Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

With a light sigh from Li Ji’an, the aura around him began to change slowly.

The previously disguised Divine Sense suddenly elevated drastically.

In an instant, it equaled that of the Nascent Soul and Primordial Spirit.

Pure Essence Old Rogue ”swish” lifted his head, instinctively stepping back half a step.

”You... you are... Ancestor?” The most crucial thing was the Divine Soul aura emanating from Li Ji’an’s Sea of Consciousness at that moment, which was especially familiar to Pure Essence Old Rogue; it was precisely that of the True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws’ Nascent Soul.

As Pure Essence Old Rogue gaped in shock, Li Ji’an simulated the actions from the memory of True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws, smiled slightly, nodded first, then shook his head: ”Yes, and no.”

”Congratulations to Ancestor on your successful soul possession, resuming your path!” Seeing Li Ji’an’s mannerisms, Pure Essence Old Rogue, although internally shocked and endlessly suspicious, subconsciously congratulated.

”My dear grandson, who have you now garnered favor from?” Li Ji’an stroked his beard and sighed.

”This...” Pure Essence Old Rogue had not completely regained his composure, his thoughts jumbled, rendered speechless for a moment.

Not daring to confirm if the person before him was indeed Ancestor successfully possessing Li Ji’an.

”Ancestor, how... how did you escape the Dark Light Umbrella? And how did you succeed in soul possession?”

”Hehe, a fortuitous encounter, everything was destined by heaven.” Li Ji’an laughed mysteriously, looking quite nostalgic.

Pure Essence Old Rogue’s expression changed as he finally gritted his teeth to inquire: ”Please enlighten us, Ancestor.”

Li Ji’an slightly raised his gaze, staring directly at his doubtful expression, eventually appearing unable to resist him: ”Back then, aboard the cross-domain Spiritual Ship, this old one sensed the Shadowless Sect’s Chaos Heaven Vessel attacking, to prevent the Dark Light Umbrella from falling into the hands of the Shadowless Sect, I could only reluctantly choose this child to possess.

Fortunately, though this child’s talent was only above average, he was extremely compatible with me, and could even reproduce the Golden Core, which turned out to be a pleasant surprise.”

”Already possessed aboard the Spiritual Ship?” Pure Essence Old Rogue’s eyes revealed greater disbelief, even subconsciously heightened vigilance.

”Grandson... Grandson recalls that you mentioned in the past that your Nascent Soul was greatly damaged, claiming it needed at least a hundred years of recuperation before any hope of possession?”

Li Ji’an turned around with leisurely dignity, hands behind his back: ”Heh~ Had it not been stated so, wouldn’t the palace’s prodigies live in constant fear?”

”This...” Upon hearing this, Pure Essence Old Rogue’s expression suddenly became serious.

Years ago, when the True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws was injured in an underground tomb, his body was annihilated, and his Nascent Soul barely escaped.

Although the news was tightly sealed, many core high-level members and disciples in the palace were well aware.

After the Nascent Soul of the True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws returned to the palace, almost all Golden Core Seeds found various excuses to go out.

Naturally, they feared becoming targets for possession.

It was not until it was confirmed that the True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws’ Nascent Soul was severely wounded, requiring at least a hundred years before possession could occur, that the prodigies felt at ease.

After all, a Nascent Soul True Monarch could only possess those at the level below Core Formation Ascendant; otherwise, it might easily result in soul counter-attack by the possessed.

”Ancestor!” Instantly, Pure Essence Old Rogue was overwhelmed with emotion, staggering forward, bowing directly before Li Ji’an.

”Ancestor, life without you has been so bitter.” Li Ji’an smiled kindly, gently patting his head: ”Ah, how many times have I told you, you’ve long been a lofty True Pill Master, don’t always act like a child.”

”Before Ancestor, grandchild will always be grandchild!” The old rogue cried, with true emotion.

This slightly surprised Li Ji’an, for in the memory of the True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws, this old rogue was indeed like this before him.

But Li Ji’an always felt that, most likely, it was a feigned appearance, not sincere, given he was also a dignified Ascendant.

Therefore, when Ning Sujin suggested attacking the old rogue this way, Li Ji’an deemed it inappropriate.

Additionally, since the True Pill Master’s self-protective Magical Shield would be difficult to break in a single blow, he abandoned the idea.

