Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Outside the main gate of Dongli Sect, Xiao Changfeng held Yun Yao with a gloomy expression.

Yet he was helpless, and could only watch with open eyes as the gate closed, and Li Ji’an’s figure disappeared inside.

He wanted to exchange himself for Li Ji’an to leave, but the Blood Spirit Saintess seemed deeply rooted in emotion, utterly dismissive of his staying behind.

”Alas!” Xiao Changfeng sighed heavily, a sense of powerlessness creeping into his heart.

”Old demon...” He gritted his teeth wanting to swear a great oath in his heart, but in the end, he could only swallow it forcefully.

Late-stage Core Formation, for him, wasn’t something that could be achieved by mere passion and fervor.

Previously, his abandonment of the path of cultivation wasn’t due to weak willpower, but because he objectively understood the foundation of this Cultivation Realm.

Existing in the Celestial Cyan Domain, unless ruling at least a province and relying on its resources, only then could there be hope of advancing to late-stage Core Formation.

Otherwise, he would have to gamble with his life, to forge ahead, but with a one-in-a-thousand chance of survival.

Now, tasked with the great undertaking of reviving Biyun Sect, he could not risk his life recklessly.

Furthermore, wanting to slay the Blood Spirit Saintess to avenge Elder Fang, an ordinary late-stage Core Formation Ascendant wouldn’t suffice; he’d need at least a Nascent Soul True Monarch’s strength.

And this, for the entire Celestial Cyan Domain, was a luxury.

”Brother Li, Changfeng apologizes to you for not taking care of Ping’an well.” With a lamenting cry, Xiao Changfeng held the unconscious Yun Yao and left in despair.

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In the warm tent of gauze, surrounded by indulgence, Li Ji’an completely emptied his mind, lying in a hot spring filled with Tier Three Spiritual Spring.

A sheer veil perfectly showcased the curvaceous figure, resembling a noblewoman; the Blood Spirit Saintess lay reclined by the spring, personally peeling a Spirit Fruit for Li Ji’an.

”Xue’er, I didn’t expect your renowned Blood Spirit Saintess to have such a distressing background, it breaks my heart hearing it.” Li Ji’an bit into the fragrant Spirit Fruit, sighing.

Since Xiao Changfeng left, Li Ji’an was arranged to reside in the former Supreme Elder’s Dao Field of Dongli Sect.

The Blood Spirit Saintess imposed no restrictions on him; even if Li Ji’an wished to leave, she merely pleaded sorrowfully without being forceful.

However, similar to the day of Xiao Changfeng’s departure, Li Ji’an didn’t dare to attempt ignoring her pathetic act, insisting on leaving.

Thus, during this time he completely calmed down, watching the situation unfold.

As with Xiao Changfeng’s previous encounter, since Li Ji’an arrived here, the Blood Spirit Saintess never resorted to coercion.

Nor did she have urgent intentions to indulge in pleasure.

She just often came to chat idly, discussing true emotions of the world, sharing the love entanglements in the Cultivation Realm.

Today, she even told Li Ji’an about her sorrowful origin.

Her real name was Mei Yingxue, born in a small Qi Cultivation family; in short, a concubine suffering insults, her mother facing hardship, escaping by chance, barely surviving while fortuitously finding opportunities, eventually forcibly taken by the Blood Spirit Sect.

Then came enduring humiliation within the sect, rising abruptly...

Regarding the truth of her words, Li Ji’an didn’t care, nor was it important.

Recently, he met Blood Kite several times, also instructed Blood Kite to investigate the intention and motive of the Blood Spirit Saintess towards male cultivators.

Before today’s visit from the Blood Spirit Saintess, Blood Kite had just reported the investigation results to him.

The Blood Spirit Saintess almost every century would definitely have a lover, delighting in joy, only for him to vanish without a trace, body and bones gone.

Aside from this century’s major node, during other times, the Blood Spirit Saintess would particularly pay attention to handsome male cultivators, the higher cultivation, the better.

But, not during the major node of the century, the Blood Spirit Saintess had little need for handsome lovers, wasn’t concerned about cultivation, and most didn’t result in difficulties.

Upon hearing this intelligence, Li Ji’an couldn’t help but feel relieved.

However, not long after, Blood Kite brought further intelligence, indicating less than three years remain until the last century’s major node for the Blood Spirit Saintess.

Evidently, the Blood Spirit Saintess previously forced Xiao Changfeng to stay, intending to consume him at the upcoming centennial node.

And now, Li Ji’an became a better substitute.

