Chapter 23: War Resumes

If you set aside the 'deadly poison master's' illegal activities and his discordant personality, Lin Gui really could be considered to be a good teacher and friend to Chen Li.

Every time he chatted with Lin Gui, Chen Li felt that he had gained a lot; a lot of the common knowledge of the Cultivation World was casually absorbed by Chen Li during these talks.

Summer gave way to autumn.

After just over a month of peace, the Green River District stirred once again.

Perhaps having assessed the strength of the Longevity Sect, or maybe due to other emergencies, both sides were preparing for war once more. Spurred by the conflict, the market in the district suddenly experienced a business boom.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Chen Li not only sold all the Evil-Repelling Talismans he had accumulated over the period at a 50% markup, but he also managed to sell off a large stock of 'Path-Finding Talismans' and 'Cleaning Talismans' that had been languishing unsold.

Even the two protective 'Amulet' and 'Featherweight Talisman' he kept on hand were resold at double the price, netting him a substantial profit from the war.

As a result, his wealth soared to a total of sixty-one Low-grade Spirit Stones.

When it came down to it, having bought 'Amulets' and 'Featherweight Talismans' twice, he hadn't wasted money. On the contrary, by buying and selling them, he had earned a net profit of seven Low-grade Spirit Stones.

…

"Fellow Daoist, have you enlisted yet?" asked a Loose Cultivator who had come to Lin Gui to buy pills. After completing his purchase, he lingered, assuming a chatty demeanor.

Compared to the modest money Chen Li had made, Lin Gui's business had been more explosive. There was almost always someone seeking pills, especially the Ascension Elixirs, which were particularly popular during this period.

Out of ten people, eight were there to buy this type of medicine.

What the other person referred to as enlisting, Chen Li also knew about.

The Artefact Sect had been recruiting a substantial number of Loose Cultivators in the market area lately to boost their presence, throwing around a lot of money. Regardless of cultivation level, if one dared to go to the battlefield, they would give out two Mid-grade Spirit Stones; an additional three for those in the middle period of Qi Cultivation, and directly ten for those in the later period.

Two Mid-grade Spirit Stones were already a considerable sum, enough to buy a first-rank Low-grade Magical Instrument, or to let a Loose Cultivator live comfortably for three years.

Even most Loose Cultivators, including Chen Li himself, had never had savings exceeding two Mid-grade Spirit Stones.

Just for that amount of money, go to the battlefield?

Unless the number was multiplied by a hundred, Chen Li might have hesitated.

But that would be just a hesitation.

He was still young... at least not old yet.

And he had boundless potential, a whole life ahead of him. It wasn't meant to be squandered away.

"Fellow Daoist, you are joking. Someone like me who makes a living drawing talismans is afraid to even venture into the wild, let alone the battlefield. What's the use of earning money if you have no life to spend it?" Chen Li waved his hands dismissively, speaking self-deprecatingly.

"You don't look like someone who makes a living drawing talismans, though. Those muscles, that way of walking—do you follow the path of close combat?" The Loose Cultivator eyed Chen Li up and down with an intense gaze, clearly disbelieving.

"I practice it for self-defense."

Seeing that Chen Li was reluctant to discuss it further, the Loose Cultivator didn't mind. After all, when it came to matters of personal security, no one liked to say too much.

"Actually, the more it's a sect war, the less dangerous it is. The battlefield is covered with magic formations. Think about it, you're surrounded by people on all sides. As long as the formation isn't broken, there's almost no danger. The most dangerous moment is when the sect's gates are breached."

"Why would it be most dangerous after the sect's gates are breached?" Chen Li asked curiously, humbly seeking advice.

"Although the gates might be breached, those Longevity Sect cultivators won't just sit there waiting to die. They'll definitely take their treasures and scatter in all directions. What do most people go to the battlefield for? A few Mid-grade Spirit Stones aren't worth risking their lives for—it's all about seizing the opportunity to grab something in that moment. Too bad I was a step late during the last attack on the Green River District; all the good stuff was already taken," explained the Loose Cultivator, his excitement palpable, spitting as he spoke, as if he could already envision the Longevity Sect's gates being broken down and countless cultivators rushing in to partake in the bloody feast.

