Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

It was clear that Master Yuxiao had assigned tasks according to the False Pill Divine Sense.

However, she still underestimated Li Ji’an’s talisman art.

If it were the Upper Grade spiritual talisman in the late period, his success rate would only be 50%, but if only Upper Grade was required, he had at least a 90% success rate. So this task was relatively easy for Li Ji’an, and he could spare six days a month to work on it.

Moreover, the other party fully funded the materials, calculating based on a 60% success rate, which gave Li Ji’an a 40% difference in talisman material costs.

They supplied materials for ten talismans but only required the delivery of six talismans.

Of course, this condition was based on Li Ji’an serving as a tributor for the Commerce Association and enjoying its benefits.

But Li Ji’an had no interest in becoming a tributor for the Commerce Association at the moment.

After all, the Spirit Vein Dao Field of the Si Shui Commerce Association was only Tier Three Lower Grade, which couldn’t meet his Core Formation needs.

Besides, the marketplace is like a battlefield. With the Si Shui Commerce Association eager to return to the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain, if he became a tributor bound to the association, he might become the main target of opposing forces.

The Biyun Sect and Si Shui Commerce Association were more like state-owned enterprises versus foreign investments to him: one yielded lower returns but had many invisible benefits with almost no dangers and high stability, while the other had high returns but instability and hidden risks.

”Master Yuxiao, please understand; I cannot serve as your association’s tributor. However, in consideration of your generous treatment, I can supply talismans long-term,” said Li Ji’an, stating his terms.

Upon hearing this, a hint of disappointment flashed across Master Yuxiao’s pretty face, but it also confirmed one of her guesses.

The other party was at least a Fake Pill True Man. If he were a cultivator of the Celestial Cyan Domain, he could only belong to one of the major families or Holy Palace Sect, not a loose cultivator.

Furthermore, with such extraordinary talisman skills, facing a 60% success rate for Upper Grade talismans with such confidence, she almost immediately ruled out all the Fake Pill Ancestors of the domain’s families.

And if he were a cultivator from an Outer Domain, even if pursued by enemies, he would certainly be willing to serve as a tributor.

But the other party firmly refused, indicating that within the domain, he must have a place to live that was no worse than their association’s Tier Three Lower Grade Dao Field, such as a high-level position in the Holy Palace or a Sect.

She could understand this; while sects appear united outwardly, internally, there are always conflicts of interest. This person might have fallen out of favor in internal sect power struggles and could only seek outside earnings through such methods.

”Sir, there’s no rush to decide. No matter what, the doors of our association will always be open for you. However, until you change your mind, as you’ve mentioned, here is the Si Shui Golden Talisman, which grants VIP treatment at all Si Shui Commerce Association shops. The talisman is recognized, not the person, so please accept it with a smile!”

”Good!” Li Ji’an nodded in satisfaction. This negotiation had none of the anticipated chaotic drawbacks. The other party was sincere and did not make him feel any difficulties, showing great understanding.

In the end, both parties agreed that the association would pre-supply the talisman materials Li Ji’an required, to be delivered annually, with the material cost deducted on delivery.

This spared Li Ji’an the effort and spirit stone pressure of acquiring talisman materials, greatly reducing his urgency.

At the same time, his earnings increased significantly.

It was almost like getting something for nothing.

However, this posed a greater risk for the other party, and even Li Ji’an couldn’t help but admire the courage and resolve of the Jurchen woman before him.

For Master Yuxiao, she was well aware that in just half an hour of communication, although it seemed she wasn’t seeking any information about Li Ji’an, she had already reached a self-assessed accurate judgment about his identity.

After all, looking across the entire Celestial Cyan Domain, there were only a few skilled Second Tier Talisman Masters.

The other party obviously didn’t want to leave his sect and didn’t want their cooperation with the Commerce Association to be exposed. In comparison, the value of over a hundred late Second Tier talisman materials was trivial compared to the spiritual talisman he would provide.

”Yuxiao thanks you, sir! After the assembly ends, please help choose the talisman materials.” After declining Master Yuxiao’s banquet invitation, Li Ji’an took his leave. Master Yuxiao bowed deeply and handed him a two-way Communication Talisman.

”Master Yuxiao, you’re too kind. I will surely come again when the time comes.” Accepting the Communication Talisman, Li Ji’an left the Commerce Association.

