Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Chapter 53: Chapter 19: Pill Shop Steward

Chen Qingling had just left not long ago when the neighbor next door visited again.

”Fellow Daoist Li, why did you take up a job as a servant at the Pill Shop? The monthly salary is only a few Spirit Stones, this won’t do.”

In the past six months, Lin Shaowen from next door often came to chat with Li Ji’an.

For such an unfamiliar person with unknown intentions, Li Ji’an always kept a distance.

”It’s out of necessity due to life’s pressures.”

”Ah, I must have been mistaken. I saw you practicing behind closed doors for six months and thought you had plenty of cultivation resources, but I didn’t expect...” Lin Shaowen sighed to himself.

”Indeed, those of us who manage to survive in the East District, apart from the young folks, who among us at this age has it easy? Cultivation is truly difficult!”

Li Ji’an nodded in agreement.

”However, you shouldn’t be a servant there. The monthly salary only covers the rent. What about Pill Medicine? What about Spirit Rice, Spirit Noodles, and Demon Beast Meat? At our age, if we want to advance further in cultivation, the only hope is to pile up resources.” Lin Shaowen added again.

Li Ji’an laughed lightly: ”I naturally understand this reasoning, but Spirit Stones are hard to earn. I have no other skills, so I can only find a job first and accumulate slowly.”

”Fellow Daoist Li, you are mistaken. Spirit Stones are not something you save up. Haven’t you seen the thousands of Loose Cultivators in the East District? Who among them saves enough for cultivation from working in the market?”

”As the saying goes, without windfall, one can’t become rich; without night pasture, a horse doesn’t become fat. Earning a substantial amount of wealth through ordinary work is impossible!”

”If those younger ones are to accumulate experience this way, they might even gain the employer’s favor, but at our age, it’s too late!” Lin Shaowen’s emotions grew intense.

Li Ji’an raised an eyebrow and smiled: ”Oh? Does Fellow Daoist Lin have a good way?”

Lin Shaowen became more spirited: ”To be honest, I’ve been stuck at Qi Cultivation 3rd Layer for five years without progress. That Breaking Rank Flying Cloud Pill costs a whopping two hundred and eighty Spirit Stones. I was almost desperate and considering retiring to the Mortal Realm, but fortunately, last year, a benefactor helped me find a good way. By the end of this year, I should be able to buy a Breaking Rank Pill to advance to the Qi Cultivation Middle Stage.”

”Earning such a substantial amount of two hundred and eighty Spirit Stones in less than a year!” Li Ji’an was quite surprised.

Just as Lin Shaowen said, it’s almost hopeless for Loose Cultivators without support, especially those like them in the early stages of Qi Cultivation, to save Spirit Stones. Rent is basic, Spirit Rice and Spirit Noodles are essential, and auxiliary Pill Medicine for cultivation is an endless pit. Not to mention talismans, arrays, magical artifacts, Spirit Beasts that might aid cultivation—those things are luxuries to them.

The Loose Cultivators in the East District can only do jobs within the market to earn a monthly salary. A decent month’s salary might be seven or eight Spirit Stones; lesser ones, like Li Ji’an’s, are only one or two. Alternatives might include going with someone like Chen Zhaohu to hunt Demon Beasts in the mountains or trading in Mortal Realm gathering areas. Each has its own hardships, but none can earn substantial wealth.

”I feel a natural connection with you, as we are both older Loose Cultivators. Seeing you now is like seeing myself in the past. Otherwise, how could I easily share such a thing? So, do you want to know what the path is?” Lin Shaowen was quite satisfied with Li Ji’an’s response.

Li Ji’an smiled without speaking.

Why would he share such a good way to earn Spirit Stones with him without any ties?

”What? Do you think I have ulterior motives? Rest assured, although we haven’t known each other long, I’ve lived here for more than ten years. How could I be one of those vile Evil Cultivators and harm you?” Lin Shaowen, noticing Li Ji’an’s thoughts, explained.

”Alright then, I won’t keep you in suspense.”

”Shopkeeper Tong at the Celestial Immortal Tower has a good job. If you can catch the eye, the starting earnings are twenty Spirit Stones!”

”Of course, I saw you look full of energy and thought you might have done Body Refining, so I told you. Others might not interest those noble benefactor Female Cultivators.”

Li Ji’an suddenly looked at him: ”Celestial Immortal Tower?”

”Don’t look at me like that. I’m not talking about being a companion serving with charm. It’s different. Besides, if we were really that kind of companion, with our cultivation, we might not satisfy the dual cultivation techniques of those Female Cultivators.”

”What I’m talking about is not a cultivation dual technique but a blood and energy dual technique. Those noble Female Cultivators are inherently weak in the flesh, and to break ranks or even ascend to a Great Realm, they need to enhance their body and energy.”

...

”Isn’t it still about sleeping over?” Li Ji’an laughed.

He finally understood why Lin Shaowen was so thin and weak.

