Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

On the way back to the Immortal City, stroking the Biyun Sect Jade Token, Li Ji’an was full of anticipation for the future.

This time becoming an Honored Guest Elder Pill Master at the Biyun Sect, according to the contractual agreement, he only needs to produce thirty Second Tier Early Period pills per month or twenty Second Tier Middle Stage pills. If the quality exceeds the Upper Grade, the quantity requirement can be lowered.

With his alchemy skill, four to five sessions per month are enough.

In addition to an independent Outer Peak Dao Field of Middle Grade as remuneration, the Biyun Sect also offers him corresponding alchemy contribution points, which are the same as those obtained by sect disciples for tasks and can be exchanged for public resources.

Calculated with the minimum requirement, the contribution points can be exchanged for resources equivalent to nearly six hundred Spirit Stones per month, and some resources are not purchasable with Spirit Stones within the Immortal City. The reward is considered generous.

More importantly, the herbs provided by the sect are prepared according to the pill formation success rate of a seasoned Pill Master of the same tier, allowing him reasonably to retain at least thirty percent of the herbs.

This part is the main gain.

Even calculated with the most basic pill medicine, the retained herb valuation each month is nearly a thousand.

Furthermore, under the condition of fulfilling sect requirements, his private business is not limited in principle, but he has no such plan for now.

Of course, the main reason Li Ji’an was willing to be this Honored Guest Elder is that he enjoys the sect’s Spirit Vein Dao Field, gains the qualification to exchange certain resources, and is not forced to take on the responsibilities and obligations of a sect disciple.

”Alchemist Li, you’re finally back. The Liu Family’s esteemed guest has been waiting for quite some time.” On the way, feeling cheerful, as soon as he returned to the entrance of the assembly courtyard, the familiar guard hurriedly reminded him.

”Thank you!” Li Ji’an slightly narrowed his eyes, smiled at the guard, nodded, and walked inside with large strides.

The interaction with the Liu Family in this life was just previously helping Liu Jingchun in concocting a Lifespan Extension Pill during a sect recruitment.

Besides that, there was no other interaction.

The Pill Master within the Liu Clan is reportedly skilled in pill arts, not inferior to the sect stewards’ Pill Master.

”Why are you looking for me?” Amidst his thoughts, Li Ji’an returned to the Li Mansion.

At the entrance of the Li Mansion, he saw two people waiting outside, both wearing Liu Family attire.

The leader had a Middle Stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, the same Liu Family elder he had seen half a year ago at the mouth of Gugu who had stopped the confrontation between Liu Jingchun and Qin Henian. He had noticed his extraordinary talent for arrays then.

”May I ask if you are Alchemist Li?” The opponent’s narrow eyes exuded an oppressive gaze.

”What business do you have with me?” Li Ji’an asked.

”I am Liu Changgeng, Second Elder of the Liu Family, here to negotiate an important matter with Alchemist Li.” The narrow-eyed man spoke gently but with a palpable disdain that left no room for refusal.

”Negotiate?” Li Ji’an’s face showed confusion.

”Shall we go inside to discuss in detail?” Liu Changgeng glanced at the Li Mansion.

Li Ji’an smiled and shook his head: ”No need, if Fellow Daoist has something to say, say it here. I have important matters today.”

Liu Changgeng was visibly taken aback, his narrow eyes growing increasingly sinister: ”Is this how Alchemist Li treats a guest?”

”Apologies, today I’m occupied, not suitable for receiving guests, or perhaps Fellow Daoist can come another day.” Li Ji’an remained calm and composed.

Come another day, and he will be at the Biyun Sect.

”Fine, well, if that’s the case, I’ll say it here.”

”May I ask, Fellow Daoist Li, if you know a You surname Array Master?” Liu Changgeng’s eyes flickered, evidently performing some Qi Observation Technique.

Li Ji’an nodded, it was an open matter, no point in denying.

However, he suddenly realized.

Besides Liu Jingchun, his interaction with the Liu Family includes Granny You.

Of course, there’s Liu Xiangshan as well, though presumably, nobody knows about it.

”Good, Alchemist Li is forthright, makes things simple.” Liu Changgeng smiled smugly.

”I request Alchemist Li to return the array inheritance of my Liu Family!”

