Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

During the key period of Foundation Establishment, three members of the Zheng Family attacked, but the Yan Family had a Clan Protection Array, so they did not expect to forcibly interrupt the Foundation Establishment; they only aimed to disturb and disrupt the mindset of the person attempting to advance.

Two elders of the Yan Family stopped them and communicated with the other four families for assistance.

The other four families arrived late, only coming when Yan Xiao was almost successful.

If Yan Xiao had not been calm, and the Foundation Establishment Pill and opportunity had not come so unexpectedly and easily, resulting in very little stress, the Zheng Family might have truly sabotaged him.

From then on, the Yan Family of the desert, with one family and three Foundation Establishment cultivators, became the Foundation Establishment clan second only to the Zheng Family in the entire desert.

Moreover, the ancestor of the Zheng Family was seriously wounded by roving bandits years ago and has been lingering, making the Yan Family nearly equal to the Zheng Family in top fighting strength.

However, with an extra Foundation Establishment cultivator, the Yan Family faced greater pressure. The previous alliance of the other four families immediately formed a new four-family alliance upon the appearance of the third Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Yan Family, to prevent them from becoming a second Zheng Family.

After all, the ancestral Spirit Vein of the Yan Family is not as large as the Zheng Family’s. With one family and three Foundation Establishments, it’s unsustainable, and they will certainly seize other Tier Two Spirit Vein Lands.

Thus, the desert shifted from the previous three-legged state to the current ”Four Powers Together,” and, given the recent formation of the Yan Family’s three Foundation Establishments and their lack of depth, the overall clan strength is almost at the bottom compared to the other three sides.

”But...” Chen Qingling was somewhat disappointed.

But Li Ji’an quickly added, ”Let me first ask Red Stone Wanderer, if possible, maybe I can take you north. There are many families near the Liu Family, one of the Five Great Clans, a few tens of thousands of miles north of the desert, and things are relatively more stable.”

”Okay, thank you, senior.” Chen Qingling was instantly pleased.

He wanted to leave, but most of the loose cultivators here had already left, and now with roving bandits active in the desert, he dared not venture alone, afraid of being captured as cannon fodder.

Red Stone Wanderer would never leave the desert, much less escort him far away.

With Li Ji’an speaking now, he was already very satisfied.

Half a month later, Red Stone Wanderer returned from procurement.

Li Ji’an finally met this legendary loose cultivator of the desert.

”I’ve long heard of Fellow Daoist Red Stone’s name, and today my wish is fulfilled. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Chen Qingling promptly stepped forward to introduce the two.

As the rumors suggested, Red Stone Wanderer was very friendly.

”Fellow Daoist Li praises me too much, I dare not accept.” However, he indeed didn’t speak much, appearing unsociable.

Li Ji’an met him in the name of paying respects to deceased elders, and on behalf of Chen Zhaohu, thanked him for taking care of Chen Qingling over the years, easily befriending him without any awkwardness.

Then he offered three Tier Two Breaking Ban Talismans, hoping to curry his favor and enlist his help in finding and hunting the Golden Armored Beast.

For those who frequently explore ruins, nothing is more enticing than Breaking Ban Talismans.

Whether it’s ruins or ancient tombs, most are set with restrictions, and the hardest step is breaking them, so when Li Ji’an decided to personally befriend Red Stone Wanderer, he was already prepared.

When Red Stone Wanderer saw the Breaking Ban Talismans, his eyes indeed shone brightly, full of desire.

Having been in the desert for years, even during the most prosperous years of United Marketplace, it was extremely rare to purchase Tier Two Restriction Talismans.

”Fellow Daoist Li, this poor Daoist often visits Fallen Dragon Ridge, and indeed saw a Tier Two Golden Armored Beast; as for these talismans...”

”Oh? As long as Daoist Friend assists Li in obtaining the demon core of the Golden Armored Beast, besides these three Breaking Ban Talismans, Li will add a bottle of Qi Storage Pills.” Li Ji’an was slightly surprised.

Initially mentioning the Golden Armored Beast was just to maintain contact, but unexpectedly, he actually knew the whereabouts of the beast, bringing unexpected joy.

In the Great Marsh Mountain, he dared not take risks, preferring to offer rewards; after all, there were countless Tier Two demon beasts within, and even Tier Three Demon Kings.

However, in Fallen Dragon Ridge, there weren’t many Tier Two demon beasts, and with Gugu and talisman backups, he was confident of full retreat.

”This... this poor Daoist isn’t adept at combat and has no confidence in killing a Tier Two Golden Armored Beast...” Red Stone Wanderer looked troubled, yet his eyes couldn’t leave the Breaking Ban Talismans.

