was already covered in white snow, as if wrapped in a thick cotton blanket. Even the evergreen city of Luanluo was shrouded in mist and rain, and the ground was wet.

Another year of New Year's celebrations has arrived.

"Husband, it's barely dawn, isn't it a bit too early?"

"It's getting late. I'd rather wait outside the cave than be late and lose face," Gu Mengqing said in a deep voice as he accepted the gift box from his wife.

Over the years, he has gradually shown signs of aging. With Chen Li's help, he runs a small business and no longer needs to risk his life like before. He is now relaxed, healthy, and living a comfortable life, and has become quite prosperous.

"Dad, Dad, I want to go too, I want to go too!" Gu Mengqing's four-year-old son shouted, hugging his leg.

Having a son late in life, Gu Mengqing smiled, picked up his son and gave him a loving kiss: "Not now, we'll talk about it when you're older. Then Dad will send you into the sect and make you a disciple!"

The young woman glanced at the toddler, hesitated for a moment, and then advised, "Why don't you bring Jue'er along too? I think my sister-in-law likes him quite a bit."

“You don’t understand. It’s precisely because I like him that I can’t bring him along,” Gu Mengqing said, putting down her son and shaking her head.

Over the years, my elder brother has never had a child. He doesn't show it on the surface, but he must be feeling very sad inside. He just keeps it to himself.

He kept his mouth shut and didn't say anything more.

After instructing his wife to stay home and take care of the children, he took the gift box and went out.

Outside, a light drizzle fell, and the entire city of Luanluo was shrouded in a misty fog.

He lightly brushed off non-existent water stains from his body. The water-repelling array on his first-tier mid-grade magic robe caused the drizzle to be automatically repelled by an invisible force before it even touched him. Although the robe was not of the high grade, among the rogue cultivators in Luanluo City, those who could wear mid-grade magic robes were already considered upper-middle-class figures.

Ascending the long mountain path, perhaps because it is a festival, groups of people stroll along it, giving this usually quiet mountain path a touch of worldly life.

"You're looking for Senior Chen, right? Come on in. There are a lot of people today, so we won't take you there. You know the rules, so don't wander off. If something happens, don't blame us."

Over the years, Gu Mengqing has made several trips to the mountain gate every year, and has become quite familiar with the gatekeepers.

"Yes, yes, thank you, Fellow Daoist Wang!" Gu Mengqing hurriedly nodded and bowed.

In fact, given his foundation-building status within the sect, he didn't need to be so humble. However, he had become accustomed to being cautious and prudent over the years, and he always felt that the sect's disciples were unapproachable.

The sect was filled with a riot of colorful flowers, and the rich spiritual energy, accompanied by the fragrance of herbs, invigorated him and filled him with longing.

Alas, I have no chance, and this is how my life will be, but my son will definitely have the opportunity to become a disciple of the sect.

Gu Mengqing suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his mind, quickened his pace, and soon arrived at the entrance of Chen Li's cave to wait. Before he had been standing there for long, Bai Wei activated the formation to greet him.

"Master Gu, the master instructed me to come and fetch you!"

"Thank you for your trouble, Miss Bai," Gu Mengqing said, cupping his hands in greeting.

Bai Wei dared not accept the courtesy and quickly stepped aside, saying, "Master Gu, you are too kind of me. I cannot accept such a generous gift. Please come with me."

Chen Li was chatting with Hu Buwei in the front hall when Gu Mengqing came in. Chen Li smiled and said, "You're here. Please make yourself at home. I won't bother you. Bai Wei, please serve the tea."

"Brother, you're busy, you're busy. It's important to entertain our distinguished guests. Don't worry about me."

Gu Mengqing was quite perceptive; he recognized Hu Buwei. He had seen him once from afar on the day they were handling Zhang Yan's funeral. Hu Buwei had responded reservedly, presented the New Year's gift, and then sat quietly to the side.

"Haha, what kind of distinguished guest am I?" Hu Buwei laughed and joked, "As long as Fellow Daoist Chen doesn't mind me bothering you."

Chen Li repeatedly said that he was too kind, and laughed, "I am honored by your visit, fellow Daoist, and there is no reason not to welcome you."

The two chatted about everything under the sun, from the situation in the surrounding area to interesting stories about brothels. Before long, another guest arrived.

