Hide in the world of gods and demons

Chapter 180 The Storm Is Brewing (Part Two)

A third-tier demonic beast is equivalent to a human's Golden Core.

Moreover, due to their strong physiques and many of their innate supernatural abilities, they are often stronger than cultivators of the same level.

If such a being is targeting them, can the Zhenzong sect really withstand it?
Unless... the Ancestor emerges from seclusion.

Chen Li was filled with anxiety. If he weren't worried about running into that third-tier demon beast, he would have wanted to escape the mountain gate right now and make a living in the Red Pillar City of the Fire Cloud Sect.

The Fire Cloud Sect is a major sect for Nascent Soul cultivators, so it's safe and secure. With its superb talisman-making skills, even if prices are high, it can still live a life of comfort and security.

Xia Hongyi, the head of general affairs, arrived quickly.

"Sect Leader, you need to make a decision!"

"Yes, whatever you say, we'll do it!"

"I don't have any good ideas either, that's why I called you all here to discuss it," Xia Hongyi sighed.

After all, he was not a Golden Core Ancestor. As the head of the General Affairs Department, he did not have the authority to make decisions with a single word. In fact, he usually presented himself as a kind-hearted person.

"How about we ask for outside help? When I was traveling, I met a rogue cultivator who was a Golden Core elder. He could do things for money, but the price was very high."

"I'm afraid this is like inviting a wolf into the house. No way!"

Before Xia Hongyi could even speak, his suggestion was immediately rejected.

……

The group discussed the matter back and forth until it was almost dark, and finally decided to keep the gates tightly shut and guard the mountain gate to the death.

A group of Foundation Establishment cultivators filed out of the main hall.

Just as they reached the open space in front of the hall, a Qi Refining disciple rushed over, crying out in grief, "Sect Leader, fellow disciples, Uncle Luo Shen is gone!"

Xia Hongyi was stunned upon hearing this, somewhat unable to believe the devastating news, and muttered to himself, "How could this be?"

"It's so sudden. I was just chatting with Fellow Daoist Luo a few days ago," Zhou Yuanpeng said sadly.

Upon hearing this, Chen Li remained silent. Luo Shen was one of the five Foundation Establishment stage cultivators of the True Sect. He was usually in charge of the general affairs of the Hall of Merit and was also the oldest among them. This was the person who accompanied him during his initiation ceremony.

Many Foundation Establishment cultivators showed sadness on their faces. They undoubtedly had a deeper bond with Luo Shen, some of whom had even spent most of their lives dealing with him, which was incomparable to Chen Li.

"Reporting to the Head of General Affairs, when we heard the bell earlier, we heard that Uncle Luo was very agitated and wanted to come over. Several disciples who were serving him managed to persuade him to stay calm, but in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Uncle Luo's spirits gave out, and he just sat in his chair dozing off. By the time they found him, he had already passed away," the Qi Refining disciple said.

"Old Luo has passed away peacefully at a ripe old age, which is a happy occasion!" Xia Hongyi sighed, feeling that misfortunes never come singly. Although birth, aging, sickness and death are the natural course of life, dying at such a critical time is not a good omen.

Given this situation, it's naturally inappropriate for everyone to go back to their own homes and head home.

A group of people then rushed to the Luo residence located within the sect.

Behind a Foundation Establishment cultivator who is over 240 years old is often a large family, with several generations living in the sect.

The sound of weeping inside was deafening, as if the sky had collapsed. When Xia Hongyi led a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators in, several Luo family elders dressed in mourning clothes quickly surrounded them.

"Sect Leader, our ancestor has passed away. What will we do now?"

"For the sake of our ancestors, could you please allow our Luo family to continue living within the sect?"

……

The Luo family members started talking all at once.

Dealing with the affairs of Foundation Establishment cultivators after their death is always the most troublesome, especially for some older Foundation Establishment cultivators who not only have many wives and concubines, but also many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, eventually numbering in the hundreds, although in principle there are limits on the number of relatives that Foundation Establishment cultivators can bring with them.

But principles are principles, and beyond principles there are also human relationships and social considerations.

If someone at the Foundation Establishment stage wants to take more concubines, should we interfere?
Having more children, how can you bear to be separated from your family and live in different places? Wanting your grandchildren to live with you and enjoy family life is only human nature!
……

In the end, all these problems can only be ignored, which is a chronic problem within the industry.

Fortunately, everyone who reaches the Foundation Establishment stage eventually dies!
The appropriate compensation should be provided.

The preferential treatment that should be given shall be given.

It's unreasonable for someone to die at the Foundation Establishment stage and leave their entire family of several hundred people stuck inside the mountain gate.

However, Xia Hongyi was overwhelmed with worries and had no time to deal with such matters. He could only force himself to comfort the Luo family and promise that they could stay for a while longer until everything was ready before moving out of the mountain gate.

……

Chen Li followed along and paid his respects before leaving the Luo residence with Xiao Yuan.

“I think Ji Kai is nearing his end!” Xiao Yuan sighed. “The last time I saw him, I noticed that the dark aura on his forehead was already faintly visible, which was clearly a sign that his time was coming to an end.”

"These are turbulent times! It's hard to say whether we can get through this safely," Chen Li said.

The two exchanged a glance and couldn't help but sigh.

……

night.

afterwards!

"Being able to stay with you for so many years, even if I die now, my life will have been worthwhile."

After the pleasure subsided, Zhou Hong nestled in Chen Li's arms and murmured.

"Don't talk about dying or anything, nothing will happen. Besides, the protective formation of the True Sect is of a high level. It's not something that a Golden Core cultivator can break through in a short time. Maybe that monster will give up in the end." Chen Li hugged Zhou Hong, gently stroked her, and comforted her softly.

"Stop fooling around!" Zhou Hong playfully grabbed Chen Li's fidgeting hand. "I was just expressing my feelings. Okay, you can go now!"

"Huh!?" Chen Li was a little taken aback.

"Silly girl, go comfort Shuniang." Zhou Hong chuckled at his dazed look.

Chen Li recalled Zhang Shuniang's dream: a dimly lit little house, a lonely, small figure, like a fawn, always alert to the slightest disturbance outside. Perhaps she had always lacked a sense of security, and she really needed more companionship at times like this.

Ugh, why make it so complicated? I should have just taken them to the same bed.

Chen Li had no choice but to get up, get dressed, and go to Zhang Shuniang's room.

……

The next day during the day.

Chen Li finally saw the figure of the third-tier demon beast.

This is a large bird.

Its feathers are pure white, resembling a white crane, and its red beak is sharp as a thorn.

Under the glaring summer sun, it was enveloped in a faint, shimmering light, appearing both sacred and elegant. It circled high in the sky, sometimes flying lower, sometimes emitting sharp cries, constantly testing and provoking!
This is a cautious bird.

Perhaps its past experiences had taught it a lesson, for it was quite patient, lingering for several hours without launching an attack. Just like yesterday, it quickly disappeared after dropping some bird droppings in the air.

For the next few days, it would come here every day and loiter around for a while, leaving a few droppings as a provocation.

It flew lower and lower, its cries growing increasingly ferocious, and finally even lashed out at the mountain-protecting formation with its claw. It then quickly disappeared into the distance, seemingly fleeing.

But Chen Li knew that this might be the final test.