Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Chapter 150: Chapter 38: Returning Home in Glory

In front of Spirit Pearl Mountain, a graceful silhouette maneuvered her Escape Light, soaring into the sky, cautiously watching the flying boat approaching the family’s territory from afar.

She wore a radiant gown of moonlight, her three thousand strands of black hair lightly bound with purple cloth, holding an Upper Grade Purple Clear Magic Sword. Her originally gentle and beautiful cheeks were contrasted by a fierce look in her eyes, presenting an unexpected contrast of beauty.

Since eleven years ago when the Zheng Family instigated the Desert conflict, she, as the Foundation Establishment Ancestor of the Yan Family, had not known a moment of peace.

The Second Tier Alchemy Inheritance, which she had been diligently exploring for decades without any progress, finally revealed some clues in the exquisite explanations left by Li Ji’an. She thought that with a few more years of research, she might ascend to become a Second Tier Senior Pill Master.

However, in these eleven years, she had no chance to quietly concentrate on researching the Alchemy Dao.

During this time, she frequently clashed with the Foundation Establishment Ancestor of the Zheng Family and those Foundation Establishment Wanderers among the roving bandits, fighting life-and-death battles several times, personally witnessing many clansmen die and souls perish, which made her heart colder.

The more things are like this, the more some memories involuntarily surface.

Over the years, whenever she communicated with Li Ji’an, she would unintentionally recall the happy times at the Pill Shop with Brother Li before Foundation Establishment.

Back then, she didn’t have to think about anything, just focused on studying Alchemy Skill.

Back then, as she proceeded, she felt less pressure; it didn’t matter if she didn’t understand, for Brother Li would teach her anyway.

Back then, when her state of mind was unstable and she was unhappy, Brother Li would say some inexplicable things to cheer her up.

But, she knew, those times could never return.

She also knew that this was her destiny as a family cultivator.

Hence, to avoid recalling those times that cannot happen again, she restrained herself from easily communicating with Li Ji’an.

The Purple Clear Magic Sword in her hand hummed noisily, her cold eyes fixed on the flying boat, if there was no response further, she wouldn’t hold back her ruthless sword!

”Aunt, I’m back!”

Clang~

The tense nerves instantly relaxed.

Her beautiful eyes widened in disbelief, looking at the middle-aged man in a white robe who flew out from the flying boat.

”Li...” If Li Ji’an hadn’t shouted ”Aunt” in advance, Yan Qingwan would have almost blurted out ”Brother Li.”

Too similar.

Far too similar to Brother Li from forty or fifty years ago!

However, upon closer scrutiny, there were still some differences.

”Fan’Er? You...” Yan Qingwan regained her senses, staring blankly at Li Ji’an, once again utterly shocked.

The Foundation Establishment aura just now was actually from Fan’Er!

Thirteen years apart, he actually returned having achieved Foundation Establishment!

”Qing Wan, be careful of deceit!” Suddenly, the voice of the previous generation’s Foundation Establishment Ancestor exploded like a thunder in the void.

In the Cultivation Realm, there are too many strange things. Although the opposite person, according to his Divine Sense in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, showed no signs of disguise, he couldn’t be careless.

At least, a Dao Artifact once owned by a Tribulation Cultivator, could easily disguise another’s appearance, even magical power and Divine Soul aura could be disguised.

That Dao Artifact was said to be capable of deceiving even the Supreme Elder of Ten Thousand Laws Palace, nothing abnormal with him being unable to discern.

”Junior pays respects to the Ancestor!” Li Ji’an put away the flying boat, dispersed his magical power, and saluted towards the Yan Family Ancestor.

In his previous life, he had seen the Ancestor once in the medicine garden; even though this was the first time seeing him this life, he had often heard descriptions from within the Clan Hall in his youth.

”Fellow Daoist Li, forgive me, the situation is chaotic, the old one must be cautious, may I ask how Fellow Daoist Li proves himself?” The Ancestor did not relax despite Li Ji’an dispersing his magical power.

Yan Qingwan wanted to speak, but ultimately did not.

Li Ji’an paused slightly: ”Ancestor, with your cultivation, you should be able to see that I have not employed Disguise Technique, right?”

”The world has Dao Artifacts, must be cautious, I ask for self-proof.” The Ancestor did not budge an inch.

Regarding Dao Artifacts, Li Ji’an knew that like Divine Favored, they can’t be measured by common sense. Divine Favored are speculated to be possessed by Celestial Dao fragments, and Dao Artifacts similarly suspected to be objects possessed by Celestial Dao fragments.

Their abilities are indeed unpredictable, difficult to grasp.

Li Ji’an smiled lightly, expressing understanding, then looked to Yan Qingwan: ”Aunt, everyone doubts me...”

Upon hearing this, Yan Qingwan’s eyebrows instantly smiled, with a tinge of joyful, tearful voice: ”Yet you are the most insensible!”

These were the stories about his father that Yan Qingwan told him during the first few years he entered the Yan Family.

