Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Li Ji’an could feel the overwhelming affection, equally cooperating wholeheartedly.

A perfect fusion of soul and flesh left him, a late-stage Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator, somewhat exhausted.

After the battle, the two of them embraced and took a short rest.

Upon reopening his eyes, the sky began to brighten, and Li Ji’an looked at Ning Sujin in his arms, ready to remind her that it was time to return.

"Brother Li." However, when he turned to look at her, he met her wide eyes.

A sudden jolt~

From her address and tone, it was apparent that Ning Yutan was currently in control of her body.

"Yutan, you’re awake." Li Ji’an’s expression remained unchanged, smiling warmly.

"Brother Li..."

As he watched Ning Yutan’s eyes start to tear up, Li Ji’an slightly held his breath and grasped her restless little hand, "Yutan, cultivate well. I hope next time I see you, you’ll have broken through to the late Foundation Establishment."

In twenty-two years, Ning Yutan, thanks to the abundant spiritual qi here and the Foundation Establishment Pill Medicine left by Li Ji’an, had already advanced to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment five years ago, surpassing Xiaoqiao later on.

Regarding this matter, he had discussed with Ning Sujin and both agreed that apart from the Liu Family’s Core Technique being decent, her many years of being frozen also benefited her Spirit Root. After all, the spiritual cold that froze Ning Yutan’s body back then was considered high-density Spiritual Qi, which certainly had advantages for her body over time.

Of course, Ning Sujin’s strong Primordial Spirit also greatly contributed to her body’s nourishment.

Soul Cultivators use the Divine Soul to enter the path, perceiving the Heaven and Earth Spirit Mechanism and ultimately nurturing the body.

"..." Being coldly rejected by Li Ji’an, Ning Yutan’s water-filled eyes revealed her grievance.

Yet, she ultimately nodded heavily, "Brother Li, don’t worry, I will work twice as hard!"

"Alright." Li Ji’an stroked her cheek to comfort her, and then, ignoring her expectant eyes, decisively dressed and tidied himself.

"I’m leaving!" With that said, he transformed into a long rainbow and soared into the sky.

---------

"What exactly did you do behind my back?" Watching Li Ji’an leave, Ning Yutan immediately questioned Ning Sujin in her Sea of Consciousness.

"I..." Ning Sujin knew she was in the wrong but couldn’t let her know about Li Ji’an’s Divine Favored secret, leaving her temporarily speechless.

"What? Did you expose yourself? Did you take the initiative to seduce Brother Li?" Ning Yutan asked more urgently.

"It’s not... it’s... He insisted!" Ning Sujin had no choice but to lie.

"He insisted? Did he actively seek you—oh no, he actively sought me last night?" Ning Yutan’s tone instantly brightened.

"Yes." Ning Sujin’s voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz.

"It seems Brother Li intended to stay one last night here, he still thinks of me. Unfortunately... Um, how many times did Brother Li come last night? How did it feel? You should’ve woken me up." Ning Yutan, hearing this, was no longer angry, but instead pleased, regretful only for not experiencing it herself.

"...Sorry."

"Ah, sister, I’m not blaming you; indeed, I didn’t expect Brother Li would specially want me the night before leaving, alright, alright." Ning Yutan shrugged.

Then, somewhat ambiguously, she said, "Sister, how was last night’s experience? Did it feel like tasting the marrow and knowing the flavor? Before meeting Brother Li, I didn’t know this matter was so interesting... Next time Brother Li comes, we can share our experiences together."

Ning Sujin: "..."

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With the Sect Leader’s command, the cultivation ethos within Biyun Sect grew stronger day by day.

Pill Cauldron Peak also became busier, needing to provide a large quantity of Pill Medicine for sect disciples to complete tasks in exchange.

However, Li Ji’an, as the Deputy Peak Master of Pill Cauldron Peak and a veteran Second Tier Pill Master, naturally did not need to refine Tier One Pill Medicine.

Because the sect had many Foundation Establishment disciples and even four Fake Pill Elders had died, the demand for Second Tier and above Pill Medicine significantly decreased.

Li Ji’an’s task, therefore, became much lighter.

A year later, the sect selected two Outer Sect disciples with talent in Alchemy Dao and placed them under Li Ji’an’s tutelage.

At this moment, Li Ji’an’s Dantian Magical Power was increasingly nearing perfection, the Whale Swallowing Technique had long been mastered; what was needed now was cultivating heart nature, making the mind clear, alongside one unwavering courage, and waiting for an auspicious day to charge toward Core Formation.

During this period, he stopped all skills and cultivation.

"Disciple Xu Xiaochun greets Master."

"Disciple Guo Wanzhi greets Master."

