Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Chapter 35: Chapter 1: The Crisis Emerges

The night is dark and the wind is strong, all sounds have ceased.

Li Ji’an and his group are seated on the flying boat, outside of which no light can be seen save for a few scattered stars unobstructed by clouds, while inside it is as bright as day.

Though the speed is not slow, there is no bumpiness; it is comfortable, and not even the slightest noise of the outside wind can be heard at the ear.

This made Li Ji’an full of admiration for the ”flying boat,” and equally filled with anticipation for the real Cultivation Realm he is about to enter.

At least, this ”flying boat” showed Li Ji’an the technological level of this realm’s true Cultivation Realm, and it is better than the fantasy worlds he’d read about in novels where flying swords needed fences for safety.

”Immortal Master, are all Immortal Realm Immortal Masters as handsome as you?” A female Immortal Seedling who noticed a subtle shift in the Immortal Master’s mood began to test by expressing emotional interest.

”Hmm?” The young Immortal Master was slightly taken aback.

And subsequently couldn’t suppress a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth.

”Haha, this... handsome? I have never paid attention to it; appearance is but skin, it’s natural and should not be overly concerned.”

Compared to his sharpness in the Immortal Hall, at this moment the young Immortal Master appeared more affable.

This instantly enlightened the Immortal Seedlings, who are already the favored ones of the Immortal Dynasty, making them dare to speak, hoping to gain more information about the Immortal Realm.

”So, it’s because of my shallow understanding; no wonder that the Immortal Master, despite being an exceptionally handsome man, is yet so approachable without a trace of arrogance. I’ve learned my lesson, thank you, Immortal Master.” The female Immortal Seedling bowed gracefully.

Li Ji’an raised his eyebrows, casting an appreciative glance at the girl.

In this current group of Immortal Seedlings, apart from Zhao Shuyao, nearly all had early on considered Li Ji’an as the senior brother, and within the Immortal Palace, they all followed Li Ji’an’s lead; aside from his identity as the top disciple of the Grandmaster List, his strength also won their respect and compliance.

As for the girl, Li Ji’an also knew her well; she was astute and had a considerable strategic mind, originally being an underdog from a major family branch, she rose through ranks, outmatching not only her peers but even some elders couldn’t easily best her.

She effortlessly elevated the young Immortal Master, laying a good foundation for their subsequent exchange.

”However, the Immortal Realm is not exactly as you imagined, all are not of unparalleled beauty, indeed, there are Immortal Techniques that can change one’s appearance, but it is ultimately an illusion; a person’s bone structure is innate and unalterable, should it change, one’s path of cultivation essentially comes to an end.” Seeing the Immortal Seedling withdrawn from this topic, the young Immortal Master added to himself.

”Cultivation? May I ask Immortal Master, how is cultivation practiced in the Immortal Realm? Is our whole body’s qi and blood the basis for cultivation?” Another youth quickly joined the topic.

The young Immortal Master was slightly displeased, but recalling the words of praise by the female Immortal Seedling earlier, he forcefully restrained himself, still maintaining an ”approachable” demeanor, responded: ”As for cultivation, upon reaching the Immortal Realm all will be revealed, regarding qi and blood... not much relation.”

”Ah?”

”No relation?”

The Immortal Seedlings were instantly bewildered upon hearing this.

”If qi and blood aren’t related to cultivating Immortal Technique, then why select Immortal Seedlings based on qi and blood cultivation?” Zhao Shuyao, who had been suppressing her anger, asked with some emotion.

”Whoosh~” The young Immortal Master’s expression changed instantaneously, glaring fiercely at Zhao Shuyao.

Because he also didn’t know how to answer that question.

Moreover, he realized at this moment that he had violated the teachings given by his elders, not to converse too much with these insignificant beings.

Under the harsh gaze of the young Immortal Master, Zhao Shuyao’s heart tightened, somewhat regretting her recklessness.

”It’s undoubtedly for the Immortal Master to hone our heart nature, temper our will, and strengthen our determination to pursue immortality...” In a critical moment, Li Ji’an hurriedly spoke.

The young Immortal Master clearly paused, then looked at Li Ji’an with much appreciation: ”Indeed, to cultivate in our lineage, talent, heart nature, and fate are all indispensable, with heart nature being of utmost importance.”

Having said this, he too was unwilling to continue speaking, closing his eyes, ignoring everyone else.

