Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Shocked, Li Ji’an’s thoughts were a whirlwind.

A jiazi ago, the Ten Thousand Laws Palace, which monopolized the ancient tombs of the Black Water Swamp, suddenly withdrew, rumored that the True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws encountered an accident when opening the third tomb.

Although the Ten Thousand Laws Palace later denied it vehemently, during the invasion of the Two Domains, the True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws vanished without a trace, confirming the rumor.

Li Ji’an further confirmed the absence of the True Monarch from previous divination signs passed down from Zou Yan’s ancestors.

However, he never thought its Primordial Spirit still existed.

Yet, at this moment, Li Ji’an couldn’t determine whether it was the Nascent Soul escaping within the umbrella or merely a single residual soul strand.

Once the Nascent Soul is formed, it equates to having an extra Soul Body based on the Dharma Body. Even if the Dharma Body is destroyed, the Nascent Soul can carry its essence in the world, keeping the True Spirit intact. Once a suitable body is found, it can seize it and be reborn.

Moreover, a fully formed Nascent Soul possesses one-tenth of its peak strength, making it difficult for anyone not in late-stage Core Formation to resist, and its escape speed is even a notch faster than the Nascent Soul Dharma Body.

Hence, when Li Ji’an determined that the opposing Divine Soul’s power was not weaker than Ning Sujin’s Primordial Spirit, he felt like confronting a significant enemy, fearing it might attempt a body takeover.

However, if the Nascent Soul had already shattered, leaving only a strand of residual soul, it would be no different from a cultivator’s soul that had not formed a Nascent Soul Soul Body, needing to attach to a Soul Nourishing Object to temporarily remain.

When the Little Fire Spirit burned again, the displayed fear relieved Li Ji’an.

The possibility of a residual soul was greater.

”So, it’s indeed the True Monarch before me. My apologies, may I trouble the True Monarch to detail the events?” After a moment of silence, Li Ji’an asked.

While Li Ji’an’s words were respectful, his attitude was firm, and the Spirit Flame of Little Fire Spirit still covered the entire Dark Light Umbrella without a single gap.

”Thank you, young friend, for sparing me. I was once trapped by the mechanisms of the ancient tomb...”

In this era, anyone who could become a Nascent Soul True Monarch must be a prodigy, especially in the eastern regions of the Great Marsh Cultivation Realm.

True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws could stand out among many true inheritors of the Ten Thousand Laws Palace, due not just to his Spirit Root talent but also top-tier comprehension and willpower.

Aside from an uncertain personality, he excelled in every aspect across the Celestial Cyan Domain.

Coupled with nearly a millennium of accumulated experience, his vision was keen, quickly realizing that Li Ji’an before him was no benevolent soul.

Therefore, he didn’t attempt coercion but instead began recounting the events as requested.

”The method in the third chamber could extinguish your Dharma Body in one strike? Even the Nascent Soul exiting also couldn’t escape its deadly hands? A strand of residual soul surviving in this umbrella, awakened today by Spirit Flame’s might...”

After listening, Li Ji’an showed shock and doubt.

”Young friend, now I am but a strand of residual soul residing here. Were it not for this Dark Light Umbrella, crafted from the ten-thousand-year-old Soul Nourishing Wood as its frame material, I wouldn’t exist long. Now, with no other aspirations, I wish to convey the thousand-year legacy of my Ten Thousand Laws Palace to my sect. If you fulfill this desire for me, I will pledge a Heart Demon Soul Curse not only to protect you but also to certify you as a true inheritor within the palace.” The True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws spoke with sorrow, displaying a poignant sense of a fallen hero from a prior era.

Feeling the sincere emotion through the Divine Soul’s transmission, Li Ji’an’s mind was unwittingly moved.

”Condolences to the True Monarch, but... the world has changed!”

”Changed world?” The True Monarch’s voice was puzzled.

Li Ji’an silently nodded and then disclosed the changes over the years in detail: ”Since the True Monarch didn’t appear, the Boundless Domain and Yellow Heaven Domain...”

”What? Demon cultivator bandits have forgotten my thousand-year legacy!” Shocked and angry, the True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws reacted upon hearing of the palace’s extinction.

”Condolences to the True Monarch!”

After a long time, the True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws let out a long, poignant sigh: ”Ah, heaven dictates so, what is one to do!”

”Young friend, given the circumstances, my earlier promise seems impossible to fulfill, compensations will have to be given differently.”

Li Ji’an slightly shook his head: ”True Monarch, your words are too serious. True Monarch led the Ten Thousand Laws Palace in safeguarding the Celestial Cyan Domain for centuries, bless the cultivators within—reverent and grateful. Although I am a mere latecomer, I still deeply admire the True Monarch.”

”Young friend’s character is noble; I misjudged. Alas... a late meeting, or I’d have brought you under my wing.” The True Monarch sighed.

”True Monarch praises beyond measure!” Li Ji’an slightly cupped his hands.

”If so, young friend, would you assist me with one wish?” The True Monarch promptly continued.

”Please, speak clearly, True Monarch.” Li Ji’an’s visage turned solemn.

”May I trouble you to find my Ten Thousand Laws Palace’s true inheritors or sect elders? Before my residual soul dissipates, I’d wish to know the complete situation; otherwise, I’d die without peace and wouldn’t know how to face my ancestors in the Yellow Springs.” The True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws voiced with sadness.

Li Ji’an instantly revealed a difficult expression: ”How long can the True Monarch endure? With the Holy Palace’s fall, many members were slaughtered—I don’t know if anyone escaped here. Furthermore, demon cultivators are actively searching, and I’m afraid...”

After a moment of silence, the True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws sighed again: ”Enough, enough, leaving everything to fate.”

”May I request the True Monarch to impart techniques!” Li Ji’an suddenly bowed.

”Young friend, it’s not that I’m unwilling to impart; merely, I am now a strand of residual soul with fractured memory. Unless the Lifebound Soul Jade of my Holy Sect is found to temporarily supplement, I promise if you encounter a sect disciple someday and my memory is supplemented, to provide a technique suitable for you along with further rewards.” The True Monarch sighed.

”Thank you, True Monarch; I will exert all efforts!” Li Ji’an agreed wholeheartedly.

Thereafter, not waiting for the True Monarch to continue speaking, Li Ji’an hastily added: ”My neglect—I failed to account for the True Monarch’s strand of residual soul, already constantly averting the erosion of annihilation, delaying the True Monarch for so long. Please, True Monarch, rest peacefully in the Magical Treasure.”