Hide in the world of gods and demons

Chapter 117 Qi Refining Level Nine
"Finally, I've broken through. I didn't expect it to take so long..."

Chen Li originally thought he would be able to enter the ninth level of Qi Refining before the New Year, but he was stuck at the bottleneck for more than two months. It wasn't until the spring of the following year that he finally broke through successfully.

"Each level is more difficult than the last."

Chen Li also felt a little pressure; he was already quite old.

He's 43 in real age, 44 in nominal age, 45 in pseudonym, 46 in feigned age, and 47 in real age—almost fifty years old.

"It is said that the older you are, the more difficult it is to establish a foundation, and the longer you delay, the less hope you have!" Chen Li sighed, calmed his restless spiritual energy, and stood up. "Some sect disciples start trying to establish a foundation in their twenties or thirties, but even so, the success rate is not high. I estimate that I will be forty-five years old when I try to establish a foundation."

Step out of the basement, open the door, and stand under the eaves.

It was the dead of night, the darkness was still and quiet, and Chen Li gazed at the distant starry sky.

After relaxing for a while, he opened the game panel.

In the past six months, he has mastered the Reprimand Technique, Flash Technique, and Palm Lightning Technique. As for the remaining techniques he has focused on practicing, apart from the Invisibility Technique which is still at the expert level, the rest have all advanced to the Grandmaster level.

However, he only glanced at these skills.

Finally, let's look at lifespan.

Life expectancy: 43/140 years

"Lifespan growth is getting slower and slower. If I can't break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, living to 150 years old will probably be my limit... Since I've come this far, I have to give it my all no matter what. What if I succeed!" Chen Li made up his mind.

"To establish a foundation, one needs a Foundation Establishment Pill. The success rate of Foundation Establishment is extremely low, and without the aid of a Foundation Establishment Pill, it is probably even lower. Now it is time to start preparing."

Fortunately, he has never lacked money.

Some time ago, he gradually sold off all the extra magical artifacts, robes, and storage bags he had, except for the overly sensitive ones.

He gave one of the three storage bags to Zhou Hong, and sold the rest. He earned 150 mid-grade spirit stones from that sale alone, bringing his total savings to an unprecedented 1018 mid-grade spirit stones (including four high-grade spirit stones).

He's probably richer than some down-on-their-luck Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"In addition, the situation has been getting worse recently. Not long ago, there were rumors that an elder of the Longevity Sect was seriously injured while traveling... Sigh, since I transmigrated here, this area has never been truly peaceful."

Chen Li shook his head and stayed outside alone for a while.

She then closed the door and returned to her bedroom.

Zhou Hongzheng was asleep when he lifted the covers, got into bed, and, holding the beauty in his arms, quickly fell into a deep sleep.

……

Half a month later.

Chen Li followed the crowd into the Luanluo City Auction House. This was his first time entering such a place. It was chaotic inside, with voices everywhere. Most people were wearing masks or hoods to conceal their identities, demonstrating their keen awareness of the importance of keeping a low profile.

People as unreserved as Chen Li are rare. He found a corner to sit down.

The auction house here holds an auction every month, specializing in business with Qi Refining cultivators. Foundation Establishment cultivators are rarely seen here, which suggests that there are other trading channels. Foundation Establishment Pills from the Longevity Sect also flow out from here.

The auction began shortly after we sat down.

The auctioneer, a Qi Refining cultivator, walked onto the stage.

After some polite words and an explanation of the auction rules, the auction began.

The warm-up item is a rare, high-quality ritual implement in the shape of a clock.

The starting bid was only one mid-grade spirit stone, but it was quickly sold for seven mid-grade spirit stones.

……

Chen Li discovered that the auction items were incredibly diverse, including magical artifacts, robes, elixirs, and cultivation techniques, all at reasonable prices. This attracted many independent cultivators to bid, creating a lively atmosphere.

He learned a lot about many things he had never heard of before.

He even saw 'evil-repelling powder' being auctioned.

So-called "evil-repelling powder" is the powder left behind after evil spirits have been purified by the talisman.

He only learned from the host's introduction that this powder could be used to ward off evil spirits. Perhaps it had a unique aura, but all evil spirits avoided it and had an instinctive aversion to it. Moreover, it was cheap, costing only five low-grade spirit stones for a porcelain bottle.

All fifty bottles were auctioned off quickly.

Chen Li looked down on these things and kept his mouth shut.

He was occasionally tempted by certain cultivation techniques and secret arts, but after thinking about it, he realized they weren't essential and ultimately gave up. What he lacked most right now was time; learning another cultivation technique or secret art would require him to devote more energy to it.

A variety of things is not as good as a fine one.

Instead of wasting time, you'd be better off leveling up your swordsmanship and spellcasting.

"The Golden Light Amulet Crafting Notes have been verified and are complete. I won't go into details, as I'm sure you all know them. The starting bid is five mid-grade spirit stones, with each bid increasing by one mid-grade spirit stone or more. This is a rare opportunity, don't miss it!" the auctioneer announced loudly.

