Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

The Joyful Union Sect was originally the largest sect in the Yellow Heaven Domain, and it had sub-branches in the Boundless Domain. However, previously the Nascent Soul Sect Leader of the Joyful Union Sect was summoned by the Central Demon Sect and never returned. Now, the Joyful Union Sect, lacking a Nascent Soul guardian, ranks below the Corpse Puppet Sect.

The current Saint Child of the Joyful Union Sect became so after the previous Saint Child inherited the position of Sect Leader, with extraordinary talent. It is said that he possesses a special physique, having reached mid-stage True Core before the age of one hundred and fifty.

”Why did the four of them gather together? And why did they choose to go to the Odd Stone Forest? Why didn’t Xiaoqiao send me a message?”

As thoughts raced through his mind, Li Ji’an regained his calm, shaking his head slightly: ”The Saint Children of the Four Sects are the pinnacle figures here. Across the entire domain, no one dares challenge their authority. In their eyes, our Biyun Sect is no different from stray dogs by the roadside.”

Qin Chuan sighed inwardly at the words. The Upper Sect is no longer the Biyun Sect of the past, and it no longer has the ability to protect Cangyun State.

In the past, no matter what violations occurred involving people from the Ten Thousand Laws Palace in Cangyun State, even if the actual results were unpredictable, at least the Biyun Sect would always stand up for appearances.

Yet now, they lack even the courage to make an appearance.

He does not blame the Biyun Sect, nor does he blame Li Ji’an.

After Qin Chuan took his leave, Li Ji’an returned to the Dao Field.

He first went to the secluded chamber and informed Ning Sujin of the matter.

Having been under the care of Xiaoqiao for a long time in the Odd Stone Forest, Ning Sujin naturally felt deep emotions for Xiaoqiao. Upon hearing this matter, her expression immediately darkened: ”I will go kill them.”

Li Ji’an shook his head: ”The four Saint Children have gathered, all with mid-stage Core Formation cultivation, each possessing remarkable tactics. Especially since they are natives of the Demon Realm, they surely have defenses against soul cultivation techniques. Your Divine Soul attack alone may not be effective.

The key issue is, how should this be handled afterward? How can the Odd Stone Forest be prevented from being affected.”

Ning Sujin’s soul cultivation technique was lacking, and for a long time, she possessed only the strength of a Divine Soul without attack methods, until Li Ji’an reunited with her and found several Primordial Spirit Slash secret techniques from the Sea of Consciousness of slain soul cultivators for her.

Due to the lower grades of the secret techniques, their power was limited, equivalent to two to three tenths the power of a normal Nascent Soul and Primordial Spirit; otherwise, combating the damaged Nascent Soul of the True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws back then wouldn’t have been so difficult.

And if Ning Sujin were to manipulate the Invisibility Puppet, she could at most perform three full-strength strikes.

If the opponents had special Divine Soul treasures, Ning Sujin’s Primordial Spirit Slash would be greatly diminished.

Of course, the most crucial matter is how to prevent the Odd Stone Forest from being affected.

Xiaoqiao had never sent a message to Li Ji’an, likely worried about dragging the Biyun Sect into the waters and concerned that the situation might escalate beyond salvage.

”Husband, how do you plan to proceed?” Ning Sujin furrowed her brows.

Not waiting for Li Ji’an to respond, she continued: ”Rainy Tan and I have been under Xiaoqiao’s care for years, with no opportunity to repay her. Rainy Tan has already departed; this time, I absolutely cannot remain idle.”

After Ning Sujin returned to her physical form, Ning Yutan also finally regained her freedom, made her choice, and left the Odd Stone Forest to travel the world, now exploring Dao Source State.

Li Ji’an smiled slightly, nodding to Ning Sujin: ”Rest assured, leave everything to your husband.”

”During my absence, continue cultivating the Chaos Technique, do not be distracted.”

Ning Sujin instantly displayed a radiant smile, understanding why Li Ji’an, having made his decision, still came to inform her.

Up to now, her Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil technique hadn’t shown any response, indicating that Li Ji’an’s actions wouldn’t encounter danger.

Then she sensed again.

”A sign of great fortune!”

A moment later, Ning Sujin opened her eyes, pleasantly surprised.

In her initial sensing, Li Ji’an’s actions not only would not face any threat, but would instead offer a great opportunity.

”Thank you, dear wife!” Li Ji’an accomplished his purpose.

”I will leave behind an Illusionary Talisman for concealment. If enemies invade, I must trouble my wife to employ her methods.”

