Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Since Li Ji’an came to the Immortal City, during this decade, he has been diligent and hardworking. His Alchemy Skill has improved rapidly, and he remains calm and composed, never causing trouble. Other than initially seeking Zhao Shuyao for a favor, he has never brought trouble to the Commerce Association.

Thus, Tong Xiangyu is very pleased with this junior, Li Ji’an.

That’s why she gave him face and allowed him upstairs.

Upon seeing him still remember the Yan Family’s kindness, proving he is not an ungrateful person, she holds him in even higher regard.

Sixty-six years ago, she valued Zhao Shuyao because she was not cold and ungrateful like many cultivators in the Cultivation Realm, and Li Ji’an now resembles her in this regard.

Actively striving, possessing a noble character, humble and courteous, not causing trouble—who wouldn’t like such a junior?

”As long as you have an understanding of this matter, there’s no need to ask much else; essentially, it doesn’t have much impact on you. The main influence lies at the top level. You can let the other party wait for some time, and the result should be evident in about another month.” Tong Xiangyu’s tone and attitude improved significantly.

”Thank you, Owner.” Li Ji’an folded his fists in gratitude.

Tong Xiangyu smiled gently and shook her head, ”No need to be so formal; in the future, just call me Sister.”

”…” Li Ji’an furrowed his brows slightly and suddenly remembered Zhao Shuyao’s advice, possibly due to her Cultivation Technique.

He also recalled the rumors about Tong Yaoyao’s biological father. After holding his breath slightly, Li Ji’an cupped his hands again, ”Thank you, Sister Yu.”

In terms of his actual lived years, not counting the thirty or so years on Earth before traversing this realm, Li Ji’an has been alive for a hundred and ninety-three years, similar in age to Tong Xiangyu, so calling her Sister is fitting.

However...the generations are confused.

How should Tong Yaoyao position herself in the future?

Fortunately, in the Cultivation Realm, without close blood relations, there aren’t rigid hierarchies; it primarily depends on Cultivation Realm.

But after this incident, he decided to heed Zhao Shuyao’s advice: unless absolutely necessary, he would never linger under Tong Xiangyu’s watchful eye again; he’d rather rely on his own efforts.

After descending the stairs, Li Ji’an did not disclose the secrets Tong Xiangyu shared with him, but merely advised to wait a bit longer as instructed.

Yan Kongyi was here representing the five families in the Desert, aiming to purchase a batch of Second Tier combat resources. These resources are sensitive in Cangyun State, making local transactions difficult.

Only foreign forces like the Nine Tripods Commerce Association have some ease, though even they must consider the Biyun Sect’s stance. The current situation is unstable, so such trades require caution.

Compared to his previous attempt without even meeting anyone, Li Ji’an successfully delivered his message, satisfying Yan Kongyi.

But Yan Kongyi also gained new insights into Li Ji’an’s status in the Immortal City.

Subsequently, Yan Kongyi and Yan Qing settled in the city’s inn, waiting for news.

Meanwhile, Li Ji’an successfully refined his first supreme grade Pill Medicine during this period.

The Tier One Late Period supreme Green Condensation Pill, which can significantly refine Dantian Magical Power, lays a solid foundation for the Foundation Establishment Grand Barrier.

Simultaneously, the first supreme grade Pill Medicine’s emergence also marks Li Ji’an’s potential to advance towards the Third Tier Pill King.

Among the Hundred Skills of Cultivation, the higher one rises, the more the requirements for Comprehension and Talent escalate, beyond merely Magical Power and Divine Soul. Even if a common Tier One Pill Master meets the requirements for Second Tier Magical Power and Divine Soul, without mastering Second Tier Alchemy Inheritance, it’s uncertain they can comprehend the Second Tier Pill Medicine refining methods.

Second Tier Pill Medicines correspond to Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators; their medicinal properties and effects are vastly different from those in the Qi Cultivation Stage.

Whereas a Pill Master capable of refining supreme grade Tier One Pill Medicine can generally advance to a Second Tier Pill Master once their Magical Power and Divine Soul meet the criteria. If they can refine supreme grade Pill Medicine, they have hopes of advancing to Third Tier Pill Master.

In Cangyun State, and even across the Celestial Cyan Domain, Third Tier Pill Masters earn the title of Pill King.

Half a month later, Yan Kongyi couldn’t suppress his impatience anymore and sought out Li Ji’an, wishing to see with his own eyes what level his Talisman Art had reached.

