Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Core Area Gate.

Doctor Bai looked at Li Ji’an and the other two walking towards him, his kindly old face nodding slightly in approval.

”Ah, youth is wonderful!”

Alchemist Zou did not look directly at Li Ji’an and Duanmu Qin who walked side by side, only glancing sideways, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.

A wave of jealousy surged.

A Foundation Establishment Stage female cultivator, with natural bone structure and skilled in melody—a seductive female cultivator—what male cultivator wouldn’t love that?

If one could become a Taoist companion with her, just think about all the possibilities.

Even just that slender waist could be enjoyed for ten years!

”Indeed, youth is wonderful, isn’t it?” Master Qian sneaked a glance at Duanmu Qin’s skirt with a very high slit, subconsciously swallowing a mouthful of saliva.

Tailor Zhou shot him a glance: ”I’m afraid it has little to do with age, doesn’t it?”

Everyone snapped back to attention, all looking at Master Qian.

Master Qian was among the few male loose cultivators who took Youthful Appearance Pills, now still appearing to be in his twenties.

After all, for ordinary loose cultivators in their twenties or thirties, this pill was a luxury item; some female cultivators extremely concerned about youthfulness might go to any lengths to obtain a Youthful Appearance Pill to maintain their youth.

And male cultivators at the age when they should be striving often didn’t care much about the marks of time.

By the time ordinary male loose cultivators could afford such a pill, they’d usually already accepted the irreversible signs of aging.

Like Doctor Bai and Alchemist Zou, who were late bloomers; by the time they had the financial means, they were already seventy or eighty years old in appearance.

Upon hearing this, Master Qian’s face flushed with anger: ”Old Granny Zhou, what do you mean? Are you just saying I’m ugly?”

”How is that my fault?” Tailor Zhou casually pulled out an embroidery needle.

”Hmph!” Master Qian turned and walked behind the tower-like Hua Hongling.

”If someone could make my figure like that of the enchantress, I’d have my master detained to forge endlessly,” Hua Hongling’s jealousy turned her eyes red as she watched Duanmu Qin’s swaying waist.

”Thank you for waiting, fellow Daoists.” Li Ji’an clasped his fists in a salute.

”Haha, Fellow Daoist Li, when are you inviting us to your wedding banquet?” Doctor Bai teased.

”I trust Fellow Daoist Li won’t be stingy like some others; there won’t be a lack of wine for us, right?”

”Hmph!”

…

Duanmu Qin smiled brightly, intentionally or coincidentally, stopping just half a step behind Li Ji’an in front of everyone, appearing like a dutiful wife highlighting her husband’s status.

And during the exchange of questions and answers, she simply smiled without speaking.

”Haha, fellow Daoists, you misunderstand; Li and Fairy Qin just completed a transaction and are leaving the mansion together,” Li Ji’an explained.

”Xiaoli, your alchemy skill has surpassed the old masters, consider finding a Taoist companion to expand your lineage. I can’t speak for everything, but with your current alchemy skill, you’ve saved enough to support a family. Just wait for a Spirit Vein Dao Field to go on sale, and you can establish a cultivation clan that could last a hundred generations; you’d be its first ancestor, praised by descendants for eternity,” Alchemist Zou advised as usual, in the tone of an elder.

Li Ji’an humbly accepted the advice: ”Thank you, Master Zou, for the guidance. I will consider it.”

Besides being somewhat vain, Alchemist Zou had no other flaws.

As long as you gave him enough respect, he’d find a way to back down gracefully.

Since Li Ji’an had refined the exceptional Green Condensation Pill years ago and honored him as ”Master Zou,” he had proudly borne that title ever since.

Even when many of his former clients switched to Li Ji’an, he’d only say, ”The student surpasses the teacher,” with gratification.

”Hmm. I have a rather useful pill formula at my place; come by someday,” Alchemist Zou nodded sagely, slyly glancing at Duanmu Qin again, feeling even more jealous.

Soon after, they all set off together for the auction venue.

”Fellow Daoists, please wait.” Just as they passed by the Immortal City administration, Steward Qi called out to the group.

”Steward Qi, what’s the matter that has you so flustered?” Doctor Bai asked on behalf of the group.

Steward Qi looked troubled.

With the Great Marsh Mountain ruins incident brewing, the pressure on the Immortal City increased sharply.

The worst part was the Wan Jianqi Family, now blocked by the Biyun Sect outside the mountain range, making it impossible to pass, leaving him sleepless for two years, depleting his Sea of Consciousness excessively.

”Alas, fellow Daoists, you must be extra careful of late. Word from our main house indicates that the infamous northern bandits—Blood-handed Butcher—have confirmed passage through the eastern mountain path to our territory.”

”Blood-handed Butcher has come to Cangyun State!” Hua Hongling gasped.

”That’s really dangerous,” Duanmu Qin’s face also changed instantly.

Both had heard about them early on, coming from the two northern states.

”What kind of Tribulation Cultivator? What’s their cultivation level, and what methods do they use?” Master Qian inquired with a grave expression.

Hua Hongling took a deep breath and said, ”It’s a small group of at least three to six people. Their leader was already at the middle Foundation Establishment Stage thirty years ago, ruthless and deceitful.

Thirty years ago, I witnessed them commit atrocious crimes in the Sun Chasing Immortal City of Celestial Origin Province; an entire Pill Master’s family was slaughtered, and all cultivators had their Dantians extracted—a gruesome sight.”

”Indeed, it’s said this group might be the orphaned offspring of demon cultivators, practicing a demon technique that strengthens oneself by devouring others’ Dantians,” Duanmu Qin added.

