Cultivating Immortality Begins with Rejuvenation.

Chapter 412 Obstacles to Core Formation
Ning Sujin informed Li Ji'an of what had happened inside the main hall of Funiu Mountain.

This made Li Ji'an feel more appreciative of Xiao Jiu.

However, Li Ji'an found it hard to believe the Core Formation Treasure left behind by the Venerable Funiu.

Master Funiu rose to prominence in a chaotic era, so his mind should not be simple. There is no reason for him to bet only one treasure on Mount Funiu, to which he has devoted his heart and soul.

Qu Tianyang's ability to escape at the last moment, besides being forced by circumstances, may also be due to his inherent moral flaws. At the very least, it shows that he didn't trust Master Funiu enough to risk his life.

"Could there be a backup plan?" Li Ji'an frowned slightly.

Then he looked up at Ning Sujin and asked, "Do you have any ominous premonitions?"

Ning Sujin shook her head slightly: "So far, there have been no ominous signs."

Li Ji'an nodded. Ning Sujin's pursuit of good fortune and avoidance of misfortune mainly focuses on the outcome, and passive perception will only make the ominous signs clearer, while the process is unpredictable.

Even the current result of the perception may already include the factor of Li Ji'an's existence.

"In that case, let's wait and see."

In the following days, Ning Sujin kept a close eye on Xiao Jiu.

He truly began to make full adjustments, and seven days later, he entered the most superior Core Formation training ground on Mount Funiu with the two Core Formation treasures prepared for him by Master Funiu.

The spiritual veins of this dojo are no less than those of the Feihong Dojo in the Wanshang Domain, but its internal configuration, such as magic arrays and magical artifacts, is inferior.

Whether it's the abundance of spiritual energy within the training ground, or the replenishment and pre-storage of spiritual energy, it's all inferior. If two people attempt to form their core at the same time, it will definitely have an impact.

As Xiao Jiu stepped into the Core Formation training ground, its outer protective array was activated.

Compared to the grand formations of other Daoist temples, this place is clearly of exceptional importance. The formation here is the most rigorous in the entire Funiu Mountain area, and it is also isolated by multiple divine soul restrictions.

Although Ning Sujin's primordial spirit could forcibly probe in, it was easy to trigger the restrictions.

"Xiao Jiu, our insights on Core Formation are only for reference. You are exceptionally talented and have a clear mind. Even without top-grade Core Formation treasures, you may still hope for a top-grade True Core. Don't lose faith." Several senior brothers stood outside the dojo, constantly giving them advice.

"Alright, you can all disperse now. I'll stay here and protect you." The second senior brother waved his hand casually.

"Since I have nothing else to do, I'll just stay here and keep watch." The fourth senior brother took out a flask of wine from his storage bag, sat cross-legged on the ground, and had no intention of leaving.

"I'm still waiting for Xiao Jiu to form her core so I can take her to the Nine Heavens to try her luck. That girl has always been lucky; she might even encounter some rare treasures in the Lower Three Heavens. In just two years, I'll be guarding this place."

……

Apart from the fact that True Person Fengyin, who was in charge of the entire Immortal City, was too busy to stay here, the other six people were unwilling to leave.

"Don't worry, Xiao Jiu only has two low-grade Core Formation spiritual treasures this time. Although the chances of condensing an upper-grade True Core are slim, it's still safe, and there's almost no possibility of failure," Master Fengyin said, frowning.

"Boss, go ahead and do what you need to do, don't worry about us," the second brother replied impatiently.

Master Fengyin sighed, "With Master out of seclusion and you all guarding this place, what if other forces cause trouble in the Immortal City? How can I handle it alone?"

"Who dares? Any force that dares to cause trouble again, don't be lenient, just kick them out and never let them enter again!" The second senior brother said with a stern expression, quite domineeringly.

Master Fengyin rubbed his temples, not wanting to pay any attention to this brute.

"Eldest brother, don't you also have so many guest retainers? Aren't they all under your command?" The third brother chuckled lightly, unconvinced.

"Unless Mount Funiu is in danger of collapsing, don't call me." The fourth brother spoke little but was very resolute.

