Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Chapter 81: Chapter 47: Those Who Obstruct the Path

When Zhang Tiezhu was eighteen, he underwent spirit testing, revealing a maximum of six strands of Earth Spirit Root.

His partner had only three strands of Fire Spirit Root.

Now, their offspring are growing normally within the Yan Clan Territory, with spirit roots reaching Middle Grade.

According to the core theory of spirit roots in this world, Zhang Tiezhu’s spirit root potential limit at birth should have been around Middle Grade, but being in the Absolute Spirit Land for eighteen years delayed the development of his spirit roots.

In fact, six years ago, Dong Jiangling had already sent a letter, stating that his daughter’s spirit roots, after living near the market since childhood, reached eleven strands of Gold Element Spirit Root at the age of fifteen, also achieving Middle Grade.

However, in the cultivation realm, spirit root inheritance also involves mutations and variations, so at that time, Li Ji’an could not confirm his judgment.

Now, with Tiezhu’s son’s spirit roots taking form, it gave him a bit more confidence.

Perhaps, his own innate spirit root limit could also reach Middle Grade.

His only concern was that the first eight years, still considered as growth within the Absolute Spirit Land, would inevitably affect the original potential limit. If in his next life he relied only on the nourishment of the Spirit Vein Dao Field and Qi Sensing Technique to increase affinity, he might still not reach the original limit.

”I must do my utmost to secure a Nourishing Source Pill for my next life!”

Currently, he has saved up only one hundred and eighty spirit stones, and since the Nourishing Source Pill, a special pill that stimulates spirit root growth, is not only expensive but also hard to come by.

Though the Yan Clan has the main ingredient, the Earth Source Fruit, after Yan Qingwan advanced to a Senior Pill Master, Li Ji’an tried many times with her, proving that the so-called ancestral Nourishing Source Pill formula demonstrated by Alchemist Mo must be fake.

This kind of pill formula is a core competitive resource, almost impossible to buy.

Therefore, hoping for Yan Qingwan to refine a Nourishing Source Pill in this life seems futile.

The Yan Clan within might have some stock reserved for those born with a strong spiritual sensing and high potential for innate spirit root limit, but it’s usually unattainable for ordinary people.

While Li Ji’an was contemplating the Nourishing Source Pill in his heart, his attention was caught by the end of Zhang Tiezhu’s letter.

”Brother Li, what on earth did you say to the Grand Elder? How did you manage to offend all the female cultivators of the whole clan at once? They’re all saying no one cares to become your Dao partner now, and they’re holding a grudge, saying they must give birth to children with better talent than yours...”

Seeing this message, Li Ji’an was slightly puzzled and then realized that that old scoundrel Yan Kongyi might have misreported the situation.

However, he didn’t mind it, as it also achieved his purpose, and there should be no more forced marriage proposals in the future.

-----------

Within the Yan Clan Territory, in the council hall.

After further confirming the Foundation Establishment plans for Yan Qingwan, as the meeting adjourned, Yan Hongsheng asked Yan Kongyi with a hint of teasing: ”Did you really have to involve your granddaughter? Her spirit roots are so poor, what good can the offspring be? Just for a bit of comprehension? Who knows if comprehension can be inherited.”

Yan Kongyi had just calmed down in recent days, and when it was brought up again, he was briefly agitated: ”Hmph! I never set my hopes on her spirit roots, only upon the contributions he has made to the Pill Shop.

Unlike some people, who shamelessly want their concubine to seek outside help.”

Yan Hongsheng was unfazed: ”I’ve never disguised my intentions; I simply value his physical constitution. If our clan could produce a batch of Body Cultivators, we wouldn’t need to recruit outsiders for future land opening.”

The banter between the eldest and seventh elders was commonplace within the clan.

Usually, no one paid much attention, but at this moment, their topic caught the interest of others.

Yan Zongsheng knocked on the table: ”Grand Elder, what exactly did Xiaoli say that day? Does he really disdain the female cultivators within our clan?”

He had always held a favorable impression of Li Ji’an, who had remained inconspicuous in the clan for nearly thirty years, never showing ambition, never asking for anything, and even willingly remaining an unknown figure for the sake of Yan Qingwan’s reputation in the Alchemy Dao.

Especially remembering the two times he saved Yan Qingwan’s life and mitigated losses in the medicine garden; his contributions were significant.

”Hmph! That brat is out of his mind, already has someone in his heart, and is overly sentimental.” When Yan Kongyi recalled it, he became angry, especially when Li Ji’an said he didn’t understand love.

This statement reminded him of some youthful experiences, causing slight fluctuations in his Dao heart.

”Has someone in his heart?” This was the first time Yan Kongyi told the truth upon returning; the last time he came back in anger, claiming Li Ji’an disdained the female cultivators of the clan.

”That guy has been in the clan for nearly thirty years, and hasn’t interacted with any female cultivator?”

”Before he entered the Pill Shop, his identity was checked, living alone in the East District Corner Tower, he should have no Dao partner.”

...

The elders debated, even suspecting if there might be some unspeakable secrets.

Yan Hongsheng even suggested finding a more handsome young man to test it out.

Suddenly,

”Oh dear, that old geezer... could he have developed feelings for Qing Wan?”

