Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Li Ji’an raised his eyes to look at Master Yu Xiao, feeling a slight stir in his heart. He was quite satisfied with the five years he spent in the Si Shui Commerce Association, and he became slightly aware of the internal struggles within the association after the auction. It’s fair to say that Master Yu Xiao also didn’t have it easy.

Especially considering she possessed the ancestral skill of face reading, yet she still treated the identity of ”Huang Jie” in such a manner.

It’s very rare.

”Thank you, President!” Li Ji’an cupped his hands in salute and received the Core Formation Spirit Treasure handed over.

”Do your best!”

”Moreover, if you successfully form a core this time, the association plans to send you to guard Linchun Immortal City. Rest assured, it’s just a nominal position,” Master Yu Xiao said while waving her hand.

Li Ji’an bowed and stepped back out.

”Guard Linchun Immortal City?”

Typically, within the Si Shui Commerce Association, if nurturing an Immortal Seedling fails — such as under the training of a True Pill Master, resulting in only a Fake Pill — they would be sent to guard other Immortal Cities.

Clearly, Master Yu Xiao didn’t have high expectations for his core formation outcome.

This is understandable, considering the magical power he currently exhibits, a Fake Pill is normal.

As for why he was sent to Linchun Immortal City, he couldn’t be sure if it was due to the exposure of some desire in his revealed identity.

Linchun Immortal City is where Bai Cailin resides, the headquarters of the Yaochi Commerce Association.

It boasts the most prosperous dual cultivation industry in the entire Ten Thousand Merchants Domain, even the eastern part of the Great Marsh Cultivation Realm.

With a smile and a shake of his head, Li Ji’an wondered what expression Master Yu Xiao would show when witnessing his core formation phenomenon.

From then on, Master Yu Xiao never met Li Ji’an throughout the journey.

A month and a half later, the Spiritual Ship arrived at Feihong Immortal City.

Simultaneously, Wu Weihong’s communication had already arrived.

He originally had Wu Weihong’s Communication Talisman and informed him of the plan in advance two months ago; now it was the first communication from the new talisman Li Ji’an sent two months ago.

With a month and a half left until his scheduled time, Li Ji’an temporarily stayed at the association’s headquarters following Master Yu Xiao.

Once Master Yu Xiao was busy with association affairs, Li Ji’an sent a communication to Pure Yuan Old Thief immediately.

That evening, they met at a restaurant in the Immortal City.

Li Ji’an also handed Wu Weihong’s communication over for him to review.

”Good!” Pure Yuan Old Thief was delighted upon seeing Wu Weihong’s reply.

Wu Weihong stated he had connections with Li Ji’an’s master and accepted the invitation.

However, the appointed time was still undecided as he needed to handle some sect matters in the Celestial Cyan Domain first, which could take one or two years, or as long as three to five years.

Pure Yuan Old Thief deduced repeatedly without identifying any flaws within.

He accepted the timeline.

”Xiaohuang, you worked hard. If this endeavor succeeds, this old man will certainly have a great reward!”

”Congratulations, senior, on soon retrieving your ancestral relic.” Li Ji’an echoed the congratulations.

Pure Yuan Old Thief shook his head: ”At present, we cannot ensure the Dark Light Umbrella is with Wu Weihong. It’s too early to say.”

”Then, should the junior make another attempt to probe?” Li Ji’an proposed.

”No need, too much is as bad as too little; we must not arouse his suspicion.” Pure Yuan Old Thief denied urgently.

”Well... Senior, I am about to form a core. Could I request the senior to grant the Core Formation Spirit Treasure in advance?” Li Ji’an cupped his hands in request.

Pure Yuan Old Thief anticipated the request and smiled: ”Xiaohuang, don’t blame me; our spirit contract stipulates only after the matter is accomplished can this treasure be bestowed, gifting it prematurely would breach the rules.”

Li Ji’an showed sincere pleading: ”The junior knows this request violates the agreement, but I really can’t wait. After forming the core... even if I receive this Snow Milk, I can’t possibly form another core.”

With a troubled expression, Pure Yuan Old Thief hesitated slightly.

”Senior, I will certainly do my utmost for you. Moreover, under the spirit contract’s constraints, my possession of the Snow Milk in advance will only increase my efforts in your service. Please grant this request.” Li Ji’an continued to plead earnestly.

”Hahaha, my young friend speaks heavily! I’ve already said; we’re kindred spirits upon first meeting. This Core Formation Spirit Treasure isn’t solely because you helped me, but also for not wanting a fellow cultivator from the same hometown to suffer. Take it.” Pure Yuan Old Thief laughed heartily and handed over the Wushan Snow Milk.

”However, previously only a Second Tier spirit contract was involved. Now that you are on the verge of forming a core, once successful, a Second Tier contract would be hard to bind. Would you agree to sign a Tier Three spirit contract with me?”

