Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Bai Mansion.

”Fellow Daoist Hua, how can you be so reckless, daring to snatch food from the tiger’s mouth.”

Several second-tier skill masters in the core area gathered at Bai Mansion, watching Hua Hongling lying on the Cold Jade Bed undergoing treatment.

”Hmph! I just wanted to see if there was a pill formula from ancient times to alter physique, and yet I haven’t even entered the Sealed Area. Moreover, the Ancient Ruins don’t belong to Biyun Sect!” Hua Hongling spat blood, her anger increasing.

”Don’t agitate yourself!” Doctor Bai hurriedly pressed her down.

”Be careful with your words.” The puppet sent by Gou Puppet Master quickly reminded.

”Biyun Sect has spent decades, even selling a century’s operating rights of Immortal City, finally gained something, and they definitely won’t let others interfere.”

”I’ve heard that the Great Marsh Mountain range is almost entirely blocked by the sect. Some passing loose cultivators were unaware of the situation and ended up dead in the wilderness; even a dog passing by gets a beating. Fellow Daoist Hua only got injured, which is considered lucky.”

”Yes, even the supply from several Commerce Associations has been cut off, and now that area prohibits entry and exit.”

”Alas, the sects in your province are quite dominating.”

...

Li Ji’an sat in the corner, listening to the complaints without saying a word.

Since the news of Biyun Sect’s harvest at the Great Marsh Mountain ruins three months ago, many people couldn’t sit still.

Initially, Biyun Sect was just issuing warnings, but now they act decisively, attacking anyone who approaches.

This aligns with Li Ji’an’s understanding of the sects and social structure of this realm over the years.

Especially within Cangyun State.

There’s only one sect that stands out, occupying the state’s best and only Spirit Vein Dao Field, controlling Cangyun State and Outer States’ only strategic passage, the Great Marsh Mountain, forming a domain of its own.

In such a cultivation realm, the path to rise is almost blocked, even the Five Great Families and numerous Foundation Establishment Clans have no chance to resist.

Biyun Sect is truly the supreme ruler!

As for the loose cultivators within the state, they’re just cattle led along by a vague hope.

Like the few people in Bai Mansion at this moment, they can undoubtedly be considered the pinnacle of Cangyun State’s loose cultivators.

But that’s all they are.

As the saying goes, there are no masters among loose cultivators.

The second-tier masters in Immortal City, while revered by other families and loose cultivators, are nothing in the eyes of Biyun Sect; true masters are within the sect.

Those whose cultivation has peaked, especially within Biyun Sect’s Core Formation cultivators, have no hope of advancing further, yet have ample time, based on their cultivation, with sufficient resources, making them most likely to become masters.

Unlike ordinary loose cultivators, who have to sustain their cultivation while worrying about their livelihood, their energy is limited, and besides some exceptionally gifted individuals, they’re hardly noticed by the sect.

Moreover, truly exceptional talents have already joined the sect.

In fact, if Biyun Sect hadn’t invested all their efforts in that relic over these years, Li Ji’an’s talent revealed in his peak pill refinement should have enabled him to join the sect as a senior Pill Master at Pill Cauldron Peak.

Of course, this is a special case unique to Cangyun State and doesn’t apply universally.

At least, according to Hua Hongling from the Outer States and another second-tier musician, in Celestial Origin Province, just over a mountain ridge from the Great Marsh Mountain, and Dao Source State, there are many sects and much larger regions, where opportunities for loose cultivators are more abundant.

Moreover, as Zhao Shuyao mentions, in the Ten Thousand Merchants Cultivation Domain in Yaoyao’s ancestral land, without sects but with many Business Alliances, the space and hope for loose cultivators are even greater.

However, each form of cultivation domain has its pros and cons.

At least within Cangyun State, it’s safe, or rather can be considered the safest region.

For Li Ji’an, he’d rather stay here.

”Alchemist Li, you almost joined Biyun Sect once; what do you think about this?” The musician from Dao Source State suddenly turned to Li Ji’an.

He smiled and shook his head towards the musician, with a graceful figure, a voice that was elegant yet carried a hint of allure, who was veiled, ”Fairy Duanmu, you’re flattering me. Li is merely an eliminated failure, unworthy of such high regard.”

Years ago, declining to join the sect, officially it was just being deemed unqualified, as the sect’s face is important, and only a few people know the real reason.

”The Upper Sect certainly has its considerations; it’s best not to speak lightly of it.”