As soon as these words came out, the council hall instantly fell silent!

”Bang! How dare he!” Yan Zongsheng slammed the table suddenly.

”A mere lower-grade Spirit Root, an ant stuck in the middle stage of Qi Cultivation for his whole life, dares to have thoughts about Qing Wan, a prodigy? Who gave him the courage?”

”Impossible, absolutely impossible. I think that old fellow should know his own limits; it must be a misunderstanding.”

In the next moment, almost everyone was excitedly angry.

Nothing else, just because Yan Qingwan is the hope of the clan and a prodigy within it.

Not to mention, once Yan Qingwan becomes a Foundation Establishment Ancestor for training, she would hardly ever leave the clan for life, with little chance in this life to form a Dao companion. Even if she does not become a Foundation Establishment Ancestor for training, to find a Dao companion, the least requirement is above a middle-grade Spirit Root.

Female cultivators having children consume their life origin, which greatly affects cultivation potential, and the higher the cultivation, the harder it is to bear offspring.

”Let’s not be hasty. From what I know about the lad, he should not be so bold. Tiezhu from the clan is his fellow countryman; let’s ask him before making decisions.” Yan Hongsheng saw a bunch of old folks truly angry at the lad and hurriedly spoke up for him.

This made everyone calm down a bit.

It wasn’t long before Zhang Tiezhu, who had recently received a clan reward because his son had a middle-grade Spirit Root, entered this core place of the clan with some trepidation.

The elders regained their usual seriousness.

Yan Hongsheng, worrying about Yan Zongsheng’s emotional excitement, volunteered to inquire from Zhang Tiezhu: ”Tiezhu, you’ve been in the clan with Chang’an for thirty years. Is there anything you’d like to say about the clan?”

”Grateful for the clan’s kindness, thankful for the care from the patriarch and all elders, grateful for the clan providing...” Zhang Tiezhu started with three consecutive thanks.

Yan Hongsheng impatiently lowered his hand: ”Alright, alright, true gratitude is not in vain for the clan treating you sincerely. Now, I’ll ask you, do you know who Chang’an’s sweetheart is?”

As soon as he spoke, Zhang Tiezhu felt several Spiritual Pressures staring at him.

”Brother Li’s sweetheart? I... I’ve never heard him mention it.” Zhang Tiezhu’s memory instantly returned to the scene he saw before returning to the gathering area that year. However, unsure of the elders’ intentions, he hesitated and dared not speak.

”Hmm? Still not confessing?” However, where could his emotional fluctuations escape the several elders’ Spiritual Sense at the late period of Qi Cultivation, instantly uncovering him.

”Yes, yes, Brother Li indeed never revealed to me, just... twenty years ago I saw...” Unable to withstand the elders’ pressure, and thinking this matter might not be bad for Li Ji’an, he finally recounted that scene.

Once the matter was spoken, the elders’ expressions changed instantly. They previously thought it might be Li Ji’an having delusions about the young lady, but never expected that Zhang Tiezhu seemed to imply that the young lady might also have feelings for Li Ji’an.

”Nonsense! Ridiculous! Qing Wan was merely...” Yan Zongsheng erupted in fury instantly.

All around him, the elders hurriedly persuaded him, gesturing to Zhang Tiezhu: ”Alright, you may leave now, and what you just said, do not spread it, keep it to yourself.”

Zhang Tiezhu was baffled and frightened but quickly fled out as if escaping.

”He talks nonsense. I know about the time Qing Wan borrowed his Spiritual Steed. It wasn’t how that lad said, it was just that Qing Wan’s Alchemy Skill was lacking at the time, she didn’t want the lad to get into trouble outside, it absolutely wasn’t because she had intentions for him.” Yan Zongsheng explained anxiously.

The elders were silent.

This matter is serious.

If Yan Qingwan truly has some emotional entanglement with that lad, then her cultivation and training might need to be more cautious.

”Zongsheng, this matter might not be unfounded. Think about it, Qingwan girl and that old fellow have been closely together for thirty years, and though the lad is nearly sixty now, his looks are quite presentable. It’s not impossible!”

”Companions for thirty years, even a dog would have some feelings, let alone that lad has contributed a lot!”

”No wonder Qingwan often asked for rewards for him, gave him a Breaking Rank Pill, and even secretly shared profits with him...”

...

Almost in an instant, the elders suddenly understood the reason for the lad’s long-term silent contribution without competing or asking for anything as Yan Zongsheng had previously said.

”No way! I absolutely cannot let him ruin Qing Wan’s path!” Even Yan Zongsheng lost his confidence in the end.

”Zongsheng, reconsider, Chang’an has merits for the clan, we cannot chill the hearts of the people.”

”Do not act impulsively, do not ruin the clan’s reputation, otherwise who else would dare to join the clan in the future?”

”But also absolutely cannot let it go unchecked, how could he possibly be worthy of Qingwan girl!”

...

After a while, Yan Zongsheng calmed down, regaining the rationality of a clan leader.

He took a long breath: ”Everyone rest assured, I have my limits, I will persuade him to leave the clan, all conditions can be agreed upon, but absolutely cannot block Qing Wan’s path, affecting the clan’s future.”