Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

"Don’t forget what people in this realm call me?"

"Divine Favored? You mean, Brother Li might also be one of the Divine Favored, and his miraculous..."

"I’m not sure. Find more opportunities to interact with him." The cold voice was filled with anticipation.

"Oh my god, Brother Li could be the Divine Favored? If that’s true, how wonderful that would be!" Ning Yutan was instantly delighted.

"Shut up! Keep this matter locked inside you; even if it’s true, you must not reveal a single word. It’s too dangerous here for Divine Favored!" Ning Sujin sternly warned.

-----------

The next morning, Ning Yutan went early to Li Ji’an’s mansion to pay respects, bringing along cakes made overnight.

What surprised Li Ji’an the most was whether it was intentional or just her specialty; the cakes made this time were exactly like those he first encountered in the Immortal Dynasty years ago.

Looking at Ning Yutan, who was respectfully kneeling on the ground, Li Ji’an’s lips slightly curled upwards.

"Rise."

"Thank you, Senior Li!"

"Regarding your physique condition, I already have a plan. First, use magical power daily to guide your meridians and nurture your Sea of Consciousness, and second, use Essence Blood Pills to strengthen your vitality and blood," Li Ji’an stated honestly.

Ning Yutan immediately prostrated to the ground upon hearing the words: "Yutan thanks Senior Li!"

Seeing her with no doubt or vigilance, Li Ji’an was slightly surprised.

"Hmm, but it’s best to have a cold jade bed for nurturing the Sea of Consciousness; it’ll be twice the result with half the effort. Also, Essence Blood Pills need Second-Tier Demon Beast Blood, so I need to prepare these things first."

"Senior Li, this is all I have. Although I know it’s definitely not enough to invite you personally, it...it’s a token of my sincerity," Ning Yutan took out a storage pouch again, her face full of earnestness.

Li Ji’an scanned it with his Divine Sense, finding nearly a thousand Spirit Stones inside.

For Ning Yutan, who has no skill other than selling Spirit Cakes, this could be considered a fortune.

After a moment of hesitation, Li Ji’an took the storage pouch with magical power: "Alright, before I return, your magical cultivation can be temporarily put on hold, focus on Body Refining instead."

Upon mentioning Body Refining, Ning Yutan’s expression subconsciously changed.

Seeing her expression, Li Ji’an immediately thought of her experiences, further adding, "Don’t overthink. Your physical condition lacks vitality; although Body Refining is unlikely to achieve much, it can slightly improve your physique."

"I...yes, I will follow what Senior advises!" Ning Yutan suddenly regained her composure, hurriedly responding.

Watching Ning Yutan leave, Li Ji’an frowned secretly; the blood slave incident of the Liu Family has cast a shadow on the Ning sisters that might never fade.

Just then, the Communication Talisman trembled.

Qin Chuan sent a return message, informing Li Ji’an that there was an unused cold jade bed within the Qin Clan, which could be delivered in a month and a half.

Then received Liu Jiuqian’s return message, inviting Li Ji’an to personally attend as the family recently planned to collect blood, offering the freshest Second-Tier Demon Beast Blood.

Not only did it require Second-Tier, Mid to Late Stage Demon Beast Blood for refining Essence Blood Pills, but the fresher, the better, so Li Ji’an contacted Liu Jiuqian for Ning Yutan’s sake.

After replying to the Talisman, Li Ji’an flew towards the Liu Family on the Flying Boat that day.

Meanwhile, in the Peach Blossom Forest, through several layers of Ring Arrays, sensing that Li Ji’an had completely left the Odd Stone Forest.

Ning Yutan couldn’t wait to ask, "How about it? What was his reaction when he saw that box of Fortune Star Cakes?"

Before Ning Sujin could respond, she continued incredulously:

"Cold jade bed, Second-Tier Demon Beast Blood, needing to refine a Second-Tier high-level pill, and also daily nurturing... If it wasn’t for Brother Li, I truly can’t understand who would be so kind, even if they sold me, I wouldn’t be worth this much value!"

"Hey, speak up, are you still awake?"

"I’m here!" Ning Sujin finally spoke.

However, her voice was already trembling.

And the person in her memory began to overlap with the just-departed senior high-cultivator.

"Brother Li, is it really you?"

"Are you really the Divine Favored too?"

"Did you merge with the law of longevity, or reincarnation?"

Ning Sujin’s thoughts surged, longing to immediately reunite and express grievances over the years.

Just now, Li Ji’an’s expression upon seeing that box of Fortune Star Cakes was etched in her mind; such genuine emotional fluctuations couldn’t be faked.

Furthermore, given Li Ji’an’s Divine Sense strength, in the face of Ning Sujin’s Divine Soul now, he could see everything clearly.

