Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

The ever-changing dynamics of the Cultivation Realm are the norm.

After all, the power of individuals can significantly impact the situation.

However, as the property of a major power, the stability of an Immortal City is better, and even if changes occur, the timeline is stretched so long that ordinary people with short lifespans may not feel it at all.

Li Ji’an deduces from limited information that even if Biyun Sect makes some moves, it won’t affect the safety of Golden Splendor Immortal City; even if Biyun Sect falls, the city wouldn’t fall, as the combined forces within the city are definitely not weaker than Biyun Sect.

In any case, the numerous forces within the Immortal City are the key indicators; unless they all start to flee, then a real crisis has occurred.

Of course, if there is a better, safer, and more stable place, he would naturally go there.

After spending a year in the Immortal City, browsing ancient texts for a fee and listening to information from guests at Taiping Inn, he has basically figured out the general situation of this realm.

The location of Biyun Sect is in Cangyun State, one of the southern states of Celestial Cyan Domain, and north of Cangyun State is the core state, Celestial Origin Province, and northeast from Celestial Origin Province lies Dao Source State, one of the Three States of Celestial Cyan Domain.

The Three States compose Celestial Cyan Domain; however, Celestial Cyan Domain is only one domain within the Great Marsh Cultivation Realm.

The Great Marsh Cultivation Realm contains dozens of cultivation areas similar to Celestial Cyan Domain.

However, most are isolated by natural barriers and vast Spirit Starved Lands, even Desolate Lands, making it difficult for cultivators below Core Formation to cross using their own magical power.

The southernmost end of Celestial Cyan Domain, the Furious Desert, also separates it from another cultivation domain named Profound Sky Cultivation Domain.

The division within Celestial Cyan Domain’s Three States is also mostly by natural barriers and Spirit Starved Lands, though relatively easier to cross, and the division between Cangyun State and Celestial Origin Province is marked by a branch of the Great Marsh Mountain Range, said to traverse the entire Great Marsh Cultivation Realm, in which many areas have been cleared, allowing Foundation Establishment cultivators to pass without issues, and Qi cultivators may cross if lucky enough not to encounter Second Tier Demon Beasts.

Thus, given Li Ji’an’s current situation, Golden Splendor Immortal City remains the top choice.

Swiftly reining in his emotions, he proceeds steadily.

This year, to break through to the late stage of Qi cultivation, little progress has been made in talismans.

Having now advanced to the late period, his magical power has greatly increased, especially with his Divine Sense taking another step forward, it’s time to intensively improve in the talisman path; with his current understanding of talismans, even at the late stage of Qi cultivation, theoretically, as long as his Divine Sense reaches Foundation Establishment Stage, he can craft Second Tier Talismans.

Second Tier Talismans correspond to Foundation Establishment Stage.

They are the greatest potential ace he can expect at his current stage.

Half a month later, Shopkeeper Wu sends a message informing Li Ji’an to go to the main square to attend the celebration.

”Handsome Uncle.” A soft voice calls as he steps out of the courtyard gate, and Li Ji’an turns to see six-year-old Xiaoqiao.

This year, Granny You comes monthly to purchase Pill Medicine, and through several observations, Li Ji’an rules out ulterior motives.

During this time, he has invited her back once for advice on the basics of arrays.

After coming and going, Xiaoqiao is no longer as wary of Li Ji’an as at the beginning.

However, the child is indeed honest, only speaks the truth, and addresses him as such.

”Fellow Daoist You, Xiaoqiao.”

”Coincidentally, Alchemist Li, are you heading out too?” Granny You greets with a smile.

Li Ji’an nods with a smile.

Then the three of them walk together out of the alley.

Along the way, the two of them chat easily, as usual.

Although they’re not talking about anything substantial, it is relaxing.

”Oh, Alchemist Li, are you also going to the main city square?” Until a distance from the alley, Granny You gently reminds, worrying Li Ji’an may turn the wrong way due to their conversation.

Li Ji’an nods: ”Fellow Daoist You is also going to the main square?”

A hint of surprise flashes in Granny You’s eyes.

After all, they have been interacting for a year, especially at the start when Li Ji’an was just a Qi Cultivation 6th Layer Pill Master, theoretically unable to be considered a Tier One veteran Pill Master, given such age, his Pill Fire should be insufficient, at most he’s an honest Middle Stage Pill Master.

And she always paid Li Ji’an for Pill Medicine at the price slightly above that of a Middle Stage Pill Master, thinking she was supporting Li Ji’an’s business.

Li Ji’an also feels slightly amused, since formation masters are relatively rare within the Immortal City and each arrangement of an array yields high profit, plus the subsequent maintenance yields good income, so maybe Granny You renting next to him might not be exceptionally talented as a formation master, given the prominent array masters live closer to Inner City’s mansions.

Not long after, the three arrive at the main square and are all invited to the stage.

”Third place! Tier One exquisite Pill Master! Alchemist Li, my eyes were poor, making a laughingstock, embarrassed indeed.”

”Didn’t expect Fellow Daoist You is such an accomplished formation master, Li underestimated you.”

Granny You being a Tier One veteran formation master, and ranking first among loose cultivators in the entire Immortal City was indeed unexpected to Li Ji’an.

Recalling the few times this year Granny You offered to help Li Ji’an adjust the hospital protection array, which he declined, worried she’d accidentally damage the array and the Immortal City’s management would make him compensate.

Initially, also due to suspicions about her identity, worrying she might secretly tamper with it.

This technician evaluation celebration indeed brought many low-profile technicians to light.

Li Ji’an and Granny You aren’t particularly surprising.

There was a puppet master who stunned many, at Qi Cultivation 9th Layer, relying on his unique Divine Soul, had already become a Second Tier Puppet Master.

A Second Tier Puppet is comparable to Foundation Establishment cultivators, and due to the puppet’s special nature nearly ignores 99% of poisoning methods, with no human fears and pain perception, in actual combat, an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator must retreat, it’s a true trump card.

Yet, Li Ji’an estimates that the Immortal City houses hidden talents, and those exposed are certainly not all there is.

Perhaps some remain particularly low-key, exceedingly cautious, perhaps due to foes or other reasons, prefer slightly less profit, and firmly refuse to transact with shops and markets, only deal in private.

For this sort, even the city’s census methods likely can’t uncover them.

After returning from the celebration, both Li Ji’an and Granny You find themselves visited by many.

Li Ji’an receives the most.

This technician census offers Li Ji’an another advantage—should Pill Cauldron Pavilion face any incident, he now has many customers, and his current fame likely won’t yield less profit than cooperating with Pill Cauldron Pavilion.

He holds no enemies nor hiding anything illicit, his progress in alchemy skill is traceable, and as a last resort there’s the ”Li’s Pill Records” to testify, boasting his good talent in alchemy dao, inherited reasonably.

With more private clients, Li Ji’an frequently practices alchemy without worrying about potential misunderstandings over excess quantity by Pill Cauldron Pavilion.

Anyway, now he evenly distributes Pill Medicine, half delivered to Pill Cauldron Pavilion, half sold to private clients, doesn’t interfere, and profit naturally doubles.

Following the increase in revenue, with abundant resources, he pursues cultivation and talismans simultaneously, gradually honing them.

In the blink of an eye, six years pass.

One day, a piece of news causes him slight concern.

It’s been six years since the first technician census, which appears unchanged, and held annually without issue.

But just now, next-door Granny You pays a farewell visit.

Invited personally by the Elder of Biyun Sect.