Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Chapter 34: Chapter 33: Guiding Immortal Master

Five years ago, Zhao Yunsheng passed away at the age of sixty-five, and now the new Emperor is his legitimate eldest son.

This is the first time the new Emperor is attending the Immortal Ceremony, and considering the rumors about his Lord Emperor being allegedly slain by an immortal master in the past, he appears particularly nervous, subconsciously hiding half his body behind Li Ji’an.

Zhao Shuyao glared at her elder brother angrily several times, but was ignored.

Looking at Li Ji’an at the forefront, Zhao Shuyao also had a complicated expression.

During the previous Immortal Ceremony, she was four months away from turning seventeen, having achieved Minor Achievement in Blood Exchange, living up to the title of prodigy. Although she didn’t succeed in becoming an Immortal Seedling, she was rather proud, at least she matched the disciple of the top Grandmaster List, and even won narrowly due to being seven months younger.

However, after that Immortal Ceremony, Li Ji’an showed her what a true prodigy is!

Until five years ago when her father Zhao Yunsheng passed away, she completely conceded.

Moreover, before Zhao Yunsheng died, she swore to always follow Li Chang’an’s lead, especially when entering the Immortal Realm, to act according to Li Chang’an’s instructions.

Similarly, Li Ji’an also promised Zhao Yunsheng during his passing, that within his capabilities, he would take care of them, but firmly refused the kind gesture of arranged marriage.

During the ensuing five years, Li Ji’an instructed Zhao Shuyao to begin practicing External Martial Arts to enhance her combat strength.

And imparted to her his unique cultivation technique.

This made Zhao Shuyao, who originally achieved Minor Achievement in Refining the Internal Organs, confident to become an Immortal Seedling and ascend to the Immortal Realm, almost abandon Martial Dao, finally advance further, nearly entering the ranks of Qi Blood Grandmaster.

Consequently, Zhao Shuyao, who always had a resistant mindset towards Li Ji’an, felt very complicated internally.

Not just in front of Li Chang’an, but also with the famed yet never seen, who caused her competitive grandfather to die unsatisfied, Li Ji’an’s image in her heart gradually changed.

Because just upon entering the Immortal Hall, waiting for the Guidance Immortal Master, Li Chang’an took out a martial art she deemed nearly Divine Skill, stating it was entrusted by Li Ji’an to be kept in the Scripture Pavilion for all martial artists to study.

May the Martial Dao of this realm thrive, may everyone in this world be like dragons!

This breadth of mind and aspiration is enough to make all people worship.

”Here they come!” Suddenly, Li Ji’an’s ears moved slightly, sharply catching a sound of something cutting through the air.

The other nine Immortal Seedlings and the Emperor immediately held their breaths and concentrated, lowering their heads three times further.

As expected, the next moment, a figure descended at the top of the Immortal Hall.

”Rise and respond!”

Li Ji’an lifted his head, and what met his gaze was an unfamiliar face, much younger than the Immortal Master seen sixty years ago, with an added air of sharp arrogance.

”Only fifty years, and they change?”

Recalling the description given by Zhao Yunsheng ten years ago about the previous Guidance Immortal Master, evidently seen sixty years ago, much older.

”So, it seems that this Guiding Cultivator’s cultivation might not be particularly high...” Li Ji’an made an initial judgment inwardly.

The new Emperor respectfully stepped forward to respond, not daring to lift his head, which made the young Immortal Master’s face filled with contempt become even more intense.

Immediately, his eyes narrowed slightly, scanning the ten Immortal Seedlings present one by one.

”Hmm? This time, there are seedlings with such strong Qi and Blood?” Suddenly, he stared at Li Ji’an and Zhao Shuyao, his face showing unexpected delight.

The new Emperor heard his joyful tone, breathed a sigh of relief, and boldly raised his head, ready to take credit: ”With the Immortal Master’s blessing, this time it’s thanks to...”

