Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

After bidding farewell to Zhao Shuyao, Li Ji’an returned to the residential area at the intersection of the inner and outer city.

As soon as he stepped into that alley, neighbors came forward one after another to greet him respectfully.

By the time he reached his courtyard gate, almost all the neighbors in the alley were there.

Li Ji’an had lived here for nearly thirteen years, maintaining a balanced exchange of human sentiments and interests. Besides Granny You, a confidant with whom he could chat and relax, his interpersonal relationships were always at a level of trust between being more than strangers, yet not quite friends.

He avoided disturbances without boundaries and maintained reasonable transactions.

”Enjoy!” Li Ji’an was calm yet had an additional reasonable layer of aloofness that told strangers to keep their distance.

After tossing out over twenty spirit stones, Li Ji’an waved his hand, ”May you all diligently cultivate; my path lies ahead of yours.”

Towards Zhao Shuyao and others, there was no need for the airs of a Foundation Establishment elder, but for others, Li Ji’an still needed to adhere to local customs. After all, he wasn’t yet powerful enough to act with impunity or play games with the world.

Dispersing the crowd, Li Ji’an activated an array and entered the courtyard.

Xiaoqiao, Gugu, and Little Fire were already eagerly waiting.

”Uncle Li!”

”Gua~”

”Hoo~Hoo~”

Li Ji’an put away his aloof expression, smiled at them: ”I’ve successfully established my foundation. Things will keep getting better in the future.”

That day, Li Ji’an personally cooked and taught Xiaoqiao several of his signature dishes.

This was a small celebration within the family.

After the meal, he originally wanted to spar with Gugu, not only to test the might of his foundation-stage magical power but also to discipline Gugu a little. Unfortunately, the courtyard was too small to showcase his skills.

Later, when trying to cultivate, he clearly felt that the Upper Grade Tier One Spirit Vein in this place could hardly satisfy the absorption and refining of spiritual energy needed at the Foundation Establishment stage. Compared to the Upper Grade Tier Two Cave Mansion, the efficiency was only about thirty percent.

Changing the Dao Field is inevitable.

He knew this well before establishing his foundation.

What is most lacking in Cangyun State? It’s definitely a Spirit Vein Dao Field.

Why is it difficult for loose cultivators? It’s because there’s no free cultivation field.

If there’s an unclaimed Spirit Vein Land, people would invariably go crazy competing for it.

However, Li Ji’an currently has relatively many choices.

If he freeloads, he could join the Five Great Clans as an honored alchemist. As long as he shows sixty percent of his true alchemy prowess, he would surely be warmly welcomed.

But such an action would almost cut off his path, making it impossible to gather resources for Core Formation.

Another freeload option is to join Biyun Sect as a full-time Pill Master, sacrificing freedom and fully committing to the Alchemy Dao, which might even affect cultivation progress. The advantage is the chance to access rare Core Formation resources that can’t be bought even with spirit stones, but accumulating such contribution is not easy.

The main issue is Biyun Sect is currently focusing efforts on big endeavors, the success of which is uncertain, making it not the right time to join.

Otherwise, he could rent a Dao Field. Besides Golden Splendor Immortal City, Cangyun State has two other large markets with Tier Two Spirit Vein Land, controlled by the Five Great Clans.

However, Golden Splendor Immortal City is the first choice regardless of safety, the abundance of spirit veins, or the richness of Tier Two materials.

Steward Qi has already offered an olive branch. As long as Li Ji’an stays in the Immortal City, there’s a discount on Inner City Tier Two Dao Fields.

Early the next morning, Li Ji’an tidied up everything in the courtyard, stored Gugu in the Spirit Pet Bag, put Fire Spirit into his Dantian, and took Xiaoqiao to the Immortal City administration office.

Steward Qi was overjoyed and personally led Li Ji’an to the core residential area of the Inner City. This area was newly designated by the Qi Family after taking over, specifically reserved as a residential zone for special talents of the Immortal City.

