Hide in the world of gods and demons

Chapter 177 Demonic Traces
The late autumn night was tinged with a chill and a hint of cold.

A thin layer of milky mist clung to the ground, flowing slowly, with sharp-angled rocks peeking out from the distance, resembling a mountain forest in the morning mist, appearing and disappearing.

Chen Li, feeling hot, opened his shirt, walked to a rock, gently wiped away the dust and pebbles, and sat down on it.

'It's time to learn some high-level attack spells,' Chen Li thought to himself.

Because high-level spells are relatively slow and complicated to cast, they are difficult to form effective combat power in fierce battles. Therefore, after the late stage of Qi Refining, Chen Li selected almost exclusively auxiliary spells. Even his only offensive spell, the Earth Shaking Technique, was created to counter the Earth Escape Technique.

The strongest spell used purely for attack is ice magic.

The Ice Spell is only level 7 of the first tier, and even when maxed out, it's only comparable to a level 2 spell of the second tier.

It's enough to deal with those in the early stages of Foundation Establishment.

However, it is somewhat inadequate against those in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, let alone those in the late-Foundation Establishment stage. At most, it can only play a harassing role in battle and is not of great use.

But it's different now.

With the Illusionary Body Technique, high-level attack spells undoubtedly found their place.

Think about the battle.

With two illusory bodies restraining the main body, the true body can calmly unleash high-level attack spells, greatly compensating for the weakness of slow casting speed in high-level spells.

With two illusory bodies, he fought three against one against a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. Unless someone was exceptionally powerful, they were no match for him.

If preparations are sufficient before the battle, releasing three, four, five, six... or even more illusory bodies will likely be enough to deal with threats below the Golden Core stage without even needing to use the real body.

"I wonder if I can use the illusion form to increase spell progress?" Chen Li suddenly had a strange idea.

Hmm, thinking about it, it's actually quite possible.

The illusory body is the dwelling place of one's own thoughts; it is inherently a part of oneself.

Unfortunately, I can't even try it now.

Apart from the Illusionary Body Technique, he had already maxed out all other spells. As for the Illusionary Body Technique, he had already tested it and found that it was impossible to replicate itself.

After all, the Illusionary Body Technique is not an ordinary spell; it requires the true body to split into a thought, and thoughts cannot be split further.

However, if it could truly self-replicate, that would be quite remarkable.

One splits into two, two splits into four, four splits into eight... Each time the number of spells is multiplied, it probably won't even take a hundred rounds before the entire universe is bursting with his figure.

"Husband, it's late, aren't you going to sleep?" Zhang Shuniang's sweet voice came from outside.

"Here it comes, here it comes." Chen Li stood up, dusted himself off, and sighed.

We've been married for so long, we understand each other perfectly well.

Sigh, what a life of toil.

……

Inside the study, the lamp was dimly lit, and the incense burner emitted wisps of fragrant smoke, filling the air with a delicate aroma.

Before dawn, Xia Hongyi had already begun processing official documents.

The head of general affairs manages not only internal sect affairs, but also the entire True Realm. From the rotation of those stationed in the market to those building foundations, to worldly matters such as the autumn harvest and spring planting, he is in charge of all kinds of matters, big and small, and the official documents pile up like mountains every day.

Although they held great power,

But if he had a choice, he really wouldn't want to be the head of the general affairs department, as it would even delay his cultivation.

However, there was nothing he could do; he was the only one in the late Foundation Establishment stage in the entire True Sect.

He is also a disciple personally taught by the sect leader.

Who else could take his place?

In his earlier years, he harbored some resentment, blaming the sect leader for hindering his cultivation. However, as he grew older and his hopes for achieving the Golden Core stage became increasingly slim, he gradually came to terms with it.

Perhaps the sect leader had already seen that his potential was limited.

"A suspected Tier 3 monster has been spotted in Yongning Ward."

Xia Hongyi paused, his hand holding the official document, and carefully examined it, his brows furrowing.

The official document was issued by a Foundation Establishment cultivator stationed in the market, and it was even issued by someone in person. Although it was only suspected, it was almost certainly true.

"It's troublesome."

He sighed, revealing deep lines between his brows.

Third-tier monsters each have vast territories and generally do not cross boundaries. However, this cannot be generalized. For example, if the environment within their territory changes drastically, food becomes scarce, or they are driven out of their territory by another third-tier monster, they may wander around aimlessly.

In fact, such threats were considered when they migrated here.

Firstly, the Longevity Sect has been settled here for a hundred years without incident, and there has been no threat that cannot be dealt with.

Secondly, their sect leader is in his prime and possesses considerable strength; ordinary third-tier demonic beasts are no match for the True Sect.

However, that was in the past.

Since the battle of the Heavenly Star Sect, the sect leader has been in seclusion.

Others might not know the extent of the sect leader's injuries, but he did have some understanding of them.

During the battle of the Longevity Sect, the sect leader was seriously injured and recuperated for several years. Although he recovered, no one knew whether his foundation was damaged. Then came the battle of the Heavenly Star Sect, where he was injured again in Cao Wu's self-destruction.

