Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Chapter 257: Chapter 116: Celestial River Grand Assembly (2)

”Aunt.”

”Everyone, please feel free.” Li Ji’an first saluted Yan Qingwan, then returned the greeting to everyone else.

Yan Qingwan stood up and personally pulled Li Ji’an to sit next to her.

”Oh, Fan’Er, you’re at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment!” Yan Qingwan exclaimed as soon as they sat down.

At the last Yan Family’s centennial banquet, Li Ji’an had deliberately concealed his middle-stage Foundation Establishment aura. However, this time, with a Fake Pill True Man present, he didn’t bother to do so.

”Middle stage of Foundation Establishment!” Everyone else from the Desert was equally shocked inside.

For the cultivators from the Desert, reaching Foundation Establishment was almost the peak. Only a very few with exceptional talent, extraordinary luck, and full support from their clan had a chance to advance further.

Li Ji’an, a mere Loose Cultivator, had been recognized and valued by an Upper Sect, becoming an Honored Guest Elder, and had advanced further, much to their amazement.

Among those present, Yan Xiao found it particularly incredible. He possessed exceptional talent and had faced few hardships, always had high ambitions beyond Foundation Establishment, and thus looked down somewhat on other Desert cultivators, including Li Ji’an, who left the Yan Family, believing them to lack ambition.

At this moment, his gaze towards Li Ji’an held a hint of reverence.

”Thanks to the support of the Upper Sect, it’s pure luck, pure luck.” Li Ji’an said humbly, clasping his hands, and did not continue the topic, turning instead to a private conversation with Yan Qingwan.

In conversation with Yan Qingwan, Li Ji’an learned that the reason their Desert clan could be placed in such a relatively favorable position was unanimously believed to be because several families had participated in Qin Henian’s Falu Alliance back then.

The Cangyun State’s Qin Family was already at the forefront of the Five Great Clans, and this time, after being personally commended by the Holy Palace, their status soared.

There were even rumors from some remote small families that the Qin Family might be able to rival the Biyun Sect in the future.

This time, nearly all the Foundation Establishment Clans sent representatives to witness the event.

Logically speaking, the Desert’s Foundation Establishment Clans should rank towards the middle or end among the hundreds of Foundation Establishment forces in Cangyun State, so their seat shouldn’t be this close to the core main veins.

”I wonder which young one has such deep fortune to be fortunate enough to be taken by Master Qin as an adopted grandson?”

”I’m afraid the talent must be excellent, conservatively starting with an Earth Spirit Root.”

”With such grand momentum, the background might also be not simple.”

While Li Ji’an and Yan Qingwan were chatting casually, the others speculated about the main character of this grand event.

”The Liu family is here too! Hiss, and the Liu family’s Fake Pill True Man has come.” Before long, some people were recognized as they approached from afar.

As they neared, the group stood up to pay respect: ”Greetings, Master Liu.”

The Fake Pill True Man nodded slightly, without looking at them.

Several juniors behind turned their heads to glance at them.

”Greetings, Fairy Liu,” Yan Xiao suddenly spoke up again.

”Huh?” Liu Jiuqian, following behind the clan elder, looked over at Yan Xiao’s greeting and unexpectedly saw Li Ji’an.

He then informed his ancestor, detached from the group, and flew down.

Yan Xiao’s face showed a hint of excitement.

He had accidentally met Liu Jiuqian while joining the Falu Alliance before, and after seeing her true appearance, he was astonished, considering her his standard for a Dao Companion.

However, Liu Jiuqian wasn’t particularly close to him upon learning his Desert clan identity at the time.

He understood since she was after all the daughter of one of the Five Great Clans; her family’s background was beyond the comparison of his Desert Foundation Establishment Clan.

So, he didn’t think Liu Jiuqian was wrong, just worked harder on improving himself.

Nevertheless, at this moment, he would never have thought that Liu Jiuqian would lower herself specifically because of him.

The gaze of the other three elders from the Desert clans simultaneously flickered with surprise, their eyes toward Yan Xiao filled with disbelief.

”Fairy Liu,” Yan Xiao took a deep breath and hurriedly went out to greet her.

”Fellow Daoist Yan,” Liu Jiuqian smiled politely at the approaching Yan Xiao, and then walked straight inside.

As she walked, she clasped her hands with a smile: ”Brother Li, it seems Jiuqian is indeed destined to meet with you.”

”...” Yan Xiao froze in place, his smile solidifying even more on his face.

The others from the Desert let out a breath of relief, revealing an expression of understanding.

As an Honored Guest Elder of an Upper Sect and a Pill Master, it was normal for a descendant of the Five Great Clans to treat Li Ji’an with courtesy.

If both Liu Jiuqian and Yan Xiao could be so courteous, that would indeed be curious.

”Fellow Daoist Liu, you jest. We’ve been apart for sixteen years, where does the ’destined’ come from?” Li Ji’an responded with a smile.

Sixteen years ago, Li Ji’an had been invited by Liu Jiuqian to refine a Sacred Beast Pill, resulting in casualties from the Liu Family and the loss of their long-prepared Sacred Beast Pill, eventually benefiting Gugu.

After that, Li Ji’an hardly interacted with them again.

The Liu Family, from then on, had constantly competed with the Spirit Beast Mountain of the Celestial Origin Province, reportedly engaging in several private battles in the Great Marsh Mountain Range, which ended in mutual harm.

”That’s why Jiuqian treasures every meeting with Brother Li even more.” Liu Jiuqian smiled sweetly.

”...” Watching Liu Jiuqian’s completely unfamiliar demeanor, Yan Xiao felt as if thunderstruck.

The most memorable thing about Liu Jiuqian for him was her queen-like aura, reigning supreme over the world.

Yet at this moment, she was showing such goodwill towards Li Ji’an.

Every call of ”Brother Li” made his blood boil.

”Fairy Liu, please have a seat.” Yan Qingwan was overjoyed to see Liu Jiuqian’s attitude toward Li Ji’an.

In her eyes, if Li Ji’an could form a Dao Companion relationship with Liu Jiuqian, it could be seen as a match of equals.

”Thank you, Fairy Yan.” Liu Jiuqian was already aware of Li Ji’an’s background and was particularly friendly toward Yan Qingwan.

”Hmm?” Just as she sat down, Liu Jiuqian, having the mind to sense, suddenly discovered that Li Ji’an was already at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, and his aura seemed to be nearing the late stage.