Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

The more Li Ji’an learned about the soul cultivation secret method, the more he anticipated it.

Compared to the dharma cultivators who refine the spiritual qi of heaven and earth into magical power, nurturing the Tao infant and merging with the dao of heaven and earth.

Soul cultivation was the original self-strengthening method of the human race and the core of its ability to compete with the ten thousand races.

It was also the most prosperous cultivation method of the human race before ancient times.

The superiority of the myriad races does not lie in the physical body or bloodline, but in the intellect.

What allowed the weak human race to rise step by step during the ancient contending of the races was the power of the celestial dao descending upon them.

If one wishes for the power of the celestial dao to descend upon them, there are three paths: body, dharma, and soul.

The bloodlines of body cultivators are blessed by the celestial dao, which is the indisputable technique by which the wilderness demon race has long ruled the myriad races.

The human race’s physical body is weak, and its bloodline is mediocre. Until the ancient sages discerned the divine soul entering the dao, and the natural dao was realized, only then did they open up a golden age for the human race.

However, the method of refining and nurturing infants to merge with the dao of heaven and earth actually gained prominence only after the weakening of the ancient dao principles.

Yet, in many records unearthed from relics, the path of soul cultivation had already declined during ancient times and had almost vanished until the demon cultivation catastrophe erupted over three thousand years ago, relegating soul cultivation to the ranks of demon dao.

Due to ”Rejuvenation,” he strengthened his divine soul each time, making his soul foundation much stronger, making it the most suitable for the path of soul cultivation. Even if he couldn’t comprehend heaven and earth or enter the dao with the divine soul, cultivating the divine soul method could at least expedite the soul’s strength.

Unfortunately, after decades here, he had never heard of the soul cultivation secret method.

”Why are you dawdling? Hurry and prepare the materials! There’s a Foundation Establishment elder outside.” After waiting for a while without any movement, Li Ji’an easily enveloped the array materials shop with his divine sense.

He saw a middle-aged woman in the inner hall organizing materials, while the fat shopkeeper next to her urged her on with an impatient expression.

The woman said nothing and continued organizing.

”Hmph, cat got your tongue now? Where was this patience when arguing with the Third Madam?” The shopkeeper grew more irate.

”Speak up!”

The woman took a deep breath and finally spoke calmly, ”Master, it’s not that I don’t know how to forbear. It’s just, the Third Madam went too far this time. It’s wrong for her to hit our Qun’Er in a dispute between juniors.”

”Wrong? Don’t you know what standing the Third Madam has? She’s the daughter of our clan’s honored alchemist. Even if she hits Qun’Er, or even you or me, we must endure it!” The shopkeeper finally found his voice, expressing his grievance sternly.

The woman fell silent again.

”Hmph, we’re merely side branches. We only managed to latch onto the Third Master’s line and get the shopkeeper position. Otherwise, how could I hope to get a Nourishing Source Pill for Qun’Er? Do you think your family is like the Third Madam’s family?”

If you make our family offend the Third Master and in the future Qun’Er doesn’t get a Nourishing Source Pill to nourish his spirit root and misses the immortal path, you...”

...

Li Ji’an withdrew his divine sense, ceasing to pry into others’ privacy and not urging further.

Such things were common in cultivation clans; Zhang Tiezhu once lost many opportunities because he was an outsider who married in, causing his eldest son Yan Jue to be deprived.

The larger the clan, the more such issues arise.

After all, with favor comes bias, and true fairness doesn’t exist.

Before long, a young man entered from outside.

Dressed in a finely crafted magic robe, he radiated an imposing aura and bore a haughty look.

Upon entering and finding no one to greet him, his brows furrowed.

Just as he was about to call out, he noticed Li Ji’an, whose breath was concealed, sitting there.

Upon seeing Li Ji’an’s face, the young man was momentarily shocked.

Then he instantly blossomed into a smile, respectfully approaching, ”Junior greets Senior Li, sending regards from my clan’s ancestor to Senior Li.”

Li Ji’an nodded slightly, recalling that this person had once accompanied a Foundation Establishment elder to the Li Mansion seeking a pill.

”I never imagined that Senior Li would personally visit our Liu Family’s shop, a true honor, a great fortune, indeed!” The young man, having received a response, became even more excited.

