Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

As she watched Huang Jie leave, Yao Rui frowned silently.

With her Earth Spirit Root aptitude and her cultivation of the superior Cultivation Technique from Biyun Sect, she was almost certain to succeed in the critical Core Formation stage. Moreover, the Si Shui Commerce Association had promised to provide her with one of the top hundred Core Formation Spirit Treasures, making a True Pill almost within reach.

However, having witnessed her sect barely holding on during the righteous versus demonic war in the Celestial Cyan Domain, and having heard of the full defeat across the entire Celestial Cyan Domain two years ago, she was now determined to restore Biyun Sect to its former glory.

Therefore, she was determined to strive for the highest quality Magic Pill.

The middle grade was her minimum target.

She even aimed to reach the upper True Pill.

Because only then would there be hope of reaching the late stage of Core Formation, and possibly even aspiring to Nascent Soul True Monarch.

Otherwise, there would be no hope of restoring Biyun Sect.

Sadly, to reach the middle to upper True Pill with her current conditions was uncertain.

Therefore, she could only strive to do her utmost at every step, giving her all.

The Core Formation Dao Field was crucial to succeeding in the Core Formation stage.

Moreover, the Core Formation Dao Field at the Business Alliance Headquarters in Feihong Immortal City was not only top-tier in Spiritual Qi, Spiritual Pressure, and Spiritual Mechanism but was also rumored to have a certain Dao Charm flowing through it, greatly enhancing the quality of the Magic Pill.

For this reason, the Core Formation Dao Field in Feihong Immortal City was a sacred place for Core Formation for everyone. Not only in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain, but even the top forces in dozens of nearby domains were drawn to it, making it difficult for ordinary cultivators to have a chance.

”In that case, the only path is through the ’Flying Crane Dao Discussion’!” With a silent sigh, Yao Rui harbored no resentment towards Huang Jie for not meeting her request; after all, she knew the importance of that quota and had tried without much hope.

The Flying Crane Dao Discussion was a martial arts competition jointly held by the eighteen merchants under the Business Alliance, aimed at training their cultivated Immortal Seedlings through Magical Combat.

However, over time, it also became a means for dividing interests among the merchants.

The top five in the Flying Crane Dao Discussion, aside from receiving generous rewards from the Business Alliance, all had the opportunity to use the top-tier Core Formation Dao Field in Feihong Immortal City.

At the same time, the final results of each merchant’s participating Immortal Seedlings also affected the market share allocation for the merchants in the next decade.

Therefore, each merchant placed special importance on this decennial grand event.

Last year, Yao Rui had already passed the internal competition of the Si Shui Commerce Association, making it among the ten designated participants by the association. She was about to start group competitions with other seventeen merchant associations, culminating in the final top three contest at the Business Alliance touring auction event in a year.

She did not expect to be among the top three, only hoping to give her all and reach the top five, which would be satisfactory.

But this was not easy for her.

The Flying Crane Dao Discussion consisted of various merchants’ geniuses below Core Formation. Each session was a fierce competition among numerous talents.

All the merchants, aiming to win market shares, exerted all efforts; they not only actively cultivated outstanding talents but also unearthed unpolished gems from the major sects in the Central Ten Domains.

Immortal Seedlings with Earth Spirit Roots like Yao Rui were just the entry-level; there’s no shortage of Celestial Spirit Roots and even Anomalous Spirit Roots, not to mention various naturally gifted Immortal Seeds with special constitutions.

”It’s hard!” Yao Rui felt some lack of confidence.

------------

”Greetings, Honored Guest Huang.”

”Honored Guest Huang, there’s progress on the matter you instructed last time.”

Li Ji’an had just entered the largest Si Shui Building in Cold Smoke Immortal City, where the stewards greeted him respectfully, and the manager enthusiastically invited Li Ji’an to a private room, speaking flatteringly.

Although the upper management of the Si Shui Commerce Association viewed Li Ji’an as something of a leisurely person and a fulfillment of an obligation to that gentleman, the people below were unaware of this. His status as a first-class Honored Guest Elder was enough to earn flattery and attention.

