Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Chapter 153: Chapter 41: Talisman Inheritance

Li Ji’an had spent sixty-eight years in this Cultivation Realm, trying to analyze the ancient history of this world from the limited information from Cangyun State, aiming to understand the worldview of this place.

Based on his pre-travel knowledge and insight, combined with the observations in this realm, his biggest conjecture is that this realm was once a Cultivation Holy Land, but the Celestial Dao collapsed, and the ancient era crumbled.

Everything from that time was buried in dust.

Then, it reopened more than six thousand years ago.

This speculation of his has its roots in the Cretaceous period theory from Earth, supplemented with records from some archaeological relics in this realm, and he believes the possibility is rather high.

However, the records about the ancient times are still incomplete, and there are many false, hoaxes, and forged information mixed in, so he could never be sure.

Especially the last time Zhao Shuyao mentioned a theory from the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain about the Desolate Land being the Immortal Burial Land.

True or false, real or quasi-real, it is hard to decide.

But there is one aspect he always held hope in.

A world with spiritual energy, able to absorb spiritual qi and refine magical power to transform oneself, surely has the potential for Ascending to Immortality.

This has been his ultimate goal all along.

Yet, an ancient person from at least seven or eight thousand years ago claimed that even back then, there were no more ”Immortals”?

Continue reading.

”I am Elder Shen Yuan, cultivating for five hundred years, yet my cultivation has reached a bottleneck. I wish I could follow the Celestial Venerable to slay the Human Demons, so I dedicated myself to the research of talismans, hoping to contribute with some power through the talisman technique. However, time is ruthless; before achieving excellence in talismans, my lifespan ended. This can only be left for future generations, and should the depth of talisman technique be achieved one day, it may assist the Celestial Venerable in clearing the universe and eradicating demons...”

After reading the preface, Li Ji’an furrowed his brow even more.

”Five hundred years... Isn’t he a Core Formation True Man?”

”Celestial Venerable slaying demons?”

”Clearly, when this person sat in meditation, it had yet to reopen, only during the period of turbulence with Human Demons.”

”It reopening over six thousand years ago was not a natural disaster, but a man-made calamity?”

...

Moreover, from his words, Li Ji’an felt that at that time, cultivators did not value the talisman technique, and there were not even particularly skilled individuals in this field.

This reminded Li Ji’an of some records he saw in the Golden Splendor Immortal City, seeming to show that six thousand years after that era, marks the peak period for the development of the Hundred Skills of Cultivation.

Before then, cultivation focused principally on cultivation.

After all, during that time, cultivation resources were abundant; strength and lifespan relied mainly on cultivation realm and magic techniques, and other skills, particularly those deemed to have little impact on cultivation realm, were regarded as minor arts.

It was only when cultivation realm could progress no further that individuals would attempt skills, mostly as leisure activities.

Li Ji’an largely agreed with this.

Reflecting on oneself, if not for his limited resources in this life, needing skills to maintain basic cultivation and life, he would surely also devote all efforts to increase cultivation.

Even individuals like him who can rejuvenate, theoretically having ample time, think this way.

Not to mention other cultivators who cannot rejuvenate and only have this one life?

After pondering for a moment, Li Ji’an pulled back his thoughts and resumed reading.

Next followed the Second Tier inheritance that aligned with the Tier One talisman inheritance Yan Kongyi had previously passed to him.

”Hmm?”

But after a cursory read, right at the end, there was a line that made Li Ji’an raise his eyebrow slightly.

”Elder Shen, are you just nesting matryoshka dolls here?”

At the end of this Inheritance Jade Talisman, a special Second Tier late-stage talisman unexpectedly appeared again, claiming that only this talisman could unlock a hidden third compartment.

Unexpectedly, there was a secret compartment.

This piece of information caught him by surprise and was a pleasant revelation.

He thought receiving the Second Tier talisman inheritance was satisfying enough.

He hadn’t imagined there might be a Third Tier talisman inheritance.

This motivated him even more to research the Second Tier inheritance and do so urgently.

After securing the Inheritance Jade Talisman properly, Li Ji’an did not intend to explore further; he did not believe that his current self could forcibly break into what an Ancient Core Formation Elder had set up.

