Cultivating Immortality Begins with Rejuvenation.

Chapter 255 First Visit to the Spirit Village
As a direct descendant of the Biyun Sect, clan secrets are nothing to the sect; as long as the sect leader asks, they will readily offer them.

Previously, in order to conceal the matter within the clan, the Liu family patriarch even took the initiative to offer the clan's secret array to the fake Dan elder of the Array Hall.

However, under normal circumstances, sects will protect the interests of their direct lineage and will not openly condone such behavior.

Therefore, Li Ji'an spoke in a consultative tone, and started with the beast core, without mentioning the sacred beast core at the beginning.

The Liu family patriarch was taken aback for a moment, then smiled broadly: "Hahaha, Master Li, you are too kind. I am not qualified to give you any guidance. To be honest, Master Li, at the blood-drawing ceremony several years ago, I wanted to invite you to guide my clan's beast core refining technique. As you know, my clan's beast cores have been stuck at the quasi-third rank for hundreds of years. We have always hoped to make a breakthrough."

"Oh? Fellow Daoist Liu is so hospitable, then I, Li, will certainly do my best. However, please rest assured, Fellow Daoist Liu, I understand the rules. I will never reveal a single secret of nobles to outsiders." Li Ji'an readily agreed.

Dealing with smart people can save you a lot of unnecessary arguments and trouble.

Of course, this is based on his current status and strength within the sect.

In the following days, after Li Ji'an finished handling the follow-up matters of the celebration, he told Master Yu Dan and then returned to the Liu family with the Liu family patriarch.

On the flying boat.

"Senior Li, the principles of beast pill refining and elixir refining are the same. The only difference is that they are consumed by different people. To understand beast pill refining, you need to have some knowledge of the way of beast taming."

Although I, Xiao Jiu, am not skilled in Beast Taming, I do have some knowledge of the art of beast taming. Would I have the honor of explaining it to you, senior?

The rogue cultivator he once regarded as insignificant has, in the blink of an eye, become a Core Formation expert whom he should address as senior. Liu Jiuchan felt a pang of sympathy.

As for Li Ji'an's attitude towards her this time, she could understand it very well.

Let alone an elder like Li Ji'an, even mid-level members of the upper sect, almost all ignored her existence.

"Elder Li, what Xiao Jiu said is true. When it comes to the art of beast taming, Xiao Jiu is second to none in our clan. If Elder Li does not mind, Xiao Jiu can serve you personally from now on and explain the art of beast taming to you." The Liu family patriarch immediately agreed.

Ever since Li Ji'an became the number one alchemist in Golden Glory Immortal City, the Liu family had already learned about the connection between Liu Jiuchan and Li Ji'an, and subsequently kept Liu Jiuchan in contact with him.

By the time Li Ji'an became a guest elder of the Biyun Sect, the Liu family already intended to have Liu Jiuchan and Li Ji'an become Daoist partners.

However, now, Liu Jiuchan is only fit to be a maid.

"Excellent!" Li Ji'an nodded. His ultimate goal this time was to learn the recipe for the Sacred Beast Pill, and he could also learn about the art of beast taming and the refining of beast pills. In any case, it was all for Guagua's advancement.

Two months later, when Li Ji'an returned to the Liu family, where the crimson clouds of the Beast Taming Sect were rising, he was welcomed with the highest honors.

That evening, Liu Jiuchan arrived dressed in a light veil to share his knowledge of beast taming.

Half a month later, Li Ji'an had a general understanding of the essence of second-tier beast taming. He skipped over the aspects of capturing, taming, and controlling the beasts, focusing instead on the corresponding supplements for various spirit beast enhancements and advancements. This also aligned with his superficial need to simply develop beast pills.

With this foundation laid, they finally met again the leader of the Liu family's beast pills, the Grand Elder Liu Xuanting.

Ever since he was tricked by Wu Weixiong and barely escaped with his life, he has stayed at home, focusing on researching beast cores and cultivating the next generation of his clan.