As soon as he finished speaking, no one made a bid for a long time.

The Golden Light Amulet is a top-tier amulet for those in the Qi Refining stage.

Only talisman masters who have reached the eighth level of Qi Refining are barely capable of drawing them, but there are not many such people in the entire Luanluo City.

It took quite a while before a few people raised their hands.

Six!

Seven!

"...Ten, is there any higher?" the host shouted hoarsely.

"Eleven pills...eleven pills at a time!"

Chen Li finally couldn't help but raise his hand.

As a talisman master, I have absolutely no resistance to the method of making such a top-tier talisman for the Qi Refining stage.

"Okay, twelve!"

The other competitor clearly hasn't given up.

The two kept neck and neck on the price until Chen Li calmly called out sixteen, at which point they finally won.

The auction lasted for more than three hours before the real highlight began.

"The final item up for auction, the Foundation Establishment Pill, starts at one hundred mid-grade spirit stones."

The voice just fell.

Someone immediately shouted out 150.

……

One hundred and sixty!

"One hundred and seventy!"

There were more than a dozen competitors, and the price kept rising.

"One hundred and eighty!" Chen Li shouted, raising his hand.

No wonder Bai Jinwang was constantly on the go, desperately trying to earn spirit stones. It's just that the Foundation Establishment Pill is too expensive. How could a typical late-stage Qi Refining cultivator afford it?

The price kept rising to two hundred pieces before the initially intense atmosphere gradually quieted down.

"Two hundred and ten!" Chen Li raised the price again, even he felt a little pained, as he couldn't afford five with all his savings.

This price finally crushed the other bidder.

"Two hundred and ten pieces, any more for a higher price?"

"One time, two times, three times, deal!"

……

After the auction, Chen Li handed over 226 mid-grade spirit stones to the auction house and retrieved two auction items.

As soon as he stepped outside, he felt like he was being watched. He shook his head, wondering where this confidence came from. Not wanting to cause a conflict, he quickly changed his expression and shook off his pursuer.

"This is the Foundation Establishment Pill!"

The Foundation Building Pill was contained in a porcelain bottle sealed with beeswax. He picked up the bottle and sniffed it. Instantly, a rich medicinal fragrance filled his nostrils, and his spiritual energy seemed to become slightly more active.

"What a powerful medicine!"

"But one might not be enough to guarantee safety, so I should have an extra one on hand," Chen Li thought to himself.

He put the Foundation Establishment Pill back into his storage bag and walked out of the talisman-making room.

Zhou Hong and Zhang Shuniang are chatting.

"Shuniang, what brings you here today? Did your father let you out?" Chen Li asked with a smile.

Since breaking through to the third level of Qi Refining, Zhang Shuniang has not visited often. She has been kept under Zhang Yan's watchful eye as he learns the art of talisman making. Every time they meet, it's like she's being released from prison, acting furtively.

"Uncle, I've already learned how to use the talisman to ward off evil spirits!" Zhang Shuniang said with a beaming smile.

"You have quite the talent!" Chen Li said.

“If you can learn how to draw talismans to ward off evil, you won’t starve in the future. Back in the day, your uncle made a living by drawing talismans to ward off evil!” Zhou Hong said with a smile.

"Hehe, that's what my dad said too."

As they were talking and laughing, a commotion suddenly broke out outside.

Chen Li strode out the door and learned that a Foundation Establishment elder of the Longevity Sect had been assassinated in the city in full view of everyone.

He remained in a daze for a long time.

"Including the one who was seriously injured last month, the strength of the Longevity Sect has been weakened by almost half in two consecutive months. It's about to fall into chaos."

P.S.: My personal attributes are below; I won't go into detail this time.

[Name: Chen Li]

Life expectancy: 43/140 years

[Realm Level: Qi Refining Ninth Level: 1/100]

[Cultivation Technique: Longevity Technique, Master Level: 2510/3200]

[Skills:]

制符：清洁符专家：121/800；静音符精通：81/400；指路符精通：32/400；静心符入门：21/100;辟邪符专家：55/800；避箭符熟练：58/200，轻身符熟练：67/200，护身符精通：56/400
法术：清洁术熟练：154/200;远目术熟练：153/200;驱虫术熟练：189/200，灵力弹指宗师：3200/3200;地听术熟练：175/200;呵斥术宗师：3200/3200；闪光术宗师：3200/3200;掌心雷宗师：3200/3200;牵引术宗师：2100/3200；，止血治疗术熟练：153/200；祛病术熟练：54/200；寒冰术精通：34/400，护身术宗师：158/3200；御风术宗师:21/3200，隐身术专家：321/800；

Swordsmanship: Basic Swordsmanship Master: 1253/1600;
Secret Technique: Breath Concealment Proficiency: 121/400;
[Supernatural Powers: None]

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(End of this chapter)