Cultivating Immortality Begins with Rejuvenation.

Chapter 311 Core Formation Dojo
Upon learning of the Sishui Chamber of Commerce's extraordinary heritage, Li Ji'an instantly felt relieved.

He was naturally very clear about Huang Jie's character and personality.

Since Master Yuxiao is skilled in physiognomy, perhaps he can see that Huang Jie is narrow-minded, heartless, and destined for an early death...

This explains his attitude towards himself.

Similarly, he understood even more clearly the generosity and trust shown by Master Yuxiao when he first met him in his previous life.

"I had thought that was her true nature!" Li Ji'an couldn't help but laugh at himself.

In this world, are there any true Confucian merchants? They are merely outwardly Confucian but inwardly Legalist. The more they outwardly display benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness, the more strictly they discipline others and prioritize profit above all else.

At the same time, he could roughly guess why Guo Wanzhi hadn't contacted him for the past six months.

Perhaps it lies in the fact that Master Yuxiao and Guo Wanzhi confided in each other.

Li Ji'an was happy to accept this arrangement.

As someone deemed useless by the Surabaya Chamber of Commerce, no one could exploit him or bother him.

Except for Yao Rui!

Two years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Li Ji'an has adapted to the life of cultivation here.

Over the past two years, he has occasionally applied for a few second-tier talisman materials, but the results have been unsatisfactory.

But no one had a problem with him.

Since there were no expectations, there were naturally no disappointments.

Almost everyone acknowledged the fact that he benefited from his husband's good fortune.

Fortunately, such a large chamber of commerce can easily support a couple of idle people without any problems, and nothing particularly noteworthy has happened.

"Qua~"

Inside an underground palace dug out by Guagua beneath the isolated island, Li Ji'an was protected by a third-order chessboard shielding array given to him by Xiao Qiao in his previous life. With the enhancement of his divine sense at the mid-stage of Core Formation, even a Core Formation expert would find it difficult to detect him without going to the island to investigate.

During these two years, Li Ji'an often sparred with Guagua in this underground palace to hone their physical strength.

In the past two years, apart from occasionally trying out the effects of wood-type magic to draw talismans, he has spent most of his time refining his magic power with the little fire spirit, while he himself focuses on body tempering.

The enduring and long-lasting power of wood-based magic is truly suitable for making talismans, which makes Li Ji'an look forward to the path of talisman making in this world.

With his current peak Foundation Establishment level wood-type magic power and mid-stage Core Formation level divine sense, he can now barely draw third-tier spirit talismans. Once he successfully forms his core, he is confident that he can attempt to create high-level third-tier spirit talismans.

If he can successfully reach the late stage of Core Formation in the future, he will have the hope of drawing fourth-order spirit talismans.

At that time, with a fourth-tier spirit talisman in hand, only a few giants from the central ten domains of the entire Great Swamp cultivation world will be able to threaten him.

However, his current peak Foundation Establishment level mana was still somewhat insufficient, so he did not waste any more third-tier talisman materials.

In terms of body refinement, he has made great progress in the past two years.

He combined Wu Weixiong's insights and experiences in breaking through to the third stage of body refinement, and also tried to calm down and comprehend the spiritual energy of the five elements of heaven and earth in order to access the five divine treasures of the "Divine Treasure Body Refinement Technique".

Unexpectedly, they sensed an old object in the underground palace.

It was the reddish-brown stone that the little fire spirit was attached to when I captured it on the outskirts of Flaming Mountain in my previous life.

He had been with this stone for over 170 years, yet he never truly understood its essence.

Initially, it was only because Xiao Qiao had a spiritual connection with the earth that she sensed that the stone was imbued with spiritual energy.

Afterwards, the little fire spirit became dependent on it, and it could nourish the little fire spirit, but the effect was weak.

This time, he finally sensed its characteristics.

But the result was quite different from his initial guess.

He had always suspected that it might be some kind of fire spirit marrow that nurtured the little fire spirit, but after the little fire spirit was nurtured, its spiritual energy was completely lost, and it gradually disappeared.