Seeing Li Ji'an again this time, I was quite moved.

When Li Ji'an was in his fifties, his alchemy skills amazed him. At that time, he had a premonition that Li Ji'an's future would be extraordinary, and the facts proved him right.

Because the two had worked together before, and Li Ji'an had personally witnessed him refining the Sacred Beast Pill, Li Ji'an had a certain ability to discern the beast pill refining methods he had taught.

Three months later, Li Ji'an had mastered the method of refining beast pills and obtained the recipes for various beast pills from the Liu family.

Just before parting, Li Ji'an raised his request for the formula of the Sacred Beast Pill.

With so many sunk costs already incurred, the Liu family patriarch hesitated but ultimately agreed, though he reluctantly made his demands.

"Elder Li, the Sacred Beast Pill is our clan's core trump card in dealing with other beast-taming forces in the region. Once the formula for this pill is exposed, we may have no place in the entire beast-taming market in the future."

Li Ji'an nodded: "Fellow Daoist Liu can rest assured about this matter. I, Li, am willing to swear a solemn oath to never reveal a single detail."

"Furthermore, if my Liu family ever encounters misfortune in the future, I humbly request that Elder Li lend a helping hand to my Liu family!" The Liu family patriarch stated his core request with a slightly resolute expression.

Judging from the attitude of the Liu family patriarch, it seemed that if Li Ji'an did not agree, he would refuse even at the risk of offending him.

"Let me make this clear beforehand: I am but a mere alchemist with limited abilities, and I am not skilled in combat. If my own safety is endangered, I cannot comply," Li Ji'an said resolutely.

Upon hearing this, the Liu family patriarch hurriedly said, "Elder Li, you are overthinking it. My humble Liu family has not encountered any formidable enemies that require Master Li to personally engage in combat. I only hope that Elder Li can offer some advice on matters concerning the sect, since my Liu family is a direct descendant of a superior sect."

“In that case, I agree.” Li Ji’an no longer refused.
-
"A demonic beast containing innate essence and blood..."

On the outer peak of the Biyun Sect, Li Ji'an lay supine at the summit, his head resting on one of Guagua's legs, studying the rubbing of the Sacred Beast Pill formula with Guagua.

He had already figured out the rest of the recipe for the Sacred Beast Pill on his way back. For him now, whether it was beast blood, beast bones, or quasi-third-tier spiritual herbs, none of them were difficult to obtain.

The only essential ingredient is the innate essence and blood.

The so-called innate origin is born in the womb, but once born, this innate origin will be gradually absorbed and refined.

The essential blood and essence required for the Sacred Beast Pill must be extracted from the essence of the demon core.

This makes it even more difficult.

After all, any demon beast that has condensed a demon core is already a second-tier demon beast, so where would its innate origin remain?

Therefore, 99.9% of the monsters in this world do not meet this requirement.

The recipe for the Sacred Beast Pill that the Liu family unexpectedly obtained contained information on several special second-tier demonic beasts that also contained innate primordial essence and blood.

The former Crimson Dragon Hill was one of them.

According to the description of the Crimson Blood Dragon's habits, only the outer area of ​​Flame Mountain is suitable for survival in the entire Sky Cang Domain.

However, these monsters are solitary and territorial, and only one can survive in a given area.

"You have already consumed the Sacred Beast Pill made from the essence of the Crimson Dragon Pool. Even if you take another one, its effect on you will be greatly reduced."

"Qua~"

Both the person and the frog nodded at the same time.

“The colorful brocade eel… prefers to live in the deep sea…we’re inland, so forget about it.” The second option was also abandoned.

“The Golden-Winged Ink Eagle… prefers to live in the desert, soars through the nine heavens, and is a lone wolf… in the nine heavens, it’s almost impossible to even think about it.” Li Ji’an rejected it again.

