Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Chapter 151: Chapter 39: Farewell to Old Friends

”Warmly welcome Senior Li, honored to return home!”

As the three in the sky drew nearer, Yan Zongsheng led the whole clan to bow and greet them.

Li Ji’an didn’t change his surname or accept the clan’s privileges back then; only due to his father’s legacy, Yan Zongsheng persuaded the elders to give him a small courtyard at the edge for barely enough cultivation.

For this matter, Yan Zongsheng, as the clan leader, could only do so, as the Yan Family wasn’t his solely.

Even the special care Li Ji’an received from Yan Qingwan, Yan Kongyi, and Yan Hongsheng during those ten years had stirred some controversy among the clan members.

So now, he couldn’t have the face to say ”Welcome home” with such flattering words.

Li Ji’an was high in the sky, looking down at the people worshiping below, and gently waved his hand: ”There’s no need for ceremony, everyone.”

Then, leaving only Yan Qingwan and Yan Zongsheng to accompany him, Li Ji’an arrived at the courtyard of Yan Kongyi, where he had studied Talismans back in the day.

”Grand Elder!” Yan Kongyi’s half body was destroyed, surviving on pills, his aura and magical power nearly exhausted.

If not for a lingering obsession, he might not have lasted so long.

Having lost magical power and vitality, Yan Kongyi now looked withered, with deep-set eyes exuding a deathly aura.

”You... you really came back!” The moment he saw Li Ji’an, Yan Kongyi’s eyes suddenly gleamed with hope and disbelief. To confirm it wasn’t a hallucination, he bit his tongue hard.

He hadn’t actually held much hope.

”I returned.” Li Ji’an sat by his bedside, reaching out to touch his pulse.

”You... you’ve even established Foundation!” As Li Ji’an channeled his magical power to soothe him, Yan Kongyi’s eyes widened even more.

Then, overjoyed, he grasped Li Ji’an’s hand in return, his face full of consolation.

”Don’t be too ecstatic!” Li Ji’an instantly sensed his vitality was rapidly diminishing and offered consolation.

”Haha, it’s enough, it’s enough, to die without regret.” Yan Kongyi paid no heed, trying to sit up in a last shine of life.

Behind him, Yan Qingwan and Yan Zongsheng also sensed his vitality had been completely spent, feeling both sad yet slightly comforted; at least he would die without regret.

”Let the old man say a few words to Fan’Er.” Yan Kongyi gave Yan Zongsheng a deep look, as if bidding farewell to this brother.

Yan Zongsheng took a deep breath, saluted him profoundly, then withdrew.

”Fan’Er, set up the restriction.” Yan Kongyi said to Li Ji’an once more.

Li Ji’an gave a slight smile; with his current Divine Sense, no one in the Yan family could spy on them, plus the family had two ancestors who were sensible.

However, he understood Yan Kongyi’s intent with this gesture.

Sure enough, once he waved to set up a magical barrier, Yan Kongyi eagerly spoke: ”The old man is about to die, can you tell me honestly, how is the talisman art?”

”...” Li Ji’an sighed; the old fellow still didn’t trust him.

It’s little wonder, as he’d kept it from him so thoroughly back then.

In Yan Kongyi’s eyes filled with expectation, Li Ji’an shook his head unhesitatingly: ”Please rest assured, I’ve now reached Foundation Establishment, and I’ll certainly spend more time studying talismans, sooner to open the inheritance from that ancient tomb.”

Yan Kongyi didn’t seem disappointed but nodded with hope in his eyes.

That’s also why he cried with joy upon discovering Li Ji’an had reached Foundation Establishment; this question was actually a probing one with little expectation.

But now he had reached Foundation Establishment, he would have ample time, and with his middle-grade spirit root talent, coupled with some connections in the Immortal City, reaching Core Formation wasn’t realistically expected. Yet, over two hundred years of a long life, with his comprehension, he will surely make progress in the Talisman Dao, ensuring the tomb of the ancient talisman master wouldn’t be lost.

”Good, good, good, the old man has a dying request, should there be Talisman Dao seedlings in the clan someday, I hope you cultivate them.” Yan Kongyi made his last contribution for the Yan Family.

”I agree to it.” Li Ji’an didn’t refuse this time.

On that day, Yan Kongyi died smiling.

Seven days later, Yan Kongyi’s funeral was perfect.

During this period, Li Ji’an was arranged at Yan Qingwan’s Dao Field. The two didn’t discuss cultivation, simply connecting their aunt-nephew bond.

