Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Two hundred years ago, Qin Henian and Liu Jingchun were kindred spirits, confidants who roamed the martial world and explored the secret realms together.

During one exploration in Celestial Origin Province, their luck was extraordinary, and they obtained a stalk of Biluo Grass.

Though Biluo Grass ranked low among Core Formation Spirit Treasures, it was incredibly rare in Cangyun State during the Post-ancient Era.

However, at that time, the stalk of Biluo Grass was somewhat underaged, and they had only just established their Foundation.

So Liu Jingchun took it back to plant, promising to split it in half when they both reached Core Formation.

Fifty years later, Qin Henian’s Foundation Establishment Stage was perfect, his state of mind at its peak, and he went to the Liu Family to find Liu Jingchun.

But he could not see him.

The Liu Family claimed that Liu Jingchun was in seclusion and did not allow Qin Henian to enter.

At first, he had no suspicions.

He waited patiently, hoping to break through Core Formation with Liu Jingchun and extend the legendary reputation of the Unparalleled Dual Heroes of Cangyun State.

Yet, year after year passed.

For a full ten years, there was still no news of Liu Jingchun.

In desperation, he even pleaded with the Fake Pill Ancestor of the Qin Family to intervene.

Finally, he met the Liu Jingchun he revered as an elder brother, but Liu Jingchun candidly admitted his failure to reach Core Formation, and the Biluo Grass had been used up.

This was unbelievable to Qin Henian, causing his state of mind to plummet.

In the end, he recuperated for thirty years, but his mind never fully recovered, and he grudgingly formed a Fake Pill.

Since then, there was no more news of Liu Jingchun, who secluded himself in the Liu Family for over a century.

Those who knew of this, all felt Qin Henian was wronged and condemned Liu Jingchun as shameless and treacherous.

However, after his Fake Pill stabilized, Qin Henian still tried several times to find Liu Jingchun.

But he could never meet him again.

Only when he forced matters did Liu Jingchun show his face, but he always seemed dismissive.

Considering all circumstances, Qin Henian would rather believe that Liu Jingchun was persecuted than betrayed him for a Core Formation Spirit Treasure.

But the Liu Family’s extensive Ring Array composed of Second Tier arrays was impenetrable by a single person, and this was a personal matter, not a reason to declare war with the family.

In the end, he could only bear it quietly.

This time, with Biyun Sect’s summons, the Five Great Clans, as the Sect’s direct lineage, dispatching their strongest was customary.

The Liu Family Ancestor, nearing the end of his life, could only send their strongest, Liu Jingchun, to represent the Liu Family.

Qin Henian finally had a chance to confront Liu Jingchun face-to-face.

Unfortunately, Qin Henian tried several times to speak privately with Liu Jingchun, but each time was stopped by another clan elder of the Liu Family.

Now, Qin Henian was almost certain that Liu Jingchun must have been persecuted by his family.

So he did not hesitate to use the family’s taboo to take action.

Finally, he had the chance to meet Liu Jingchun alone face-to-face.

Underground,

Liu Jingchun looked at Qin Henian, his aging eyes glimmering with tears.

”Big brother, am I right? Were you threatened? Was it your family’s ancestor? Is he clinging to life, willing to seize all resources to survive, so he took the Biluo Grass back then?”

Liu Jingchun remained silent.

”Was it sister-in-law? Did that old dog use her to threaten you? Was it?” Qin Henian became even more agitated.

”Alas!” Liu Jingchun finally sighed deeply.

”Qin Henian, do not push your luck too far.” Just then, a sound of metal and stone crashing erupted from above.

Soon after, the earth below was shattered, and a wave of golden killing intent penetrated the underground.

”Humph! These beasts care not for your life.” Qin Henian blocked the Golden Light Killing Array, grabbed Liu Jingchun, and fled into the distance.

As soon as they left, Li Ji’an hurriedly instructed Gugu to stay away.

He currently did not have the ability to withstand such an array.

Half a month later,

Li Ji’an returned to the Immortal City Collection Courtyard.

The Immortal City was bustling with people and excitement, filled with Loose Cultivators who returned early for recruitment and family cultivators who fled back during the Abyssal upheaval.

The streets and alleys were abuzz with discussions of the numerous major events happening in the Great Marsh Mountains.

Li Ji’an used his Divine Sense to gather all the information from the surrounding discussions.

”The Six Great Sects suffered significant losses this time. In the foreseeable future, significant changes are expected in Celestial Origin Province and Dao Source State.”

