Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Li Ji’an nodded, understanding the whole sequence of events.

This indeed matched Funiu Ascendant’s intellect.

He always had the intention to protect Xiaojiu.

Besides, he originally thought that with only two inferior Core Formation Spirit Treasures, Xiaojiu would most likely be unable to achieve an Upper True Pill, thereby not becoming Funiu Ascendant’s successor. After Funiu Ascendant’s life ended, Funiu Mountain would be divided again, and he would lose this stable cultivation Dao Field.

Now that Funiu Ascendant had thoroughly planned for Xiaojiu’s Core Formation, the Upper True Pill was practically secure.

Following that, Xiaojiu would only need to fake death and undergo closed-door cultivation. Unexpectedly, he could inherit Funiu Ascendant’s will.

Considering Funiu Ascendant’s years of planning, he should have already prepared the spiritual resources needed for Xiaojiu’s ascendance to Ascendant.

He might even have devised a series of arrangements for after his death, with Xiaojiu taking over.

As for how these arrangements would unfold, or whether they would succeed, Li Ji’an did not mind.

For now, as long as Xiaojiu is protected in the dark and succeeds in Core Formation, he has formed a good karma.

Afterward, as long as he can cultivate peacefully at the Funiu Mountain Dao Field, he can attempt to break into the late-stage Golden Core.

Having received Li Ji’an’s approval, Funiu Ascendant was overjoyed and immediately invited Li Ji’an into the array.

With a flash of light, the Teleportation Array activated.

As the space twisted, Li Ji’an instinctively closed his eyes. Upon reopening them, he found himself in an underground cave.

”Master... Hmm? Changqing Talisman Master?” On the open ground of the cave, Xiaojiu eagerly rushed over.

Seeing Li Ji’an, she was momentarily struck with surprise, and her face fell instantly.

”Xiaojiu, do not be disrespectful. Without Evergreen Ascendant’s protection, some of your senior brothers would surely have perished.” Funiu Ascendant sternly reprimanded just in time.

”Ascendant? He protected me?” Xiaojiu was even more astonished, with an incredulous look on her face.

Funiu Ascendant did not hold back and recounted the entire story of Li Ji’an’s protection of the Core Dao Field.

”Why?” Xiaojiu stared wide-eyed at Li Ji’an, amazed.

”Ahem~ Xiaojiu, being able to form a bond with Evergreen Ascendant is your good fortune. Evergreen Ascendant came to Funiu Mountain to quietly spend his twilight years, so he has not shown his true cultivation. Yet, you happened to get close to him inadvertently, which is quite a good story.” Funiu Ascendant gently coughed as a reminder.

Xiaojiu suddenly understood, recalling various past events.

In an instant, her previous impression of being unfeeling was completely dispelled.

”Thank you, Grandpa Changqing! I misunderstood you before.”

Li Ji’an smiled and nodded, ”It’s alright. Your Granny Ning has always been worried about your Core Formation being disturbed.”

”Thank you, Granny Ning, for your concern too.”

Funiu Ascendant then reminded Xiaojiu she could start: ”Xiaojiu, with Evergreen Ascendant’s protection, your success rate in Core Formation increases. There’s no need to worry.”

”Mhm, I will strive my best.”

Following that, Funiu Ascendant activated the Gathering Spirit Array set up here, and Xiaojiu truly began her Core Formation.

Funiu Ascendant and Li Ji’an sat cross-legged outside the Dao Field, mainly serving to conceal and suppress any possible celestial phenomena, to minimize suspicion from outsiders about Funiu Mountain.

For the following fortnight, Xiaojiu steadily absorbed and accumulated Spiritual Qi.

The Spirit Vein here was extremely small; although the Spiritual Qi concentration was sufficient, the instantaneous amount was not. Therefore, Funiu Ascendant had prepared many Spirit Stones here for Xiaojiu’s refinement.

Heaps of Spirit Stones rapidly turned to dust, providing for Xiaojiu’s Core Formation.

Eventually, the total amount of Spiritual Qi Xiaojiu absorbed was tantamount to fifty percent of what Li Ji’an had at the resource-rich Feihong Dao Field, which was quite remarkable.