Until Yan Kongyi was buried, and that evening, Li Ji’an took out the exquisite Youthful Appearance Pill.

Yan Qingwan had previously taken medium-grade Youthful Appearance Pill, which preserved her appearance for twenty years.

But since the desert grew chaotic, the Yan Family faced resource shortages, cutting off external trades; several years ago, they had already exhausted their stock of Youthful Appearance Pills. Hence, when Li Ji’an discovered her features slightly weathered,

The gentle young girl from distant memories now carried a trace of mature grace.

”Is this... an exquisite Youthful Appearance Pill?” Yan Qingwan stared directly at the pill in Li Ji’an’s hand, her eyes showing slight excitement.

Women are forever young in heart; the love for beauty never changes.

The Youthful Appearance Pill before her not only prolonged youth ten years more than the medium-grade pill she had taken but also had a slight rejuvenating effect, something she had dreamed of.

Unexpectedly...

”Thank you, Fan’Er.” Receiving the Youthful Appearance Pill, Yan Qingwan immediately returned to her room to consume and refine it.

Half a day later, upon seeing Yan Qingwan again, she appeared noticeably younger, but the rejuvenating effect couldn’t entirely offset the years she had been without the Youthful Appearance Pill.

The trace of mature grace hadn’t vanished.

Yet it was enough to bring her joy.

However, before she could express her gratitude to Li Ji’an again, Li Ji’an once more took an item from his Storage Pouch.

Yan Qingwan’s originally joyful and slightly shy expression instantly froze.

”This...Foundation Establishment Pill!”

Nowadays, the desert has been turbulent for over a decade. The foundation resources of various clans have been heavily consumed, with outgoing more than incoming, leading to the near disappearance of hope for the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Moreover, even if one could gather the wealth needed for a Foundation Establishment Pill, it’s nearly impossible to leave the desert.

What’s more, if one were to successfully bid for a Foundation Establishment Pill at the Immortal City auction, they would not dare to take the Divine Pill out of the city; instead, they would have to rent a cave mansion within the city to establish their foundation, which would cost nearly as much as the Pill itself.

When she established her foundation, aside from the five thousand Spirit Stones spent on the Foundation Establishment Pill, the cost of renting a cave mansion, purchasing the Protective Vein Pill for survival, acquiring Spiritual Materials that augment foundation establishment, and paying for ancestral guardianship, all amounted to nearly ten thousand Spirit Stones.

Yet at this moment... an authentic Foundation Establishment Pill was placed right before her!

And it had been carried alone for ten thousand miles, from the Immortal City to the desert.

Once the news of possessing a Foundation Establishment Pill leaked, it would surely attract countless thieves who would stop at nothing to intercept and kill for it.

Is this still the same young ”safety-first” boy who was once afraid of fulfilling sect missions, fearful of encountering danger in secret realms, and thus gave up becoming an inner sect disciple?

The shock at this moment outdid even the scene of witnessing Li Ji’an achieving success in establishing his foundation.

”Fan’Er, hold on a moment. This matter, aunt cannot make a decision on her own. It requires negotiation with our ancestors and the patriarch!” Yan Qingwan immediately spoke, not waiting for Li Ji’an to say anything.

She could accept the Youthful Appearance Pill as a token of respect from the younger generation, and even comfortably accept it because of her longstanding sincere friendship with Li Ji’an.

However, the Foundation Establishment Pill is of critical importance and quite valuable. Even for a cultivator who has just established their foundation, it represents a significant fortune, and regardless of Li Ji’an’s intentions, she must pay the deserved price for accepting it.

”Aunt!” Li Ji’an immediately interjected.

In this post-ancient era, the higher the grade of resources, the scarcer they are. Spirit Stones for ordinary Foundation Establishment stage cultivators mainly serve to purchase auxiliary pills for cultivation, magical artifacts, rent cave mansions, and other everyday expenses.

However, materials that greatly enhance the strength and combat capabilities of Foundation Establishment stage cultivators are nearly impossible to buy with Spirit Stones. In Cangyun State and even the Celestial Cyan Domain, only some early-period second-tier items can be traded with Spirit Stones.

Artifacts, talismans, spirit beasts, etc., beyond the middle stage of the second tier are all swapped through bartering.

Including various medicinal herbs, talisman materials, array bases, and Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects for boosting Core Formation, all are beyond the scope of Spirit Stone transactions due to high scarcity; having Spirit Stones doesn’t guarantee a purchase.