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In the blink of an eye, the Celestial River Grand Assembly was grandly held.

Aside from the mid-to-top level cultivators stationed at the northeast border by the Ten Thousand Laws Palace, nearly everyone gathered at the Celestial River Immortal City.

For a time, the Immortal City was packed with throngs, buzzing with activity.

As Master Yuxiao of the Si Shui Commerce Association personally activated the Floating Heaven Array, a floating platform capable of accommodating ten thousand people slowly rose, ascending above the thundering Celestial River Waterfall, announcing the official start of this Celestial River Grand Assembly.

The next moment, everyone below vied to fly up.

Those eager to sell resources were mostly the first to fly up, immediately occupying the designated stalls on the floating platform.

This was the hallmark of the Celestial River Grand Assembly: when it opens, anyone can set up a stall and sell without paying any fee, and there are no restrictions on the transactions.

Moreover, during the assembly, there are no restrictions on trade items; even highly toxic substances over Tier Three, talismans, or Core Formation Spiritual Objects normally prohibited by the Ten Thousand Laws Palace can be traded.

Of course, while allowing trade, it also ensures no surveillance, and participants can leave without being followed.

This is the function of the floating platform array: not only does it shield and cleanse markings, but it also includes a Shifting Array that attendees can use to leave.

It’s said that this floating platform is an exotic treasure passed down from Si Shui Commerce Association’s ancestors.

”Ancestor, don’t!” At this moment, Qin Henian looked at Master Yuxiao, finally seeing her high up, and was about to drive his magical power to rush over and recommend himself, when Qin Chuan firmly held him back.

At this moment, by Master Yuxiao’s side were high-ranking members of the Ten Thousand Laws Palace and several other sects, including the Fiery Sun Sect, and she was within an array, making it unlikely Qin Henian could get close.

Moreover, such untimely actions would inevitably leave a bad impression.

It’s no wonder Qin Henian was a bit impatient now; it was just that all his previous efforts had failed, and he couldn’t meet Master Yuxiao.

”Elder Qin, calm down; now is not the time.”

Li Ji’an and Yan Qingwan stood aside, advising as well.

”Ah!” Calming down, Qin Henian looked at Master Yuxiao from afar, only able to sigh.

”Fine, Chuan’Er, let’s go with your plan first.”

”Alright, Ancestor, you rest; I’ll handle this.” Upon hearing this, Qin Chuan accepted the Spiritual Bamboo samples they had prepared and flew up to the floating platform to secure a spot.

Li Ji’an and the others weren’t in a hurry to go up to the floating platform, as they didn’t need to compete for stall spaces.

After an hour, as fewer cultivators flew up, Li Ji’an and his group ascended to the floating platform.

”Divine Sense is heavily limited, only half a zhang around.” As soon as they stepped onto the platform, Yan Qingwan noticed the anomaly.

Li Ji’an was slightly better, able to extend his Divine Sense to a range of five zhang, but he could sense an unknown Power of the Divine Soul stirring, and once Divine Sense was released, it would lose its sensing capability.

Soon, the three found where Qin Chuan was, whose stall was relatively far back.

On the stall now were late Second Tier Purple Bamboo from the Qin Family, of excellent quality.

”Ancestor, don’t worry about this spot. I’ll manage; you go look for the Celestial Heart Grass.” Qin Chuan couldn’t bear to see the dignified family ancestor setting up a stall with him, so he urged him to leave.

”Thank you, Chuan’Er.” Qin Henian nodded.

After that, the group agreed to meet here later.

Qin Henian took Li Ji’an to look for the Celestial Heart Grass, information about which they had gathered in advance, while Yan Qingwan, not wanting Li Ji’an to spend for her again, made an excuse to look around alone.

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Meanwhile, below, a man and a woman ascended the floating platform.

Upon reaching the platform, the man sensed something, squinted slightly, and revealed a piece of bone with a dim golden sheen in his hand.

As magical power was slowly infused, an unusual sensing transmitted into his Sea of Consciousness.

”It’s indeed here!” The man suddenly opened his eyes, a cruel smile appearing on his face.

The woman, too, had eyes that brightened as a prideful expression spread across her enchanting face, transmitting, ”I told you, the cultivators of the Celestial Cyan Domain have long been oppressed by their sects. Anyone capable of slaying that Golden Corpse would certainly not miss this triennial assembly.”