Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Chapter 91: Chapter 5: Astonishing Spirit Root

Yan Clan Courtyard’s cultivation plaza was bustling today, not only with the academy’s students forming a circle to see the spirit root potential of this year’s clan members whose spirit roots were nearly formed.

Some idle clansmen also came to observe.

Except for Yan Qingwan and those who were close to Li Ji’an, most were female cultivators in the clan.

They also wanted to see what kind of partner Honored Guest Li, who once looked down on them, had chosen, and what kind of spirit root their child had.

”Jin the Fifth, Mu the Second, Shui the Fifth, Huo the Fourth, Tu the Third... Lower Grade.”

”Jin the Third, Mu the Second, Shui Er, Huo the Fifth, Tu the Fifth... Lower Grade.”

...

As usual, several in succession had Lower Grade spirit roots.

However, three of them had more than five strands of spirit charm, which was quite good.

If their heart nature and comprehension were up to par, they would be worth nurturing within the clan.

This was the norm in the cultivation realm.

”Li Fan is up next.” In the crowd, Yan Qing tugged on his father Zhang Tiezhu’s sleeve.

Zhang Tiezhu immediately perked up.

”It has to be at least Middle Grade!” he prayed softly.

Besides the previous guilt towards Li Ji’an, he had high expectations for Li Fan.

Over the past seven years, Li Fan’s intelligence and sensibility made him feel particularly close, and sometimes he saw the shadow of Li Ji’an in him.

The style of doing things, the maturity in dealing with people, and the steady disposition, often made him marvel at how well Brother Li’s traits had been passed on, using Li Fan as a benchmark to reprimand Yan Qing multiple times.

Two years ago, when Yan Qing was tested for spirit roots, it finally didn’t disappoint Zhang Tiezhu’s hard work over the years, with the Earth Spirit Root sensing up to eleven strands at Middle Grade.

However, his nature was still somewhat mischievous, refining the body three years earlier than Li Ji’an, yet now only barely at the entry level. Comparing this to the Martial Dao of the Immortal Dynasty, he was merely at Bone Forging, even this was due to Zhang Tiezhu’s pressure to train him.

In this world, children mainly pursued cultivation techniques and were not fond of body refining.

Meanwhile, Li Fan was already close to achieving Tier One Body Refining Early Period Great Success.

Zhang Tiezhu’s hopes for Li Fan mainly lay in avenging the family who treated them like blood slaves.

These years he maintained communication with Zhao Shuyao and Dong Jiangling, even more frequently as they aged.

The three often spoke of being unable to let go of that matter.

They also expressed concerns about the Immortal Dynasty, fearing that if the family outlasted them, they would continue to commit such evil.

However, the three of them almost had no hope. Even their children’s generation saw no hope.

Dong Jiangling’s daughter, already thirty-seven, because of her Middle Grade spirit root talent, had the fortune to enter a local Foundation Establishment clan. However, aside from her lacking heart nature, the family mainly intended for her to breed offspring without genuinely supporting her, making Foundation Establishment hopeless, and she had already settled down and had children.

Zhang Tiezhu’s eldest son was also a Middle Grade spirit root, but was not close to Zhang Tiezhu. Considering the Yan Family’s situation, if he stayed there, he was unlikely to reach Foundation Establishment.

In their view, to thoroughly investigate and have the ability to resolve that matter, at least Foundation Establishment cultivation was necessary.

Thus, they always remained tight-lipped, not informing their children of the past.

The three considered exposing the wrongdoings just before their deaths, but feared it would bring disaster to their descendants and main family.

Now, Li Fan’s status in the Yan family coupled with his excellence in body refining and disposition brought them hope again.

However, they were concerned about Li Ji’an’s spirit root.

Li Ji’an walked to the Spirit Testing Stone, slowly exhaled, and placed his hand on it.

Hum~

The Spirit Testing Stone trembled slightly, and soon spirit charm began to manifest on it.

Above the golden sword, eight strands.

”So high!” Zhang Tiezhu was immediately shocked!

He remembered clearly that when Li Ji’an was first tested, besides having two strands of Fire Spirit Root, all others were one strand.

”Could it be Brother Li found a partner with excellent Gold Element Spirit Root?”

