Cultivating Immortality Begins with Rejuvenation.

Chapter 269 The Tribulation of the Immortal City
The saying "true masters are often found among ordinary people" doesn't mean there are many hidden masters practicing in seclusion, but rather that many non-mainstream, non-cultivational, and non-combat-power-related industries are never short of geniuses.

For example, there was a sect that was famous in the cultivation world of Daze three thousand years ago—the Tianji Sect.

Its sect was not initially known for its cultivation or combat strength. On the contrary, if only combat strength was considered, any Core Formation power could have destroyed it.

However, it has stood firm in the cultivation world for over a thousand years, attracting sects from all regions who all hope to establish a relationship with it.

Subsequently, it received the protection of the Taiyi Immortal Sect, the number one holy sect in the central region, for a thousand years. Its disciples enjoyed the highest honors when traveling in the world, and were secretly protected by countless powerful figures.

This is because their sect has inherited the art of divination, which can observe a person's fate, predict good and bad fortune, and determine their path in life. The sect leaders of each generation are even capable of seizing heavenly secrets and determining the survival of a world.

However, this method also has many taboos; if the object of divination exceeds one's own limit, the backlash will be severe.

If one insists on defying fate, it will bring great disaster upon oneself.

In that year, the Taiyi Immortal Sect mobilized its entire strength to invade the Eternal Abyss, one of the nine forbidden lands, in order to break through the shackles of the Nascent Soul stage.

It is said that the Tianji Sect followed the Taiyi Immortal Sect to repay the kindness of protecting them for a thousand years.

After that, the Taiyi Immortal Sect, which had dominated the world for three thousand years, was completely destroyed, and the Tianji Sect was also never heard from again.

Rumors circulated afterward that the Tianji Sect did not go there voluntarily, and that they had tried to persuade Taiyi Zhenjun, but were still forced to enter.

There are also rumors that the opportunity to transform into a Nascent Soul was a plot by the Heavenly Mystery Sect to exterminate the Taiyi Immortal Sect.

Opinions vary, and no definitive conclusion has been reached.

However, since then, the Tianji Sect has ceased to manifest in the world, and it is rumored that its true lineage has been severed, with only some superficial knowledge remaining.

Li Ji'an discreetly distanced himself from the old man, sensing no spiritual fluctuations indicating any disguise, and recognizing him as a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

In this situation, either the other party's spiritual sense is far superior to his, at least in the mid-to-late stage of Core Formation, or they are revealing their true form.

"Grandpa, are you talking nonsense again after drinking?" Just then, a boy of about sixteen or seventeen years old rushed back, carrying a huge gourd of wine.

The young man had delicate features and pure eyes. He was at the third level of Qi Refining and was the old man's grandson. He had just gone to get him some wine during a break.

Upon seeing the young man return, the old man instantly dropped his eccentric demeanor and awkwardly chuckled, "Good grandson, good wine!"

He then took the gourd of wine and gulped down several mouthfuls.

"Oh, what a disappointment!" The others in the group rolled their eyes at this.

Unsurprisingly, almost all the minor cultivators in the domain hoped that the old man's words would come true, as that would lead to a complete reshuffling of the game.

When the future is uncertain, anyone could be the dark horse.

After preparations were completed, one person released a fine flying boat, and the group of thirteen people landed on it, flying at full speed towards Xuan Guang Immortal City.

Along the way, several people took the initiative to ask Li Ji'an about the situation in the Blackwater Swamp.

They inquired about the level of opportunity in the area sealed off by the Lieyang Sect.

The old man lay in the corner, leaning against the boy, and became silent and taciturn again, only occasionally taking a sip of spiritual wine.

The young man did not look down on the old man, letting him lean on him, while he held a spirit stone in his hand and diligently cultivated by refining the spiritual energy of the spirit stone.

Of course, the old man used his magic to purchase a protective shield for him, ensuring that the spiritual energy of the refined spirit stones would not dissipate quickly.

