Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

No wild Tier Three Demon King is not a ruler of a territory, having devoured countless Demon Cores of beasts of the same type and acquired Heaven and Earth Spirit Treasures; each Tier Three Demon King must have gone through numerous battles and calamities to carve out a bloody path.

As for the spirit beasts reared by humans, even the Beast Taming Liu Family, which has a legacy of over a thousand years, can only cultivate one Tier Three Beast King forming a Fake Pill with their entire clan's efforts each generation.

Besides the Beast Pill given to Gugu by Li Ji'an, other benefits are minimal. The main issue is the lack of experience in fighting, missing the kind of wilderness that comes alive after surviving death.

In this regard, Li Ji'an can't help it for the time being.

"Next time when I visit the Si Shui Commerce Association, I'll see if they can trade for treasures in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain that can help spirit pets achieve Core Formation." Li Ji'an comforted and left Gugu with expectations.

"Gugu~" Gugu immediately jumped up, its big, bulbous eyes blinking with anticipation.

"Rest assured, you and I are bonded as master and pet; if I achieve my path, you won't fall behind!" Li Ji'an patted Gugu and glanced at Little Fire Spirit.

Little Fire Spirit's spirit was instantly lifted, and it enthusiastically approached with flickering flames.

"As for the methods of advancement for the Fire Spirit Race, I will gather information as well. Can't guarantee much, but certainly can anticipate the day of transformation." According to ancient records, a Heaven and Earth Holy Spirit ages one year per century and can transform after a millennium.

In fact, the transformation of a Holy Spirit also requires advancing to Tier Four Holy Spirit, equivalent to a Nascent Soul True Monarch of the Human Race.

Regarding the advancement of Fire Spirits, Li Ji'an currently has no useful information.

Previously, he merely let it be close to whatever the Fire Spirit instinctively felt affinity for.

Whether it initially nurtured it with Dantian Fire Element Magical Power, or later returned it to the red stone or dry tree branch, the progress was ultimately slow.

Perhaps it's because of my Foundation Establishment Middle Stage realm's insufficiency and inability to access secrets relating to Holy Spirits.

However, I believe with each Rejuvenation, as my realm and status improve, I will eventually find a way to advance the Fire Spirit.

Little Fire Spirit, upon hearing these words, flickered its flames even more joyfully.

Seeing the look of longing on the two little ones, Li Ji'an became serious:

"Today, I want to tell you both a secret. Actually, I've been cultivating a special Divine Skill."

Six months ago, upon learning a Nascent Soul True Monarch had imprinted himself into my Sea of Consciousness, I began planning Rejuvenation ahead of time.

In order to completely erase traces of the current soul, I can no longer use Soul-Holding Ants to store my Divine Soul like in my past life.

Besides, this life is different from the last; back then, Gugu was merely a Tier One Late Period Spirit Beast with limited spiritual intelligence, relying more on instincts, and its Divine Soul was weaker.

In this life, Gugu is a Tier Two Mid-Stage Spirit Pet, and the Fire Spirit is even a Heaven and Earth Holy Spirit; using the same method of soul storage and maintaining the Divine Soul Contract might not succeed.

Even if soul storage maintains the contract, my soul, after Rejuvenation, cannot bind as it did in the previous life, potentially causing the other party to resist and react with innate hostility, leading to a crisis.

Besides, the closeness developed over decades in this life, understands the nature of these two little creatures.

Rather than rely on tricks, it's better to build relationships.

Most importantly, I need to give them expectations.

Only Li Ji'an can help them ascend to higher levels.

"Gugu~" Gugu's eyes widened intensely, looking directly at Li Ji'an.

"The Divine Skill I cultivate is called True Dragon Nine Transformations; each transformation strengthens me further; after a few more transformations, I can surely help you become Demon King Holy Spirits!" Li Ji'an assured.

"This is a secret belonging to the three of us; no one must know!" Li Ji'an added while the two little ones were in a slight shock.

"Gugu~" Gugu, with a slower reaction, only nodded adamantly after a while beyond Li Ji'an's speech.

But the two little ones still looked bewildered.

"Yet, with each reincarnation, I'll start over, and during my weakest moments, I need you two to protect me." Li Ji'an clarified.

"Gugu~" This time, Gugu reacted faster than Little Fire Spirit.

At the same time, distant memories floated to the forefront of its frog head.

It recalled the day sixty years ago.

Then its eyes revealed a look of enlightenment.

Li Ji'an smiled slightly and decisively lifted the Divine Soul Contract with the two little ones.

At this moment, Gugu and Little Fire Spirit had no binding Divine Soul Contract relationship with him.

Even if they disobeyed his will now, he could not invoke the Divine Soul Contract to threaten them.

This was Li Ji'an's verification in preparation for the next Rejuvenation.

