Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

One Upper Grade, one Middle Grade.

Placed in the entire Celestial Cyan Domain, they are cherished items pursued by all cultivators.

He plans to gift one to Ning Yutan at a crucial moment, to honor the sentiments of the third lifetime.

However, just as he was preparing to bid farewell to Ning Yutan, he suddenly received a message from Dong Jiangling.

The sender was not Dong Jiangling himself, but his partner.

”Dong Jiangling is nearing the end of his life.”

Dong Jiangling was of middle age among the five people who came to the cultivation realm, five years older than Zhu Linxian and Zhang Tiezhu, and eight years younger than Li Ji’an and Zhao Shuyao.

Calculating the time, he is now one hundred and sixteen years old.

Of the five who came to the cultivation realm together, he is the first to die of natural causes.

”Having avenged the great vendetta without any lingering regrets, passing away with peace of mind; in this cultivation realm, that’s considered fortunate.” Sighing softly, Li Ji’an asked Xiaoqiao to temporarily stay at the inn while he headed to Dong Jiangling’s location.

They were originally in the Liu Family area, very close to the Mortal Area from here.

Three hours later, he arrived in front of Dong Jiangling’s house.

He saw a crowd busily working inside and outside the courtyard, hanging Spirit Gauze, setting up a spirit hall, and even slaughtering spirit beasts, while the cooks arranging the funeral feast were talking and laughing.

It is evident that this is a joyful funeral.

Dong Jiangling had good relations in this mortal city, and with his daughter Dong Ping married into a Foundation Establishment clan, he was considered respected and esteemed.

Thus, many neighbors came to help.

”Excuse me,” pausing, several villagers carried a large pot inside.

Li Ji’an stepped aside to let them enter the gate.

Once they entered the courtyard, he lifted his foot and walked inside.

With a sweep of his divine sense, he noticed many people in the bedroom.

”Zhang Tiezhu actually came early?” Li Ji’an realized that Dong Jiangling’s partner had just notified him, not really expecting him to come.

After all, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator and an Honored Guest Elder of an Upper Sect, theoretically, he shouldn’t attend the funeral of a small figure from the Mortal Area.

Inside, people gathered around Dong Jiangling’s bed, bidding farewell one by one.

”Old Dong, we can finally close our eyes in peace.” Zhang Tiezhu was supported by Yan Qing to sit next to Dong Jiangling’s bed, his old face did not show much sadness but rather release.

Dong Jiangling, with weak breath, slightly opened his eyes, showing a smile and nodding continuously.

”Father-in-law, why do you have to leave like this? Your son-in-law still wants to be filial to you for a few more years.” When it was Liu Zhong’s turn, it was slightly moving, with tears and cries.

In contrast, his daughter Dong Ping was much calmer, gently comforting her mother.

At the end of the crowd, Li Ji’an saw Liu Qun, whom he had previously seen through Gugu’s perspective.

Though he wore mourning attire, his makeup was meticulously done, somewhat out of place with the people around him, standing at the back of the crowd, restless, occasionally glancing outside.

Beside him, the Young Master of the Liu Family branch Liu Yu accompanied him quietly.

After everyone inside finished their farewells, Li Ji’an stepped inside.

At this moment, Li Ji’an restrained his aura, dressed simply, and did not draw attention along the way.

Until he reached Dong Jiangling’s bedside and cupped his hands to Dong Jiangling’s partner: ”Aunt Cui.”

”Li... Senior Li, you...” Dong Ping was the first to react, surprised and covering her mouth.

”Senior Li, what brings you here.” Aunt Cui was also quite surprised.

Then Zhang Tiezhu, Yan Qing, and Liu Zhong all showed shocked expressions.

Li Ji’an nodded slightly, then sat beside Dong Jiangling’s bed, smiling at Dong Jiangling, who was already as fragile as a waning candle.

Dong Jiangling, with dim old eyes, forcibly opened them wide now, wanting to rise from the bed.

Li Ji’an gently took his hand and infused a thread of Wood Magic Power: ”Uncle Dong, I’ve come to see you off.”

”Cough cough cough~” Nourished by the magical power, Dong Jiangling started coughing immediately.

”Xiaofan, haha, good, good, this old man is content.” After settling down, Dong Jiangling laughed with some satisfaction.

As a small figure from the Mortal Area, having a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator seeing him off is already the highest honor.

Li Ji’an then transmitted a sound message: ”Uncle Dong, do you want to return to your roots?”

”No, no need, just bury me here.” Dong Jiangling firmly refused.

Having lived in this realm for nearly a century, he had already accepted this place.

Li Ji’an nodded, respecting his decision.

”Grandfather, why did you leave in such a hurry? Qun’er hasn’t even had the chance to let you enjoy a day of happiness. Qun’er can’t bear to part with you.” At this moment, Liu Qun suddenly rushed in, collapsed beside Dong Jiangling’s bed, and cried out of control.

