Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

After walking a few more zhang, an enormous cave mansion covering several mu with a hollowed-out top came into view.

In the hall, many people were seated discussing the Dao, while maids served Spirit Tea and Spirit Wine.

Seeing Xiao Changfeng personally greet their arrival, addressing him as elder brother, everyone’s eyes fell on Li Ji’an.

”It’s him!”

”Fellow Daoist Li Fan, it’s been a long time.”

”Fellow Daoist Li, it’s been twenty years since we last met. I hope you’re well.”

...

Most of them were Inner Sect Disciples who entered alongside Xiao Changfeng, so they naturally recognized Li Ji’an at a glance.

However, regardless of what was said behind his back, upon meeting him, they were rather friendly. After all, respect was given more for Xiao Changfeng than anyone else. Being the first Inner Sect Disciple from their batch to achieve Foundation Establishment, excluding the three True Disciples, he naturally commanded their respect.

Moreover, Xiao Changfeng’s attitude towards Li Ji’an was clearly quite unusual.

”Greetings, Fellow Daoists.” Li Ji’an replied with a smile.

With Xiao Changfeng by his side, Li Ji’an was welcomed and wasn’t looked down upon for being a Loose Cultivator.

Previously, the young greeter even committed Li Ji’an’s appearance to memory, secretly reminding himself to show even more respect the next time he encounters this Loose Cultivator.

After seating Li Ji’an, Xiao Changfeng left for other matters.

After brief exchanges, everyone resumed their previous discussions, and Li Ji’an gradually became an outsider again.

This couldn’t be blamed on others; after all, they were all Sect Disciples with shared topics. At Xiao Changfeng’s Foundation Establishment celebration, discussions naturally revolved around Foundation Establishment.

Furthermore, as Sect Disciples, they frequently discussed various tasks, how to allocate earned Contribution Points, and the most cost-effective Foundation Establishment Pills to exchange for, etc.

Meanwhile, Li Ji’an, being the only Loose Cultivator present, couldn’t join the conversation and didn’t want to, making him feel somewhat out of place.

This was a circle belonging to Sect Disciples, not to him.

During this period, a disciple once awakened by Li Ji’an attempted to include him in the conversation, but realizing the difficulties Loose Cultivators face in obtaining Foundation Establishment Pills, he stopped short, worried this topic might trouble Li Ji’an, and instead offered a cup of Spirit Wine.

Afterward, more Sect Disciples came to offer congratulations, including several of the older Foundation Establishment Stage seniors and the three True Disciples of Xiao Changfeng’s generation.

Unlike the initial disciples who hadn’t yet achieved Foundation Establishment, a few, upon learning of Li Ji’an’s identity as a Loose Cultivator, inadvertently showed disdain and disregard, ignoring his polite greetings.

Li Ji’an remained unbothered, merely waiting for Xiao Changfeng’s sharing of insights.

An hour later, Xiao Changfeng finally returned to the cave mansion, ready to share his insights from this Foundation Establishment.

This was a tradition in the Biyun Sect.

It also highlighted the advantage Sect Cultivators have in terms of ’companionship’.

Whenever someone in the Sect breaks through to a Great Realm, they traditionally share their insights and answer fellow disciples’ inquiries.

This aspect was precisely what brought Li Ji’an here.

It wasn’t just Xiao Changfeng’s sharing—he valued the questions from other disciples too.

After a while, Li Ji’an raised an eyebrow, discovering that Xiao Changfeng did not use a Foundation Establishment Pill for his Foundation Establishment.

He candidly mentioned that his Upper Grade Earth Spirit Root naturally provided a twenty percent success rate for Foundation Establishment. His physical body, honed from childhood and never neglected over the years, was nearly a Late Period Tier One Body Cultivator, adding another fifteen percent. His magical power, tempered while pursuing a Tribulation Cultivator despite not being top-tier, was pure, adding another fifteen percent. His Divine Soul, though not extraordinary, was decent, adding another ten percent, starting at a sixty percent success rate, providing high chances.

Based on this foundation, he used contributions initially meant for exchanging a Foundation Establishment Pill to borrow a nearly Tier Three cave mansion within the Sect, setting up a Second Tier Gathering Spirit Array to ensure ample and stable Spiritual Qi during his Foundation Establishment.

He also rented an exquisite Magic Crown with Purifying Heart and Focusing Spirit properties to maintain a clear mind and an unstoppable spirit.

Finally, he even prepared an exquisite Protective Pill to ensure that even if the Foundation Establishment failed, his Dantian would remain intact, and his body wouldn’t perish.