However, this time, when sensing the Divine Treasure Body Forging Technique, I unexpectedly sensed the wood-type spiritual essence contained within it.

Spiritual essence is different from spiritual energy; the former is differentiated from Daoist rhythm, while the latter is a component of heaven and earth.

In this realm, cultivators who truly come into contact with the essence of the Dao are said to be at least at the level of a Nascent Soul Celestial Lord.

However, Wu Weixiong's ancient "Primordial Demon-Suppressing Fist" evolved with Daoist principles. It was because he practiced this fist technique and combined it with the Five Elements spiritual resonance of the "Divine Treasure Body Forging Technique" that he was able to faintly sense it.

After sensing the wood-like spiritual energy of the reddish-brown stone, Li Ji'an officially began to use it to train his first divine treasure.

Now, we are almost one step away from the second stage of body refinement!
"Don't be arrogant. I am about to reach the second stage of body refinement. When that time comes, I will face you with the second level of Demon Suppression Fist. Your physique will not be enough!"

Patting the triumphant croaking head, Li Ji'an once again took out the reddish-brown stone and began to absorb spiritual energy and refine the wood-type divine treasure using the "Divine Treasure Body Forging Technique".

"Quack~" Upon hearing this, Quack's head immediately drooped.

The frog even showed a pitiful expression, pleading for comfort.

Li Ji'an couldn't help but smile faintly, and gently stroked the frog's head again: "There's no need for internal strife. As a born holy spirit, Little Fire has been continuously absorbing and refining my wood-type magic power, so it's only reasonable for it to take another step forward."

As for you, given your lack of natural talent, it is already quite remarkable that you have achieved what you have today.

"Rest assured, I will keep my promise. If there's an opportunity for your spirit pet to advance to the third tier, I will do my utmost to secure it for you."

Guagua couldn't help but feel a little anxious.

It has been over a hundred years since it was promoted to the late stage of the second tier of demon beasts, but it has never made any progress.

On the other hand, Little Fire Spirit, since reuniting with Li Ji'an in the Heavenly Azure Domain, has shown signs of a breakthrough in just four or five years.

And this master goes without saying; his cultivation in this life was like a rocket launch, and he had already surpassed it long ago.

It was genuinely afraid that one day it would become the one holding others back.

The most despairing thing is that, given its current state, its cultivation level has been unable to improve any further, as if its bloodline is restricting it.

"Quack!" The quack nodded and listlessly lay down next to Li Ji'an, resting its head on Li Ji'an's thigh.

Li Ji'an smiled and shook his head.

Li Ji'an was also surprised by the little fire spirit's progress, never expecting that his wood-type magic power in this life would be so beneficial to it.

Once it advances to the third rank, the unexpected burst of its primordial spiritual flame might pose a threat to a late-stage Core Formation cultivator!

Similarly, this also means that one's trump cards in this life are finally beginning to rise step by step.

A year later, as Li Ji'an completed another round of the "Divine Treasure Body Forging Technique," he suddenly felt a warm sensation in his abdomen. Starting from his liver, an invisible power extended inch by inch, eventually permeating his entire body.

"Second-tier Body Refinement!"

The moment he successfully cultivated his second-tier physique, Li Ji'an raised an eyebrow, feeling a sensation quite different from his previous experience with the body cultivation technique.

During the first stage of body refinement, because the Five Divine Treasures have not yet transformed, it is merely skin, flesh, bones, and blood, which is equivalent to other body cultivation techniques.

However, at this moment, the first divine treasure has been successfully completed, completely distinguishing it from the traditional body cultivation methods of later times.

Traditional body cultivation methods work from the outside in, while the "Divine Treasure Body Forging Technique" works from the inside out.

Compared to his physique during his second-stage body cultivation in his previous life, in this life, not only is his qi and blood strength about 20-30% stronger from the outside, but also because his physique is nourished from the inside out, his qi and blood strength is more robust and enduring, giving him a sense of continuous fulfillment.