Yet, in the end, Ning Sujin sighed quietly, temporarily suppressing the impulse within her heart.

Being a Divine Favored herself, she understood the circumstances.

Moreover, she worried that her emotions towards Li Ji’an might lead to a misguided judgment, not wholly confirming that he is indeed Li Ji’an; she dared not easily expose herself.

"No obvious change; more observation is needed!" Ning Sujin finally conveyed to Ning Yutan.

"It must be Brother Li. Surely then, his sudden appearance at my Spirit Cake Shop seventeen years ago certainly recognized me, and he used to like me so much, thus he’s been helping me, clearing my demon cultivator suspicion, helping me connect with Little Sister Qiao, aiding me in cultivation here, gifting me the precious Foundation Establishment Pill... All of this makes sense now." Ning Yutan affirmed.

Ning Sujin: "..."

However, Ning Yutan’s words reminded her.

"If it really is Brother Li, then the Liu Family’s destruction...that mysterious person is likely him!"

"Right right, definitely it’s Brother Li avenging us, secretly aiding in the Liu Family’s downfall!" Ning Yutan clapped excitedly.

"Shut up! All of it is your speculation."

"Hmm! When Brother Li returns this time, watch how I pry into his secrets!"

-------------

A month later, again arriving at the expanses of red earth, in the heat of steam at the Beast Taming Liu Family, Li Ji’an was warmly welcomed by Liu Jiuqian.

Regarding Liu Jiuqian, having secretly taken the Sacred Beast Pill years ago, the previous transaction of Blood Pill karma has already been resolved.

For the Liu Family, Li Ji’an’s current covetous desire remains its clan-protecting Sacred Beast Pill Formula that can cause Spirit Beast bloodlines to evolve.

With the Sacred Beast Pill Formula, combined with Xiaoqiao’s Earth Spirit Master ability, Gugu’s bloodline could have endless hope.

Unfortunately, with his current status and strength, there’s no possibility of obtaining it.

"Brother Li, you’ve come at just the right time; in three days, the clan will hold the Sacred Beast Blood Extraction Ceremony," Liu Jiuqian said warmly.

In the Beast Taming Liu Family, Spirit Beasts above the Second-Tier Middle Stage class are considered clan Sacred Beasts, holding a status higher than ordinary clansmen, and requiring a ceremony to extract their essence blood for trading.

In Liu Family’s heyday, the decennial blood extraction ceremonies were crowded with people, many Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators from Cangyun State would personally visit, even elders from Biyun Sect would come.

However, as the Great Marsh Mountain range connected and the passage between Cangyun State and Celestial Origin Province grew smoother while Celestial Origin Province’s Spirit Beast Mountain intentionally blocked Liu Family, many old customers in Cangyun State seeking beast blood would visit shops or markets under Spirit Beast Mountain in Celestial Origin.

Nowadays, Liu Family’s blood extraction ceremonies are increasingly desolate, with fewer than a hundred guests.

"An honor indeed!" Li Ji’an nodded with a smile, accompanying Liu Jiuqian.

"Alchemist Li!"

"Greetings, Alchemist Li."

"Alchemist Li’s cultivation has improved; congratulations are in order."

...

Upon entering the Liu Family compound, numerous attendees stepped forward to greet.

Nowadays, most guests present are Foundation Establishment cultivators from families in Cangyun State, looking upward to Li Ji’an’s Biyun Sect Honored Guest Elder Pill Master status, combined with his current mid to late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation.

"You’re too kind, fellow Daoists." Li Ji’an smiled and nodded.

Liu Jiuqian stood beside him, feeling honored, her gaze towards Li Ji’an growing increasingly gentle.

With Li Ji’an’s current status and position, he fully meets Liu Jiuqian’s requirements for a Dao Companion.

Once she could become Dao Companions with him, her status within the clan could also elevate.

After that, Liu Jiuqian personally arranged for Li Ji’an a guest room, providing Demon Beast Meat Spiritual Food.

In the following three days, she mostly closely shadowed him, staying by his side.

Unfortunately, Li Ji’an’s attitude towards her remained indifferent, treating her like any fellow Daoist.

This day, Liu Family’s decennial blood extraction ceremony convened again.

Ultimately, arriving Foundation Establishment cultivators barely numbered over a hundred, incomparable to Liu Family’s grandeur in former years. More critically, none of the other Fake Pill Clans sent representatives, and Biyun Sect only sent two Inner Sect Disciples.

Liu Family’s Fake Pill Ancestor publicly appeared, delivering a welcome speech.

"My name is Wu Weixiong, I’ve come to attend!" However, before Liu Family’s Ancestor finished speaking, an arrogant shout reverberated above Liu Family, soon followed by the sight of a strapping man swaggering in...