Hide in the world of gods and demons

Chapter 99 Giving Grace
The next morning, Chen Li started working again.

The bottom of the hole in the bedroom.

Under the traction spell, a large number of solid rocks at the bottom were continuously shattered by air hammers formed from magic power. Before the dust and gravel could even fly, they were enveloped by an invisible force and swept up, turning into a long dragon that pulled out of the cave.

But it didn't end there. The long dragon made of gravel and stone dust continued to circle around the gate, pass through the living room, and finally fly into the yard, becoming part of a gravel mountain.

The entire process was smooth and seamless, with no interference between the components.

Not a single speck of stone dust remained in the bedroom; it was all a cleaning operation.

The expert-level traction technique not only became more powerful and had a wider range of influence, but also made the manipulation of consciousness extremely sensitive, in addition to Chen Li's nearly a thousand repeated practices and refinements.

The entire process required no conscious control from him; everything was completed subconsciously, as simple as breathing or drinking water.

With the continuous digging over the past few days, he has dug the tunnel to a depth of nearly twenty meters.

This depth is sufficient.

The following days were spent slowly digging the basement.

This kind of project can be large or small, depending on the budget or cost, and Chen Li didn't plan to do it on a large scale.

Dig a basement of several hundred square meters and add a few escape exits, and that will be enough.

It doesn't take much effort; just treat it as practice for traction techniques.

As for this basement, besides providing a hiding place when in danger, it is not idle at other times. It can be used for seclusion and practicing some very powerful spells.

He felt absolutely no sense of security in this world.

There is an underground shelter in the house.

It can be considered as being prepared for a rainy day, and taking precautions to avoid trouble.

……

As one of the six Foundation Building families.

The Yu family's residence in Luanluo City was much larger than that in Luhefang.

It is also more magnificent and imposing.

After Chen Li handed over a token marked "Guest" to indicate his purpose of visiting, a cultivator from the Yu family quickly led him to a private room next to a main hall. After serving tea and refreshments, the cultivator politely said:
"The Ancestor is entertaining distinguished guests. Please wait a moment, fellow Daoist. I am right next door. You can call me if you need anything."

Chen Li quickly stood up, cupped his hands in thanks, and expressed his gratitude.

Didn't have to wait long.

Through the curtain, Chen Li saw a middle-aged cultivator emerge from the main hall, his face showing a hint of disdain and gloom. He gave a light "humph" and then quickly left.

"Another Foundation Establishment cultivator. I wonder if he's from the Longevity Sect or some other Foundation Establishment family?" Chen Li thought to himself.

He couldn't sense the other party's cultivation level, but he still had a sense of propriety. In this Yu family's territory, ordinary cultivators wouldn't dare to act like this or give such an expression.

Chen Li then waited a few more moments.

Only then was someone informed that it was possible to see him.

When they met the Yu family patriarch again, he looked much more haggard. Although his tone was still approachable, he seemed somewhat absent-minded, as if he had something on his mind. Clearly, his conversation with the cultivator earlier had not been pleasant.

After exchanging pleasantries, Chen Li expressed his gratitude for being rescued on the way here. He took out the demon core from his storage bag and presented it to Yu Cheng, saying sincerely, "I have no way to repay your kindness, senior. This is just a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it."

Yu Cheng accepted the demon core with a smile on his face: "Young friend, you're quite generous. Is it from the second-tier demon beast you killed last time?"

He played with it for a few moments, then handed it back to Chen Li: "This thing is useless to me. You can keep it yourself. It's worth a lot of money. If you really want to repay me, after I die, if the Yu family is in trouble, just lend a hand within your power."

Chen Li reluctantly accepted the demon core and put it back into his storage bag.

I knew this favor would be hard to repay.

Fortunately, the other party also said that it was within their ability, and if it was something they could easily do, they would naturally help.

If it's dangerous, then he can only avoid it.

Fortunately, judging from the appearance of the Yu family patriarch, he can hold on for a few more years. By then, he will be a completely different person from before.

“Sigh, don’t take what I just said to heart. When people get old, they inevitably think about their children and grandchildren. Last time I heard Fan Zhen say that you are interested in magic.” Yu Cheng chuckled and changed the subject to talk about magic.

Chen Li naturally couldn't have gotten what he wanted.

This kind of opportunity is rare for independent cultivators without a sect or lineage.

He listened attentively, occasionally asking a question, secretly comparing it with the problems he encountered in learning the arts and his own understanding.

However, he also discovered that the other party was not very proficient in magic, and his understanding of some magic was even far inferior to his own. But as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he had a certain level of understanding, and every word he said was insightful and inspiring, which greatly benefited him.

……

After leaving the Yu family mansion.

Chen Li now has two more books on him.

Level 8 stealth technique.

A first-order, ninth-level Yuan Magnetic Slip Technique.

"Sigh, I'm owing more and more favors!" Chen Li sighed inwardly.