”Oh? Is it news about the Tier Three Green Blood Pill?” Li Ji’an looked at the other party expectantly.

”Exactly, I worked hard for this, eventually finding out that the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association obtained a precious Tier Three Green Blood Pill from the Holy Beast Mountain in the Central Ten Domains.” The manager said, seeking credit.

”Fierce Tiger Commerce Association!” Li Ji’an’s expression showed both joy and slight concern upon hearing this.

The Green Blood Pill was a beast advancement pill that he only learned about by chance after coming to the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain for two years.

This pill is a Spirit Pet Holy Pill exclusive to the Holy Beast Mountain, one of the ten giants in the Central Ten Domains, helping spirit pets break through to Tier Three.

It is also by relying on this Beast Pill’s formula that Holy Beast Mountain, amidst the fierce competition of the Central Ten Domains, managed to become a major power with a continuous supply of high-tier spirit beasts.

Therefore, Holy Beast Mountain maintained the highest level of confidentiality for this Pill Formula.

For thousands of years, the outside world was unaware of any Beast Pill capable of helping spirit beasts break through to Tier Three.

Only a few decades ago, an informant from Holy Beast Mountain revealed this secret moments before his Sea of Consciousness shattered.

Despite the world knowing about this Divine Pill that could help spirit beasts break through to Tier Three, it remained elusive.

Because Holy Beast Mountain never intended to share such a foundation-wide secret with the world.

It is said that when this news first came out, the Business Alliance instantly realized the huge business opportunity.

In the Great Marsh Cultivation Realm, over the past six thousand years, many secrets of human cultivation remain unexplored, let alone those of demon beasts.

And a Tier Three Great Demon, no matter which domain of the Great Marsh Cultivation Realm it resides in, possesses undeniable deterrence.

Unfortunately, most Demon Beasts nurtured by the Human Race have lost their wildness, and their bloodlines are not particularly strong, making it difficult for them to break through to Tier Three on their own.

If the Business Alliance could obtain a supply of Green Blood Pills, they would undoubtedly be in high demand.

Thus, the Business Alliance showed great sincerity back then, even expending a favor from a Nascent Soul True Monarch from another giant in the Ten Domains, yet was still rejected by Holy Beast Mountain.

They even declared that they would never allow the Green Blood Pill to flow out.

Their intention was clear, fearing that outside Pill Masters would research generation after generation and reverse-engineer the breakthrough Pill Formula for the Green Blood Pill.

If the Green Blood Pill were to become widely circulated, Holy Beast Mountain would inevitably lose its current status as a giant one day.

Nevertheless, Li Ji’an accidentally heard a rumor a year ago that a Green Blood Pill had already been acquired by the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain.

And today, he unexpectedly learned the identity of the exact owner.

Fierce Tiger Commerce Association, like Si Shui Commerce Association, is one of the Eighteen Merchants Association of the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain.

However, it specializes in Spirit Pet trading, and its position within the Business Alliance is second only to the current Nine Tripods Commerce Association.

The key point is, Fierce Tiger Commerce Association serves as the backing for Jinhua Commerce Association, which is in direct competition with Si Shui Commerce Association.

If he goes as an Honored Guest Elder of Si Shui Commerce Association, he probably won’t even get a chance to bid.

”At least having a target brings hope!” Li Ji’an smiled after a moment of silence.

If he could obtain the Green Blood Pill, Gugu has hope to advance to Tier Three.

”What does Fierce Tiger Commerce Association think about this Green Blood Pill?” Li Ji’an asked again.

The steward chuckled awkwardly, ”I’ve heard that Fierce Tiger Commerce Association paid a considerable price to trade with Holy Beast Mountain for this pill, supposedly using half a share of Three Lights Divine Water, so... the selling price won’t be less than half a share of Three Lights Divine Water.”

”Three Lights Divine Water!” Li Ji’an was slightly tongue-tied.

It is not only more effective than Qiuli Water for purifying Magic Pills but is also equivalent to a life-saving resource; even if a Core Formation True Man’s Dantian is shattered, there is a few percent chance of repairing it.

The value is immeasurable!

