Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

At this moment, Little Fire Spirit also ran out from Li Ji’an’s Dantian, jumping up and down on Gugu’s head.

”If there is a chance, I hope the three of us can always journey together, at least to see the highest Spirit Peak and the farthest Domain Sea in this world.”

”Gugu~” Gugu, upon hearing this, immediately perked up, sensing Li Ji’an’s sincerity.

...

At dawn the next day, Li Ji’an once again took Gugu out of the Cave Mansion.

In no time, they reached the High Tier Blood Pool at the far end of the Blood Pool Workshop, where they had been yesterday.

The Blood Pool was built within a bamboo forest, about an acre in size. Besides the quiet rooms of the shop, there were a few pavilions around it.

At this moment, five people had already arrived early; three were discussing and exchanging insights on Beast Taming, while two others sat quietly in corners, waiting patiently.

The appearance of Li Ji’an caught the eyes of the five.

However, seeing his expression that discouraged strangers from approaching, they all turned their heads away, not disturbing him.

Li Ji’an also found a pavilion with no one in it and sat down cross-legged to wait.

Within the next half hour, three more people arrived early.

Bai Cailin, however, arrived precisely on time.

But the other eight clearly knew Bai Cailin; not only did they not criticize her for being late, they all went up to greet and converse with her.

After all, the Yaochi Commerce Association, part of the Eighteen Merchants Association and focusing on Female Cultivator business, was quite wealthy and controlled almost seventy percent of the Dual Cultivation, Melody, and Leisure industries in the domain.

”Ha~ indeed it’s you!” Bai Cailin ignored the few who were trying to curry favor, instead spotting Li Ji’an sitting quietly in the pavilion and went straight over.

This shocked everyone present, prompting them to secretly conjecture about Li Ji’an’s identity.

Li Ji’an, from beginning to end, did not open his eyes or respond.

”You actually have a Second Tier Peak Spirit Pet; could it be that the trash competed for that Green Blood Pill for you?” Bai Cailin transmitted her voice again.

Li Ji’an was slightly surprised; she still thought Wu Yehua competed for that Green Blood Pill?

Did Wu Chengzhi tell her and she didn’t believe it, or was it because the confidentiality of the two Commerce Associations prevented them from communicating?

”What do you mean?” Li Ji’an confirmed her guess along the way.

”Hmph, rest assured, this Fairy has already acquired Upper Grade Spiritual Talent in place of the Green Blood Pill, so there’s no need to covet that trash’s Green Blood Pill.” Bai Cailin said disdainfully.

”However, you must give an explanation for your previous disrespect to this Fairy!”

”What kind of explanation do you want?” Li Ji’an was moved, as there was not much certainty for Gugu to condense a Demon Pill, it would be better to have an alternative.

”After the Spirit Pet Blood Refinement, duel with me!” Bai Cailin said without hesitation.

She had exchanged blows with Wu Chengzhi and knew Wu Chengzhi’s strength, and Wu Chengzhi told her that Liu Qingyun’s strength was no less than hers.

As a competitor in this session’s Flying Crane Dao Discussion, Bai Cailin wanted to know Liu Qingyun’s real strength in advance.

She also wanted to teach him a lesson by strength, to relieve the hatred from being scolded at that time.

”Humph, what benefit does Liu have?”

”You still want benefits? Forgiving your apology is already on Chengzhi’s face.” Bai Cailin frowned.

”No deal!” Without being deceived, Li Ji’an refused directly.

Bai Cailin was about to say more, but the shopkeeper had already called for the Array Master.

”Dear guests, the Blood Pool Array is about to be activated, prepare to let your Spirit Pets enter the pool!”

”In advance, dear guests, please take good care of your Spirit Pets to avoid conflicts. If any Spirit Pet cannot be controlled and damages the Blood Pool, the losses suffered by other guests will be your full responsibility.”

As soon as the words fell, all ten people came to the front of the Blood Pool as required.

”Splash~” As the shop’s Array Master activated the Array, the Blood Pool instantly roared with waves.

The Blood-Evil Qi of Tier Three Demon Beasts surged forth.

”Now!” The shopkeeper called again.

”Whoosh whoosh whoosh~” Spirit Pets leaped out from their respective Spirit Pet Bags.

”Hiss~ Fellow Daoist Xu’s Spirit Pet is the rare Thunder Winged Lion!”

The first to leap into the Blood Pool was a white male lion with wings on its ribs, accompanied by the Power of Thunder and Lightning, which unceremoniously occupied the core position in the center of the Blood Pool.

This drew exclamations from the others.

Then came three Blazing Flame Tigers, which were the core Spirit Pets sold by the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association, usually based on Upper Grade bloodline, not cheap, and most reliable.

However, the three Blazing Flame Tigers still showed some apprehension towards the Thunder Winged Lion and could only choose positions beside it.

