Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Chapter 76: Chapter 42: She Will Protect Him for a Lifetime

The opening of the Yan Family’s Pill Shop, especially with the collaboration of the Yan and Wei families in developing medicinal fields, was most troubling for the Zheng Family.

The Zheng Family, due to early annexation, not only had the largest Spirit Vein Dao Field, but also occupied many medicinal fields. They nearly monopolized the pill medicine business within the Market and dominated the herbal business in the desert, providing materials for other pill shops.

Therefore, previously, even if other families opened pill shops in the Market, it didn’t significantly affect their market earnings.

But now, the Yan Family’s Pill Shop having its own medicinal fields, is a true competitor.

A year ago, when the Patriarch Yan left, he specifically cautioned Yan Qingwan to be wary of the opponent’s deceive and to remain low-key early on while quietly earning big.

During this year, Zheng Tianxiang often used the excuse of rekindling old ties to visit Yan Qingwan at the pill shop, mostly probing into Yan Qingwan’s alchemy skill.

Previously, seeing Yan Qingwan’s pill medicines weren’t effective, there was no action, but a month ago, when Yan Qingwan crafted that Upper Grade Qi Replenishing Pill, the Zheng Family started to take action.

Li Ji’an had never thought that they would come looking for him, since matters concerning Yan Qingwan’s alchemy skill were known only to him and Yan Qingwan, maybe some limited high-ranking members within the clan knew. Externally, he was merely a Honored Guest Elder assisting Yan Qingwan in alchemy, similar to a Pill Child.

Finding him today, Li Ji’an’s first reaction was that there was a mole inside the pill shop.

”Young Master Zheng’s overwhelming kindness makes me anxious, I am not sure...” Li Ji’an exhibited the demeanor of a lower-level cultivator.

But Zheng Tianxiang was unaffected by this, walking next to him and patting his shoulder: ”Hahaha, Honored Guest Li, no need to be so reserved, come come come, first choose a Fairy you fancy.”

”I shouldn’t receive rewards without merit. Moreover, I know my own weight and worth well. Young Master Zheng shows such kindness, I feel uneasy, I ask Young Master Zheng to make it clear.” Already seeing he wasn’t a brainless libertine, Li Ji’an had no inclination to spar with him.

”Hmm?” Zheng Tianxiang’s face suddenly turned grim, and Qi Cultivation 8th Layer magical power surged.

”Swish!” He suddenly extended a hand, with surging magical power transforming into an invisible giant hand, just passing by Li Ji’an’s ear.

”Ah!” In the next moment, the young man who had just brought Li Ji’an here groaned, his feet leaving the ground, brought next to Li Ji’an.

”Kneel!” Zheng Tianxiang suddenly exploded with magical power pressure, forcing him to the ground, blood streaming from his mouth and nose.

”Young Master asked you to invite politely, yet did you use your power to thwart and tarnish my name?”

The young man kneeled miserably, wanting to explain, but under Zheng Tianxiang’s magical power pressure, he couldn’t even open his mouth.

”Hmph, surely it’s you, the riffraff using power to thwart, making my honored guest have opinions against me, what use do I have for you? Scram!” With a single hand wave by Zheng Tianxiang, the person was thrown out the window from the third floor.

Li Ji’an sighed slightly, not only lacking in recklessness but possessing significant methods, truly a successor cultivated by the clan.

”Honored Guest Li, my apologies, it’s my fault for indulging those below me so often.” Zheng Tianxiang apologized, then gestured to the madam for them to leave.

”Sit, sit, since Honored Guest Li has concerns for me, so I won’t beat around the bush, I’ll be candid now.”

Pausing, he casually produced a Jade Bottle from a nearby Storage Pouch: ”Fellow Daoist Li, a wise bird chooses a fine tree to perch. How Yan Family treats outsiders, you might be aware. As far as I know, you’ve been with Yan Family for eight years yet not even qualified for ranking in Breaking Rank Pill, and you have given so much for Yan Qingwan’s alchemy, I feel you are somewhat unjust. This is a Flying Cloud Pill, if you only...”