Steward Qi nodded: ”Most crucially, this group has never failed, deeply understanding human nature and being especially cautious. They are rumored to possess some unknown Divine Abilities, and oh, apparently, a Second Tier Talisman Master is among them. They specifically target skill masters like you in Tier Two for their raids.”

The others, hearing this, all wore solemn expressions.

Only Li Ji’an raised an eyebrow: ”What kind of magical artifacts do they excel in?”

”Giant Axe!” the three informed answered in unison.

”...” Li Ji’an’s breath slightly paused.

He looked at the three with a somewhat dazed expression.

Were they really that formidable?

He nodded subtly.

If it weren’t for his Divine Sense, surpassing the ordinary, he wouldn’t have seen through their disguises, nor would he have sent the incredibly stealthy Gugu to track them.

Had he not learned of their scheme in advance...

It wouldn’t have been a big issue, just three Upper Grade Second-Tier Golden Cone Talismans, plus a Lifebound Fierce Halberd Talisman... no, the opponents also had Second-Tier Talismans, and that exquisite Magical Artifact, the Giant Axe... finally, it might actually require a Second-Tier Body Cultivator to decide the battle...

After pondering to himself, Li Ji’an agreed with their statement.

If they hadn’t ultimately chosen him, selecting anyone else present, they might have succeeded.

This also shows that the opponents are truly cautious, picking only the most certain.

With this event, everyone became vigilant instantly.

Even Alchemist Zou, who originally planned a grand purchasing spree at the auction, began hesitating to display wealth.

Soon, everyone was looking at Li Ji’an.

”Alchemist Li, it’s best not to take any pill-refining commissions lately, just in case.” Tailor Zhou advised.

”True, the business of refining pills for others indeed carries a bit more risk, plus... Steward Qi also mentioned they’re cunning and avoid fights they’re unsure of.” Doctor Bai echoed.

”Alchemist Li need not worry too much; as long as we don’t invite trouble, the seven of us united needn’t fear them.” Hua Hongling spoke in a low voice.

...

Li Ji’an and Alchemist Zou both nodded in agreement.

Before long, they arrived at the auction venue.

A person from the Qi Family hurriedly led them to the VIP seats on the second floor.

Although the items for auction were provided by the Biyun Sect, the responsibility still lay with the people from the Immortal City. Li Ji’an and the other six were senior experts within the Immortal City, second only to the major Commerce Association branches, contributing greatly to the city’s popularity every year.

Compared to the ordinary Foundation Establishment Clan ancestors within Cangyun State, they were not lacking.

”Alchemist Li, Alchemist Zou, Doctor Bai, Flower Vase Master...” Many people stood up to greet them along the way.

Most were centered around Li Ji’an, given the broader scope of a Pill Master’s business.

Entering the VIP seating, they were also influenced by the onsite atmosphere.

”What rare treasures do you think the Upper Sect will present?”

”Second-Tier medicinal herbs, artifact refining materials should be available, but maybe not talisman materials.”

”It shouldn’t be too poor, otherwise it could backfire.”

...

”The auction officially begins!” After a routine presentation of Biyun Sect’s contributions to Cangyun State’s safety and stability, and their heartfelt efforts, it finally commenced.

”The first item up for auction: a five-hundred-year-old Nine-Star Fushen plant, starting bid at two thousand Spirit Stones...”

Boom~

The unveiling of the first item caused the entire venue to explode with excitement.

Li Ji’an hadn’t anticipated that the Biyun Sect would be so sincere this time.

The main ingredient for the Foundation Establishment Pill directly put up for auction.

This undoubtedly is the most attractive item for ninety percent of the loose cultivators in Cangyun State.

”Five hundred years old, meaning its inner herbs were self-cultivated... thus indicating that the relic has always been rich in Spiritual Qi, and the medicinal field remained potent...”

In the next moment, the entire venue was bidding competitively.

Ultimately, it sold for five thousand eight hundred Spirit Stones, slightly higher priced.

Considering the current market, gathering other ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill still requires around two thousand five hundred Spirit Stones, making the total cost about eight thousand three hundred Spirit Stones, and ordinary Second-Tier Alchemists have a higher likelihood of refining two pills, collecting a product pill fee of twenty percent, making the cost over nine thousand.

There’s also the possibility of alchemy failure or only refining one pill, which would mean a total loss.

Li Ji’an did not partake in this auction; firstly, beyond Foundation Establishment, especially as a Second-Tier Alchemist, obtaining Foundation Establishment Pills becomes considerably easier.

Secondly, his life longevity remains extensive; there is no urgency in preparing Foundation Establishment Pills for the next life, and his current alchemy skill and Fire Spirit growth are insufficient to guarantee quality above ordinary.

Thirdly, he needs to expend substantial savings at this auction, thus minimizing suspicion from villains, aiming to auction off only resources he can reasonably use up.

Soon, the second auction item emerged.

This time, Li Ji’an determined to acquire it no matter what.

”Second-Tier Lifespan Extension Pill main ingredient, Vermilion Fruit, starting bid at two thousand Spirit Stones.”

Lifespan Extension Pill, capable of prolonging longevity, essentially halts the loss of vitality.

A Tier One Lifespan Extension Pill can extend life by three to five years, with usage effects diminishing, theoretically consumed twice maximum, with the third showing minimal effect.

A Second-Tier Lifespan Extension Pill can extend life by five to ten years.

Li Ji’an had helped a clan ancestor refine one years ago, analyzed the pill’s properties post-refinement, rendering it useless for himself.

Due to its mechanism of halting the final stage of vitality loss, but cannot delay the deadline of vitality decline.