The longer Li Ji'an observed, the more he felt that if he ruled out the possibility that the man was really talking nonsense, the more likely he was a divination master, or at least not a reclusive master whose spiritual sense far surpassed his own.

After all, if someone were truly such a powerful figure, their grandson would certainly have no shortage of high-grade pills for cultivation, and wouldn't need to refine spirit stones to cultivate.

Moreover, shortly after leaving that small market town, Li Ji'an had already sensed at least three True Core level divine senses scanning the flying boat.

Aside from Yun Yao, the other two were clearly True Core cultivators from their sects, or even those in the mid-stage of True Core, who intended to assassinate him.

These three scans with divine sense did not reveal any problems with the flying boat.

With this conjecture in mind, Li Ji'an had to carefully consider the possibility he mentioned and how to deal with it.

"If that's the case, the sect will be in turmoil... and the entire Tiancang Domain will be in turmoil. However, unless it reaches the point of the sect being wiped out, I, a mere Pseudo-Dan Master who is not good at fighting and is also an alchemist, should not be able to have any impact."

Moreover, regardless of war or peace, holding a high position within the sect offers the greatest guarantee of security.

Based on the old man's words, even if the Myriad Laws Palace truly lost its Nascent Soul True Monarch, it still had many late-stage Core Formation True Persons in charge. In addition, it had a profound foundation and many superior magic treasures, so it would have no problem crushing any sect. The only fear was that the seven sects would join forces, and they would also have to resist the invasion of the Boundless Domain, so it was highly unlikely that it would develop to the point of annihilation.

They'll wear each other down and become enemies, that'll be enough.

Unless absolutely necessary, Li Ji'an has no plans to leave the Tiancang Domain for the time being.

Compared to the uncertain dangers of cross-domain situations, foreseeable crises within a domain are easier to manage.

Moreover, he has already been tainted by the blood curse mark of the Golden Puppet Saint King in this life. If he were to truly leave the Heavenly Azure Domain, he would easily be a lamb to the slaughter.

There was no one in the surrounding regions who could help him resist the Golden Puppet Saint.

This also made him wary. If the Myriad Laws True Monarch truly perished, the possibility of the Golden Puppet Saint Monarch secretly infiltrating the Heavenly Azure Domain would greatly increase.

"Hopefully we can hold on for a few more years!"

As they got closer to Xuan Guang Immortal City, they no longer encountered True Core Immortals probing them with their divine senses, most likely because they had all gone to the border of Cangyun Prefecture to block them.

Wanfa Palace is the only fourth-order spiritual vein dojo in the Tiancang Domain, located atop a majestic snow-capped mountain.

Xuan Guang Immortal City is the largest branch of its main lineage. It is an immortal city with a third-order spiritual vein and has third-order low-grade cave dwellings that can be used for Core Formation.

It is also the only immortal city in the entire Tiancang Domain where one can form a Core.

However, it is expensive, costing tens of thousands of spirit stones to rent once, and the identity screening is very strict. People who are not from legitimate forces recognized by Wanfa Palace are not qualified to apply.

Moreover, the upper limit of a third-tier low-grade cave dwelling is basically fixed at the level of a fake core.

"Look, Xuan Guang!" After four months of safe and uneventful journey, the flying boat finally arrived at Xuan Guang Immortal City.

From a distance, it looks like a ribbon hanging down from the ninth heaven, like mist, sand, or a curtain.

Moreover, its colors are mottled and ever-changing, making it difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion.

This light curtain floated down gently, connecting with a vast and prosperous city below.

This is the origin of Xuan Guang Immortal City.

"Until we meet again!" Upon arriving at the gate of Xuan Guang Immortal City, the group bid each other farewell. They had only banded together to withstand the risks of the journey, but now that they had reached their destination, they naturally dispersed.

After bowing to the people who were saying goodbye, Li Ji'an headed into the city alone.

"Senior, please wait." However, the young man, who hadn't said another word along the way, caught up with the old man pulling the wine gourd.

Li Ji'an looked at the other person with some surprise.

The young man bowed respectfully, saying, "This is my grandfather, Zou Yan. Greetings, senior."