But before he finished speaking, the Immortal Master’s expression changed instantly, glaring fiercely at the new Emperor, menacingly saying: ”Hmph! I thought your limits were those seedlings before... Who would have thought, you’ve been misleading all these years.”

”Ah? No, no, please allow me to explain, Immortal Master...” The new Emperor immediately broke into a cold sweat.

”Stop with the nonsense, from now on, the standard for seedlings is set by these two, if not achieved... Hmph, bear the consequences!” The young Immortal Master gave no chance for the new Emperor to explain.

Li Ji’an frowned privately.

His trust in this Guiding Immortal Master was greatly shaken this time.

Sixty years ago, the Immortal Master he saw, regardless of other aspects, was quite celestial in demeanor and conduct.

Yet, the person now seemed like some young one from esteemed families untested by the worldly dust, untaught by worldly affairs, without depth, ignorant of worldly matters.

”Immortal Master misunderstood, I’m wronged, how can I dare deceive the Immortal Master...” The new Emperor was on the brink of collapse, ever since King Yun took the throne, to relieve the people’s suffering, abolished the national policy of using the nation’s full power to nurture Immortal Seedlings, replacing the wide-net approach with targeted cultivation.

This strategy effectively alleviated the burden on the people.

But brought considerable pressure and risk to the selection of Immortal Seedlings.

He managed to gather Immortal Seedlings under the standard of Blood Exchange Perfection with difficulty, how could he further raise it, especially using someone as exceptional as Li Ji’an as the standard.

In the entire Immortal Dynasty’s hundred years, there was only one such marvel as Li Ji’an!

”Still daring to argue? Deserving a hit!” The young Immortal Master felt his authority challenged, coldly snorted, without apparent movement, Li Ji’an felt as if an invisible slap instantly flew over.

”Slap~” The new Emperor was instantly slapped flying, falling aside, his cheek swelling.

”Brother!” Zhao Shuyao behind Li Ji’an couldn’t hold back her grief-stricken cry, wanting to go check.

Li Ji’an decisively grabbed her like an iron clamp.

”Hmph! Let it happen again, and I shall make you vanish into thin air, not enter reincarnation.” The young Immortal Master said coldly.

The new Emperor covered his swollen cheek, dare not speak further, nodding repeatedly.

”Born in the Land of Abandonment, yet lucky enough to enter the Immortal Realm, remember this kindness.” The young Immortal Master addressed the ten Immortal Seedlings.

”We shall never forget the guidance of the Immortal Master.” The ten responded in unison.

The young Immortal Master nodded: ”Do not resist, ascend with my respect to the Immortal Realm!”

”Yes!”

Right after, Li Ji’an felt a lifting force underfoot, slowly taking him into the air.

”Unlike the power of Qi and Blood, it is colorless, formless, and much more gentle and delicate... Is this magical power?”

As they were lifted higher, the speed also noticeably slowed down.

Li Ji’an even felt the invisible force underfoot was almost exhausted, if he exerted any force, it might dissipate.

Until about a hundred meters in height, everyone hovered in mid-air.

The young Immortal Master patted a small cloth bag at his waist, and the bag flashed.

A boat shimmering with flowing light suddenly appeared, growing larger with the wind.

In an instant, it transformed into a giant boat of ten zhang.

”Immortal Treasure!”

”Truly the means of immortals.”

”Will we soon learn these immortal techniques?”

...

The sudden appearance of the giant boat made several Immortal Seedlings unable to hold back their exclamations.

Previously, whether it was seeing the Immortal Master slapping the Emperor without moving, or lifting them high into the sky, they weren’t particularly surprised, after all, Qi Blood Masters could also project their Qi and Blood.

But the appearance of the flying boat completely exceeded the understanding of Martial Dao.

Seeing the reactions of the few, a subtle smile flashed across the young Immortal Master’s face, seemingly quite satisfied.

Immediately, his attitude improved: ”No need to be astonished, these are mere minor tricks, quickly board the flying boat, onwards to the Immortal Realm!”