Cultivating Immortality Begins with Rejuvenation.

Chapter 405 A Firm Belief
Li Ji'an gazed towards the western grasslands, a slight stirring in his heart.

Then, looking towards the direction of Chun Yuan's dojo, he couldn't help but wonder: "Could it be that he thought I would go to save Xiao Jiu?"

Ning Sujin's primordial spirit remained locked on the old thief Chun Yuan, and her true body did not leave the core dojo.

When she learned that Xiao Jiu might be in trouble on the western grasslands, she was instinctively worried. However, as many powerful figures from Funiu Mountain went to the western grasslands, her worries eased somewhat.

In fact, the moment Xiao Jiu decided to fight for the third-tier longevity pill for them, she passively sensed that Xiao Jiu's trip was fraught with danger but ultimately safe, and that there was also an opportunity.

"Old man, there aren't many people in the Funiu Mountain area who would dare to lay a hand on Xiao Jiu. Do you think it could be that old thief?"

Li Ji'an shook his head: "Many forces in the Huangtian Domain covet Funiu Mountain. The Ice Soul Pavilion in the northern ice plains is poor in resources and lacks trade. The Xiaoxiang Palace in the east is restricted by the Hehuan Sect but has always wanted to find an opportunity to expand. The Canglang Lake Ancient Family has a thousand-year history. The Medicine God Valley, which has a great reputation in the Huangtian Domain, and the Heavenly Sword Sect are all possibilities."

Of course, we can't rule out the possibility that that old thief deliberately created karma for me.

"He wants us to leave the city to rescue Xiao Jiu?" Ning Sujin chuckled.

Putting aside the fact that she already understood the fortunes of Xiao Jiu's trip, the powerful figures of Funiu Mountain were certainly more anxious than they were, so it was basically not their turn.

Li Ji'an pondered for a moment: "It wouldn't be that superficial. If it really was the old thief's scheme, this is only one aspect. If we don't go to the rescue, there's still a backup plan to sow discord between us and Funiu Mountain."

"Yes, Xiao Jiu went for us. If we don't go to rescue him in this disaster, and with the help of those with ulterior motives, we might really be hated by the Funiu Mountains."

"If we are forced to leave this place, wouldn't that be exactly what that old thief planned?" Ning Sujin suddenly realized.

"Don't worry, the Funiu Master still calls the shots on Funiu Mountain." Li Ji'an smiled slightly, confident and assured.

A month later, many powerful figures from Funiu Mountain returned.

At the same time, he brought back news that cast a shadow over the entire Funiu Mountain area.

The beloved disciple of Master Funiu, the ninth junior sister of the powerful figures of Funiu Mountain, was not rescued.

While searching for a third-tier demon beast, he was attacked and separated from his two fellow disciples. He has been missing ever since. Although the soul lamp on Mount Funiu has not been extinguished, people are still worried about his safety.

Half a month later, Qu Tianyang convened a meeting as the successor of Funiu Mountain.

In addition to the eight disciples of Master Funiu, all True Core Realm cultivators of Funiu Mountain, as well as the core area's retainers and combat-capable guests, were summoned.

When Li Ji'an arrived, there were already quite a few people in the main hall.

They gathered in twos and threes, discussing the matter animatedly.

"To dare to lay a hand on the Ninth Holy Maiden, they truly have no regard for their own lives!"

"Hmph, the Gu family is the most suspicious. The young master of the Gu family is a toad trying to eat swan meat. He shamelessly came to propose marriage before. After being rejected by the Sage, he must have harbored evil intentions."

"We cannot jump to conclusions. It is possible that it is a scheme by those treacherous villains of Xiaoxiang Palace who are good at spreading rumors to incite a conflict between us and the Gu family, so that they can reap the benefits."

Most of the direct descendants of Funiu Mountain were filled with righteous indignation.

Those who served as retainers were relatively indifferent, since, strictly speaking, they were not from Funiu Mountain.

They had little affection for the so-called Nine Holy Maidens.

Before long, Master Funiu's eight disciples appeared together.

"Gentlemen, you must all be aware of what has happened."

"Now that Master is in seclusion, I will temporarily take charge of all matters. I hope you will all lend a helping hand."

Qu Tianyang, the fifth disciple of Funiu Mountain, stepped forward and stood in front of his seven fellow disciples, bowing to everyone present to begin the ceremony.

Then, amidst a chorus of return greetings, everyone took their seats.

Qu Tianyang sat high on the throne of Master Funiu, with five servants on his left and right sides, sitting on equal footing, while the other seven fellow disciples sat in lower positions, bowing their heads in submission.

"Everyone, Xiao Jiu's matter is not only a matter for my sect, but also concerns the honor, disgrace, rise and fall of Funiu Mountain, and is also closely related to your interests."

If they dare to attack Xiao Jiu today, they will dare to attack the Funiu Mountain Taoist temple tomorrow.

Therefore, after discussion among my fellow disciples, we determined that this matter must be resolved.

"Lord Qu is absolutely right, there must be a result!"

"There must be a result!"

"We must make them pay a heavy price, otherwise they will really think that we Funiu Mountain are easy to bully."

