Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Thinking of this, Li Ji’an formally emerged from seclusion.

Xu Xiaochun, seeing Li Ji’an’s condition has improved notably, burst into tears of joy.

”Master, your disciple has fully refined my magical power to perfection and can soon attempt Foundation Establishment. Once I succeed in establishing my foundation, I will begin searching for the Pill Formula for the Nine Revolutions Returning Pill.”

Li Ji’an smiled kindly and patted his shoulder: ”Foolish child, this is destiny and cannot be defied!”

”I will defy destiny!” Xu Xiaochun’s eyes were firm, matching his young and reckless nature.

Li Ji’an then just smiled and shook his head, saying no more.

With age, time causes everyone to grow.

The two then headed towards the Sect’s Grand Hall.

”Wanzhi greets Master! Congratulations on emerging from seclusion.” As they passed Pill Cauldron Peak, Guo Wanzhi happened to be flying towards the Outer Peak.

”Not bad, your magical power is pure and strong. Wanzhi, your talent is extraordinary, and your future achievements are limitless.” Li Ji’an sensed her post-Foundation Establishment magical power aura and praised her without holding back.

Two years ago, Guo Wanzhi had already perfected her Qi Cultivation and successfully established her foundation.

However, at that time, her contributions to the sect were not enough to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill. Xu Xiaochun gave her his own contributions, suggesting she establish her foundation first, and then earn more contributions to obtain the pill for him.

Nonetheless, when Xu Xiaochun first muttered to himself outside the peak, it was clear he intended to help Guo Wanzhi establish her foundation, while he himself planned to follow in the footsteps of his martial uncle, Xiao Changfeng, and attempt Foundation Establishment without using the pill.

After all, even if Guo Wanzhi succeeded in establishing her foundation, to earn more contributions, she would need to venture into dangerous places like the Ancient Tomb in the Black Water Swamp.

But that place is too dangerous, with frequent reports of True Men falling there over the years.

”Thank you, Master. However, the Foundation Establishment Pill was exchanged with my senior brother’s contributions...” Guo Wanzhi looked at Xu Xiaochun, not showing joy at receiving Li Ji’an’s praise, but instead directly acknowledging Xu Xiaochun’s sacrifice.

Li Ji’an nodded, understanding her thoughts but expressing nothing for the moment.

He sent his two disciples back to Pill Cauldron Peak and then went to the Sect’s Grand Hall himself.

As soon as he entered, Li Ji’an raised his eyebrows sharply.

”Aunt Yao!”

The visitor was none other than Tong Yaoyao, whom he hadn’t seen for seventy-two years!

Back when Biyun Sect was developing relics on Great Marsh Mountain, the Nine Tripods Commerce Association withdrew from the Celestial Cyan Domain, and since they were too far apart, beyond the range of Communication Talismans, they lost contact.

”Tsk tsk, you actually formed your core!” Tong Yaoyao was pleasantly surprised to see Li Ji’an.

”This...” Master Jade Pill and the three Fake Pill Elders were quite shocked.

All these years, they never knew Li Ji’an had such a close relative in the mid-stage True Core.

When Tong Yaoyao mentioned it earlier, they thought there was some misunderstanding.

The current situation left no room for doubt anymore!

”Then... Elder Fu Yao, Elder Li, take your time with your conversation; we will take our leave first.” The three elders wisely excused themselves.

Watching the three leave, Li Ji’an set a Restriction with a wave of his hand, then resumed his conversation with Tong Yaoyao.

”Aunt Yao passed away a jiazi ago. Before she died, I mentioned your previous request, but she refused.”

”She said the matters of the past generation should remain in the past. You have your own life to lead and should not bear the burdens of their generation. Moreover, the Yellow Sand Forbidden Land is too terrifying, and she didn’t want you to take the risk.”

”This is the Jade Pendant she left for you, given by your father back then. Keep it as a keepsake.”

Looking at the Jade Pendant handed over by Tong Yaoyao, Li Ji’an’s memory stirred. It wasn’t he who gave it, but rather the one Zhao Shuyao snatched away initially in the Immortal Dynasty.

With a sigh, Li Ji’an accepted the Jade Pendant and placed it in his bosom, silently wishing her well.

”Thank you, Aunt Yao!” Li Ji’an bowed in gratitude.

”Originally, I had promised Aunt Yao to help you form your core, but now...it seems unnecessary.” Contained with the Jade Pendant was a black box, Tong Yaoyao gave Li Ji’an a scrutinizing look, then shook her head.

”Aunt Yao, this... is it the Core Formation Spirit Treasure?” Li Ji’an sensed a faint spiritual mechanism.

