Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

In the distance, the endless yellow sand stretches as far as the eye can see, clearly distinct from the desert underfoot.

Li Ji’an stands on the flying boat, his gaze searching for the place where he buried that old man when he first entered this world in his previous life.

Two months ago, Li Ji’an successfully drew the Spirit Awakening Talisman from the ancient Talisman Master’s inheritance at Fallen Dragon Ridge using the Qin Family’s Purple Bamboo.

Then, he continued westward, passing through the Qin Family’s region to arrive at the southernmost point of the Celestial Cyan Domain, keeping a safe distance from the Liu Family.

Another hundred miles further is the Storm Desert, said to be capable of devouring a True Monarch.

Back before he entered cultivation, the desert seemed nothing more than desolate and lifeless, but now, its interference with his Divine Sense was evident, even causing an inexplicable sense of trepidation to rise within him, akin to a Fake Pill.

It was as if a monstrous beast within it was poised to devour one’s Divine Soul.

”Why were those Qi Refining cultivators unaffected back then?” He pondered as he gazed into the distance and came to some realization.

Perhaps the stronger one’s Divine Sense, the greater the impact at this place.

Back then, those Qi Cultivating juniors could delve deeply into it, even crossing the Storm Desert to reach the Immortal Dynasty because they either found some secretive safe route, or only Qi Cultivation juniors could pass through.

Of course, the fact they only ventured once every ten years indicates that the route or method wasn’t entirely safe; otherwise, the intervals wouldn’t be so lengthy.

”Uncle Li, there’s a faint spiritual qi fluctuation underground there.” Suddenly, Xiaoqiao pointed to a depression.

Li Ji’an returned to his senses, grateful he had brought Xiaoqiao; otherwise, after nearly a hundred years, the landscape had changed, hills becoming depressions and dead wood turning to ash, and he might not have found it.

After withdrawing the flying boat, Li Ji’an and Xiaoqiao landed in the hollow.

The surroundings were devoid of any human traces.

Li Ji’an used magical power to split the ground, revealing the items he had buried with his own hands years ago.

Besides the flying boat, which was of Upper Grade and somewhat valuable,

the rest, including the flying sword, storage pouch, and dozens of spirit stones, no longer caught Li Ji’an’s eye.

His Divine Sense scanned all the items but discovered nothing unusual.

There were also no marks indicating identity or origin.

Packing all the items into the storage pouch, Li Ji’an, with Xiaoqiao in tow, headed toward the Talisman Master inheritance.

After traveling nearly ten thousand miles eastward, Li Ji’an arrived once more at the ancient Talisman Master inheritance.

Mud-covered and littered with jagged rocks, the place had changed a bit since last seen.

Fortunately, Xiaoqiao was present, and with her sensing talent, she quickly pinpointed a location.

Li Ji’an combined this with the characteristics of the hollowed giant stone and swiftly confirmed the inheritance’s location.

Already experienced and with a much stronger Divine Sense, Li Ji’an scanned the area before entering the stone cave.

From the corpse and the incense ashes left by the Yan Family’s worship from years ago, it seemed that no one else had entered in these twenty years.

Li Ji’an paid respects to the decayed corpse and approached the stone trough, activating the Late Period Second Tier Spirit Awakening Talisman in his hand.

”Crack!” Just like back then, a stone box appeared once more in the trough’s depths.

Inside the stone box, besides a jade talisman, there was also a jade box.

”This is indeed a pleasant surprise.” Li Ji’an smiled broadly.

Judging by the experience of the past few hundred desert-scouting years, this place was considered deep in the mountains and forests during ancient times, and those buried here or who came to refine themselves were mostly Loose Cultivators with no power or influence.

Even the two Nascent Soul True Monarch tombs encountered sporadically over the centuries rarely yielded any particularly wealthy heritage.

He had thought that obtaining the Tier Three Talisman inheritance from this ancient Master Shen would be enough, not expecting to find a Tier Three Talisman Brush as well.

He had been concerned that his Middle Grade Second Tier Talisman Brush might not sustain drawing Tier Three Talismans, and Tier Three Talisman Brushes were exceedingly rare, probably not available for trade within the entire Celestial Cyan Domain.

”Seeing this as a junior, my heart is comforted. If you could craft this talisman, it indicates your considerable talent in the Talisman path, and I am content to pass on all the inheritance to you. Inside are insights and realizations; I hope the junior may further improve on this basis, spreading the Talisman path widely...”

His Divine Sense tapped in, seeing Master Shen’s heartfelt words.

”Master Shen, I offer my respects.” Li Ji’an performed a disciple’s salute respectfully.

”Huh?” Just as he stood up, Li Ji’an’s Divine Sense stirred; he detected magical power fluctuations underground in the distance.

Upon concentrating more closely, Li Ji’an couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows.

There was that familiar unkempt old Taoist holding a compass, busily searching for something in the pit.

While scrutinizing, the old Taoist jumped out of the pit and hurriedly ran towards Li Ji’an’s direction.

However, when still a dozen feet from the rock beneath Li Ji’an, the compass seemed to malfunction again, and Red Stone Wanderer carried the compass in circles.

”It appears that the Spirit Awakening Talisman just now induced fluctuations here.” Observing him for a moment, Li Ji’an wasn’t particularly concerned.

Towards figures like Red Stone Wanderer, solitary Loose Cultivators without kin or influence, and whose cultivation was still at the early period of Foundation Establishment, Li Ji’an wasn’t worried about him competing for opportunities here.

Moments later, Red Stone Wanderer finally found this place.

But as he stepped into the stone cave, his initially excited expression froze.

”Fellow Daoist Li, how come you are here? I didn’t expect you to be in the same trade?” After a moment of eye contact, Red Stone Wanderer recognized the person before him, his shock turning to delight.

”Taoist Friend Red Stone.” Li Ji’an smiled and cupped his hands.

”I too just discovered this Cave Mansion, but unfortunately, I was too late; someone else has long excavated it.”

Red Stone Wanderer, upon hearing this, surveyed the surroundings.

He wasn’t discouraged by Li Ji’an’s words.

On the contrary, when he saw the pile of decayed remains, his eyes suddenly shone as he walked straight to inspect them.

Li Ji’an watched as he carefully sensed the remains.