With Li Ji’an’s current advancement to the Foundation Establishment stage, relying on his alchemy skill, he only needs to open the furnace seven or eight times a month like Alchemist Zou, and the pill yield and quality can earn him enough Spirit Stones for present cultivation.

As long as he doesn’t establish forces or nurture apprentices, it’s sufficient.

He could even open a few more furnaces to prepare enough finance for seamlessly passing through the Qi Cultivation stage in the next life and the life after.

Spirit Stones for him now, and even in the future, are akin to gold and silver during the Immortal Dynasty period—enough is fine; he doesn’t overly concern himself with them.

An excessive focus on profit wears down life and can easily affect one’s mental state, a mindset he weakened after undergoing Rejuvenation twice.

However, as the family’s ancestor tasked with the prosperity of the family and supporting numerous clan members, Yan Qingwan’s understanding of Spirit Stones cannot align with Li Ji’an’s.

”No way, Aunt cannot agree to this matter regardless.” Yan Qingwan insisted resolutely.

The more resolute she was, the more at ease Li Ji’an felt.

Some things cannot be measured in Spirit Stones.

Passing the childhood period of this world peacefully and developing well over the years is something money cannot buy.

”Aunt, consider this pill as a debt you owe me; we’ll discuss it later. However, I have one condition—I hope you give Yan Qing a chance when considering foundation establishment for the young clan members.” Li Ji’an stated directly, without mulling over.

Before heading to the desert, while conversing with Zhao Shuyao, she had multiple times highlighted Zhang Tiezhu’s difficulties among the group of five back in the day.

Among the five, not mentioning Zhu Linxian and Li Ji’an, Zhao Shuyao had the easiest time, Dong Jiangling was relieved significantly after her daughter married into a nearby family, but Zhang Tiezhu alone exhausted himself for his son.

And during this world’s childhood period, interacting with Yan Qing for several years, after the age of fifteen, Yan Qing often came to teach Li Ji’an cultivation experiences and brought Spirit Rice meals multiple times.

”I’ve made my point clear. If Aunt still declines, it’ll really be treating me as an outsider.”

Yan Qingwan stared directly into Li Ji’an’s eyes, clear as water and sincere without blemish.

Then, she realized that she had underestimated Li Ji’an.

Eventually, she cautiously stored the Foundation Establishment Pill. Facing Li Ji’an again, her mind remained uneasy.

Especially in the ensuing half-month when Li Ji’an proactively invited her to discuss alchemy skills, explaining the essence of second-tier alchemy to her comprehensively, while demonstrating with several second-tier medicinal herbs before her.

The shadow of the man before her gradually aligned more with the Brother Li of the past.

Until half a month later, when Li Ji’an bade farewell, she still felt as if in a dream.

Before leaving the Yan Family, Li Ji’an actively went to meet Yan Hongsheng.

Yan Hongsheng by now was of old age, and due to failing to establish his foundation with a Foundation Establishment Pill when younger, he had injured his core, resulting in limited lifespan—possibly their last meeting.

Initially awkward due to Li Ji’an’s status as a foundation-cultivating wanderer, only when Li Ji’an voluntarily lowered his status and discussed those years when he deliberately hid his body refining cultivation did Yan Hongsheng partially revert to his old self.

They conversed happily, and before parting, toasted him with three bowls of wine as a preemptive farewell.

Finally, Li Ji’an went to Zhang Tiezhu’s home and gifted him a few bottles of Qi Blood Pill.

Yan Qing stood beside, often wanting to speak but refraining, looking at Li Ji’an with awe-filled eyes. Li Ji’an, mirroring the way Yan Qing imparted Qi cultivation knowledge years ago, taught him the Foundation Establishment Third Barrier techniques and his own insights.

However, Li Ji’an sensed that Yan Qing’s magical power and divine soul weren’t strong—only his Qi Blood slightly stronger due to Zhang Tiezhu’s pressure—but it seems without the Foundation Establishment Pill, the success rate is very low.

After leaving the Yan Family, Li Ji’an headed south, directly towards the hidden tomb marked by Yan Kongyi deep in Fallen Dragon Ridge.

Half a year ago, he’d already used the incomplete inheritance handed by Yan Kongyi two years prior to craft a special Spirit Awakening Talisman.

It can be said, this trip to the desert, its primary purpose lies in this.

With the inheritance of second-tier talismans, he will then possess the greatest defensive technique and trump card of the Foundation Establishment stage!