The Alchemist Li before him was a famed Second Tier alchemist in the Immortal City, and his clan’s ancestor now valued the alchemist’s Second Tier pill medicines, often attempting to establish relations with him.

”No need for pleasantries, my young friend. The array materials here are both superior and affordable compared to those in the Immortal City, so coming here is only natural,” Li Ji’an replied with a smile.

The families around the vicinity of the Liu Family mostly bore the surname Liu, being mostly branches of the Liu Family or hereditary families given surnames. Compared to the disorder of the wilderness, this place could be said to be dominated by the Liu Family.

Not just the Liu Family, but the other four major families of Cangyun State were the same.

”Does Senior Li need array materials? Just say the word, and this junior will personally deliver them to Immortal City, sparing you the trouble of coming yourself.” The young man, noticing Li Ji’an’s amiability, grew more enthusiastic.

”No need, I’m simply looking for a change of pace, decided to take a walk. Go and tend to your affairs, young friend.” Li Ji’an gestured dismissively.

The young man, understanding propriety, hastily bowed and excused himself, ”Please wait a moment, Senior, I take my leave.”

At this moment, the fat shopkeeper, accompanied by his partner, brought over the organized array materials.

The young man, upon seeing the two, hurriedly instructed, ”Liu Zhong, Senior Li is an intimate friend of our ancestor; you mustn’t neglect him.”

”Greetings, Young Master, yes, yes, understood,” the fat shopkeeper nodded fervently.

The young man nodded, then bowed to Li Ji’an once more before hastily exiting the shop.

Thereafter, the fat shopkeeper more reverently explained the configurations of several sets of array materials to Li Ji’an, meticulously sorting each portion out.

As all materials were taken into the storage pouch and Li Ji’an was about to pay with spirit stones,

a hearty laugh rang out, ”Hahaha, Alchemist Li, what an honor, truly my great fortune!”

Soon, the elder who had come seeking a pill previously entered excitedly.

”Fellow Daoist Liu, a pleasure to meet,” Li Ji’an replied with a clasped fist.

”Greetings, Ancestor,” the fat shopkeeper and the woman hurriedly greeted.

The Ancestor remained unresponsive, sincerely inviting, ”Alchemist Li, as the saying goes, chance encounters are better than formal invitations. Since you’ve encountered our vicinity today, please step into our clan so the old me can fulfill my duty as a host.”

”Fellow Daoist Liu, you are too polite; I shall accept your invitation then.” Having come to the Liu Family’s Dao field, Li Ji’an intended to make some contact.

The other party was merely a Foundation Establishment Clan of the Liu Family’s sideline, posing no threat to him. Moreover, Li Ji’an’s reputation in the Immortal City still had some leverage.

At least those of status wouldn’t openly act against him.

Ultimately, the Liu Family Ancestor steadfastly refused Li Ji’an’s payment for the array materials, welcoming him into the clan.

The clan’s land rested upon a Second Tier Lower Grade Spirit Vein, bestowed over three hundred years ago by the Liu Family’s direct lineage in recognition of their forefather’s contributions.

Compared to the Desert clans with external threats and unstable situation, Li Ji’an markedly felt the internal strife within this family; in the short welcome ceremony alone, Li Ji’an discerned the clan’s high-ranking members split into at least three factions.

Discussing Dao with the Liu Family Ancestor for half a day, both felt much revelation.

”Haha, cultivation is indeed difficult! Us small clans attached to the main house, unless we catch their notice, are without hope compared even to the Desert families,” the Liu Family Ancestor shrugged with a bitter smile.

Li Ji’an resonated deeply, ”Compared to Fellow Daoist Liu, we loose cultivators like myself have no hope of a future; at least Fellow Daoist Liu has the potential for grace from the main house, while I must wait for opportunities.”

”It’s just the same. The Sect strictly controls Core Formation resources, and the main house tightly holds even Foundation Establishment mid-late stage resources. To be honest, I’d be satisfied just reaching the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.”

…

During this time, Li Ji’an did not attempt to probe into the Liu Family’s main house’s affairs, only slightly speculated about the situation within this sideline family from what was said.

The Liu Family faced almost no external threats, but serious internal conflict.

The current Fake Pill Ancestor of the Liu Family has lived for over three hundred years, with a theoretical lifespan exceeding fifty years; if aided with Second Tier Lifespan Extension Pills, it may last another twenty to thirty years.

