Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

This time, Duanmu Qin did not mention the matter of snatching food from the tiger’s mouth again.

Amidst mutual praise, Li Ji’an received considerable emotional value.

Her manner was elegant and measured, the topics relaxing and pleasant, without touching on anything that might make Li Ji’an uncomfortable, nor any probing into secrets or testing his background.

The conversation was delightful, as if between longtime friends.

She even candidly remarked at the end that the value of this batch of Law Storage Pill surpassed the previous Bone Softening Spiritual Talent, offering either to make up the price difference or to provide Li Ji’an with another enjoyable experience.

Li Ji’an had already stated he would not accept Spirit Stones, and in the end, he received another round of musculoskeletal cleansing.

The feeling was excellent.

It was slightly beneficial to the Body Cultivation realm.

After parting with Duanmu Qin, Li Ji’an returned to the Li Mansion, reflecting on the day’s interactions, and guessed her thoughts.

”No wonder she’s an expert in Divine Soul matters, her mind is remarkable.”

Even though the situation was about to become chaotic and she was eager to seize opportunities, she was still able to maintain her composure when urgency arose.

The art of a musician; on the surface, it’s magical power transformed into sound waves, but in reality, it’s the utilization of the Divine Soul, affecting the heart rather than the Sea of Consciousness.

Li Ji’an was unsure if she had practiced Spirit Soul Secret Technique.

Half a year ago, he tried to observe her true appearance with his Divine Sense, but even with his sense comparable to the late Foundation Establishment, he still couldn’t see through that thin veil.

However, he couldn’t determine if it was due to her Divine Soul or if the veil was an Exotic Treasure that could prevent Divine Sense probing.

”Judging from this, she is certainly not reckless... her statements from half a year ago are likely untruthful.”

After pondering for a moment, Li Ji’an suddenly understood.

If, as she said half a year ago, she was merely tempted by the Biyun Sect’s gains like other Loose Cultivators, it would have been foolish.

Based on half a year of interaction and understanding.

Li Ji’an had long seen through her gentle exterior to her firm interior and clever mind.

Such a person, if not fully confident, would not be easily swayed by rumors like ordinary Loose Cultivators.

”Could it be that she knows of an opportunity worth the risk in a particular place?”

In an instant, Li Ji’an had a sudden realization.

Then why involve me?

However, the next moment, his self-awareness prevailed.

In the eyes of others now, as Doctor Bai said, his combat power was insufficient and he still needed protection.

Apart from what Duanmu Qin mentioned about him being young and having hopes of forming a core, there was little he could offer in seeking opportunities, perhaps he was even a burden.

”A decoy to attract attention?” That seemed to be the only possibility for now.

Li Ji’an chuckled at himself, feeling a bit helpless.

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In the days that followed, as more people came to the Immortal City, the core area where Li Ji’an resided saw an increasing number of visitors.

Seeking pills, magical artifacts, puppets... there were many more Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Particularly, businesses at the Hua Mansion, Li Mansion, and Gou Mansion were booming.

Faced with the overwhelming alchemy seekers, Li Ji’an had no choice but to say that due to limited energy, he could only refine ten furnaces a month, letting the seekers negotiate order and quotas among themselves.

Unsurprisingly, it became a bidding queue.

Initially, he would charge 20% of the pill value as a fee if the alchemy seekers provided their own herbs, but within a few days, the price was driven up to a baseline of 50% by those people.

Some even bid anxiously, raising the fee for a furnace of pills to twice the market value of the pills.

That was a furnace of Second Tier Flying Soul Pill, which could temporarily enhance Divine Sense and had the effect of breaking illusions and being unaffected by Illusion Techniques.

Pills involving Divine Soul were already rare, and the city’s Commerce Associations had their supply cut off, almost swept clean.

In just three months, Li Ji’an earned more than three years’ worth of income, justifiably appropriating many rare herbs.

During this period, the pills were mostly useful for exploring ruins, enhancing combat power, and preventing crises.

Even three months later, those seeking alchemy were still coming in an endless stream, while across from him, the Bai Mansion was also getting busier.

The injured were increasing.

The purchase of Detoxification Elixirs was also rising.

Meanwhile, under Li Ji’an’s Divine Sense, more and more unfamiliar Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivators appeared.