"No wonder Wu Weixiong was able to withstand Fu Zhenren's attacks with his late-stage second-tier physique in the Blackwater Swamp tomb!" Back then, Li Ji'an was also a late-stage second-tier physique cultivator, but when he faced Xiao Chen, he still suffered some internal injuries after taking a palm strike head-on. On the other hand, Wu Weixiong not only kept fighting back but also endured it with great strength!

At this moment, he had even greater anticipation for this body cultivation technique.

Just then, the guest elder token in my arms vibrated.

"Guest Huang, our Chamber of Commerce has won the bid to host this year's tour auction of the Chamber of Commerce, which will be held in Hanyan Immortal City in a year."

Although he was a useless person at the Surabaya Chamber of Commerce headquarters, he still received the respect he deserved, and he would be specifically notified of important matters.

After reading the message, Li Ji'an nodded slightly.

Five years have passed since he left the Heavenly Azure Domain. The little fire spirit has refined his magic power to a higher level and is not far from reaching its limit.

He had also been planning the formation of his core.

Last year, I applied for the top-tier Core Formation training ground at the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce through the status of a first-class guest elder of the Sishui Chamber of Commerce. Under normal circumstances, I can go to the Core Formation training ground in about two more years.

Prior to this, he planned to attend the grandest auction in the entire business world.

The grandest auction in the Wanshang Domain is hosted by the Merchant Alliance, which gathers the strength of the eighteen top merchant guilds in the entire domain and invites cultivators from all over the world to bid.

It is held every five years, which is just in time for him to participate once before he reaches the Core Formation stage.

The original plan was for him to go wherever the event was held.

Unexpectedly, this year's winner was Hanyan Xiancheng from the Sishui Chamber of Commerce.

This makes things much easier.

"Let's go to the Immortal City and see if there are any beast cores that will be of help to you!"

After replying to the message, Li Ji'an was in a great mood. He immediately recalled Guagua and then got up and returned to the Taoist temple above the underground palace.

"Huang Jie!" However, just as they flew off the isolated island, a fiery red streak of light chased after them.

Li Ji'an knew it was Yao Rui without even looking.

"Is Fairy Yao back from escorting the guards? Did anything unexpected happen?" Li Ji'an's eyes subconsciously swept over Yao Rui, especially her prominent parts.

Since signing the soul contract, she has regained her original appearance and figure. Her hot body is very eye-catching, and it would be abnormal for Huang Jie not to pay attention to it.

Yao Rui was already used to this and knew that he was lewd by nature.

"Hmph, the Jinhua Chamber of Commerce is treacherous and cunning; we almost let them succeed!" Yao Rui said with a gloomy expression.

Although a soul contract for Core Formation cultivation has been signed, some missions outside the merchant guild will still be assigned to hone their magical power.

For the past three years, he has made one trip each year.

However, they had not encountered any life-or-death battles in the previous two years.

"Oh? The Jinhua Chamber of Commerce left evidence?" Li Ji'an raised an eyebrow slightly.

Although Wanshangyu is a free area, it is not safe.

Apart from Feihong Prefecture, which is under the jurisdiction of the Merchant Alliance headquarters, only the Immortal City is relatively safe in the other prefectures. In addition to the endless Tribulation Cultivators, there are also demonic and evil cultivators from various domains in the areas outside the Immortal City.

Moreover, it's almost obvious that the Jinhua Chamber of Commerce is targeting the Sishui Chamber of Commerce.

The fake competition among chambers of commerce is a carefully planned and strategic scheme, a long-term strategy.

In reality, competition between chambers of commerce involves sabotaging each other at every turn, with the aim of completely paralyzing the other's caravan and bankrupting them.

However, they usually won't take action on their own people, so as not to leave evidence.

After all, once evidence is left, the business alliance can impose a huge fine on it.

"No, they were just some thugs hired from who-knows-where," Yao Rui pouted.

"Oh." Li Ji'an nodded in agreement.