After giving further instructions, Li Ji’an activated a Tier Three Illusionary Talisman in the chamber, and instantly, another Li Ji’an appeared at the spot, identical in appearance and demeanor, even with identical aura.

That night, Li Ji’an entered the realm within Gugu’s mouth, quietly escaping from the Biyun Sect.

Several days later, an elder wielding a Coiled Dragon Staff arrived at the entrance of the Dao Field of Odd Stone Forest, travel-worn.

”May I ask, senior, what brings you to our Odd Stone Forest?” The gate guard sensed repeatedly for a moment but was unable to detect the slightest magical power or divine soul aura, asking tentatively, with a look of suspicion.

”I happened to pass by this place and unexpectedly sensed that here is the opportunity of the old man, so I came for a visit.” Li Ji’an, disguised as a simple elder using the Faceless Mask, replied with a smile.

The guard immediately furrowed his brows at such blunt words.

However, it was evident that the opponent’s cultivation was higher than his, so he dared not provoke him, suppressing his inner displeasure: ”Senior is jesting; since you are within the Odd Stone Forest, how can it be considered your opportunity?”

”Swoosh~” Just as the guard finished speaking, he felt a wind rise, and a palm decisively slapped onto his face, sending him flying several yards away.

”Bold fool, daring to act wildly in our Odd Stone Forest!”

As Li Ji’an suddenly struck, the other guards immediately activated the protective array and the alarm system.

Li Ji’an sneered, extending his staff toward the protective array before him.

Rumble~

In an instant, ten percent of the power of the Grade Four magical treasure made the entire array roar, causing cracks in many of the ring arrays within.

”Swish, swish, swish~”

Next, several figures shot out from the core Dao Field of the Odd Stone Forest.

With solemn expressions, Xiaoqiao brought several elders of the Odd Stone Forest to face the elder outside the array.

But before Xiaoqiao could speak, a gentleman with a jade-like presence and holding a folding fan took a step forward from beside her.

Smiling gently, like a warm spring breeze, his voice was refined: ”What brings you to behave so rudely, fellow cultivator?”

”The old man came to take the opportunity that belongs to me.”

”Hehe, unfortunately, the owner here is a close friend of Brother Huang’s. With Brother Huang here, you might have to leave disappointed.”

”You dare to stop me?” Li Ji’an squinted his eyes slightly.

”Friend, you’re joking. I am Huang Jun, the current Saint Child of the Joyful Union Sect, and I am confident in exchanging a few moves with you,” Huang Jun maintained his elegance.

Li Ji’an’s Divine Sense enveloped Huang Jun, and then his expression turned grim.

”Hmph, such arrogance. I’d like to see what else your Joyful Union Sect has to offer without the Joyful Demon guarding it.”

”Presumptuous! Do you think my Holy Sect is something you can fathom?” Huang Jun’s veneer of gentleness disappeared when touched upon a sore spot.

”Then come out and fight!” Li Ji’an’s aura was overwhelming.

Huang Jun’s eyes narrowed slightly, once more carefully sensing.

He confirmed the opponent’s Magical Power aura was merely at the Early Period of Core Formation, and only the Power of the Divine Soul was exceptionally thick, far exceeding him. There was even a hint of the Primordial Spirit Power from the old ancestors, making him almost certain the opponent was a Soul Cultivator, with spiritual soul cultivation comparable to Nascent Soul.

Yet in memory, he could never pinpoint the opponent’s identity.

A Soul Cultivator comparable to Nascent Soul, who could also cultivate Dharma to Core Formation.

Such an existence couldn’t be found in the Yellow Heaven Domain.

As for the Boundless Domain, he wasn’t very familiar.

”Fairy Qiao, just wait a moment, I will slay this old villain for you!” Silently merging a Soul Jade from his Storage Pouch with his Sea of Consciousness, Huang Jun turned around with a gentle smile once more.

That Soul Jade was a gift from years past, specifically for defending against Divine Soul attacks.

Unless the opponent truly had the full power of a Nascent Soul True Monarch’s Divine Soul, they could not possibly cause him substantial harm.

Xiaoqiao’s face was frosty, without a word.

The fame of the Joyful Union Sect echoed like thunder in her ears, regardless of how gentle and jade-like Huang Jun had acted recently, she’d long made assumptions.

She’d heard Uncle Li talk about some schemes of the Joyful Demon before and never relaxed her vigilance against him.

