Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Chapter 68: Chapter 34: Return to the Old Home

Li Ji’an tidied up and went to the clan hall with Zhang Tiezhu.

Nowadays, both of them belonged to the clan’s external members, requiring registration for entry and exit.

To be precise, Zhang Tiezhu, through his meritorious deeds, was recognized by the Yan Family, having started as a pioneer warrior, became an external staff member, and then promoted to become an external clan member due to his significant contributions in clan battles.

Compared to those with bestowed surnames, they were a rank lower, enjoying the peripheral Dao Fields comparable to Tier One Lower Grade Spirit Veins, receiving ten jin of Spirit Rice monthly, and had the qualification to marry clan females. Additionally, if they married into the clan, their status would elevate, enjoying equal rights with those bestowed surnames.

If they could bear offspring with remarkable talent, there would be great rewards.

Of course, the offspring must take the surname Yan.

As for Li Ji’an, his case was somewhat special. In the eyes of those not in the know, he was merely a servant who luckily got in by following Alchemist Mo, which they thought was already a great blessing from his ancestors.

After Alchemist Mo’s betrayal, he not only wasn’t expelled from the family but was even rewarded.

A non-native who had never bled for the clan in battle suddenly became the pillman for the young lady.

He not only enjoyed the Dao Field adjacent to the core Spirit Vein Land, reserved for the upper echelons of the clan, but also could engage in conversations with several elders and the young lady.

The most crucial point was, he was nearly forty, yet still only a Junior Cultivator at the Early Period of Qi Cultivation, seemingly devoid of potential.

Naturally, the main reason for this was that the Yan family’s upper echelons wanted to bring Yan Qingwan to the forefront, to become the hope and spiritual pillar of the clan members, encouraging them forward, and paving the way for Yan Qingwan’s future.

In the eyes of the Yan family’s lower to middle tier clan members, Yan Qingwan was meant to be an alchemy prodigy, having learned all of Alchemist Mo’s alchemy skills in just nine years, all through her own talent and hard work.

As for the secret of the medicine garden, that’s something others wouldn’t know about.

”Brother Li, are you going back to your hometown?”

Having just completed the registration, a familiar gentle voice drifted over.

”Greetings, young lady.” Zhang Tiezhu hastily took a step back voluntarily, bowing respectfully.

”Indeed, it’s been ten years, and I have a prior agreement with an old friend.” Li Ji’an replied with a smile.

Yan Qingwan’s eyes trembled slightly, ”When will you return?”

”If quick, back the same day; if slow, three to five days.”

”Alright, ride my Dongxue, and go quickly and return quickly,” Yan Qingwan handed a Beast Taming Token to Li Ji’an.

This was the Soul Token of her exclusive Spiritual Steed.

Zhang Tiezhu behind Li Ji’an widened his eyes instantly.

In his ten years with the Yan family, he had long heard of the stories of Yan Qingwan and her Dongxue, with Dongxue being exceptionally important to Yan Qingwan.

It was said to be related to her deceased birth mother.

Even the clan’s beast taming members were not allowed to touch it.

Staring intently at Li Ji’an’s back, Zhang Tiezhu’s heart was in turmoil.

”Isn’t Brother Li at least ten years older than the young lady?”

”Moreover, the young lady has a Middle Grade Spirit Root and exceptional talent in alchemy, with a high chance of becoming a future Patriarch or even the Clan Guardian Ancestor...”

”Brother Li still hasn’t surpassed the Early Period of Qi Cultivation, likely having no hope in this lifetime, so why... why does he deserve this?”

It’s not out of jealousy, nor resentment, but sheer astonishment.

It completely surpassed his understanding.

He acknowledged that Li Ji’an had extraordinary talent in the Immortal Dynasty, but... even the Emperor of the Immortal Dynasty would be nothing but an ant in front of Yan’s young lady.

Two years ago, he witnessed Li Ji’an getting into a scuffle with the Seventh Elder, only to find out later it was because of Alchemist Mo.

But now that Alchemist Mo had left, what was his reliance?

”Just because of his handsome appearance?”