Non-high-tier talents approved by the Immortal City are not allowed to rent in this area.

Also, rent comes with significant discounts.

But as a Pill Master, Li Ji’an did not have many choices because residences in this area are constructed and decorated according to skill needs, and there are currently only two Tier Two Pill Master’s mansions within.

One mansion already has an owner, Alchemist Zou was among the first invited to settle in the area as a skill master, and his mansion is relatively close at the east side, the second from the front.

To separate the residences of skill masters of the same type and avoid harmful competition, Steward Qi showed Li Ji’an another mansion situated at the westmost end.

Both are Middle Grade Tier Two Spirit Vein Dao Fields, occupying nearly ten acres, about the size of a soccer field.

Moreover, surrounding mansions are at least ten yards apart, and because it’s at the extreme end, the nearest mansions are only the one opposite marked with the character ”Gou” and the one to the east marked with ”Hua”. Further afield lies the opposite diagonal mansion marked ”Bai”.

Steward Qi introduced; opposite Gou Mansion resides a Tier Two Puppet Master. Li Ji’an has long heard of him; during the skill master elections in Immortal City ten years ago, Gou Puppet Master was almost universally known.

Who would have thought that back then, a Qi Cultivation late-stage cultivator could create a Tier Two puppet?

Most suspect he had obtained some grand opportunity.

If he leaves the Immortal City, he might soon be reported missing.

Hua Mansion belongs to a Tier Two Artifact Refiner. Steward Qi specifically instructed that he’s somewhat ill-tempered, best to minimize interaction.

As for Bai Mansion, Li Ji’an is quite interested, it’s home to a Tier Two Physician.

Li Ji’an is very satisfied with this mansion. Relatively independent, it’s quiet, and does not lack clients.

Worth mentioning, after Li Ji’an ascended to Tier Two Pill Master, his Honored Guest Elder status at Pill Cauldron Pavilion becomes meaningless unless he continues to refine Tier One pills.

Because the Commerce Association’s Pill Shop primarily caters to consumer cultivators of the mass market, focusing on Tier One to maximize sales.

As for Tier Two pills, one, the market is inherently small, and most will seek reputable Pill Masters for purchases.

Two, refining Tier Two pills isn’t easy, producing only a few a month, selling by count; unsuitable for bulk sales.

So, commercial cooperation with Tier Two Pill Masters is almost impossible within Golden Splendor Immortal City.

Now Li Ji’an’s clients have become patrons coming to him.

Living here, with the Immortal City’s endorsement, he won’t need to worry; clients will come proactively.

Of course, the most important factor is that this area receives special protection from the Immortal City, greatly enhancing safety.

Ultimately, after making a one-time payment of five thousand spirit stones, Li Ji’an obtained ten-year residency rights for this mansion.

After Steward Qi handed over the Jade Talisman controlling the Hospital Protection Array to Li Ji’an, he carved the character ”Li” in a blank space in the center of the mansion.

For the next ten years, Li Mansion will be the Dao Field where Li Ji’an cultivates and seeks his path.

After sending off Steward Qi, Li Ji’an brought Xiaoqiao inside.

A four-section residence, just the side annex in the front courtyard is larger than the courtyard he rented previously.

Inside, there are pavilions and towers; winding paths lead to secluded places, a gentle stream meandering through the front courtyard converging into a large pond in the back courtyard.

Gugu was thrilled, eagerly diving right in.

Xiaoqiao was measuring every corner of the mansion from the front entrance, step by step.

Li Ji’an first activated the Hospital Protection Array, then used a divine sense comparable to Late Period Foundation Establishment to inspect every corner.

Then he let Gugu burrow underground to thoroughly explore the surrounding underground.

Only after confirming everything was fine did he truly settle in.

That night, Li Ji’an prepared to message Yan Qingwan, informing her of his Foundation Establishment, and inquire about the current wilderness situation when Yan Qingwan sent a message instead.

Yan Kongyi was seriously injured, his days numbered, wishing to see him one last time.