Compared to the local family cultivators in Cangyun State, these people had a common trait: poor.

Half a year’s time flew by.

”Uncle Li, the Shielding Array is set up, with two layers inside and out.” Xiaoqiao reported wearily the day Li Ji’an just sent away two alchemy seekers.

In the past two years, Xiaoqiao progressed rapidly after actually setting up arrays.

Just like Li Ji’an’s alchemy without relying on his magic power, Xiaoqiao set up arrays without needing her magical power to engrave array patterns, just positioning the Array Base and Array Hub correctly, allowing the Earth Spirit Mechanism to flow in.

Therefore, her achievements in array techniques could not be measured by her cultivation.

In just a few years, she had become skilled in setting up late First Tier Arrays, even drawing parallels beyond needing array maps to follow step by step.

This time, the Shielding Array was an effect of two arrays layered from her own understanding, outperforming the Second Tier Shielding Array set up by Master Qian.

”Not bad, Foundation Establishment Early Period Divine Sense cannot penetrate through! Good job.” Li Ji’an slightly tested it, giving Xiaoqiao a thumbs up.

Her talent in arrays was too strong, the only regret was that he didn’t understand the mysticism of Xiaoqiao’s Earth Sensing, and whether it could become stronger.

If it couldn’t, then her array skill might only reach Tier One.

Xiaoqiao smiled with satisfaction, ”Being able to help you is my greatest happiness.”

”Silly girl, go have a good rest, you don’t have to worry about other things.” Li Ji’an nodded to her, placing a hand on her shoulder to infuse some magical power to help her recover.

”Okay.”

Just then, Doctor Bai summoned everyone for a gathering.

Over the past year, the eight of them had gathered several times, sharing intelligence and information promptly.

Today, only seven people came.

And the reason Doctor Bai called everyone was regarding this.

”Yesterday, in the ruins zone sealed by Biyun Sect, someone broke the restriction and killed sect disciples, shocking Biyun Sect.”

”Later, a destroyed puppet part was found there, eventually traced back to Fellow Daoist Gou.”

Doctor Bai succinctly relayed the news he heard while being invited to treat a sect disciple.

”Has it finally blown over?”

”This battle might ignite the flames entirely!”

”Biyun Sect will inevitably take an example.”

...

Everyone knew the situation with Gou Puppet Master and understood the current circumstances and the crisis Biyun Sect faced. Most likely, he wouldn’t be in trouble, as long as they couldn’t confirm who bought the puppet he sold.

Otherwise, he probably wouldn’t have freedom for a while.

However, for Gou Puppet Master, being confined in the sect might not be a bad thing.

”Other people aren’t significantly affected. Fellow Daoist Hua, Fellow Daoist Zhou, you need to be more mindful in your transactions. Better safe than sorry—if Biyun Sect is truly desperate, anything could happen,” Doctor Bai advised again.

”Thank you, Doctor Bai, I will keep that in mind.”

”Besides, another five vicious incidents broke out in the city today. Although it still only involves Qi Cultivation Junior Cultivators, the situation is getting increasingly out of control.”

”Hmph, the Qi Family is hesitant, and many have already tested their attitude. The city will only get more chaotic in the future.”

”You can’t blame the Qi Family. Their roots aren’t here, and besides, many Foundation Establishment cultivators from Celestial Origin Province have come to the Immortal City; among them, no one can guarantee there aren’t those the Qi Family doesn’t want to offend. In the end, we rely on ourselves.”

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Back in the Li Mansion, Li Ji’an wasn’t too pressured by the chaos Doctor Bai mentioned in the Immortal City. After all, those with real strength had already gone to Great Marsh Mountain.

Those still in the Immortal City now were either timid and cautious, or lacking strength or not fully prepared.

Whatever the case, he wasn’t afraid!

Just as he was about to draw another Life-saving Talisman, the Communication Talisman shook.

Upon reading the message, Li Ji’an raised an eyebrow slightly.

”Yan Qingwan is coming to the Immortal City, and she’s even going to guard the ruins.”

Moreover, she’s been summoned by the sect.

Every Foundation Establishment Clan in Cangyun State is required to send one Foundation Establishment cultivator, and for the Yan Family, while the older generation ancestor is too old, the new Foundation Establishment is too young, Yan Qingwan voluntarily took up this significant responsibility.