Next, the Spirit Pets that followed were mostly top-level Spirit Pets from Tiger Roar Immortal City, including a Manggu Giant Elephant with Celestial Grade bloodline once auctioned by the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association.

These spirit beasts are surging with demon qi, imposing and awe-inspiring, their pressure stronger than that of Foundation Establishment Peak cultivators.

Even Gugu in the Spirit Pet Bag is intimidated by their might, a suppression from bloodline. Unless Gugu’s realm surpasses theirs, it can’t help but be subdued.

Bai Cailin, seeing Li Ji’an hadn’t released his spirit pet yet, couldn’t wait any longer. She lightly tapped the Spirit Pet Bag, and a Seven-Colored Spiritual Crane soared out with a loud caw.

With the crane’s cry, the presence of the previous eight spirit beasts seemed to ease.

Although the Seven-Colored Spiritual Crane only has an Upper Grade bloodline, it has lived for nearly three hundred years and has already condensed a Demon Pill once, regularly receiving Upper-Grade Spiritual Talent tributes from Bai Cailin. Notably, as a descendant of the True Spirit Immortal Crane from Ancient Times, it suppresses ordinary demon beasts by bloodline.

As the crane stepped into the Blood Pool, the Thunder Winged Lion let out a low growl but ultimately grudgingly gave way.

Bai Cailin, seeing this, nodded in satisfaction, pleased the crane didn’t embarrass her.

Afterward, she turned to look at Li Ji’an, somewhat provocatively.

Li Ji’an was expressionless, lightly tapped the Spirit Pet Bag, and the Gugu, as large as a millstone, jumped out.

”Gua~” As soon as Gugu emerged, it felt the bloodline suppression from the nine High Tier spirit beasts in the Blood Pool and couldn’t help but tremble.

”Heh~ You actually raised a Vermilion Toad!” Bai Cailin laughed directly at the scene.

This left the other eight people stunned.

None expected that among those undergoing Blood Pool refinement together, there would be a spirit beast of such low-tier among them.

However, the next moment they were secretly astonished, unbelieving someone could cultivate a Vermilion Toad to Second Tier Peak.

”It’s fine, focus on the refinement!” Li Ji’an was indifferent to the crowd’s attitude and wasn’t angry at Gugu’s involuntary reaction.

Bloodline suppression is not about courage, and Gugu’s inferior bloodline is a fact, but it’s not its fault.

Just like no matter how powerful a demon beast is, it will be suppressed by the aura of a True Dragon.

”Gua~” Only then did Gugu come to its senses, a hint of annoyance flashed in its eyes, understanding it had embarrassed its master.

”Go ahead!” Li Ji’an nodded.

Gugu took a deep breath and leaped into the Blood Pool.

Having just embarrassed its master, it clenched its teeth this time, determined not to embarrass him again.

As Gugu jumped into the Blood Pool, the spirit beasts inside began to growl lowly.

All were intimidating it not to approach.

The Blood Pool is large, but these spirit beasts are significant in size, and each spirit beast’s safe zone is substantial, almost occupying the entire pool.

Only the very corner of the Blood Pool remained for Gugu to reside.

However, while the Blood Pool has elixirs throughout, the area in the center has the strongest properties, with relatively better refinement effects.

”Screech~” Suddenly, the Seven-Colored Spiritual Crane let out a cry.

Under the intimidation of the spirit beasts, Gugu ended up heading straight toward the central area, where Bai Cailin’s Seven-Colored Spiritual Crane was!

This crane’s cry contained a slight wave of sonic power along with its inherent Immortal Crane bloodline, causing all the spirit beasts to subconsciously bow down.

Gugu also subconsciously shrank into the Blood Pool.

Yet after the crane cried, Gugu unexpectedly rose from the pool again, stepping towards the central area.

”Hmm?” Bai Cailin’s brows furrowed.

”A toad lusting after swan meat, courting death!”

”Screech~” The Seven-Colored Spiritual Crane sensed its master’s emotions and cried sharply again.

This time with greater pressure.

”Gugu Gugu Gugu~” However, to everyone’s astonishment, that frog struggled to bow then raised its head, defiantly calling out to the crane.

Its steps didn’t falter.

Yet clearly, its advancing steps were staggering; the bloodline suppression made it hard to proceed, purely powered by sheer determination!

Li Ji’an raised an eyebrow slightly, somewhat amused, feeling that compared to other spirit beasts, Gugu seemed more emotional, appearing more sentiment-driven.

”Not bad!”

”Honored guests, please control your spirit pets; the Blood Pool refinement is about to begin.” Seeing the demon beasts in the pool not fully settled yet, the shopkeeper reminded once more.

He had one last elixir to add after the beasts were all ready.

”Hmph!” Seeing that the frog persisted, Bai Cailin snorted and reluctantly ordered the crane.

The crane, rather displeased, moved aside, making space for Gugu.

”Gua~” Gugu struggled to reach the central position in the Blood Pool, suddenly lifted its head, proudly looking at Li Ji’an.