"What brings you here, young friend?" Li Ji'an nodded with a smile.

The young man immediately knelt down and bowed directly in front of Li Ji'an: "Please accept me as your disciple, senior. I will definitely respect you and serve you wholeheartedly."

Li Ji'an remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was already horrified.

It is obvious that the boy was able to accept a master so decisively because he must have seen through his true cultivation level. Otherwise, with a grandfather who is in the late Foundation Establishment stage, why would he accept a master who is only in the mid Foundation Establishment stage on the surface?
"Young friend, please rise. In the presence of the Holy Palace, we must not attract attention. Let us enter the city first." Instead of directly refusing, he first tried to appease the other party.

"It was my fault for being inconsiderate, please forgive me, senior." Upon hearing this, the young man hurriedly stood up and apologized.

Li Ji'an waved his hand: "It's alright."

Then he looked at the old man: "Fellow Daoist Zou..."

"Glug, glug." Zou Yan gulped down two mouthfuls of wine: "Good wine, good wine, everything is just right."

Li Ji'an's expression shifted slightly, filled with doubts, but he tried his best to suppress his curiosity.

"Fellow Daoist is quite drunk."

"Haha, everyone else is awake but I am drunk, everyone else is suffering but I am happy, I am drunk in a way that is right, drunk in a way that is carefree."

A slight smile appeared on Li Ji'an's lips. If he truly possessed the ability to divine, perhaps he would indeed have an escape strategy that revealed his true nature but left him powerless to change it.

However, this may also indicate that his divination skills were probably limited; otherwise, if he had predicted a few opportunities, he could at least have secured a good future for his grandson.

"Too much talk leads to mistakes," Li Ji'an smiled faintly, turned around and walked into the immortal city.

“Senior…Grandpa said that as a gift for becoming an apprentice, he would give you a divination.” However, after taking only a few steps, the boy chased after him again.

"Hmm?" Li Ji'an stopped, his heart skipping a beat.

So he really is a diviner?
"What divination?"

"This journey is fraught with danger; we will face numerous tribulations!"

"..." The foot that was about to enter the city slowly retracted.

Li Ji'an glanced back at Zou Yan, who was holding a wine gourd and looking dazed. He hesitated for a moment, then decisively stopped and turned to leave, saying, "Thank you, fellow Daoist. Until we meet again!"

After saying this, Li Ji'an flew away amidst the shocked gazes of the old man and the boy.

"..."

"..." The old man and the young man stood there, stunned.

Go...go?
He... really trusts us that much?

"Senior, there's a second half to the saying: 'After the tribulation, there will be a great opportunity!'" Zou Qi hurriedly chased after Li Ji'an in the direction he had left.

Fortunately, being near Xuan Guang Immortal City, Li Ji'an didn't dare to fly recklessly, but instead traveled at a normal speed at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

Zou Yan and Zou Qi quickly caught up.

On the hillside, Li Ji'an stared at Zou Yan, his expression calm.

At this moment, Zou Yan stopped pretending to be crazy and explained the reason in detail.

The ancestors did indeed inherit the divination tradition, but it was only a fragment, and they had never encountered a descendant with exceptional divination talent.

Zou Qi, the grandson of this generation, has no talent for divination, and the lineage is about to be cut off. In order to find a good backer for him, Zou Yan used all his skills to calculate the journey to Xuan Guang Immortal City.

Before setting off, he spared no effort, even at the cost of his already limited lifespan, to reveal the major events in the Heavenly Azure Domain that his ancestor, a third-tier diviner with the best divination talent, had predicted, all in an attempt to lure someone with a destined connection into his trap.

The attempt failed, and he had no choice but to expend his lifespan again before finally locking onto Li Ji'an just as he was about to enter the Xuan Guang Immortal City.

He is currently only a second-level diviner, and even after expending his lifespan, he can only calculate the vague situation of Li Ji'an's trip; the deeper aspects are difficult to predict.