Even more seriously, in order to conceal his injuries and avoid being coveted by outsiders, the sect leader did not immediately go into seclusion to heal himself. Instead, he dragged his severely injured body and used forbidden drugs to force himself to stay awake for several days.

He only went into seclusion after dividing up the spheres of influence with the surrounding factions and settling everything properly. Now, no one knows the sect leader's current condition.

Even whether they live or die is unknown.

Some time ago, people from the Red Mountain Sect came over, subtly probing the sect leader's situation; their intentions were obvious.

Although the two factions have formed an alliance, everyone knows that it is just a desperate alliance based on interests. If things go wrong, the surrounding sects will have no scruples, and the Red Mountain Sect may be among those who come to tear each other apart.

Thinking of this, he showed deep exhaustion and could no longer sit still. He simply put down the official documents and hurriedly walked towards the place where the sect leader was in seclusion.

After taking only a few steps, he immediately realized that he was being too anxious.

He slowed his pace, his furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and he became more composed.

……

Sutra Pavilion.

Wow!

Chen Li took a sip of fragrant tea, gently turned the pages, and read the catalog in his hand.

The catalog has been expanded with a lot of new content, making it one-fifth thicker.

Without a doubt, this was a result of the battle against the Heavenly Star Sect.

The second-tier, first-level spells added 'Wall Passage', 'Soul Summoning', 'Voice of Power', and 'Dream Entry'.

The second-tier, level-two spells have added a 'Freeze Spell'.

The second-tier, third-level spell has added 'Mind Control'.

The second-tier, fourth-level spells added 'Water Element Shield' and 'True Fire Technique'.

In the second tier, level one, Chen Li already possessed the Earth Escape Technique, which allows him to pass through walls. The same tasks that the Wall Passage Technique can do, the max-level Earth Escape Technique can also accomplish. As for the Soul Summoning Technique, it's not as good as the Resurrection Technique, since at least the Resurrection Technique only requires a remnant soul within the body.

The art of summoning spirits, however, can only summon wandering spirits.

Chen thought it wouldn't be of much use anyway, and it would be terrible if it attracted evil spirits.

Loud Voice Spell: Allows the caster's voice to travel for miles.

It's like a giant loudspeaker.

Reaching the maximum level might have surprising effects.

study!
Dream entry technique: Infiltrating the other person's dream.

There's nothing more to say, just learn!
Chen Li could easily come up with several uses for this technique.

For example, infiltrating into dreams to interrogate for information and gather news.

Although you rarely use them, isn't the point of learning magic to use it in crucial moments?

As for second-tier, level-two spells, there is only one useless immobilization spell.

Immobilization Spell: Immobilizes unprotected cultivators no higher than the third level of Foundation Establishment; ineffective against demonic beasts.

Which Foundation Establishment cultivator doesn't have protective measures?
It won't just freeze you in place.

This also applies to independent cultivators and ordinary people in the Qi Refining stage.

But then again.

What are Qi-cultivating cultivators and ordinary people doing?
Even if we really wanted to do something, there's no need for a freeze spell, right?

The second and third level Divine Absorption Techniques are basically advanced versions of the Reprimand Techniques, and must be learned.

In addition, there are the second-tier, fourth-level Water Element Shield and True Fire Technique.

Although he is only at the third level of Foundation Establishment, he is not far from the fourth level. At the current rate, he will be able to break through in less than two months. So he simply bought the talisman version of the Water Element Shield at the same time to avoid having to make another trip next time.

……

"You...you've already reached the mid-Foundation Establishment stage?" The Foundation Establishment elder in charge of the Scripture Pavilion stared at Chen Lidao with his cloudy eyes, looking utterly astonished.

Over the years, he has become much older, his energy has waned, and his hands and feet have begun to tremble uncontrollably.

He probably doesn't have many years left to live.

"You're joking, sir. It's still early. I'm just preparing in advance," Chen Li said.

The old cultivator's surname was Ji and his given name was Kai. He was one of the five remaining mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators of the True Sect.

"I see. I've heard of you. Your cultivation speed is comparable to Ding Jian's, but I still have to advise you. Breaking through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage is not easy. Getting stuck for three to five years is considered lucky, and many people get stuck for a lifetime. Many people who were initially very talented end up dying in frustration. In my experience, sometimes a peaceful mindset makes it easier to break through."

"I have learned a lot!" Looking at the old man's trembling figure, Chen Li's expression turned solemn, and he bowed deeply.

……

As Chen Li walked out of the Scripture Pavilion, he sighed inwardly, "I only have seven high-grade spirit stones left."

The spells aren't expensive; five techniques only cost a little over two high-grade spirit stones.

The expensive Water Element Talisman costs as much as three high-grade spirit stones.

This price is enough to buy a second-tier low-grade magic weapon.

However, it is worth the price; as one of the most important talismans for the Foundation Establishment stage, it offers a bright future.

One of them costs six mid-grade spirit stones.