Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Regarding Duanmu Qin’s honesty at the height of emotions, Li Ji’an believed three parts.

They are both mature loose cultivators who have been struggling at the bottom of the cultivation realm for many years, and it is impossible to truly confide in anyone.

However, there were many loopholes in her words, and they could not be reconciled with the bait of a Core Formation opportunity she threw out earlier.

Many in the cultivation realm sell so-called treasure maps; although not entirely fake, at least ninety-nine percent are false.

Originally, she was a loose cultivator in Celestial Origin Province. Because of the five major Core Formation sects and the Ten Thousand Laws Palace standing in balance and restraining each other, the living space for loose cultivators was considerably larger, with at least more abundant resources in the early Core Formation period.

Besides being slightly less safe, it was more suitable for loose cultivators.

Her claim that she moved here just because of a treasure map was naturally unbelievable.

Moreover, her previous certainty about the Core Formation opportunity within it, describing it in so much detail, and specifically emphasizing the inheritance of the Music Path,

sufficiently indicated she immensely trusted whoever provided the information about this cave mansion.

However, as an adult, Li Ji’an sensibly chose not to expose it or dig deeper. Doing so would only increase some of her lies and make Duanmu Qin waste brainpower to fabricate more.

On the other hand, Duanmu Qin’s ability to articulate such an evident falsehood about the treasure map was a clear indication to Li Ji’an not to ask too much about the source of the information.

Li Ji’an wasn’t concerned about the source of the information. He only extracted crucial credible information from her description.

Firstly, the cave mansion opportunity wouldn’t be false. Although it was uncertain what exactly lay within, Duanmu Qin’s actions suggested it wouldn’t be too ordinary. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have hidden in the Immortal City for fifty years. This time, she even gave her biggest hold on herself to gain his trust.

Secondly, the cave mansion was not far from the relic excavation of the Biyun Sect, which likely belonged to the same ancient sect. Observing the relic excavation by the Biyun Sect indicated low risk.

Typically, such ancient sect ruins wouldn’t be too dangerous unless there was something bizarre, as they were sect locations and wouldn’t be heavily armed with dangers. The biggest issue would be restrictions.

Thirdly, this opportunity wasn’t meant for him at the moment.

The Biyun Sect had already professed their stance, having already issued a kill-on-sight order for trespassers in the restricted area.

Even if he currently had no strength to face sect experts, escaping from under them by luck would leave Cangyun State with no safe haven for him.

Given his current strength and status, the entire Celestial Cyan Domain, only in regions like Cangyun State dominated by a single sect offered the greatest security and most identity privileges.

If he hadn’t experienced rejuvenation, possessed no special skills, or had no hope, he’d naturally be inclined to seek places with more freedom and higher chances of miracles.

But for him now, compared to freedom and opportunities, safety was more important.

”As for removing restrictions, Li can provide the fairy with a guarantee. However, trespassing in the restricted area is not currently considered,” Li Ji’an candidly stated.

”Moreover, observing the current situation, Li believes it is unlikely the fairy’s mentioned cave mansion would be easily discovered. Firstly, the restricted area isolates outside cultivators; secondly, the Biyun Sect is currently occupied by external threats and relic excavation.

So, Li advises the fairy to wait patiently for the opportune time and not act impulsively.”

Duanmu Qin, upon hearing this, approvingly glanced at Li Ji’an.

He didn’t raise doubts or questions, and could quickly analyze the key points, providing the most impartial advice.

Undoubtedly, this brought peace of mind to Duanmu Qin.

She had previously acted on impulse a few years ago when the Biyun Sect’s excavation approached that cave mansion but had failed to break the restriction successfully.

Subsequent to Biyun Sect setting a restricted area, she nearly took a reckless risk, lacking only Second Tier Breaking Ban Talismans.

By now, she actually harbored similar thoughts to Li Ji’an’s but remained somewhat worried.

At this moment, Li Ji’an’s suggestion reassured her considerably.

