Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Although Li Ji’an couldn’t judge the truthfulness of Duanmu Qin’s acting, by now there was no reason for her to deceive him.

”Could it be in the remaining two stone houses?” Li Ji’an’s eyes flickered as he looked at the stone houses promised to the three of the old Array Master’s apprentices.

Duanmu Qin shook her head uncertainly.

”Pfft~ Fellow Daoist... spare me.” At this moment, Fu Hanxing, who was utterly weakened and clearly desperate, pleaded for mercy.

Li Ji’an constantly monitored him through Gugu’s vision.

Now, his magical power realm had already fallen to the early period of Foundation Establishment, and he could no longer control that magical treasure prototype.

After sensing the old Array Master and his apprentices again, Li Ji’an narrowed his eyes and walked over with a smile.

Facing the old Array Master still cowering in his personal protective array, he said, ”Fellow Daoist, this scoundrel is already helpless, I’ll leave him to you, is that alright?”

The old Array Master’s expression froze, and his gaze shifted, knowing that he was being asked to prove his loyalty.

”This...”

”What’s wrong? Fellow Daoist, are you still not on the same page with Li? Your hands haven’t been stained with blood yet, are you still leaving yourself a way out?” Li Ji’an’s brow instantly furrowed.

A trace of hesitation flashed in the old Array Master’s eyes.

After a moment of shock just now, he had calmed down. The situation was clear now: the two people and one second-tier early period Demon Beast on the other side amounted to the combat power of three early Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Duanmu Qin’s outburst of mid-stage Foundation Establishment power just now was bound to be difficult to recreate in a short time.

As for Li Ji’an, as long as he kept his distance from the second-tier body cultivator and had the protective array as a barrier, he could be unafraid. Regarding poison, he had already taken various detoxifying agents and would not give the chance to succeed.

His magical power was thin and posed no threat. Although that Demon Beast was adept at hiding, its attack power was only at the early period of Foundation Establishment.

He had been stuck at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment for thirty years. Although he was not as good as Fu Hanxing of the same level from the sect, compared to ordinary loose cultivators just entering the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, he still had confidence.

All in all, the reason they could take advantage of Fu Hanxing earlier was because of their unexpected trump cards and Fu Hanxing’s carelessness.

Now that the opponents’ trump cards were exposed and he was prepared, coupled with his own unrevealed trump cards... the advantage was his!

Especially since, if he added Fu Hanxing, who was now a non-threat and could be dealt with at will afterward, as a helper...

Thinking of this, the old Array Master made up his mind.

As they say, fortune favors the bold.

Clearly having established the advantage, how could he not be tempted by the Core Formation opportunity discussed between Li Ji’an and Duanmu Qin?

He believed his divine sense was superior to the two, and he had been subtly sensing.

Li Ji’an feigned ignorance of this and even deliberately let him know about the Core Formation opportunity.

”Alright, this old man will make Fellow Daoist Li feel at ease!” The old Array Master nodded in agreement. Under the worried gazes of his two apprentices, he stepped out of the protective array step by step.

As he slowly approached Fu Hanxing.

”Shush!” Before Li Ji’an could act, a flash of light shot towards him.

Immediately, a light screen lit up, enveloping the area where Li Ji’an stood. It turned out to be a temporary array plate array.

The array formed instantly and activated its lethal setting; it was a second-tier mid-stage killing array!

This killing array posed a mortal threat to ordinary mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.

”Fellow Daoist, you’ve truly chilled Li’s heart.” However, Li Ji’an, within the moment the light flashed, had left a shadow at his original spot and flew to retreat.

At this moment, he revealed his form in the center of the hall, looking at the old Array Master.

”Hmph! Who gave you the guts to dare point fingers at an old man when you’re just an early Foundation Establishment junior?” The old Array Master vented his long-suppressed anger.

With a wave of his hand, another array plate flew out, enveloping one side of the hall he was in, including Fu Hanxing.

”Fellow Daoist Fu, let’s work together to kill this scoundrel!”

