Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Chapter 93: Chapter 7: Journey to the Immortal City

Golden Splendor Immortal City, Nine Tripods Commerce Association.

”Aunt Yao, are you still thinking about that ungrateful fellow?” Despite over thirty years having passed, Tong Yaoyao remained youthful and beautiful, her personality unchanged thanks to a life of prosperity and tranquility. Only in front of others did she act more composed.

Zhao Shuyao heard and, with a calm demeanor, did not hide the letter in her hand, letting it lay there.

”Why are you speaking nonsense? Aunt Yao is an old woman now, merely reminiscing about old friends.” At seventy-three years old, Zhao Shuyao’s tone was relaxed, accompanied by a kindly smile, carrying a hint of the scholarly twilight.

Tong Yaoyao approached and crouched in front of Zhao Shuyao, helping to smooth her hair, with a few scattered silver strands, a note of loss in her voice: ”Aunt Yao, you had a chance to obtain a Youthful Appearance Pill a few years ago...”

Zhao Shuyao gently drew her into an embrace: ”Silly child, Aunt Yao has no magical power, and her vitality is already waning. The Youthful Appearance Pill cannot bring about rejuvenation, it only delays aging a bit, which isn’t necessary.”

Tong Yaoyao sighed, hesitated to speak, then suddenly, with determined eyes, said: ”Aunt Yao, this time, I’m definitely going to strive to get a Demon Core for you to break through to Second Tier Body Cultivation!”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shuyao’s face revealed a hint of expectation.

She had been stuck at the peak of Tier One Body Cultivation for twenty years, previously giving up the Youthful Appearance Pill to strive for advancement to Second Tier Body Cultivation.

Once she advanced to Second Tier Body Cultivation, she would have some confidence to investigate the family that was raising blood slaves, with the possibility of revenge. At the very least, using her life to rip off a piece of meat from them could bring some peace of mind; otherwise, she might die with regrets.

Although her vitality was waning now, there was still a chance to make a push for Second Tier. If delayed by a few more years and vitality declined further, even with a Demon Core, hope might be lost.

”Buzz~” At this moment, the Communication Talisman in her embrace vibrated slightly.

Zhao Shuyao took out the Communication Talisman.

The message from Zhang Tiezhu instantly changed her expression!

”Near the upper grade!”

”How is this... how is this possible?”

Nineteen threads of Spirit Charm in the Spirit Root talent left Zhao Shuyao utterly stunned.

Tong Yaoyao was also quite surprised: ”That guy’s son actually has such a good Spirit Root? Didn’t he only have two threads?”

”What kind of Dao companion did Brother Li find?” Sixteen years ago, upon learning that Li Ji’an was expelled from the Yan Family, Zhao Shuyao lamented the unpredictability of life. She later tried to contact him but failed.

Back then, Zhang Tiezhu had told her the reason for Li Ji’an’s expulsion from the clan.

This made her wish to meet the eldest daughter of the Yan Family.

However, the news seven years ago about Li Fan’s return to the clan stirred up some unusual feelings.

She never expected that after leaving the Yan Family, Li Ji’an would find a Dao companion so quickly, and calculated that he must have had offspring at the time.

This revived some dormant melancholy that had settled over many years.

She originally believed that Li Ji’an was focused solely on the Immortal Path, and thus rejected her forty years ago.

Fortunately, being older now, those emotions faded quickly.

Over these seven years, she often inquired about Li Fan’s news from Zhang Tiezhu, in her heart considering him the dearest younger generation in this world.

After all, he was Brother Li’s child.

The five of them arrived in this world, with no relatives, only each other as the closest people.

She discussed with Zhang Tiezhu and Dong Jiangling the possibility of offering help.

However, none of them had high hopes, as Li Ji’an’s Spirit Root talent was the weakest among them.

But now... Li Fan’s Spirit Root left Zhao Shuyao incredulous, yet hopeful.

With such Spirit Root talent, as long as he had the resources, achieving Foundation Establishment was a sure thing, and perhaps... they might even dream of Core Formation.

More importantly, Zhang Tiezhu had probed over the years, discovering that Li Fan actually knew about the Immortal Dynasty and the family raising blood slaves. He claimed his father instructed him: if he had the strength, he must avenge the predecessors who were deceived by the Immortal Dynasty over the century!

”Yaoyao, Aunt Yao never asked this of you, but this time, Aunt Yao begs you...” Shortly thereafter, Zhao Shuyao made her decision.

She decided to give up the resources that could potentially allow her to break through to Second Tier Body Cultivation in exchange for Yaoyao’s support for Li Fan!

At the same time, she eagerly wished to meet Brother Li’s son!

Three days later, another unexpected piece of news stirred her emotions.

”The eldest daughter took Xiaofan to participate in the Biyun Sect trials!”

”Is the eldest daughter of the Yan Family also coming?” Upon receiving this news, Zhao Shuyao was excited to soon see Brother Li’s offspring, but also apprehensive about meeting the Yan Family’s eldest daughter, whom Brother Li had long desired in vain.

After all, she was already a Foundation Establishment Ancestor, with a status that was transcendental.

Tong Yaoyao, upon hearing this, firmly stood behind Zhao Shuyao, ”Aunt Yao, there’s no need to fear her. Didn’t you forget? Yao Yao is also a Foundation Establishment Taoist!”

