Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Chapter 90: Chapter 4: Seven Years

That afternoon, Zhang Tiezhu specifically waited outside the academy to see Li Ji’an.

Compared to nine years ago, Zhang Tiezhu’s skin has darkened quite a bit, and he has gotten thinner, dressed like an old farmer, with a hoe as his magical artifact.

Back then, when he decided to give the resources to his elder son, it was actually his partner’s multiple persuasions that forced him to face reality.

A lower grade spirit root with insufficient resources and no extraordinary opportunities means the late period of Qi Cultivation is the limit, rather than using limited resources on himself, an old man with little hope, it’s better to invest in the rising son.

One has to admit, after completely giving up, he suddenly felt the world vast, much more at ease.

He then decided to completely lay back, enjoy his twilight years, forget the once-ambitious goals, forget those scoundrels who treated them like blood slaves, forget everything about the Immortal Dynasty.

However, years ago, the youngest son’s potential was tested by the clan elder, showing he might reach the middle grade spirit root.

Though likely just barely meeting the threshold.

Without the Nourishing Source Pill, it would be quite difficult.

Ultimately, Zhang Tiezhu gritted his teeth and borrowed spirit stones from within the clan to buy the Nourishing Source Pill for Yan Qing.

Naturally, his dream of enjoying his twilight years was shattered.

In recent years, he specifically practiced Spiritual Farming Technique, working in the clan’s medicinal fields.

He even squeezed time to study earth and wood magic, occasionally taking on odd jobs for house construction in gathering areas.

Truth be told, his efforts surpassed those before getting married and having children to earn resources for himself.

”Resemble, truly resemble, just like Brother Li...” No longer with the ambitions nor the previous relaxed demeanor in his eyes, Zhang Tiezhu’s eyes showed only fatigue in Li Ji’an.

Zhang Tiezhu knelt on one knee, his rough hands wanting to touch Li Ji’an’s cheek, but hesitated for fear of scratching the child’s face, and held back.

”Uncle Zhang, my father asked me to send his regards to you.” Li Ji’an smiled.

”...” Zhang Tiezhu was stunned.

Then suddenly turned his head, and after five breaths, he turned back: ”Your father... Brother Li is he doing well? Has... has he not blamed me?”

Li Ji’an was driven out of the family nine years ago, and Zhang Tiezhu felt the most guilt, even thinking if it weren’t for mentioning Li Ji’an and Yan Qingwan in the clan elder meeting, it wouldn’t have happened.

He has dreamt numerous times, inquiring Li Ji’an, asking why he betrayed him.

On multiple nights, he woke up in fear, pounding his chest, filled with regret.

If time could go back, he wouldn’t say a word!

”Father is doing well, he often talks about his few old friends.” Li Ji’an smiled and replied, he never blamed Zhang Tiezhu.

”Old friends... good, good, good...” Zhang Tiezhu nodded stiffly, finally relieved.

Afterward, Li Ji’an lived comfortably in the Yan Family.

Yan Qingwan, besides daily cultivation, also engaged in alchemy, often needing to guide two pill masters trained within the clan, though her schedule was tight, she still made time to accompany Li Ji’an.

She took him to eat delicacies, told him strange and interesting stories, asked about his life with his father over the years, gave him exquisite magic robes, and even occasionally slept with him... except for helping him bathe, Li Ji’an reluctantly accepted, genuinely feeling the breath of maternal love.

For this, he felt grateful.

Happiness always flees quickly.

Five years passed swiftly.

At thirteen, Li Ji’an’s spirit root had yet to finalize, but his physical foundation had grown, and he could begin body refining.

”The affinity for spiritual qi now is much stronger than it was at the 1st Layer of Qi Cultivation in the previous life.”

Returning from the clan hall to Yan Qingwan’s residence, Li Ji’an followed the usual operation of the Qi Sensing Technique, increasing the progress of spiritual qi intimacy, comparing it with his previous life cultivation experiences.