”Indeed, Qin’er didn’t misjudge the person. Li Lang, having just toiled, now rest peacefully,” Duanmu Qin cheerfully turned over and straddled Li Ji’an.

Although she had decided to engage deeply with Li Ji’an earlier, her heart still harbored anxiety about placing her hold in his hands.

She was even constantly on guard against being overly collected.

At this moment, however, her fondness towards Li Ji’an greatly increased, and her body and mind were entirely relaxed.

With a pair of slender jade hands pressing every inch of muscle, Li Ji’an realized that Duanmu Qin had indeed held back her massage technique prior.

What felt most different was, during this session, a constant flow of Water Element Magical Power from her Dantian.

Not only soothing his muscles, but there was also a harmonious and nurturing force.

Feeling the lubrication akin to essential oils, every cell in his body unconsciously absorbed it.

”Does this even have such a strong nourishing effect on my Second Tier Body Refining physique?” A moment later, Li Ji’an was pleasantly surprised.

The Water Element Technique practiced by Duanmu Qin was certainly extraordinary; although previously its sensing was ordinary, at this moment, he could notably feel the potent nourishing effect of her Water Element Magical Power.

Moreover, her magical power was pure and full.

It seemed she also possessed certain Qi Concealment Methods that even Foundation Establishment Late Period Divine Sense couldn’t fathom.

Duanmu Qin initially kneaded with her hands, then slid her entire body over Li Ji’an, finally using particularly prominent points to wander his body…

In that instant, he felt a nostalgic haze as if returning to his first life’s wellness center.

Next day.

Li Ji’an, fully dressed, glanced at Duanmu Qin, softly reclining, with a lazy demeanor on the Warm Jade Bed: ”Peach Blossom Fairy, take a good rest. Li will go and perform alchemy first.”

Duanmu Qin gazed affectionately with eyes rolling like autumn waves at the still lively and energetic Li Ji’an, filled with admiration.

Although her magical power secret techniques can nourish and repair the man’s internal and external injuries, last night’s wild escapades far exceeded the scope of her magical power’s nourishment.

If it weren’t for sensing that Li Ji’an’s vital energy and blood remained unchanged, she would have doubted whether Li Ji’an also cultivates body refining.

---------

Three days later, inside the alchemy room.

”Buzz~” A pill roar sounded.

The Fire Spirit retracted its Spirit Flame and floated out from Li Ji’an’s dantian, returning to rest on that piece of red-black stone.

Li Ji’an made a single-handed gesture, and three Lifespan Extension Pills floated out from the upper-grade pill furnace.

One premium pill, extending life by ten years, nearly reaching the limit of a second-tier Lifespan Extension Pill.

Two middle-grade pills, extending life by seven years, considered a normal level for an ordinary pill master, but it was the result of Li Ji’an deliberately squeezing them.

For the sake of that premium Lifespan Extension Pill, Li Ji’an squeezed the remaining medicinal properties; otherwise, producing three top-grade or four middle-grade pills is his normal level.

He placed the premium Lifespan Extension Pill into a jade bottle, and without delay, he headed directly to the core area, arriving at the Nine Tripods Commerce Association.

Since Zhao Shuyao’s hundredth birthday four years ago, coinciding with the public revelation of the Biyun Sect’s relic incident, Li Ji’an had come less often in these four years, especially during the first two years when the relics started to become chaotic. The commerce association received a special warning from the Biyun Sect, and Li Ji’an had hardly visited.

And every time he saw Zhao Shuyao, she appeared more aged, with her lifespan visibly diminishing.

Although Li Ji’an was long accustomed to life and death and highly accepted separations, Zhao Shuyao had given up her second-tier body cultivation to exchange for the Foundation Establishment main medicine for him.

Under normal circumstances, if Zhao Shuyao advanced to second-tier body cultivation, her lifespan could have increased by another twenty or thirty years, but unfortunately, she had already missed the best time to advance.

