Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

The return of the Blood Spirit Saintess caught Li Ji’an somewhat by surprise.

"Fellow Daoist Chang’an, how is your recovery?" The Blood Spirit Saintess asked with concern as soon as she appeared.

Li Ji’an looked up weakly, showing joy: "Blood Kite Fairy, did you obtain an opportunity? My Life Essence Blood suffered greatly, and I have not fully recovered."

"Ah, forgive me, Fellow Daoist, previously with the presence of those two, I could not openly approach you. It made you suffer." The Blood Spirit Saintess showed a look of regret.

"It’s of no concern, it’s of no concern, that the Fairy came back to see me already leaves Li endlessly grateful." Li Ji’an hurriedly waved his hand.

"As long as Fellow Daoist does not blame me," the Blood Spirit Saintess sighed.

Then she leaned in close to Li Ji’an’s ear, her roundness almost touching his face, with a scent filling his nose.

Lowering her voice mysteriously, she said: "Fellow Daoist Chang’an, to be honest, I have already found an opportunity, but... I cannot open it alone and need your help."

Li Ji’an’s eyes showed excitement, although he questioned: "Why doesn’t the Fairy join forces with those two seniors?"

"You may not know, though we Four Sects claim to unite outwardly, Blood Spirit Sect has always been suppressed by the other three. Moreover, the Corpse Puppet Sect Saint Child harbors evil thoughts towards me, I’m afraid if joining forces, nothing would remain of me." The Blood Spirit Saintess explained.

"This..." Li Ji’an remained hesitant.

"Are you concerned I might harm you?" The Blood Spirit Saintess leaned closer, her voice alluring: "If that hidden location could be opened, the opportunities within would be countless. How much could alone take?"

"Moreover, if you still distrust me, you can plant a Restriction on me, if you detect any undesirable behavior, you can instantly activate the Restriction, erasing me."

With firm words, the Blood Spirit Saintess spoke, while Li Ji’an bitterly smiled: "The Fairy jests, my Magical Power is mediocre, a Realm below the Fairy, how could I possibly plant a Restriction?"

The Blood Spirit Saintess realized: "Indeed, I had not thought it through. Since the Magical Power Restriction is impossible... you can plant a Blood Curse on me, directly reaching the essence, unrelated to Cultivation. This should reassure you, right?"

Li Ji’an showed shock: "Blood Curse? This... isn’t appropriate?"

The Blood Curse, unrelated to Magical Power, is directly implanted into one’s bloodline, allowing it to defy any mighty Cultivation when activated.

However, commonly, to plant a good Blood Curse requires the counterpart to willingly surrender a strand of Life Essence Blood.

Without life and path-threatening coercion, it’s difficult.

But, back when Li Ji’an killed the former Blood Spirit Saintess, the Blood Spirit Sect’s "Thousand Mechanisms Blood Attraction" Secret Technique he obtained included a method to dissolve the Blood Curse.

"No matter, as long as we are honest with each other, I’d be willing, though, Fellow Daoist must not disappoint me." The Blood Spirit Saintess appeared sincere, her eyes pitiful, seductive.

Li Ji’an took a deep breath: "Since it is so, then... I must offend!"

Having studied "Thousand Mechanisms Blood Attraction" for over a hundred and fifty years, along with refined control over blood essence during his time at the Immortal Dynasty, he reached the Third-Layer Peak, surpassing the Blood Spirit Saintess who just attained the 3rd Floor of the Blood Attraction Secret Technique.

"Please, Fellow Daoist!" The Blood Spirit Saintess secretly smiled disdainfully, decisively releasing a strand of her Life Essence Blood.

Without hesitation, Li Ji’an swiftly absorbed the strand, instantly refining it, and thus planted the Blood Curse.

From then on, Blood Kite’s life was entirely in his hands.

"Daoist, now that my life and fortune are entrusted to you, whether you wish to take my life or... try to exploit me, I am powerless. Now... reassured?" The Blood Spirit Saintess, sensing the Blood Curse, asked alluringly.

Li Ji’an smiled faintly: "Indeed, reassured."

His tone and attitude changed, no longer displaying the previous anxious and submissive demeanor.

The Blood Spirit Saintess coldly smiled internally, yet remained unconcerned, as this was normal human nature.

"Then could Daoist accompany me?"

Li Ji’an nodded, his voice cold: "Carry me across."

"..." The Blood Spirit Saintess was slightly taken aback.

Soon, she resumed a smiling face: "Daoist’s injuries are not healed, naturally, it’s necessary. I’ll carry you across."

Next, the Blood Spirit Saintess slowly squatted, carrying Li Ji’an on her back as they proceeded deeper into the Dragon Burial Cave.

Following the Blood Attraction markers left earlier, after a day’s journey and passing dozens of labyrinth-like crossroads, they finally arrived at a hidden location.

The place appeared as a small cave, indistinguishable to the naked eye, with once disturbed markings at the center, though they had faded under the aura of time.

Divine Sense passed over without sensing anything peculiar.

Yet, the Blood Spirit Saintess stopped before a stone wall seemingly part of the surroundings.

The wall shared the same material as its surroundings with seamless traces, without evident grooves or mechanisms.

While Li Ji’an was puzzled, the Blood Spirit Saintess set him down: "Master, it’s here."

Along the way, to further manipulate Li Ji’an, the Blood Spirit Saintess voluntarily called him "Master," continuing now as well.

Li Ji’an slightly raised an eyebrow: "No need to beat around the bush."

"Master’s reprimand is out of the question." The Blood Spirit Saintess smiled playfully, rushing forward to inject a strand of Essence Blood.

Crack~

Instantly, the stone wall emitted a clear shattering sound.