Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

The sight in front of him made Li Ji’an’s heart surge with excitement.

Especially that Seven-Colored Jade Tree, a page he had nearly worn out over the years from the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Treasures Atlas he purchased.

Nothing else, simply because this is the most favorable Core Formation Spiritual Object for solidifying and forming a pill.

It can promote the solidification of liquid magical power in the Dantian, even during the Ancient Times, ranked as the top Core Formation Spiritual Object, extremely precious.

As for these more than six thousand years of Post-Ancient Era, it is a Core Formation Sacred Object countless Foundation Establishment cultivators yearn for.

Looking throughout the entire Celestial Cyan Domain, even in the Ten Thousand Laws Palace, only three trees have appeared in a thousand years.

Moreover, all three Core Formation cultivators who used this Spirit Tree achieved top-grade True Pills, one even formed a Golden Core with imprinted Dao Charm!

If he could obtain this, Li Ji’an would have a thirty percent greater chance of forming a core in this lifetime.

However, after calming down a bit.

Li Ji’an showed a troubled expression.

There is a light curtain flowing around the stone platform, evidently another Restriction Array, Gugu cannot enter.

Moreover, Divine Soul Contract sensing, completely unable to sense Gugu’s location, as if Gugu has vanished from this realm.

The place could even shield the Divine Soul Contract between him and Gugu, its level is beyond his knowledge.

This means there is a risk completely beyond his control.

After pondering for a moment, Li Ji’an truthfully informed Duanmu Qin about the scene he saw through Gugu’s vision.

”Since that’s the case, let me go once,” Duanmu Qin didn’t hesitate much.

This is the genuine decision most cultivators make when facing opportunities with Core Formation Spiritual Objects.

Li Ji’an nodded, immediately instructing Gugu to explore around within.

Fortunately, no danger was revealed.

Then he let Gugu step onto the Teleportation Array he had just sent over.

In the next moment, Gugu reappeared in the stone house.

”The two-way Teleportation Array is fine, Fairy...” After ruling out basic risks, Li Ji’an looked at Duanmu Qin.

However, before he finished speaking, Duanmu Qin stood on tiptoe, a fragrant wind swept over, and his mouth was blocked.

Feeling more tenderness than in the past two years, Li Ji’an was moved.

”Is this the helplessness of ordinary cultivators knowing the risk of dying and the path extinguishing, yet still having to move forward for that ounce of path ahead?”

Perhaps this is the farewell.

Li Ji’an responded to her with all his heart.

Moments later, the two parted, Duanmu Qin smiled brightly, turned, and stepped into the shifting array.

Gugu immediately followed.

Vision returned to that unknown place, despite having been informed of the scene ahead of time, after stabilizing her stance, Duanmu Qin still showed a surprised look.

”Li Lang, the concentration of Spiritual Qi here is unparalleled nowadays,” Duanmu Qin said to Gugu.

”Gua~” Gugu could not relay Li Ji’an’s voice, could only croak, which counted as a response to Duanmu Qin.

”These jade pendants... are not simple either.” Duanmu Qin gently caressed the jade pendants embedded in the surrounding stones.

”Gugu~”

”The grade of this restriction is extremely high!” After carefully sensing the restriction’s light and shadow around the stone platform, Duanmu Qin furrowed her brows.

Then, she took out a Breaking Ban Talisman given by Li Ji’an.

”Puh~” However, when the Second Tier Breaking Ban Talisman hit it, even the light curtain did not ripple.

Standing still, staring at the center of the stone platform, Duanmu Qin suddenly had an idea, taking out that jade pendant from her bosom.

Slightly injected magical power.

”Wong~”

The jade pendant seemed to receive a certain resonance, light began to emerge within the stone platform, eventually converging in starry points.

Soon, the restriction of the stone platform gradually opened.

”It’s done!” Duanmu Qin rejoiced.

After waiting for a moment and seeing no other reactions inside the stone platform, Li Ji’an instructed Gugu to enter.

Soon Duanmu Qin also stepped onto the stone platform.

