Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Chapter 83: Chapter 49: Leaving the Clan

Seventeen years ago when coming to the market city, I was following Yan Qingwan, riding the clan’s spiritual steed.

Seventeen years later, it’s my first time leaving the market city, Li Ji’an summoned a flying sword, leaped up, and soared away on it.

This is a lower-grade magical artifact, forged with flame iron and fire cloud sand, enhancing fire element magical power. He bought it for eighteen spirit stones.

Aside from wanting to experience the sword flying he had fantasized about since childhood, it was more about recognizing himself, understanding the situation of flying with artifacts, and achieving mastery in fleeing and pursuit.

At the peacefully busy city gate, the passing by loose cultivators were suddenly attracted by that streak of crimson flame, all instinctively looked up at the elegant figure in midair.

Many showed expressions of envy.

To support artifact flight, one must at least be a middle-stage Qi cultivation cultivator, and for long-distance artifact flight, one must at least be a late-stage Qi cultivation great cultivator, something that many early-stage small loose cultivators at the city gate can only hope for.

Li Ji’an stood tall and upright on the flying sword, head slightly raised, as magical power continued to pour into the sword beneath his feet, its speed quickly reaching the limit; afterward, he stopped accelerating forward and instead continuously elevated.

Until the crowds below became smaller and smaller, the magical shield finally began to struggle against external pressure, once again reaching the limit.

Moments later, amidst the envious yet puzzled gazes of the loose cultivators below, Li Ji’an gently descended to the ground, put away his flying sword, untied the spiritual steed at the city gate, and rode off into the distance.

Flying is prohibited within the market city; this was Li Ji’an’s first time riding a flying sword, roughly understanding his own speed and height limits of sword flight.

The height limit is slightly stronger than his body cultivation’s explosive qi and blood, but the speed limit is still inferior and not enduring.

Three hours later, the Yan Clan Territory came into view.

”Honored Guest Li.”

”Alchemist Li.”

”Xiaoli is back.”

Thanks to the exposure from Yan Qingwan earlier, Li Ji’an’s reputation within the clan had soared; upon entering the territory, most people he encountered greeted him proactively.

Of course, most who greeted him were male cultivators and married female cultivators. The few unmarried female cultivators he met either pretended not to see him or deliberately glared at him, carrying a hint of challenge.

Upon reaching the core Spirit Vein Area, he learned that important matters were being discussed within the clan, so Li Ji’an went to Zhang Tiezhu’s house first.

”Hey, come over here, boy, let daddy be your horse for you to ride...” Just at the doorstep, a familiar yet strange voice sounded from inside.

Familiar as it was Zhang Tiezhu’s voice, strange as it had an added tone of relaxation and satisfaction.

Last year, Zhang Tiezhu in his letter mentioned having a third child, also a son, whom he liked a lot, thinking of his own childhood resemblance.

”Tiezhu.”

”Brother, you... why have you returned?” Zhang Tiezhu quickly hugged his offspring and promptly approached Li Ji’an.

Despite the ten-year age gap and the higher cultivation Zhang Tiezhu possessed, the comparison at the moment revealed Li Ji’an’s lean face, slender build, though age has left its marks, his overall spirit remained vibrant.

Observing Zhang Tiezhu, in his silk brocade clothes, looking wealthy, with a fatty belly, he appeared more like an affluent landowner than a cultivator.

On this, Li Ji’an was actually well aware, earlier on Zhang Tiezhu’s letters focused mainly on his cultivation progress.

Especially during the birth of his first child when the clan granted him abundant resources, he felt confident and determined to reach the late-stage of Qi cultivation, even aspiring to Foundation Establishment.

He had once asked Li Ji’an whether he could return to the Immortal Dynasty once more and uncover the truth.

Yet as Yan Jue gradually grew, his letters often spoke of the child’s matters, with laughter, anger, and ridicule, all included.

Until Yan Jue turned eight, and during the first future Spirit Root limit prediction, the clan elder, based on experience, judged a breakthrough being likely up to middle-grade Spirit Root, making him elated once again.

Different this time, though equally rewarded with many resources, he no longer mentioned pursuing cultivation.

Later it became known that he had dedicated all those rewards to Yan Jue, influenced partly by pressure from his partner.

Starting from that period, his letters seldom discussed his own cultivation, focusing more on Yan Jue and partner matters, including numerous complaints.

Until recent years, besides listing his son’s situation, his letters more frequently involved petty things within the clan or gossip, seemingly considering himself part of the Yan Family.

Li Ji’an could sense his changing life attitudes over the years, becoming more relaxed and satisfied.