”Hmm?” Li Ji’an was momentarily stunned.

He hadn’t anticipated this.

Liu Changgeng stared directly at Li Ji’an.

They learned about this during the last sect recruitment when they discovered a set of techniques resembling their Liu Family’s inheritance arrays near the relic and consulted a Fake Pill Elder close to the Liu Family.

That’s how they learned of You Qingci’s matter.

However, You Qingci died unexpectedly while assisting the sect in breaking mid-stage restrictions.

Still, according to the Fake Pill Elder’s words, they came to know that when You Qingci was taken by the sect, she entrusted Li Ji’an with the care of an orphan and passed him a Storage Pouch.

”Fellow Daoist might be mistaken, I am merely a Pill Master, how could I have your Liu Family’s array inheritance?” Li Ji’an regained composure and outright denied.

This matter cannot be admitted even at the cost of one’s life, even if they’ve exchanged Inheritance Jade Talismans, the other party would suspect you studied it or replicated it, cannot be explained.

”Humph! Is Alchemist Li still trying to deny?” Liu Changgeng released his mid-stage Foundation Establishment pressure suddenly.

Unfortunately, Li Ji’an was wearing a wooden bracelet and a protective headband artifact, making him feel no pressure from the intimidation.

”Fellow Daoist Liu, don’t make false accusations.”

Seeing Li Ji’an unaffected by his pressure, Liu Changgeng felt slightly surprised, his anger growing: ”Would you dare allow me inside to investigate?”

That touched Li Ji’an’s soft spot; the mansion indeed had two sets of overlapping Shielding Arrays set up by Xiaoqiao, practicing Granny You’s array inheritance.

It wouldn’t withstand the opponent’s inspection.

The crucial point is, from Liu Xiangshan’s words in the Abyssal Cave Mansion, he roughly guessed that Xiaoqiao might be Liu Jingchun’s granddaughter.

That made it all the more imperative not to let them see Xiaoqiao.

”Fellow Daoist Liu, isn’t this too much bullying?” Li Ji’an’s face turned grave, not out of real anger but as a necessary stance, while also signaling for guards outside the assembly courtyard that there was trouble here.

”Hahaha, does my Liu Family need to bully a Loose Cultivator like you?” Liu Changgeng sneered disrespectfully.

Li Ji’an stood his ground.

Soon, guards outside the assembly courtyard rushed over.

The newly appointed Immortal City steward found himself in a dilemma upon seeing the identity of the Liu Family elder.

A powerful dragon does not suppress a local snake, besides, his family order was to focus on making money quickly as the usage rights of the Immortal City were less than seventy years remaining.

Hence, he couldn’t afford to offend the powers of the Five Great Clans of Cangyun State under any circumstances.

As for the assembly courtyard’s Pill Master, he wasn’t too concerned since several Second Tier Pill Masters had already arrived from Celestial Origin Province and Dao Source State over the past half year, potentially equal to Li Ji’an.

”Alchemist Li, since Fellow Daoist Liu has this doubt, why don’t you let him investigate to prove your innocence?”

Li Ji’an’s face immediately darkened: ”What logic is this? Today he can search my mansion without evidence, tomorrow can he kill me without evidence?”

Everyone understood this logic, especially given their esteemed status in the Immortal City, opening such precedent is a small matter of face, leading to a flood of imitators in the future?

The newly appointed steward was evidently biased in favor of Liu Changgeng.

”Humph! A mere Loose Cultivator, do you really think my Liu Family doesn’t dare kill you?” Liu Changgeng lost patience, his narrow eyes tightened suddenly, killing intent overflowing, while a wave of Divine Sense pressure directly targeted Li Ji’an.

”Kill me? Fellow Daoist Liu is going overboard.”

Li Ji’an sighed deeply, pulling out the Biyun Sect Identity Jade Token from his bosom, activating it with magical power.

Boom~

A formidable and unmatched pressure instantly erupted from Li Ji’an, enveloping the entire assembly courtyard.

A group of people in front of him, everyone below Foundation Establishment, were mentally shaken, trembling in fear.

Liu Changgeng’s subordinate, specifically targeted, felt the pressure upon him, prostrating to the ground, covered in dust and ash.

Meanwhile, the new steward and Liu Changgeng’s expressions changed instantly, startled beyond measure…