One person and one frog stood in the ring-shaped pit in the center of the stone platform, gazing at the three objects inside with glow in their eyes.

”The Seven-Colored Jade Tree is correct, this bottle must be Qiuli Water, but... this withered branch planted here has no trace of spiritual mechanism, and I don’t recognize it. Do you?” Duanmu Qin scrutinized for a moment and asked Gugu.

”Gua~” Gugu shook his head as instructed by Li Ji’an.

He collected many various atlases of this realm during his decades in Immortal City, the style of this withered branch is not special and looks ordinary, unable to identify it.

”The Seven-Colored Jade Tree and Qiuli Water can only float here, but this branch is planted here, it must be extraordinary, though it shows no vitality nor any aura; could it be succumbed to erosion over time?” Duanmu Qin analyzed.

”Gua~” Li Ji’an nodded in agreement.

”All the Spiritual Qi here is emanating from this pit; could it be that there is a Spirit Vein below?”

This information made Li Ji’an’s heart pause.

If it truly is a Spirit Vein Land, and so concealed, undisturbed, if he could claim it, cultivate here through generations, planting various Spirit Plants and Treasure Medicines, in ten generations he might reach the peak and enjoy eternal freedom.

”Li Lang, as we agreed beforehand, we’ll split this fifty-fifty. The stone house’s items need no further division, so you choose first between the Seven-Colored Jade Tree and Qiuli Water,” Duanmu Qin said after observing carefully for a moment.

Without hesitation, Li Ji’an instructed Gugu to swallow the Seven-Colored Jade Tree whole.

Qiuli Water primarily enhances the quality of Core Formation.

He has a Middle Grade Spirit Root and practices a Profound Level ordinary Cultivation Technique. His magical power is thin, his foundation insubstantial, and the greatest obstacle lies in Solidifying the Pill. As for the quality of formation, he is not currently qualified to seek high standards.

If Solidifying the Pill fails, not even a hundred portions of Qiuli Water would help.

As for the option to take everything, he believes there are countless opportunities ahead, and he can still maintain his boundaries for now.

”Alright!” Duanmu Qin’s eyes glimmered with a hint of joy.

Ever since she learned of her ancestor’s wishes, her goals were firmly set.

Seeing the smile in Duanmu Qin’s eyes, Li Ji’an raised his eyebrows slightly, knowing she might have deeper secrets. At least, judging by her current demeanor, she probably has a great confidence in Core Formation.

Recalling the previous battle with Junior Brother Fu Hanxing and the Secret Technique she used, her Cultivation Technique is very likely the Sect’s Holy Skill of Biyun Sect.

An Earth Level Upper Grade Technique; the refined magical power is thick and solid with a strong foundation for Core Formation.

She probably already has other Core Formation Spiritual Treasures.

After Duanmu Qin satisfactorily stored away the Qiuli Water, she looked at the dry branches planted in a depression and reached out to touch them.

Yet still, there was no sensation.

”Li Lang, why don’t you take this branch too? Although it seems lifeless, perhaps it can be used as medicine,” Duanmu Qin proposed after pondering for a moment, considering that the owner of this cave mansion was a Pill Master. This object, placed together with the Seven-Colored Jade Tree and Qiuli Water, might be the main ingredient for the Crystal Condensing Pill.

”Then I shall graciously accept it, thank you, Fairy,” Li Ji’an had similar suspicions earlier.

Inside the Alchemy Room, the inherited knowledge of Alchemy Dao contained the principles and Pill Formula of the Crystal Condensing Pill. Some ingredients were unheard of by him; this dry branch might just be its main ingredient.

However, it’s uncertain if the dry branch, already dead from the passage of time, still retains medicinal properties.

If he can indeed refine the Crystal Condensing Pill uniquely developed by the predecessor of this cave mansion, his chances of Core Formation in this lifetime would increase by another ten percent, and this Pill will surely make waves in the Cultivation Realm in the future.

