Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

The twin prodigies of the qin and xiao, a beautiful tale once known in the Celestial Sound Pavilion.

Duanmu Qin excelled at the zither, Duanmu Xiao at the flute, and both were blessed with exceptional Spiritual Talent, with hopes of reaching Core Formation.

Originally, the two resonated in harmony, bringing much prestige and power to the Duanmu Family within the pavilion, and they were the pride of the Duanmu Family in those days.

However, during her youth, Duanmu Qin was proud and ambitious, aiming for heights beyond Core Formation.

Subsequently, she had numerous conflicts within the clan and the pavilion.

Over time, both the pavilion and the clan lost patience with her, ultimately leading to her departure and disappearance.

”May I ask, Daoist Changqing, if you know where my younger sister has gone?” Duanmu Xiao looked at Li Ji’an with great anticipation.

The two sisters had once had intense conflicts, even speaking harshly to each other.

Duanmu Xiao said that if she left the pavilion and family, reaching Core Formation would be impossible in her lifetime.

Duanmu Qin ridiculed her by saying the family and even the pavilion were like frogs in a well, unaware of the outside world.

Li Ji’an shook his head, ”I only met Daoist Qin by chance, and do not know her final destination.”

”When you saw her, what was her cultivation level? Did she have hope for Core Formation?” Duanmu Xiao asked again.

Li Ji’an, not knowing the sisters’ background, assumed she wished to see her again, nodded, and said, ”At that time, the Peach Blossom Fairy was at the late Foundation Establishment, but with her immortal talent, a True Pill was well within reach, with hopes of even greater Magic Pills...”

At these words, Duanmu Xiao’s eyelids twitched involuntarily.

”Very well... that’s good to hear, many thanks to Daoist Changqing for the information.” Duanmu Xiao made a courteous bow.

”The Fairy is too polite.”

After a moment of silence, Duanmu Xiao finally composed her emotions and looked at Li Ji’an and Ning Sujin with a smile: ”Dear Daoists, I’ve heard from Fei’Er that you are looking for a place to spend your twilight years, if you don’t mind, my Duanmu Family is willing to be your tributor.”

Before Li Ji’an could respond, she added, ”Although our current rented Dao Field is less than Tier Three, over the years, using our music for business, we have accumulated enough Spiritual Talent and connections. In ten years, we will surely secure a Tier Three Dao Field.”

Li Ji’an smiled upon hearing this, then looked at Ning Sujin: ”The Fairy’s generosity is much appreciated by my wife and me; however, as we have just arrived in the Yellow Heaven Domain, I plan to travel a little more with my old lady to better understand the local customs and culture.”

Seeing the loving appearance of the two elderly white-haired individuals, Duanmu Xiao was touched and showed a hint of envy: ”The two Daoists grow old together in harmony, enviable to others. In that case, I shall not force you. However, if one day you wish for stability, the doors of my Duanmu Family are always open to you!”

”Thank you very much.”

Watching Duanmu Xiao and her clan depart, Li Ji’an and Ning Sujin returned to the Barbarian Fortress and rested in a vacant house at the back.

The next day at noon, the old clan leader of the Stone Fortress and the group of commanders finally woke up.

”This Daoist Changqing is not simple.”

”He must have held back his body cultivation ability; otherwise, he couldn’t withstand the refining of so much Hundred Beasts Wine.”

The first thing the old clan leader remarked upon awakening was his amazement at Li Ji’an’s drinking capacity.

He then inferred backwards about his body cultivation strength.

Initially, he thought his four-time ancestral Barbarian bloodline power could suppress Li Ji’an, but now, he wasn’t so confident.

From what he knew about Human Race cultivators, they often hid their strengths, unlike the straightforwardness of the Barbarian Race.

However, before he could draw a conclusion, news came that Granny Ba had been cured.

Immediately, a group of Barbarian Tribe Commanders swarmed into Granny Ba’s room...

An hour later, after understanding Granny Ba’s treatment process, a group of Barbarian Tribe Commanders, led by the old clan leader, headed to Li Ji’an and Ning Sujin’s house, bearing various gifts.

Amidst earth-shattering howls, Li Ji’an discerned their expressions of gratitude.

Faced with the Barbarian Race, there wasn’t much concern for formalities; they accepted all the gifts and gratitude without fuss.

Then, the Barbarian Tribe Commanders clamored again for a celebration drink, which the old clan leader resolutely stopped.

After sending the others away, the old clan leader brought Li Ji’an to the highest point of Desert City alone.

”Daoist Changqing, please accept my bow once again.” The old clan leader made a deep bow.

Li Ji’an lightly supported him with a smile, ”Old clan leader, there’s no need for ceremony. I’ve accepted all the gifts due, and we are even.”

”How can it be even? While most of our Barbarian Race aren’t so intelligent, they know how to repay kindness. Daoist Changqing is the Barbarian Race’s greatest benefactor in the future!” The old clan leader said hastily.

He then recalled the purpose of inviting Li Ji’an here: ”Moreover, I have a request; could Daoist Changqing provide guidance?”

”Old clan leader, please speak freely.”

”Daoist, can you teach our Barbarian Race the method of body cultivation?” The old clan leader looked at Li Ji’an expectantly.

Having explained the Barbarian Race’s dilemma before, this time, no extra explanation was needed as Li Ji’an already understood his intention.

”I won’t hide it, old clan leader, while diagnosing Granny Ba yesterday, I accidentally discovered the peculiarities of your Barbarian Race’s meridians; that is the key to why your race cannot practice the world’s body cultivation techniques,” Li Ji’an stated candidly.

”Meridians?” The old clan leader’s expression slightly changed.

”Our Barbarian Race ancestors specifically studied our people’s bodies, which are very similar to ordinary Human Race.”

”Yes, although your body size is several times larger than ordinary Human Race and the structure is the same, the internal meridian pathways are significantly different. The first step in body cultivation is to temper the muscles and bones; different meridian pathways naturally lead to different results,” Li Ji’an affirmed.

”This... no wonder generations of our people have failed to initiate into body cultivation techniques!” The old clan leader said, somewhat dejected.