Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Chapter 61: Chapter 27: Insufficient Potential

Yan Qingwan’s voice remained gentle, though this time lacking the usual unintentional sense of superiority felt by those in higher positions towards those below.

Li Ji’an slightly cupped his hands: ”Thank you, Miss. I just wish to remain within the clan.”

Hearing this, Yan Qingwan’s smile grew wider, nodding in approval: ”Granting favors with no expectation of return, hiding accomplishments without resentment, you’re very good!

However, that was something I had promised earlier. You’ve saved my life this time; I must repay you. Boldly, I say I’m backing you up!”

”In that case... I wish to secure stability for my descendants,” Li Ji’an probed.

”Good! I promise you!” Yan Qingwan was even happier upon hearing this.

”To be honest, before you answered, I was already planning to have a good contest with the clan’s uncles. After all, your Spirit Root is poor, you’re getting older, and there seems to be no potential on the path of Cultivation.

If you wish to take another step on the Immortal Path, the Elder Council in the clan would inevitably disagree.

Especially now, when the front lines are tense and resources are scarce.”

Li Ji’an bowed slightly, smiling wryly: ”I do have some self-awareness.”

”Haha~ A good sense of self-awareness, is this not the ’everyone looks down on you, yet you yourself are the least ambitious’ self-awareness you’ve mentioned before?” Yan Qingwan was in a good mood, even recalling the time three years ago when they discussed Alchemy together. She casually asked Li Ji’an about his past, and Li Ji’an seriously joked.

However, I need to inform you in advance that the clan is in need of people. As a means to attract outside assistance, the Elder Council often includes the condition of joining the clan for outsiders. This leaves our Yan Family with few Female Cultivators available for marriage. If you have plans for passing on your lineage, you should inform me early. Although I can’t guarantee finding a mate with excellent Spirit Roots, I’ll endeavor to find someone with a Sensing ability above five.”

”Thank you, Miss!”

After discussing this matter, Yan Qingwan once again asked Li Ji’an to demonstrate and guide Alchemist Mo’s Alchemy techniques from the recent three months.

That evening, upon returning to his small courtyard, preparing for Cultivation, he received a message from Zhang Tiezhu.

As tensions between the two clans escalated, Zhang Tiezhu, who had become cannon fodder on the Yan Family’s front lines due to land opening, had no time to return to the clan, steadfastly guarding the front lines.

After reading Zhang Tiezhu’s message, Li Ji’an couldn’t help but chuckle.

Between the lines, there was one meaning: mindless people with lots of money, come quickly.

His message stated that the battle situation on the front lines had escalated, with a significant increase in combatants on both sides.

His opponents, who were also Wei clansmen in the Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation, combined with his advantage in Body Refining, allowed him to thrive on the front lines.

Not only has he frequently achieved battle merits, but he has also privately retained numerous spoils of war.

He envisions that once the clan battle concludes, he might have accumulated enough financial resources to break through to the Late Period of Qi Cultivation.

Moreover, he mentioned being blessed with a remarkably powerful Earth Magic by the Yan Family, able to shake the earth at a thought.

He claimed that if he were in the Immortal Dynasty, he would undoubtedly be revered as Earth God!

Li Ji’an could feel his excitement and yearning in the tone of his message.

Aside from that, the latter part of his message contained a suggestion.

”Since we’ve fully integrated into this Cultivation Realm, why not follow the customs here... referring to fellow cultivators as Daoist is much better...”

His words were awkward and hesitant, making Li Ji’an shake his head with a smile.

He had long ceased to care about titles.

Sooner or later, when he ”rejuvenates,” he’ll have to call that silly guy uncle.

Li Ji’an immediately replied: ”When in Rome, do as Romans do.”

Unexpectedly, Zhang Tiezhu quickly replied this time.

”Good, good, Fellow Daoist Li, have you considered thoroughly? Yan Family is in need of people right now. With your Body Cultivator strength, you can surely stand out, and when accepted by Yan Family, you’ll have the chance to cultivate at the Second Tier Spirit Vein Dao Field. Only then can you see hope; otherwise... there’s no hope in this life.”

”Fellow Daoist Zhao recently sent me a letter saying he’s also recognized for his Body Cultivator strength by his employer, with a promising future.”

Not wanting to be repeatedly persuaded by him, Li Ji’an silently sent a message after a moment: ”I appreciate Fellow Daoist Zhang’s kind intentions, but I’ve already joined Yan Family, currently cultivating in the Second Tier Spirit Vein Land.”

