Cultivating Immortality Begins with Rejuvenation.

Chapter 344 The Fall of a Prodigy
The Jade Flute Master brought him to register back then, and the head of the temple already knew about his talent.

At that time, the magical aura he displayed to the outside world was that he had just advanced to the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and his magical power was relatively weak.

Under normal circumstances, there will definitely be some improvement in two years, but it will be very limited.

"Fellow Daoist Huang, now that the other two of the three Daoist temples have been confirmed, you will be in the third Daoist temple. However, the previous Core Formation Daoist in the third Daoist temple has not yet emerged from seclusion, so we will need to wait a little longer." After confirming Li Ji'an's identity, the person in charge simply glanced at him and understood his current state of magical power, and said calmly.

"So fast?" Li Ji'an was slightly surprised.

He remembered clearly when he registered that although the three dojos of Feihong Dojo were independent of each other and did not affect each other, the large-scale spirit gathering array and purification array built by the Merchant Alliance covered all three dojos. Once activated, they would be shared by all three.

This is also a key reason why the Flying Goose Dojo attracts geniuses from this world to form their core here.

With the large-scale spirit-gathering array and purification array, the purity of the mana of the cultivators attempting to form their core will be greatly enhanced.

Therefore, the three training grounds were basically opened at the same time, waiting for the three of them to attempt to break through to the Core Formation stage together.

When a cultivator forms their Golden Core, aside from the initial process of absorbing spiritual energy and unleashing their power to condense the core, the subsequent purification of the core and stabilization of their realm no longer require the support of a large-scale magic array. In other words, the array is activated before the core is formed and then deactivated afterward.

The first few steps, though different for each cultivator, do not vary too much in time. However, the subsequent purification and stabilization processes take much longer and vary considerably from person to person.

The first three people in the previous batch achieved the Core Formation. The earliest one completed the Core Formation and left seclusion two months ago, the second one left seclusion one month ago, and the third one has not yet left seclusion.

The reason Li Ji'an arrived here half a month early was to try and secure the No. 1 dojo, which had been vacant for two months.

Although the three dojos are the same, there is a difference between those that have been used by cultivators and those that haven't. The longer a dojo has been vacant, the more stable its spiritual energy becomes.

Because when we were queuing up back then, the person in charge had already explained the rules, and we could come half a month in advance to decide on the final venue.

Without hesitation, Li Ji'an quietly handed over a storage bag: "Please help me, Steward Tong. Before coming here, I had someone divine the future. It is auspicious in the east. Therefore, I hope to form my core at the No. 1 Daoist Temple."

With this plan in mind, Li Ji'an could naturally ensure that he was the first to register today. The other party claimed that the first two dojos had already been occupied, either because they wanted to get some benefits, or because the other two had powerful backgrounds. Therefore, he took out a bag of spirit stones to test them.

But then he saw that Manager Tong had a serious expression on his face and waved his hand to rebuke, "Fellow Daoist Huang, don't break the rules of the Merchant Alliance."

"It seems it's still a matter of the Chamber of Commerce background." Li Ji'an smiled slightly, already having figured it out.

This was something he couldn't do on his own, since the Sishui Chamber of Commerce ranked at the very bottom of the business alliance.

"So be it." He wasn't too disappointed; it was just a matter of striving for perfection after all.

After receiving the communication talisman, Li Ji'an bowed and left.

I hadn't walked far when I ran into an acquaintance.

Bai Cailing followed a glamorous woman over.

Li Ji'an had seen that alluring woman at the auction; she was Bai Cailing's birth mother, the Fairy of Eternal Spring, and the head of the Yaochi Chamber of Commerce's dual cultivation business.

"Oh, Fellow Daoist Huang, you've also reached the Core Formation stage this time?" Fairy Yongchun greeted Li Ji'an with a smile from afar.

Compared to Bai Cailing's aloof arrogance, Fairy Yongchun, who spends her years among male cultivators, is worldly-wise, passionate, wealthy, and generous.

They have a very sharp eye.

Ever since she met Li Ji'an once at the auction, she has been able to judge his attitude towards female cultivators by his appearance and expression.

They are clearly like-minded people.

"Greetings, Senior Yongchun." Li Ji'an bowed respectfully.

"Hehe~ What's with the 'senior'? Am I that old? Besides, Fellow Daoist Huang is an elder of the Sishui Chamber of Commerce, so please don't use cultivation level to determine seniority." Fairy Yongchun waved her handkerchief, deliberately puffed out her chest, and smiled charmingly.

"Haha, it's me, Huang, who's being old-fashioned. Of course, the fairy is eternally youthful." Huang Jie's true nature was triggered by a casual little gesture, and his expression became rather ambiguous.

"Fellow Daoist Huang, I wish you a smooth journey in forming your core. If you have the opportunity to visit my Linchun Immortal City afterward, I will certainly treat you well." Fairy Yongchun extended a familiar invitation.

"Humph!"

However, before he could say anything more, Bai Cailing beside him had already turned pale and left.

"Cai Ling... Fellow Daoist Huang, we'll meet again someday." After saying that, he chased after Bai Cai Ling.

