Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Chapter 47: Chapter 13: Settling in the Market

”What? Brother... you... haven’t given up yet?” Chen Zhaohu was quite surprised by Li Ji’an’s farewell.

Over the past year, whether it’s the situation in the gathering area or the part-time loose cultivators in the team, he had a clear understanding of reality.

He still wants to cultivate!

Li Ji’an sighed, ”Body Refining can’t lead to immortality.”

”Immortality... You still want immortality?” Hearing Chen Zhaohu’s voice, the teammates who were packing their gear to set off all gathered around.

Chen Qingling even burst out laughing.

He had once had the same naive arrogance, but after truly stepping foot into cultivation, he no longer dared to have such delusions. Being able to become a Qi Cultivation Late Period expert would be enough to honor his brother’s sacrifices.

”Old Li, you are not seeing clearly. Not to mention anything else, just this Fallen Dragon Ridge desert—many have stepped into cultivation, but those who can break through to Qi Cultivation Middle Stage are already outstanding. Anyone who reaches Qi Cultivation Late Period becomes a strong fighter for the clans, a core force, but even they only have a lifespan of about a hundred and fifty years. Immortality... tsk tsk.” A Qi Cultivation 3rd Layer loose cultivator was also somewhat amused.

”To be honest with you, I regret it. If I had known cultivation was so tough, I would have never abandoned my father’s shop to pursue this insane immortality!”

”Steadily refining the body, in this gathering area you can become a notable figure and live a peaceful, leisurely life.”

...

The crowd began to persuade.

Some spoke from personal experience, and some were reluctant to let Chen Zhaohu’s lucky charm leave, but Li Ji’an was clear-headed.

Regarding what everyone said, Li Ji’an acknowledged they were right.

But he was still determined to leave.

He was resolute to go, and naturally, Chen Zhaohu couldn’t hold him back.

”Fine, fine, fine. Since you still won’t give up, go ahead. But remember, my door is always open for you, you are welcome to return anytime.”

”Thank you, Brother Chen!” Li Ji’an cupped his hands.

”Qingling, go with your Brother Li, take good care of each other at the marketplace.”

”Brother Li, you’re steady and meticulous, please look after this kid. Don’t let him get corrupted at the Immortal Pavilion.” Chen Zhaohu instructed Chen Qingling and Li Ji’an individually.

Chen Qingling frowned, somewhat unwilling, but he didn’t dare disobey his brother’s words, so he nodded reluctantly.

Li Ji’an smiled and agreed, needing a guide at the marketplace. Compared to strangers, he’d feel safer with Chen Zhaohu’s brother, whom he’d been with for a year.

”Old Li, if you want to buy Pill Medicine later, come to me. I have a channel, cheaper than the shop...”

”Brother Li, once you’re at the marketplace, your biggest concern won’t be cultivation but earning Spirit Stones. Everything requires Spirit Stones there, start planning early.”

...

With things settled, others began to offer advice.

Not long after, Chen Zhaohu personally escorted Li Ji’an and Chen Qingling to the station.

”Old Zhou, take care of them.”

Chen Zhaohu paid twenty taels of Spiritual Sand to the Spiritual Horse Coachman, then walked over to Li Ji’an and secretly handed him a small bag. ”Brother, the marketplace needs Spirit Stones everywhere. Life isn’t easy. I don’t have much, take these.”

The feel of it made Li Ji’an internally pleased—it should be ten Spirit Stones.

”Thank you!” Li Ji’an sincerely looked at him, noting the kindness in his heart.

After five lifetimes, unless there’s a conflict of interest, or he doesn’t want to make friends, he always manages relationships well. Otherwise, it’s an issue of character and emotional intelligence.

Building good relationships is not just talk.

Old Zhou’s Spiritual Steed was purchased from the northern Beast Taming Liu Family. It’s Tier One Beginner, with a Lower Grade Barbaric Bloodline, mainly used for long travels, capable of covering a thousand miles a day.

Years ago, Old Zhou even borrowed Spirit Stones from Chen Zhaohu to start this business.

In less than an hour, Li Ji’an was already standing at the gate of United Marketplace.

United Marketplace doesn’t have a long history; it was developed eighty years ago by two pioneering clans simultaneously.