…

Several days later.

Five huge 'pot-bellied' Flying Boats slowly landed in the Green River District.

The shantytown teemed with Loose Cultivators dreaming of wartime riches, all clambering aboard the Flying Boats in a messy throng, rendering the entire shantytown, and even much of the Green River District, considerably quieter.

Market prices plummeted back down quickly, and Chen Li reacquired the protective Amulet and Featherweight Talisman at regular market prices.

…

"How many do you think will come back?" Zhou Hong asked.

In the evening, as Chen Li squatted at the doorway with a large sea bowl of food, he engaged in casual conversation with Zhou Hong.

"About six or seven out of ten," Chen Li casually said as he scooped gravy over his Spirit Rice, savoring his meal.

"Sigh, can't you just live a peaceful life?" Zhou Hong sighed upon hearing this, her eyes welling up with tears: "Gao Bo was the same, and so are these Loose Cultivators."

This woman was obviously getting emotional again.

"Can't accept fate," Chen Li pondered and then replied.

He couldn't empathize.

But he could understand.

This place was a shanty area, the slums of the Cultivation World, lacking everything except for those desperate enough to risk their lives for a chance at betterment.

"It sounds like you're quite resigned to your fate!" Zhou Hong suddenly turned the tables, mocking him.

Chen Li swallowed his food and after thinking for a moment said, "My life is far too precious, and I never gamble."

Zhou Hong felt a jolt in her heart, who gave you the nerve to speak so confidently about being cowardly?

For a moment, she was at a loss for words.

...

Late at night.

He slowly exhaled a breath, pressed down with both hands, regulated the slightly restless Spiritual Power, and then opened his eyes to access the gaming interface.

[Name: Chen Li]

[Lifespan: 41/100 years]

[Realm: Qi Cultivation third level: 43/100]

[Cultivation Technique: Longevity Skill Mastery: 386/400]

[Skills:]

Talisman-making: Cleaning Talisman Mastery: 60/400; Silencing Talisman Proficient: 130/200; Direction Talisman Proficient: 60/200; Evil-Repelling Talisman Beginner: 63/100

Spells: Spiritual Power Finger Snap Master: 1570/1600;

Swordsmanship: Basic Swordsmanship Expert: 61/800;

[Divine Skills: None]

His cultivation speed was continuously accelerating.

In just one month, his realm had improved by 6 points.

Aside from the Longevity Skill's proficiency level increase, perhaps it also had to do with his consciousness growing stronger.

Ever since his breakthrough to expert in swordsmanship, his consciousness had become increasingly powerful. The strength of his consciousness, in turn, pushed the operation speed of the Longevity Skill, causing his cultivation speed to increase significantly.

Based on this growth rate, it was only logical and just a matter of time before he would break through to the fourth level of Qi Cultivation before winter, stepping into the ranks of mid-stage cultivators.

In addition, his lifespan had increased by another year, and the breakthrough for his Spiritual Power Finger Snap was also within reach.

The situation was very promising.

"Only the food consumption is getting bigger and bigger!" Chen Li sighed inwardly: "Sigh, expenses have started to outweigh income this month."

The recent market boom, of course, was out of the ordinary and not a regular occurrence.

With the success rate of his Evil-Repelling Talisman-making steadily increasing, his monthly income was roughly around twelve Low-grade Spirit Stones, while just the cost of food this month was also twelve, and that was with him trying his best to keep it under control.

After deducting rent and assorted other expenses, he had to spend 14 Low-grade Spirit Stones every month.

He could only dip into his savings to make up for it.

"But there's no need to worry too much. With my current savings, I should be able to last another year or two. By then, I'll have improved vastly... at least I should be able to draw a couple of 'Evil-Repelling Talismans' in one go!"

PS: I'm not staying up late tonight; I need to sleep early.