Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

The other three families in the Desert could completely submit, apart from the Yan Family’s hard power, it was also due to the official recognition of the Yan Family by the Biyun Sect five years ago.

In reality, it had more to do with the fact that the three families knew of Li Ji’an’s prowess as a Pill Master back then, as well as his network in the Immortal City.

After all, if it were merely the attitude of the Sect, there would still be some room for maneuver; they might approve of the Yan Family today and the Zheng Family tomorrow.

However, the personal relationship between the Yan Family and Alchemist Li was not something they could change.

Now, Alchemist Li, in his capacity as an Honored Guest Elder of the Upper Sect, personally attended Yan Qingwan’s centennial birthday, further solidifying the Yan Family’s status in the Desert.

After a grand welcome ceremony, Li Ji’an was welcomed into the Yan Family’s core Dao Field.

”Congratulations on auntie’s centennial birthday, may auntie’s Dao be evergreen and the immortal path everlasting.” Li Ji’an respectfully offered a prepared gift in a junior’s manner.

Yan Qingwan appeared eternally youthful and beautiful, still wearing a moon-white long dress, elegant and refined. The only change was a more pronounced air of authority added to her former gentle demeanor.

Over the years, the older Ancestors, having lived past two hundred years and previously wounded, mostly went into seclusion for healing.

The new generation of Foundation Establishment clan members, Yan Xiao, with high aspirations, was not content with achievements at the early Foundation Establishment and aimed for the middle to late stages, thus participating very little in family matters.

The major affairs of the Yan Family, as well as negotiations with the other three families, nearly all fell on the shoulders of Yan Qingwan.

”Fan’Er.” Looking at Li Ji’an’s unchanged manner and sincere feelings, Yan Qingwan gently pursed her lips, slightly trembling.

In the Cultivation Realm, those skilled are prioritized, and strength is esteemed. Even between biological father and son, once the son’s cultivation surpasses the father’s too much, some estrangement inevitably follows.

Even back when she solidified her Foundation Establishment, her relationship with Yan Zongsheng adopted a superior-subordinate dynamic. Though unwilling, prevailing customs and family pressure forced her acceptance.

The newly Foundation Established Yan Xiao was even more so.

Now, Li Ji’an, being an Honored Guest Elder of the Upper Sect, with a magical power aura clearly surpassing hers and such connections, still treated her, an aunt with no blood ties, as before.

Such character and magnanimity made him wonder how Brother Li taught him back then.

Holding Yan Qingwan’s hands, Li Ji’an also carefully sensed Yan Qingwan’s condition.

In nearly sixty years since her Foundation Establishment, she was still at the second level of Foundation Establishment and may be unable to fulfill his past life’s wish to be her Dharma Protector in this life.

Li Ji’an could understand.

After all, with middle grade Spirit Root and no plentiful second-tier cultivation elixirs for enhancement, her efforts were invested in family affairs and Alchemy Dao.

In the Cangyun State, impacting Core Formation was only slightly more hopeful for core scions of the Five Great Clans and true disciples of the Biyun Sect; for other cultivators, it was a slim chance.

For Foundation Establishment Clans like those in the Desert, unless the entire tribe supported a single Foundation Establishment Ancestor, it would be challenging to reach the Core Formation attempt stage.

Success or failure would be left to fate.

After all, it was nearly impossible for them to possess a Core Formation Spirit Treasure; at best, they could accumulate a few minimally beneficial Spiritual Elixirs and Magical Artifacts and rely on their own magical power and Divine Soul to forcibly solidify a pill.

The best outcome would only be a Fake Pill.

But even if so, once failed, the Foundation Establishment Ancestor might cease, and the family would likely lose its second-tier Spirit Vein, eventually descending to a Qi Cultivation Clan.

Unless the Yan Family took over the other three families entirely, potentially using the entire Desert for support, it might be possible.

Perceiving Yan Qingwan’s state, Li Ji’an did not say much. Now, he was also preparing for Core Formation without excess strength to spare.

Moreover, he would not easily interfere with others’ life paths; if at a crucial moment, he happened to have the strength, and emotions were in place, he wouldn’t mind lending a hand.

”Xiaofan, are there any unhappy things in the Sect?” Staring at Li Ji’an’s face for a long time, Yan Qingwan smiled. She no longer worried about Li Ji’an’s cultivation level or safety, only whether he was doing well in the Sect.

After all, disciples within the Sect were not simple, and considering his once youthful arrogance, the Sect might not respect him as outsiders did.

”Auntie, I’m doing well in the Sect; the Elders and disciples are all very polite...” Li Ji’an truthfully recounted his situation in the Sect.

Yan Qingwan listened, lost in thought, envying.

Alone, enjoying an entire Spirit Peak, cultivating flowers and plants, living leisurely, truly like an Immortal life.

”Is the Peach Blossom Fairy not with Fan’Er?” The only thing that made Yan Qingwan feel there was a lack of a partner; otherwise, it would surely be the life of Immortal Lovers.

”The Peach Blossom Fairy perhaps has already wandered far away; this life might never cross paths again,” Li Ji’an casually replied.

Yan Qingwan slightly furrowed her brows: ”Then hasn’t Fan’Er thought of finding a Dao Partner?”

Li Ji’an smiled and shook his head, ”Given the unstable situation now and the unclear path ahead, to advance further requires all-out effort, there’s no thought of that for the time being.”

”Hmm? To advance further...” Yan Qingwan was taken aback by his words.

Li Ji’an, while his Spirit Root was close to the Upper Grade, making Foundation Establishment not difficult, attempting Core Formation...would require many resources; from the early to Foundation Establishment Perfection, merely absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi with his Spirit Root might not suffice by the age of 180, missing the best time for Core Formation.

And seeking pill medicine supplements and Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects, required resources are no less than Foundation Establishment.

In her mind, although Li Ji’an climbed to the Upper Sect, he was, after all, only an Honored Guest Elder and unlikely to receive Upper Sect support, making Core Formation nearly hopeless in this life.

”Xiaofan, practicing during the Foundation Establishment Stage isn’t like Qi Cultivation; although you’re an Honored Guest Pill Master, you still need to work hard at alchemy to source resources...