Ten years ago, when Li Ji’an left the family and left behind the Talisman explanation, which increasingly shocked Yan Kongyi upon viewing. The understanding and insights within far exceeded what Li Ji’an previously demonstrated, even enlightening and improving Yan Kongyi’s Talisman Art.

Nonetheless, knowing is easy, doing is hard; Yan Kongyi wasn’t sure if Li Ji’an’s theory is impressive, but what about practice.

”Come on, young lad, let this old man see how your Talisman Art has progressed or not.” Yan Kongyi looked at Li Ji’an with some expectation.

Li Ji’an hesitantly shook his head, ”Elder, you’ll be disappointed. Over the years, most of my efforts in the Immortal City have been devoted to Alchemy Skill, leaving me really unfamiliar with the path of Talismans.”

”Hmph! This old man knows you, boy. At your young age, you’re scheming deep. Without outsiders here and being within the Immortal City, show what you truly have.”

Li Ji’an repeatedly apologized, firmly deciding not to reveal, ”Grand Elder, I know your expectations for the path of Talismans. Unfortunately, my energy and talent are truly limited, betraying your hopes. Regardless, if I have descendants in the future, I promise to nurture them to emphasize the Talisman Dao you taught.”

Yan Kongyi frowned deeply, showing disappointment, finally just sighing, ”Ah, well, well.”

This matched his expectations, after all, one’s energy is limited. Deeply studying Alchemy Dao while thriving in the Immortal City required extraordinary talent in Alchemy Dao, demanding undivided dedication.

”Since you said this, I trust you once more, and will tell you a secret: this old man’s Talisman Art inheritance is absolutely exceptional, obtained unexpectedly by ancestors during pioneering three hundred years ago, and there might be higher inheritances there. However, nobody in the family for generations had talent for Talisman Dao, delaying it, leaving it to gather dust all this time.

If your descendants can excel in this Tier One inheritance, they should go deep into Fallen Dragon Ridge, where there’s an ancient tomb faintly there. The outer part has been excavated and cleared, but the inner layer requires a special Spirit Awakening Talisman from this inheritance to open.”

Before finishing, Yan Kongyi already took out a Jade Scroll prepared earlier from a Storage Pouch; ”Inside is an analysis of the Spirit Awakening Talisman from the inheritance, along with the tomb’s location.”

Li Ji’an instantly became solemn, raising his eyes to look at Yan Kongyi.

At this moment, he finally understood why Yan Kongyi had been delving into Talisman Dao for years, realizing the emphasis placed on him in the past, even attempting to keep him in the family forcibly.

A common Tier One Talisman inheritance is worthless, but an ancient Tier Two Talisman Dao inheritance can give birth to a powerful Foundation Establishment Clan.

Unfortunately, the Yan Family hasn’t produced a Talisman Dao genius in over three hundred years, due to insufficient resources for developing a seasoned Talisman Master, failing to excel in this Tier One inheritance. Except for this old vow by Yan Kongyi, most clansmen have given up.

Now they face tense desert circumstances; Yan Kongyi sees bleak prospects, not wanting the Talisman Dao inheritance to vanish, hence pinning hopes on Li Ji’an.

”If my descendants have this opportunity, I will certainly ensure they pass the inheritance within the clan!” Li Ji’an solemnly promised.

Yan Kongyi nodded, displaying little reaction. Given current desert tensions, he doubts the Yan Family’s existence in the future, or he wouldn’t have disclosed such a secret to outsiders.

Releasing the burden he had been carrying in his heart, Yan Kongyi suddenly felt a sense of relief, as if an invisible weight had been lifted.

Immediately, he dismissed Li Ji’an, drank the Second Tier Spirit Tea, used Li Ji’an’s Alchemy Room, held the Talisman Brush he gifted to Li Ji’an, and cleared his mind of all distractions, starting to draw talismans.

This state of mind had not occurred since the Desert became chaotic.

Li Ji’an initiated the Restriction Array for him and went to the courtyard.

Yan Qing was quietly cultivating in the courtyard.

Since the Desert became chaotic ten years ago, he spent most of his time on standby at the frontline, often cultivating in fragmented moments. Coming to the Immortal City this time, he could finally cultivate in peace.

Especially upon seeing Li Ji’an’s current cultivation at Qi Cultivation 9th Layer peak, his previously somewhat proud mentality within the clan was shaken.

