Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Moments later, the magical power cloud stabilized again, extending slightly to eight miles.

"Whether it can succeed depends on the next step." The seven elders’ faces were filled with anticipation.

"Boom~" However, just as they were eagerly awaiting the next crucial step of core condensation, a hollow sound echoed from the cloud.

Immediately, everyone was dumbfounded.

They saw that the magical power cloud once again surged from the eight-mile base.

"Ten miles!" Within three breaths, the cloud surged to ten miles.

"It’s still growing, the momentum is fierce!"

"Twelve miles!"

...

"Fifteen miles? How is it possible?"

"No, it’s still rising!"

...

"Eighteen miles!" Finally, under the horrified gazes of the crowd, Xiao Changfeng’s magical power cloud stabilized at eighteen miles!

"Eighteen miles! It’s said that the Supreme Elder back then only reached fifteen miles, and in the history of the Sect, only that forbidden Elder Duanmu reached eighteen miles, and Changfeng actually..."

"He actually has other Core Formation Spirit Treasures, and they’re even superior to those provided by the Sect, having surged ten miles from the eight-mile base, it must be among the top twenty superior Heaven and Earth Spirit Treasures!"

"This... Changfeng harbors great ambitions, perhaps he intended something big from the beginning..."

...

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

"You’re truly a monster!" In the core Dao Field of the Odd Stone Forest, Ning Sujin stared wide-eyed, unblinkingly at Li Ji’an before her.

Li Ji’an panted heavily, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and smiled somewhat unsteadily at Ning Sujin: "Heh~ am I as exaggerated as you say?"

"Exaggerated? I’m being rather conservative, you know. I took a full year to enter the sect back then, and three years just to barely reach the 1st Layer. You entered in three months, and reached the 1st Layer in half a year! Besides ’monster’, I don’t know what else to call you." Ning Sujin glared at him, feeling a bit helpless.

Back then, she heard the Liu Family Ancestor say that, according to ancient records, the Soul Forging Technique taking a year to enter was already an excellent talent, and she felt quite smug about it.

From the time she started teaching Li Ji’an the Soul Forging Technique eight months ago, she had begun to doubt herself multiple times.

Chances are, Old Thief Liu was deliberately flattering her.

"Phew~" Li Ji’an smiled wryly and lay in Ning Sujin’s embrace, enjoying her soothing touch, completely relaxed.

"Could it be that the Empress wishes to be a jealous woman?" he teased casually.

"Pah!" Ning Sujin spat lightly, her hands that had been kneading suddenly pinching hard.

"If I were a jealous woman, I would have died of jealousy over you back in the Immortal Dynasty."

"You liked to hide your abilities even when refining your body."

During these past eight months of spending evenings together, their relationship had grown ever more intimate, especially since reminiscing about the innocent times back in the Immortal Dynasty. Their interactions naturally reverted to how they were back then.

It was further prompted by a time when Ning Sujin asked about the Duke’s Mansion of the Immortal Dynasty, leading Li Ji’an to recount the change in dynasties back then.

Ning Sujin, upon hearing about the struggles within the Dynasty and recalling how many geniuses were tricked into becoming Blood Slaves by the royal family to curry favor with Liu Family cultivators, was filled with righteous indignation. She claimed that if she hadn’t come to the Cultivation Realm back then, she should have stormed the Imperial Court with Li Ji’an and killed that Dog Emperor, making Li Ji’an the Emperor.

And naturally, Li Ji’an teased her by saying he’d make her the Empress.

"How dare you, what Empress dares speak to the Emperor like that?" Li Ji’an said with a stern face.

"Hmph, then I’ll crown myself as Emperor and make you my Empress!" Ning Sujin retorted defiantly.

"Hahaha..."

Such interactions only existed in a mundane place like the Immortal Dynasty, practically impossible in this strength-based Cultivation Realm.

That’s one of the reasons Li Ji’an found it so amusing.

Moreover, in the monotonous cultivation process, this kind of relationship really soothed his soul, especially during the period of Soul Forging.

The more he could feel the beauty of the world, the more resolute his goal to become an Immortal of Ten Thousand Worlds, and the more motivated he was.

After the teasing, Ning Sujin gradually returned to tranquility.

"Li Lang, is Yutan’s physique still difficult to ensure Foundation Establishment?"

Li Ji’an chuckled and shook his head: "It’s enough, but just barely."

"What do you estimate are the chances of success?" Ning Sujin asked, a bit worried.

"With the Upper-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill, sixty percent!" Li Ji’an replied truthfully.