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Years ago when Yan Qingwan established her Foundation, she was quietly escorted by her clan to Golden Splendor Immortal City, where she stayed for four years, making the Immortal City familiar to her.

Now steady in her Foundation Establishment, she could travel across the Celestial Cyan Domain without restrictions.

With her Foundation successfully established, the foundation of her Dao is initially laid, her magical power is vastly superior to the Qi Refining Stage; unless there is a life-and-death vendetta, no one wishes to provoke her, not even a Core Formation True Man would target her without cause.

On this day, Yan Qingwan piloted a flying boat, carrying Li Ji’an towards Golden Splendor Immortal City.

”Fan’Er, do you blame aunt for sending you out of the clan?” Yan Qingwan stood on the flying boat, looking at Li Ji’an, who was now taller than her by half a head, and gently asked.

Li Ji’an smiled, his eyes full of gratitude, ”Aunt, I’m not a child anymore. How could I not understand your well-meaning intentions? No matter if this trial allows me to enter the sect or not, I will forever remember this kindness!”

”Fan’Er is indeed wise! Don’t feel pressured about entering Biyun Sect; just do your best. Aunt will always stand behind you.” Yan Qingwan looked at Li Ji’an dotingly, her smile sweet and radiant.

The journey to Golden Splendor Immortal City is ten thousand miles away, with most of the route passing through Spirit Starved Land. With the Yan Clan’s flying boat, it would take nearly four months.

Yan Qingwan occasionally sat in meditation, cultivating and replenishing magical power.

Li Ji’an, preparing to participate in the sect’s entrance trial, had not been taught the Yan family’s Upper Grade cultivation technique, ”Flame Dragon Technique,” as upon entry to a major technique in this realm, it is nearly impossible to cultivate another technique within a small realm. Rebuilding the technique consumes potential.

He spent most of his time on the flying boat refining his energy and blood.

Meanwhile, he compared the flying boat from forty years ago piloted by the Guiding Immortal Master, which was one level above the Yan’s flying boat, indirectly confirming Zhao Shuyao’s old information—perhaps the family raising the blood slaves truly was one of the Five Great Clans.

”Fellow Daoist Yan, long time no see!” Just as they left the Fallen Dragon Ridge Desert, a flying boat pursued them from behind.

Yan Qingwan’s Divine Sense swept, her gaze turned cold, and she immediately stood at the bow, staring at the familiar figure on the trailing flying boat.

”Fellow Daoist Zheng’s actions are indeed reckless—aren’t you afraid of instigating a severe confrontation?”

”Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Yan jests. Who in the world doesn’t know that the Yan and Zheng families have been close for nine generations, allied together, even among the Desert Eight Great Families, they are the most intimate—so where’s the talk of conflict?” Zheng Tianxiang laughed heartily while dispersing his magical power.

He established his Foundation three years before Yan Qingwan, but unfortunately, when his Foundation was just achieved, he imprudently returned to his clan without stabilizing, only to be ambushed by two Foundation Establishment Tribulation Cultivators. Although clan Foundation establishment guardians prevented fatality, nourishing over the years couldn’t break through further.

The Zheng Family suspected the black market bounties from the other seven Desert families caused this, but they lack evidence.

The Zheng Family seemed dormant these years, unexpectedly revealing themselves today.

”Fellow Daoist Zheng, your refined cultivation indeed advances further.” Yan Qingwan sneered and sarcastically remarked about his thick skin.

Zheng Tianxiang was not concerned, ”Fellow Daoist Yan, your praises are false. This visit is truly an attempt to maintain the bond between our families.”

Without waiting for Yan Qingwan’s response, he took out a storage pouch, ”Today I learned of Fellow Daoist Yan’s niece or nephew’s near Upper Grade Spirit Root and intent to enter the sect, specifically coming to present my gifts, please graciously accept.”

Yan Qingwan paid no heed to Zheng Tianxiang but looked toward Li Ji’an.

”Haha, young friend, I am Zheng Tianxiang, and once shared a deep friendship with your father—a relationship like Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya, truly delightful and commendable.” Zheng Tianxiang seeing Yan Qingwan silent, then turned to Li Ji’an.

What a friendship like Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya, Li Ji’an inwardly chuckled.

This Zheng Tianxiang had tempted him several times to leave the market, his intentions were clear, already marked on his little notebook.

”Oh, furthermore, your father’s former mentor, Alchemist Mo also entrusted me to deliver a gift to you, he once promised your father that he would take care of you.” Zheng Tianxiang said while taking out a bottle of pill medicine.

At this, even Yan Qingwan laughed.

”Fan’Er, since Fellow Daoist Zheng is so generous, you might as well accept it.” With these words, she reached out and took the items from Zheng Tianxiang’s hands.

Seeing this, Zheng Tianxiang did not delay further, and with a bow to Yan Qingwan, said ”Haha, very well then, the Zheng family’s sincerity is genuine. May Fellow Daoist Yan put past grievances aside, and also wish young friend success in the sect entrance assessment, goodbye.”

Yan Qingwan used her Divine Sense for careful inspection, confirming the storage pouch with two hundred spirit stones was without anomaly, and the bottle of Mid-stage Qi Replenishing Pill was fine too. She momentarily looked in suspicion at Zheng Tianxiang’s departing back.

”Could it be he truly wishes to form good relations with the Yan family?”

Li Ji’an’s eyes slightly narrowed.

The Zheng family seems to be planning some action.

”Alliance!”