Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

By the Jade Water Pavilion near the Odd Stone Forest Dao Field, Li Ji’an paused, watching Zhao Qi leading a team of Law Enforcement Cultivators, his expression subtly changing.

He still remembered the first time he saw Zhao Qi at the age of fifteen. Not only was he the chief disciple of the Dharma Transmission Hall, but he was also already a Foundation Establishment expert, especially showing his Earth Spirit Root talent during the Spirit Testing Stone demonstration, which made young Li Ji’an yearn.

However, now at one hundred and nine, Li Ji’an had already achieved Foundation Establishment Perfection and become a high-ranking Elder in the Biyun Sect, and he too had reached Foundation Establishment Perfection, though his status within the Sect slightly lagged behind Li Ji’an.

Before entering the Boundless Domain years ago, he was preparing to assault the True Pill, resigning from his duty as Acting Hall Master of the Dharma Transmission Hall. Now, due to a shortage of personnel in the Law Enforcement Hall, he was assigned there as a Hall Master, only considered middle-ranking.

"Greetings, Elder Li." The Law Enforcement team bowed upon seeing Li Ji’an, paying their respects immediately.

Upon seeing Li Ji’an, Zhao Qi’s eyes tightened.

Now he already knew about the past events.

He understood clearly that the person before him was the culprit who blocked his path to the True Pill and Immortal Path.

He even let go of his hatred towards Xiao Changfeng the moment he learned he had formed the True Pill.

However, his hatred for Li Ji’an was a grudge of obstruction, even dismemberment would not quench his anger.

Because Li Ji’an’s actions led to him losing hope of forming the True Pill in this lifetime.

After returning from the front lines to the Sect, Master Yun Qing spoke with him, explaining that due to the exhaustion from years of war, the Sect could no longer gather the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects needed to assault the True Pill, and at best, he could only expect a Fake Pill.

The words, besides soothing with elusive Immortality Fate, were not without words of warning.

At that moment, he knew it was impossible to rely on the Sect to form the True Pill in this lifetime, and his relationship with Master Yun Qing was also at an end.

"Greetings, Elder Li." Yet, after a moment of anger, he still cupped his hands in greeting to Li Ji’an.

Li Ji’an slightly narrowed his eyes, somewhat surprised by Zhao Qi’s stance.

When he decided to help Xiao Changfeng, he had already weighed the pros and cons and clearly knew he would be resented. However, the moment Xiao Changfeng formed the True Pill, all risks had been eliminated.

With his current status and resources, Zhao Qi couldn’t pose a threat to him openly or secretly.

As for the next life, not to mention having Xiao Changfeng as a Guardian Path, he never expected Zhao Qi to live to see his next Rejuvenation.

After all, in his estimation, undergoing such a vast disparity, Zhao Qi’s mindset would surely shatter. Surviving the battlefield was already a miracle, yet at this moment, he could still endure humiliation and bear heavy burdens.

This wasn’t the demeanor of a truly desperate person.

Li Ji’an nodded slightly, "Thank you all for your hard work."

After watching the Law Enforcement team leave, Li Ji’an inquired with the accompanying Steward of the Odd Stone Forest, "Any difficulties?"

"Reporting to the senior, your Sect’s Law Enforcement Cultivators acted impartially without any difficulties."

Li Ji’an nodded and entered.

Not long after, in Xiaoqiao’s garden Dao Field, Li Ji’an met with Xiaoqiao, Yan Qingwan, and Ning Yutan.

It was apparent that the three had a close relationship.

As Li Ji’an entered, the three gathered around.

"Congratulations, Xiaofan (Uncle Li) (Brother Li), on your promotion to Upper Sect Elder!"

A month ago, Li Ji’an’s transition from an Honored Guest Elder to a Sect Elder had genuinely shocked the cultivators within Cangyun State. Besides envying Li Ji’an, it also gave them a bit more hope of joining the Sect.

Li Ji’an had set a precedent for Loose Cultivators to truly become Sect members through the Hundred Skills of Cultivation, pointing a way forward for countless aspiring Loose Cultivators.

This was naturally one of the reasons the Biyun Sect agreed to Xiao Changfeng’s proposal. The Sect now urgently needed to replenish the strength lost in war, using Li Ji’an as an example.

"We’re all on the same side, no need for such formality." Li Ji’an waved his hand with a smile.

He then didn’t waste time and first turned his attention to Yan Qingwan’s injuries.

Yan Qingwan’s injuries had stabilized after treatment by physicians in the Odd Stone Forest; however, to be safe, Li Ji’an checked personally.

Confirming there was no life-threatening danger, though the injuries had damaged her potential significantly.

With already insufficient talent, a suboptimal cultivation technique, and scarce resources, she had completely lost hope of Core Formation, and even progressing to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage was uncertain.

However, Yan Qingwan took it philosophically, feeling it was already a blessing to have returned alive.

Subsequently, Xiaoqiao recounted the harrowing battlefield experiences.

During the recounting, she was still filled with lingering fear, her face pale.

After this experience of life and death, Xiaoqiao’s personality had become much more stable.

In the following month, Li Ji’an stayed at the Odd Stone Forest to ensure Yan Qingwan had no further major issues.

During this time, Ning Yutan continued to come daily to pay respects.

Since helping to enhance her physique and qi and blood to Foundation Establishment, he had not allowed her to perform Absorption anymore.

Moreover, after her Foundation Establishment, Li Ji’an also stopped her from addressing him as master, asking her to call him Brother Li instead.

But after a separation of twenty-two years, upon his return to the Odd Stone Forest, her daily respectful demeanor showed a hint of nostalgia.

Yet with Ning Sujin coming in the evenings to keep him warm, he paid no heed to Ning Yutan’s hints during the day.

Until a month later, once Li Ji’an confirmed Yan Qingwan had no other major issues, he prepared to return to the Sect.

The night before,

"Li Lang, once parted, who knows when we shall meet again?" Ning Sujin lay on Li Ji’an’s chest, tracing circles with her fingers, murmuring softly.

Li Ji’an lifted her chin, meeting her gaze, "The Cultivation Realm is unlike the mundane world, full of deceit and change; we are still too weak to live day by day, even if we wish to roam freely within the state, we at least need a Core Formation cultivation."

Ning Sujin flipped over, assertively kissing him.

"I understand..."

That night, it seemed as if Ning Sujin wanted to pour all her future love out.