“Fellow Daoist, there is no need to worry. Although the divination indicates that this journey will be inauspicious, the final result will be auspicious and bring great opportunities. Moreover, Xiao Qi’s opportunity to form her core should lie with you. At least before Xiao Qi forms her core, your destiny will not end!” Zou Yan explained patiently.

"Furthermore... Fellow Daoist's destiny is extraordinary. I was merely trying to divine my origins and almost died on the spot. You are no ordinary person." After thinking for a moment, he added.

Li Ji'an slowly exhaled.

However, he still waved his hand and said, "I appreciate your kindness, but I have always been indifferent to opportunities and fame. Since I know there is danger, there is no need for me to make this trip."

"As for taking on apprentices, I have some unspeakable difficulties and am unable to do so. Farewell, and may we never meet again."

"Don't rush, don't rush." ​​Seeing that Li Ji'an was about to fly away again, Zou Yan hurriedly stepped forward.

“Fellow Daoist, this calamity is unavoidable for you. I have already gained some understanding of the calamity of entering the city, and I may have a way to weaken it by a third. But if you leave now, I truly cannot fathom what will happen.”

Li Ji'an frowned slightly, preferring to believe it was true rather than not.

"Please tell me, fellow Daoist, where this calamity will occur for me?"

Zou Yan glanced at his grandson, his old face filled with helplessness, and finally looked at Li Ji'an with a slightly pleading expression: "It's not that this old man and grandson are forcing each other, but the secrets of heaven cannot be revealed. My lifespan is already short. If I cannot secure a future for my grandson in the Core Formation stage..."

"If Xiao Qi becomes my disciple, is there a possibility that she can form her core?" Li Ji'an carefully sensed Xiao Qi's condition.

Based on its spiritual sensitivity, it possesses a mid-to-low grade metal-type spiritual root.

With such talent, it would be truly difficult for him to achieve the formation of the Golden Core.

"The hexagram is clear!" Zou Yan declared confidently.

“Raise your head!” Li Ji’an said.

Zou Qi, who had been kneeling and bowing with her head on the ground, raised her head in response, her eyes clear and bright.

"Very well!" After a moment's consideration, Li Ji'an finally nodded.

"Greetings, Master!" Zou Qi bowed again.

Li Ji'an nodded and looked at Zou Yan.

"Thank you. Fellow Daoist, this calamity is related to the word 'fire.' If you can avoid it in advance after entering the city, it will definitely be weakened by three points." Zou Yan stopped keeping him in suspense.

"Fire?" Li Ji'an raised an eyebrow slightly.

Is this calamity related to fire?

Getting angry? Given my temperament and current situation, that's basically out of the question.

Fire-based techniques? Because fire-based techniques would expose one's true identity? That's possible; one must definitely avoid using fire-based magic.

Fire-type magical artifacts? I will never use glass lamps or fire fans.

Danhuo...Little Fire Spirit?

Suddenly, Li Ji'an seemed to have a thought: perhaps this calamity is most likely to befall Little Fire Spirit.

The Fire Spirit, the essence of heaven and earth, is an absolute sacred object coveted by all cultivators in this world.

I had long heard that the Pill King of Tiancang Domain, Pure Yuan Zhenren of Wanfa Palace, advanced to the third-level pill master by integrating a third-level spiritual flame into his dantian many years ago. Subsequently, his pill-making skills became superb, making him the Pill King who dominated the entire domain!

"Could it be that Pure Yuan Zhenren?" For a moment, Li Ji'an's breath hitched.

Pure Yuan Zhenren is not only a late-stage Core Formation elder of the Myriad Laws Palace and the only third-tier Core King in the Tiancang Domain, but also the grandson of the current Myriad Laws True Monarch.

He has been stuck in the late stage of Core Formation for many years, and it is highly unlikely that he will be able to form Nascent Soul. However, if he could obtain a fourth-order spiritual flame, he might have a chance to break through to the fourth-order alchemist.

The Little Fire Spirit, being a naturally born fire-type holy spirit, has limitless potential for growth. If it knew this, it would probably go to great lengths to obtain it.