Ning Sujin’s eyes showed a hint of joy: "Sixty percent isn’t enough?"

For someone of Elder-level from the Liu Family, having a fifty to sixty percent success rate for Foundation Establishment was already quite good.

Li Ji’an gently caressed her cheek: "Empress, if it weren’t for you, sixty percent would be worth a try. But if her Foundation Establishment fails, you would dissipate... Even a failure rate of ten percent is not a risk I’m willing to take.

I want a one hundred percent guarantee!"

...

Ning Sujin lightly bit her lips, her eyes slightly red.

Ning Yutan had experienced a Soul Search once before, and her Sea of Consciousness had only just recovered. If she suffered a backlash from a failed Foundation Establishment again, Ning Yutan might survive, but the Primordial Spirit she placed in her Sea of Consciousness wouldn’t be able to exist anymore.

With trembling lips, she finally resolved: "Don’t let me become your burden!"

Li Ji’an laughed unconcernedly: "A mere issue of vital energy and blood isn’t enough to become my burden."

"Do you have a method?" Ning Sujin asked with anticipation.

"I always have."

"You’re hiding your capabilities again?" Ning Sujin’s eyes narrowed.

"Hahaha, this time you’ve misunderstood me. I was only waiting to see the effects of her self-tempering of vital energy and blood. Now, it seems, I must act." Li Ji’an laughed without concern.

"What method?" Ning Sujin felt that the method Li Ji’an spoke of wouldn’t be simple.

"Absorption of vital energy and blood!"

"Hmm?" Ning Sujin paused slightly.

Li Ji’an stopped joking and explained the method of using himself to provide for Ning Yutan’s absorption.

"Is the consumption of your vital energy and blood significant?" After hearing Li Ji’an’s method, Ning Sujin’s first reaction was to ask about the impact on Li Ji’an.

Li Ji’an grinned and gently drew her into his embrace: "With my physique as a Second Tier Body Cultivator, how much can that little girl absorb?"

"Great! I’ll explain it to her tomorrow." Ning Sujin agreed without a moment’s hesitation.

Li Ji’an nodded with a smile, and they lay together on the cold jade bed for a nap.

Until the light of dawn streaked the sky, and they parted once more.

Watching Ning Sujin leave, Li Ji’an gently rubbed his temples.

These past eight months had been the most challenging time of his six lifetimes.

Enduring countless soul-chilling torments every night, his mind was deeply taxed.

Fortunately, with Ning Sujin, a Primordial Spirit Realm powerhouse, by his side offering protection, otherwise, he wouldn’t dare to frequently engage in Soul Forging like this.

Furthermore, with her company and their playful affections, his mind grew clearer, his mood happier, and his spirits recovered swiftly, enabling him to endure this period unscathed.

Fortunately, the results were fruitful. He now felt his Divine Soul foundation grow even stronger. Perhaps by the time of Foundation Establishment Perfection, he would be able to touch on mid-Core Formation Realm Divine Sense.

At noon, Ning Yutan routinely came to pay her respects.

And she proactively inquired about the matter of absorbing vital energy and blood.

Li Ji’an honestly told her once again.

"Senior’s immense kindness leaves Yutan unsure of how to repay it, so please allow me to serve you as a maid in the future!" It’s unclear how Ning Sujin explained it to her, but Ning Yutan’s attitude this time was very resolute.

However, given the circumstances in the Cultivation Realm, a Junior Cultivator like Ning Yutan at the Qi Cultivation Stage asking to serve as a maid to a Great Cultivator like Li Ji’an in the late Foundation Establishment was actually somewhat of a privilege.

In a world where strength reigns supreme, when the disparity in strength and background is too great, beauty has never been a bargaining chip.

"Hmm." To dispel the young girl’s wariness, Li Ji’an nodded in agreement.

However, due to Ning Sujin’s inability to leave the Spirit Vein in the Odd Stone Forest, he only agreed to have her serve as a maid during the time he visits the Odd Stone Forest.

"Thank you, senior." Seeing Li Ji’an nod, Ning Yutan no longer hesitated and stepped forward to help Li Ji’an with his clothing.

When Ning Sujin explained Ning Yutan’s Foundation Establishment situation earlier, Ning Yutan, who still held onto the Immortal Dynasty’s values, initially resisted.

Unlike the Cultivation Realm, the virtues taught to women in the Immortal Dynasty were relatively conservative.

But when considering the possibility of Ning Sujin’s soul dispersing,

and with her admiration and gratitude towards Li Ji’an as a senior master, she ultimately forced herself to adapt to the customs of the Cultivation Realm.