Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

"Brother, this is a superior Core Formation Spirit Treasure, let’s split it between us."

"Core Formation Spirit Treasure? This... I would be remiss to decline." Faced with the Core Formation Spirit Treasure, no cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage wouldn’t be tempted, and Li Ji’an didn’t refuse, not even offering a token gesture of modesty.

Seeing Li Ji’an happily accept half of the Earth Source Essence, Xiao Changfeng felt even more at ease.

He then retrieved the previously dropped Gilded Fire Gourd, activating a Flame Shield: "Brother, you just used multiple Spirit Talismans, now use this nascent Magical Treasure for protection."

These words were exactly what Li Ji’an wanted to hear, as the crisis had been resolved, there was no need to continue consuming the valuable Spirit Talismans for protection.

Then, the two headed towards Cangyun State.

Fortunately, Li Ji’an had left a Spiritual Mark outside before entering the Fire Domain, guiding their way and preventing them from getting lost in the realm of flames.

Just as they disappeared into the billowing flames, the Little Fire Spirit emerged from a cluster of blue-violet flames with a whoosh, heading towards the icy blue flames on the 3rd Floor.

Three months later, Xiao Changfeng, who had been trapped in the Fire Domain for nearly a year, finally breathed the outside air again, his tense nerves finally relaxing.

However, he soon frowned slightly.

"Brother, that old thief Tian harbors malicious intentions. My safe return to the Sect might infuriate him, but with my True Inheritor status and Elder Fang as my backing, he can’t act against me even if he’s disgruntled.

But you, my brother, though an Honored Guest Elder, are not a Sect Disciple. Elder Tian holds a high position, and even Master Jade Pill might find it difficult to advocate for you. I can only protect myself now and can’t protect you.

So, to be cautious, I suggest you temporarily conceal the fact that you saved me from him. What do you think, brother?"

Xiao Changfeng finished speaking, looking at Li Ji’an.

Li Ji’an laughed freely: "You have thought it through, and I agree with you."

"However, once Elder Fang returns to the Sect and learns of my brother’s life-saving act, there will surely be a Sect reward, and I will do my utmost to help you properly join the Sect," Xiao Changfeng added.

Upon hearing this, Li Ji’an immediately waved his hand: "You know me well; my cultivation technique isn’t great, and I’ve spent years on alchemy without honing my magical power. Now, with my pill-making skills, I live comfortably on the Outer Peak. Joining the Sect might not benefit my Core Formation. Let’s bury this matter in our hearts."

"This..." Xiao Changfeng was slightly stunned, then considered Li Ji’an’s situation.

Already in the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, his magical power was difficult to advance further, facing the Core Formation Celestial Gate.

Even if he joined the Sect now, support for Core Formation resources might be scarce.

And with his magical power, a single portion of Earth Source Essence might not guarantee successful Core Formation.

"If that’s the case, we’ll go with your plan. Let’s discuss it after I achieve Core Formation!" Xiao Changfeng finally nodded.

On the way out of the Fire Domain, Li Ji’an didn’t hide anything from his questions, even showing him the messages with Master Jade Pill.

He already knew Elder Tian’s intentions.

However, regarding the Core Formation resources prepared for Zhao Qi by the Sect, he was now determined to obtain them!

With a portion of Earth Source Essence and the Sect’s Core Formation resources, he was confident in achieving a True Pill.

"Alright! I’ll wait for the day you achieve a True Pill, brother!" Li Ji’an smiled sincerely.

Liu Changfeng then took Li Ji’an’s advice, returning to the Sect alone.

Li Ji’an, aiming to avoid disputes with the Sect’s True Pill Elder Tian, planned not to return to the Sect temporarily.

With his current wealth and connections, he wasn’t short of Cultivation ground.

Watching Xiao Changfeng’s flying boat disappear into the distance, Li Ji’an sat in meditation to rest at his original spot.

Days later, the somewhat panting voice of the Little Fire Spirit came from underground.

"Thank you for your hard work!" Li Ji’an smiled slightly, seeing in his Divine Sense, the Little Fire Spirit’s small body struggling to drag the Cyan Wood Longsword many times its size.

Without hesitation, Gugu leapt out of the Spirit Pet Bag, swallowed the Little Fire Spirit and the Cyan Wood Magic Sword into its inner world, and then Li Ji’an also entered.

With the powerful aura of an Upper Three Grades Magical Treasure, he was worried it would be sensed by others.

