Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Li Ji’an’s attitude and reaction greatly satisfied Duanmu Qin.

First, he was clearly tempted by the Heaven and Earth Spirit Treasures.

Second, he was no fool.

If not, she wouldn’t have taken an interest in Li Ji’an.

Someone like Hua Hongling, who lacked foresight and acted impulsively at the slightest provocation, was not suitable for strategic plans.

Most critically, now was not the best time.

Only in troubled waters can fish be caught.

This was merely the first test, there would be plenty of time in the future.

”Fellow Daoist Li, you will know in the future that my sincerity is genuine.” Duanmu Qin bowed gracefully.

Li Ji’an nodded.

”Oh, by the way, I originally prepared a gift for Xiaoqiao. Would you mind passing it to her, Fellow Daoist Li?” Before leaving, Duanmu Qin took out a jade hairpin from her storage pouch.

”Fairy, you are very thoughtful. Let me thank you on Xiaoqiao’s behalf.” Li Ji’an accepted the jade hairpin.

”Fellow Daoist Li, Xiaoqiao is already a big girl. If there is anything inconvenient for you, you can let her follow me more often.”

Li Ji’an smiled slightly. Over the years, he had guided her during his free time, and Xiaoqiao’s personality had greatly improved. Coupled with the fact that she was now a Middle Stage Qi Cultivator, he often encouraged her to go out more.

”I will certainly pass the message to Xiaoqiao.”

After sending Duanmu Qin off, Li Ji’an scanned the jade hairpin with his Divine Sense to confirm there were no issues and handed it to Xiaoqiao.

In the following six months, the relics of the Great Marsh mountain range frequently revealed significant opportunities.

Golden Splendor Immortal City also saw another sustained surge in people flow.

Not only did loose cultivators from the entire Cangyun State flock to try their luck, but many family cultivators also came for such opportunities.

Clearly, the rumors of relics’ gains were likely well-targeted, but they were certainly deliberately spread by people with intentions, and often exaggerated.

One day, Li Ji’an finally received Yan Qingwan’s good news.

She said that two and a half years ago, the roving bandits abruptly fell apart, and the remnants were slaughtered by the Zheng Family and the Four Families Alliance.

Just as the Yan Family began to face the encirclement killing from the Zheng Family and the Four Families Alliance, the Zheng Family’s Young Master suddenly died at the hands of the Qingshui River Li Family, one of the Four Families Alliance.

The aura of a Second Tier Talisman remained at the scene, and the Zheng Family pointed the blame at the Li Family, eventually leading to a big fight between the Zheng Family and the Four Families Alliance.

The dying ancestor of the Zheng Family exchanged the Li Family’s clan land for the other three families to stand by and watch.

Eventually, the Li Family was destroyed, and the clan land was obtained by the three families.

The Zheng Family had only two Foundation Establishment Ancestors left, severely injured, who offered compensation to the Yan Family and the Three Families Alliance, and both Foundation Establishment Ancestors personally signed a blood contract promising never to transgress again in their lifetime.

A year later, the Three Families Alliance erupted in internal strife over uneven distribution of spoils.

The Yan Family, forming distant alliances while attacking nearby enemies, subdued the nearest Wei Family with thunderous means, having three Foundation Establishments in the Yan Family, only the Ancestor was injured.

Afterwards, the two northeastern families saw the fate of others and once again swore a blood oath, acknowledging the Yan Family’s position as the Desert’s Overlord, offering the Qingshui River Li Family clan land with both hands, and signing a blood contract.

Thus, the Desert once again returned to stability.

The Yan Family, with its three Foundation Establishments, occupied three Second Tier Spirit Veins, replacing the Zheng Family of the past, becoming the first family in the Desert.

Li Ji’an was very gratified by this outcome.

As a mere loose cultivator in the Desert, he was powerless against the larger forces, but naturally, what he most hoped to see was a favorable outcome for the Yan Family.

The Yan Family’s success today was inseparable from the cohesion within the clan, and the credit for fostering this cohesion largely went to the Clan Leader, Yan Zongsheng.

The only regret was that the Seventh Elder, Yan Hongsheng, sacrificed himself for the clan in this decisive battle for the Desert’s dominance.

”Biyun Sect Law Enforcement Hall, Hall Master Jiang Yunzhou, requests an audience with fellow Daoists!” Just after receiving a communication talisman, a stern voice suddenly echoed from their core area.

”Jiang Yunzhou?” Li Ji’an was not unfamiliar with this person, who was once the top-ranked True Inheritor during their trial in the same year.