”Biyun Sect fared okay; most of the ruins have already been excavated. Only a few disciples perished during the Earth Dragon Flipping Over, but Fiery Sun Sect suffered the most. It’s said that the Soul Lamp of their Supreme True Inheritor, claimed to be invincible of the same tier, has extinguished!”

”Overall, Biyun Sect made a great gain. Just after the compensation for excavation expenses, this happened. Before this, they’ve already completed excavations, who knows how many resources they’ve amassed.”

”Within at most a hundred years, Biyun Sect is certain to rise dramatically.”

...

The Earth Dragon Flipping Over.

The entire site sank into the abyss, and several arrays suddenly erupted, comparable to Tier Four.

The Six Great Sects suffered massive casualties, but Biyun Sect had the smallest losses.

After summarizing all the information, Li Ji’an felt completely relieved.

No further unexpected events would happen concerning Fu Hanxing.

No one would discover the cave mansion’s opportunity.

Perfect!

Back at the collection courtyard, except for Duanmu Qin and Gou Puppet Master being absent, everyone else was safe and sound.

Previously, when parting ways in the Great Marsh Mountains, Li Ji’an made an excuse of going to other Immortal Cities to seek medicinal herbs, so his return did not arouse special attention.

Months apart, seeing Xiaoqiao again, Li Ji’an looked at her with a different expression.

According to the Earth Book, once an Earth Spirit Master advances to Tier Three, they can unite with the earth and observe Earth Veins.

Many relics and cave mansions from ancient times were submerged underground during the great calamity because they were located on high-grade Spirit Vein Lands, merging with the earth veins.

One could say that the true super opportunities from ancient times must now reside within the earth veins!

If an Earth Spirit Master advances to Tier Four, they can fix the earth veins, claiming all opportunities within!

”Uncle Li, what is this? Earth Spirit Master?” Xiaoqiao looked at the Iron Book Li Ji’an handed her with a face full of confusion.

Then, Li Ji’an, with his understanding and insights, explained the wonders of the Earth Spirit Master to Xiaoqiao. Seeing the look of expectation in Li Ji’an’s eyes, Xiaoqiao also became excited.

She didn’t care what an Earth Spirit Master was.

She didn’t care about an Earth Spirit Master’s capabilities.

As long as Uncle Li liked it, she was willing.

”Uncle Li, rest assured, I will certainly strive to cultivate the Power of Earth Spirit this time and will not disappoint you.” Xiaoqiao said earnestly.

Earth Spirit Master cultivation differs from Dharma or Body Cultivators and requires Sensing Earth’s Spiritual Mechanism as a source, which was something Li Ji’an couldn’t assist with, only offering explanations on certain theoretical questions.

”Don’t rush, first plant this withered branch and regularly infuse it with Earth Spirit Essence.” Li Ji’an then had Gugu spit out the withered branch along with the soil.

”Buzz~” As the withered branch and soil hit the ground, Xiaoqiao felt dizzy.

”Uncle Li, what is this treasure? It’s even more intense than Little Fire’s Source Stone.”

Li Ji’an appeared slightly surprised.

Back when he captured the Fire Spirit on Flame Mountain, had Xiaoqiao not mentioned that the reddish-brown stone was special, Li Ji’an would have overlooked it.

And over the years, Li Ji’an had tested it several times, but found nothing.

None of the treasure guides matched it either.

However, an undeniable fact was that Little Fire, when resting on it, could indeed restore the Fire Spirit Essence.

”Stronger than that Source Stone?” Li Ji’an looked again at Little Fire.

According to its conveyed information, it preferred resting on the withered branch, which nourished it better than the Source Stone.

”Could it be because it’s likely a Tier Three main ingredient? Or because of the Wood Generating Fire principle?” Li Ji’an couldn’t fathom it.

”Uncle Li, this soil is also extraordinary. The Earth Origin Power it contains is very pure and ancient.” Xiaoqiao then pointed to the two portions of soil.

Li Ji’an raised his eyebrow again.

But then he remembered that this soil had been nourished atop the Abyssal Spirit Vein for at least six thousand years, possibly related to that.

Soon, Xiaoqiao directed Gugu to transplant the withered branch and soil to the core spot of the medicinal field she cultivated.

...

While the three of them played in the backyard, Li Ji’an returned to the Alchemy Room, concentrating and planning matters related to Core Formation.

”In at most a year and a half, I will surely reach the middle stage of Foundation Establishment.”

”If all goes well, the middle stage should be reached within twenty years, and the late stage in at most thirty years... Forming a Core by a hundred years old is promising.”

”I already have the Seven-Colored Jade Tree and the Crystal Condensing Pill. Should I use the Seven-Colored Jade Tree in this lifetime?”