”I don’t ask for you to kill it alone; if we work together, I’ll add two more Breaking Ban Talismans!” Li Ji’an decisively said.

Red Stone Wanderer was clearly tempted: ”However, could you replace the pills with... two Breaking Ban Talismans?”

”Hmm?” Li Ji’an was a bit surprised; Qi Storage Pills are essential for Foundation Establishment cultivators during early cultivation, each worth two hundred Spirit Stones; this bottle containing ten pills totals two thousand Spirit Stones.

But Tier Two Breaking Ban Talismans are at most worth five hundred Spirit Stones.

Could it be that he has given up his cultivation?

Subconsciously, Li Ji’an’s Divine Sense comparable to late-stage Foundation Establishment swept over him.

Conforming to his senses, early-stage Foundation Establishment, even his magical power aura was similar to his own, without disguise or hidden cultivation.

This reassured him more about entering Fallen Dragon Ridge with Red Stone Wanderer.

The rewards were agreed upon, and Red Stone Wanderer was satisfied, even somewhat impatient.

But Li Ji’an first discussed matters concerning Chen Qingling.

Just as Chen Qingling said, Red Stone Wanderer supported his wish to leave.

Eventually, an agreement was reached, and Chen Qingling waited here.

After Li Ji’an and Red Stone Wanderer completed their transaction, he would return to take him along.

That day, Red Stone Wanderer couldn’t wait to head toward Fallen Dragon Ridge with Li Ji’an.

”Taoist Friend Red Stone, the spiritual energy here is chaotic, use this pill to maintain magical power.” On the way, Li Ji’an handed him a bottle of Tier One Spirit Supplement Pills.

Red Stone Wanderer refused again: ”Fellow Daoist Li, no need to be courteous, this poor Daoist doesn’t enjoy taking pills.”

Li Ji’an’s expression slightly shifted.

Throughout the flight, his magical power barely fluctuated, which was very unreasonable.

Staying long in a Spirit Poor Land, or in such chaotic spiritual energy places, ordinary cultivators cannot absorb spiritual energy to replenish magical power.

If unable to replenish for a long time, not only would strength decrease, but there’s even a risk of cultivation slipping.

From previous information, Li Ji’an had always thought Red Stone Wanderer relied on pills for sustenance during years of residence in Fallen Dragon Ridge.

After pondering for a moment, to prevent displeasure, Li Ji’an didn’t inquire further.

Any loose cultivator capable of Foundation Establishment has some opportunities and secrets.

Throughout the journey, Red Stone Wanderer remained consistent; only when Li Ji’an took the initiative to speak did he respond, never asking any questions.

Until ten days later,

”Fellow Daoist Li, this poor Daoist encountered that Tier Two Golden Armored Beast several times in the mountain ravine twenty miles ahead; this area should be its territory.” Red Stone Wanderer landed on a huge red stone, pointing forward.

Fallen Dragon Ridge is mostly red stone piles, rumored to be where an ancient dragon was slain, its blood soaking into the stones.

Red Stone Wanderer’s name also originates from this.

”Can you confirm whether it is a Tier Two early-stage demon beast?” Li Ji’an fully opened his Divine Sense, which could cover a twenty-mile radius in late-stage Foundation Establishment.

But for now, he hadn’t discovered the Golden Armored Beast.

Aside from its armor akin to iron, the Golden Armored Beast is also adept at breaking through mountains and burrowing.

”I am certain.” Red Stone Wanderer replied.

”Good, in that case, let’s split up and action together to best surround and kill it first!” Li Ji’an suggested.

”Agreed!” Red Stone Wanderer briefly answered, then flew toward another direction.

When he was far enough, Li Ji’an released Gugu.

Returning here, Gugu was clearly excited.

It had roamed here for eight years, was familiar with the aura.

But back then, it was only a Tier One demon beast, not having ventured too deeply.

Soon, Gugu burrowed underground, stealthily heading forward.

With Gugu’s current concealment talent and the mutated Soul Shield, almost no same-tier demon beast can detect it.

While sharing Gugu’s vision, Li Ji’an’s Divine Sense kept an eye on Red Stone Wanderer; from the acquaintance to close interactions, Red Stone Wanderer always felt odd to him.

On the surface, he seemed very amiable, sincere, and straightforward, yet he gave Li Ji’an a sense of unreality.

It’s as if everything was a façade, devoid of true emotions.

While Li Ji’an and Red Stone Wanderer searched for the Golden Armored Beast, far in the northwest desert, along the route from Golden Splendor Immortal City to the Yan Family, Zheng Tianxiang’s expression was uncertain.

”According to time, they should have arrived already, unless they did not come to the desert?”

”Hmph, could they have snuck in from another direction out of a guilty conscience?”