Hide in the world of gods and demons

Chapter 188 The remnants
"I know the best about the whole of Stanley City, from the best houses to the worst ones. You'll soon understand that your spirit stones won't be wasted!" the old cultivator said with a smile.

"I would also appreciate it if you would take good care of me, fellow Daoist."

Throughout the journey, Chen Li deliberately tried to befriend him, adopting a humble attitude and offering compliments from time to time.

As they talked, Lao Xiu grew increasingly close to Chen Li, and unknowingly gleaned a lot of information from him.

The old man's surname was Wei, his given name was Changming, and he was over two hundred years old. He was one of the stewards of the Fire Cloud Sect in Chizhu City. There were a total of thirty-eight stewards like him in Chizhu City, and there was also an elder in the late Golden Core stage who was stationed there.

Stanley City is the most important source of wealth for the Fire Cloud Sect, earning countless spirit stones every year.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it an inexhaustible spirit stone mine.

In addition, the area is a melting pot of all sorts of people, and the number of golden pills passing through is as numerous as carp crossing a river.

It is only right to send an elder at the late stage of the Golden Core realm to guard this place.

As for the Fire Cloud Sect, it has been established for over two thousand years. It has one Nascent Soul cultivator, twenty-one Golden Core elders, and countless Foundation Establishment cultivators. In the entire Western Wilderness, it is undoubtedly a super sect with a transcendent status.

“This was originally the residence of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but unfortunately it has been gone for almost thirty years. He is most likely dead. The residence was just renovated last year, so everything is new. Fellow Daoist Chen, why don’t you go in and take a look?” Wei Changming said, pointing to a large house.

"Did this fellow Daoist not leave behind any wives, concubines, or children?" Chen Li asked with some doubt.

"You may not know this, but these houses cannot be inherited or sold privately. If the owner dies or the property remains vacant for more than twenty years, it will be reclaimed unconditionally," Wei Changming explained.

"I see!"

Chen Li immediately understood.

No wonder the Fire Cloud Sect still has houses for sale.

This is a continuous stream of money being collected.

Even those who have reached the Foundation Establishment stage only live a hundred years or so longer than ordinary people. In reality, most of them die a violent death long before reaching their lifespan.

In the end, the house still belonged to the Fire Cloud Sect.

Chen Li went inside and took a look. The residence covered a large area, estimated to be more than six acres. It was divided into inner and outer courtyards, separated by a wall. The inner courtyard was used for living, while the open space in the outer courtyard had been almost entirely cultivated into medicinal herb fields, filling the air with the fragrance of herbs.

Chen Li was very satisfied with all of this.

The only downside is that it's too close to the river.

A river runs through Stanley City, dividing it in two.

Therefore, Stanley City is divided into the South City and the North City.

The river is bustling with various boats every day.

Of course, it's fine if it's just a lively scene.

Once the formation is set up, even the most lively atmosphere won't reach the courtyard.

The key is that the soil here is all high-quality humus layer, loose and not sticky, and it's also close to the river... This makes it difficult to dig a hole.

Even if it were to be completed, it would likely be severely leaking.

There should be an underground shelter and several escape routes.

Can I live in this house with peace of mind?

With his more than ten years of experience surviving in this world, being more cautious can sometimes be the difference between life and death!
Next, Chen Li looked at several more places and finally chose a house near the suburbs.

Firstly, this place is far from several major traffic arteries, so there are not many people around. The surrounding area is mostly inhabited by Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining cultivators, so there is no safety concern. Moreover, it is only two miles from the city gate, so it is easy to escape if things go wrong.

Secondly, the ground here is solid, and the ground underneath is all rock.

According to Wei Changming, this area was originally a small hill, but when the city was built, the hill was leveled using local materials.

Thirdly, the price is relatively cheap.

The house is seven acres in total.

The price, however, is only fifty-two high-grade spirit stones.

A house of the same size in the city center would cost at least a hundred high-grade spirit stones. After that, the spirit stones were paid and the formalities were completed.

This mansion became Chen Li's first residence in this world; before that, he either rented a house or lived at the mountain gate.

Chen Li pushed open the door and admired every plant and tree here. This feeling was completely different from when he looked at it before!
Everything here now belongs to him.

This residence is just as exquisite as the previous ones, with a clear blue lake, ancient trees forming a canopy, and winding corridors. Clearly, the original owner of this residence put a lot of thought into its construction, and it exudes elegance and leisure in every aspect.

……

With a house, there's no need to waste money staying in inns anymore.

That afternoon, Chen Li checked out of the hotel, and the group moved to the newly purchased house.

Next came cleaning, preparing bedding and other necessities for daily life, which goes without saying. Everyone was busy all day long, and as night approached, Chen Li re-established the Yin-Yang Five Elements Gathering Spirit Array to isolate the inside from the outside.

Having just finished dinner, Chen Li was preparing to take a stroll around the area to familiarize himself with the surroundings.

The array control token in his arms suddenly trembled slightly, indicating that a guest had arrived.

Chen Li quickly got up, went out to greet him, and activated the formation.

The newcomer was a middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator with a goatee. His face was upright and refined, making him instantly likable.

"I was unaware of your arrival, and I apologize for any shortcomings in welcoming you. I have been very negligent in my greetings," Chen Li said, bowing.

"Haha, it was I who disturbed you, fellow Daoist. I live right next door. I saw you moved here today and thought we would be neighbors from now on, so I came to pay a visit. Please forgive my rudeness."

……

After some polite exchanges, Chen Li ushered his guests into the living room.

This Foundation Establishment cultivator's surname is Lin, given name Qing, and he has only been living here for a few years.

Perhaps because they hit it off, the conversation inevitably became more in-depth.

"I was originally a disciple of a sect, but unfortunately, fate is unpredictable. A few years ago, the sect was destroyed and the clan was wiped out. Only a few of us fellow disciples were lucky enough to escape with our lives and were forced to wander here." Lin Qing still looked indignant when he talked about this.

The sect was destroyed!

years ago!
Upon hearing this, Chen Li's heart skipped a beat, and his mind raced.

Could it be those remnants of the vanished Tianxing Sect?

The timing is perfect.

It can't be such a coincidence, right?

"Fellow Daoist, please accept my condolences. Let bygones be bygones. One must look forward," Chen Li quickly advised.

When will injustice be repaid?
Now that the True Sect has also been destroyed, the other side should be able to give up their hatred... right?

"Alas, such is the world. I've come to terms with it over the years. By the way, what brings you here, fellow Daoist?" Lin Qing asked with a smile.

“I am different from you, fellow Daoist. I came here because of your reputation. As a rootless and wandering cultivator like myself, I do not want to join any power, but I still have hope for the path of cultivation, so I can only come here.”

……

Chen Li saw Lin Qing off and closed the door.

I couldn't help but sigh.

"Ugh! This is troublesome."

I remember there were five people in this group, but I don't know their cultivation levels.

However, there is a high possibility that one of them is in the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

In the end, most of the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the entire True Sect were mobilized to hunt down this group, but after working for half a year, they still couldn't find any trace of them.

"I'll have to warn my wives, concubines, and maids later not to reveal the origins and identities of our group, or we'll be in big trouble," Chen Li thought to himself, his brows furrowed.