”Half a share of Three Lights Divine Water... at least it requires a Core Formation Spirit Treasure ranked in the top ten... or, hmmm...” Suddenly, Li Ji’an’s eyes lit up, gaining ninety percent confidence.

”Additionally, although Holy Beast Mountain agreed to the transaction, it also set strict soul contracts with many limitations,” the steward further added.

”Oh? What are the limitations?” Li Ji’an asked joyfully once again; limitations imply further reduction in value.

”The specifics are unclear to me, but one point is that it cannot be publicly advertised, nor publicly auctioned; it can only be privately traded, and it also requires the establishment of a soul contract with the trader,” the steward explained.

”Good!” Li Ji’an raised an eyebrow, feeling more confident in his mind.

Then, using his status as a first-class Honored Guest Elder, he inspected the premium goods on the third floor of Si Shui Building, setting his sights on a piece of Tier Three Mica Crystal Marrow and a primary material for Crystal Condensing Pill.

The next day, he exited the Faceless Mask and disguised himself as a common Loose Cultivator, simulating his Divine Sense at a Fake Pill level, and returned to Si Shui Building to trade for the two spiritual materials.

Over the past three years, to avoid raising suspicions about his identity at Si Shui Commerce Association and prevent any unnecessary trouble due to his first-class Honored Guest Elder status, he essentially made purchases for the needed spiritual materials in this manner.

He has already collected sixty percent of the materials for Crystal Condensing Pill, gathered dozens of sets for Six Gods Condensing Essence Pill, reserved nearly ten sets of Tier Three Talisman Materials, and coincidentally accumulated seven or eight types of Tier Three Poison materials; enough materials for Second Tier Puppetry Skill fill several Storage Pouches, sufficient to refine his Puppetry Skill to Second Tier Perfection.

However, because his full focus was on breaking through Second Tier Body Refining, he hasn’t had much energy for other aspects, resulting in a temporary lack of progress.

Because of this, the vast wealth he has painstakingly accrued from Talisman Making for decades in his past life and from exploiting Si Shui Commerce Association has been nearly exhausted.

Leaving Si Shui Building again, Li Ji’an restored his aura to the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment and headed straight for the Immortal City Escort Agency.

Li Ji’an speculated that besides the stability of Feihong Immortal City among the Three States, the other states are in chaos, likely intentionally arranged by the Business Alliance, as the escort agencies in various Immortal Cities rely on this for prosperity.

This time, he decided to venture to White Deer Continent, where Fierce Tiger Commerce Association is located, hoping to trade for that Green Blood Pill for Gugu.

Although traveling between Immortal Cities, if he were to release his Mid-stage True Core Divine Sense, he might not encounter trouble, but there’s no need.

After all, the reputation of this escort agency is guaranteed, with a fee of only a few hundred Spirit Stones.

Before long, Li Ji’an arrived at Taian Escort Agency, an industry under Nine Tripods Commerce Association, spread across the states, even though the price is slightly higher compared to ordinary escort agencies, the advantage lies in safety, and within the domain, it is rarely targeted; even Tribulation Cultivator bandits must show some respect.

”Please wait a moment, Fellow Daoist Liu, we will depart as soon as the number of passengers is adequate,” after confirming the destination and paying the Spirit Stones, Li Ji’an was led to a side room to rest. This time, he used the name of his senior brother in his third reincarnation, Liu Qingyun.

Regarding the escort agency maid’s ”immediate departure” remarks, Li Ji’an had no expectations; he simply sat quietly and listened to the other guests’ conversations.

”I wonder which commerce association might emerge as a dark horse in this Flying Crane Dao Discussion this year?”

”Fellow Daoist Chen, you bet heavily on Five Blessings Commerce Association, do you have any insider information?”

”It’s unexpected that next year’s Circuit Auction is secured by Si Shui Commerce Association. Could it be that Si Shui Commerce Association is planning to return to the peak?”

...

Because the Flying Crane Dao Discussion and Circuit Auction, held every ten years, will take place next year, almost all topics within the domain are dominated by these events.

The major commerce associations have long started betting on the outcomes, and the atmosphere is lively.