Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Sure, here’s the translation:

Five months have passed, and four suspicious points have been ruled out.

"Hiss~"

As soon as the contract was communicated, Li Ji’an sensed the distant dark aura swallowing in through Gugu.

"Still not working?" He clearly sensed Gugu’s trembling body and shook his head silently.

This is the fifth suspicious point, also one of the only three remaining, located in the inner layer of Fallen Dragon Ridge, where true Tier Three demon beasts roam, scarcely inhabited.

The cave in Red Stone Wanderer’s memory should be where Xiaoying was separated from its master in ancient times, before Red Stone Wanderer awakened Xiaoying, it had always stayed there, which is Xiaoying’s nesting ground.

Li Ji’an holds great expectations for this place.

However, it has now been occupied by a Two-headed Viper.

The Two-headed Viper is a true Tier Three Demon King, also possessing bloodline talent divine abilities, with one head being ice and the other fire.

Moreover, snakes are natural enemies to frogs, suppressing Gugu’s bloodline.

Apparently, its sensitivity to Gugu’s aura is extraordinary, and every time Gugu approaches within a mile range, as if being watched, Gugu’s concealing divine abilities cannot be utilized effectively.

"Let’s abandon this point for now!" Li Ji’an decisively gave the order.

Gugu was relieved, seemingly escaping to another location.

After a few reminders, Li Ji’an disconnected the spirit pet contract.

Actually, he no longer feels urgent for the so-called Immortal Scripture.

Looking at Xiao Changfeng’s current Core Formation situation, becoming Biyun Sect’s fourth True Pill Elder seems inevitable.

Additionally, since he has crafted an Origin Pill infused with Wood Healing Magic Power to restore delayed Spirit Root, his Spirit Root talent in his next life will certainly improve further.

As for the Biyun Sect’s trial assessment, the test creator has a good relationship with him, and even the Alchemy Dao comprehension test was set by himself, no accident in answering his own question.

Thus, his next-life true inheritance status is stable, qualifying him to practice the Sect’s Foundation Technique.

If his next-life Water Spirit Root reaches Upper Grade, he hopes to practice Biyun Sect’s highest-level cultivation technique—Earth Level Upper Grade "Sunflower Water Scripture."

And avail Biyun Sect’s highest Upper Grade Tier Three Spirit Vein Dao Field.

He probably doesn’t need to use the top-ranking Core Formation Spirit Treasure Seven-Colored Treasure Tree, merely using Crystal Condensing Pill and the sect-provided Core Formation Spiritual Talent would give him confidence to condense True Pill.

Even if he acquires that cultivation technique in this life, in order to use Biyun Sect’s Tier Three Spirit Vein Dao Field next life, he still cannot practice it temporarily.

Putting this matter aside, Li Ji’an turned and entered the secret chamber to continue studying puppetry.

After eight months of diligent heart and action, his puppetry skill has further advanced, crafting a simple entry-level puppet with strength comparable to him at the Immortal Dynasty Qi Blood Grandmaster Realm.

Until the moon rose over the willow tree, Ning Yutan’s voice was heard again outside.

During this encounter, since this body had already engaged deeply in a discussion with Li Ji’an during the day, Ning Sujin no longer suppressed her inner desires, reliving the clouds and rain of the first night 160 years ago.

However, compared to the reserved Ning Yutan during the day, Ning Sujin exhibited more initiative and boldness at night, expressing emotions without employing the Absorption Skill.

Li Ji’an also immersed himself fully, enjoying an intense exploration of emotions and logic.

"From now on, I want to be on top!" Drenched in fragrant sweat, Ning Sujin shook her wet ebony hair and flipped over, pressing down on Li Ji’an.

"Bold!" Li Ji’an reprimanded sternly.

"Humph!" Ning Sujin wasn’t fazed, her body sliding down abruptly.

"I’ll follow your lead, all according to you!" Li Ji’an laughed freely, admitting defeat.

...

Time flows like water, passing day by day.

Two months later.

"Phew~ finally possible." After carefully sensing Ning Yutan’s physique condition, her Qi and Blood filled.

The first Physical Body Barrier of Foundation Establishment showed no flaws.

"Master, can I establish my foundation now?" Ning Yutan rejoiced.

However, immediately, her eyes turned, showing slight disappointment.

Li Ji’an nodded: "Indeed, Qi and Blood are abundant, Divine Soul steady, these two barriers pose no issue. As for the Magic Power Barrier, though lacking, Upper Grade Foundation Establishment Pill aids it, making the Foundation Establishment a sure success!"