Another not-so-secret information was that the Liu Family’s core Spirit Vein land was initially Third Tier Lower Grade, but a large Gathering Spirit Array was installed, connecting several Second Tier Spirit Veins and First Tier Spirit Veins in the area. All Spirit Veins supported the Liu Family’s core Spirit Vein, showing a slight increase trend, while the sideline families’ Spirit Vein lands showed a decreasing trend.

In the afternoon, Li Ji’an took his leave.

The Liu Family Ancestor personally escorted him out of the family.

”Alchemist Xie, you are magnanimous; it was my mismanagement; I earnestly ask for forgiveness.”

”Third Madam, the old me apologizes to you on behalf of Pingping!”

Just as he flew above a small courtyard, a familiar voice caused Li Ji’an to turn his head.

There, in the courtyard, Dong Jiangling was humbly apologizing to an aged Alchemist.

Beside him, an old woman bowed to a middle-aged woman.

Kneeling behind them were two adults and one child—precisely the shopkeeper couple from earlier and their daughter.

”Ah, apologies, Alchemist Li; there are many clan members, some poorly disciplined, truly...” the Liu Family Ancestor sighed softly, no longer having the heart to supervise such matters.

He immediately transmitted a message calling the current Patriarch to handle it.

Li Ji’an, however, slightly cupped his hands, ”Fellow Daoist Liu, my acquaintance is below, I need to meet them.”

”Oh?” the Liu Family Ancestor was quite surprised.

Then, the two slowly descended from the sky.

”Greetings Ancestor, greetings Elder!” The old Alchemist below and his daughter hurriedly saluted.

Dong Jiangling and the others dared not even raise their heads.

The Liu Family Ancestor landed silently, only watching Li Ji’an, uncertain of whom his acquaintance was.

”Alchemist Li? This is Master Zou’s unworthy disciple, Xie Fang, paying respects to Alchemist Li!” When the Liu Family Tributor Alchemist recognized Li Ji’an’s visage, he was filled with joy.

He was Master Zou’s disciple, also Xie Gui’s younger brother.

Years ago, feeling his alchemy skill unable to advance, he found a position as a tributor in a Foundation Establishment Clan, occasionally returning to the Immortal City to visit Master Zou and Xie Gui, having met Li Ji’an.

Li Ji’an slightly nodded and then approached Dong Jiangling, raising him up, ”Uncle Dong, why didn’t you tell me about this affair?”

”Gulp~”

Xie Fang and his daughter, including the kneeling Fat Shopkeeper and Dong Ping, all showed shocked expressions looking at Dong Jiangling.

”Elder Li calls my father-in-law... Uncle Dong?”

”When did my dad get acquainted with a Foundation Establishment Great Power?”

Dong Jiangling looked at Li Ji’an, his old face flushed; only today did he grasp the situation, initially believing Lady Cui could resolve it, later discovering the matter remained troublesome. Urged by his son-in-law, he hastened to address his daughter’s conflicts.

”So this is Aunt Cui?” Li Ji’an then raised the old woman helping Dong Jiangling.

Lady Cui was utterly astonished; previously, Dong Jiangling spoke of having an older brother and, over the years, mentioned how his brother’s son excelled, yet it remained hearsay. Now she finally realized her husband wasn’t exaggerating.

”This old one... greets the Elder...”

”Aunt Cui, Aunt Yao asked me to say hello on her behalf.”

”Good, well, except Elder, please don’t exaggerate, this old from can’t bear such.” Lady Cui was extremely excited but couldn’t understand why Li Ji’an, as a Foundation Establishment Elder, addressed her in such a manner.

Afterward, Li Ji’an stepped to Dong Ping’s side, helping her up, ”Sister Ping, it’s nice to meet you, and this is a small token for you, please accept it.”

Li Ji’an handed her an Upper Grade Youthful Appearance Pill.

Dong Ping’s pupils contracted, as though she’d seen a ghost, doubting whether she was dreaming.

Finally, she moved to give it to the small girl beside her.

And the Fat Shopkeeper kneeling beside her was trembling like a sieve.

Having done all this, Li Ji’an once more took his leave, without concerning himself with the situation that had unfolded.