Now he could only give her the Lifespan Extension Pill as a slight repayment.

Soon, Li Ji’an arrived at the back courtyard of the commerce association and met the 104-year-old Zhao Shuyao.

The dignified Foundation Establishment middle-stage Tong Yaoyao was affectionately combing the silver strands for Zhao Shuyao.

”Aunt Yao, Aunt Yaoyao.” Li Ji’an approached with a smile.

”Xiaofan is here.” Zhao Shuyao looked at Li Ji’an kindly.

”Hmm? You little rascal...” Tong Yaoyao immediately reacted, flashing to Li Ji’an’s side, and scanned him thoroughly with her divine sense.

”Tsk tsk, didn’t you say you wouldn’t find a Dao companion? Not bad, indeed, dual cultivation with a water element female cultivator is the best benefit. Hmm, this female cultivator...”

Li Ji’an was slightly stunned. After dressing up, he had already cleared away all traces of his aura, and even his Foundation Establishment late-period divine sense couldn’t detect any lingering scent.

Yet Tong Yaoyao sensed it upon meeting him.

”Did Xiaofan find a Dao companion? Good, good, bring her when you have the chance to let Aunt Yao have a look.” Zhao Shuyao’s face lit up with joy.

”Aunt Yao, Aunt Yaoyao, she is just an ordinary Dao friend, not a dual cultivation Dao companion.” Li Ji’an explained with a smile.

”Ha, you little rascal, keeping this kind of thing from your Aunt Yaoyao? You can’t hide it from me.” Tong Yaoyao pouted.

”However, I didn’t expect it; you’re quite fortunate to find such a companion. In the future, after my mother passes on that cultivation technique to me, I’ll pass it on to you, and it will be a dual cultivation Holy Technique beyond your imagination. It’s definitely not comparable to ordinary dual cultivation techniques. With this Holy Technique, cultivating with such a female cultivator, you might even reach Core Formation.”

”Thank you, Aunt Yaoyao!” Li Ji’an expressed his gratitude.

He hadn’t practiced dual cultivation techniques before because he preferred the pure fusion of body and soul, but also because the magical power benefits from dual cultivation techniques had similarities to taking pills.

The magical power gained from ordinary dual cultivation techniques is relatively thin and not solid.

If he could have a superior dual cultivation secret technique that meets his expectations for magical power, he wouldn’t oppose trying magical fusion again post soul fusion.

After all, the physique of a second-tier body cultivator could fully withstand it.

Especially with Tong Yaoyao’s mention of reaching Core Formation.

After decades of acquaintance, he had some understanding of Tong Yaoyao’s family background.

Her foundation was substantial within the Ten Thousand Merchants Cultivation Domain, but Tong Xiangyu seemed to have committed a severe taboo within the family, being punished by confinement in Cangyun State.

Thus, despite Tong Yaoyao’s words exceeding typical understanding, Li Ji’an had no doubt about their truthfulness.

Subsequently, Li Ji’an took out that Lifespan Extension Pill.

This act earned high praise from Tong Yaoyao.

Due to her mother being sanctioned within the family, she could do nothing in many matters and could only ensure her needs without providing Zhao Shuyao with the resources beyond her status.

After all, the commerce association prioritizes profit over emotions.

It greatly opposes any behavior where emotions surpass interests.

”Knowing gratitude and repayment, you’re not bad, I’m liking you more and more.” Tong Yaoyao said earnestly, patting Li Ji’an’s shoulder.

Li Ji’an smiled without saying much, personally assisting Zhao Shuyao in taking the Lifespan Extension Pill and helping her absorb it.

Once the premium Lifespan Extension Pill was fully refined, Zhao Shuyao’s face showed more vitality and her spirits significantly improved.

Just as Li Ji’an completed verifying the pill’s efficacy, Xiaoqiao sent a message; Liu Jingchun was arriving to collect pills.

Li Ji’an then excused himself and returned to Li Mansion.