Upon closer inspection, Chen Li recognized Peng Yanwen and her husband as Peng Yanwen.

Chen Li and Hu Buwei hurriedly got up to greet him. It has to be said that since the battle of Tianxing Sect, his popularity has inexplicably improved. In previous years, during the New Year, there were not so many Foundation Establishment cultivators visiting. Every year was cold, desolate and miserable.

Almost two years into their marriage, Wenhui still retained her innocent and carefree demeanor. She quickened her pace, leaning close to Chen Li and playfully saying, "Fellow Daoist Chen, your courtyard is quite interesting. It looks like it's been through a disaster. Not only is not a blade of grass growing, but it's also full of potholes. You could easily slip and fall if you're not careful." Chen Li subtly stepped aside, chuckled, and replied, "I follow the path of body cultivation, so I'm used to being rough and can't stand flowers and plants."

"Fellow Daoist Chen, do you still enjoy ruthlessly destroying flowers?" Wenhui blinked her watery peach blossom eyes and replied.

"That depends on what kind of flower it is." Hu Buwei, who seemed unsurprised, joked with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Ruowen is such a delicate flower, Fellow Daoist Chen would definitely not be willing to damage her."

Upon hearing this, Chen Li almost choked on his own saliva.

That's going too far, especially in front of someone's husband.

Wenhui covered her mouth and chuckled, her peach blossom eyes glancing at Chen Li: "What kind of delicate flower am I? I'm already a withered flower and a fallen willow. Fellow Daoist Chen doesn't even bother to look at me."

Chen Li couldn't help but glance at Peng Yan, only to see him still smiling, as if he didn't care at all.

Chen Li was truly uncomfortable in this situation, so he couldn't help but chuckle awkwardly twice. He quickly and stiffly changed the subject:

“I heard from Fellow Daoist Xiao a few days ago that Fellow Daoist Ding has already reached the third level of Foundation Establishment.”

"Wow, how could it be so fast!" Peng Yan exclaimed in surprise.

As expected, everyone's attention was diverted.

"After all, he is a genius who has reached the Foundation Establishment stage before the age of twenty, and he has been personally nurtured by the Ancestor. How could he not be fast? Such a person is a seed of the Golden Core stage, and breaking through realms is as easy as drinking water." Hu Buwei exhaled a sigh of frustration. Such a person really does not arouse any jealousy: "I estimate that only Fellow Daoist Chen can be compared with him in the entire True Realm Sect."

"There's no comparison, no comparison at all!" Chen Li waved his hand and said.

Through his tireless efforts day and night, and with the assistance of the game panel, it took him a full five years to reach the third level of Foundation Establishment.

As for Ding Jian, it only took him three and a half years at most.

……

It wasn't until almost noon that Chen Li saw off the last group of guests.

This welcoming and seeing off of people is even more tiring than spiritual practice.

night.

afterwards!

Zhou Hong pressed her body close to Chen Li, exhaled, and said gently, "I had only heard of Senior Wen's reputation for beauty before, but I never expected that she would be even more beautiful than the rumors suggest."

"Is she pretty? She's alright looking!" Chen Li said calmly.

I feel helpless!

My wife's jealousy has been stirred up again!
“Among all the Foundation Establishment seniors, Fellow Daoist Wen must be the most beautiful,” Zhou Hong continued.

"Ha, there are only a few Foundation Establishment cultivators in the True Sect. The women there, aside from being ugly, are mostly quite ordinary-looking. You can't expect people to have high cultivation levels and good looks at the same time. Isn't that making things difficult for them?"

"Pfft!" Zhou Hong was so amused that she lost her temper and playfully hit Chen Li: "You just keep making fun of people. How can you say that? Several Foundation Establishment cultivators are quite pretty."

"If we're talking about truly beautiful people, we have to look at Qi Refining cultivators. Some of them are not only beautiful, but also gentle and virtuous."

"Who is it?" Zhou Hong's heart, which had just calmed down, immediately became alert again.

"I'm too lazy to compliment people, I'm going to sleep!"

Zhou Hong was stunned for a moment, then realized what she meant and said coquettishly, "How annoying!"

My heart felt as sweet as if I had eaten honey.

P.S.: Just practicing a bit, so here's a short chapter for now. I'll try to update daily from now on.