Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Chapter 40: Chapter 6: Desolate Land Abandoned by Heaven

The stand-off didn’t last long.

Because when the demon beast approached the elder’s corpse for the third time, sharp bristles on its back suddenly shot toward the five people led by Li Ji’an, as fast as a swift wind, as quick as lightning, and in the blink of an eye, they pierced deeply into the ground before them.

”Go!” Just this proved that the demon beast before them was far stronger than the Treasure Beast of the Immortal Dynasty.

Li Ji’an, relying on his Qi Blood Grandmaster prowess, believed he could handle it, but the other four were in danger, and he didn’t know what desperate measures it might have.

The presence of the demon beast greatly heightened everyone’s sense of crisis.

Originally, there was a vague worry due to the unknowns of the Cultivation Realm; now it intensified.

Not daring to venture deeper into the core of Fallen Dragon Ridge Desert, Li Ji’an led the four along the edge, heading east.

Although in the Desolate Land, Guling claimed there was no Ten Thousand Li Sensing or Divine Soul Tracking Immortal Technique; during the interrogation, the elder also said they had no Soul Lamp remaining, and their tribe couldn’t determine their survival or their location.

But, having read too many Immortal cultivation novels before crossing over, Li Ji’an had preconceived notions about some techniques in the Cultivation Realm, so he dared not trust easily, hence not taking those spoils, and for the same reason, he decided to avoid them, heading east.

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”Brother Li, ration the food; this white deer is enough for us to last another half month.” Dong Jiangling excitedly shouted to Li Ji’an, carrying a snow-white deer from the forest.

Over the past year, they had traveled east for ten thousand miles.

Fortunately, each person was at least at Blood Exchange Perfection Martial Dao, with sufficient hunger and cold endurance.

Moreover, there were plenty of wild beasts along the Desert’s edge. Following Li Ji’an’s direction to avoid potentially dangerous strong demon beasts, they hunted wild beasts fairly smoothly.

They even attempted to hunt a few demon beasts that Li Ji’an judged to be less dangerous, alleviating much of their anxiety towards the Cultivation Realm here.

”No need!” Li Ji’an, sitting cross-legged, opened his eyes and shook his head.

In the past year, aside from initially leading them in hunting, he rarely acted once the four gradually regained the confidence they had in the Immortal Dynasty; he continued training most of the time.

Because upon arriving here, he discovered there seemed to be breakthroughs possible in the Qi and Blood Cultivation that had reached its limit in the Immortal Dynasty.

”Recently, there are noticeably more signs of human presence; there should be a human settlement nearby. No need to conserve food; consume more to maintain peak condition.” Li Ji’an explained.

”Alright, we’ll listen to Brother Li.” Dong Jiangling and the four agreed without hesitation.

In this exotic realm, surviving in the wilderness, the powerful and knowledgeable Li Ji’an had subtly become their leader.

A beacon of hope and support for the small team.

Dong Jiangling especially had completely locked away his affection for Zhao Shuyao in his heart after Li Ji’an’s ”slaying of the Immortal.”

”Brother Li, if we encounter people here, should we try to integrate?”

Li Ji’an looked toward the path they came, and toward the northwest: ”It’s been a year, there should be no worries now.”

”We can finally cultivate immortality!” The four were ecstatic.

Li Ji’an looked at them, holding reservations about whether they could cultivate.

One was Spirit Root, the other was age.

However, he couldn’t completely dismiss the possibility; after all, he didn’t know the true nature of this Cultivation Realm.

”Brother Li, those beasts have lured blood slaves from our Immortal Dynasty for over a hundred years, absolutely sinister. Do you think the seniors previously lured are still alive?” After overcoming the initial anxiety and now having hope for cultivation, the four finally expressed the anger hidden deep in their hearts.

Li Ji’an shook his head; Ning Sujin once said that when her clan brother ascended to the Immortal Realm, it was ominous, and Ning Yutan was also ominous.

Now it’s clear that the true ominous sign lies with these lured cultivators.

The so-called blood slaves, understood literally, are likely materials exhausted for extracting Qi and blood, with predictable outcomes.

”Ning Sujin...”

The only uncertainty was Ning Sujin; he didn’t know whether Ning Sujin’s words of ”great luck” fifty-five years ago when she was lured were a kind-hearted lie.

”Hmph! One day, when I achieve cultivation, I must avenge the seniors!” The four ground their teeth.

Li Ji’an watched them, silently saying, ”It definitely will happen!”

Stopping and continuing, half a month later.

”To my friends here, we mean no harm, and this Purple Gold Mink can be yours.” In the dense forest, a man as towering as a small mountain, standing nine feet tall, spoke distantly with cupped fists.

Behind him, seven people were positioned at various points, forming a defensive stance.

Li Ji’an gazed sharply at them, his Qi and blood poised but not released.

The other four also appeared enemy-like.

Because they had encountered these people five days ago and avoided them after revealing their strength.

Yet, the other party had willingly sought them out.

”What do you want?” Li Ji’an sensed each of the eight people before him, three had refined Qi and blood with the leading strong man even exceeding him slightly, while the remaining five’s Qi and blood similar to Skin Polishing, but having magical power akin to Guling and the elder.

The strong man laughed freely: ”Brother, we understand your caution, but there’s no need. After observing you for several days, you seem to be from a Desolate Land, right?”

”Rest assured! Besides you, we encountered others who’ve come from Desolate Lands over ten years ago.”

The five exchanged looks and glanced at their already tattered clothes, resembling savages.

Li Ji’an was stirred, previously when questioning the elder, he also mentioned there were other places beside the Immortal Dynasty in the Desolate Land—three of them in the Celestial Cyan Domain alone.

It was now confirmed indeed.

”Then why did you seek us out?”

”Haha, naturally we hope you can join our hunting party.” The strong man confessed.

”Why?”

”Because it’s said that coming out of a Desolate Land means you’re highly fortunate, sure to bring us luck, and I see you practice Body Refining, good for hunting.”

”I’m asking why we should join you.”

”Uh... I can’t explain it briefly, but once you stay at our settlement for a few days, you’ll understand. Surely you want to cultivate, right?” The strong man scratched his messy hair, unsure how to clarify, opting to let them experience it.

After a moment of silence,

”We appreciate your kindness, but we’ll be on our way; see you.” Li Ji’an decisively refused them.

”Hey, hey, you shouldn’t suspect our intentions; my brother means well, or else, coming here from such hellish places, be cautious not to wander into a high-tier demon beast territory and be devoured.”

”Heh~ No wonder coming from such a Land of Absolute Spirit, do you think just because you entered Body Refining, you can conquer the world? Mistaken kindness for a mule’s liver.”

Behind the strong man, several people started disdainfully mocking.

The strong man hurriedly turned to stop them, then looked back at Li Ji’an, slightly frustrated: ”If that’s the case, we won’t force it. Twenty li ahead is the largest nearby human settlement; at least there’s no worry about demon beasts harming anyone there.”

Of course, if you change your mind, feel free to find me; I’m called Chen Zhaohu, just ask anyone and they’ll tell you where I live.”

”Farewell!” Li Ji’an nodded.

”Oh, yes, I forgot to ask, which Desolate Land did you come from?”

Li Ji’an raised his chin, pointing east.

”Wow~ impressive, east means it’s the Ten Thousand Li Flame Mountain Forbidden Land, to come out from there... Wow, how immense is your fortune.” The strong man looked at Li Ji’an with even brighter eyes.