Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Chapter 82: Chapter 48: News of the Soul-Holding Ants

The rising sun spreads its golden light across the sky.

Li Ji’an transforms into a Fire Dragon, wrapping himself in searing waves, instantly causing the water in Gugu’s hiding pool to turn to steam.

”Gua~” Gugu burrows into the earth again, disappearing without a trace.

”Whew~” Li Ji’an lands on the ground, unable to maintain the Fire Dragon Escape.

His magical power is too thin.

In recent years, he has particularly studied the situation of Dantian Magical Power, comparing it to many other cultivators at the fourth layer of Qi Cultivation, finding his power at the bottom of the rankings.

This is inevitably linked to his practice of a Lower Grade Cultivation Technique. Additionally, during the early period of Qi Cultivation, especially in those first three years after entering the Pill Shop, when he accompanied Yan Qingwan in alchemy, thinking he had gained advantages, he acquired many of her practice Lower Grade Pill Medicines. Those pill medicines not only contained pill toxins but were mostly impure in aiding breath gathering and magical refinement, resulting in his magical power being copious in quantity but lacking in quality.

Although his Dantian Magical Power reached the fourth level of Qi Cultivation, in reality, the strength and endurance of the power were lacking.

This is something he needs to pay attention to in his next life: avoid relying on external forces unless necessary, and if using pill medicine, it should at least be Upper Grade.

Just as he finished his morning training, a vibration came from the communication talisman nestled against him.

”Honored Guest Li, there’s someone at the Pill Shop looking for you, urgent.” The old shopkeeper sent the message.

Putting away the communication talisman, Li Ji’an was not in a hurry. He fed Gugu a Beast Pill first, activated a Purifying Talisman to cleanse the pool water, and before leaving, used a Dust-removal Talisman to ensure the courtyard was spotless.

He was quite skilled and fond of activating talismans.

In fact, he had been interested in talismans for a long time, even before meeting Chen Zhaohu and understanding the cultivation situation in this world, his first chosen skill was talismans.

Because during that murderous disaster in the Storm Desert, he witnessed the defensive and offensive power of talismans firsthand.

It’s no exaggeration to say that among the Hundred Skills of Cultivation, talismans can enhance survival tactics and offensive capabilities the most, and are the best to keep as one’s trump card.

However, when he arrived at the market and understood the situation, he found that introductory talismans had almost no threshold, and going further without the guidance of sect elders was exceedingly difficult.

He ultimately chose the slightly more demanding skill of Alchemy Dao due to his Fire Spirit Root.

In the subsequent years, with limited energy, he focused on pill medicine, body refining, and the nurturing of Gugu, with no extra energy to delve into talismans.

”Brother Li.” Just as he stepped out, he happened to encounter Yan Qingwan also heading to the Pill Shop.

One has to admit, the cultivation realm provided the most satisfying aspect to Li Ji’an: if truly willing, one can prevent situations like the Red Skull from occurring.

Even if the other party has yet to attain immortality!

Take Yan Qingwan, for instance, only about ten years younger than Li Ji’an, yet at this moment, her skin appeared tender and smooth, radiant and lively, with no significant change from thirty years ago, save for a mature charm tempered by time’s passage.

Judging by her age, at the ninth level of Qi Cultivation, her lifespan would be at most one hundred and fifty years. Now in her forties, she should appear as a mature woman, yet her outer appearance remains like a youthful girl.

This is simply due to the female cultivator’s favorite item in the cultivation realm—the Youthful Appearance Pill.

One Upper Grade Youthful Appearance Pill ensures twenty years of sustained youth.

Beyond the Youthful Appearance Pill stands the female cultivators’ top medical beauty elixir—the Face Stabilizing Pill!

This pill requires only one to maintain eternal youth, supposedly keeping its effects even in the moments before one’s life force dissipates, truly ensuring—there is no white hair in the mortal realm.

However, this item is not cheap and is a Second Tier pill medicine, not available in the United Marketplace.

Compared to Yan Qingwan, who has consumed a Youthful Appearance Pill, Li Ji’an now appears as a middle-aged uncle.

