Hide in the world of gods and demons

Chapter 52: Fifth Level of Qi Training
Just two days later.

The quiet of the night.

Chen Li and Zhou Hong were awakened once again by the shrill screams outside.

In the darkness, the two kept their eyes wide open, saying nothing, but holding hands tightly and listening quietly to what was happening outside. After a long while, when the noise outside had completely disappeared, they finally relaxed.

"Do you think it might be that second-tier demon beast from a few days ago?" Zhou Hong asked.

“It should be!” Chen Li said, then paused and added, “We can’t go on like this. We’ll just be waiting to die. The poison might not be effective, and even if it is, the time before it takes effect is enough to kill us.”

The snow outside is so heavy it's almost up to our chests, making the roads difficult to travel. If we encounter a monster, we won't be able to escape.

"What should we do then?" Zhou Hong nestled in Chen Li's arms and asked.

"Let me think, let me think..." Chen Li murmured.

But what solutions could be found in such a short time?

Going into the forest is probably less safe than staying here.

The market town was already closed, and the businesses had left long before the heavy snow.

At this moment, Chen Li had an idea and said, "Why don't we dig a hole? As long as we dig it deep enough, even if that monster finds this place, it won't be able to do anything, unless it can burrow underground."

"I think it's okay!"

……

The two of them were no longer sleepy.

Just do it.

The frozen soil in the bedroom was directly cut open by the ritual implements. Since there was no basket to transport the soil, a wooden basin from home was used instead.

The two were working up a great deal of energy.

By the time it was broad daylight outside, they had dug a pit about a meter wide and five or six meters deep, but this depth was far from enough. For the monster, it was probably just a matter of probing with its claws.

After breakfast, the two continued their work.

The deeper they went, the harder it became to dig, so they made some ropes and other tools along the way.

In this way, the two worked tirelessly for three days and three nights without sleep.

The excavated soil piled up into several small hills in the yard, and the underground tunnel was finally barely finished.

The entire cave is about one meter wide and fourteen or fifteen meters deep. At the bottom of the cave, there is a small space of about five square meters and an air vent about the size of a bowl.

As for entering and exiting the cave, they relied entirely on a rope woven from vines.

In an emergency, one could even jump directly down.

The ground below was covered with a half-meter-thick layer of dry grass and branches; even if you jumped down, the worst that could happen was a minor injury.

Compared to losing your life, this injury is nothing.

"It's quite warm here." Chen Li patted the wall of the underground space, feeling a strong sense of security and accomplishment. "The air is a bit stuffy, but for safety's sake, I'll sleep here tonight."

The soil here is the kind of clay soil, very sticky, with poor water permeability, and it is not easy to collapse. Fortunately, it is this kind of soil, otherwise the water seepage alone would be a problem.

"Yes, I think we should also put some food in, so that if we get trapped, we can last a few more days." Zhou Hong's face was covered in mud and water, and her tired and haggard appearance was filled with joy.

"That's true... You must be exhausted these past few days?" Chen Li went over and put his arm around her waist.

These past few days, the two of them haven't stopped for a moment except for eating and drinking. Chen Li hasn't rested, and neither has she. Chen Li is strong and can still hold on, but she is forcing herself to keep going.

"I'm just lending a hand, you're doing all the hard work!" Zhou Hong said, her voice thick with emotion, as she nestled in Chen Li's arms.

After spending some time together and exchanging private words, the two continued with their final tasks.

That night.

Have a good night's sleep.

When Chen Li woke up, looking at the dark underground space, he felt relaxed all over, and the unease that had been building up in his heart these past few days was swept away.

……

More than a month passed quickly.

The harsh winter continues outside. Faced with the trials of cold and hunger, more and more desperate monsters are forced to leave the forest and set their sights on the shantytowns.

Some weaker monsters were inevitably killed.

But even more powerful monsters thrive here.

It was as if a huge granary had been discovered.

Whenever they were hungry, they would rush here. The killings mostly happened at night, sometimes even during the day. In the past month or so, there have been nine killings in the surrounding area alone.

The most recent time, it was only a hundred meters away from Chen Li's house.

Chen Li had already decided that once the snow melted in the spring of next year, he would discuss leaving this market town with Zhou Hong.

Without the protection of a sect.

Without the protection of a strong person.

This market town has become increasingly dangerous. In the past, perhaps due to the long-standing deterrence of the Longevity Sect, no demonic beasts dared to approach, but in this cold winter, everything has been laid bare.

It's obvious that even after the snow melts, these monsters won't leave.

After all, who would give up a granary?

……

"call!"

"Finally, I've reached the fifth level of Qi Refining!"

Chen Li exhaled a breath of stale air, slowly pressed his hands down, opened his eyes, and a hint of joy appeared on his face.

After advancing his proficiency in the Longevity Technique to the Master level, the technique was optimized to better suit his own needs, and his cultivation speed subtly increased. From the time he broke through to the fourth level last time until now, it had only been four months, and his cultivation level had already broken through to the fifth level of Qi Refining.

It took him quite a while to calm down.

He began to carefully consider his next plan and to improve his skills as soon as possible.

There is absolutely no sense of security in this world.

"I don't have any suitable spells at the fourth level of Qi Refining, but I do have a 'Traction Technique' that combines offense and defense at the fifth level of Qi Refining... Also, I can learn to make 'Lightness Talismans'," Chen Li thought to himself.

Traction is a manipulative spell, much like telekinesis.

It can crush flesh and blood with its attack, and interfere with magical artifacts with its defense.

However, it is a first-tier intermediate spell.

Its inherent difficulty is enough to deter people. The incantation alone has three syllables and must be combined with hand gestures. But no matter how difficult it is, it must be practiced. In the spring, we will prepare to leave this place. We don’t know what dangers we will face on the way.
……

Chen Li's good luck did not last.

That night.

A massive monster, having hunted for food along the way, arrived here and quickly found the location of Chen Li's house. With a loud crack, the house collapsed instantly. After the monster devoured everything edible inside, it followed the scent to the cave entrance.

In underground spaces.

Chen Li gripped his flying sword, held his breath, and remained motionless, with Zhou Hong standing behind him on equal alert.

"Gulu!"

"Gulu!"

The sound of the monster's bellows-like breathing rang in my ears.

Chen Li could even feel gusts of intense warm wind mixed with a foul stench blowing across his face.

"Roar!"

The monster snorted irritably and growled.

The sound was like thunder.

Immediately.

Large amounts of mud poured down from above.

"Oh no!" Chen Li's heart skipped a beat.

They are digging a hole.

He could no longer contain himself and stepped out of the underground space.

The flying sword flew from his hand, bursting forth with a sharp sword light, shooting straight towards the cave entrance like lightning along the passage, grazing the face of the monster, leaving a thin bloody gash.

"Ow!"

The injured monster instantly flew into a rage.

The next moment, a giant claw, enveloped in a hazy spiritual energy, suddenly plunged into the cave entrance.

(End of this chapter)