”Gold Element!” Yan Qingwan slightly narrowed her eyes, hoping Li Fan’s Fire Spirit Root would reach five strands, giving him a chance to advance to Late Period Qi Cultivation, and hope to become a seasoned Pill Master, or if Wood Element reached above five strands, that would also be good, as Wood Magic Power is enduring and suitable for Talisman Painting.

But with the Gold Element, she was troubled.

Admittedly, in large clans or Great Immortal Cities, Gold Element spirit roots were more favorable, especially in the Sword Sect of Dao Source State.

Gold Element Magic Power’s attack power was absolute, known as the slaughter spirit root, able to easily break the defenses of cultivators of other elements, except Earth Element cultivators specializing in defense.

However, that required high-tier cultivation techniques, and the Gold Element techniques available in the desert were too low-level.

But before she could think further.

Suddenly, an outburst of amazement erupted in the arena.

On the Spirit Testing Stone, a small sapling manifested fourteen strands of spirit charm.

”Middle Grade Wood Element!”

Yan Kongyi stood up abruptly, his aged eyes shining brightly: ”Good! The Yan Family is going to have a Talisman Master!”

In recent years, Li Ji’an’s comprehension made him constantly marvel, sometimes wishing he could exchange brains with Li Ji’an.

He remembered clearly that his first Talisman Art took ten days to roughly grasp a single talisman stroke, while Li Ji’an, in just three days, was already freely and skillfully sketching.

Seeing Li Ji’an’s Wood Element spirit root with fourteen strands of spirit charm, if not for maintaining his seasoned and prudent image within the clan, he might have leapt into the air, flipping hundreds of times in joy.

”This kid!” Only Yan Hongsheng looked slightly disappointed.

When the Gold Element spirit root was revealed with eight strands, he had a glimmer of hope, as Gold Element Magic Power has significant attack power, which, combined with body cultivator close combat strength, could be a formidable combination.

However, seeing the Middle Grade Wood Element spirit root, he exhaled slowly.

Although he very much wished for the family’s body cultivation to progress, he also knew that those who could cultivate techniques wouldn’t choose body refining!

Yet, with a sudden smile, he quickly came to terms.

A Tier One seasoned Talisman Master would surely benefit the family much more than a body cultivator!

”What kind of partner did that old fellow choose?”

At this moment, the Spirit Testing Stone exhibited water-like spirit charm, nine strands.

”Why are they all so high!”

”Good! Water nourishes wood; master the Wood Technique, with the Water Technique as an auxiliary, allowing Wood Technique to continue endlessly— a born Talisman Master!” Yan Kongyi called out again, evidently unable to suppress his joy.

The Five Elements generate and overcome each other, and the five methods complement one another.

The main cultivated magic power resides within the Dantian, transforming it and enhancing cultivation.

The supplementary magic power attaches outside the Dantian, also effective as magic power.

The prerequisite is sufficient spirit root sensing!

Yan Qingwan also nodded with a smile, more than satisfied with this result.

After seven years together, she naturally knew of Li Fan’s exceptional comprehension, on par with Brother Li of the past, whether in alchemy or talisman making, he wouldn’t fall short.

But just when her mind was settled.

”Wow~” another wave of astonishment spread across the plaza.

”Nineteen strands of Fire Element, just one strand shy of Upper Grade spirit root!”

”My goodness, our Yan family almost produced an Upper Grade spirit root.”

...

Upper Grade spirit root would easily achieve Foundation Establishment, and if magical power was solidified and the physical body strong, Core Formation might also be possible without a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Unfortunately, it’s just two strands short of spirit charm.

”Good! Good! Good!” Zhang Tiezhu clenched his fists tightly, his bones creaking, eager to immediately inform Zhao Shuyao and Dong Jiangling.

With a spirit root talent of nineteen strands, the three of them would do whatever it took to support him, perhaps even witness the downfall of that villainous family in their lifetime!

”How is this possible!” Yan Qingwan stood sharply, her beautiful eyes locking onto Li Ji’an, three emotions clashing intensely.

Firstly, the family gaining another seasoned Pill Master.

Secondly, what kind of partner did Brother Li indeed find?

Thirdly, with such a spirit root, how could one only be satisfied with Qi Cultivation? But Foundation Establishment...