She only lamented her lack of strength and confidence to turn against him, but she could not show him any warmth either.

Moreover, she had been restless these days, worrying what she should do when Huang Jun’s plots were revealed.

Actually, when Huang Jun first entered the Odd Stone Forest and met her for the first time, he secretly used some sort of bewitching Secret Technique on her, but fortunately, she merged with the Earth Spirit here and was not affected.

However, this only piqued his curiosity and competitive desire, making him act increasingly impatient lately.

As she looked at the old man outside the array, Xiaoqiao hoped they would injure each other.

However, she didn’t hold any hope for this, because inside the Core Dao Field, there were three other Saint Children not weaker than Huang Jun, who were certainly monitoring the situation and would intervene if Huang Jun was defeated.

”Clatter~” Xiaoqiao opened a corner of the Grand Array, allowing Huang Jun free access.

Huang Jun immediately flew out.

”Buzz~” Yet just as Huang Jun passed through the Grand Array, Li Ji’an struck in a surprise attack, a Soul Stab piercing directly into his Sea of Consciousness.

Simultaneously, he activated a Tier Three Blast Flame Talisman in his hand.

”Clank~” The Mid-stage Core Formation Soul Stab attack, upon contact with Huang Jun, was blocked by an azure light that appeared on his forehead.

The subsequent Tier Three Blast Flame Talisman was neutralized by Huang Jun’s Body-Protecting Dharma Shield since the Soul Stab failed to land.

”Hehe~ Such petty tricks, truly despicable.” Huang Jun restored his graceful and elegant demeanor.

Because of the previous Soul Stab, he was confident the opponent’s Divine Soul strength was merely at the Late-stage Core Formation Ascendant realm, definitely ineffective against the Soul Jade gifted by the old ancestor.

Thus, if the opponent’s Dharma cultivation was only at the Early Period of Core Formation, wouldn’t he be easily subdued?

”Fairy Qiao, I will slay him for you now!” With those words, Huang Jun’s folding fan suddenly emitted countless brilliant multicolored rays, carrying the might of a Mid-stage Core Formation towards Li Ji’an.

Li Ji’an’s expression changed dramatically; he turned and fled.

Yet those multicolored rays seemed to have gained intelligence, pursuing closely.

”Boom~” Within less than ten miles of escape, the multicolored rays caught up with Li Ji’an, the overwhelming power nearly shattered his Body-Protecting Dharma Shield, causing him to fly back several meters.

Before he could stabilize his form, he quickly fled once more.

”Heh~ Offending Fairy Qiao and still wish to escape?” Huang Jun glanced at Xiaoqiao, a smile playing at his lips, and then pursued unhurriedly.

At the same time, in the core of the Odd Stone Forest, within Li Ji’an’s Dao Field, the Corpse Puppet Sect’s Saint Child Lin Xiuzhu, the Blood Spirit Sect’s Saintess, and the Yin Ghost Sect’s Saint Child all withdrew their attention from Huang Jun.

”Brother Lin, the Fallen Dragon Forbidden Ruins are pressing. Shouldn’t we head there sooner? Why linger here?”

”Brother Lin doesn’t truly want to fulfill Brother Huang and let him win the beauty, does he?”

”Hmph, just a mere Foundation Establishment female cultivator, Brother Huang could directly absorb her instead of putting on this pretentious romance act; truly hypocritical.”

Facing the two’s doubts, Lin Xiuzhu, appointed leader by the Sect Heads for the Fallen Dragon Forbidden Ruins expedition, laughed freely: ”At this point, I won’t hide it from you two; the reason for our coming here was the master’s specific instruction. The master once planted a seed here, unexpectedly destroyed by someone.

Furthermore, Lin’s disciple was also buried here, yet I have not found the culprit.”

”Oh? There’s such a thing? Since it’s a task from the Saint Monarch, naturally, it must be investigated thoroughly.”

”Destroying the Saint Monarch’s seed and killing your sect’s Quasi-Saint Child here... Perhaps only the nearby Biyun Sect has such capability.”

Lin Xiuzhu nodded slightly, his gaze shifting toward the Biyun Sect. As for Xiao Changfeng, who fought desperately to perish with him during the righteous demon war years ago, he certainly hadn’t forgotten and would settle accounts after the Fallen Dragon Forbidden Ruins.

”Brother Lin...”

”Hmm?”

”Something’s wrong!”

”Brother Huang!”

As they conversed, sensing Huang Jun’s aura rapidly fading, they suddenly were stunned.