”Hmm?” However, before the words were finished, suddenly feeling the Qi Cultivation Middle Stage magical power emanating from Li Ji’an.

Li Ji’an slightly cupped his hands: ”Young Master Zheng, please forgive me. Just today I stabilized my realm, still unfamiliar with controlling, not intentionally hiding.”

”...” The early prepared speech by Zheng Tianxiang was instantly cut off, even with self-awareness of not less than some old folks in terms of schemes, he couldn’t avoid the frustration.

A surge of anger rose within him.

Clearly repeatedly confirming, ensuring Li Ji’an stuck at Qi Cultivation 3rd Layer for years without progressing, only then preparing this Flying Cloud Pill.

And also, influenced by such subconscious, he did not carefully probe Li Ji’an’s cultivation.

Unexpectedly, this led to disgrace.

However, only a moment’s loss of composure and he quickly collected his emotions: ”Haha, good, good, congratulations, hmm, this now seems a bit late on my part, perhaps how about this, any requests you have, feel free to ask, as long as you are willing to come to our Zheng Family, not just this primary Breaking Rank Pill, but more advanced pill medicines, as long as you reach that point, I can make it happen for you.”

”Foundation Establishment Pill too?” Li Ji’an mocked inwardly, yet didn’t voice it to let him reiterate.

He just sees his Spirit Root talent as poor, age as significant, impossible to use Upper Spirit Pills for later stage Qi Cultivation breakthrough, hence the generosity.

More to the point, he merely doesn’t want to have Li beside Yan Qingwan, guessing he’d act right after Li left the Market.

”Young Master Zheng, forgive me, I was once a lone Loose Cultivator, the main family provided me a Dao Field and bestowed Breaking Rank Pill, such grace, how dare I forget? Moreover, I merely supported Alchemist Mo in alchemy for years, solely proficient in pre-furnace preparation and aftermath chores, yet bestowed significant tasks by the Young Lady, I already felt guilty...

For today’s matter, I will surely remain tight-lipped, I ask Young Master Zheng to treat it as it never happened.” Li Ji’an respectfully bowed, facing such intact mentality and tactics, a stature and status far exceeding him, all plans and tactics rendered ineffective, better to play the honesty card.

Not hoping to move him, only letting it remain baseless in the Market.

After all, the United Marketplace is guarded by ancestors from Eight Great Clans in rotation, within the Market, he lacks the bullish strength of not eating beef.

If still ineffective, at worst abscond temporarily and await the next life for an opportunity to conclude.

Zheng Tianxiang likely hadn’t anticipated Li Ji’an’s wording, silent momentarily, merely staring directly at him.

”Haha~ Such loyalty and dedication, makes one appear small-minded like me.”

Li Ji’an stood up: ”Young Master Zheng over-praised, nothing happened today, I haven’t seen Young Master Zheng, farewell.”

Fortunately, Zheng Tianxiang didn’t act irrationally, otherwise, his late-stage Body Refining strength would surely kill him, necessitating an escape.

Returning from the Celestial Immortal Tower to the Pill Shop, Li Ji’an immediately entered the Alchemy Room and disclosed the recent event.

”Brother Li, on behalf of the Yan Family, I thank you!” Hearing the narration, Yan Qingwan’s expression became stern, understanding how difficult Li Ji’an’s decision was, such threats and temptations, how could ordinary people resist?

Li Ji’an laughed generously: ”After all, you already promised to support me in old age, can’t go back on it.”

”Phew~ Brother Li, even now you joke, rest assured, as long as I’m here, you can comfortably remain within the clan.”

”Also my offspring too.” Li Ji’an reminded again.

Upon first entering Cultivation Realm, residing here thirteen years, in these years bonded with Yan Family, he recognized Yan Family to an extent.

Especially for Yan Qingwan as a person, kind-hearted, gentle in nature, and having considerable potential, she even held sway within the clan.

If unsurprising, he had virtually selected her as the Guardian for his next life.

”Brother Li rest assured, Qingwan already mentioned, in Qingwan’s heart, already sees you as kinship elder brother, your offspring would be my nephews, he only needs to call me aunt, I’ll protect him lifelong!”