Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

The radiant colors illuminate the solitary peak, golden light pouring down the steep cliffs.

As the morning mist disperses in the mountains, a red sun slowly rises, heralding a new day.

Li Ji’an sits cross-legged atop a lone rock at the peak, facing the rising sun, spiritual qi swirling around his nose and mouth, gradually filling his dantian.

A gentle breeze passes by, a strand of hair sweeps across his eyelids, just as he completes a cycle of breathing exercises. He slowly opens his eyes, calm and peaceful.

As he lowers his gaze, he sees Gugu squatting on the edge of the cliff of the platform on the 1st Layer of the peak, also breathing in the direction of the sun.

Beside Gugu, whose body is the size of a calf, Xiaoqiao is cultivating with the Earth Spirit Scripture that Li Ji’an couldn’t comprehend.

The Little Fire Spirit lies lazily on Gugu’s back, basking in the sun. After advancing to the Second Tier Fire Spirit, the sun’s yang fire is no longer useful to it.

Looking at this scene on the Spirit Peak, Li Ji’an’s face shows a hint of satisfaction.

He enjoys such leisurely cultivation life.

A month ago, he informed Xiaoqiao about Liu Jingchun’s affairs, and she was calm and composed.

Perhaps she was too young when she lost her family, and later Granny You and Li Ji’an filled the void of her kin, she doesn’t particularly want to know about her origins.

However, knowing that her last remaining grandparents were taken by Ten Thousand Laws Palace, their fate uncertain, she felt some sadness.

She wishes to see them.

Yet, Li Ji’an directly told her that the remarkable nature of an Earth Spirit Master might bring calamity if known by others, and given Ten Thousand Laws Palace’s intense hatred for Demon Cultivators, he cannot guarantee there won’t be extinction-level consequences.

Therefore, she ultimately held back.

And thus, she too harbors a strong desire to become powerful.

Gugu finally returned to the Spirit Peak a few days ago, reuniting with them.

After six years apart, it seemed on the verge of tears upon seeing them.

Li Ji’an could feel its spirituality, pure and simple.

After its return, Li Ji’an temporarily had no suitable Spirit Beast Pill as a reward, yet it showed no negative emotions.

This differs from the widely spread Beast Taming Dao of the current era.

The mainstream Beast Taming Dao of the current era is to instill fear with might, reward with favors, blending fear and favor, with the core being the life-and-death threat in a Spirit Contract.

However, the interaction between Li Ji’an and Gugu is more about emotion and companionship.

This past month, the entire Cultivation Realm in Celestial Cyan Domain was nearly shaken to its core.

Ten Thousand Laws Palace exaggeratedly publicized the Liu Family Ancestor’s practice of demon techniques, emphasizing the destruction and inhumanity in the process as he harmed Sect cultivators and his own clan’s members, stressing the dangers and ruthless nature of demon techniques.

They dispatched several True Pill Elders from the palace to lead Biyun Sect in searching for the Liu Family Ancestor.

Then publicly criticized Biyun Sect for inadequate supervision, neglecting the well-being of people in the state in pursuit of their own cultivation, ordering surveillance over the entire state starting immediately. Furthermore, from now on, Ten Thousand Laws Palace will station its Law Enforcement Team in Cangyun State, requiring Biyun Sect to cooperate at all times.

This is tantamount to depriving Biyun Sect of their authority to oversee the state.

And there’s gossip that Biyun Sect’s Supreme Elder even offered up a magical treasure previously obtained from ruins.

Subsequently, Ten Thousand Laws Palace brought back several remnants of the Liu Family, including Qin Henian and other leaders, for interrogation in Celestial Origin Province.

This month, the Sect is occupied dealing with Ten Thousand Laws Palace, and even Xiao Changfeng and other True Disciples, including Sect Leader candidate Zhao Qi, all are mobilized to assist in the search.

And surprisingly, Pill Masters from Pill Cauldron Peak were also taken to Celestial Origin Province by Ten Thousand Laws Palace.

Li Ji’an suspects it relates to the rumor of the Core Formation Holy Pill.

As such, he, as the Honored Guest Elder, was almost completely ignored; he hasn’t even been assigned the minimum Sect alchemy tasks this month, as if forgotten by the Sect.

To this, he is quite satisfied, allowing peaceful cultivation.

The cultivation resources he has accumulated over the years are enough to support his training up to the Late Period of Foundation Establishment.

Now, at sixty-seven, it has been fifteen years since stepping into the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, and he finally gained the 6th Layer of Foundation Establishment. Barring unexpected circumstances, within at most five more years, he’ll reach the Late Period of Foundation Establishment.

The Late Period of Foundation Establishment is a major threshold that blocks almost all cultivators in Cangyun State.

Beyond comprehension, there are rigid requirements like Second Tier Upper Grade Spirit Vein and Second Tier Late Period Nourishing Elixir.

For non-Sect disciples and non-core members of the Five Great Families, such hope is nearly nonexistent.

Li Ji’an has no worries about this barrier.

However, there’s still a lingering concern in his heart that must be resolved.

Otherwise, it can leave a mark, and over time easily breed a Heart Demon.

The acquaintance, friendship, and connection with Ning Sujin over his third lifetime, after all, left an indelible mark on his heart. He could accept separation, disappearance, and his own powerlessness in his previous mediocrity but will aid and rescue when strong enough.

Before, he was not strong enough to forcefully enter the Liu Family and save lives, and he still lacks the confidence to face Ten Thousand Laws Palace, even worries about being targeted by them.

Because by now, having learned more about the cultivation realm, he somewhat suspects his secret of Rejuvenation likely stems from an accidental fusion of a Celestial Dao Law Fragment within himself.

And concerning the extraordinary powers of a Divine Favored like him, he is unsure whether the Nascent Soul True Monarchs from Ten Thousand Laws Palace can see through it.

Hence, he refrained from searching for Ning Yutan in Biluo Marketplace this month.

Ultimately, though, it is necessary to understand what has transpired.

Yet, before Ten Thousand Laws Palace concludes the matter with the Liu Family, he must hold back.

Because he clearly knows the connection between Ning Yutan and Ning Sujin, and now Ning Sujin is likely taken back by Ten Thousand Laws Palace, and can’t be sure they won’t have some way to trace Ning Yutan left in Biluo Marketplace.