Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Standing alone before the mountain gate, waiting for the Gatekeeper Disciple to report.

A stark contrast to the disciples coming and going from the Sect.

Nowadays, most disciples are in a hurry, but Li Ji’an appears relaxed and serene.

Soon, a young man dressed in Outer Sect attire rode a Magical Artifact to greet him from afar.

”Are you Fellow Daoist Li from the Immortal City?”

”I am Li Fan, invited to attend Elder Xiao’s Foundation Establishment celebration.” Li Ji’an responded with cupped hands.

”Welcome, Fellow Daoist Li. I am Senior Brother Xiao’s Steward Disciple; Senior Brother Xiao is currently occupied, so I have come to greet you on his behalf. Please.” The young man appeared exceptionally enthusiastic.

Outer Sect Disciples generally guard various peaks of the Sect, often handling some of the Sect’s miscellaneous duties.

Whereas once Inner Sect Disciples establish their Foundation, they are assigned independent Cave Mansions and Stewards.

For an Outer Sect Disciple to become the Cave Mansion Steward of a Foundation Establishment Senior Brother is quite a good position, as it not only elevates their status but also offers the potential for individual guidance and additional rewards from the Senior Brother.

”Thank you, Fellow Daoist.”

Following the young man, he rode the Magical Artifact deeper into the Sect.

Twenty-one years ago during the trial, he reached only as far as the Outer Sect’s Dharma Hall; this time, he directly traversed the heart of the Sect to the Inner Sect’s Cave Mansion area.

The journey was surrounded by Immortal Mountains and filled with abundant Spiritual Qi, free from the many worldly concerns of the Immortal City, truly satisfying Li Ji’an’s previous xianxia dreams.

Yet among the cultivators he encountered, there was a lack of ethereal presence, most of them stern-faced.

Until they landed midway up a mountain, finally reaching Xiao Changfeng’s private Cave Mansion.

The red silk decorations outside the Cave Mansion further disrupted the ethereal atmosphere.

It brought Li Ji’an back from his fantasy of an immortal land.

”Ultimately, this isn’t the Immortal Realm of his dreams!” Having been in this world for sixty-six years, the only thing that could still fill his imaginative space was the Ancient Cultivation Realm from six thousand years ago.

Unity of Heaven and Man, Ten Thousand Laws Struggle, relying not on external objects but more on cultivating body, mind, and spirit.

This was the flourishing cultivation era that Li Ji’an longed for!

Returning to his senses, Li Ji’an took out the congratulatory gift and handed it to the young man on duty.

”Fellow Daoist Li from the Immortal City presents a Middle Grade Magical Artifact as a gift for Senior Brother Xiao.” The guard immediately announced.

Just as these words were spoken, a figure hurried out of the Cave Mansion.

”Brother Li!”

This call of Brother Li genuinely surprised Li Ji’an.

In Cangyun State, whether Sect or Cultivation Clan, Foundation Establishment cultivators held a high status. Regardless of previous relationships, once someone advanced to Foundation Establishment, it marked the difference between being a senior and a junior.

Xiao Changfeng’s carefree nature, he had long understood.

Even when he received the invitation transmission for the Foundation Establishment celebration last month, it addressed him as Brother Li.

However, that was a private transmission, perhaps due to just having achieved Foundation Establishment and not yet adjusted.

But now, in public, in the heart of the Sect, Xiao Changfeng still called him Brother Li with such sincerity!

”This is improper. You have successfully completed Foundation Establishment and are now a senior expert...” Li Ji’an pretended to be flattered and declined.

However, Xiao Changfeng waved his hand: ”Brother Li, why be so conventional? If you truly call me a senior, our friendship would sever.”

Then, Xiao Changfeng shook his head with a bitter smile, transmitting his voice: ”Before last year, I was oppressed by worldly constraints, with various matters blocking my mind, leading to confusion and hindrance in cultivation. It was you who enlightened me, allowing me to gain clarity of mind.

After returning that day, I asked my heart, does the world have to be so? Is it correct just because it’s the way of the world?”

”Ultimately, I untied the knot in my heart, suddenly comprehended, and finally rediscovered my true self.”

Hearing this, Li Ji’an nodded silently.

Any society has its own rules and customs, as well as social niceties. Most people in their youth, being impulsive and boastful, believe they can transcend worldly affairs, only to have their spirits crushed, conforming eventually, becoming a part of the system they once defied.

He is such, Zhao Shuyao is such, and so are the rest of the common people.

Even when Zhang Tiezhu just advanced to the Middle Stage of Qi Cultivation, feeling a bit extraordinary, he was eager to conform to the local customs and addressed Li Ji’an as a fellow Daoist.

However, in this world, every era will have true prodigies who can genuinely adhere to their true selves, unburdened by the mundane.

Otherwise, if everything were a single color, there would be much less brilliance.

Twenty-one years ago, Xiao Changfeng already revealed an elegance different from his peers; however, during their first meeting before going to Flame Mountain, Li Ji’an clearly sensed he had been battered by society, much steadier than before. Who would have thought, at Spring Breeze Building last year, he unexpectedly regained his true self.

Of course, that night was merely a catalyst; the key reason still lies in the accumulation of contradictions repressed within his heart.

Still, whether he is truly the protagonist of this realm and can maintain his true self in the end is too early to conclude.

There are still many blows on the road of life waiting for him.

”Very well, congratulations on your successful Foundation Establishment, further along the Immortal Path.” Li Ji’an, conforming to local customs and rules, also because he has been battered, knowing he is not the protagonist of this realm and has no choice but to comply, so he could deeply understand Xiao Changfeng and no longer hesitated.

”Hahaha, indeed, Brother Li, please come inside!” Xiao Changfeng laughed openly and led Li Ji’an into the Cave Mansion.

Upon stepping into the Cave Mansion, Li Ji’an felt the nearly Second Tier Middle Grade Spiritual Qi density and silently praised it; it was more abundant and pure than the Spirit Vein Land of the Yan Family, with a notably higher concentration of Earth Spiritual Qi.