Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

If not for Gugu risking his life to charge ahead, the worst outcome would have been a failed promotion.

However, it also confirmed that Liu Jiuqian’s sale of the Blood Pill to him at the time was intentional and certainly not with good intentions.

This cause is planted, and as for when it bears fruit, it’s up to time.

”Fellow Daoist Li, please accept this gift,” Liu Jiuqian again handed the Jade Bottle forward.

Li Ji’an smiled and cupped his hands: ”Fellow Daoist Liu’s good intentions, Li appreciates it, but to be frank, I sought a pill last time just to repay a favor, and now that the favor is repaid, I have no use for it.”

A known trump card is no longer a trump card, and as for Gugu’s trump card, unless absolutely necessary, he didn’t want others to know.

Now, with his Foundation Establishment Cultivation, he is an experienced Second Tier Pill Master, along with the background of the Nine Tripods Commerce Association’s Tong Yaoyao; these identities are enough for him to be stable and worry-free in Cangyun State, with no need to expose more to elevate his status.

”Alas, it’s my fault for not considering thoroughly and not understanding Fellow Daoist Li’s needs in advance, this...” Liu Jiuqian suddenly looked regretful.

”Fellow Daoist Liu, please don’t be like this, it’s really overwhelming for Li! Fellow Daoist Liu being able to come personally to congratulate is already appreciated beyond words, and this sentiment, Li will remember.

Soon, there will be a small Jewel Celebration for the Foundation Establishment, shamelessly inviting Fellow Daoist Liu to have a drink.” Causes and effects are causes and effects, but it can’t let her think he was hostile and unwittingly create animosity.

Especially when facing such deeply scheming, narrow-minded, and well-connected Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Liu Jiuqian finally relaxed his brow, no longer entangled: ”Very well! Then Jiu Chan will wait to drink the celebratory wine of Fellow Daoist Li, and by then, I’ll surely prepare a new congratulatory gift.”

Watching Liu Jiuqian leave, Li Ji’an also immediately left the cave mansion, preparing to first visit the Nine Tripods Commerce Association.

The success of his Foundation Establishment, thanks to the Foundation Establishment Pill materials gifted by Zhao Shuyao, was the root; this kindness is too great.

And Tong Yaoyao’s Dharma Protector, unexpectedly caused his identity and status to rise, it’s like endorsing him; in the future within Cangyun state, even the Five Great Clans would give him some respect.

This is also a kindness.

”Greetings, Senior Li, this is the extra rental cost from this time, please keep it safe.” After leaving the cave mansion, Li Ji’an first went to the management office to return the cave mansion’s Array Token and settle the rental costs.

Having originally paid half a year’s rent, he only used it for four months this time, and the excess was refunded.

”Senior, take care.”

...

Facing the compliments from a group of Qi Family’s late Qi cultivation stage cultivators at the management office, Li Ji’an smiled faintly.

Sixty-seven years since coming to this cultivation realm, finally became the senior that ninety-nine percent of the people here call.

Heading to the Nine Tripods Commerce Association, even though he didn’t particularly release his Foundation Establishment aura, he was still respectfully addressed as senior by many cultivators he encountered on the road; fortunately, previous lifetimes in the Immortal Dynasty, the days he was called senior weren’t short, and he could accept this calmly.

”Greetings, Senior Li.”

”Congratulations, Senior Li.”

Upon arriving at the Nine Tripods Commerce Association, he was once again respectfully greeted by everyone.

Shopkeeper Wu heard the sound, welcoming him from afar, but upon arriving nearby, also became like others, timid and respectful in words, lacking the closeness from before.

”Shopkeeper Wu, there’s no need for this between you and me.” Li Ji’an smiled and patted Shopkeeper Wu’s shoulder.

Since the first day coming to Immortal City, the two met, and now twelve years later, the relationship between them has always been mutually supportive.

Li Ji’an brought Shopkeeper Wu enough high-quality pill medicine that could be delivered, helping him complete performance evaluations.

Shopkeeper Wu in turn always maximized his power limits to pay the pill costs for Li Ji’an.

Mutually supportive, cooperative win-win, with great friendship.

”Senior Li...” Shopkeeper Wu was shocked by Li Ji’an’s posture, quite touched.