Li Ji’an frowned slightly, feeling quite repulsed by this girl, but was not surprised by her behavior.

”Qun’er, Senior Li is present, you must not act out.” Knowing her daughter well, Dong Ping stepped forward and scolded sternly.

”Senior Li, please don’t be angry. This girl is just too close to her grandfather and has always been thinking of finding a Life-extending Divine Pill for him after building her Foundation Establishment, but...” Liu Zhong, who was like a brother to Liu Qun, stepped forward to assist.

In front of Dong Jiangling, Li Ji’an did not reveal anything and merely waved his hand slightly. ”It’s fine, it’s human nature.”

”Quickly thank Senior Li.” Liu Zhong hurriedly nudged Liu Qun again.

Liu Qun, with tear-filled eyes, looked toward Li Ji’an. ”So, you are Senior Li. Please forgive me, Qun’er received a Divine Pill from you in childhood and failed to recognize my benefactor just now. I deserve to die.”

Li Ji’an’s expression remained unchanged. After slightly nodding, he ignored her, turned, and talked to Dong Jiangling for a couple more sentences before moving to Zhang Tiezhu’s side.

...

Dong Jiangling passed away that night, peacefully, with a smile on his face.

When everyone learned of Li Ji’an’s arrival, the originally relaxed and casual atmosphere became much more repressed.

Fortunately, Li Ji’an stayed in the bedroom and did not walk around randomly.

After Dong Jiangling was set in the spiritual hall, Li Ji’an offered a stick of incense and prepared to take his leave.

However, Liu Qun desperately seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and even requested Aunt Ping to help persuade Li Ji’an to stay.

Out of respect for Dong Jiangling, Li Ji’an finally agreed and followed her to the guest room.

”Junior Tang Qun, pays respects to Senior Li!” Upon entering the guest room, Liu Qun respectfully kneeled on the ground.

”Tang?” Li Ji’an raised an eyebrow slightly.

”Reporting to Senior Li, two years ago, my family’s ancestor finally discovered the clan’s roots, confirming that our forebear’s surname was Tang, and thus we’ve already changed the family name to Tang.” Liu Qun explained.

”Changed to Tang surname.” Li Ji’an came to a realization.

After the Liu Family was completely annihilated two years ago, some subordinate families hastily changed their surnames to avoid being implicated in the extermination.

”Hmm, what is your intention?” Li Ji’an stopped beating around the bush with her.

Tang Qun hurriedly kowtowed. ”I beseech Senior Li to take me in; Qun’er is willing to serve as a maid or concubine to follow you.”

Li Ji’an sneered. ”I am not short of servants.”

”As a concubine maid would work too!” Tang Qun spoke with determination.

Li Ji’an’s expression changed instantly, having sensed the presence of the Liu Family’s young master waiting outside the door.

Moreover, he already knew that this young master of the Liu Family was obsessively in love with Liu Qun.

This scene now appeared all too familiar to him.

Much like those rebirth revenge stories of male protagonists.

Being played by Liu Qun in such a manner, he might easily become a small mid-story antagonist.

”Nonsense!” He shouted immediately.

”I, Li, am a nephew of Uncle Dong, thus your uncle; how can such nonsense be spoken?” While scolding, he used his magical power to open the guest room’s door deliberately so that everyone outside could hear clearly.

Liu Qun’s face turned instantly pale. She had been unscrupulous to achieve her goal, and today’s opportunity was once in a lifetime, so she had almost staked everything on it.

Yet she didn’t expect such words of determination to anger Senior Li instead.

”Senior, please calm down. Senior, please calm down. I am just... just too eager to advance. I beseech you to be merciful.” Liu Qun immediately began to kowtow incessantly.

Each knock was done with nearly full effort, quickly causing her forehead to redden with fresh blood.

This did move Li Ji’an slightly. Previously, he only saw this girl’s calculating and manipulative nature, but he hadn’t seen this resolute and ruthless side.

With his experience of several lifetimes, such people were often despised by the world, yet they also tended to succeed.

On the contrary, those virtues hailed and propagated by society were often the first to fade among the masses, or become no more than beasts of burden in the world.

Compassion cannot govern an army, righteousness cannot manage wealth, benevolence cannot create great prosperity, depth of feeling does not lead to long life!

”Senior, please calm down, she surely didn’t mean it, please don’t hold it against her.” At this moment, the Liu Family’s young master outside couldn’t hold back and slid to his knees into the room, begging for mercy.

After a slight pause, Li Ji’an, with a peaceful demeanor, decided there was no need to harbor a grievance against such people. ”No harm done, my words were indeed too strong earlier. Stand up, all of you.

This bottle of Qi Nourishing Pill is a small token of my regard as an elder, take it.”

Without giving them a chance to speak further, he tossed a bottle of pill medicine and stood up to leave.

In the end, he still lost a few gold coins.

This incident also made Li Ji’an realize that as a high-tier cultivator, he should not get too close to low-tier cultivators.