Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Retracing the old path to the Flame Mountain from twenty years ago, Li Ji’an now journeyed alone, steering his superior-grade flying boat.

Back then, it had taken him and Xiao Changfeng more than five months to arrive.

Now, less than two months later, the Liu Family, one of the five great clans in the easternmost part of Cangyun State, had come into view.

The Liu Family lay near the Flame Mountain Forbidden Land, and their occupied Spirit Vein Dao Field was also an expanse of blazing red land.

From afar, a stretch of intricate towers and pavilions could be seen rising above the crimson earth.

Apart from this main vein, there were no branch veins, and the area was so hot that it was inhospitable to ordinary life.

Thus, the Liu Clan Territory was the only one in Cangyun State without any ordinary settlements or subordinate family factions.

To live and cultivate in this area, one had to join the Liu Family.

As a result, the Liu Family had the most number of servants.

Upon arriving at the edge of the Liu Clan Territory, Liu Jiuqian personally came to greet him, making it quite a grand occasion.

”Alchemist Li, your esteemed presence brings great honor to our humble Liu Family. Please!” Liu Jiuqian approached from afar, smiling warmly.

”Fellow Daoist Liu, you flatter me. Please.” Li Ji’an initially intended to proceed directly to the outskirts of the Flame Mountain Forbidden Land, but he later learned that to refine the Sacred Beast Pill, which could enhance a spirit beast’s bloodline, a certain medicinal guide needed to be prepared in advance.

A spirit beast must refine the medicinal guide before taking the Sacred Beast Pill.

The pill formula and cultivation secrets for this Sacred Beast Pill were closely guarded by the Liu Family, needing Li Ji’an to collaborate with their Beast Pill Master to refine it in the clan before heading to the outskirts of the Flame Mountain for practice and verification.

If they couldn’t even manage this medicinal guide, there was no point in going to the Flame Mountain.

With the Biyun Sect as his backing, Li Ji’an no longer needed to be overly cautious.

Previously, if invited by the Five Great Clans, he would never venture into their clan territory.

Once inside, each of the Five Great Clans had a Fake Pill Ancestor overseeing them. The other four had their Clan Protection Arrays, while the Liu Family had their Clan Guardian Spirit Beast. At the time, he didn’t possess the power to control his destiny.

Walking into the Liu Clan Territory with Liu Jiuqian, the low growl from a late Second Tier Lion Roar Beast at the main gate caused Gugu, hidden inside Li Ji’an’s spirit pet bag, to shiver in fright.

Soon after, Liu Jiuqian escorted Li Ji’an to the main hall, where the clan leader of the Liu Family met with him, an act of respect for his status. Generally, outsiders weren’t qualified to enter the main hall, let alone meet with the clan leaders of the Five Great Clans.

However, the respect was limited. During their conversation, there was much flattery towards the Biyun Sect, but when it came to Li Ji’an himself, he was treated like a junior.

In the end, the clan leader reiterated what Liu Jiuqian had already informed him, his words laced with a hint of worry.

”That Alchemist Li could come all this way despite the hardships fills our Liu Family with gratitude. However, the matter of the Sacred Beast Pill concerns our Liu Family’s hundred-year plan, which is of utmost importance.

It is not a question of doubting Alchemist Li’s alchemy skills. After all, your reputation precedes you, having been known to both me and my clan for a long time. Being hired as an Honored Guest Elder Alchemist by the Upper Sect is no small feat.

Nonetheless, there are substantial differences between beast pills and human pills, so we must inconvenience Alchemist Li to first complete the refining of the medicinal guide within our clan. Once ready, we can proceed together to the Flame Mountain.”

Li Ji’an nodded in agreement: ”What the Clan Leader says, I will bear in mind. I am here to do my utmost.”

”Moreover, Alchemist Li, it is imperative to remember that, regardless of the outcome, not a word of this must be disclosed. This confidentiality forms the foundation of our Liu Clan’s livelihood, especially with the Beast Taming Faction from the Celestial Origin Province now intruding into our state, making the competition rather fierce.” The Clan Leader nodded with satisfaction at Li Ji’an’s proper acknowledgment of his role, and specifically reiterated this warning.