”What? You’ve already formed a Fake Pill, and there’s no hope for you in this life. Do you still want it?” Tong Yaoyao immediately retracted her hand.

Li Ji’an laughed awkwardly. Tong Yaoyao’s character remained as unrestrained as ever, unlike the decorum and solemnity feigned by the True Core elites in the Celestial Cyan Domain.

He speculated about Tong Yaoyao’s life in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain over the years.

”I... There may be no hope for me in this life, but there’s always the next.”

”Nevermind, nevermind, it was meant for you anyway.” Tong Yaoyao slightly frowned, then begrudgingly tossed the black box over.

”Thank you, Aunt Yao!” Li Ji’an was overjoyed and quickly opened the black box.

Inside was a water-blue jewel, perfectly round and emanating a rich aura.

”The Vast Sea Pearl!” Ranked seventy-second among Core Formation Spirit Treasures.

This pearl is said to be born alongside Qiuli Water. Although its effect in solidifying pills ranks only seventy-second, its purification ability is quite good, depending on how long it’s been paired with Qiuli Water.

If paired for over a millennium, it will have fifty percent of Qiuli Water’s purification effect.

”Hold your thanks; since you’re already a Tier Three Pill Master, making an Face Stabilizing Pill for Aunt Yao should be no problem, right?”

”No problem, definitely no problem!” Li Ji’an readily agreed.

Previously, he had concocted such a pill for the sect’s True Men, and the Alchemy Room still had a full set of materials.

So Li Ji’an wasted no time, inviting Tong Yaoyao to the Outer Peak.

On this journey, he subtly inquired about the situation in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain.

Contrasting it with Si Shui Commerce Association and Master Yu Xiao’s descriptions, he gained a clearer understanding of the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain.

At the same time, he also learned why Tong Yaoyao only came now.

It turns out she only gained freedom after reaching her current cultivation level, finally released by her ancestors.

Aside from fulfilling Zhao Shuyao’s last wish, she had to find her biological father.

Her mother also passed away a few years ago, and her greatest wish was to have her reunite with her father.

As for who her biological father was, she did not tell Li Ji’an.

Three days later, Tong Yaoyao received her Face Stabilizing Pill and left, satisfied.

”It’s time to leave.” Li Ji’an carefully sensed his Rejuvenation time and decided to leave the Biyun Sect.

After dealing with Tong Yaoyao, aside from Master Jade Pill, the other veteran elders’ attitudes towards Li Ji’an changed greatly, showing additional respect on top of his Tier Three Pill Master status.

”Ladies and gentlemen, my life expectancy is running out. Master Fu Yao has shown me a path to survival. Whether I return in three to five years, or perhaps in another life, we shall see.” Li Ji’an formally bid farewell, with adequate reason.

Master Jade Pill wearily handed Li Ji’an a bottle of Pill Medicine: ”Xiaoli, this old man is incompetent. Over these years, besides this Mixed Pill with minimal recovery effects, I’ve accomplished nothing. I hope it might be of some use to you.”

”Teacher’s kindness, Li will never forget in this lifetime!” Li Ji’an solemnly bowed low, bidding farewell to his teacher.

He also handed over the compiled and continually refined ”Li’s Pill Records” to Master Jade Pill.

Afterwards, he summoned his two disciples to a private chamber.

There wasn’t much to say about Guo Wanzhi; she was already a well-behaved girl who respected her teacher. She was extremely devoted to Li Ji’an, had remarkable talent, and was very diligent. Her alchemy foundation was solid, and she had successfully established her foundation, making her a qualified disciple, albeit not particularly close.

However, Xu Xiaochun held a special place in his affection. Given his situation with no Foundation Establishment Pill secured, Li Ji’an handed him a Mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pill he had crafted previously, honing his own skills with superior-grade pills, as a token of their master-disciple relationship.

Both disciples, understanding what Li Ji’an’s journey entailed, were tearful.

After comforting the two disciples, Li Ji’an set out on his Flying Boat, leaving Biyun Sect.

Beforehand, he had communicated and bid farewell to Xiao Changfeng.

Three years ago, upon learning of Li Ji’an’s severe injuries, Xiao Changfeng sent a Communication Talisman for clarity on the situation, and they had exchanged messages over those three years.

However, the development of the Ancient Tomb had reached a critical point. Two years ago, they breached the fifth chamber, and now they were close to the final chamber. The six major sects were all poised, anticipating the Nascent Soul opportunity that might lie within! So he couldn’t leave at all.

Upon receiving Li Ji’an’s Communication Talisman now, he expressed his heartfelt regards!