”Why is it once every century?”

”If not absorption, what else could it be?”

”Could it be cannibalistic sexual appetite?”

Li Ji’an wasn’t surprised by her possessing some kind of Evil Technique; however, given the limited information, he was temporarily unable to comprehend it.

But, knowing the centennial node, he had some countermeasures.

Since her target was to indulge at the centennial node, Li Ji’an decided to engage with her before then, uncovering the secrets of her Evil Technique in advance.

In this way, he could better resist.

”Having experienced this, I no longer wish to be subjugated, vowing to make no one dare to oppress me again.” The Blood Spirit Saintess’s expression was firm, somewhat revealing true feelings.

”We cultivators should do so!” Li Ji’an echoed.

The Blood Spirit Saintess then relaxed her firm expression, gave a gentle smile, affectionately gazing at Li Ji’an. ”Li Lang understands me.”

”I still want to understand Xue’er more deeply.” As he spoke, Li Ji’an suddenly took action, wrapped his arms around the Blood Spirit Saintess, pulling her into the Spiritual Spring.

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If he didn’t know about the centennial node, Li Ji’an would think she was retreating to advance, seemingly close yet distant.

But at this moment, more convinced of the intelligence from Blood Kite.

It indicated the Blood Spirit Saintess indeed planned to keep him for consumption at the centennial node.

Li Ji’an disregarded her evasions, wanting to forcibly initiate intimacy.

Unfortunately, the Blood Spirit Saintess’s methods were sophisticated, never allowing him to succeed.

After all, the difference in cultivation level was enormous, even in playful teasing, he couldn’t gain any advantage.

”Why is Li Lang so impatient?” Until Li Ji’an feigned annoyance, did the Blood Spirit Saintess voluntarily approach, soothing him gently.

Li Ji’an tried again, yet was dodged once more, then completely remained silent.

”If Li Lang truly desires it, why not let me serve you?” The Blood Spirit Saintess was not angry, approached again, gently caressing Li Ji’an’s body.

Without waiting for Li Ji’an to think of a suitable reason, she slowly knelt.

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An hour later, the Blood Spirit Saintess received a message and left.

Li Ji’an frowned.

Just now, he deliberately didn’t use magical power to restrain himself, aiming to verify whether she sought his Primordial Yang.

But her letting him remain spread on her face indicated otherwise.

Ordinary female cultivators of the Joyful Union Sect absorb male cultivators, valuing Primordial Yang the most, wishing to absorb every drop completely into themselves.

”If not Primordial Yang, what else could it be?”

Li Ji’an increasingly found the Evil Technique she practiced difficult to fathom.

In the subsequent half month, every time the Blood Spirit Saintess visited, he would deliberately repeat this method.

No matter how much Primordial Yang he wasted, she remained unfazed; unless an initiating act, she only continued to cater.

While he was completely clueless, Blood Kite delivered another piece of intelligence.

According to Blood Kite’s meticulous investigation into major events over the years, a previously unnoticed secret was found—since the Blood Spirit Saintess took charge of the Blood Spirit Sect, shortly after each centennial node, the sect’s Saintess would also disappear mysteriously.

”Lover, Saintess...” Li Ji’an thought deeply.

At this moment, it was no longer just Li Ji’an’s crisis.

Previously, Blood Kite’s obedience to Li Ji’an’s instructions was primarily due to constraints imposed by the Blood Curse and the Great Heart Demon Oath.

However, as long as she harbored no treacherous intent towards Li Ji’an, even if Li Ji’an perished, she wouldn’t suffer backlash, possibly even obtaining freedom.

But now, should Li Ji’an face misfortune, she would be the next victim.

Helping others and dealing with one’s own concerns, naturally, differs.

Henceforth, Blood Kite began conveying intelligence to Li Ji’an more frequently.

Confronting the threat of the Blood Spirit Saintess, she had no means of resistance.

Moreover, due to the Blood Spirit Saintess’s Thousand Mechanisms Blood Attraction Secret Technique, even if she fled to the ends of the earth, she couldn’t escape.

And now, she could only pin hope on Li Ji’an.

After all, his performance in the Dragon Burial Cave, in her view, already had the possibility of defeating the Blood Spirit Saintess head-on.

However, she never doubted Li Ji’an’s current actions.

Considering his steady style during the Dragon Burial Cave event, she perceived all his present actions as necessary means to ensure nothing goes wrong.

At the same time, precisely because of Li Ji’an entering the game, she was not left feeling despair towards the Blood Spirit Saintess’s centennial node.