All his Essence Blood had been drained.

”My body is weak; I can’t afford to enjoy such blessings. Fellow Daoist Lin, I appreciate your kind intentions.” Understanding his thought process, Li Ji’an no longer hid it, stood up, and showed him out.

This was tagging along to recruit a companion.

”Ah, Fellow Daoist Li, opportunity waits for no one! You’re already thirty, and if you don’t seize this chance, you can forget about reaching Qi Cultivation Middle Stage in this lifetime!”

...

After sending Lin Shaowen off, Li Ji’an also sighed deeply in his heart.

This cultivation realm is truly not easy for ordinary people, even harsher than the Immortal Dynasty.

In the Mortal Realm like the Immortal Dynasty, even the Emperor has limited lifespan. Ordinary people can have a broad outlook, not hankering after luxury, living their lives no matter how it turns out.

In the end, dust returns to dust, earth to earth—the Duke and the peddler end up as mere dust.

But in this realm, there’s an irresistible temptation of extended lifespan—eternal life, living as long as the heavens, and sometimes, hints of hope appear. It takes immense courage and despair to give up such hope!

Even without the ”Rejuvenation” hack, even with poor aptitude, Li Ji’an couldn’t contentedly remain a Mortal here.

This made him realize what kind of despair Zhao Shuyao must have experienced in this past year and a half.

Perhaps it’s related to her originally lofty status—the disparity was too great.

Clearing his head of negative emotions, Li Ji’an circulated his cultivation technique again to refine his magical power.

Early the next day, Li Ji’an officially reported to the Pill Shop.

Yan Tong’s demeanor returned to the indifferent attitude he had during the interview the day before, with faint hints of superiority.

Li Ji’an understood this was a performance for Alchemist Mo, so he would be less on guard against Li Ji’an.

”Take this Talisman and keep it safe. Alchemist Mo will send a message before opening the furnace. This is a one-way Communication Talisman; you can’t reply. Just act according to the instructions upon receiving the message.”

”Additionally, remember not to take anything out from Alchemist Mo’s Alchemy Room, and do not disclose any details of his Alchemy process.”

”Alchemist Mo is our Yan Family’s most esteemed Honored Alchemist. If he has any dissatisfaction with you, you can leave at any time.”

...

Li Ji’an answered every question.

Just as he was about to leave, Yan Tong suddenly stood up and went out to greet someone at the door.

”Eldest Miss, what brings you here?”

Turning to look, a young woman in her twenties appeared, dressed in a Moonlight gown, with three thousand strands of black hair flowing down, her demeanor calm, gentle, and her appearance quite charming.

Having spent over a year and a half in this world, the people he encountered validated what the ”Guiding Immortal Master” Guling said on the way from the Immortal Dynasty—that the cultivation world isn’t all about fairies.

In fact, like the Immortal Dynasty, the bone structure is inherent and unchangeable. At most, the skin is nourished and fairer with Spiritual Qi. Truly peerless beauties like Ning Sujin and Ning Yutan sisters haven’t been seen.

The Yan Family’s Eldest Miss before him could indeed rival Ning Sujin.

”I’ve come to seek guidance on Alchemy from Master Mo.” Yan Qingwan nodded gently.

”Please, Eldest Miss. Alchemist Mo has just finished his meal.” Yan Tong quickly led Yan Qingwan to the back courtyard of the Pill Shop.

As they passed by Li Ji’an, Yan Qingwan greeted him kindly: ”Old Li, you can go now. Wait for Alchemist Mo’s message.”

”Is this the help Master Mo hired?” Yan Qingwan paused, glancing up and down at Li Ji’an.

”Reporting to the Eldest Miss, Li Chang’an, thirty years old, Qi Cultivation 1st Layer, from the Foreign Simulation Gathering Area.”

”Hmm.” Yan Qingwan retracted her gaze, showing no clear emotion, softly replied, and continued on to the back courtyard.

So far, Li Ji’an had met the few people he would interact with for the foreseeable future and had a clear understanding in his heart.

For half a year thereafter, apart from diligently cultivating, Li Ji’an assisted in the Alchemy Room, helping Master Mo prepare ingredients, clean the Pill Furnace, and tidy up afterward... Life was calm yet filled with hope.

He gradually accumulated knowledge in the Alchemy Dao.

During this time, except for Chen Qingling who occasionally courted favor, almost no one disturbed him.

Even the other four people who came from the Immortal Dynasty, only Zhang Tiezhu sent a letter; the other three didn’t contact him.

However, when he received Zhang Tiezhu’s letter a month ago, Li Ji’an was amused.

The kid had made meritorious achievements again, receiving resource rewards. He even said he met the Yan Family’s Eldest Miss.

He was immediately captivated by her exceptional graceful air and confided in Li Ji’an, saying that if he could marry the Yan Family’s Eldest Miss, it would be worth it even if he doesn’t become an Immortal.