Moreover, with the refined and well-defined features of both Yan Qingwan and Li Ji’an, the two walking together resemble a father-daughter pair.

”Qingwan, the store’s pill medicine reserves should last a while. Xiaohua and Wenxin can also refine some introductory pill medicines. You can take some rest, settle down; mindset is important.” After all these years of interaction, Li Ji’an now treats Yan Qingwan like a mentor and a father, genuinely wishing for her advancement.

Of course, this comes from understanding and recognizing Yan Qingwan’s character and heart nature.

Additionally, eight years ago, Yan Qingwan began accepting disciples.

From the family, she selected two relatively bright individuals with the highest sensing of Fire Spirit Root, hoping they could advance to the late period of Qi Cultivation to practice Alchemy Skill.

”Hmm, Brother Li, I was just about to tell you that I might need to return to the clan to seclude myself for a period, aiming to solidify the foundation of the Qi Refining Stage. During seclusion, I’ll settle down as you suggested.

Moreover, I’ll trouble you with overseeing those two at the pill shop.” Yan Qingwan smiled gracefully and sincerely nodded.

”Oh? Good news, congratulations, feel free to seclude yourself.” Upon hearing this, Li Ji’an felt genuine happiness.

Her making such arrangements indicated the clan’s genuine support for her to reach Foundation Establishment.

Thinking about the next life possibly having a Foundation Establishment Ancestor for protection increased his sense of security.

”Thank you, Brother Li!”

While exchanging laughter, the two quickly arrived at the Pill Shop.

”Brother, good news, we encountered it yesterday.” Chen Zhaohu appeared very excited, rushing out before Li Ji’an could enter the store.

Li Ji’an, composed, took Chen Zhaohu back to his small courtyard before formally inquiring.

Over the years, he occasionally sent letters asking Chen Zhaohu, fearing he might believe the time was too long and not need it.

Unexpectedly, today brought definite news.

Yesterday, he led a squad hunting, and in Fallen Dragon Ridge, they unexpectedly discovered several Soul-Holding Ants out searching for food and found traces leading to the nest’s location.

However, the Soul-Holding Ant nest is famously deep and winding, and even after digging nearly five yards deep, they couldn’t reach the actual nest, forcing them to give up.

Seeing the graying hair appearing on Chen Zhaohu’s temples, handing over a map to him, Li Ji’an nodded heavily.

Chen Zhaohu is over ten years older than him, not even at the entry level of Qi Cultivation, relying only on a late stage Tier One body refining, with a lifespan of up to one hundred and twenty; now, in his seventies, his vitality is declining.

Then, Li Ji’an took leave from the Pill Shop directly, bringing Chen Zhaohu to the Celestial Immortal Tower for some indulgence.

Amidst the sound of silk and bamboo, the two chatted for a long time.

Chen Zhaohu even mentioned their first meeting thirty years ago, lamenting time’s relentlessness.

In a moment of inebriation, he revealed concern for his brother Chen Qingling.

According to him, since Chen Qingling followed Red Stone Wanderer, they’ve hardly seen each other twice in over ten years.

Nearly every day, he either delves into deep forests or seeks Dragon-Seeking and Gold-Dividing, searching ancient tombs, causing genuine worry.

Expressing regret, he said he should have sent him to the Yan Family earlier.

Upon hearing about this desert’s foremost wanderer’s deeds, Li Ji’an nodded in approval.

If he had traveled to this cultivation realm without any advantage, his first choice would have indeed been grave digging.

Rather than begging living monopolists for scraps, it’s better to pray to the dead.

Anyway, there’s risk on both paths.

Moreover, considering this era underwent substantial changes, and once experienced boundless glory, discovering an ancient tomb might achieve a miraculous turn of destiny.

After parting with Chen Zhaohu, Li Ji’an dared not delay; Soul-Holding Ants are rare and hard to find. Now, having a lead, he naturally wouldn’t give up.

The next day, he packed Gugu into the Spirit Pet Bag and gathered everything he could take from the Pill Shop to request a long leave.

To his surprise, the old shopkeeper had just received a message, requesting Li Ji’an to return to the clan for an important discussion.

”Well, it’s on the way, might as well go meet Tiezhu’s child, then head south!”