Before the third child’s birth, he even developed a liking for fishing.

”Summoned by the Patriarch.” Li Ji’an explained with a smile.

”Hmm? The Patriarch seeks you out? This...” Zhang Tiezhu suddenly became alert, recalling the previous incident.

Li Ji’an, noticing his reaction, thought perhaps he knew something.

”Tiezhu, what do you know?”

Zhang Tiezhu suddenly became somewhat panicky.

Almost instinctively wanting to reveal the true situation of that day, but...words reached his mouth, remembering the clan elder’s caution, and considering the current life burden, the family toed line.

Especially with the five family members relying on the Yan Family for livelihood.

He himself didn’t mind, but the son was his soft spot, he didn’t wish to cause his son to lose his Immortal Path due to personal reasons.

Seeing his hesitation, Li Ji’an immediately grew cautious.

He had analyzed the Yan Family previously, even theorizing them being an outwardly righteous, internally demonic clan, two scenarios where it seemed unlikely they posed any threat—a concern he had during the first entry into the Yan Family.

Concerned the Yan Family might imprison him upon discovering his alchemy talent, forcing him to be a black slave, endlessly refining pills.

Given such events have occurred in cultivation realm history, thus Pill Masters typically avoid excessive contact with unknown groups or outsiders.

Until failing to break through middle-stage Qi cultivation, insufficiently condensing pill fire, while Yan Qingwan matured, only then did he completely dismiss such concerns.

Even when Yan Qingwan exposed his alchemy talents, he didn’t believe the Yan Family would act against him.

After pondering calmly for a moment, Li Ji’an still remained clueless, failing to comprehend reasons behind potential Yan Family hostility.

”Hey, Brother Li, let me tell you, recently, the Grand Elder...” Following a brief inner conflict, Zhang Tiezhu sighed and chose to disclose the matter from that day.

”!!!” After hearing Zhang Tiezhu’s words, Li Ji’an’s eyes widened.

This indeed caught him off guard.

Though slightly contemplating, he wasn’t particularly bothered.

After all, it was a tremendous misunderstanding.

Furthermore, if the Yan Family genuinely harbored any ill intentions due to this matter, they would not summon him back to the clan this way; it could have been dealt with outside.

Moreover, it was certain that Yan Qingwan was unaware.

After chatting for a while, Yan Zongsheng sent someone to invite him.

Li Ji’an presented a bottle of Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill, considered an Immortal Pill in the Immortal Dynasty, as a gift to Zhang Tiezhu’s young one, Yan Qing, and took his leave from Zhang Tiezhu.

Having obtained prior disclosure from Zhang Tiezhu, whatever strange behavior and speech from Yan Zongsheng, Li Ji’an perceived it normally now.

After affirming Li Ji’an’s achievements and contributions, emphasizing Yan Qingwan’s role and aspirations regarding the clan’s future, Yan Zongsheng then tactfully disclosed his purpose.

”Chang’an, it’s not that our Yan Family cannot accommodate you, nor are we ungrateful; rather... for the prosperity and growth of the clan, for Qingwan’s further progress on the Immortal Path, we must ask you to leave. If you have any request, feel free to make it!”

On the way coming from Tiezhu’s residence, Li Ji’an had actually thought it through.

Though discontented by being expelled, he understood; moreover, now seemed the opportune time to leave. Across this life, rejuvenation might be anticipated within the next decade, even if not expelled now, he’d leave under some pretext within one or two years.

Comparatively, being expelled now seemed beneficial.

Yet he sincerely explained the misunderstanding, stating he perceived Yan Qingwan as a younger sister, additionally confirming Qingwan regarded him as a mere kinship elder brother, asserting no cause for their concerns.

However, to avoid suspicion and unrest, he agreed with Yan Zongsheng’s decision.

The conditions were simple: firstly, requesting a Nourishing Source Pill.

Secondly, if possible in the future, hoping the clan accepts his offspring into the family.

At Li Ji’an’s great sense of righteousness, Yan Zongsheng instead questioned his own confidence regarding the current decision’s correctness, ultimately not only assenting to Li Ji’an’s two requests but also offering him an additional three hundred spirit stones as compensation.

An hour later, Li Ji’an secured the Yan Family Immortal Ascension Order and the Nourishing Source Pill, silently exiting the Yan Family, proceeding alone towards the southern Fallen Dragon Ridge Mountain Range...

At the top of the Yan Family Main Building, Yan Zongsheng stood atop, gazing distantly at the lone white figure not looking back, holding the ”Li’s Pill Records” handed to him by Li Ji’an, letting out a long, faint sigh.