A decade ago, he met him by chance when returning from Flame Mountain, and he had already reached Foundation Establishment Stage at that time.

Later, during a period of easing springtime with Xiao Changfeng, he learned that his background was significant; he was the grandchild of Jiang Wannian, one of the ten Sect Guardian True Pill Elders of Biyun Sect!

Now, he had actually become the Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall!

Li Ji’an got up and walked outside.

”Uncle Li!”

”Fellow Daoist Li.”

When he arrived in the front yard, Duanmu Qin had just bid farewell to Xiaoqiao.

Since Duanmu Qin’s visit half a year ago and the gift she had given to Xiaoqiao, she often found excuses to visit the Li Mansion.

Considering that it was beneficial to Xiaoqiao’s personality, Li Ji’an didn’t say much, although Duanmu Qin was very measured and only stayed in the front yard each time she visited.

Glancing at Xiaoqiao, Li Ji’an smiled slightly. Slightly groomed by Duanmu Qin, she was now a beauty with a city-toppling appearance.

This also greatly increased Xiaoqiao’s confidence, leading to frequent bouts of joy and laughter.

”Peach Blossom Fairy, let’s go.” Li Ji’an left the Li Mansion shoulder to shoulder with Duanmu Qin.

As soon as they stepped out, they saw a man in a red robe not far from the center of this area, standing in mid-air with his hands behind his back, gazing down imperiously.

”Middle Stage Foundation Establishment!” His entire aura was unconcealed, wantonly filling the area.

Li Ji’an recalled that his Spirit Root back then wasn’t particularly outstanding, having twenty-six Upper Grade Spirit Roots.

Based on local experience, Upper Grade Spirit Root from Early Period Foundation Establishment to Middle Stage Foundation Establishment typically took about thirty years, and with sufficient Upper Grade or higher Pill Medicine to aid cultivation, it could shorten by forty percent; frequently honing Magical Combat also had a ten percent effect.

But even then, the fastest would take sixteen to seventeen years.

Yet he had taken only thirteen years to progress from Foundation Establishment to Middle Stage Foundation Establishment.

”Besides extraordinary Cultivation Technique, there must be several Celestial and Earthly Treasures aiding him!” Li Ji’an nodded secretly.

Upon carefully sensing his aura, his magical power was twice as robust as his own.

”Salutations to Hall Master Jiang!” All eight in the core area bowed with clasped hands.

No matter how much they privately complained, as long as they remained in Cangyun State, the Biyun Sect was like the heavens.

Even the Gou Puppet Master brought his true body to give his respects this time.

”At ease!” Jiang Yunzhou gazed down imperiously, then his eyes sharpened.

”Fellow Daoists, I won’t beat around the bush. Biyun Sect has stood for five thousand years, eradicating demons, defeating bandits, and fending off invaders, maintaining peace in one state. Many sect brothers have perished, you must agree that this is an immense virtue?”

”In order to secure a thousand years of peace within the state and strengthen the Sect’s power, our Sect did not hesitate to risk depleting our foundation, amassing countless resources, and spending more than a decade to finally break open the relics.”

”During this period, many of our Sect’s outstanding brothers willingly contributed their crucial resources for future peace.”

”Moreover, countless phenomenally talented Immortal Seedlings perished in the relics; can their blood be shed in vain?”

”But... now that we’ve finally gained something, who would have thought there’d be these ill-intentioned people spreading rumors, deceiving the world, even competing with our Sect for the relic opportunities! Should they not die?”

...

”Fellow Daoists, all of you are Great Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage in this Immortal City and have enjoyed the city’s Spirit Vein for many years; this time... do not harm yourselves!”

At last, Jiang Yunzhou revealed the true purpose of his visit.

Shaking the mountain to scare the tiger!

However, no matter how arrogant his momentum or how ruthless his tone, Li Ji’an could see through his facade of bluster!

His mere presence and these words spoke volumes.

The prestigious Biyun Upper Sect actually started to pay attention to these few Foundation Establishment loose cultivators.

What does that indicate?

It suggests that they sensed a potential threat from these few Foundation Establishment loose cultivators.

In ordinary times, loose cultivators like them wouldn’t even merit a glance from the Biyun Sect, and if they dared to oppose, they’d be wiped out with a wave of a hand.

Yet now they specifically came to issue a warning.

Li Ji’an squinted his eyes: ”Is the situation already so tense? Could it be the pressure from the northern two states?”

Duanmu Qin’s eyes flashed with a glint, and she subconsciously pursed her cherry lips.