Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

The Zeshui River, which flows downstream from the Great Marsh Mountain range, is intercepted by strange rocks here, forming a large backwater bay.

On one side of the bay lies a vast expanse of exposed metallic ore gleaming with golden light. Whenever the sun shines, golden clouds hover in the air.

Opposite the golden clouds is an ancient forest with towering trees from antiquity, where deep within, strange trees form a forest.

Among the strange trees lies a deep, vast pit resembling an extinct volcano crater.

Above this deep pit is the former core Spirit Vein Dao Field of the Liu Family, the place where the Liu Family’s demon cultivator ancestor once sequestered himself for a life-and-death meditation.

Standing atop the three-story pavilion here, one can just see the peach blossom forest blooming along the riverbank.

”Young friend, how does this Dao Field compare to the Solitary Peak where you reside?” Qin Henian grandiosely waved his hand, introducing the scenery to Li Ji’an.

Li Ji’an nodded: ”The Five Elements are complete, the scenery is picturesque, and the Spiritual Qi is abundant and pure. Indeed, it is one of the most notable Spirit Vein Dao Fields in the state!”

Having only heard of it before, and at most observed from afar, now truly entering it, Li Ji’an realized that outside rumors were actually a bit conservative.

With the array insights he and Xiaoqiao had jointly gained over some time, being here in person allowed him to perceive the natural formation of arrays at this place.

No wonder it could support so many chain array formations.

Without exaggeration, this Spirit Vein Dao Field, with the Five Elements intertwined and forming a natural array, is filled with all kinds of spiritual mechanisms, making the entire Dao Field a natural array base.

Setting up arrays here would yield twice the result with half the effort.

Fortunately, the Liu Family Ancestor was obsessed with the Immortal Golden Body Technique, investing most of his time and resources on himself, or else if he had devoted his efforts to array research, perhaps he could have used the convenience of this place to create a super array even the Biyun Sect would find hard to breach.

”If Xiaoqiao were here, she could definitely unleash the powers of an Earth Spirit Master!” Li Ji’an mused to himself as he glanced back.

At this moment, Liu Jingchun’s dantian was shattered, and all cultivation lost, temporarily preserved by the Pill Medicine Li Ji’an crafted to lock his life force from dissipating, yet he appeared much older and shrouded in a melancholy aura.

However, sitting aside watching Guo Zilan chatting with Xiaoqiao, a warmth and tranquility graced his aged face.

Among them, Ning Yutan was the only one somewhat ill-at-ease, sitting upright and uneasy, occasionally sneaking glances at the distant peach blossom forest.

”Young friend, you know my character; I, Qin Henian, bear little ambition, and my Qin Family is also self-aware, never having overstepped bounds.

However, having the Holy Palace grant this Spirit Vein Dao Field to my Qin Family is, in the long term, not necessarily beneficial.

Therefore, I intend to turn this place into a haven for loose cultivators.

If a Spirit-Gathering Array shields this place, it could support two or three Fake Pill True Men without issue.

Currently, it has yet to formally recruit anyone, and for this core Dao Field, should you compete, your chances are significant. I wonder if you are interested?” Qin Henian glanced again at Liu Jingchun, whose face appeared serene, and then transmitted his voice quietly.

Li Ji’an gave Qin Henian a solemn look, seeing him in a new light.

Whether he was truly a prudent ruler or cleverly pretending to be simple was uncertain.

However, his decisive actions surpassed ordinary men.

Ten Thousand Laws Palace gifting this Dao Field to Qin Henian, bypassing Biyun Sect, surely intended for the Qin Family to restrain Biyun Sect.

If Qin Henian truly absorbed it into the Qin Family unbridled, developing heedlessly, producing even a second Core Formation True Man, Biyun Sect would undoubtedly feel pressured.

At that time, it would be uncertain whether it turned to blessing or disaster.

Such a decision, though appearing reckless, actually guarantees the Qin Family at least three generations of peace.

”Senior’s kindness, this junior remembers well, yet, the Upper Sect made an exception by granting me the Honored Guest Elder status, treating me well, and within the sect, many fellow cultivators have offered support, really…” Li Ji’an began, cautiously.

Before Li Ji’an could finish, Qin Henian interrupted with a slight smile: ”Young friend, the Upper Sect indeed treats you well, but ultimately, you’re just an Honored Guest Elder, not a Sect member, and as far as I know, for Tier Three Spirit Veins, not just you as a guest elder, even some Inner Sect Disciples might not have the right to use them.

Moreover, as just an Honored Guest Elder, it’s ultimately a transaction of value. If you can no longer refine alchemy, unable to provide value, it leads to the contract’s termination. What then?

One must think long-term.

Furthermore, what about your future offspring? Wouldn’t you need to provide them with a place for Nourishing Veins?”

”What senior says is reasonable, allow this junior to consider further.” Li Ji’an, wearing a conflicted expression, used stalling tactics.

What Qin Henian said typically applied to ordinary Honored Guest Elders, though it did not quite suit him.

With the connections he had built over the years within Biyun Sect, it was not impossible.

Seeing Li Ji’an’s reaction, Qin Henian understood that pressing further might instill suspicion about deceit, so he refrained from saying more, instead turning to Xiaoqiao: ”My foolish elder brother, just a few years left to live, seems like today is his happiest day; your daughter is not bad.”

”Xiaoqiao’s background is pitiable, Senior Guo is kind and amiable, perhaps they share a connection.” Li Ji’an nodded.

”Well-behaved, sincere in her emotions, neither frivolous nor sycophantic, even this old man has taken quite a liking to the little girl.” Qin Henian further stated.

”Young friend, how about I adopt her as my granddaughter?”

Li Ji’an cupped his hands: ”This junior thanks the senior on behalf of Xiaoqiao for the great kindness.”

In the cultivation realm, a Fake Pill True Man adopting a god child or grandchild is truly a tremendous favor, especially in resource-scarce Cangyun State, it practically ensures Foundation Establishment.

It is not only the grace of status and background but real, tangible favor, granting effectively a hundred more years of life, as if living another lifetime.