”Buzz~” At this moment, the Communication Talisman in his bosom vibrated.

It was from Xiao Changfeng, who hadn’t been heard from since last year.

”I was fortunate, by heavenly grace, to succeed in Foundation Establishment. I specially invite Brother Li to gather before the fifteenth of next month.”

”Foundation Establishment!” Li Ji’an was somewhat surprised.

During the Spring Festival last year, he drunkenly confessed that he was close to accumulating enough resources for Foundation Establishment, but suddenly there was a resource shortage within the sect, and his master told him to wait a few more years, saying it wouldn’t be a bad thing to hone more.

Unexpectedly, he succeeded in Foundation Establishment now.

Once an Inner Sect Disciple achieves Foundation Establishment, they can have their own Cave Mansion, with the qualification to invite friends from outside the sect for gatherings.

Whenever someone achieves Foundation Establishment in Cangyun State, family cultivators celebrate for seven days and nights with the intention to declare to the world their strength.

When Yan Qingwan achieved Foundation Establishment, the Desert was lively for half a month.

As for Biyun Sect, a disciple’s Foundation Establishment is a joyous event, but not overly ostentatious; they permit disciples to host banquets in their Cave Mansion for relatives and friends.

”Who achieved Foundation Establishment?” Yan Qing, who was cultivating, urgently asked upon hearing.

Li Ji’an snapped back to reality and informed him of the matter.

”What! Biyun Sect’s Inner Sect Disciple achieved Foundation Establishment and even invited you to celebrate?” Yan Qing’s eyes instantly widened on hearing this.

The mere mention of Biyun Sect’s Inner Sect Disciple made him feel a gap.

In contrast, the sect’s Foundation Establishment Taoists are figures he couldn’t possibly look directly upon.

Sect Foundation Establishment cultivators hold a higher position and status than the Foundation Establishment Ancestors of their family.

After all, the Desert Foundation Establishment Ancestors nearly have no potential or hope left, while sect Foundation Establishment cultivators have the potential to become True Man.

Yan Qing, lost in thought, recalled the scene of Ancestor Qingwan’s Foundation Establishment grand celebration, which he personally witnessed.

He was six years old then, the moment he saw the most Foundation Establishment experts in his life.

It was also the Yan Family’s brightest moment.

Coming back to his senses, he looked at Li Ji’an, feeling unfamiliar.

In just a decade, back then he and Li Ji’an were both at Mid Qi Cultivation Stage, yet, unexpectedly, after he left the family to come to the Immortal City, Li Ji’an had attained such a status and position.

Commerce Honored Guest Elder, personally received by the host, he had connections with sect disciples, and even now, has the qualification to attend the Foundation Establishment experts’ celebration...

Seeing Yan Qing’s drastic mental shift, Li Ji’an quickly chanted the Purifying Heart Spell silently, pointing a finger at his forehead.

”Brother Qing, calm and concentrate, everyone has their own destiny, no need to compare.”

Touched by the Purifying Heart Spell, Yan Qing’s mental state gradually stabilized, though his eyes still carried a sense of disbelief.

In the days that followed, his attitude toward Li Ji’an was no longer as casual as before, with a faint reverence evident in his words and actions.

Meanwhile, Yan Kongyi, after experiencing a few days of transcendent tranquility, fell into anxiety due to family communications, feeling increasingly restless in the Immortal City.

Until half a month later, on this day.

A piece of news exploded in the Immortal City, akin to a bolt from the blue.

”Biyun Sect is selling the hundred-year control rights of Golden Splendor Immortal City!”

”Limited to local forces of Celestial Cyan Domain, pay it all at once, and you’ll have complete control rights for a hundred years.”

”Open auction in three days, highest bidder wins!”

…

For a while, almost all topics within the Immortal City were related to this.

Though Li Ji’an had some speculation nine years earlier, and was further hinted by Tong Xiangyu last month, he still found it incredible upon receiving the news.

”What exactly does Biyun Sect intend to do?”

”Gathering such an enormous amount of Spirit Stones so urgently?”

Nine years ago, when he began ordering large quantities of Spirit Supplement Pills, Li Ji’an suspected they might make a large-scale move externally.

Further, after Granny You was taken away, Li Ji’an suspected it was related to breaking the array.

Now... it seems the cards are going to be revealed.