Expressing one’s emotions doesn’t change anything; it might only bring trouble.

Ultimately, the group showed concern for Hua Hongling and then left one by one.

These eight people are recognized as the top loose cultivator technicians in Immortal City and have gradually formed a small, mutually supportive circle in the core area.

After all, they’re all loose cultivators, reliant on no one, yet interdependent in their needs.

”Alchemist Li, please stay.” Exiting Bai Mansion, Duanmu Qin called out to Li Ji’an.

”Fairy Duanmu, what else do you need?”

Duanmu Qin stepped lightly, her gait nimble, her waist swaying as she moved forward, smiling, ”Does Alchemist Li have any prejudice against me?”

”Why does Fairy Duanmu say so?” Li Ji’an replied with a smiling question.

”Alchemist Li has been residing here for five years. You’ve interacted with the other six residences, yet only visited mine once when delivering an invitation.” Duanmu Qin seemed slightly resentful.

Li Ji’an laughed heartily, ”Fairy Duanmu has misunderstood. I visit other fellows only for transactions necessary for cultivation. As for Fairy Duanmu, skilled in playing the flute and zither, I’m too crude to appreciate such elegance.”

Duanmu Qin is the city’s only second-tier musician, with rumored shares in Spring Breeze Building.

She uses melody to enter the path, adept at cleansing the spirit and soothing heart demons, with excellent therapeutic effects for the mind.

However, Li Ji’an’s mind is strong, and he doesn’t require this.

”It seems Alchemist Li indeed misunderstands me. Why not enter my residence for a chat, so you can know I am skilled in more than just playing the zither?” Duanmu Qin invited.

Li Ji’an raised an eyebrow, still smiling at the charming female cultivator before him, his heart now on high alert.

Loose cultivators capable of Foundation Establishment are no ordinary individuals.

And a pretty female loose cultivator capable of Foundation Establishment is even more so!

Surely it can’t just be that I’m the youngest and most attractive here?

”Hahaha, I must apologize, Fairy. Li is currently struggling financially and eager to return to alchemy. Shame on me, truly.” Li Ji’an laughed at himself.

Duanmu Qin also slightly laughed, half-covering the cherry lips under her veil.

”Alchemist Li is underestimating me; since I invited you, how could I possibly charge you spiritual talent? Unless... Alchemist Li doesn’t trust my residence? Then why not allow me to follow you to your place?”

”Please, Fairy.” Li Ji’an didn’t mind the face-saving matter and invited her to his residence, conveniently just across.

Duanmu Qin was clearly stunned for a moment, then smiled and shook her head, following Li Ji’an.

Li Ji’an led Duanmu Qin to the living room and ordered the puppet given by Gou Puppet Master to serve her tea.

”If the Fairy has any matters, please feel free to speak.”

”Alchemist Li hasn’t reacquainted himself with me; I am too embarrassed to speak up.” Duanmu Qin shook her head and smiled lightly.

”Oh?” Li Ji’an was taken aback; perhaps he had misunderstood.

”Then how should I reacquaint myself with the Fairy?”

Duanmu Qin smiled charmingly, ”May I speak with you in the bedroom?”

”Why not.” Li Ji’an was genuinely intrigued, wanting to see what this Foundation Establishment female cultivator had in mind.

After leading Duanmu Qin into the bedroom, Li Ji’an turned around to look at her.

Duanmu Qin did not keep him in suspense any longer, with a wave of her hand, something flew out from her Storage Pouch.

This object expanded with the wind, becoming a piece of warm jade large enough for three people to lie down, exuding heat.

”A Warm Jade Bed?”

”Please lie down, Alchemist Li; I will attempt my humble talent.” Duanmu Qin invited him with both hands.

”Besides playing the zither and flute, my technique for Loosening Tendons and Softening Bones is also exceptional. Alchemist Li, please experience it well.”

Li Ji’an laughed in surprise, not expecting a dignified Foundation Establishment female cultivator to engage in such skills.

”Very well, then today I’ll consider myself a celestial being!” Laughing freely, Li Ji’an relaxed his vigorous energy and blood, reclining on the Warm Jade Bed.

Duanmu Qin then slightly stimulated her magical power, and the entire bedroom was instantly filled with spiritual mist.

She immediately produced a jade flute and placed it to the side.

The jade flute played melodious tunes without anyone blowing it.

In that instant, celestial aura spread, and divine music flowed, as if in a fairyland.