A group of loyal followers from Funiu Mountain were emotionally agitated.

"Please calm down, everyone." Qu Tianyang looked around the hall, taking in everyone's attitude.

"Next, I will arrange your actions. Remember, this time we must be firm and demonstrate the strength of Funiu Mountain."

"We obey the city lord's order!" everyone responded in unison.

"Commander Zhang, your city guards shall immediately conduct a thorough investigation into the recent activities of all other powerful figures within the entire Funiu Mountain region."

"Your subordinate obeys!" Commander Zhang immediately accepted the order.

"Protector Mu, thank you for collecting recent secret reports from various forces."

"This old man obeys the order." An old man in the mid-stage of Core Formation appeared silently behind the group. His unremarkable appearance made him seem to have no presence at all, as if he had appeared out of nowhere.

……

Qu Tianyang issued the tasks one by one in an orderly manner.

Despite his young age, his demeanor truly won everyone's respect.

"If anyone has any further questions, please feel free to ask now." After assigning tasks to everyone, Qu Tianyang glanced at the crowd and spoke.

"May I ask Lord Qu, if the major powers within my Funiu Mountain region do not cooperate with this investigation, is it permissible to use force?" someone immediately asked.

"Hmm?" Qu Tianyang frowned slightly upon hearing this.

The tasks just now were all plans that had been discussed and agreed upon by the eight fellow disciples and several elders of Funiu Mountain, so he could make the arrangements.

However, the problem at hand was one that had not been discussed in a prior meeting.

However, he didn't need to think too much about this issue: "Hmph, whoever dares not cooperate, we'll take them down by force!"

He was young and impetuous, and with talent and power as his backing, why would he think too much?

"No!" The next moment, Master Fengyin, the eldest disciple of Master Funiu, immediately objected.

"Senior Brother." Qu Tianyang looked intently at Master Fengyin.

"Our Funiu Mountain is coveted by many, and we are always walking on thin ice. Although we now have our master in charge, which prevents other forces from being too presumptuous, we cannot give him any leverage."

Otherwise, if heroes vie for supremacy, how can Mount Funiu resist? Master Fengyin immediately said with maturity and composure.

“Yes, Lord Fengyin is right. In the current situation, it is best to ease the conflict rather than escalate it. Moreover, the matter of the Nine Saintess has not yet been resolved, and it may not be related to other forces.” An old man echoed Fengyin Zhenren.

"I also believe that there may be more to this matter than meets the eye. Judging from the actions of the other major forces in my Funiu Mountain over the years, they have all abided by the rules of my Funiu Mountain and have not done anything out of line. It is clear that they are satisfied with the trade they can do through our temple and are unlikely to have any more treacherous ambitions."

After all, their forces are all constrained, and there is absolutely no possibility of them launching an attack as a whole clan. Another elder stepped forward to support Master Fengyin's opinion.

"Yes, if those major forces really intended to harm my Funiu Mountain, why did they specifically choose the Nine Saintess? Knowing that this would only provoke our anger, they still chose to invite trouble. It doesn't make sense from a moral or logical standpoint."

...Qu Tianyang was speechless for a moment when the elders behind Feng Yin Zhenren echoed his sentiments.

The meeting content that had been discussed and agreed upon has now become meaningless due to the change in direction.

"Hidden story? What hidden story? Besides the major powers, who else would dare to lay a hand on Xiao Jiu?" Qu Tianyang sneered, glancing unfriendly at his senior brother, Master Feng Yin.

"May I ask Lord Qu, when you went with the Ninth Saintess, didn't you find any clues about the attackers?" At this moment, another unremarkable old woman stepped forward from the crowd. She was dressed simply and only had the cultivation level of the late stage of Qi Refining. Compared with the real people present, she looked like a peasant woman.

However, few in the hall looked down on this old woman.

This old woman was the wet nurse of the Nine Holy Maidens and also a relative of the Venerable Funiu.

He had a deep affection for the Ninth Saintess and must have been one of the people who cared about her the most.

"Granny Yao." Qu Tianyang met her gaze, immediately softened his posture, and called out respectfully.

"Lord Qu, there's no need for such formalities. In this official business, I will follow your lead." Granny Yao bowed slightly.

"it is good."

"Please tell us in detail what happened on the day Xiao Jiu was attacked, City Lord. There are many people here today, so perhaps we can find some clues that you may have overlooked," Granny Yao continued to ask.

"Well... alright then, I'll describe it again." Qu Tianyang was somewhat reluctant, after all, he had already said it many times.

"Xiao Jiu came to see me three days in advance, wanting me to accompany her to the grasslands to obtain the essence blood of a third-tier demon beast. So I arranged all the affairs in the Immortal City and accompanied her to the grasslands on the third day..."

"May I ask what use Xiao Jiu has for the essence blood of this third-tier demon beast? As far as I know, Xiao Jiu has been unwilling to leave the Funiu Mountain area in recent years, and is not a person who likes to fight." Granny Yao interrupted Qu Tianyang's words directly without any scruples.

