Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

The powerful divine sense of the Fake Pill Elder from the neighboring Biyun Sect almost enveloped the entire area around, and Li Ji’an kept his sea of consciousness tightly guarded, not rashly releasing his divine sense to investigate.

Looking at Granny You in front of him, Li Ji’an’s brow furrowed slightly.

Xiaoqiao, twelve years old, still showed timidity in front of outsiders, but after six years of interaction, she almost had no guard against this handsome Uncle Li Ji’an.

And only when facing Li Ji’an was she brave enough to stand beside Granny You.

”Fellow Daoist You, this move is somewhat lacking in consideration. I’m used to living alone, and I’m afraid I can’t take care of others.” After a moment of silence, Li Ji’an gave a wry smile, politely declining.

Granny You, apart from coming to say goodbye in a gentle and soft voice, with a persistent smile, said she was fortunate enough to be noticed by an elder of the Biyun Sect and was invited to participate in the setup of a formation.

She also wanted Li Ji’an to help take care of Xiaoqiao.

Upon Li Ji’an’s polite refusal, Granny You showed no sign of disappointment; instead, a hint of relief appeared in her eyes.

”Alchemist Li, please forgive me. This is truly out of my control. You know Xiaoqiao’s nature; she has been timid since childhood and truly struggles to interact with others. Over the years in the Immortal City, this girl only has a good connection with you, and I really have no one else to entrust her to.” As she spoke, Granny You handed over a storage pouch.

Her demeanor was calm and easygoing, saying, ”These spirit stones are my reward, and when I return, there will be more thanks.”

”It is not a matter of reward, mainly because Xiaoqiao is not so young anymore, besides, I usually cultivate and practice alchemy, I’m afraid I can’t take care of everything, Fellow Daoist You better find someone else.” Li Ji’an did not reach out for the storage pouch.

With a broader smile, Granny You stepped forward and forced the storage pouch into Li Ji’an’s hand, ”Alchemist Li, I’ve been here for years and have met many people, but you alone seem the most destined. If it’s inconvenient, Xiaoqiao can still live next door; she’s already able to take care of her own meals, and you just need to occasionally look after her, let her know there’s someone around, so she’s not easily deceived by those with ulterior motives.”

”Uncle Li.” Xiaoqiao timely lifted her head and called out crisply.

Li Ji’an slightly lowered his head, smiling at Xiaoqiao.

According to Granny You’s initial words, Xiaoqiao was also a pitiful child.

Fortunately, she was taken in by Granny You.

Otherwise, her fate would be uncertain.

The situation of targeting children in the cultivation realm has become even more prevalent than it was in the past Immortal Dynasty. In the Dynasty, abductors mutilated for money, evil practitioners refined evil pills, raised demon beasts, and some who went mad devoured children to replenish themselves... It’s only relatively safe near Immortal Cities or market gathering areas, with cultivators patrolling for protection.

This experience reminded him of his own past.

Granny You’s actions reminded him of his former master.

The conversation had reached this point, and it didn’t affect him in any way, at most letting Gugu slip into the neighboring courtyard was enough.

Moreover, over the years of associating with Granny You, they truly got along, and her extensive experience in the cultivation realm broadened Li Ji’an’s horizons a lot. Sometimes he even asked for basic knowledge of arrays, and she never dismissed him.

Li Ji’an cupped his hands toward Granny You and nodded slightly, ”In this case, I’ll do my best and hope Fellow Daoist You returns soon.”

”Thank you, Alchemist Li.” Granny You bowed with a smile.

Watching Granny You being taken away by an elder of the Biyun Sect, Li Ji’an sighed secretly.

The selection activities of the Biyun Sect these past years might have this as their main purpose.

”I still know too little about the cultivation realm. I need to prepare in advance for such things in the future.”

The matter this time posed little problem for his small Tier One alchemist self; not to mention, there were many better alchemists in the Biyun Sect than him. Mainly, an alchemist just needs to make pills when requested, spending a bit of time is all it takes.

An Array Master like Granny You is rare, not only are there few skilled ones in Biyun Sect, but since an Array Master is needed to either set up or break an array, they must personally participate.

Based on Li Ji’an’s previous deduction, Biyun Sect might have external operations, and Granny You would likely be taken to the front line.

The risk is substantial.

However, if the task succeeds, one might build a relationship with the sect.

”Xiaoqiao, Uncle Li is right here, don’t be afraid, just like before. If anything happens, Uncle Li will be there in a blink. Wait for Granny to come back safely.” Patting Xiaoqiao’s head, which reached his chest, Li Ji’an comforted her.

Xiaoqiao blinked her big eyes and nodded her head.

”Let’s go, I’ll take you back.”

