Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Li Ji’an first used the array token given by the steward to activate the Tier Three Protective Array that had not been used for many years.

Due to years of neglect, numerous damages were present. Fortunately, the array base was intact, and the array hub could bear the load, although the current Spirit Vein was struggling to supply it.

After adding nearly a hundred Spirit Stones, the protective array became slightly stronger.

Then, Xiaoqiao used her early Tier One Earth Spirit Master abilities to draw on the Earth Spirit Mechanism, attempting to repair some damaged areas.

However, her capabilities fell short for a Tier Three array; after much effort, she only managed to clear one or two Spiritual Mechanism blockages, with minimal effect.

At least it could exert the power of a Second Tier middle-stage protective array, which was barely sufficient.

Additionally, when the Sect’s Array Masters come later to set up the Alchemy Room, they will repair it, so there’s no rush.

Li Ji’an planned the Alchemy Room at the peak, almost amidst the clouds. Through the stone window, one could see the immortal mist, ethereal like a fairyland.

Here, practicing alchemy, talisman making, and cultivation would surely be a joy.

On the next layer below, the interior is hollowed out, containing three stone chambers as bedrooms and his treasury.

The largest layer has a natural Celestial Pool, its rainwater a deep blue like a mirror lake, where Gugu enjoys itself immensely.

Inside this layer is a grand stone hall and five stone rooms, serving as a place for guests and discussions, with Xiaoqiao’s room also in this layer.

Three days later, the Sect’s Array Masters came to set up the Alchemy Room, and the Pill Cauldron Peak steward brought a Second Tier top-grade Pill Furnace. However, it was stated in advance that this Pill Furnace was only for Li Ji’an’s use as an Honored Guest Elder and could not be taken away from the Alchemy Room. If he leaves the position of Honored Guest Elder, it must be returned.

Within the Biyun Sect, Array Masters are few, the most accomplished being one of the current three True Pills, a Guardian Elder. Under him, he only trained three disciples in the Array Dao, all in the Foundation Establishment Stage, with exhausted potential, unable to advance further.

This time, a Second Tier later-stage Array Master came. After setting up the Alchemy Room, as promised by Master Jade Pill, he arranged a Gathering Spirit Array and a short-distance Teleportation Array.

The principle of the Gathering Spirit Array is to gather nearby Spiritual Qi into the array. In ordinary clans or Immortal Cities, only small Gathering Spirit Arrays are allowed. An array covering an entire mountain peak might affect nearby Spirit Veins, generally not permitted.

Previously, the steward mentioned that the peak’s Spirit Vein declined, likely related to the Sect’s main vein large Gathering Spirit Array.

The Array Master was indifferent to Li Ji’an. Sect disciples seeking pills must redeem them at Pill Cauldron Peak based on contribution points. Except for core figures like Master Jade Pill, the only one capable of refining Tier Three pill medicine, other Pill Masters only supply Pill Medicine as per Master Jade Pill’s orders and do not directly interact with sect disciples.

Before leaving, he also repaired the Peak Protection Array as requested by Li Ji’an.

Thus, Li Ji’an was settled at this peak.

As agreed, monthly duties would have a Pill Cauldron Peak steward issue the required pill medicine tasks to Li Ji’an based on the Sect’s medicinal stock and demand, with a steward delivering the herbs.

Theoretically, no one from the Sect would disturb his peak.

Moreover, there is a preliminary six-month adaptation period with no task requirements.

However, early the next morning, Master Jade Pill personally visited.

His pretext was to care for a subordinate and check if the Array Master had arranged as requested for Li Ji’an.

In reality, Li Ji’an knew his true intention.

”Little Friend Li, are you satisfied with the Alchemy Room’s setup?” After personally checking Li Ji’an’s Alchemy Room, Master Jade Pill kindly asked.

Li Ji’an clasped his hands: ”Thank you, Peak Master, for your concern. Everything is as the Peak Master promised, and I am satisfied.”

”Good, good, that’s good. In the future, if you need anything, you can speak to me directly. Keep this Communication Talisman safe.” Master Jade Pill kindly handed over the Communication Talisman.

”Thank you, Peak Master!” Li Ji’an accepted the Communication Talisman.

Master Jade Pill hesitated, unsure how to tactfully bring up the Nine Elements Pill topic, and examined the Pill Furnace: ”Hmm, these young ones didn’t secretly disobey orders.”

”The Peak Master governs strictly.” Li Ji’an casually praised.

”Uh... Little friend, um...” Master Jade Pill hesitated again.

”Who taught you Alchemy Skill?”

”My Alchemy Skill was initially inspired by my father’s Alchemy insights, then passed on by my aunt, and later taught by Alchemist Zou.” Li Ji’an shared the known Alchemy Skill progression publicly.

Master Jade Pill nodded; in fact, he was well-aware of this information and had even discreetly investigated Yan Qingwan and Alchemist Zou without finding anything unusual.

”Hmm, Little Friend possesses remarkable talent in the Alchemy Dao and is humble enough to seek advice. No wonder such achievements at your age.”

”My father taught me from an early age that among three people walking, there must be one to learn from. By not being ashamed to ask questions, one can go further.” Li Ji’an said with a smile, intending to encourage Master Jade Pill.