The more satisfied he became, the more he looked forward to his soon-to-form spirit root.

After completing the operation of the Qi Sensing Technique, he condensed his sea of consciousness.

His divine soul was nearly about to condense into divine sense.

Though not yet fully transformed, it could slightly be projected outward.

By slightly projecting his divine sense, it happened to cover his cheeks, allowing him to see his face clearly without needing a Dharma Mirror.

”Nurtured by spiritual qi and lacking spiritual qi nurturing are indeed worlds apart!”

In this life with spiritual qi nurturing, his thirteen-year-old appearance differed somewhat from the Immortal Dynasty, features more expressive, skin tenderer, height over seven feet.

In addition, he’s unsure if it’s the nurturing by spiritual qi or the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill of this world that he refined with herbal ingredients from his former life contributing to his better physique than his previous life in the Immortal Dynasty.

”Buzz~” At that moment, the Communication Talisman in his chest vibrated again.

Li Ji’an felt a bit helpless, reaching into his chest to find three Communication Talismans, all bidirectional ones.

The currently vibrating one belonged to the Grand Elder.

”Come quickly, tonight you’ll learn the essentials of talisman making, when you develop magical power later, and your divine sense strengthens, you’ll be able to make talismans yourself.”

Throughout these five years, although he hadn’t cultivated magical power, Yan Kongyi still spared time each month teaching him talisman knowledge.

Now, the basics of talisman theory, including simple foundational talismans like Cleaning Talisman, Dust-removal Talisman, Calm Heart Talisman, he had a grasp on them, once he gained magical power, he should achieve success in one go, likely reaching middle grade.

Besides talisman making being inherently easy to learn but hard to master, the improvement in comprehension of this life is another pivotal cause.

”Buzz~” Yet before he could reply to Yan Kongyi, another Communication Talisman vibrated.

”Xiaofan, come quickly, your seventh grandpa today secured a good thing for you, a fresh Tier One Saber-toothed Tiger. Tonight you’ll nourish well, and tomorrow we’ll officially start body refining.”

Yan Hongsheng, since two years ago, began explaining the basic knowledge of body refining to him and let him gradually grasp the body refining technique.

It’s worth mentioning, somehow, he also got hold of a body refining technique, coincidentally, it’s the ”Hundred Forged Golden Body Technique,” it is uncertain if Chen Zhaohu sold it.

As usual, Li Ji’an informed both parties through the Communication Talisman, letting them dispute among themselves.

Ultimately, he went to Yan Kongyi first, studied the essentials of talisman making, and additionally received a spirit stone.

Then he went to Yan Hongsheng’s place, had a feast, and received another spirit stone.

Over the following two years, Li Ji’an began officially body refining.

With previous life experience at the Tier One peak of the ”Hundred Forged Golden Body Technique,” and decades of experience condensing energy, body refining in this life was seamless.

In two years, he reached the blood exchange perfection realm of the Immortal Dynasty from his previous life, in at most three years more, he could advance to the early stage of Tier One body cultivation.

The day arrived when Li Ji’an turned fifteen, finally the time came for spirit testing.

Though somewhat confident, he couldn’t help but feel anxious, as it concerned his eternal life path, affecting the ease of his future cultivation.

Of course, most crucially, with this life’s aptitude nourishing veins, even considering eight years of incapability to change, should basically reach his innate origin limit.

As Li Ji’an slowly approached the Spirit Testing Stone, those around him were even more nervous than he was.

Yan Qingwan hoped his fire spirit root would reach at least five strands.

Yan Kongyi hoped his wood spirit root could be of middle grade.

On the other hand, Yan Hongsheng was the least anxious, never optimistic about Li Ji’an’s spirit root; now he’s determined to propel Li Ji’an’s body refining to the late stage Tier One, becoming the first body cultivator in the Yan Family when the time comes.