Watching the mother and daughter walk away, Li Ji'an shook his head with a light smile.

When Guagua advanced to the next level, he was with Bai Cailing's spirit crane. Unexpectedly, when he formed his core, he was also with Bai Cailing. What a coincidence!

I wonder who this other fellow Daoist is.

Half a month later, Li Ji'an returned to the Daoist temple and finally met his third Core Formation Daoist friend.

It was none other than Tu Yifei, the leader of the Flying Goose Dao Discussion in this world, and the earth-elemental celestial spirit seedling of the Tai'an Chamber of Commerce.

Compared to his solo arrival, both Bai Cailing and Tu Yifei were surrounded by admirers, with members of the Chamber of Commerce following behind them.

“Cailing, you don’t need to worry about the influence of that young friend Tu on you. Young friend Huang’s magical power is not as strong as yours. Even if young friend Tu were to absorb all the spiritual energy of his dojo, it would only affect you.”

As soon as Li Ji'an sat down outside the No. 3 dojo, he immediately sensed a lot of divine sense scanning him.

The president of the Yaochi Chamber of Commerce, who is also Bai Cailing's father, smiled and stroked his beard to comfort her.

Bai Cailing had met Li Ji'an half a month ago, so she wasn't surprised at the moment. She just kept staring at Tu Yifei outside Dojo No. 1.

Tu Yifei remained calm, closing his eyes to rest.

Shortly after, the person in charge of Fei Hong Dojo appeared and announced that the dojo, which had been vacant, could now be entered.

Tu Yifei and Bai Cailing immediately bid farewell to their relatives and friends and entered the Taoist temple.

Li Ji'an, meanwhile, waited patiently outside.

In the No. 3 training ground he was about to use, the previous batch of Core Formation cultivators had not yet finished their training. They were Heavenly Spirit Root Immortal Seeds from another large merchant guild, who had extremely high expectations for them.

Unfortunately, it seems that an accident occurred when it absorbed spiritual energy two years ago. It overestimated its physical strength and the endurance of its dantian. As a result, after absorbing the instantaneous spiritual energy of the No. 3 dojo on the fifth day, it also snatched the spiritual energy of the No. 2 dojo next door. However, as soon as some of the spiritual energy of the No. 2 dojo was incorporated, a violent tremor occurred in its dojo.

At that time, the large chamber of commerce not only summoned its own members to pay tribute, but also even persuaded the leader of the alliance, Tong.

However, the Core Formation training ground has many array barriers and is affected by extremely dense spiritual energy and spiritual pressure, so even Master Tong could not find out what was inside.

However, just after the violent tremors within the temple, the spiritual energy suddenly eased, and after three days of calm, rosy clouds began to condense.

This gave the members of the chamber of commerce a sigh of relief.

However, before they could rejoice, the rosy cloud formed by the celestial spiritual root seedling chilled their hearts instantly.

Despite being provided with a top-thirty Core Formation spiritual treasure, the resulting cloud of light condensed during the first stage of the magic explosion only reached a distance of eight li.

The Eight Miles of Clouds and Mist promises the attainment of a True Elixir. If an ordinary cultivator were to achieve this, they would be extremely satisfied.

However, that Immortal Seedling is a top-tier investment spirit contract from the Chamber of Commerce, and its rating is expected to be at least an upstream True Core, with a chance of reaching at least twenty miles above the Cloud Realm.

The mere eight miles of rosy clouds could not contain even a true elixir, or even a fake one. Therefore, after passing the first hurdle of Core Formation, the merchant guild had already withdrawn in defeat.

This investment was a complete failure.

This person spent a considerable amount of time on the subsequent purification of the elixir, and there has been no sign of him emerging from seclusion to this day.

Li Ji'an wasn't in a hurry. Although Bai Cailing and Tu Yifei could enter the dojo now, the dojo master would only activate all the large-scale enhancement arrays after they entered.

Another three months passed in this wait.

"What's going on? The longest record for this training ground is only two years before it can be temporarily stabilized, but this kid has already been in this position for two years and four months."

"Such a delay has somewhat affected the mindset of those attempting to break through to the Core Formation stage."

"Master Tong, could something have happened? Should we contact his master's family to come and check?"

……

As time went by, Li Ji'an, who was waiting outside Dojo No. 3, was not in a hurry, but the people waiting outside the other two Dojos could not wait any longer.

Master Tong also came to the outer perimeter of Dojo No. 3 several times to try to sense the situation of the cultivators inside.

Unfortunately, his cultivation was shallow, and his divine sense could not penetrate the restrictions of the Daoist temple.

"Master Tong, I believe that even if this child has not fully consolidated his realm, he can still be summoned. Does he intend to occupy this superior cultivation ground indefinitely?" Bai Cailing's father finally couldn't help but say.

"Please wait a moment, everyone. This matter is of great importance, and I must consult the Alliance Leader." Under pressure from the two major chambers of commerce, Manager Tong finally decided to ask Alliance Leader Tong for a decision.

Before long, Alliance Leader Tong appeared at the dojo.

After exchanging greetings with the presidents of the other two chambers of commerce, he went straight to the No. 3 dojo.

