Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

The news of the Commerce Alliance Leader’s demise stirred waves across the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain.

The eighteen Commerce Associations held an emergency Commerce Alliance meeting on the spot.

The Commerce Alliance Leader represented the eighteen Commerce Associations. In critical moments, they are a community with a shared destiny, and if the Alliance Leader is secretly harmed, it is imperative to seek revenge for the century-long prestige of the Commerce Alliance.

This is not about personal feelings, but about a common stance.

It is also the rule of the Commerce Alliance!

It wasn’t until the succeeding Clan Leader, Tong Yaoyao, representing the Tong Family, confirmed that Tong Jiesheng did not die due to an external foe but within the Secret Realm, that the atmosphere on the scene eased.

Since there is no external threat, internal conflict inevitably follows.

The elder closest to Tong Jiesheng produced a forged recommendation letter, indicating that Tong Yaoyao, known as True Man Ziyuan, could inherit the position of Alliance Leader.

However, before Tong Yaoyao could express her opinion, the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association and Taian Commerce Association immediately opposed.

Subsequently, Tong Yaoyao temporarily withdrew from the Alliance Leader contention, claiming that her state of mind had yet to recover from the old ancestor’s demise.

The Fierce Tiger Commerce Association and Taian Commerce Association then began an open and covert struggle that lasted for two years.

According to the rules of the Commerce Alliance, the position of Alliance Leader must not remain vacant for more than three years.

During this period, if the eighteen Commerce Associations cannot agree on a candidate, a temporary Alliance Leader may be appointed to manage alliance affairs, with a unified election held at the end of the three-year term.

Within the Bamboo Sea Dao Field, Ning Sujin nestled in Li Ji’an’s embrace, and Primordial Spirit Sensing slightly frowned at the situation of three little ones in the underground palace.

"Husband, that little dragon is becoming more and more out of line. I think only you can handle it."

Li Ji’an playfully slapped her on the bottom, mockingly scolding, "Hmph, isn’t it you who’ve spoiled him?"

Over the years, as the residual soul of the True Dragon gained more soul power, its intelligence grew.

Coupled with its innate True Spirit roots, it completely overpowered the Tier Three Great Demon Gugu.

If it weren’t for the assistance of the Little Fire Spirit, a postnatal True Spirit, it would probably have already bowed in submission.

Being an innate postnatal True Spirit nurtured by the Heaven and Earth Spirit Flame, the Little Fire Spirit’s flames have the ability to burn True Spirit Soul Bodies, evenly matched with the True Dragon Residual Soul, whose strength rivals that of a True Monarch’s Primordial Spirit.

Since taking residence in this Dao Field, Gugu immediately dug an underground palace beneath the bamboo forest, using it for both daily cultivation and to avoid the True Dragon Residual Soul.

Now, with the Dual Cultivation Technique taught by Tong Yaoyao, Li Ji’an and Ning Sujin engaged in nearly daily dual cultivation.

During dual cultivation, in order to achieve the realm of Unity of Heart and Mind, the Sea of Consciousness could not seal the True Dragon Residual Soul, so it was released early.

This often led to harassment of Gugu.

Today, after their dual cultivation bath in the Red Sun, they sensed the three little ones in the underground palace starting again.

The True Dragon Residual Soul continuously pressured Gugu to bow to it, while the Little Fire Spirit resolutely protected Gugu.

However, even when facing two opponents, the True Dragon Residual Soul did not fall behind.

Li Ji’an observed for a while longer, shaking his head in disappointment, then touched the Qiankun Ring on his hand.

"Swish, swish, swish~" Four puppets appeared before the two of them.

Among them, two were Early Period Tier Three, and two were Middle Stage Tier Three.

The last one was provided to Li Ji’an by the old rogue of Pure Essence during their time at Funiu Mountain.

It was only when he arrived in Feihong State that he forged it.

With the appearance of the four puppets, Li Ji’an silently formed a seal, and subsequently a scarlet Blood Chain descended upon the foremost puppet.

After spiraling around the puppet for a moment, the Blood Chain began to split, gradually attaching to the puppet behind it.

Then the third, and the fourth puppet.

Once the fourth puppet was entwined by the Blood Chain, all the chains emitted a dazzling bloody glow. After three breaths while enveloping the four puppets, they reverted to indistinctness.

"Go!" At this point, Li Ji’an’s Sea of Consciousness rippled, and four weak Split Souls entered the four puppets.

The four puppets then stealthily entered the underground palace.

"Little frog servant, daring to defy your master!" As soon as the four puppets stepped into the underground palace, the reprimanding voice of the Dragon Soul echoed.

"Gugu!" Gugu, albeit looking downcast, mustered the courage to retort at the Dragon Soul.

This defiance was largely enabled by the encouragement from Little Fire Spirit over the years, gradually overcoming some of the bloodline suppression.

From initially not daring to meet its gaze, to now daring to take action.

Roar~ With a dragon’s roar, the Dragon Soul split into two, materializing to attack Gugu and Little Fire separately.

Clang, clang, clang~

However, without waiting for a victor, the four human-shaped puppets suddenly intervened.

In an instant, the Dragon Soul found itself being mobbed; although each puppet individually was not as robust as its solidified dragon form, the linkage through the "Bloodthirsty Chain" allowed them to switch between offense and defense in an instant. The coordinated strike achieved by Li Ji’an controlling the four strands of Split Souls caused the corporeal dragon form to gradually fade.

"Dad! You’re biased!" Finally unable to withstand, the Dragon Soul reverted to a translucent Soul Body, wailing.

This outcome caused Li Ji’an to relax his brows.

Having cultivated the "Thousand Mechanisms Guide" Secret Technique to the third layer, he could additionally split another three strands of Split Souls, enabling meticulous control over four puppets simultaneously.

The combined attack of four Tier Three puppets proved overwhelming for a conventional Mid-stage Core Formation True Man.

Furthermore, these were only two Middle Stage Tier Three and two Early Period Tier Three puppets; should there be four Middle Stage Tier Three puppets in the future, equipped with appropriate magical treasures, their combined attack would leave even a Core Formation Ascendant struggling.

"Unfortunately, unless the Commerce Alliance makes Tier Three Mid-stage or above materials available during the Flying Crane Dao Discussion, these materials merely circulate in small circles at ordinary times."

"We can only wait for Yaoyao to ascend to the position of Alliance Leader."

Sighing softly, Li Ji’an’s figure flickered as he entered the underground palace.

"Hmph! Harass Gugu and Little Fire again, and I’ll spare you no mercy!" He chastised the Dragon Soul.