Fu Hanxing, who had been in despair, had a hint of hope flicker in his purple-blue cheeks and bloodshot eyes: ”Cough cough~ Alright, alright, Fellow Daoist, rest assured, I want nothing of this opportunity. If I can keep my life, Fellow Daoist will be like a parent to me, and I will have my master reward you greatly. If I go back on my word, let the heavens smite me.”

His will to survive was at its peak, like a drowning man grabbing a lifeline. He didn’t even require any inducement from the old Array Master; he directly swore a blood oath, full of sincerity.

Enveloped by the second-tier array, Gugu’s attacks also lost effect and finally retreated to Li Ji’an’s side.

Fu Hanxing finally relaxed temporarily, able to focus on suppressing the poison.

Unfortunately, the poison had already eroded his dantian for too long. To stop further deterioration was already a blessing; only a True Pill Doctor could reverse the situation.

He understood the old Array Master’s previous concealment. If he had this array to protect him during the early stages of poisoning, he wouldn’t have ended up like this.

But he no longer harbored resentment at this moment, only hoping to live to see his master.

”Fellow Daoist Fu, rest assured, we are both mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, and being played by an early Foundation Establishment junior is truly unacceptable. Don’t hold back anymore; let’s quickly deal with the little thief.” The old Array Master urged.

Then, he decisively used a hand sign, unleashing an attack toward Li Ji’an and the others outside the protective array.

”Puff puff puff~” Earth spikes erupted in a series.

Li Ji’an dodged deftly, avoiding a direct confrontation.

His weak body-protecting Dharma shield absolutely couldn’t withstand the mid-stage Foundation Establishment magic attack.

Duanmu Qin, not adept at evasion, had to summon a deep blue silk scarf spiritual artifact to block.

The scarf emanated a serene blue water curtain that protected her, completely blocking the attack.

This showed the extraordinary quality of the scarf, at least a top-grade artifact level, specialized in defense.

However, Duanmu Qin was only at the early-stage Foundation Establishment level in terms of magical power, and operating a top-grade artifact drained her magical power significantly, making it hard to sustain for long.

Upon seeing this, Fu Hanxing’s hope intensified, and he hesitated no longer, forcibly swallowing a mouthful of heart blood, sending his lifebound Fire Lotus through the array towards Duanmu Qin.

Unfortunately, his strength had diminished too much, and the lifebound Fire Lotus’s power was far less than before. The burning couldn’t break her defense.

”Bang!” When Gugu saw the opponent attacking Li Ji’an, it immediately hid underground, appearing at the array in an instant, and kept attacking the array with its long tongue.

However, the old Array Master’s array attracted the Earth Spirit Mechanism, greatly enhancing its defense against such physical attacks. Gugu’s attacks felt like scratches.

”Little thief, do you have the guts to face this old man in a magical duel?” The old Array Master rejoiced, laughing and taunting at the retreating Li Ji’an.

Li Ji’an felt a slight regret for not finding an opportunity to ambush the opponent, who had taken the initiative first.

However, this was reasonable. What loose cultivator who licked the knife’s edge didn’t have more than a few tricks up their sleeve?

To prioritize dealing with the most threatening Fu Hanxing, he exposed three trump cards, which would inevitably make the old Array Master wary, within his expectations.

Luckily, he still had his trump card.

”Heh~” Li Ji’an chuckled lightly, not wasting any more words.

”Swish!” The Breaking Ban Talisman instantly struck the array.

Rumble~

The protective array trembled violently.

However, the old Array Master within was unafraid: ”Hmph, I knew you would come prepared with Breaking Ban Talismans. Unfortunately for you, I’ve calculated that you’ve already used twelve. How many more could you have now?

My Second Tier Mid-Stage Protective Array, with all your Early Period Breaking Ban Talismans, you’d need at least ten to break through it.”

Li Ji’an remained silent and activated another Breaking Ban Talisman.

Boom~

Boom~

Boom~

Three consecutive talismans caused the dust within the protective array to stir.

”You little thief, leave the opportunity and retreat quickly, and I’ll spare your life.” Seeing Li Ji’an unfazed, the old Array Master was taken aback, somewhat uncertain.

Boom~

Boom~

...

Yet the reply he received was talisman after talisman being thrown as if spirit stones were worthless.

”How is this possible? How can he have so many Breaking Ban Talismans?” The sight of the protective array beginning to weaken filled the old Array Master with sudden fear.