He had lived nearly a hundred years, seen many Foundation Establishment cultivators, besides the kind like Young Master who couldn’t be measured by common sense, which of the other Foundation Establishment cultivators didn’t immediately change status upon successful establishment and turned identities, rarely was there one like Li Ji’an who remained consistent.

Especially those loose cultivators previously cold-shouldered before Foundation Establishment, the more they were belittled before, the more they looked down on those not yet established after.

”I’ll go see Aunt Yao first.” After a brief chat with Shopkeeper Wu, Li Ji’an walked inside.

Upon coming out from retreat, he first saw Zhao Shuyao, not only to express respect but also to reciprocate slightly.

Previously refining the Foundation Establishment Pill, one Lower Grade, one Upper Grade.

At establishment, he understood that besides increasing success rate, the pill grade also aids post-establishment magical power; therefore, regardless of whether in the next life he might have an Upper Grade Spirit Root not needing the pill, even if he still needs it, he would definitely use Upper Grade or even better.

So the extra Lower Grade Foundation Establishment Pill, rather than selling it at the auction house, isn’t much use to him.

But compared to liquidating in auction, he’d prefer to give it to Zhao Shuyao, strictly speaking, the Foundation Establishment pill material Zhao Shuyao gave him, created two refined pills, he used one, the remaining belongs to Zhao Shuyao.

”Aunt Yao! I’ve come out from retreat.”

”Xiaofan, quickly let Aunt Yao take a look, what changes after Foundation Establishment?” Zhao Shuyao, upon seeing Li Ji’an, smiled broadly, scrutinizing him for a long time.

Tong Yaoyao watched beside, frowned; although she had already established foundation early and often stayed next to Zhao Shuyao, she’d never seen Zhao Shuyao inspect her this way.

This made her think perhaps her foundation was fake?

”Thank you, Aunt Yao, for the Dharma protect beforehand.” Li Ji’an then expressed gratitude to Tong Yaoyao.

”Just remember your promise to me from before.” With that, Tong Yaoyao pursed her lips and left.

Zhao Shuyao looked him over, nodding with satisfaction: ”Good, good, my Xiaofan has also become a Foundation Establishment Elder with great power.”

Li Ji’an shook his head with a smile: ”Aunt Yao, you’re exaggerating; Foundation Establishment is merely the first step on the Immortal Path, how dare I claim great power?”

Zhao Shuyao’s expression turned serious: ”Xiaofan, you shouldn’t belittle yourself. You don’t know how much your father and I envied Foundation Establishment cultivators back then. When we were in the desert, those Foundation Establishment cultivators were the ancestors of nearby families, lofty and overlooking all beings. We didn’t even have the qualifications to take a glance at them.”

Li Ji’an smiled in agreement, not arguing, as she spoke the truth.

Seeing Li Ji’an seemingly indifferent, Zhao Shuyao became more serious:

”Xiaofan, remember, your father once said, a gentleman should have the transformation between dragon and snake. When lacking conditions, be a snake on the ground, bowing among the grass, mingling with ants, living in a muddy hole, and eating filthy things to seek peace.

Once conditions are met, rise to the heavens as a dragon, soaring for miles, able to call the winds and rains, swallow clouds and mist, shower blessings, fully displaying talent.

While being a snake, do not despair over having once been a dragon.

Having become a dragon, do not feel inferior having once been a snake.

No matter how you were before, you now have transformed into a dragon, do not belittle yourself anymore. Look outside at the Foundation Establishment cultivators, they should have the posture they ought to!”

”...” Li Ji’an was slightly lost in thought.

Those were words he once used to comfort four people while leading them to escape the Storm Desert; back then, the four were disheartened by the ”Immortal” and somewhat despondent.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Shuyao remembered them so clearly and had them to admonish him in return.

”Yes, I will definitely remember Aunt Yao’s teachings!”

After a round of exchanges, Li Ji’an took out the Foundation Establishment Pill.

When he said he’d give it to Zhao Shuyao, Zhao Shuyao immediately refused.

”Ha~ Aunt Yao is already old, what use do I have for it? Now that you’ve just established foundation, you’ll need more resources afterwards; at the very least, your current dwelling can no longer satisfy your cultivation, go sell it.”

After several refusals, Li Ji’an could only retract the Foundation Establishment Pill.

However, during the conversation with Zhao Shuyao, he already had a plan...