Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

However, she still hasn’t come to her senses, truly unable to believe that Li Ji’an would strike at her.

After all, the sect has decreed that those who attack their fellow disciples without cause will be severely punished.

”As your chief among these true inheritors, I have the responsibility to supervise and restrain you. Junior Sister Yao is audacious enough to draw a sword on me, the chief. This whip serves as a small punishment and a big warning. Though you have left the sect, do not forget the sect’s rules!

Repeat offenders will face even harsher penalties!”

Just as Yao Rui’s anger was about to erupt, Li Ji’an slowly stepped out of the ox-drawn carriage, silently scanning the three of them.

”...”

Including Hu Zaiyi, all four true inheritors were dumbfounded.

After Yao Rui’s rebellion against the late-stage Qi Cultivation inner sect disciple, many gossipers privately discussed and even anticipated when she would clash with Li Ji’an.

Inevitably, almost all gossipers believed that Chief Li would certainly be inferior to True Inheritor Yao.

Some even jokingly said that the day Li Ping’an and Yao Rui engage in magical combat would be the day of a humiliating retreat.

According to Yao Rui’s temper and nature, she would likely give him a severe beating.

However, at this moment, the three people caught a glimpse of Yao Rui’s private area, which was bruised and battered, leaving them in chaos.

Furthermore, because Li Ji’an invoked the sect’s true inheritor system and exercised his supervisory responsibility as the chief, blatantly pressuring them with authority, they couldn’t refute it, and for the first time, they realized the difference between the chief inheritor and themselves.

”You...” Yao Rui fully came to her senses, her magical power bursting forth, looking at Li Ji’an with gritted teeth.

Li Ji’an calmly met her gaze, his voice calm yet possessing an indisputable authority: ”Apologies!”

At the same time, several vines emerged from the ground, swaying beside Yao Rui once more.

”Failing to correct a mistake will result in double the punishment!” Without waiting for Yao Rui to calm down, Li Ji’an spoke again.

”Pa!” Immediately, two vines lashed at her again.

”If dissatisfied, you can report it to the sect, but if you dare to defy the law privately, the punishment will be even harsher, and you will be expelled from the true inheritors!” Simultaneously, Li Ji’an’s authoritative voice resounded.

Yao Rui’s burst of magical power nearly instinctively resisted, but at the last moment, she reluctantly withdrew, letting the two vines lash at her body once more.

”Pa, pa!” The two additional blood streaks on her back caused her to bite her lip tightly, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth, yet the hatred in her eyes almost solidified into substance.

Nonetheless, when Li Ji’an’s indifferent gaze swept over, Yao Rui begrudgingly lowered her head.

Using authority to oppress!

What more could she do?

She could only blame herself for being blinded by his calm demeanor, thinking he was kind-hearted and tolerant, which led her to repeatedly test him excessively.

Only in her eagerness did she overlook the sect’s rules, allowing him to seize the opportunity.

This thunderous retaliatory measure utterly destroyed the authority she had built over the past three years.

”Senior Brother Li, Junior Sister was just worried about the thief cultivator’s traces and broke the sect’s rules; I beg for forgiveness!”

Seeing her bow her head so quickly, Li Ji’an nodded secretly, then retracted the vines from the ground.

”This shall not happen again!”

”Yes!” Yao Rui nodded through gritted teeth, feeling somewhat relieved that Li Ji’an didn’t exploit the situation further.

After all, she had been openly vying for the chief position with him all along, and if faced with someone truly malicious, they might want to deliver a fatal blow to eliminate future troubles entirely!

”Does he know that if pushed to the brink, I might kill him?” This was the only possibility she could think of.

”Why obstruct the imperial carriage?” asked Li Ji’an, sitting back in the carriage, his voice the only sound.

”We...” Yao Rui frowned, then exhaled a long breath: ”Junior Sister found some clues in the Xue Family’s ancestral home and wants to share them with Senior Brother.”

”...” Zhou Zheng and Shen Xingchen immediately looked at Yao Rui.

After carefully investigating the Xue Family’s ancestral home, they had a certain judgment about the thief cultivator’s traces.

They had just caught up, mainly because they couldn’t endure the magical power consumption from long-distance flight, so even Yao Rui couldn’t resist the embarrassment and wanted to ride on Li Ji’an’s ox-drawn carriage.

But now she revealed such important information.

Senior Sister Yao was subdued by Senior Brother Li’s strong authority?

”Speak!” Li Ji’an said indifferently.

”Yes, based on the scene, Junior Sister believes the opponent had been lurking in the Xue Family for a long time before taking action, and since the Xue Family guards were completely unprepared, the thief cultivator must possess some special means to change identities... Based on various signs, Junior Sister believes the thief cultivator has fled to the regions of major powers...” Yao Rui disclosed the information she initially regarded as advantageous.