After entering Gugu’s inner world, Li Ji’an examined the Cyan Wood Magic Sword closely, feeling a sense of awe.

Its aura was far more potent than any Artifact Li Ji’an had ever seen.

Fortunately, this Magical Treasure had lain buried in relics for so long that it was unclaimed; otherwise, if it were already bound as a Lifebound Magical Treasure, he might have been obliterated instantly by trying to force it.

"This is an Upper Three Grades Magical Treasure!" Holding the Magic Sword, Li Ji’an gently caressed its blade, feeling the intense Wood Spirit Mechanism.

However, compared to everything he owned with Wood Spiritual Mechanism, this sword carried lethal intent.

Logically, according to the Five Elements, Wood generates Fire, but the Little Fire Spirit avoided this sword.

After numerous fruitless studies, Li Ji’an left it in Gugu’s inner world.

Then he set sail towards the west.

Three months later, Li Ji’an arrived again at the Odd Stone Forest Dao Field.

"Uncle Li!" After thirteen years apart, Xiaoqiao showed not a hint of unfamiliarity upon seeing Li Ji’an again, even more warmly.

Three years ago, Liu Jingchun passed away of old age, and due to her status, only a few close people bid farewell.

A year ago, Guo Zilan followed Liu Jingchun, leaving Xiaoqiao with no relatives at the Odd Stone Forest Dao Field.

As for Qin Henian, her god-grandfather, there was little emotional connection, and Qin Henian had been contributing to his family’s trade in recent years, rarely visiting the Odd Stone Forest Dao Field.

"Silly girl, you’re now the master of the Odd Stone Forest; don’t easily let others see your vulnerability." Seeing Xiaoqiao’s eyes brimming with tears, Li Ji’an smiled, patting her shoulder.

With Qin Henian’s support, the cultivators residing at the Odd Stone Forest Dao Field were personally selected and accepted by Xiaoqiao, having long revered her as the master here.

The Odd Stone Forest was more than the name of this Spirit Vein Land; it represented a force.

"Uncle Li, Xiaoqiao doesn’t want to be the master, I just want to stay by your side, tending flowers and plants." Xiaoqiao, emotionally distressed, fell into Li Ji’an’s embrace.

Li Ji’an understood her pain; just as she had found her family, they both departed again, a great blow to her.

"Don’t cry, Xiaoqiao. Uncle Li will come and spend more time with you whenever possible." Li Ji’an gently patted her back, calming her gently.

Eventually, they entered the Bamboo Forest Cottage where Liu Jingchun once resided, with Gugu and the Little Fire Spirit helping stabilize Xiaoqiao’s emotions.

"Uncle Li, if it weren’t for Sister Tan accompanying me these years, but... I found something seems unusual about her..." Once she had enjoyed her time with Gugu and others, Xiaoqiao approached Li Ji’an with a matter.

"Oh?" Li Ji’an raised an eyebrow slightly.

He was well aware of Ning Yutan’s unusualness, being someone from the Immortal Dynasty a hundred fifty-three years ago.

"What is unusual?"

Xiaoqiao bit her lip lightly, speaking honestly: "Sister Tan doesn’t seem to be alone."

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

"Uncle Li, through my grandfather’s teaching, my Earth Spirit Scripture has reached quasi Tier Three. Besides sensing broader ranges underground, I can detect certain things on the surface, even people’s situations," Xiaoqiao explained.

"Years ago, by chance, I vaguely sensed Sister Tan muttering and transmitting her voice to herself, even changing it, sparking my curiosity.

After both grandfather and grandmother passed away, frequent close encounters with Sister Tan finally revealed the abnormality of her Divine Soul.

To be precise, there should be two souls in her Sea of Consciousness!"

"..."

"Dual souls in one body?" Li Ji’an’s pupils suddenly dilated.

Almost instantly, he thought of a possibility.

"Could it be that Ning Sujin’s soul is residing within Ning Yutan’s body?"

Fourteen years ago, upon accidentally seeing Ning Yutan and learning that Ning Sujin seemed to have fallen into slumber and was taken away by the Ten Thousand Laws Palace, he had many doubts.

However, due to limited knowledge and information, he never thought in this direction.

After all, in his understanding of the cultivation realm, it was nearly impossible for a Primordial Spirit to emerge unless one was a Nascent Soul True Monarch.

Even in ancient history, although a few Core Formation True Men experienced divine soul anomalies and soul departure miracles, he never thought Ning Sujin could achieve Core Formation.

"What is really going on here?"