At least this step had already laid the foundation for an Upper True Pill in terms of Spiritual Qi quantity.

Next came the Bursting Technique, as two Core Formation Spirit Treasures floated in front of Xiaojiu, making Li Ji’an glance sideways.

One was a Celestial Heart Fruit ranked in the top twenty, the other was a Ten Thousand Year Cold Marrow, truly the pinnacle of Core Formation Spirit Treasures here.

Combined with the mountains of Spirit Stones that Funiu Ascendant had arranged around this Earth Cave Dao Field, it was evident that his determination was strong.

These spiritual resources, in Li Ji’an’s view, were not something ordinary forces could afford.

It was imaginable how much Funiu Ascendant had sacrificed for the inheritance of Funiu Mountain.

It could also be speculated that Qu Tianyang’s act of collecting taxes across the Spirit Vein range of Funiu Mountain was not done without Funiu Ascendant turning a blind eye but happened under his direction. Otherwise, how could Xiaojiu gather such luxurious Core Formation Spirit Treasures?

Two years passed in a flash, during which Li Ji’an and Funiu Ascendant only took action twice to stir the anomalies above the Spirit Vein, not causing much commotion.

Xiaojiu did not disappoint Funiu Ascendant’s expectations and successfully formed her Upper True Pill.

Next, it was time to stabilize her realm, and no more anomalies would occur.

Funiu Ascendant rose and performed a salute, ”Thank you, Daoist Changqing, for your protection. In order for Xiaojiu to form her Core, this old man almost exhausted his spiritual resources and yet has no grand gift to offer. However, I have obtained a Secret Technique in this cave many years ago; it can alter others’ Sea of Consciousness, and if one’s Divine Soul is strong, it has an unimaginable effect on Divine Soul Attack.

Additionally, here is this Black Gold Token. According to Brother Niu, it was a token of an Immortal Palace from the Ancient Times—a relic fought over fiercely by ancient mighty figures. Alas, during the ancient cataclysm, the Immortal Palace was lost to time.

This old man has no hope, and so offers it to you, Daoist, as a token of my appreciation.”

Li Ji’an received the Secret Technique Jade Talisman, feeling moved.

To infiltrate another’s Sea of Consciousness, even alter memories, was something that even Ning Sujin’s Primordial Spirit could not achieve. Such a Secret Technique was indeed a miracle.

As for the Black Gold Token, it appeared unremarkable on the surface, yet, as soon as Li Ji’an touched it, he was instantly delighted.

It had Dao Charm flowing upon it.

Up to this point, Li Ji’an had sensed the flow of Dao Charm in only two things.

The first, a Golden Core with Dao Patterns.

The second, the Dao Charm produced by Wu Weixiong’s set of Taigu Demon-Suppressing Fist.

Anything with Dao Charm flowing was certainly not mundane.

As for Funiu Ascendant’s mention of the ancient Immortal Palace, Li Ji’an did not hold much expectation, but he was quite interested in the Dao Charm aspect of it.

”Daoist, you speak too highly. Being able to cultivate at Funiu Mountain, both my wife and I are already very grateful. As for Xiaojiu, hehe, the little girl shares a fate with us, so there’s no need to thank us.” Li Ji’an stored away the Jade Talisman and Black Gold Token with a smile.

”Daoist, your righteousness!” Funiu Ascendant saluted again.

”Then please, Daoist, return first to Funiu Mountain. Once I have stabilized Xiaojiu, we shall return.”

”Farewell!” Li Ji’an cupped his hands.

Then he turned and stepped onto the Teleportation Array.

The next moment, Li Ji’an had already returned to the Core Dao Field of Funiu Mountain.

This place had been declared a forbidden area by Funiu Ascendant two years ago, prohibiting anyone from approaching. Since then, sorrowful cries often emanated from here.

The outside world rumored that ever since Xiaojiu’s Core Formation failure and her demise, Funiu Ascendant had entered the Dao Field alone, overwhelmed by grief, unable to move on.

Li Ji’an’s Divine Sense swept over, and a circle outside was filled with various offerings.

Among them was a small jade monument.

Beside the jade monument, a familiar figure, reeking of alcohol, was living in a drunken stupor.