Qu Tianyang was interrupted halfway through his sentence. He held his breath slightly but had no choice but to force a smile and explain, "Granny Yao, you may not know this, but this matter originated from Venerable Shanyuan."

"Master Shanyuan?" For a moment, some people who did not know about the third-order longevity pill looked at the high-ranking worshipper who was on par with Master Funiu.

A late-stage Core Formation cultivator, and also a peak third-tier Pill King, his status is indeed extremely noble.

Master Shanyuan remained unfazed, still smiling as he looked down at the crowd.

With just that one glance from him, everyone in the hall tensed up.

Even the previously somewhat aggressive Granny Yao couldn't help but lower her head.

Qu Tianyang glanced gratefully at Master Chunyuan, who returned the smile.

Since Master Chun Yuan came to Funiu Mountain, Qu Tianyang has been the one who is closest to him. Moreover, after Master Chun Yuan went into seclusion, Qu Tianyang was given special privileges that went beyond the scope of the offering contract.

Subsequently, Qu Tianyang made public the matter that Master Chunyuan intended to refine a third-order longevity pill.

Previously, only the high-ranking officials in the core area and the enshrined ones knew about it, but now everyone present knows.

Even a genuine Tier 3 Longevity Pill can extend one's lifespan by 60 years.

This was extremely appealing to everyone present.

The gazes of the crowd toward Master Chun Yuan were filled with even greater reverence.

However, when everyone heard that the Ninth Saintess's trip to hunt third-tier demonic beasts was actually to help another consecrator secure priority in the trade, everyone's attention was once again drawn to Li Ji'an.

Compared to Master Chun Yuan, Li Ji'an, an old cultivator in the early stage of Core Formation and a mid-stage third-tier talisman master, was much more low-key.

This is also because it only produces a few third-tier spirit talismans a year, resulting in a significantly lower value.

"What? The dignified Ninth Holy Maiden actually sought the Longevity Pill for the Evergreen Talisman Master?"

"If the Ninth Saintess wanted the third-tier longevity pill, why would she need to risk her life herself? I see."

"The Ninth Holy Maiden is truly pure and kind."

……

In an instant, the hall was filled with praise for Xiao Jiu.

Similarly, there were also many rumors and complaints about Li Ji'an.

"Since Master Changqing wants the third-tier longevity pill, why doesn't he negotiate with Master Shanyuan himself? Why does he have the Ninth Saintess step in?"

"The Ninth Holy Maiden is innocent and kind, and easily manipulated."

"The essence blood of a third-tier demon beast is indeed difficult for Changqing Talisman Master to obtain. However, why ask the Ninth Saintess for help? The Ninth Saintess has not yet formed her core."

"Given his status as a disciple, even if he were to ask one of the other senior disciples, they probably wouldn't refuse him, right?"

"I never knew there was such a cause and effect. The most important thing is that I remember that ever since the news of Xiao Jiu's accident came back, Master Changqing still hasn't left his house."

……

Granny Yao's eyes narrowed, and she suddenly looked at Li Ji'an, who was sitting high on the offering seat.

Seeing that Li Ji'an still acted as if it were none of his business, resentment welled up in her heart.

"May I ask, Master Changqing, is what City Lord Qu said true?"

All eyes instantly fell on Li Ji'an.

Li Ji'an remained silent, but with a single gesture, he captured a memory talisman in his hand.

Then, with a soft sound, the image-recording talisman was activated, and a light screen appeared above the main hall.

"Grandpa Changqing..."

The photos taken when Xiao Jiu went to persuade him are presented in detail.

In the photo, Li Ji'an clearly stated that he did not covet the third-level longevity pill.

This also shows that he is not good at fighting and is unwilling to face a third-tier monster.

Xiao Jiu's self-righteousness and confidence were also fully recorded.

Ding~
After watching the group photo, everyone in the hall had stiff faces.

Putting aside the content of the photos, this move alone really surprised them.

How could an ordinary person use a recording symbol in this way?

Why would such a thing require the use of a recording talisman?

Did the Evergreen Talisman Master sense something in advance, or did he have a past experience of being wrongly accused and unable to defend himself?
"Hmph! Even if the Ninth Saintess helped him willingly, his indifference after her accident was far too heartless!"

"It seems the Ninth Saintess has misjudged him. Not only does he not appreciate the Ninth Saintess's kindness, but he also uses such methods to leave his mark. This person is not to be trusted."

"No matter how he explains it, the Ninth Saintess risked her life for him."

While everyone was discussing it, Master Chun Yuan was secretly delighted.

Judging from the photo taken earlier, Li Ji'an seems genuinely unwilling to face a third-tier demonic beast.

This made Master Chunyuan even more certain that there was something wrong with the strength of Li Ji'an's spiritual consciousness.

If its cultivation level truly corresponds to the strength of its divine sense, why would it fear a mere early-stage third-order demon beast?
Based on this, it is highly likely that the opponent's divine sense is fabricated by some kind of supernatural means, and its true cultivation and combat power are lower than or equal to that of a third-tier early-stage demon beast.

This matches the story of Huang Jie from the Wanshangyu era!
(End of this chapter)