If the little ones reveal behaviors different from before, or potentially uncontrollable after Rejuvenation, he could prepare early.

After the Divine Soul Contract with the little ones was lifted, they still looked at Li Ji'an bewilderedly, seemingly unaware of what happened.

After all, Li Ji'an had never truly used the Divine Soul Contract to threaten them over the years.

In the following six months, while Li Ji'an was cultivating and making talismans, he kept observing the two little ones.

The little ones were as usual; besides daily cultivation, they frolicked on the Spirit Peak, and Gugu didn't forget to tend to the spirit plants in the medicinal garden; Little Fire Spirit also enjoyed residing on that dry branch for long periods.

"Let's head out!" On this day, Li Ji'an packed the spirit talismans drawn over the year in categories and prepared to deliver them to the Celestial River Immortal City once more.

Although he didn't have Tier Three Heavenly Thunder Talismans as his ace this time, the number of Tier Two top talismans multiplied, all having a restraining effect on demon cultivators.

Plus his robust Divine Soul, he could swiftly activate several Tier Two top-talismans; those demon cultivators entering here posed little threat to him.

Three months later, Li Ji'an again appeared as an old man with a hemp garment at the Si Shui Commerce Association.

Facing Li Ji'an's arrival a month in advance, Vice President Yuan let out a sigh of relief.

A year ago, when Master Yuxiao made that decision, he was indeed worried, fearing the other party would take talisman materials and not appear again.

After all, everyone knew he was not his true self, with no keepsake left; once he left with the talisman materials and did not return, how would they find him in the vast sea of people?

Later, returning to review the spirit talismans submitted by Li Ji'an, Yuan Shunyi's old face broke into a grin.

The quality of talismans sold the year before had improved once more.

They were almost all Tier Two Late Period Mid-to-High Grade talismans, entirely exceeding Master Yuxiao's and his expectations.

"That girl indeed has great insight!" Yuan Shunyi praised in his heart, increasingly pleased with his granddaughter.

After paying Li Ji'an the agreed-upon price in spirit stones, Yuan Shunyi personally served him tea: "Please forgive us; Yuxiao, the girl set off for the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain half a year ago and might not be able to return soon, so she can't meet you this time."

"No matter, my visit this time is merely for the submission of spirit talismans." Li Ji'an sipped lightly.

"Oh, by the way, sir, please wait a moment. Last month, a spirit herb was sent from the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain; Yuxiao said it might be what you need." Yuan Shunyi suddenly recalled this matter and promptly instructed someone to fetch it.

Li Ji'an nodded slight acknowledgment.

Before long, a maid brought a spirit medicine, precisely the Tier Three spirit medicine Master Yuxiao mentioned seeing in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain.

Thus, only one ingredient, the Profound Ice Blue Lotus, remains for the Crystal Condensing Pill.

Stowing away the spirit medicine, Yuan Shunyi handed over a batch of talisman materials to Li Ji'an ahead of time.

Then Li Ji'an declined the hospitality and departed from the Si Shui Commerce Association with Yuan Shunyi seeing him off respectfully.

However, just as he walked to the association's entrance, he encountered Qin Henian hurriedly arriving.

"Sir, long time no see?"

"Master Qin, long time no see." Li Ji'an responded with a smile.

"Haha, it truly seems Qin and sir are destined, so chance encounters are better than invitations; how about a couple of drinks together?" Qin Henian said boldly.

Li Ji'an found it amusing internally; obviously, Qin Henian waited for him, yet he did not refuse.

A year ago, after assisting Qin Henian in achieving cooperation with the Si Shui Commerce Association, Li Ji'an did not take any benefits, which, with Qin Henian's character, probably made him feel uneasy.

And the benefits the Qin Family gained were incalculable; due to collaboration with the association, the Qin Family's self-produced Purple Bamboo materialized, adding annual revenue exceeding ten thousand to the family.

As long as this cooperation continues for several years, the Qin Family's spiritual talent will soar.

Along with connections to the Si Shui Commerce Association, the Qin Family nearly acquires the opportunity for transactions in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain.

The Ten Thousand Merchants Domain is different from the Celestial Cyan Domain; in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain, real Core Formation Spirit Treasures can be purchased if one has enough spiritual talent.

Receiving the old man's approval, Qin Henian was overjoyed.

In fact, he arrived at the Celestial River Immortal City two months prior, not only valuing the collaboration with the Si Shui Commerce Association.

More importantly, he wished to meet the old man again.

A year ago, the Qin Family had no hope of collaboration with the Si Shui Commerce Association; all due to the old man's grace.

Qin Henian is someone who repays kindness but, coming hastily back then, hadn't brought anything to give back to the old man.

This time, he was prepared and swore to repay the old man's kindness.