”Not ashamed to ask questions?” Master Jade Pill’s eyes lit up as if inspired.

”May I ask, Alchemist Li, that day when refining the Nine Elements Pill, how did you successfully have your Divine Soul invade?”

Li Ji’an gently exhaled and said without reservation, ”I refine Divine Soul Elixir, but due to insufficient Divine Sense, I cannot fully integrate during the final stage each time. So, I can only use a clumsy method, slowly injecting Divine Sense from the very start of refining the medicinal materials, allowing every essence to have Divine Sense attached.”

Thus, when the last step arrives, only half of the Divine Soul needs to be integrated, and then the Divine Sense of each previous essence can be drawn out, causing an instant explosion and achieving the desired effect.”

Originally, he didn’t intend to exchange this for any benefits. Moreover, this method wasn’t truly the foundation of his Alchemy Dao. Now that he was settled on this peak, he certainly didn’t wish to use it to whet his appetite.

Instead, he hoped to quickly send him away and enjoy his solitary, leisurely time in cultivation.

Buzz~

Master Jade Pill’s mind buzzed instantly, as if a blocked aperture suddenly became clear.

The bottleneck troubling him for years in Divine Soul integration had suddenly enlightened.

However, the next moment, he abruptly looked at Li Ji’an with a profound admiration in his eyes.

These past few days, he has been repeatedly exhausting himself, pondering various ways—should he initiate a trade? Or exert pressure through strength? Or establish close ties, progressing step by step...

In the end, with just this casual inquiry, he unexpectedly revealed everything unreservedly.

To be honest, this clever skill, once spoken, seems not to be any extraordinary technique; an ordinary person would just feel it’s that simple.

Yet, if no one points it out, one might never think of it in their lifetime.

After all, this method wasn’t part of the inheritance, and among the dozens of Alchemy Inheritances he collected, this step for Divine Soul Elixir always requires instant Divine Sense penetration, fully integrated into the essence.

And with his Fake Pill Divine Sense, refining Second Tier Divine Soul Elixir followed the inheritance, and succeeded, so he never doubted the effectiveness of the inheritance, forming a fixed mindset.

In disbelief, he looked at Li Ji’an before him, whose image in his heart drastically transformed. Master Jade Pill took a deep breath, ”Thank you, Alchemist Li, for illuminating the path!”

”The Peak Master praises me too much. I am inexperienced; I hope to rely on the Peak Master’s teachings in the future.” Li Ji’an modestly returned the courtesy.

”Rest assured, Alchemist Li. We can discuss any problems concerning Alchemy Dao in the future.” Master Jade Pill said solemnly.

After those words, he impatiently wanted to return to try Li Ji’an’s suggested alchemy method and hurriedly departed.

Watching him leave, Li Ji’an finally let out a long breath.

Only then did he summon Gugu, who was hiding ten feet underground, to return.

Also, Xiaoqiao could begin setting up multiple arrays.

Even though his arrays are only Tier One, their effect rivals Tier Two, coupled with the Repeating Array effect, impossible for Foundation Establishment Stage Divine Sense to approach and examine.

When everything was ready, Xiaoqiao, with Gugu and Little Fire Spirit, cleared a space near the Celestial Pool, and Gugu transplanted the entire medicinal field from its mouth.

Afterward, to conceal that extremely likely divine object’s withered branch, Xiaoqiao found several similar withered branches and inserted them throughout the medicinal field, resembling the supports for other spiritual plants.

Li Ji’an entrusted all tasks on the peak to Xiaoqiao, letting them do as they pleased while he pursued cultivation peacefully.

Two months passed in a flash.

The two humans, one demon beast, and one Holy Spirit were particularly satisfied with this lifestyle.

During these two months, besides the four of them, no one else disturbed them.

Xiaoqiao could freely manipulate the Heaven and Earth Spirit Mechanism without worrying about being detected by neighbors or city guards as in the Immortal City.

Gugu and Little Fire Spirit no longer needed to hide, chasing and playing tirelessly atop the peak.

Li Ji’an also finally experienced a true immortal life, dining on wind and drinking dew, swallowing clouds and mist.

Due to him alone absorbing Spiritual Qi here, although the Spirit-Gathering Array’s effect hasn’t fully realized its potential and still remains at Second Tier Middle Grade Spirit Vein Dao Field, the absorption refining effect is more than ten percent better than at the Immortal City Collection Courtyard.

Especially every morning, bathing in the morning sun while inhaling, the blazing sun’s Fire Spiritual Mechanism slightly enhances his Fire Element Technique.

However, on this day, Liu Jiuqian’s communication talisman arrived.

Once again inviting him to join with Liu Family Beast Pill Masters near the Flame Mountain Forbidden Land to plan the Holy Pill for Demon Beast Bloodline advancement.

To strive for a possible chance for Gugu’s bloodline metamorphosis, and the Liu Family’s promised Second Tier Late Period Demon Beast Hide, Li Ji’an gave a definite response.

Now possessing Honored Guest Elder status in Biyun Sect, he doesn’t fear any ill intentions from the Liu Family.

Moreover, his current cards are enough for self-preservation.

Three days later, he prepared once more, leaving Xiaoqiao to cultivate well, and sent a communication to Master Jade Pill to report the details of this outing, constituting an additional layer of safety assurance for him.