Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

”Thank you for your auspicious words, Senior.” Li Ji’an replied ambiguously.

Seeing that Li Ji’an seemed not to have made up his mind, Qin Henian didn’t press further. He turned and asked, ”Oh, you mentioned a clue about the demon cultivator?”

Li Ji’an then recounted in detail what he encountered on the way back from attending Dong Jiangling’s funeral yesterday.

”A Foundation Establishment Late Period demon cultivator?” Qin Henian immediately became serious.

”That’s what I sensed. At the time, having never seen a demon cultivator before, I was a bit surprised by his Yin Fiend aura but didn’t think much of it until just now when the guards searching for the demon cultivator arrived, and I felt that perhaps that person is the one the True Man is looking for.

However, I’m not sure if he’s suppressed his aura.” Li Ji’an displayed a normal reaction of an ordinary cultivator.

”Good, Little Friend, this clue is crucial. I owe you another favor.” Qin Henian pondered for a moment and said to Li Ji’an.

”I wouldn’t dare say so, Senior. I’m merely doing my part.” Li Ji’an stood up to decline.

Qin Henian smiled and nodded at him, not dwelling on the topic: ”Little Friend, have a seat. I have important matters to discuss with you later.”

Then he instructed the Qin Family juniors: ”Immediately report truthfully to the Upper Sect and request assistance. A Foundation Establishment Late Period, or possibly even Core Formation demon cultivator, is beyond what I can capture alone.”

”Additionally, starting today, strengthen vigilance, and issue warnings to everyone in the Market, clearly divulging information about the demon cultivator.”

After Li Ji’an finished describing the demon cultivator he encountered, Qin Henian had already made plans in his mind.

He speculated that this demon cultivator was most likely not from the region.

Moreover, as he was obviously here for the Liu Family Ancestor, it probably involved some schemes from above. He was too lazy to investigate further and simply passed the ball.

Regarding whether it would cause panic in the Market, he didn’t care since it was just a free enterprise anyway.

Furthermore, upon hearing Li Ji’an say that the demon cultivator’s aura was at least beyond Foundation Establishment Late Period, he had already decided not to investigate, clearly beyond his capacity.

Now, he was more concerned with fulfilling his promise to Liu Jingchun.

However, just as he was about to invite Li Ji’an to the Odd Stone Forest Spirit Vein Dao Field.

”Report!” Someone else came to report outside the hall.

”Enter!”

”Reporting to the Ancestor, a person has been spotted whose background cannot be clarified,” the guard reported.

Qin Henian frowned slightly. According to Li Ji’an, that demon cultivator had already left the Market in the morning.

Moreover, how could a Foundation Establishment Late Period demon cultivator possibly deceive the Divine Soul Detection Jade Talisman within his family?

”Bring them in.”

”Yes!” The guard stood up and waved to the outside.

Following that, a female cultivator, thoroughly bound by a Spirit-Binding Rope, was brought in.

Actually, Li Ji’an had already frowned subtly before this.

Because he had already sensed that the one being brought in was none other than Ning Yutan.

However, he was puzzled. Previously, Ning Yutan passed the Divine Soul Detection at the Ten Thousand Laws Palace screening.

Why couldn’t she pass the Qin Family’s level of detection?

Ning Yutan was tightly bound all over, and her magical power was restrained, being pushed inside with a face full of despair.

From the shop to here, countless eyes were on her, as if she’d been stripped and paraded through the streets.

At this moment, she truly wanted nothing more than to die.

This Cultivation Realm has nothing good!

”Dead woman, when will you wake up!” She lowered her head, desperately crying in her heart.

”Thud!” Upon entering the hall, Ning Yutan was forcibly made to kneel.

Qin Henian sensed her entire aura, encountering only a Qi Cultivation Junior Cultivator with no trace of demonic qi.

”Why are you hiding your identity? Are you related to the demon cultivator?” With a fierce shout, his Divine Sense condensed suddenly, enveloping Ning Yutan’s Sea of Consciousness. If she lied, he could instantly detect it with his Fake Pill Divine Sense.

Ning Yutan buried her head in her chest, silent.

If she truly told the truth, she’d be taken to the Ten Thousand Laws Palace, where she’d likely never see daylight again.

”Sister Tan?” Just as Qin Henian was losing patience, Xiaoqiao recognized Ning Yutan and exclaimed in a lost voice.

”Hmm?” Qin Henian was slightly startled.

Ning Yutan also instantly raised her head, turned to look at Xiaoqiao.

”Fellow Daoist Li, Little Sister Qiao.” She was delighted, as if she had found a lifeline.