”Fan’Er!” When she finished speaking, Yan Qingwan flew forward.

The Ancestor was puzzled, but also guessed it might be some secret code between Li Ji’an and Yan Qingwan.

Immediately, he nodded secretly. Two years ago, Yan Kongyi returned with news about Li Ji’an’s situation in the Immortal City. Not only did he qualify to introduce them to the owner of Nine Tripods Commerce Association, but he had also reached Qi Cultivation Peak and possessed connections with Sect Inner Sect Disciples. Therefore, Foundation Establishment wasn’t particularly surprising.

He looked at Li Ji’an with more appreciation. Not only was his talent outstanding, but he was also astute in human relations and adept at forming connections. Most importantly, his status and position in the Immortal City were such that he could return at this time, clearly demonstrating his noble character, knowing gratitude and repayment.

Yan Qingwan arrived in front of Li Ji’an, examining him carefully, nodding repeatedly: ”Ha~ you’re already a middle-aged man, won’t be able to call you as I did when you were young.”

Li Ji’an had not taken any Youthful Appearance Pill Medicine to stay forever young, so his appearance now was that of a normal thirty-eight-year-old man; of course, nourished by Spiritual Qi, he was still significantly younger than the ordinary, with no wrinkles, good skin, only the marks of the years on his face, more mature, more stable.

”Aunt, call me however you like.” Li Ji’an was indifferent about how he was addressed.

”I was indeed mundane. Well then, Fan’Er, quickly, go and meet the Grand Elder.” Yan Qingwan chuckled softly, suddenly recalling the purpose of Li Ji’an’s return, hurriedly leading him back to the clan.

”Fellow Daoist Li, please!” The Ancestor smoothly invited.

No matter what relation Yan Qingwan and Li Ji’an have, no matter how they call each other, as the older generation Ancestor of Yan Family, he couldn’t disregard etiquette.

Li Ji’an and the Yan Family shared no blood ties, being Foundation Establishment cultivators alike, this title of fellow daoist must be called.

”Fellow Daoist Yan, please!” Li Ji’an understood his intention and returned the gesture solemnly.

As the high-altitude event concluded, the groups of people below the clan grounds were all filled with joy and surprise.

They had witnessed the entire scene just now.

Until now what Yan Kongyi had seen and heard in the Immortal City had only been known by the Ancestor and Patriarch, the ordinary clansmen were naturally unaware.

In their eyes, Li Fan was brought into the Yan Family when he was eight years old due to his father’s legacy, enjoying top Nourishing Veins resources for family disciples.

Then he was tested with a remarkable Spirit Root at fifteen years old.

However, he didn’t appreciate the clan’s favor, unwilling to stay in the clan, dreaming of joining the Upper Sect.

As a result, he returned humiliated.

Later, he even belittled the Yan Family, unwilling to change his surname, unwilling to become a Yan Family member, ultimately choosing the outermost Dao Field, squatting for ten years and delaying himself.

Eventually, before the Desert chaos, he left without a word, vanished without a trace.

In many clansmen’s minds, Li Fan was a talent squandered, clearly having such a good Spirit Root talent, yet wasted because he wouldn’t change his surname to join the Yan Family and delayed his Immortal Path.

Moreover, they assumed he became a Loose Cultivator, where cultivation would be even tougher.

Many clansmen even speculated he would one day regret, plead to return and rejoin the clan.

But, they never fathomed, one day Li Fan would return as an aloof Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivator identity!

Of course, Li Ji’an returning as Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivator, at this point, was an enormous affair for them.

With an additional Foundation Establishment Ancestor in the Yan Family, they would have even greater advantage in the Desert scenario.

Yan Zongsheng looked up, watching Li Ji’an brought down by Yan Qingwan, his much older face displaying comfort, even full of joy. He had always supported Li Ji’an venturing out back then.

As the Patriarch of the Yan Family, he understood the clan’s situation the most, and had considered the entire Cangyun State situation extensively. Back then, Li Ji’an’s situation only had a way forward by going out.

Yan Hongsheng then widened his bull-like eyes. Originally, when he heard Li Ji’an was returning, he planned to scold him for leaving without a word back then, but at the moment, the other party’s Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivator identity left him only shocked!

On the edge of the crowd, Zhang Tiezhu pressed his elderly tears, looking from afar at the revered silhouette in mid-air, as if seeing once again Brother Li who had led them out of Storm Desert.

”Brother Li, you should be content now! No matter what, among our five, it’s your lineage that first birthed a Foundation Establishment cultivator!” He silently mused, grinning contentedly.

Beside him, supporting him, was his younger son Yan Qing, relatively composed, as he met Li Ji’an two years ago.

Moreover, he had personally seen Li Ji’an’s identity, status, and connections.

For two years, he had been dreaming that he could cultivate in such a place, refining pills daily, cultivating, listening to visitors’ bold words from afar, watching Spring Breeze Building’s enticing gestures, without worrying about the clan being attacked, without fighting desperately for a few pills, without listening to orders, free as a bird... how wonderful that would be!