Afterward, these two shallow Qi Refining Stage clans fiercely competed for this Tier One Lower Grade Spirit Vein land.

During that time, each employed various tactics.

In the end, though, it was like the sandpiper and clam fighting while the fisherman benefits.

The two Qi Cultivation Clans used all their tricks to pull in other clans who had successfully pioneered the desert early.

Eventually, both Qi Cultivation Clans were defeated, and these clans stood up.

Later, the two Qi Cultivation Clans disappeared into the dust of history, and United Marketplace emerged with eight families jointly managing it.

Passing through the gate of the marketplace, Li Ji’an paid five taels of Spiritual Sand for the entry fee, while Chen Qingling took out his Jade Token for residence at the marketplace.

”Hey, let’s be clear beforehand. You don’t bother with my business. If my brother asks, just say everything is fine. In exchange, you can ask me anything you don’t understand, but it needs to come with fried chicken wings!” stated Chen Qingling as soon as they entered the city gate.

Li Ji’an nodded, which suited him perfectly.

The marketplace was smaller compared to the gathering area, only because its Spirit Vein was Tier One Beginner, unable to cover a large area.

Even its current scale was somewhat excessive; the Spiritual Qi in the most remote areas was almost as thin as outside.

However, for Qi Cultivation Introduction, it was sufficient.

”South Street is the commercial area, mainly filled with the industries of the eight families here, as well as branches of prominent external forces. There are Alchemy Tools and Talisman Arrays, but you don’t need those for now.

North Street is the stall area, mostly for loose cultivators selling goods. The quality is definitely inferior to those well-known shops, but the advantage is the lower price.

The West District, unless necessary, don’t go there. It’s mainly residences for dignitaries, with each family’s lodgings and loose cultivation masters’ Dao Fields, where the Spiritual Qi is most abundant.

We’ll stay in the East District...” As they walked down the street in the marketplace, Li Ji’an sensed the Spiritual Qi of the Spirit Vein land while listening to Chen Qingling’s introduction.

It must be said, there is a real difference between the Spirit Vein land and the Spirit Poor Land outside. The Spiritual Qi here, though not very dense, is pure.

”Remember, unless you’re within a rented Dao Field, you’re not allowed to absorb Spiritual Qi for cultivation within the marketplace. If caught, you’ll be fined Spirit Stones.” Chen Qingling, while introducing the marketplace, suddenly noticed Li Ji’an sensing Spiritual Qi and hurriedly reminded him.

As soon as he spoke, he realized Li Ji’an hadn’t stepped into cultivation and didn’t even have a Qi Cultivation Technique, so he couldn’t possibly absorb any Spiritual Qi, making it unnecessary.

”Hey, what’s up, Little Qing?” Just then, three young people saw Chen Qingling from afar and approached.

Chen Qingling’s face stiffened, his usual sense of superiority toward Li Ji’an vanished. He instinctively moved a step behind Li Ji’an and shrank his neck: ”Brother Quan.”

Only then did they look at Li Ji’an, reining in some of the playful expressions on their faces: ”Oh, your brother came to see you?”

Chen Qingling stiffly nodded.

”Well, then we won’t disturb you. See you.” The three turned and left.

Li Ji’an watched this scene calmly, feeling a vague sense of familiarity.

”Hmph, it’s all your fault. If it weren’t for taking you on a tour here, how could we have run into them!” Watching the three walk away, Chen Qingling didn’t even glance at Li Ji’an, yet felt certain he was being watched by Li Ji’an, and immediately tried to turn the tables and prevent Li Ji’an from asking questions.

In fact, Li Ji’an hadn’t looked at him at all, nor did he have any intention to question him.

”I warn you, don’t tell my brother about this.” Chen Qingling still felt uneasy and intentionally reminded him again.

But this time, Li Ji’an didn’t agree.

He may not intervene, nor should he, but informing Chen Zhaohu is necessary.

Chen Qingling is a fourteen-year-old kid who doesn’t understand; it’s normal for him to mishandle these matters. But given Chen Zhaohu’s way of dealing with people and Body Refining strength, he can definitely handle it well.

”Did you hear what I said? Don’t tell my brother, or else my brother will suffer. Do you know who that person is? That’s someone from the Yan Family!”