A young man and woman who had just successfully passed the sect entrance trial and entered the sect this year; Xu Xiaochun had fourteen strands of Middle Grade Fire Attribute Spirit Root, and if not for the sect’s expansion this year, wouldn’t even qualify to take the trial, but their comprehension in Alchemy Dao was superb, thus received as Outer Sect disciples.

Guo Wanzhi had twenty-two strands of Upper Grade Fire Attribute Spirit Root, yet her heart nature was gentle, lacking firm resolve to pursue immortality, but having some interest in Alchemy Dao, thus given an opportunity.

"Since you’ve entered my sect, with aspirations for Alchemy Dao, ponder deeply and practice diligently, be devoted to Alchemy Skill, do not aim too high or stir up trouble, can you hold to this?" Li Ji’an sat high in the main hall, overlooking the young man and woman kneeling below, with a solemn expression.

If he were a Loose Cultivator, Li Ji’an would not have the idea of accepting apprentices.

In the Cultivation Realm, the bond between teacher and disciple often means more than filial bonds, with deep causal intertwining.

Within the sect, however, the bond between teacher and disciple is typically somewhat weaker.

The sect’s philosophy centers around loyalty to the sect as its core value; within the sect, a master is more like a guide and patron.

However, as long as it does not conflict with sect values, the bond between master and disciple is still quite deeper than between any other sect members; the heritage of incense and affection within sect factions holds absolute advantage.

"Disciple will comply with Master’s command!" The two bowed again to offer tea.

"Good."

In the days that followed, Li Ji’an completely emptied his mind, purifying his heart nature while carefully instructing his two disciples in Alchemy Dao.

Regarding their cultivation, it was still mainly taught by the Dharma Transmission Hall.

Taking into account their identity as Pill Master apprentices, needing to eventually condense Pill Fire, the Fire Attribute Cultivation Technique taught to them was equivalent to Inner Sect disciples.

This starting point was much higher than Li Ji’an’s in this life.

If the two make real achievements in Alchemy Dao, the sect hopes to cultivate them into Fake Pill True Men.

Two years later, on this day, while instructing the two in Pill Fire control, Li Ji’an sensed with heart, a mysterious feeling surged within him.

He instantly felt an urge to immediately charge toward Core Formation.

"Xiaochun, your Pill Fire control is too rough, you need to calm your mind, first refine a hundred batches of Qi Absorption Pills, only those Middle Grade and above."

"Wanzhi, your control of Pill Fire is excellent, but you slightly lack in pharmacology, copy pharmacology a thousand times."

His two disciples had now both reached the middle stage of Qi Cultivation, condensed Pill Fire, and truly entered the gate of Alchemy Dao, capable of refining basic Pill Medicine.

Compared to the first life of Li Ji’an on this realm’s Alchemy Dao path, the resources of his two disciples left him in awe.

The environment of Tier Three Spirit Vein at Pill Cauldron Peak is needless to say, the cultivation technique better than almost ninety-nine percent of family clans within the state is the second greatest advantage, adding the abundance of Nourishing Elixir in early stages.

And most importantly, merely having just entered, there are limitless herbs for practice.

It seems the sect is also willing to change its past view on Hundred Arts of Cultivation, with resources being somewhat favored.

"Ah! Master, spare your disciple; a hundred batches of Qi Absorption Pills, and it has to be Middle Grade and above..." As soon as Li Ji’an finished speaking, Xu Xiaochun immediately screamed playfully.

After two years of interaction, he had already grasped Li Ji’an’s temperament, furthermore, being naturally extroverted and somewhat mischievous, he had long dared to jest with Li Ji’an.

Li Ji’an, himself, was not a strict or unsympathetic person, and dwelling amidst cultivation and temperament improvement, coupled with Xu Xiaochun’s playful manner yet earnest effort in meeting requirements and often exceeding them, thus Li Ji’an held no resentment toward him.

Xu Xiaochun indeed has substantial talent in Alchemy Dao.

Still, due to being overly lively and never having endured much hardship in cultivation, his expectations from the Cultivation Realm seem somewhat high, whether he can truly accomplish something in Alchemy Dao remains uncertain.

"Yes, Master." As for Guo Wanzhi, originally from a prominent merchant family in the Mortal Area, possessed an elegant demeanor, adhering to ethics and discipline, having remarkable talent with little interest in fighting, rapidly progressing in Alchemy Dao.

Li Ji’an highly values Guo Wanzhi.

Ultimately, Li Ji’an smiled, casting a glance at Xu Xiaochun, informed them of needing to retreat for a period, then returned alone to the Outer Peak.

Seeing the day to charge toward Core Formation approach closer, this time, he planned to give his full effort to refine the Crystal Condensing Pill!