"By the way, do you have any news about the Tiancang Region?" Yao Rui then changed the subject.

Li Ji'an shook his head: "The sky is high and the road is far, and I don't have a cross-domain communication talisman, so how would I know?"

"Aren't you a first-class guest elder?" Yao Rui rolled her eyes.

Li Ji'an shrugged: "It's just in name only."

"Sigh, I wonder how the sect is doing?" Yao Rui sighed softly.

It is evident that he still harbors deep feelings for the Biyun Sect.

After all, that was the starting point of her journey.

"By the way, I plan to attempt to reach the Core Formation stage in two years. I heard you also applied for the Core Formation training ground of the Merchant Alliance?" Yao Rui spoke again after a moment.

Li Ji'an's eyes flickered, and he looked at her with a half-smile.

"Why are you looking at me like that? I'm here to make a deal with you!" Yao Rui immediately snapped.

"Oh? What kind of deal?" Li Ji'an asked knowingly.

Yao Rui raised her chin: "I completed the Foundation Establishment stage a year ago. Now my magic power has been honed to perfection. I am almost certain to break through to the Core Formation stage in two years. If I also have the support of the top-tier Daoist temple of the Merchant Alliance, I have a chance to reach the True Core stage."

"congratulations."

"Did you even understand?" Yao Rui was slightly annoyed that Li Ji'an still didn't realize his own limitations.

"Fairy Yao, please speak frankly."

"Ahem, but as you know, I am just an ordinary resource of the Chamber of Commerce. Considering my talent and current magical power, the Chamber of Commerce has already upgraded me by one level and will give me a Core Formation spiritual treasure ranked in the top 100."

However, a Core Formation training ground is not eligible to apply for the highest-level training ground of the Merchant Alliance.

"So, let's make a deal. If you can give me your Daoist temple when the time comes, I will make a solemn vow to do three things for you once I have achieved the Core Formation stage." Yao Rui finished speaking in one breath.

"Oh? So Fairy Yao has something to ask of me, Huang." Li Ji'an smiled jokingly, his eyes taking in Yao Rui's body even more brazenly.

"Hey, don't get any wild ideas. I only promised to do three things for you, and I might even help you take risks, but this... forget about it. My ideal husband in this life must be a chosen one of heaven, a peerless genius, and it has to be Zhenjun!" Yao Rui rolled her eyes again.

Upon hearing this, Li Ji'an immediately composed himself and said, "Then there's nothing to talk about."

"You... Fellow Daoist Huang, you need to recognize your own limitations. You only advanced to the late stage of Foundation Establishment last year. It's uncertain whether you will be able to achieve Foundation Establishment perfection in two years. Moreover, even if you achieve Foundation Establishment perfection, with your magical power and talent, the third-tier mid-grade Daoist temple within the Chamber of Commerce would be enough for you to attempt Core Formation."

For you, a top-tier training ground like the Business Alliance is a complete waste of its resources.

As a first-class guest elder, you can use the Core Formation training ground within the Chamber of Commerce at will. There is really no need to waste such a top-tier training ground as the Chamber of Commerce Alliance.

"I'm sincerely willing to do this deal with you. At worst, I'll do five things for you and protect you from five life-or-death crises. How about it?" Yao Rui immediately became anxious.

When Li Ji'an boarded the spirit ship, he was worried that his magical aura would be detected by Master Chun Yuan, so he also activated Huang Jie's magical aura in the Wuxiang Mask.

Therefore, when he arrived at the Sishui Chamber of Commerce, he was only at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

Last year, in order to apply for the Core Formation Dojo, I replaced my magical aura. Only those with late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation are eligible to apply.

"Fairy Yao, there's no need to waste your time. Even if I, Huang, don't need the top-tier Core Formation training ground in the domain, I can only give it to my future Daoist partner. As for you, we're not acquainted!" Li Ji'an chuckled, completely refusing her offer. Then, ignoring Yao Rui's outburst, he mounted his azure escape light and headed towards the Cold Smoke Immortal City market.

(End of this chapter)