Before Li Ji’an could respond, Liu Jiuqian chimed in: ”Rest assured, Clan Leader, Jiuqian and Alchemist Li have a longstanding friendship. Alchemist Li is a person of outstanding character and high moral integrity, renowned in the Immortal City for decades, and now an Honored Guest Elder of the Upper Sect. Trust issues shouldn’t arise; if the Clan Leader still harbors doubts, Alchemist Li, you wouldn’t mind swearing a Great Heart Demon Oath, would you?”

Li Ji’an chuckled to himself, nodding calmly: ”Naturally, I wouldn’t.”

In truth, he had anticipated such an expectation. Given that he was here for Gugu’s opportunity and the second-tier beast hide, a bit of sacrifice was reasonable.

However, the other party’s petty cunning was indeed vexing.

An enmity was already quietly brewing, and now deepened further.

That evening, Li Ji’an met the Beast Pill Master within the Liu Clan.

The Master was also the Grand Elder of the Liu Family, who had dedicated his life to the research of beast pills, leading the Liu Family’s efforts in this field.

”You are the Honored Guest Elder Alchemist of the Upper Sect?” Liu Xuanting’s eyebrows and beard furrowed into a bunch at the first sight of Li Ji’an, visibly incredulous, and he even glared at Liu Jiuqian.

Now Li Ji’an understood that Liu Jiuqian was tasked to find a Second-Tier Alchemist because her spirit beast had obtained the quota for the Sacred Beast Pill.

The clan had paid a great price for this, requiring her to contribute as well.

”Uncle, there is no doubt about Alchemist Li’s skill. Even before his Foundation Establishment, he crafted a superior-grade Green Condensation Pill, earning fame in the Immortal City. Recently, he passed the examination of the Pill Cauldron Peak of the Upper Sect, ascending to an Honored Guest Elder,” Liu Jiuqian quickly explained.

Liu Xuanting, always engrossed in pill refinement and seldom concerned with external affairs, still cast a suspicious glance at Li Ji’an. He then thought for a moment and instructed a servant: ”Go and invite Elder Xu.”

Elder Xu was the revered old alchemist, now nearing the end of his life, his vitality severely dwindling, rendering him incapable of alchemy.

Shortly after, Elder Xu, aged and weak, was assisted into the room.

Li Ji’an wasn’t particularly concerned about this; as a Second Tier Middle Grade Pill Master, he is indeed somewhat young, barely over fifty years old, and being from a loose cultivation background, questioning his deep alchemy skills was quite normal.

Alchemist Xu, seeing Liu Jiuqian invite such a young pill master like Li Ji’an, also had some doubts, but still encouraged him: ”Do your best, young friend. I will watch from the side. Though there are differences between Beast Pills and Human Pills, the main focus lies in the medicinal properties, and there are common points in the techniques.”

”Thank you, senior.” Li Ji’an cupped his fists in gratitude.

At this point, Liu Xuanting felt quite helpless, waiting for Li Ji’an to take the Great Heart Demon Oath, then began to lead him in brewing the medicinal guide.

”Xiaoli, this medicinal guide is different from ordinary Beast Pills or Human Pills in that it requires two forms to merge. Besides refining Beast Pill essence, there must also be extra Spirit Medicine essence, and it needs to be in the essence state, and before solidifying the pill, merged into one for refinement later.

I’m not skilled in the refining method of spirit medicines, and the ultimate merging into one also requires the solidifying pill method for Human Pills.

Therefore, we need to start the furnace at the same time. You refine the spirit medicine essence in this formula, and I will refine the demon beast essence blood, then merge my refined beast blood essence into the spirit medicine essence you refine, and ultimately it requires you to refine the pill.”

”Alright.” Li Ji’an nodded.

In fact, during those years in the Immortal City, the Liu Family stationed in the Immortal City had traded with him many times, and he had also traded some Beast Pills, using Gugu’s actual feedback for research. If it weren’t for the lack of beast pill heritage and unfamiliarity with demon beast essence blood, he would have tried long ago.