I was slightly surprised to see Li Ji'an waiting quietly by himself.

Then the master focused his divine sense and looked into the No. 3 dojo.

"Hmm?" But after just one glance, he suddenly frowned.

With a "whoosh," he waved his hand, and all the restrictions on the dojo were lifted.

Without the restriction, countless divine senses probing in simultaneously.

"Hiss~" The next moment, everyone shook their heads.

Li Ji'an also frowned slightly.

Inside Dojo No. 3, only a corpse with its eyes wide open remained.

Not only were there many cracks in the flesh of the corpse, but there was also a large gash in the abdomen, inside which a dull, gray, and loose magic pill had long since lost its spiritual energy.

"Dissect one's dantian?"

"Alas, a dignified genius with a Heavenly Spiritual Root suffered a collapse of spiritual energy and a shattered physical body in the first stage. He forcibly attempted to condense a core, but ultimately only achieved a false core. He must have felt a great deal of resentment!"

"Cailing, take this as a warning, and never overestimate your abilities!"

"Yifei, just focus on condensing your core normally. Don't force it. With your magical power and the spiritual treasures for core formation, you can easily obtain a top-tier true core. Don't take any risks."

The senior executives of the Yaochi Chamber of Commerce and the Tai'an Chamber of Commerce used this as an example to instruct the other two.

Upon seeing this, Master Tong's face immediately fell.

Since he took over the Feihong Dojo, there has never been a cultivator who died in the dojo like this.

There had been instances before, but those were due to excessive force applied during the purification of the magic core, causing it to shatter.

In that situation, both they and the Chamber of Commerce would rush in to rescue the person immediately, and ultimately, no one would die inside the dojo.

He never expected this situation to occur.

"President..." Manager Tong immediately prepared to apologize.

However, Alliance Leader Tong shook his head slightly: "The vast path to immortality is one of fighting against fate. Even the most outstanding talents are but a drop in the ocean, and all their extraordinary abilities will eventually vanish like smoke."

"Collect the body properly and continue."

Master Tong immediately went in to collect the corpse and used magic to completely remove any remaining souls inside.

Before leaving, Alliance Leader Tong glanced at Li Ji'an again and asked, "Young friend, is there anything you are reluctant to do?"

Li Ji'an smiled and shook his head: "Thank you, Alliance Leader. This junior will carry this fellow Daoist's expectations and take him along!"

"Hahaha, good, the younger generation is truly formidable!" Master Tong smiled with satisfaction, and his figure gradually disappeared without a trace.

It must be said that there are still some taboos in the cultivation world. For example, if someone fails to break into a cave dwelling, most people will have some unfounded thoughts in their minds.

The theory of luck is most prevalent, believing that if the previous person failed, it was because the luck of that place had been depleted, and if they tried to enter again and use this place to break through, they would most likely fail again until the luck was replenished.

Therefore, most people will deliberately avoid the process, whether they are in the Foundation Establishment or Core Formation stage.

However, Li Ji'an did not take it seriously. Besides not wanting to delay any longer, he also sensed that the person had been dead for more than a year. This place had been without anyone absorbing spiritual energy for a year, and the stability of the spiritual energy inside was much higher than the other two caves.

As Li Ji'an calmly entered the cave, Master Tong immediately announced the opening of the Core Formation Ceremony.

Before long, the two large formations slowly activated, completely covering the three dojos.

Tu Yifei, Bai Cailing, and Li Ji'an officially began their attempt to break through to the Core Formation stage.

In my previous life, I formed my core at the Biyun Sect. To ensure sufficient spiritual energy, I needed to accumulate spiritual energy for a period of time before I could absorb all the spiritual energy.

Li Ji'an had been accumulating spiritual energy for half a year before he began to devour it, while Xiao Changfeng had only been accumulating spiritual energy for three months.

Here, the spiritual energy is exceptionally abundant, so there is no need to deliberately accumulate spiritual energy. You only need to get used to the level of spiritual energy here before you can begin.

Tu Yifei and Bai Cailing had entered the cave three months ahead of schedule and had long since adapted to the spiritual energy there. As soon as they started, they were able to absorb it all, and endless spiritual energy began to converge on their cave.

Li Ji'an remained calm and patient, carefully sensing the spiritual energy for seven days before officially beginning.

When Li Ji'an began to absorb the vastness of the sea, the crowd outside the dojo began to show surprise.

It was only after Tu Yifei had absorbed almost all the instantaneous spiritual energy of his dojo during the seven days of "whale swallowing the sea" that he was able to absorb it. Even with the continuous supply of spiritual energy from the underground spring, it was still not enough for him to absorb.

"Yifei's magical power is profound, his dantian is solid, and his physique is also remarkable. Such a high level of spiritual gathering effect at the beginning lays the foundation for the solidification of the magic core in the next stage. Excellent!"

"The best spiritual energy gatherer in Feihong Dojo over the past hundred years has only absorbed one and a half units of spiritual energy. Judging from Yifei's composure, he may reach his peak in half a month, and he should be close to one and a half units of spiritual energy."

"It could be ranked among the top five in the last hundred years!"

(End of this chapter)