He could naturally tell that the Yu family patriarch intended to bestow a favor.

But what if you can see it?

This is an incredibly generous gift that is impossible to refuse.

These spells are not common spells; you can't see them on the market, and you can't buy them anywhere. In fact, Tier 1 Level 7 is a watershed; Tier 1 Level 7 and below spells are everywhere.

Levels seven and above are rarely seen.

Even a single copy is hard to find.

In addition, books on talismans, and methods for making talismans of level seven and above, are also extremely rare.

As for knowledge of alchemy, weapon crafting, and formations.

It only touches on the surface at most, and the number of books is pitifully small.

"The monopoly on knowledge in this world is far too severe," Chen Li sighed inwardly. "This is only the Qi Refining stage. If I reach the Foundation Establishment stage, I'm afraid the only way to continue cultivating is to join a sect."

He practiced the Longevity Technique, but only the Qi cultivation part was sufficient, and it could only sustain him up to the Foundation Establishment stage at most.

There are no follow-up techniques at all.

"We can only take it one step at a time and see what happens," Chen Li thought to himself.

……

In the days that followed, Chen Li was busy every day and his days were incredibly fulfilling.

A few days later, the price of Buddhist artifacts fell again.

Chen Li continued to purchase large quantities.

Under his influence, the prices of magical artifacts in the Luanluo City market fluctuated wildly, rising and falling. When prices rose, he would hold his cash and wait to see, and when they fell, he would seize the opportunity to buy. This process repeated itself.

He only stopped using up 10 of the 144 mid-grade spirit stones he had on hand half a month later.

A total of 36 mid-grade magic artifacts were purchased, with an average price of 1.9 mid-grade spirit stones per artifact. 77 low-grade magic artifacts were purchased, with an average price of 0.85 mid-grade spirit stones per artifact.

If you add the magical artifacts you already have...

The number of magical artifacts has changed to: 3 high-grade magical artifacts, 44 mid-grade magical artifacts, and 77 low-grade magical artifacts.

Such a large quantity is enough to open a Buddhist artifact shop.

He is prepared to hold onto the stock for a year.

In order to fight this protracted war and not run out of spirit stones, even the talismans that had been put down for a long time were picked up again and drawn.

Entry-level amulets have a very low success rate.

At first, Chen Li could hardly succeed in drawing even one out of ten.

Fortunately, as proficiency steadily increases, the success rate also becomes higher and higher. By the time you reach 'Beginner: 10/100', the success rate has basically stabilized at 10%, and by 'Beginner: 20/100', the success rate has become 15%.

With his current spiritual power, he can draw four protective talismans in one go.

The spiritual energy consumed by a failed talisman is generally less than that of a successful talisman.

On average, the success rate is 15%. Once you've exhausted all your spiritual energy, you can basically guarantee a successful draw.

The Qi-replenishing pills here aren't as expensive as in Green River Workshop; a bottle costs only ten low-grade spirit stones. As for Qi and Blood Pills, with the more effective second-tier demon beast meat available as a substitute, there's no need to buy them anymore. Besides that, the only other expenses are spirit rice, fruits, vegetables, oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar. All in all, the monthly expenditure is at most three mid-grade spirit stones.

In less than six months, he will be able to break even on his income and expenses just from selling talismans.

……

One morning.

Chen Lixue was so confused by the self-defense techniques he learned that he was completely disoriented.

He simply tossed aside his spellbook, took a Qi-replenishing pill to slowly recover his depleted spiritual energy, informed Zhou Hong, and then went out to practice sword flight for a while to clear his head.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, are you going out?"

"Yes, did you just come back from grocery shopping?"

……

In just over half a month, Chen Li became familiar with the surrounding neighbors, nodding and greeting them from time to time along the way. Occasionally, when he encountered an overly enthusiastic middle-aged female cultivator, he would stop and chat for a few words.

It didn't take long.

He walked down the mountain, through the shantytown at the foot of the mountain, and walked until he reached a deserted place before stopping.

He looked around but couldn't see a single person.

Only then did he take out the flying sword from his storage bag.

With a flick of his wrist, the flying sword transformed into a giant sword over two meters long in mid-air.

He leaped up lightly in one step.

Soon the flying sword began to accelerate. With his current Qi Refining Level 7 spiritual power, it was naturally incomparable to what it used to be. The flying sword flew close to the ground, constantly accelerating, and soon surpassed the running speed of an ordinary person. Finally, it stabilized at a speed of 30 yards, speeding all the way... like lightning.

He took out a feather-falling talisman he had specially purchased and held it tightly in his hand.

A thought came to mind.

He urged his flying sword forward, its tip slightly upturned, drawing a long arc in the air as it began to climb rapidly upwards.

A few days ago he broke through to a height of over 100 meters, and this time he plans to go even higher.

……

One hundred meters!