Now, the other party refines the beast blood essence for him to solidify the pill, actually makes him feel assured.

Quickly, Li Ji’an took out his Second Tier Upper Grade pill furnace and placed it beside Liu Xuanting, the two simultaneously starting their furnace.

Receiving the spirit medicine handed by the servant, Li Ji’an secretly nodded; more than a dozen spirit medicines were all second-tier great medicines, with several being key ancillary ingredients for Foundation Establishment Pills.

According to this pill formula, even a typical Second Tier Pill Master might not manage.

At least Alchemist Zou’s alchemy skill, in refining such spirit medicine essence, can manage at most fifty percent potency and takes at least two days.

However, this medicinal guide requires at least sixty percent efficacy and must be refined within a day.

Memorizing the pill formula firmly, Li Ji’an followed the procedure step by step, starting the furnace, and adding the spirit medicine.

Beside him, Liu Xuanting was not in a hurry; he turned his head, observing Li Ji’an’s technique and workflow.

Once Li Ji’an had started the pill fire and began refining, he started leisurely preparing his furnace.

Because he worried that if he refined the beast blood too quickly, he would have to maintain it for a long time while waiting for the other party.

However,

As Li Ji’an’s first batch of spirit medicine refinement was about to complete, both Liu Xuanting and Elder Xu paused abruptly.

”How did he refine the first batch of spirit medicine essence so quickly?”

”And with at least ninety percent medicinal potency!”

”Excellent, Alchemist Li truly deserves to serve as an Honored Guest Elder Pill Master in the Upper Sect!” With a glance at each other, both were delighted, instantly recognizing his alchemy skill.

Liu Xuanting no longer dawdled and began focusing wholly on alchemy.

After half a day, Li Ji’an completed all spirit medicine refinement; the essence liquid boiled, only awaiting the final step of pill refinement.

And its comprehensive potency exceeded eighty percent!

However, Liu Xuanting had not yet completed; Li Ji’an could only maintain the pill fire, waiting.

Until two more hours later, Liu Xuanting finally completed the refining of demon beast essence blood, then apologetically transferred the beast blood essence from his pill furnace into Li Ji’an’s pill furnace.

Li Ji’an immediately followed the pill formula for fusion, and half an hour later, an Upper Grade Melting Blood Pill came out of the furnace.

Liu Xuanting, Elder Xu, and Liu Jiuqian all looked joyously at the Upper Grade Melting Blood Pill.

Their expectation was for a genuine pill, and if it could turn out as a Middle Grade, it would be fortuitous. However, the result far exceeded their expectations.

”Alchemist Li’s alchemy skill is outstanding, and his heart nature is candid; I admire you greatly. I bow to you!” Without another word, Liu Xuanting deeply bowed to Li Ji’an.

”Young heroes indeed! The profoundness of Alchemist Li’s alchemy skill makes this old man feel ashamed.” Elder Xu also wore an expression of full admiration.

Li Ji’an slightly nodded: ”All thanks to the teachings of Master Jade Pill, the senior.”

With the Melting Blood Pill completed, everyone had no further doubts.

Liu Jiuqian was even more excited in his heart, carefully putting away the Upper Grade Melting Blood Pill, and eagerly rallying everyone to head to the outskirts of the Flame Mountain Forbidden Land.

There, their people had already sealed off a region.

And that rare complete earth-grade bloodline Red Blood Dragon Mound had long been trapped within, only waiting for them to arrive to hunt for the origin essence blood.

Half a month later, Liu Jiuqian led the team, mobilizing four Foundation Establishment Stage elders from the clan, bringing their respective Second Tier Spirit Beasts to the outskirts of the Flame Mountain Forbidden Land.

The Little Fire Spirit nurtured in the dantian, once entering this place, felt an instant sense of familiarity.

When they reached the area surrounding the trapped Red Blood Dragon Mound, Liu Jiuqian excitedly released his Lifebound Spirit Beast, an Upper Grade bloodline Red Refining Viper: ”Soon, soon you can advance to earth-grade bloodline!”