”I want to play here for a while,” Xiaoqiao said, squatting on the ground, gazing at the soil in a daze.

Li Ji’an didn’t disturb her and turned to enter the house.

Although he trusted Fellow Daoist You to some extent, he couldn’t be careless, so he took out the storage pouch given to him and carefully inspected it with his divine sense.

The storage pouch was of the lowest grade, with a small storage space, and the contents inside were clear at a glance.

With a quick scan, there was a small pile of spirit stones, around a hundred of them.

This made Li Ji’an pause slightly.

”How long is Fellow Daoist You planning to be away to give so many?”

”Hmm~” Upon closer inspection of each spirit stone to see if there were any imprints, something that looked like a spirit stone at the bottom of the small pile caught Li Ji’an’s attention.

Simply pouring everything onto the ground revealed the item that appeared to be a spirit stone but was suspicious upon careful examination; the rest were all normal spirit stones.

Seeing the abrasions on its surface, Li Ji’an’s heart stirred, and he probed it with his divine sense.

”This...” In an instant, Li Ji’an’s eyelid twitched.

The object disguised as a spirit stone turned out to be a high-quality imprinted jade talisman.

The first line of text inside shocked Li Ji’an: Yu’s Array Mastery!

”Did Fellow Daoist You gift me the array inheritance?”

Having been rated as the best among Tier One Array Masters in Immortal City back then, her array inheritance would undoubtedly be remarkable.

Array skills, being special techniques difficult to learn, master, and get into, make their inheritance exceptionally precious, unlike some subpar inheritances of Alchemy or Talisman Dao which are still available in the market. Array inheritances, even the less significant ones, are hard to come by, let alone Granny You’s inheritance.

Li Ji’an wasn’t surprised by the inheritance itself, but by the implication of Granny You’s actions.

If it were merely for short-term care, even paying some spirit stones, a hundred would be excessive.

But now, it seems she might have the intention of entrusting her legacy.

Could it be... she feels she might not return unscathed?

For a moment, Li Ji’an’s heart was filled with a complex mix of emotions.

Obtaining Fellow Daoist You’s array inheritance was a truly immense surprise.

However... over these six years, he had diligently cultivated without pause, and now he had broken through to the Qi Cultivation 9th Layer. Furthermore, his progress in talisman making was also significant, pushing his plans to build his foundation higher on the agenda.

Within three more years at most, he should stabilize his realm to Great Perfection, after which he would have a hope to attempt Foundation Establishment.

Moreover, during these six years, once by chance in the Taiping Inn, he heard about possible sightings of the Heaven and Earth Spirit Flame near the Flame Mountain Desolate Land to the east and made several inquiries. Although pill masters and artifact refiners primarily used Pill Fire, it was not the best option.

Pill Fire is condensed with Fire Element Magical Power and essentially belongs to the Heaven and Earth Spirit Mechanism. However, it is gathered by human intervention and not the Heaven and Earth Origin Fire Essence, making it difficult to truly connect with the Heaven and Earth Spirit Mechanism during the refinement of pill medicine or magical artifacts, hence superior pill medicine or magical artifacts are rarely produced with Pill Fire alone.

The true Flame of Heaven and Earth is the best fire for refining pill medicine and magical artifacts.

It is said that in ancient times, pill masters and artifact refiners mostly used the Flame of Heaven and Earth for refinement.

This news had excited Li Ji’an greatly back then, and if he truly managed to obtain a Heaven and Earth Spirit Flame, with his current Divine Soul on par with the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, he would be entirely capable of refining a Foundation Establishment Pill on his own!

Therefore, he was inclined to head towards the edge of the Flame Mountain Desolate Land in the east to try his luck, as it was said that traces of the Spirit Flame had been sighted there.

The area had poor Spiritual Qi, with only a few Tier One Spirit Veins that could at most sustain a few Qi Cultivation clans, and it was almost impossible to encounter cultivators above the Foundation Establishment realm along the way.

While contemplating this.

”Uncle Li, can the big frog below come play with me?”

”Hmm?” Li Ji’an instinctively looked up and saw Xiaoqiao still squatting on the ground, staring at the soil in a daze.

”Hmm!” At that moment, an inspiration struck Li Ji’an, and he stared intently at Xiaoqiao, his face filled with disbelief.

The moment the Fake Pill Elder from Biyun Sect arrived, he worried that Gugu might be detected for shielding its Divine Soul; after all, he couldn’t ensure if the divine sense of a Fake Pill Cultivator could see through Gugu’s innate talent of shielding its Divine Soul from years of consuming Soul-Holding Ants.

So he hurriedly had Gugu delve as deep as possible underground.

At this moment, he could clearly sense through the Spirit Pet Contract that Gugu was remaining motionless thirty Zhang underground!