Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Compared to Ning Sujin’s clear and flawless Golden Core, it is as different as heaven and earth.

Han Mu understood this in his heart, yet his expression remained calm, with only a faint trace of an ”arrangement” belonging to one in a higher position for the fate of those in lower positions appearing in the depths of his gaze.

He spoke, his tone was that of stating rules, not discussion: ”Fellow Daoist Li’s cultivation is solid, and his Dao heart is stable, he can establish a venture in this domain.

However, the rules of Holy Beast Mountain are ancient and have their law.

The Dao companion of an Inner Sect True Disciple, if not a Top-Grade True Pill, or possessing special talents or skills, cannot reside in the core area of Spirit Mountain to avoid disturbance to the pure cultivation grounds, and this is fairness within the Sect.”

He paused slightly, providing what he considered a fairly reasonable and even slightly comprehensive placement based on Li Ji’an’s demonstrated cultivation: ”If Daoist is willing to accompany Ning Sujin, our mountain gate can arrange a superior cave mansion in the Outer ’City of Ten Thousand Beasts’, where the spiritual energy is abundant enough for cultivation.

Judging by your composure, I suppose you might have some experience with the various arts of cultivation such as pills, artifacts, talismans, and arrays?

As long as you pass the corresponding assessment, no matter which path you specialize in, you can be hired as an ’Outer Sect Honored Guest Elder’, entitled to the corresponding tributor resources.

In this way, you can secure your livelihood, refine your skills, and regularly meet your Dao companion.

This has taken human feelings into account, and is not a common practice.”

The status of Outer Sect Honored Guest Elder objectively acknowledges Li Ji’an’s ’Middle Level True Pill, Mid-stage’ cultivation and potential ’skill specialty’, as a systemic placement.

It is not humiliating, yet draws a clear boundary: you are a ’follower’, with your activity range in the cultivator city outside the mountain gate, and your value warrants additional, recognized ’technique’ to exchange for the official honored guest status.

Distinctly separate from the ’core True Inheritor’ path that Ning Sujin is about to embark on, aimed directly at Nascent Soul.

All eyes once again focused on Li Ji’an, previous envy and amazement mostly turned into complex scrutiny, sympathy, and even a subtle trace of mockery.

Li Ji’an’s expression remained gentle, yet his heart was already turning a thousand times.

Judging by the other’s words and demeanor, there is no possibility of refusal.

If branded with a lack of positiveness in demon dao opposition, or even accused of being a demon dao person, the situation would become uncontrollable.

After pondering for a moment, he stepped half forward, next to Ning Sujin, cupping his hands respectfully, speaking sincerely: ”Senior Han’s meticulous thoughts and fitting arrangements are appreciated by the junior.

It is indeed a blessing for my wife to be favored by Holy Beast Mountain. However...” He slightly shifted his tone, with negotiation and difficulty: ”My wife’s Golden Core has just formed, still requires some time to nurture and stabilize, an abrupt journey might harm its foundation.

Junior humbly asks if Senior can grant some time, allowing her to stabilize fully before going to the mountain gate?

Thus, it would not waste Senior’s nurturing intentions, nor would it entail minor losses impairing this fine talent.”

Han Mu’s eyebrows moved slightly imperceptibly, a bit surprised at Li Ji’an’s stance towards him: ”Oh? How long does the young friend think it could stabilize?”

”I fear it requires one jiazi.” Li Ji’an replied casually, only needing one jiazi, with abundant spiritual resources supplied by the Business Alliance, he is confident to advance to the late stage of Core Formation, dragging the situation till then, choices would be broader.

”Hmm?” Han Mu instantly raised an eyebrow, soon shook his head: ”One jiazi? That’s too frivolous. The demon dao is rampaging, the mountain gate urgently seeks talents, how could it wait for an entire jiazi?”

”It was junior’s inconsideration.” Li Ji’an adapted swiftly, immediately retreated, yet proposed a new suggestion, ”Then... how about forty years? A middle ground figure.”

”Twenty years.” Han Mu’s tone was plain yet carried undeniable decision, ”This is the bottom line, no further argument. After twenty years, an envoy shall arrive here.

By then, Ning Sujin should prepare well, do not delay.” The last sentence was a clear warning to Ning Sujin.

”Twenty years...” Li Ji’an seemed to be weighing, ultimately, after Ning Sujin gently pulled on his sleeve, he took a deep breath, solemnly cupped his hands, ”If it is such, junior thanks Senior on behalf of my wife for this fulfillment.”

Seeing the matter finally decided, Han Mu spoke no more, showing neither joy nor anger.

Just as he was about to turn away, Tong Yaoyao stepped forward with a smile again, posture respectful yet unyielding: ”A distinguished envoy from afar is our guest, weary from travels, can’t depart just like that?

The Business Alliance has prepared a modest banquet in the inner hall, offering several rare Spirit Fruits from this domain and a thousand-year-old brew, though not daring to compare with the delicacies of Holy Mountain, it bears some unique flavors.

We beseech the envoy to grace us, let our Business Alliance modestly fulfill the duty of a host, also having some local wonders, perhaps to amuse the envoy for a moment.”

This is due courtesy, also a precious opportunity for the Business Alliance to attempt establishing a slight connection with such a vast entity as Holy Beast Mountain.

Han Mu pondered slightly and nodded: ”Alliance Leader Tong’s warm hospitality is hard to decline, I will intrude then.”

He followed Tong Yaoyao heading toward the inner hall.

”Hmm?” Just when passing by Li Ji’an, he paused slightly.

In Li Ji’an’s Spirit Pet Bag, he unexpectedly sensed a rather familiar Great Demon Qi.

Not intentional probing, but an almost instinctive sharp perception of the bloodline of spirit beasts by a Golden Core Ascendant of Holy Beast Mountain.

For a moment, he looked at Li Ji’an with surprise again but did not say anything more, soon vanished from everyone’s sight.

The envoy’s arrival from Holy Beast Mountain, recruitment, and the ”Twenty-Year Pact” were like lightning piercing through the night sky, completely illuminating and altering the essence of the celebration.

Despite the subsequent three days of banquets remaining filled with melodious music and splendid spirit dishes, the emotions had already shifted.

The gaze upon Ning Sujin now brimmed with more complex measurements and reverence, while the look towards Li Ji’an was informed by an inexpressible sense of emotion—envy for his Dao companion’s extraordinary opportunity, while sighing at his possible future ”separation” and his own ”subsidiary” position.

Li Ji’an seemed oblivious to all this, still responding warmly to all the various sincere or probing toast.

Only when he raised his glass looking toward the dusking scene outside the hall, deep within his eyes, there was a bit of helplessness.

Twenty years... which again disrupts his plans.

Yet soon after he ceased pondering over this, after all, there remains a buffer of twenty years.

And right now, once tonight’s celebration ends, Xiaoqiao’s group should return to Celestial Cyan Domain, Zhao Zhiye undoubtedly won’t let it go...