"Grateful for Master’s arduous efforts over these two months!" Ning Yutan sincerely bowed.

"Very well, put on your clothes first, go back and consolidate for a few days, then seek me out for your Foundation Establishment." Li Ji’an instructed, watching her bowing posture.

Driving Ning Yutan away, Li Ji’an breathed deeply.

Everything needs moderation, as a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator and mid-stage Tier Two Body Cultivator, he wasn’t overwhelmed, it’s just the frequency loses much of the pleasure.

The key is, being absorbed by Ning Yutan during the day and satisfying Ning Sujin’s competitive spirit at night becomes rather dull.

Fortunately, through these two months of day and night effort, Ning Yutan’s physical Qi and Blood are adequate.

In the subsequent days, due to the critical stage of Foundation Establishment impact, Ning Sujin did not come at night.

Seven days later, Ning Yutan bathed and burned incense before visiting Li Ji’an’s residence.

"Master, Yutan seeks your protection!"

She coincidentally encountered Xiaoqiao seeking medicine.

"Sister Tan, you surely will succeed! Once you establish your foundation, it will lighten my burden." Xiaoqiao encouraged.

Previously, Xiaoqiao inadvertently witnessed Li Ji’an and Ning Yutan’s daytime discussion, hesitantly asking if she should address them.

Li Ji’an clarified his relationship with Ning Yutan and instructed before both to assist Xiaoqiao in managing Odd Stone Forest after Foundation Establishment.

Due to Xiaoqiao’s promotion to Tier Three Earth Spirit Master, upgrading the Odd Stone Forest’s Spirit Vein Dao Field grade is almost certain, hence Li Ji’an holds expectations for Odd Stone Forest.

It’s a contingency, also a fallback, in case the sect’s Tier Three Upper Grade Spirit Vein fails, a secondary choice exists.

"Rest assured, Little Sister Qiao, I will do my best to assist."

That day, under Li Ji’an’s watch, Ning Yutan attempted Foundation Establishment in Xiaoqiao’s foundation-establishing cave mansion.

Until a month later, she smoothly passed the most dangerous Foundation Establishment barrier and entered consolidation, only then did Li Ji’an breathe a sigh of relief.

Two more months later, Ning Yutan successfully established her foundation, officially emerging.

That day, all cultivators in the Odd Stone Forest force, led by Sect Leader Qiao, came to congratulate.

Currently, Odd Stone Forest, aided by Qin Family’s old steward, successfully formed a faction with Xiaoqiao as the first leader. Under her, two Protectors arranged by Qin Henian, late-stage Foundation Establishment loose cultivators, there’s little lifespan left.

Additionally, eight Hall Masters were selected by Xiaoqiao from those who joined.

The faction totals over five hundred members, apart from the initial hundred loose cultivators, most are children with fairly decent talent chosen from mundane gathering places during this period.

Finally, on Left Dharma Protector’s suggestion, Sect Leader Qiao publicly appointed Ning Yutan as Odd Stone Forest’s deputy leader.

Li Ji’an did not participate nor show up.

Three days later, he finally received a message from Xiao Changfeng.

Xiao Changfeng formally emerged.

Condensed True Pill.

And it’s a Middle Level True Pill!

This news left Li Ji’an astounded.

Xiao Changfeng’s Spirit Root talent was hardly better than his, yet he exceeded expectations, achieving a Middle Level True Pill.

Thus, with Biyun Sect having three True Pill cultivators, only Supreme Elder being of Middle Level True Pill, Xiao Changfeng becomes a sect powerhouse without doubt.

Shortly after Xiao Changfeng’s message, Master Jade Pill’s message also arrived, congratulating Li Ji’an on having True Pill Elder support in the future.

"It’s time to return to the sect!" Li Ji’an felt pleased.

That night, he bade a temporary farewell to Ning Sujin.

Yet during the farewell’s peak, he again received Xiao Changfeng’s message.

"Brother’s helping grace, Changfeng shall remember eternally, dedicating his life to aiding brother’s Core Formation!"

Sincere gratitude overflowed through the words, promises firmly made.

Presumably aware of what transpired during his retreat.

"Next life, secure!" Li Ji’an promptly returned to the sect.

Now that the next life’s scheme succeeded, he can focus entirely on pursuing Core Formation.

Of course, upon returning to the sect, his first action was to meet Xiao Changfeng.

To personally learn Xiao Changfeng’s Core Formation insights.

Unlike the Foundation Establishment stage, now Xiao Changfeng, as a True Pill Master, ordinary sect disciples cannot listen to his Core Formation experiences, only Li Ji’an has that privilege.