Yet now seeing the True Essence Old Rogue act in such a vulnerable fashion regarding Ancestor shows true devotion.

If he were to strike down at the moment he patted his head, it would almost certainly succeed.

However, due to concerns over the Cyan Ox, Li Ji’an was not in a hurry.

Afterward, the old rogue lamented the hardships of being away from home over the years, describing in detail how Tong Shangren introduced him to Beixuan True Monarch, and attempted to capture him as a Divine Favored to present to Beixuan True Monarch.

”Heh~ Just as expected, but didn’t Little Friend Tong tell you the consequences of presenting the wrong person to Beixuan True Monarch?” Li Ji’an deliberately bluffed.

Pure Essence Old Rogue promptly shook his head: ”No, Tong Jiesheng only spoke of benefits, not consequences.”

”Indeed, a child that’s yet to mature.” Li Ji’an chuckled softly, shaking his head.

The old rogue instantly showed a guilty expression, harboring grievances against Tong Shangren.

”By the way, Ancestor, should I now inform Tong Jiesheng?” Immediately recalling this matter, he hurriedly asked.

Li Ji’an waved his hand: ”How to respond? Tell him the target is wrong? How would Little Friend Tong believe it? Naturally, he’d assume you want the credit for yourself. And if you tell the truth, since the old one hasn’t fully recovered yet, the risk is immense.”

”This... Ancestor has considered it thoroughly, grandchild was too hasty.” Pure Essence Old Rogue suddenly realized.

”Then what should be done? I await Ancestor’s guidance.”

Li Ji’an laughed lightly: ”Beixuan True Monarch will not easily leave his Dao Field, do not worry; just leave it as it is, within a hundred years the old one shall return to peak condition.”

”Great! By Ancestor’s command, this grandchild will henceforth guard the path for Ancestor. Assist Ancestor in recovering back to Nascent Soul.” Pure Essence Old Rogue was immediately overjoyed.

”My grandchild, enduring hardships.” Li Ji’an smiled with satisfaction, testing again by patting his head.

Pure Essence Old Rogue still didn’t guard against it.

But then suddenly revealed joy on his face, somewhat expectantly, saying: ”By the way, Ancestor, I noticed a Tier Three Fire Spirit in your Dantian, might it be the same Fire Spirit that devoured my Spirit Flame?”

”Fire Holy Spirit, a rare treasure of the world, let alone one already grown to Tier Three, most likely it is indeed this one!” Li Ji’an did not deny.

”Hmph, that little thief was truly despicable back then, Ancestor, after possessing, were you able to discern possession matters from his memory?” the old rogue asked again, harboring bitterness.

Li Ji’an shook his head: ”This child acquired the Holy Spirit after your Spirit Flame was devoured, it was an accident gained in an underground cave, most likely ill fate befell the Holy Spirit’s previous owner.”

”A pity! In this life, I cannot personally avenge, it ultimately leaves some dissatisfaction.” The old rogue sighed.

Then he pondered, ”Ancestor, might I study this Fire Spirit for a while?”

Li Ji’an did not hesitate in shaking his head: ”Foolish child, your Pill Fire is currently adequate for Tier Three Alchemy Dao, this Fire Spirit is merely at the early Tier Three stage, vanquish akin to your Pill Fire.

Moreover, a Tier Three Fire Holy Spirit is not something ordinary cultivators can handle; this old one can only barely approach it now, offering it to you would be harm.”

Pure Essence Old Rogue instantly showed a disappointed look, looking eagerly at Li Ji’an, ”Ancestor, rest assured, this grandchild only wants to study for a bit, and will not take risks. Please make it happen, Ancestor.”

”...” Seeing the old rogue’s expression at his age, Li Ji’an felt a slight chill.

”Are you sure?”

A Tier Three Fire Spirit, never mind him as a Core Formation Ascendant, even a Nascent Soul True Monarch could find it risky to house it within, it could erupt, scorching the Dantian; if so, Li Ji’an would find it simpler.

Just a ruse to entice, it was.

”Grandchild is sure, please make it happen, Ancestor.” Pure Essence Old Rogue implored hopelessly at Li Ji’an.

”Ah, since it’s so, be cautious, the old one will endeavor to soothe it.” Saying this, Li Ji’an gently moved, and the Little Fire Spirit flew out from the Dantian.