After discussing the preparation materials for Foundation Establishment, he then meticulously explained every step and insight of each barrier of Foundation Establishment, from Physical Body Barrier, Magic Power Barrier to Spirit and Soul Barrier.

Finally, he admitted that the key to his successful Foundation Establishment lied in his state of mind, and in the unwavering courage during the stage of transforming magical power into liquid.

He encouraged everyone not to be swayed by external rumors, expressing that Foundation Establishment isn’t difficult and can be attempted with a fifty percent success rate—there’s no absolute need for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

However, upon mentioning this, unexpectedly, a previously hidden Fake Pill Elder emerged, sternly advising other disciples not to heed this aspect.

The First Barrier of Foundation Establishment involves the Dao Foundation, carrying significant risks and consequences. Without at least a seventy percent certainty, it isn’t suggested to forcefully attempt it.

He pointed out in public that Xiao Changfeng’s success with a sixty percent chance and his Dao Foundation being solid and pure was extraordinary and largely due to luck; others shouldn’t attempt to imitate it.

This little interlude brought much laughter to the otherwise serious Dao discussion, pushing the atmosphere to its peak.

Li Ji’an focused intently throughout, not just on Xiao Changfeng’s narrative, but also tracing the origins of other disciples’ questions, benefiting greatly.

His understanding of his impending First Barrier of Foundation Establishment became even clearer.

The Sect doesn’t allow outsiders to stay overnight, except for core members of major powers like Liu Jiuqian. After the Dao discussion ended, Li Ji’an bid farewell.

While parting, Xiao Changfeng offered many words of encouragement to Li Ji’an, hoping he could achieve Foundation Establishment soon, even promising to help capture a Heaven and Earth Spirit Flame should he discover its traces.

This meeting left Li Ji’an with the impression that Xiao Changfeng had returned to his youthful vigor, yet with some newfound rebellion and fewer reservations than before.

Li Ji’an felt this path wasn’t promising for Xiao Changfeng’s future development. In the Sect, where his talent wasn’t particularly outstanding, being so after just stepping into Foundation Establishment might cause him to be labeled as arrogant upon achieving success.

However, since Li Ji’an recognized it as Xiao Changfeng’s inherent nature resurfacing, he chose not to comment.

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Half a year later, the transitioning of Immortal City was complete.

The Wan Jianqi Family took over Immortal City, and Biyun Sect Cultivators completely withdrew.

On this day, as Li Ji’an anticipated, the first grand market event after the change of City ownership arrived.

The Qi Family announced to the world that in six months, they would host a grand auction under the banner of Immortal City.

They even revealed in advance that the auction would feature an Upper Grade Foundation Establishment Pill crafted by an experienced Second Tier Pill Master from Dao Source State.

This news instantly caused a stir among all Cultivators within Cangyun State.

Biyun Sect had managed Immortal City for hundreds of years, yet at their best, they only ever auctioned a Mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pill; the rest were mostly Lower Grade or even inferior ones.

A Lower Grade Foundation Establishment Pill increases the success rate by twenty percent.

The Middle Grade adds thirty percent.

An Upper Grade Foundation Establishment Pill increases success by a full forty percent.

Even for Cultivators with Lower Grade Spirit Roots, as long as their physical body, magical power, and Divine Soul can pass the barriers, combined with an Upper Grade Foundation Establishment Pill, they could have a seventy percent success rate. With just a Spirit-qi rich Foundation Establishment Dao Field, hardly any additional assistance is needed for success.

However, following the initial excitement, everyone understood this Foundation Establishment Pill would likely auction for a staggering price.

Just a few years ago, a Lower Grade Foundation Establishment Pill fetched a high price of six thousand Spirit Stones; this Upper Grade one will surely go over ten thousand, maybe even reach twenty thousand.

This price sobered many.

At the same time, it excited others, motivating them to act.

Li Ji’an was among them, possessing savings of over five thousand currently, a sum he could hardly double within six months. However, he wasn’t aiming to compete for this Foundation Establishment Pill. Instead, he anticipated that this auction might feature many excellent items, so preparing more Spirit Stones wouldn’t be wrong.

In the following six months, he devoted himself nearly entirely to Alchemy, to the point of setting aside Talisman crafting and his prior studies into Arrays, investing countless hours in Alchemy day and night.

The fortunate part was that after the transition of Immortal City, Tier One medicinal materials slightly dropped in price, yet finished Pill Medicine prices remained temporarily stable, providing relatively higher revenue.

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.

This day finally arrived, marking the grand market event that hadn’t been seen for several centuries in Immortal City.