"The Illusion Moon Glass Serpent... prefers dark and decaying places, hides in swamps, and lives in pairs... that's something to look forward to." Only after recording the last species did Li Ji'an nod under the expectant gaze of Guagua.

He knew a place in the swamp within the Tiancang Domain. When he first went to Tianhe Immortal City, he accidentally found a flawless lotus pod. After asking a herb gatherer, he learned that it was found in the Blackwater Swamp east of the Phantom Forest.

In order to obtain another Crystallization Pill for his next life, he must make a trip to the Blackwater Swamp.

You can try your luck then.

"Quack~" But the moment the quack saw the Illusionary Moon Glazed Serpent Diagram, it shuddered.

Snake-like monsters still have an innate bloodline suppression over it.

"Don't be afraid!" Li Ji'an patted Guagua's head: "You are going to become the Frog Emperor, how can you be afraid of a mere long worm?" "Guagua~" Guagua raised its head slightly and blinked its two big, light bulb-like eyes.

"Alright, all you have left for your Sacred Beast Pill is that primordial essence blood. Let me refine some beast pills for you first." Li Ji'an stood up from the frog.

Nine months had passed since the Core Formation Ceremony.

The main reason for the trip was to the Liu family for Guagua's promotion.

This matter has now come to a temporary end.

In the following period, Li Ji'an put the theory of beast pills into practice.

They exchanged a lot of beast core materials from the sect's treasury.

However, after Guagua consumed the mid-stage second-tier beast core, Li Ji'an discovered that its cultivation speed had indeed improved, but the hurdle of the late-stage second-tier remained unchanged.

Without the Sacred Beast Pill to further enhance its bloodline quality, it can only reach the mid-stage of the second tier.

He then put the matter of Guagua aside and devoted himself to the study of puppets and the drawing of third-order talismans.

Four months later, all the materials for the third-tier talisman were used up, and they finally possessed a total of nine third-tier spirit talismans.

In addition, during this period, the elders of the sect also came to request several batches of pills, which he basically completed according to the level of Jade Pill True Person, but with a 10% reduction.

Although he still received praise from the elders, fewer people came to him seeking pills.

Besides the fact that his alchemy skills are not yet as good as those of Jade Elixir Master, the reason is that the medicinal materials required for third-order pills are not only expensive, but also difficult to collect. It is rare for him to be able to open the furnace three to five times a year.

Li Ji'an was very satisfied with this. He was basically in a delicate situation where the sect needed him, but the need was not great, and they couldn't do without him.

He has sufficient freedom and authority.

During this period, he exchanged for five kinds of Crystallization Pill ingredients available in the sect.

Moreover, after advancing to the False Core stage, he also gained access to the sect's cultivation techniques and secret arts. Of course, he still couldn't access those core cultivation techniques and secret arts of Earth level or above.

However, the cultivation techniques and secret arts that he can freely borrow after leaving a soul contract are already among the best available in the major immortal cities.

They are all at least at the Xuan level.

These techniques and secret arts are basically useless to Li Ji'an if he only practices them, since he has never thought of using magic to fight enemies unless absolutely necessary.

However, as a database, this greatly enriches his cultivation technique database.

These fundamental skills will form the basis for him to create a new martial art in the future.

"I have to go out!" On this day, just one year after the Core Formation Ceremony, Li Ji'an checked his main talismans and trump cards, and flew out of the outer peak with Guagua.

Now his puppetry skills have finally broken through to the second tier, and he can barely craft quasi-second-tier puppets. However, he doesn't have the materials for second-tier puppets for the time being, and it's not easy for him to exchange for them in the sect.

Half a day later, Li Ji'an returned to the Golden Glory Immortal City.

He has rarely come here in recent years, mainly because the desolation of Golden Glory Immortal City is clearly visible as the century-long lease term is about to expire.

In twenty years, the Biyun Sect will reclaim the management rights of the Immortal City, at which time some of the city's systems will inevitably undergo significant changes.