……

Three hundred meters!
My palms were all sweaty, and my heart was pounding like a drum.

He couldn't help but look down, and felt dizzy, his hands and feet went numb and itchy, and he almost fell down.

"Phew, that was so exciting!"

He took several deep breaths.

He gritted his teeth.

Continue flying to higher altitudes.

He knew he didn't have a physical fear of heights, it was just a psychological barrier, and he would be fine once he overcame it.

The figures on the ground gradually became smaller dots, and the entire landscape beneath our feet came into view.

Mountains, lakes, swamps, and further afield scattered villages and grid-like farmland.

At this moment, Chen Li's flight altitude was nearly a thousand meters.

If the robes didn't come with a wind-transforming magic array, the body would probably be blown away by the strong winds at high altitude.

After flying for more than ten minutes, feeling that his spiritual energy had been nearly half depleted, he finally began to descend. After thinking for a moment, he flew directly towards the city gate of Luanluo City.

The protective formation of Luanluo City has a no-fly function, preventing direct flight into the city.

Chen Li landed slowly at the city gate.

Before it could stop completely, it leaped down and sheathed its flying sword.

"After practicing a few more times, you'll get used to it." Chen Li was secretly excited, his heart surging with emotion.

This was the first time he had ever flown to such a high altitude.

Even now, thinking about it still makes my heart tremble.

……

Chen Li returned home.

They discovered that Zhang Shuniang was also there, chatting with Zhou Hong.

“I’m back!” Zhou Hong said.

“Uncle!” Zhang Shuniang quickly stood up and said obediently.

"Hmm, what brings you here today?" Chen Li said to Zhang Shuniang. This was the first time she had come to visit since they moved to Luanluo City.

"Uncle, I was in seclusion for a while!" Zhang Shuniang said excitedly, "I've already reached the third level of Qi Refining."

After this arduous long migration, she returned to Luanluo City not long after, and soon felt that her spiritual power, which had been stagnant for a long time, began to loosen. At the suggestion of her father, she began to go into seclusion. She only came out today after breaking through and couldn't help but come to report the good news.

"Then congratulations, Fellow Daoist Zhang! You're at the third level of Qi Refining now, and soon you'll be a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator, just like your father," Chen Li joked.

"Whee!"

Chen Li couldn't help but sigh, sometimes you really can't compare people.

Like the original owner of this body.

Even at forty, one is still only at the third level of Qi Refining.

Zhang Shuniang, at only fifteen or sixteen years old, had already reached this level.

At my age, I'm practically living a life wasted on dogs.

Zhou Hong affectionately hugged Zhang Shuniang and said to Chen Li with a smile, "Shuniang broke through in cultivation today. As her elder, didn't you prepare any gift for her?"

"Aunt Zhou, Uncle, you don't need to give me any gifts," Zhang Shuniang said hurriedly upon hearing this.

"Look at me!" Chen Li chuckled to himself, picking and choosing in his storage bag. What he had no shortage of right now was magical artifacts. Finally, he picked out a strange object, a magical artifact made from the seed of some unknown plant.

Its color is emerald green, with natural textures, and its surface has a luster like a gemstone, making it exceptionally pleasing to the eye.

This ritual implement is also quite magical in its use.

It can be used to smash people like a regular magic weapon.

It can also be thrown to the ground, where it transforms into a vine that hides underground, stealthily lurking and harming people.

"Take this worthless magical artifact!"

"Uncle, I really can't accept this. It's too valuable." The young girl's face flushed red as she repeatedly refused.

She's not stupid; magical artifacts never come cheap.

Even the cheapest magical artifacts are priced in mid-grade spirit stones.

"It's from your uncle, so just take it." Chen Li smiled and placed the magic artifact into Zhang Shuniang's hand.

Zhang Shuniang hesitated, feeling embarrassed to accept such a valuable gift, yet she was truly delighted with the beautiful ritual implement. She had never owned a ritual implement in her life and had long desired one.

"Take it, your uncle has plenty of this right now!" Zhou Hong advised from the side, while sighing inwardly.

Chen Li hadn't hidden the fact that he'd bought so many magical artifacts during this time, and as a result, he acted like nothing was wrong, without any pressure whatsoever. But she had a worry on her mind, and every night when she thought about it, she couldn't sleep because of it.

"Thank you... Uncle," Zhang Shuniang said, blushing.

The uncle is such a kind person.

"That's right!" Chen Li said with a smile.

Then he explained the usage and function of this ritual implement in detail.

Zhang Shuniang's face grew increasingly happy, and she said impatiently, "Uncle, I'll go try it first."

"Go ahead, let's try it out right here in the yard!"

P.S.: It's the last day of the month, so I'm shamelessly asking for your monthly votes!

Also, let me report on the results: the average number of reads for this book is approaching 9,000, not far from 10,000! Hehe!
(End of this chapter)