"But he can sense the little fire spirit in my dantian?" Li Ji'an had some doubts about this.

The dantian is the second most important spiritual storage area for cultivators, second only to the sea of ​​consciousness. He had tried to probe it with Ning Sujin's primordial spirit, but it was impossible for her to see through it.

Just as Li Ji'an was lost in thought.

Suddenly, the little fire spirit in his dantian trembled slightly.

Li Ji'an's expression changed, and he hurriedly communicated with Little Fire Spirit.

"I see!"

The little fire spirit responded, sensing a primal aura.

And it has a heavenly affinity for this primal energy.

"Is it the third-tier spiritual flame of True Immortal Chunyuan?" Instantly, Li Ji'an realized.

The little fire spirit can sense the presence of the other party, and the other party can also sense the little fire spirit.

However, according to Little Fire Spirit's senses, the other party is currently thousands of miles away in the south, and is moving in this direction.

"That was close!" Li Ji'an felt a wave of fear afterward.

If Zou Yan hadn't informed him beforehand, he might have overlooked the little fire spirit's senses. In that case, with Chun Yuan Zhenren in front of him, he would probably have faced a life-or-death ordeal.

Similarly, if I had just insisted on leaving Xuan Guang Immortal City, I would probably have run into it soon.

"Farewell, I will come to find you after I have survived this calamity!" Li Ji'an said to Zou Qi immediately, and flew away towards Xuan Guang Immortal City.

This time, the grandfather and grandson did not accompany them.

Before long, Li Ji'an stopped in a dense forest and quickly summoned Guagua and Huoling, letting the little Huoling enter Guagua's mouth to enter the universe.

"How is it?" Li Ji'an asked hurriedly.

Just as it was flying away, Little Fire sensed that the other party also suddenly accelerated.

Fortunately, the little fire spirit gave a positive answer, and the sensation disappeared as soon as it entered the Guagua's mouth.

As he breathed a sigh of relief, Li Ji'an instructed Guagua to burrow underground and follow him.

He cautiously headed south, away from Xuan Guang Immortal City, still choosing to try to avoid this calamity.

However, after flying for a short time, they sensed the oppressive aura emanating from the direction of the Palace of Ten Thousand Laws.

The area where they had just landed had been surrounded and sealed off by cultivators from the Myriad Laws Palace, led by a mid-stage Core Formation True Person.

And the restricted area is still expanding.

Seeing that the encirclement was about to block his way, Li Ji'an decisively chose to change direction and head towards Xuan Guang Immortal City.

After all, all the cultivators around him were heading towards Xuan Guang Immortal City, and he was going against the current alone, which would make him seem guilty.

These people don't care about evidence; if they have any doubts, they might just perform a soul search, which is even riskier.

As for Guagua, we can only let it burrow deep underground and wait for the right opportunity.

"The art of divination is truly extraordinary!" Li Ji'an felt a sense of powerlessness as he traveled to Xuan Guang Immortal City again, mingling with several rogue cultivators.

The calamity predicted by a mere second-level diviner was actually unavoidable?
He currently has nothing of value and possesses the Faceless Mask, so he has no weaknesses. His only worry is that Guagua will be discovered.

With a cultivation level of mid-stage second tier, Guagua cannot be detected by the Concealing Divine Power True Core at the early stage.

However, Wanfa Palace has many mid-to-late stage Core Formation Real Persons. In particular, if Pure Yuan Real Person were to invite Wanfa True Monarch to search, Guagua would likely be discovered.

All his treasures are contained within Guagua's mouth; if Guagua is captured, all his accumulated wealth in this life will be wasted.

My mind was restless the whole way, and only when I thought of Zou Yan's divination words could I relax a little.

However, as soon as they entered Xuan Guang Immortal City, the city was already in an uproar.

"The Holy Palace just issued an urgent notice: the area within a 5,000-mile radius of the Immortal City is sealed off. Entry is permitted, but exit is not. Anyone who disobeys will be executed!"

(End of this chapter)