The journey had already reached perfection, so Li Ji’an retracted Gugu, glanced towards the Storm Desert to the west, and ultimately decided to play it safe, at least until possessing the Second Tier later stage talisman for guardian path before venturing forth.

After all, nowadays, those things hold no allure for him since he’s already established his foundation; only perhaps might some clues appear.

Since just recently establishing his foundation, barely making a stand in this Cultivation Realm, even knowing any clues carries no merit.

After looking again at the Communication Talisman associated with Chen Qingling, still with no response, he reluctantly abandoned the plan to connect with the Red Stone Wanderer.

Three months ago, upon deciding to return to the Desert once more, he sent a message to Chen Qingling informing her of the anticipated meeting, yet she had not replied to this day.

”Probably followed the Red Stone Wanderer further in again.”

This situation happened occasionally before, Communication Talismans had distance limits, and also required spiritual qi and divine soul as carriers; if the distance was too far, or in places where spiritual qi vanished and divine soul was sealed, reception and reply could hardly be timely.

It was already known that the Red Stone Wanderer frequently ventured deep into the Fallen Dragon Ridge; sometimes a trip could last for a year and a half, so it wasn’t strange.

This time, banking on being foundation established, Li Ji’an felt there might be opportunities to connect with the Red Stone Wanderer, which would be much more precise compared to transmitting messages through Chen Qingling.

Apart from the ”Profound Yuan Chaos Scripture” cultivation technique obtained thirty-three years ago near the Soul-Holding Ants burial, he also reflected on possibly numerous not-so-easily-liquidated Second Tier and even Third Tier resources that he sought.

Li Ji’an, however, does not insist stubbornly; he realizes in this life he has ample time and can entirely afford to wait for the Desert chaos to stabilize, then create chances to connect with the Red Stone Wanderer.

With this in mind, he ceased staying, released the Flying Boat, and headed north, returning to the Golden Splendor Immortal City.

This place had already deviated from the core position of the Desert, nearing the Storm Desert to the west, traveling north, avoiding crossing the Desert.

Three months later, he returned to the Immortal City without incident.

All the way, he studied the Second Tier talisman inheritance; since it preserves continuity with foundational talisman knowledge from this life’s learning, the research was exceptionally smooth, feeling naturally evolving in many areas.

This infused him with considerable confidence in guardian path techniques during this life.

Departing after half a year, returning from the Desert back to the Second Tier Spirit Vein Mansion within the Immortal City, he had more appreciation for how rare it is for a loose cultivator to have such a stable cultivation Dao field.

”Uncle Li!” As soon as he activated the House Protection Array, Xiaoqiao greeted him from afar.

After not seeing Xiaoqiao for half a year, Li Ji’an finally sensed her cultivation had advanced another layer, reaching Qi Cultivation 2nd Layer.

This cultivation efficiency genuinely puzzled Li Ji’an.

With nine strands of Spirit Charm for each of the Five Elements, such a favorable cultivation environment, and maintaining diligent efforts, yet this cultivation speed indeed progressed so slow it was perplexing.

Qi Cultivation 1st Layer took one year, Qi Cultivation 2nd Layer took two years; this pace was slower than the cultivating talent Li Ji’an had in the previous life with two strands of Spirit Charm for his Spirit Root.

Nevertheless, when things appear abnormal, there must be something unusual, and Li Ji’an realized that Xiaoqiao might harbor secrets unknown to him.

Or perhaps it relates to her ability to sense the Earth Spirit Mechanism.

He even wondered if it might be the kind of reversed effect on cultivation mentioned by Yan Qingwan as the Divine Favored trait.

After encouraging Xiaoqiao a bit, he released Gugu and the Fire Spirit to accompany her in play.

Li Ji’an himself then began preparing for Xiaoqing’s Foundation Establishment matters which he had previously promised.

This act is not about ritual feelings; it’s about interpersonal interactions.

Across the entire Cangyun State, loose cultivators capable of Foundation Establishment are one in tens of thousands.

And being called loose cultivators implies they lack foundation, legacy, and dependence.

Everything must rely on oneself.

After advancing to Foundation Establishment, especially upon reaching the middle-stage, various cultivation resources for supplemental benefits become hard to find in the Immortal City Marketplace, and information at this level is unlikely known to the public.

Therefore, one needs to associate with fellow Foundation Establishment peers to exchange needs and share information.