”Fellow Daoist Fu, are they really loose cultivators from Cangyun State? Why are there so many Second Tier Breaking Ban Talismans in Cangyun State?”

Fu Hanxing, having just unleashed an attack, felt the poison deepen, his magical power weakening further, and his heart brimmed with unease.

”Fine, take the opportunity and leave, and I will let it go.” The old Array Master’s mind was in turmoil, graciously backing down, waving his hand to retract the array blocking the passage.

Li Ji’an almost burst into laughter but decided not to play around, directly taking out four Breaking Ban Talismans at once.

”Stop!” The old Array Master shouted in alarm.

”You’ve already acquired the opportunity. At worst, I’ll give you the remaining two stone chambers as well; there’s no need for mutual destruction!”

”Don’t forget, I am at the Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment. Even if you break the array, you might not be my match. Better to leave while you can!”

Li Ji’an couldn’t understand how an Array Master, faced with someone who had enough Breaking Ban Talismans, could speak so confidently?

After all, an Array Master isn’t skilled in magical combat, and Li Ji’an had already revealed his Second Tier Mid-Stage Body Cultivator strength.

”Mutual destruction? Both sides suffering?” Li Ji’an chuckled lightly, activating a Breaking Ban Talisman instantly.

Rumble~

The protective array in front of him shattered completely.

Gugu also launched an attack in an instant.

Clang~

A Profound Black Shield appeared in front of the Array Master.

”An exquisite shield? Is this your confidence, Fellow Daoist?” Li Ji’an clicked his tongue in admiration.

The Array Master’s expression changed unpredictably.

His greatest trump card was the Compass Array—costlier than an ordinary static array and limited in use but could catch one off guard. It was his last survival tactic against Fu Hanxing.

Yet, he never expected that Li Ji’an, a loose cultivator native to Cangyun State, could still have so many talismans after using twelve Breaking Ban Talismans.

And now, this exquisite shield was his last trump card.

Activated by Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment magical power, it could unleash its full protective might. Without a magical treasure prototype like Fu Hanxing’s, cultivators at or below Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment would struggle to break through.

”Hmph! Do you want to continue the fight, Fellow Daoist Li?”

Li Ji’an sneered, ”Fight what? I’m sending you to the underworld now.”

With that said, a high-tier Blazing Halberd Talisman was already surging forth.

”What? A high-level attack talisman!” Feeling the full-force Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment strike carried by the talisman, the Array Master’s face changed dramatically.

Rumble~

The brilliance of the exquisite shield dimmed instantly.

Fortunately, after breaking through the shield’s defense, the talisman’s power was thwarted.

Yet before he could breathe a sigh of relief, another attack talisman shot forward.

It was a Second Tier Early Period Golden Cone Talisman. Though less powerful than the six year-nurtured Blazing Halberd Talisman, it had no trouble breaking through a Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment magical shield.

”Crack!” The Array Master’s Body-Protecting Dharma Shield shattered in response.

”Swish~” Gugu and Li Ji’an, in complete sync, attacked immediately, piercing the Array Master’s dantian the instant his shield shattered.

”This... How is this possible? Aren’t you a Pill Master?” The Array Master collapsed in despair, finally voicing his inner shock and suspicion.

”And why can you activate so many Second Tier talismans in succession? Your divine sense...”

Li Ji’an looked at the other yet-unactivated Golden Cone Talisman in hand and simply shot it at the barely-alive, Early Period Foundation Establishment Fu Hanxing.

Then, he said calmly, ”A Pill Master can’t use talismans?”

”Pop~” Fu Hanxing, without any resistance, had his Body-Protecting Dharma Shield shattered and his dantian pierced at the same time.

Li Ji’an looked at the Array Master and asked, ”Do you know Granny You? What’s your relation to the Liu Family?”

When dismantling the array, Li Ji’an noticed the Array Master’s technique was very similar to the array inheritance he received from Granny You.

And the Compass Array he used confirmed Li Ji’an’s suspicions completely.

”Granny You? You Qingci? You know You Qingci? She’s still alive?” The Array Master turned sharply to Li Ji’an upon hearing this.