Meanwhile, all the Immortal Seedlings’ minds were racing.

Qi and blood unrelated to cultivation?

On one hand, they felt that years of their effort seemed like a joke.

On the other hand, there was a sense of delight, especially for the two whose Martial Arts Cultivation was the lowest. They initially thought they were at the bottom among the Immortal Seedlings and that at the Immortal Realm, due to their talent, they would be looked down upon, resulting in their cultivation to always remain at the bottom.

But now, there were different thoughts.

A few couldn’t help but look towards Li Ji’an, wanting to know what his reaction would be.

Originally, Li Ji’an, as the leader in martial arts, was their leading figure in mind, believing that upon reaching the Immortal Realm, he would continue to be outstanding; however, it now seems, perhaps... results will be different.

Especially Dong Jiangling, who had been sitting behind Zhao Shuyao, his eyes gleaming with inexplicable joy, once again looking at the back of Zhao Shuyao, his eyes were filled with light.

Ever since his first meeting with the Ninth Princess Zhao Shuyao at the Immortal Palace ten years ago, he regarded her as heavenly, observing silently for ten years, just because of the exquisite demon that Li Ji’an was.

But now, it’s different...

”No matter how powerful martial dao is, how can it compare with Immortal Techniques?”

Unconcerned with how others might think, Li Ji’an was closely attentive to all details about the young Immortal Master.

Including the words spoken in the Immortal Hall about the ”Land of Abandonment.”

Others all believed that this ”Immortal Master” was a true celestial being, unreachable, completely devoid of any disrespectful thoughts.

But Li Ji’an had long confirmed that these were just cultivators, and their cultivation wouldn’t be too high.

Moreover, when the flying boat had just started up, he sensitively caught the sight of the young cultivator retrieving a quail egg-sized stone with a dazzling light green glow from the storage pouch and accurately placed it into a small hole at the flying boat’s helm.

”Spirit Stone...”

”If only Ning Sujin were here, at least then problems could be anticipated.” As time passed by bit by bit, the silent flight of the flying boat, all-attentive Li Ji’an began feeling slightly fatigued.

There was no escape, as when Ning Sujin sensed her cousin flying to the Immortal Realm she foresaw great misfortune, and similarly during Ning Yutan’s ascension journey, it was also an ominous sign, leading Li Ji’an to be highly cautious on this ascension trip.

Unaware whether the ominous sign stems from the Immortal Realm they are about to reach, or this very journey, or the Immortal Master before them...

Days passed as the sun rose and the moon set, unknowingly five days had passed.

Seated within the flying boat, aside from seeing the changes of the skies, they couldn’t see the ground, nor did they know where they had arrived.

However, through observing the stars at night and the sun’s position, Li Ji’an judged that the flying boat had been continuously heading north.

Having traveled five days, according to the speed of the flying boat, it must have covered at least thirty thousand miles.

”As expected, the so-called Immortal Realm is actually just the same continent! Rather than the heavenly Immortal Domain...”

”Boom~”

Suddenly, the once smoothly flying boat had a sharp tremor.

The Immortal Seedlings who had not delved into the method of External Skills activation were thrown over, heavily crashing within the flying boat.

Meanwhile, Li Ji’an and Zhao Shuyao along with three others practiced External Martial Arts, adeptly activating qi and blood, so they stood steadily.

Yet this also tightened Li Ji’an’s heart: ”Is it possible this is Ning Sujin’s foreboding of great misfortune?”

Yet the next moment,

”No need for panic, we are just about to cross the Sandstorm Area, slight turbulence is nothing to worry about.” The young Immortal Master floated in mid-air, pulled out a yellow talisman from the storage pouch, instantly activating it, as a blue-green water curtain enveloped the entire flying boat.

The flying boat returned to steady.

Seeing the magical water curtain, the Immortal Seedlings were once again in awe, yet this time the young Immortal Master did not offer them a chance to converse.

Yet Li Ji’an sharply noticed a flicker of unusualness on his face.

As if he was surprised by the sudden tremor.

”Boom~” Before those Immortal Seedlings managed to steady themselves, a greater shock struck again.

”Who are you, sneaky coward, daring to launch a sneak attack!” The young Immortal Master finally sensed the energy, furiously angry, and a stone seal flew from the storage pouch, circling to protect him.

Li Ji’an’s heart tightened, his qi and blood were poised to strike: ”The foreboding of great misfortune, is it indeed during this journey?”