Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Chapter 50: Chapter 16: Life Is Not Easy

Zhao Shuyao was the youngest daughter of Zhao Yunsheng, the most favored.

Back then, Zhao Yunsheng was intent on marrying the two, and even planned to bestow marriage on his deathbed.

Li Ji’an refused with his determination to cultivate, promising to take care of her once they reached the Immortal Realm.

During the arranged marriage, Zhao Shuyao was present.

Li Ji’an remembered clearly that she was very resistant at the time, not only because of being caught up in the rivalry but also due to the influence of her grandfather Lei the Fifth, she was somewhat hostile towards Li Ji’an.

After Lei the Fifth passed away, Li Ji’an taught her External Martial Arts, gradually improving the relationship, but they still outwardly disagreed.

Ultimately, before ascending to the Immortal Realm, her attitude changed drastically.

Li Ji’an never thought much about it.

But now, having gone through the ascension deception and outright battle in the desert, they could be considered to have shared hardships, and in this exotic realm away from home, Li Ji’an saw them as old friends—people from his homeland.

He sought nothing from them, nor did he dwell on them,

as long as they were willing to call him Brother Li, he would maintain a relationship with them.

As long as it did not affect his eternal immortality cultivation path, he would offer help where possible.

He hoped that all four could have a beautiful future.

However, he never expected that Zhao Shuyao, this heroine second only to him in talent within the Immortal Dynasty, would be the first to give up.

He vividly remembered a year and a half ago, Zhao Shuyao’s firm attitude after initial understanding of this Cultivation Realm, and her determination to achieve something within it.

At that time, she was also the most enthusiastic in persuading Li Ji’an not to give up and to have confidence.

The result... this time’s letter, Li Ji’an could sense Zhao Shuyao’s despair and helplessness.

In short, she decided to lie flat.

A year and a half of effort, yet there was still no hope for cultivation.

The once high and mighty ninth princess was even asked to serve as a maid, taking care of a little girl from a small family... This made her completely despair!

”Alas~” Li Ji’an glanced at it briefly, and slowly put the letter down.

”I cannot accompany you in lying down.”

Without much hesitation, he picked up the pen to reply.

Basically: having stepped into Qi Cultivation, he was a cultivator in the early stages of Qi Cultivation, determined to cultivate.

Similarly, the end of the letter encouraged her, full of positive energy.

Ten days later, having completely stabilized at the 1st Layer of Qi Cultivation, Li Ji’an called Chen Qingling and took him to the market.

Admittedly, although Chen Qingling’s attitude was lacking, once Li Ji’an summoned him, he never refused.

Moreover, he never sought him out on his own.

Truly, he could be considered to be at his beck and call, very useful and reliable.

”You’re still not giving up? It’s been half a year and you’ve cultivated Qi to what? Brother, I’m calling you Brother, you should go back. My brother is righteous; you won’t suffer with him!” However, this time, Little Cyan Spirit was somewhat non-cooperative.

During this half year, his frequent blows were actually quite simple-minded, hoping Li Ji’an would give up early and return to hunt with his brother.

Because hunting was a very dangerous affair.

A few days ago, he had just heard about an associate similar to his brother who accidentally entered a late-stage Tier One Demon Beast territory and ended up in the beast’s stomach.

Yet Li Ji’an, upon joining Chen Zhaohu’s team during that year, never encountered a crisis.

Which made even this person, who originally did not believe in Li Ji’an’s deep blessings, begin to recognize Li Ji’an’s fortune.

A few days ago, after Li Ji’an had shut himself away to cultivate for half a year, he suddenly inquired about his progress; he truthfully informed him, thinking Li Ji’an had realized his inadequate spirit root, advanced age, and resource scarcity, and had given up.

Yet today, he was unexpectedly summoned to take him to the market once again.

Without saying much, Li Ji’an’s thin magical power within his Dantian gradually expanded...

”Hm?” Chen Qingling’s eyes widened instantly.

”You... you... you...”

”Unexpectedly, I should be considered a cultivator at the 1st Layer of Qi Cultivation!” Li Ji’an smiled.

After a long silence, Chen Qingling finally recovered.

”Humph! After half a year, you’ve just reached the 1st Layer of Qi Cultivation; you have no potential whatsoever, and you don’t know how costly it truly is once you actually step into Qi Cultivation...”

Knowing he temporarily couldn’t persuade him to leave, Chen Qingling grumbled a sentence, obediently leading Li Ji’an to the market again.

Yet, just as they were about to exit the residential area, a noisy commotion not far away made Chen Qingling halt.

After roughly understanding the situation, his expression turned joyful, and he hurriedly dragged Li Ji’an over.

Moments later, Li Ji’an saw four cultivators dressed in market supervisor uniforms standing in front of a small building.

Before the four, a shabby old man wore a bitter expression, frequently bowing: ”Fellow Daoist, Fellow Daoist, please grant me some ease; the old one has lived here for fifty years, just a bit more, a bit more and I’ll break through to late-stage Qi Cultivation, then I’ll definitely pay the full housing fee, please be accommodating!”

”Fellow Daoist Sun, it’s not that our brothers don’t want to help, but every house has its rules, every market its regulations; you’ve already been overdue for two months, don’t make it hard for us.”

...

Chen Qingling was instantly energized: ”Look, did you see that? That old Daoist can be considered our elders, a cultivator at the 6th Layer of Qi Cultivation, having lived in this market for fifty years, only to... only for you to see for yourself!”

”So I’m saying, the path of cultivation really isn’t just about determination; you need to recognize your own limitations!”

To Chen Qingling’s selective description, Li Ji’an merely smiled faintly; coincidentally, a cultivator next door once mentioned this old cultivator.

Qi Cultivation 6th Layer was indeed correct, but he practiced Wood Element Techniques, which had abundant, enduring power yet were mostly gentle and not suited for attack, unable to engage in high-income escort work that required Magical Combat.

Also, due to insufficient Spiritual Sense, he couldn’t draw talismans or serve as an Honored Talisman Master for any family forces.

Reluctantly, he practiced Spirit Plant Technique, but without ambition, could merely care for mundane crops amongst mortals in the residential area.

Thus, although quite labor-intensive, there was no danger, and he could just barely make a living in the market.

The blame lay on this old Daoist’s cultivation of Wood Element Techniques, which emphasized rejuvenation methods, abundant energy, and potentially included effects like revitalizing dead wood; when young it was fine, but in old age, he began nightly exploits as a groom.

It’s said at least three former Dao companions couldn’t bear it and left him.

Eventually, he started frequenting the Celestial Immortal Tower daily.

That place, a true dissipater of wealth!

After watching the old Daoist be thoroughly searched and cast out from the market by the supervisors, Chen Qingling once again led Li Ji’an towards the market.

”What? You want to buy a Pill Formula? You want to practice Alchemy? Become a Pill Master?” Upon learning Li Ji’an’s intent, Chen Qingling was once again shocked.

Pill Master was undoubtedly a top-tier profession in the Cultivation Realm.

Once becoming a Pill Master, whether family or sect, every side could potentially offer guest elder honor.

Even if one’s alchemy skill was crude and shallow, even if only able to refine the simplest Fasting Pill, that would be enough to sustain oneself.

However, the higher the return, naturally the higher the bar.

Each year, countless cultivators sharpen their heads trying to break into the Pill Master field, only for one in ten thousand to succeed!

”You with such talent, still want to become a Pill Master?”