In addition, with the Eighteen Spirit Villages becoming increasingly stable, as a transit point between Tianyuan Prefecture and Cangyun Prefecture, and a necessary route for cultivators below the Core Formation stage to travel between the two prefectures, the Spirit Village Market built there has become the veritable premier market in Cangyun Prefecture due to its freer and more favorable business environment.

When Li Ji'an entered the Golden Glory Immortal City, the bustling streets were no longer there, and many shops had reverted to selling low-end products, mainly first-tier items, which were the norm during the Biyun Sect's control period.

After browsing around, I only managed to purchase two sets of materials for second-tier puppets.

Before leaving, he went to the Master's Academy again, but there were no familiar faces there.

Back then, Doctor Bai couldn't resist the opportunity at the Eighteen Spirit Village and joined a rogue cultivator's force. In the end, he failed to win the battle and died in the ensuing chaos.

The florist also left Immortal City shortly after Doctor Bai left, apparently because her master was nearing the end of his life and had asked her to return to Tianyuan Prefecture to inherit the family business.

As for the others, they were squeezed out by the second-level technicians from Tianyuan Prefecture during the first round of competition for positions and their whereabouts are unknown.

Li Ji'an then left without lingering and headed towards the Eighteen Spirit Village.

A month later, Li Ji'an arrived at the Daze Mountains where the ruins were discovered years ago.

This place is no longer the desolate place it once was. Instead, it has been transformed into a large-scale dojo stretching for thousands of miles by eighteen forces, each occupying a spiritual vein dojo.

Lingzhai Market is located in the center of the eighteen temples.

Li Ji'an disguised himself as a Foundation Establishment cultivator in advance and approached discreetly.

"Hmm?" However, just as they approached the edge of the mountain range, several menacing auras emanated from a dense forest.

The Eighteen Spirit Village is located at the border of Cangyun Prefecture and Tianyuan Prefecture, making it a no-man's-land. Moreover, he had personally experienced the chaos of this place in his early years.

That group of cultivators dared to intercept and kill even members of a pseudo-core family like Qin Chuan, which shows how ferocious they were.

"Buzz~" After carefully sensing the number and strength of the opponent, Li Ji'an acted as if he hadn't heard anything and went straight forward. A moment later, he "fell" into the opponent's trap.

They stumbled into a second-order magic array.

With a "whoosh," the four people who had been holding their breath in the dense forest suddenly rushed out.

Each of the four men carried a battle flag and led their respective sides.

"Hmph, hand over the storage bag, and I'll spare your life; otherwise, I'll turn you to ashes in an instant," the man holding the red flag shouted sternly.

All four were veiled in black, and the veils also had the effect of preventing divine sense from probing them, clearly indicating that they were not ordinary magical artifacts.

Li Ji stood quietly in the formation, his expression indifferent, not even glancing at them.

"Huh? Looking for death?" The one holding the red flag immediately stopped talking and waved the flag in his hand.

Huchi~
A fiery serpent suddenly shot out from the ground, but its power diminished just before it reached Li Ji'an.

The reason they were reluctant to kill instantly was because they were worried that the burst of fire would destroy the storage bag.

However, the moment the fire serpent touched Li Ji'an within the Four Symbols Killing Formation, the Red Flag Bearer's expression changed.

"No, this person is hiding his cultivation level!" Although the fire serpent he had just unleashed had already withdrawn its power, it was still enough to deliver a full-force attack from an early Foundation Establishment cultivator. However, this attack was easily blocked by Li Ji'an's protective magic shield.

"Escape!" Almost instantly, the Red Flag Bearers fled rapidly into the depths of the mountains.

The reason why the Four Fiends of the Celestial Phenomena have survived to this day is because they are extremely cautious.

"Heh~" Li Ji'an was also quite surprised, not expecting the other party to react so quickly.

However, Guagua had already blocked their path to survival.

The reason he didn't avoid it this time was because he wanted to try out the Mask of No Form!
(End of this chapter)