Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Upon learning about the mystical inheritance of the Si Shui Commerce Association, Li Ji’an felt a sense of relief.

He was naturally well aware of Huang Jie’s heart and character.

Since Master Yuxiao was skilled in physiognomy, perhaps she could see Huang Jie’s narrow-mindedness, lack of compassion, and the aspect of an early demise...

This would explain his attitude towards himself.

Likewise, he better understood why, in his past life, when he first met Master Yuxiao, she seemed so forthright and trusting.

”I thought that was her true nature!” Li Ji’an couldn’t help but chuckle wryly to himself.

In this world, what merchants are there who are truly scholars? They are just Confucian on the outside and manipulative inside, the more they showcase benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trust on the surface, the more they are strict with others in private, putting interests above all.

At the same time, he could roughly guess why Guo Wanzhi hadn’t contacted him for the past six months.

Perhaps it was due to Master Yuxiao confiding deeply in Guo Wanzhi.

Li Ji’an was content with this situation.

As someone deemed of little value in the eyes of the Si Shui Commerce Association, no one could use him, nor would they disturb him.

Except for Yao Rui!

Two years had flown by.

Li Ji’an had adapted to this life of cultivation.

During these two years, he occasionally applied for some Second Tier talisman materials, but the results were less than satisfactory.

However, no one had any opinions about him.

Because there were no expectations, there were no disappointments.

Almost everyone accepted the fact that he was enjoying the benefits of Mr. Si Shui.

Fortunately, such a large commerce association could afford a few idlers without any issues, and nothing amusing happened.

”Gua~”

In an underground palace excavated by Gugu below the isolated island, Li Ji’an was protected by a Tier Three chessboard shielding array given by Xiaoqiao in his previous life, along with the enhancement of his Core Formation Middle Stage divine sense. Even if a Core Formation Ascendant were to investigate the island, they would find it hard to detect.

During these two years, Li Ji’an often sparred with Gugu in this underground palace, honing his physique.

In these two years, besides occasionally testing the effect of drawing spirit talismans with Wood Magic Power, he spent most of his time relying on Little Fire Spirit to refine his magical power, while he himself focused on body refining.

The Wood Magic Power’s sustained and lasting nature was truly suited for talisman making, giving Li Ji’an great anticipation for the talisman dao in this life.

Now, with Foundation Establishment Peak’s Wood Magic Power and Core Formation Middle Stage’s divine sense, he could barely draw Tier Three spirit talismans. Once he achieved Core Formation, he had confidence in reaching for high-level Tier Three spirit talismans.

If, by any chance, he could successfully reach Core Formation Late Period, there was hope in drawing Tier Four spirit talismans.

At that time, with Tier Four spirit talismans in hand, only the major powers of the Central Ten Domains in the Great Marsh Cultivation Realm could pose a threat to him.

But currently, the magical power at his Foundation Establishment Peak was still somewhat strained, so he did not waste any more Tier Three talisman materials.

On the body refining front, he had made significant progress over these two years.

He comprehensively absorbed Wu Weixiong’s insights and realizations on breaking through Tier Three Body Refining, and tried to calm his mind and perceive the Heaven and Earth Five Elements Spiritual Mechanism to guide the Five Divine Treasures of the Divine Treasure Body Refining Technique.

In the process, he unexpectedly sensed an old relic in the underground palace.

It was precisely the reddish-brown stone upon which the Little Fire Spirit was first captured on the fringes of Flame Mountain in his previous life.

This stone had accompanied him for over seventy years, yet he had never uncovered its fundamental nature.

Initially, it was only due to Xiaoqiao’s Earth Spirit sensing that they discovered the spiritual mechanism enveloping the stone.

Afterward, the Little Fire Spirit became dependent on it, and it could nourish the Little Fire Spirit, though with a weak effect.

This time, he finally sensed its characteristics.

But the result was somewhat different from his initial guesses.

He had always speculated that it might be some kind of fire spirit marrow nurturing the Little Fire Spirit, and after nurturing the Little Fire Spirit, its spiritual mechanism would gradually be exhausted, leading to its eventual demise.

However, with the Divine Treasure Body Refining Technique sensing, he unexpectedly discovered the stone contained Wood Element Spiritual Essence.

Spiritual essence and spiritual mechanism are different; the former derives from Dao charm, while the latter is part of the universe.

In this world, very few cultivators truly come into contact with Dao charm, supposedly only those at least at the level of Divinity Transformation Celestial Monarch.

And Wu Weixiong’s ancient Taigu Demon-Suppressing Fist embodies Dao charm, which is why after practicing this fist technique, in combination with the Five Elements Spirit Charm perception of the Divine Treasure Body Refining Technique, he had a faint ability to sense it.

After sensing the Wood Element Spirit Charm in the reddish-brown stone, Li Ji’an formally started using it to train his first divine treasure.

Now there’s almost just one step away from reaching Second Tier Body Refining!

”Don’t be arrogant, I’m about to reach Second Tier Body Refining, then with the second layer of the Demon-Suppressing Fist, your physique won’t stand a chance!”

Patting the head of the victorious Gugu, Li Ji’an once again took out the reddish-brown stone, activating the Divine Treasure Body Refining Technique to absorb the spiritual essence and refine the wood element divine treasure.

”Gua~” Upon hearing this, Gugu’s head drooped immediately.

On its frog face, there was even a look of pitifully seeking comfort.

Li Ji’an couldn’t help but smile gently, softly stroking the frog’s head again: ”Don’t waste your efforts. Little Fire is a born Holy Spirit, continuously absorbing and refining my wood magic power further is reasonable.

As for you, given your lack of talent, having this achievement already is commendable.

Rest assured, the master’s promise will not be broken. As soon as there’s a chance for a spirit pet to advance to Tier Three, I will do my utmost to secure it for you.”

No wonder Gugu was a bit anxious.

It had been over a century since it advanced to the Second Tier Late Period demon beast, yet it hadn’t progressed an inch.

In contrast, since reuniting with Li Ji’an in the Celestial Cyan Domain, Little Fire Spirit, in just four to five years, showed signs of breaking through again.

And this master, needless to say, this life’s cultivation was like riding a rocket, having long surpassed it.