Hearing her words, Li Ji’an smiled faintly; Yao Rui wasn’t foolish.

According to the Law Enforcement Hall and the guards’ information, the Upper Sect has long since sealed off the Northern Realm within the state, deploying a sky net in remote small family areas within the state.

If that group of thief cultivators fled to those places, they would inevitably be captured, and pursuing them would be futile.

Moreover, with nearly a month having passed with no traces found, it is highly likely they didn’t escape to those places.

Thus, the remaining areas are the seemingly secure major power regions within the state.

For example, the regions of the four Fake Pill Clans, or the Odd Stone Forest, as well as the Desert now fully controlled by the Yan Family.

Since the Biyun Sect returned from the Black Water Swamp, due to a shortage of manpower, they left the security responsibilities for these areas to each power autonomously; minor issues to resolve themselves, major issues to report to the sect for assistance, and should any demon cultivators appear, they can shift the blame to them.

Therefore, after leaving the Xue Family, Li Ji’an’s destination was the nearest power range of the Odd Stone Forest.

”It’s just... Although Junior Sister has this judgment, the major powers might not necessarily cooperate with our investigation, and the area is too vast, so she wants to discuss with Senior Brother how to make the major powers fully cooperate?” Seeing Li Ji’an not refuting, Yao Rui posed another question.

This served as a reasonable explanation for her recent hostile actions, so even if Li Ji’an reported to the sect afterwards, Yao Rui could justify herself.

”Heh~” Li Ji’an chuckled at her words.

Indeed, they had identified the possible hiding areas for the thief cultivators, but this area was still too large; if relying solely on a few of them to search, who knows when success would come.

Moreover, since the sect wanted to avoid following in the footsteps of the Fiery Sun Sect, assigning different powers to share the risk, they granted them full decision-making authority within their power ranges, and even the sect’s Law Enforcement Hall should not intervene unless these major powers request assistance.

To have the major powers cooperate... it’s not something easily achieved by others.

However, Li Ji’an could achieve it effortlessly.

For no other reason, simply because his past life’s influence was extensive enough.

Hearing Li Ji’an’s chuckle, Yao Rui snorted internally: ”Hmph, don’t think you can command wind and rain as the chief true inheritor within the sect, let’s see who acknowledges you when you reach the major power regions?”

”Very well, the more confident you are today, the more embarrassed you will be in the future, and then... the more it will somewhat appease today’s grudge!”

”Lao Huang.” With that, Li Ji’an ordered.

The ox-drawn imperial carriage resumed its journey.

Leaving Yao Rui and the three others looking at each other.

How could they dare mention riding again?

They could only endure the long journey ahead, scraping by!

”Hmph! Our exertion on the road is also training, it’s just a pity, unable to witness firsthand how he is ignored by the major powers, a pity, a pity...” Comforting themselves, the three pushed their limits to catch up.

A month and a half later.

Peering at the jagged rocks and towering strange trees of the Odd Stone Forest, Li Ji’an’s face involuntarily showed a tinge of nostalgia.

It’s been ten years since parting with Ning Sujin, and for others, almost twenty years, albeit under a different identity, which carried some anticipation.

As Li Ji’an’s ox-drawn carriage just passed through the gate of the Odd Stone Forest, two Foundation Establishment presences quickly approached from within.

”Ping’an?” Having firmly controlled the Odd Stone Forest, Sect Leader Qiao stood there in a form-fitting dress, looking rather dashing.

Xiaoqiao looked at Li Ji’an, with a trace of surprise in her eyes.

After silently sighing, she stepped forward and patted Li Ji’an on the shoulder, ”Ping’an, I am your Senior Sister Qiao, also your master’s adopted daughter!”

”Ping’an greets Senior Sister Qiao!” Li Ji’an respectfully bowed.

”Very well, this is your master’s concubine, you can call her Aunt Tan or Mistress.” Xiaoqiao introduced Ning Yutan.

”Ping’an, just call me Aunt Tan. I have no formal title with your master.” Ning Yutan stared intently at Li Ji’an’s face, seeing hints of his past life in his features, and even more so from past lifetimes, when first seeing Li Ji’an at the Seeking Immortal Institute in Prefecture City.

However, it’s clear that the Ping’an before her was even more refined and radiant with spiritual energy.

”Truly destined with Brother Li!”

”Greetings to Aunt Tan.”

Subsequently, to Hu Zaiyi’s shock, Li Ji’an was led by the sect’s two legendary women of the highest status into the main hall of the Odd Stone Forest.

”Senior Brother Li’s connections are indeed wild?”