”Little Xiaoqiao, do you know this person? What is her background?” Qin Henian finally found a reason to speak with Xiaoqiao.

Xiaoqiao paused slightly, looked at Li Ji’an, but received no feedback. Helplessly, she braced herself and bowed to Qin Henian: ”Reporting to Senior, Sister Tan is the Shopkeeper of the Spiritual Food Shop. For the past two months, Junior has often visited the shop to taste the Spirit Cake.”

”Is that all?” Qin Henian frowned slightly, not alleviating Ning Yutan’s suspicion.

”Master, Little Sister Qiao, I’m truly not a demon cultivator, nor do I have any relation to them. Please believe me.” Ning Yutan hurriedly proclaimed her innocence.

Qin Henian glanced at her: ”In honor of Little Xiaoqiao, just truthfully disclose your identity, then you may be freed.”

”I...” Ning Yutan was at a loss.

”What? Is your identity that unspeakable?”

Ning Yutan’s eyeballs were frantically moving: ”Master, I am... I ran away from home, escaping marriage... defying my family’s ancestors, ... once discovered, I’d rather be dead.”

”...” Qin Henian was stunned.

Xiaoqiao similarly opened her mouth slightly, then unconsciously looked at Li Ji’an.

Li Ji’an chuckled inwardly, Ning Yutan hasn’t truly understood the customs of the Cultivation Realm despite being here for over a hundred years, still holding onto Immortal Dynasty’s mindset.

This solidified his suspicion that the Ning Sisters had been kept in Peach Garden by the Liu Family Ancestor.

”Ahem~” He had to step in.

”Master Qin, this woman is here for me.” Li Ji’an stood and bowed.

”Oh?” Qin Henian looked at Li Ji’an with surprise.

With Li Ji’an’s status, nearly all female cultivators in Cangyun State could be pursued or relinquished.

Moreover, his calm heart nature and handsome appearance made him a first-rate handsome man.

Perhaps this woman was attracted to him also.

Xiaoqiao immediately looked at Li Ji’an, eyes revealing a ’so it is’ expression.

Ning Yutan was even more overjoyed, but soon bit her lip hard, forcing herself not to laugh. Hastily holding back, her face turned red, feigning shyness, she glanced at Li Ji’an, then quickly lowered her head.

”Hahaha... Isn’t Little Friend Li a charming wanderer?” Qin Henian laughed heartily.

”Forgive me for causing Senior to laugh.” Li Ji’an’s expression didn’t change.

”Why not untie this Fairy then?” Qin Henian immediately ordered.

The guard promptly untied Ning Yutan, with Xiaoqiao stepping forward to support her.

”Thank you, Little Sister Qiao.” In life-or-death moments, Ning Yutan’s ups and downs brought real tears to her eyes.

”Sister Tan, you’re too kind.” Xiaoqiao smiled sheepishly, feeling that someday she might have to call her the stepmother.

After all, since she could remember, she had never seen Uncle Li act so proactively towards any female cultivator.

Even before Duanmu Qin, Uncle Li had been passive.

”Brother Li...” Ning Yutan walked up to Li Ji’an, calling out somewhat affectedly, her voice numbingly sweet.

”Shouldn’t you thank Master Qin?” Li Ji’an said solemnly.

”Yes, yes, thank you, Master Qin, for your leniency.” Ning Yutan, with lively thoughts, quickly bowed to Qin Henian.

Qin Henian laughed heartily, having no desire to gossip about their affairs: ”No need for that, as long as the misunderstanding is resolved, although you were insulted, I’ll host a banquet at Odd Stone Forest as an apology, how about it?”

Ning Yutan’s eyes widened.

A Fake Pill True Man hosting a banquet to apologize to her?

The recent self-sufficient life after leaving Peach Blossom Forest made her experience the hardships of the Cultivation Realm, understanding the importance of strength.

Don’t even mention the Fake Pill True Man, even Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator is an existence she needs to look up to.

Unsure how to respond, she looked at Li Ji’an.

And it was at this moment that she finally sensed the powerful Foundation Establishment aura on Li Ji’an that wasn’t suppressed.

”Brother Li...”

Li Ji’an had long observed Qin Henian’s attention toward Xiaoqiao, guessing Liu Jingchun had probably briefed him, knowing his intent.

”Then we thank Master Qin.” With Qin Henian in front, Li Ji’an didn’t mind Xiaoqiao meeting Liu Jingchun.

Qin Henian was overjoyed, immediately leading Li Ji’an and the others back to the Odd Stone Forest Dao Field.