Hide in the world of gods and demons

Chapter 114 The storm is rising
night.

afterwards.

I could hear Zhou Hong's even breathing beside me.

For some reason, Chen Li couldn't fall asleep. He stared blankly at the roof beam above his head.

The existence of the Zhou family patriarch was like a thorn in his side.

Every time I think of it.

This made him unable to eat or sleep properly.

"This matter isn't entirely flawless. Although I've obfuscated things and interfered with the clues, there's still one major flaw: Zhao Lin and his group..." Chen Li pondered.
"As long as Zhao Lin is found, I will inevitably be exposed as well."

Can anyone withstand severe torture and various foundation-building techniques?
Perhaps some people can, but these few are definitely not among them.

"Sigh, I was too soft-hearted for a moment..." Chen Li sighed inwardly.
"I was too passive in Luanluo City, with my eyes and ears closed. I knew nothing about Zhou Xutang's strength, his secret operations, or whether he was still under investigation."

It seems we still need to maintain closer ties with the Yu family.

……

"Fellow Daoist Chen, it's been almost a year since we last met. What brings you here?"

Five days later, Chen Li met Yu Fanzhen at the Yu family home.

Compared to her naivety a year ago, she now appears poised and mature in her interactions with others. A pale yellow robe conceals her exquisite curves, and her long hair is simply styled, revealing her slender, snow-white neck. She looks gentle and charming, with bright eyes and white teeth.

"I've lived in Luanluo City for so long, yet I still don't quite understand the various forces within the city. I'm often worried about which of these forces is stronger, whether they have any conflicts, and whether any battles will break out between them." Chen Li cupped his hands and smiled, "I've come here this time to seek your guidance and answers, fellow Daoist!"

Yu Fan found Chen Li's excessive caution somewhat amusing, considering his already formidable strength. She thought for a moment and said:

"This is something that people living here really need to understand! However, fellow Daoist, you are overthinking it. In terms of power, there is only one true power in Luanluo City, and that is the Longevity Sect. The rest, including our Yu family, are all vassals of the Longevity Sect."

As for the six major families under the Longevity Sect, although they have conflicts of interest among themselves, these are basically limited to that, and overall they are peaceful. Otherwise, our Yu family would not have moved back to Luanluo City.”

"Which of the six Foundation Establishment families is stronger?" Chen Li pressed for an answer.

“Apart from Senior Liu from the Liu family and Senior Xu from the Xu family, who are in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage and are quite strong, the rest are in the early Foundation Establishment stage. I suppose they are all about the same in their respective families and sects,” Yu Fanzhen said.

After exchanging a few words, Chen Li casually brought up the Zhou family's investigation of the people of Green River Workshop, feigning indignation as he said:
"The Zhou family is too domineering. It's one thing to interrogate people from house to house, but I heard that several people from Green River Village were arrested and never came back."

“Well… after all, the Zhou family lost an important member, so they have a legitimate reason to act, and other families can’t interfere.” Yu Fanzhen frowned and said apologetically, “I heard that later it was rumored that a Foundation Establishment cultivator did it, so the Zhou family stopped their efforts.”

"What?! It was done by a Foundation Establishment expert!" Chen Li exclaimed in shock. "Have you found out who it was?"

"I don't know this!"

……

"Early Foundation Establishment stage!" On the way back, Chen Li exhaled, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes: "Luckily, he wasn't so strong as to be despairing. If I had been prepared to launch a sneak attack..."

He secretly considered the feasibility in his mind.

I still don't have much confidence.

He had never fought against a Foundation Establishment expert before, and had no idea what kind of strength such an existence possessed.

Being invincible in the Qi Refining stage does not mean one can contend with those in the early Foundation Establishment stage.

not to mention.

The first level of foundation building is the initial stage of foundation building, and the third level of foundation building is also the initial stage of foundation building.

Although both are in the early stages of Foundation Establishment, the difference between the two is too great.

"We still have to wait a little longer..."

……

As time went by, Chen Li kept a close eye on the Zhou family's movements.

Another month slowly passed.

Just as he was slowly putting the matter aside for the time being, things began to take a turn for the worse.

……

Lancheng. A small, ordinary town with tens of thousands of inhabitants.

After Zhao Lin and his group fled from Luanluo City, they settled here. At first, they kept a low profile and were cautious, disguising themselves whenever they went out. However, after more than half a year, they gradually relaxed.

The others were alright; at least they remained vigilant.

However, Gu Mengqing's wife, Lu Qian, was restless and harbored resentment over her inexplicable departure from Luanluo City, a city with first-level spiritual power. When she asked Gu Mengqing why, he only said that he was avoiding trouble, and when she asked again, he said nothing more, which only deepened her dissatisfaction.

She was naturally promiscuous and dissolute. Gu Mengqing had tried to control her a few times before, but found that he couldn't, so he could only let her do as she pleased. This time, in a fit of anger, she secretly hooked up with a local rogue cultivator in Lancheng.

After a few back and forth, the truth was revealed.

In this small town of ordinary people, there are few cultivators.

Aside from the city lord, there were only a handful of other families, mostly low-level rogue cultivators, and very few outside cultivators came. A group of rogue cultivators from Luanluo City, with unfamiliar accents, were too conspicuous in this small mortal town, and were immediately spotted by those who were interested.

Although the city lord was appointed by the Longevity Sect, he also had intricate connections with the six Foundation Establishment families.

One night.

As usual, Gu Mengqing walked home with a drunken haze on his face.

He's been feeling down lately and often drowns his sorrows in alcohol. Luckily, alcohol is cheap here and doesn't cost much.

As he walked along the road, he saw a streak of light rapidly approaching from afar.

"Foundation building!"

He paused for a moment, then instantly sobered up.

I was so scared that I broke out in a cold sweat.

He quickly hid himself.

However, things took the very turn he least wanted to see.

The light descended and landed right at his house. Soon, a huge commotion came from afar, but it stopped in an instant, followed by a terrifying silence.

"It's all over! Everything's over! What do we do? What do we do?"

Gu Mengqing was sweating profusely with anxiety: "No, we must inform my elder brother."

Unlike Zhao Lin's smoothness, he was rather straightforward.

If it were Zhao Lin, he probably would have run away long ago.

Gu Mengqing, however, could not bring himself to do such an ungrateful act.

Before the Zhou family's Foundation Establishment ancestor could discover him, he hurriedly fled overnight.

……

Zhao Lin, Guo Wu, and Lu Qian.

He collapsed to the ground, his body limp.

Paled face.

Zhou Xutang's face was grim: "Speak, tell me how you killed Zhou Dongbo, and who was behind it?"

"I'm innocent! We don't know any Zhou Dongbo at all. Senior, you've really mistaken us for someone else," Zhao Lin quickly protested.

"Heh, still trying to play tricks on me. Since I've come here in person, I shouldn't be taking any chances. The timing of your move from Luanluo City matches, and you're from Green River Village. The evidence is conclusive. You'll die anyway if you don't talk, but if you do, you'll at least get a quick death and suffer less."

Upon hearing this, Lu Qian trembled with fear and burst into tears, sobbing, "I really don't know anything! Please, senior, have mercy!"

"Nonsense!" A hint of ferocity flashed across Zhou Xutang's face as he swung out a palm strike.

With a "crack," Lu Qian's chest suddenly caved in, and countless ribs broke in an instant.

She suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood and could no longer cry.

P.S.: Big chapter tomorrow!

(End of this chapter)