Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Just earlier, within Feihong Immortal City, Li Ji’an was hand-in-hand with Ning Sujin, indulging in the earthly atmosphere, when his spiritual thoughts suddenly stirred.

It’s Gugu.

Since the Five Blessings Commerce Association turmoil settled, with Tong Yaoyao taking over the Business Alliance, Li Ji’an’s status in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain had become exalted.

The once hidden card ”Gugu,” now being released for air posed no risk. This little fellow was just now restless in his sleeve, sending an urgent Divine Thought—it had sensed Xiaoqiao’s presence.

Xiaoqiao... In Li Ji’an’s mind, the image arises of the gentle lady from Golden Splendor Immortal City who meticulously cared for Gugu, quietly providing spiritual materials in the Odd Stone Forest. He hardly hesitated, exchanged a glance with Ning Sujin, then followed the sensing.

Unexpectedly, not only was Xiaoqiao here, but so were many familiar faces.

Xiao Changfeng and Fairy Yunyao went without saying, but those two disciples taken in by fortunate events in a past life—Xu Xiaochun and Zou Qi—were also conspicuously present. Further away, the complex and unreadable gaze of Blood Kite quietly watched.

The gathering of the old acquaintances was meant to be joyous.

However, when Li Ji’an’s gaze fell upon Xiaoqiao within the barrier, whose aura was chaotic and face pale, and those three unfamiliar yet imposing strangers across, his gentle brows ever so faintly creased.

”Ping’an!” Within the barrier, the despair in Xiaoqiao’s eyes melted like snow, instantly replaced by incredulous joy.

”Little Brother!” Xu Xiaochun’s face was full of heartfelt smiles, his sinister air diminished significantly.

Even the usually indifferent Zou Qi slightly relaxed the hand holding the sword, with a trace of warmth in his eyes.

Qin Chuan was utterly stupefied, sensing the majestic aura in Li Ji’an—no weaker than Zhao Zhiye—and recalling his earlier assertion to Zhang Zhiwei, he couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.

”Uncle Ping’an!” Zhang Zhiwei’s shout carried excitement and joy; had it not been an inappropriate time, he would have prostrated immediately to narrate the gratitude of past insights and encounters.

Blood Kite gazed dazedly at that still graceful and carefree figure, as if any worldly troubles did not faze, with the Divine Thought transmitting a barely detectable tremor: ”Master... this humble servant thought it would be impossible to see you again in this lifetime.”

While people, either shocked or delighted, immersed in Li Ji’an’s appearance and the shock of his Middle Stage Core Formation cultivation, the somewhat awkward Law Enforcement Honored Guest Elder of the Business Alliance suddenly found a lifeline, hurriedly stepped forward, and greeted with a smile:

”Greetings to Chang’an Honored Guest, greetings to Fairy Yong’an!”

With those words, silence again fell over the field.

Honored Guest! A position more revered than Honored Guest Elder! Everyone knew that the Business Alliance had recently appointed a mysterious Chang’an Honored Guest with an exalted status, even Alliance Leader Tong Yaoyao treated with utmost respect; unexpectedly, it was Li Ji’an!

And the soon-to-be-held Golden Core Ceremony, rumored to be stunning, ”Fairy Yong’an”—was indeed the ethereal and noble Ning Sujin quietly standing beside Li Ji’an!

The shock in Xiaoqiao’s heart was even greater. She had quite some interactions with Ning Sujin in Odd Stone Forest, knowing well the latter’s mediocre aptitude back then, solely relying on Li Ping’an’s precious resources... now, has she actually condensed a Golden Core? Her gaze towards Li Ji’an, apart from joy, contained another indescribable complexity.

Li Ji’an nodded slightly at the Law Enforcement Honored Guest Elder, then his gaze turned to the center of the scene, his voice calm and gentle yet carrying undeniable authority: ”What transpired here? Why engage in magical combat with my senior sister?”

”Senior Sister...”

The Law Enforcement Honored Guest Elder’s attitude had already drastically changed, hastily detailing the incident from ”strong-buy of Foundation Establishment Pill” to ”magical combat for reasoning,” then to Elder Dong revealing the Immortal Sect Token—step-by-step, without any bias.

Li Ji’an listened quietly, his expression unmoved.

Yet upon hearing mention of the Central Ten Domains’ Immortal Sect, his heart paused slightly.

When finished, he turned his gaze to the uncertain Zhao Zhiye: ”Fellow Daoist Zhao, what the Commerce Association Fellow Daoist narrated, is there any discrepancy?”

Zhao Zhiye, swept by his calm yet profound gaze, unknowingly felt a subtle chill in his heart; the prior lofty demeanor weakened somewhat, forcing him to muster courage to speak: ”This matter...”

Speaking, his gaze subconsciously directed toward Elder Dong behind him.

Elder Dong earlier had no choice but to bring forth his rarely-used Identity Token, originally thinking the issues here had been resolved, yet unexpectedly attracted the Business Alliance’s Honored Guest.

His slightly cloudy gaze fell upon Li Ji’an, with a flash of sharpness passing by. He, too, was amazed: This Earth Spirit Master Female Cultivator, her connections are indeed broad! Even the Business Alliance’s eminent Honored Guest is her junior brother.

”This old man Dong Cheng, an External Sect Honored Guest Elder for the Immortal Sect.” Elder Dong slowly spoke, his voice hoarse yet carrying a form of authority, ”This female wanted to forcibly buy my companion’s pill medicine, the evidence is conclusive, agreed to resolve through magical combat. Li Honored Guest intervening right now, are you perhaps trying to impose by power, disregarding the Commerce Association’s rules?”

He deliberately emphasized ”External Sect Honored Guest Elder” with ”Immortal Sect,” to both flaunt status and subtly warn—even as a Commerce Association Honored Guest, one must weigh the importance of these four words ”Immortal Sect.”

Upon hearing this, Li Ji’an only offered a faint smile, devoid of any anger yet encompassing an understanding of worldly affairs’ transparency: ”Elder Dong’s words are weighty. Li does not intend to ignore rules, rather believes above rules lies the words ’reason and sentiment.’”

His gaze swept over Pill Chenzi, then looked at the struggling Xiaoqiao within the barrier, continued: ”A Foundation Establishment Pill, what’s its market value? Is it truly worth a Core Formation True Man resorting to strong-buying deeds in broad daylight?”

”The nature of Senior Sister, Li knows well, furthermore, if Senior Sister desires Foundation Establishment Pill, Li could at any time provide her with a guaranteed Upper Grade Foundation Establishment Pill, why lower her status in such a manner?”