”Tier Three spirit contract? Of course, I sincerely agree.” Li Ji’an agreed without hesitation.

”Good!” Pure Yuan Old Thief immediately took out the prepared Tier Three spirit contract.

This Tier Three spirit contract, worth a thousand Spirit Stones, is not something ordinary cultivators can afford to use.

Without hesitation, Li Ji’an infused his magical power and Divine Soul to sign and seal.

After thoroughly examining and repeatedly sensing the aura on Li Ji’an and the spirit contract, Pure Yuan Old Thief nodded in satisfaction.

After happily securing the Wushan Snow Milk, Pure Yuan Old Thief perhaps worried about Li Ji’an failing to form a core and dying in the Dao Field, actively offered some core formation experience to him.

Comparing the experience with his past life’s core formation, Li Ji’an gained unexpected benefits, particularly in purifying the impurities from the Magic Pill, which he couldn’t deeply explore earlier.

After imparting the experience, Pure Yuan Old Thief urged Li Ji’an to communicate with Wu Weihong, informing him that he was about to attempt forming a core and would meet only after succeeding.

The old thief believed this retreating strategy could significantly reduce Wu Weihong’s vigilance.

Upon parting, as soon as Li Ji’an returned to the Si Shui Commerce Association residence, he activated the Restriction Array immediately.

However, concerned about the old thief’s tricks, he purified the Wushan Snow Milk through Little Fire Spirit after entering Gugu’s inner world to ensure no traces were left.

After purification, he found the old thief hadn’t manipulated it.

Then he prepared to examine the efficacy of the Wushan Snow Milk externally.

”Hold on, young friend.” But just as he was about to leave, True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws’ Nascent Soul couldn’t resist anymore and called to him.

”Oh, True Monarch is awake?” Li Ji’an exclaimed softly.

”Today, for some reason, I felt the residual soul depleting rapidly and accidentally woke up to see you entering.” True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws explained forcibly.

”Is that so? Does True Monarch have any instructions?” Li Ji’an queried.

”I sensed the aura of my Holy Palace disciple just now. Was what you had in your possession?” True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws perceived the aura from Pure Yuan Old Thief on the Wushan Snow Milk.

Before entering to purify the potential mark, Li Ji’an anticipated this possibility.

Comparing with revealing Little Fire Spirit at the temporary residence and getting discovered by Pure Yuan Old Thief, it’s easier to fool True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws sensing Pure Yuan Old Thief’s aura.

”This item belonged to a Holy Palace disciple? I traded for it from an elderly man just earlier today. Please wait, True Monarch, I’ll go find that elder.” Li Ji’an revealed surprise and acted swiftly, exiting Gugu’s inner realm even before True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws’ Nascent Soul spoke further.

Returning to his room, Li Ji’an restored calm and opened the Wushan Snow Milk container to examine it meticulously.

None can deny Pure Yuan Old Thief’s Pill King reputation; Li Ji’an had personally consumed his Heart-Controlling Poison Pill; he naturally remained vigilant.

Yet, after multiple checks, he found no issues.

”High-Quality Crystal Condensing Pills, Seven-Colored Jade Tree, Earth Source Essence, and the Vast Sea Pearl given by Tong Yaoyao, now added with Wushan Snow Milk... truly wealthy.”

If previously he only aspired to condense Golden Core, now he had genuine hope.

In the following month, Li Ji’an rarely left his residence, adjusting his genuine magical power and Divine Soul to peak condition.

Then, with half a month away from his scheduled lineup, he held the Si Shui Commerce Elder’s Identity Token and proceeded to the Feihong Dao Field registration.

Located at the Spirit Vein core within Feihong Immortal City, the Feihong Dao Field not only sits on Upper Grade Tier Three Spirit Vein Land but reportedly has unending Spiritual Spring supplying Spiritual Qi beneath.

However, the area of the Spirit Vein core is small, only accommodating three Dao Fields, which led Nine Tripods Commerce Association initially to abandon it as clan land.

Arranged in a triangle, the three Upper Grade Tier Three Dao Fields, due to continuous Spiritual Qi supply, theoretically, could support three cultivators simultaneously attempting Core Formation.

Even Xiao Changfeng’s Core Formation, which devoured half a sect’s Spiritual Qi, was considered ordinary. The Spiritual Qi contained within each Dao Field is more than double the instant Spiritual Qi sum of Biyun Sect.

A dozen Xiao Changfeng can simultaneously attempt Core Formation here with sufficient Spiritual Qi supply.

However, for those aiming at Upper True Pill or even Golden Core, the extraordinary prodigies tend to consume more than the twofold Spiritual Qi of Biyun Sect, possibly causing interferences and competition for Spiritual Qi when more than two compete simultaneously.

Thus, during the Business Alliance queue arrangement, strength matching is considered to avoid direct confrontation between strong contenders.