Upon receiving instructions, Gugu opened its large mouth and swallowed the dry branch along with the soil beneath it in one gulp, coincidentally resembling the intent of Alchemist Mo and Wei Huai Ren to translocate the Yan Family’s herb garden.

Rumble~

As soon as Gugu swallowed the dry branch, a colossal tremor erupted from beneath the abyssal stone platform.

Duanmu Qin and Gugu almost couldn’t remain standing at the moment.

Li Ji’an’s shared vision was filled with quake shadows, indicating its power.

Only after three breaths did the vision gradually stabilize.

Yet suddenly, unusual phenomena arose.

Within the depression in the stone platform, there were no more dry branches and soil. Instead, a condensed liquid-like Spiritual Qi surged skyward, instantly filling the entire underground abyss.

At the same time, flickering light shone around the stone platform, and mysterious patterns began to glow on it.

In almost an instant, the patterns fused together on the stone platform, fully illuminating and solidifying the surrounding light, forming another light curtain.

”Not good! These are Array Patterns... inscribed like a Space Shifting Array,” Li Ji’an’s face tightened, intending to convey a message to Duanmu Qin.

However, Gugu could only produce frog croaks.

He hesitated no longer and instructed Gugu to take Duanmu Qin off the stone platform.

”Is this... could this be the Space Domain Gate leading to the Holy Sanctuary?” Duanmu Qin muttered in excitement, staring dazedly at the Array Patterns beneath her feet.

Held by Gugu’s long tongue, she was suddenly elated, stopping Gugu’s tugging while shouting excitedly at Gugu, ”Li Lang, come quickly, let’s go to the Holy Sanctuary together!”

”Gugu~” Gugu croaked loudly.

Duanmu Qin’s face was full of longing: ”Li Lang, our ancestors once heard a legend. This realm, and indeed the entire Great Marsh Cultivation Realm, is a place cursed by the Celestial Dao, where the path is severed. No Divinity Transformation Celestial Monarch has been birthed since the Post-Ancient Era. To seek the Dao of immortality, ascend to become Immortal, one must leave this realm and journey to the Holy Sanctuary!”

”Come, let’s go to the Holy Sanctuary together!”

”Cursed land? Holy Sanctuary?” Li Ji’an’s face was solemn as he stared at Duanmu Qin, unsure if she was under the influence of some Illusion Technique or if there was truth to her words.

However, the light curtain around the stone platform was about to close. He had no time to ponder further.

”Gugu, come out!” At the final moment, he instructed Gugu to leap off the stone platform.

Firstly, Duanmu Qin’s current state was uncertain, and the power displayed here far exceeded his control, so he couldn’t afford to risk it.

Secondly, even if Duanmu Qin’s words were true, the so-called opportunity for seeking the Dao in the Holy Sanctuary did not yet apply to him.

At this stage, and even in the subsequent two or three lifetimes, he would benefit more from exploring in this Great Marsh Cultivation Realm with not too high a ceiling.

If there truly is a Holy Sanctuary, it’s a matter to consider only when he reaches the pinnacle of this realm.

”Li Lang...” With the light curtain fully closed, Duanmu Qin inside gazed at Gugu, her face filled with regret.

Rumble~

In the next moment, the stone platform erupted with a blinding beam.

Li Ji’an hesitated no longer, instructing Gugu to step onto the Shifting Array.

In an instant, visions dissipated, and Duanmu Qin’s figure was lost for good.

Meanwhile, the stone house of the cave mansion where Li Ji’an was located began to quake violently.

Upon returning, Gugu quickly led Li Ji’an as they dashed toward the cave mansion’s exit.

Upon rushing out of the cave connecting to the underground mansion, Li Ji’an realized that not only the cave mansion but the entire Great Marsh Mountain range had begun intensely shaking.

Outside, many cultivators were in a frantic escape.

”With the exposure of the Abyssal Spirit Vein this time, I wonder what changes it will bring?” Li Ji’an sighed softly, then dove into Gugu’s mouth’s space domain, escaping several miles underground to distance himself from trouble...