Previously, while in the market, due to uncertainty about the future, combined with some clandestine dealings with Yan Family that couldn’t be revealed, he didn’t tell Zhang Tiezhu, who was partly from Yan Family.

Now, it didn’t matter.

After this message was sent, there was a long period of silence.

”When I return to the clan next time, you have to explain to me carefully.” After a while, Zhang Tiezhu finally replied.

This wait lasted a full three years.

On this day...

”Bang!” Yan Hongsheng was kicked on the arm, and his whole body flew backward.

”Come again!” He got up, dusted off the dirt, and rushed toward Li Ji’an once more.

”Whack~” Li Ji’an casually parried, splitting his legs apart.

”Hiss~” Yan Hongsheng clutched his groin, slowly stood up: ”You’re full of dirty tricks.”

Li Ji’an smiled and cupped his hands: ”Seventh Elder, you let me win.”

Famed as the ”Pola Daoist,” he wasn’t truly so.

It was merely the clan needing a persona that made outsiders think twice - someone ”reckless,” ”irritable,” and ”unconsidered of consequences.”

Twenty years ago, after failing to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill and trying to establish the Foundation himself, Yan Hongsheng damaged his Dao Foundation, eliminating possibilities for further advancement.

To increase combat power, he had been focusing on Body Refining for the past few years.

Unfortunately, age was catching up, and his foundation was poor, barely advancing to Early Period Body Refining without further progress.

Three years ago, when Li Ji’an saved Yan Qingwan, he was the second-biggest beneficiary besides Yan Qingwan herself; otherwise, he probably would regret it for life.

Thus, upon returning from the front lines, he secretly met Li Ji’an and expressed gratitude to this servant who saved Yan Qingwan.

Unexpectedly discovering he was also a First Tier beginner Body Cultivator, every time he returned from the front lines, he would battle Li Ji’an.

However, even with Li Ji’an displaying beginner Body Refining prowess, after Yan Hongsheng disabled his Dantian Magical Power, he still had no chance of winning.

After all, Li Ji’an had been refining Qi and blood for three lifetimes, and solely for the study of Qi and blood, had devoted twenty years. Yan Hongsheng and the others cultivating Dantian Magical Power didn’t have the energy to do so.

Following events unfolded naturally,

Using Li Ji’an’s social skills, over three years, the two developed deep friendship.

”Hey, you rascal, I’ve told you eight hundred times, just call me Brother Qi already.”

Li Ji’an smiled without saying a word, as identity and cultivation realm differences were too large; truly calling him ”Brother Qi” would break the connection.

”How about it? Have you managed to break through to Middle Stage Qi Cultivation?” Yan Hongsheng didn’t genuinely force Li Ji’an to change the title and promptly asked.

Li Ji’an shook his head: ”Just short.”

He also felt a bit helpless, his Fire Spirit Root sensing two strands of Spirit Charm’s Spirit Root talent finally gave him a sense of despair.

In three full years, he hadn’t reached Perfection at the Qi Cultivation 3rd Layer, let alone the bottleneck to the Qi Cultivation 4th Layer.

”Oh, without breaking through to Middle Stage Qi Cultivation, your lifespan is hard to surpass a hundred. You’re thirty-six this year, right?

Tsk tsk, if you delay further, your Qi and blood will start to decline. It’s hopeless; you should quickly find a wife and pass on your lineage.” Yan Hongsheng shook his head.

Li Ji’an could only smile wryly: ”Seventh Elder, why don’t you teach me a few more Fire Magic techniques.”

Over the years, Li Ji’an has staunchly applied the methods he used to study Martial Arts in the Immortal Dynasty, hoping to accumulate something for future progress in the field of Magic.

Unfortunately, Magic was unlike Martial Arts; it requires far more comprehension and understanding, and his knowledge base is too scarce, unable to infer others from one, only able to accumulate more samples.

”Humph, your Qi Cultivation 3rd Layer Magical Power is thin as air; what good will learning Magic do? Not to mention the question of whether you can wield it, even if you barely manage, do you expect it to blow your opponent to death like a fart?” Yan Hongsheng laughed and criticized.

Yet criticism aside, he still faithfully passed on another Magic technique to Li Ji’an - Heaven-Burning Nine Techniques!

While Yan Hongsheng was teaching Magic, Yan Qingwan tiptoed in, followed by Zhang Tiezhu, who was stiff and dumbfounded!