Li Ji’an, amidst it all, marveled at how these entertainment cultivators truly understood enjoyment.

Especially when a pair of slender hands gently applied warm magical pressure on him; that long-lost feeling returned.

...

An hour later, Li Ji’an rose in satisfaction.

In a previous life in the wilderness, he had heard that in the cultivation realm, besides dual cultivation, there were also music purification and Loosening Tendons and Softening Bones as cultivation methods.

He had previously experienced music cultivation, focusing on the spirit, which had little effect on him.

But the Loosening Tendons and Softening Bones technique, this was his first time.

This technique has a very good relaxant effect on the physical body, once beloved by Body Cultivators.

However, as Body Cultivation gradually weakened, it became rare, and such techniques gradually faded into historical dust.

With Li Ji’an’s current Second Tier Body Cultivator physique, even techniques from the Qi Cultivation Stage had little effect on him; only techniques from Foundation Establishment cultivators like Duanmu Qin suited him.

”Thank you, Fairy!” Li Ji’an smiled and expressed gratitude.

This experience truly reacquainted him.

”Hehe~ as long as Alchemist Li enjoys it, I am always ready.” Duanmu Qin, however, was not entirely relaxed; it was quite consuming in terms of magical power.

”Well, I have reacquainted with the Fairy. Can the Fairy now speak openly?” Li Ji’an slightly restrained his smile.

Duanmu Qin sat on the Warm Jade Bed before Li Ji’an, slightly leaning back to reveal her white neck, with a slightly resentful look in her eyes, ”Alchemist Li, would you really chase me away for a single word out of place?”

”The Fairy is joking.”

”Alchemist Li, then let me speak plainly. Of the eight here, only you, I, and Fellow Daoist Hua barely have hope of forming a core; the others have passed the best age and lack potential.

Fellow Daoist Hua is more courageous than thoughtful; after much consideration, only Alchemist Li seems capable of scheming.”

”But it is merely a slight hope; we as loose cultivators have no chance without opportunity.

Now, the opportunity is right in front of us; should we fail to seize it, heaven may punish us.” Duanmu Qin spoke solemnly.

”...”

Li Ji’an’s expression remained unchanged, though internally he realized some truths.

No wonder Hua Hongling was injured by Sect disciples.

He was probably influenced by this woman’s incitement.

Merely a pawn to test the Sect’s attitude.

Ever since Biyun Sect’s repeated discoveries three months ago, it was Duanmu Qin, who had not yet lost hope in forming a core, being the most excited, envious, and uncontrollable.

Core Formation requires Core Formation Spiritual Objects, and the more there are, the greater the chance of success, even enhancing the refined pill’s quality.

Most Core Formation Spiritual Objects are Heaven and Earth Spirit Treasures, abundant in ancient times, now extremely rare.

This time, Biyun Sect obtained a large quantity of Second Tier and even Tier Three objects from the ruins, most importantly the medicinal field, with surviving herbs.

This indicates this ruin is unlike most previously excavated; this ruin still has spiritual qi nourishment, ancient living plants, and Heaven and Earth Spirit Treasures must surely remain.

”Fellow Daoist Li, the immortal path values contention, without contention now, there may never be another opportunity!” Seeing Li Ji’an silent, Duanmu Qin hastily urged further.

Li Ji’an smiled, understanding her words were not deceitful.

After all, she exerted effort for so long just to convince him of her sincerity.

”The Fairy’s words are not false, but how can we mere loose cultivators contend with high Sect Upper Sects? Not to mention, whether there are Heaven and Earth Spirit Treasures inside is unknown.” Li Ji’an shook his head, not directly rejecting, otherwise, it would be too suspicious.

A Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivator unfazed by Heaven and Earth Spirit Treasures must have issues!

”Fellow Daoist Li, rest assured, I guarantee there are definitely items inside!” Duanmu Qin declared confidently.

Li Ji’an eyed her playfully; this woman probably knows something he doesn’t.

”Fellow Daoist Li, don’t forget my advantages; I have extensive acquaintances, including guests within the sect.” Duanmu Qin noticed Li Ji’an’s doubt and proactively explained.

Feigning silence for a moment, Li Ji’an this time directly refused, ”Enough, my cultivation is shallow, my strength weak, such overwhelming opportunity I dare not covet. Today I merely discussed the Dao with the Fairy, no other exchanges; Fairy, please leave!”