While Zhang Tiezhu was taken aback, Li Ji’an waved his hand, ”I appreciate the young lady’s kindness, but a regular Spiritual Steed will suffice for me.”

As the saying goes, one might afford a fine horse but not the suitable saddle.

Yan Qingwan’s Spiritual Steed was indeed fast, but covering a hundred kilometers at least consumed one Beast Essence Pill, and he was a bit pained by that.

Although his special status in the Yan family afforded him a cultivation Dao Field and meals with the young lady, his treatment was generous, however... he had no salary.

Having already been given so many resources others dreamt of, he had no reason to demand a salary.

Originally there was no place where Spirit Stones were needed, but taking in a frog meant additional expenditure.

Even though the feeding had been kept to the minimum for the past two years, the Spirit Stones previously saved were nearly depleted.

The usual Lower Grade clan Spiritual Steeds didn’t even need Beast Essence Pills, just letting them graze on wild grass sufficed.

”Brother Li, is there any concern? Feel free to speak out.” Yan Qingwan asked frankly. She didn’t have the same thoughts as Zhang Tiezhu; she was only worried that Li Ji’an might never return.

In her perspective, if that happened, her progress on the alchemy path would significantly decline, even coming to a standstill.

Having worked together for eight years, while others might not know, she now belatedly realized Li Ji’an’s potential in alchemy.

Before Alchemist Mo’s betrayal, Li Ji’an’s meticulous and in-depth guidance wasn’t merely imitating Alchemist Mo’s techniques but came from his own understanding.

Unfortunately, Li Ji’an’s magical cultivation was too weak, and his spirit root was poor. If only he could ascend to the Late Period of Qi Cultivation, he could undoubtedly become a Tier One senior Pill Master.

Of course, precisely because of this, she became more reliant and trusting of Li Ji’an.

If she switched to someone with better spirit roots and talent for alchemy, she might worry about their intents.

Now, she was shouldered with high expectations from the clan elders, experiencing immense pressure, and truly couldn’t do without Li Ji’an.

Li Ji’an smiled, ”The journey isn’t really far, no need for such a fine Spiritual Steed.”

”I understand it’s not far, but... you’re still in the Early Period of Qi Cultivation and have to cross vast wilderness. I worry you’ll encounter Tribulation Cultivators or Demon Beasts. My Dongxue, at its peak speed, can rival a Qi Cultivation Peak flying Spiritual Artifact, enough to ensure your safety,” Yan Qingwan explained her concern.

”...” Zhang Tiezhu was utterly stunned this time.

”I’m worried about your safety... Wow.” Is the young lady so upfront? I’m still standing here.

His head lowered more, his face turning redder.

But at the next moment, a frown appeared. Since he was leaving with Brother Li, if Brother Li rode a fast horse and he rode a weaker one, what if danger struck? Brother Li could escape, but what about him?

”Oh, Brother Li’s cultivation is weak, and he’s older, so naturally, he should run first.” His frown relaxed soon after.

Upon hearing this, Li Ji’an made no further refusals; safety was above all, and a mere Beast Essence Pill was worth it.

Primarily, he suddenly recalled the tale of ”Fighting Qi Horse Transformation” – as long as my horse is fast enough, what can the Dou Emperor do to me?

”Be careful! Take good care of Brother Li.” As she watched Li Ji’an and Zhang Tiezhu leave, Yan Qingwan urged, the former directed at Li Ji’an, the latter naturally addressed to Zhang Tiezhu.

”I will be careful!”

”Rest assured, young lady, unless someone steps over my corpse, nobody can harm Brother Li in the slightest!” Zhang Tiezhu was brimming with excitement.

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On the vast wilderness, the two Spiritual Steeds galloped at full speed.

Before dusk, they had already arrived at the gathering area where they parted ways ten years ago, the journey smooth and without incident.

Ten years passed in the blink of an eye, yet this place seemed just like it was ten years ago.

Some hurried along, some strolled leisurely, some were joyful, some were worried...

The biggest difference, perhaps, was the people were different.

Just as Zhang Tiezhu was about to express his sentiments, a steady voice sounded.

”Brother Li! Tiezhu!”