Feng Yin Zhenren glanced at his six junior brothers, his pupils contracted slightly, he sighed inwardly, and turned to leave.

Besides the six senior brothers guarding the temple, Ning Sujin also sensed that many people in Funiu Mountain were praying for Xiao Jiu when they learned that he was preparing to break through to the Core Formation stage.

"Grandfather, the third-grade spiritual herbs here cannot compare with those of our Myriad Laws Palace. Please use these first, and I will find a way to get a batch from Mount Funiu." The old thief Chun Yuan has been very diligent lately, spending almost all his time on alchemy.

Moreover, all the pills he refined were for Li Ji'an's current cultivation.

Li Ji'an accepted the pills with satisfaction and casually offered a few words of comfort. "Foolish child, there's no need for that. I've only just advanced to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm and still need to consolidate my strength. I don't need too many for now."

It must be said that Chun Yuan, the old thief, truly deserves the title of Pill King. The quality of his mid-stage third-order pills is extraordinary, comparable to those refined by Li Ji'an himself, and his success rate is even higher.

Of course, Little Fire Spirit also deserves credit for this.

"Yes, yes, your grandson now only hopes that Grandfather will soon return to the True Monarch realm, launch a counterattack on the Heavenly Azure Domain, and rebuild the glory of my Myriad Laws Palace." The old thief Chun Yuan said eagerly.

Since the destruction of the Wanfa Palace, he has never stopped reminiscing about the days when he was second only to the emperor.

Although he can gain respect by virtue of his status as the Pill King, it is still far from the feeling of having the life and death of all cultivators in the entire region at any time.

His greatest hope is that his grandfather will recover to his peak condition as soon as possible.

As for himself, he truly had no confidence. He didn't even have much confidence in the so-called Nascent Soul opportunity that True Monarch Beixuan had mentioned. He knew his own situation.

He was of average talent to begin with, and relied entirely on his ancestor's grace and elixirs to get to where he was today. His potential had long been exhausted.

"Alright, I won't let you down." Li Ji'an smiled.

"Oh, by the way, Grandfather, this is the Crimson Flame Gold you requested. I wonder if it can be used to repair the Floating Light Fan?" Chun Yuan was overjoyed to receive a positive reply and took out another piece of mid-grade third-tier material from his storage ring.

Li Ji'an's eyes lit up. Such a large piece was enough for him to create the torso of a second mid-level third-tier puppet.

"It's probably a little short, but enough for now. Where did this come from?"

"Hehe, Grandfather, this is all a tribute from that old man Fu Niu's eldest disciple." Chun Yuan, the old scoundrel, chuckled mockingly.

"Oh? This piece is truly rare. Does he need your help?" Upon hearing that it concerned Master Fengyin, Li Ji'an subconsciously asked another question.

Chun Yuan, the old thief, sneered: "Grandpa, I've already told you before that the situation in Funiu Mountain is not optimistic."

"This place was originally acquired by the rogue cultivator Fu Niu Shangren by chance. His foundation is unstable. He has neither invincible strength nor loyal allies. On the contrary, he is surrounded by many forces."

Now, all we need to do is cut off the upstream true elixir seedlings of the Funiu Mountain lineage, and when the Venerable Funiu passes away peacefully, this place will automatically change hands.

This time, the young Feng Yin took the initiative to seek me out, hoping that I could intervene in this critical moment and protect the little girl.

Upon hearing this, Li Ji'an paused for a moment.

From this perspective, Master Fengyin is not as at ease as he appears.

Even though Xiao Jiu only has two low-grade Core Formation spiritual treasures, the major external forces still come to destroy them.
"Could it be that the so-called two inferior Core Formation treasures are just a smokescreen, intended to lull external forces into a false sense of security and prevent them from interfering?"

In a short time, Li Ji'an gathered some information from this place and sensed something unusual.

Soon, a smile appeared on his lips as he thought to himself, "Master Funiu's plan is quite interesting."

"What are your plans?" Li Ji'an raised his eyes to look at the old thief Chun Yuan.

"Please rest assured, Grandfather, your grandson will certainly not offend those major powers for the sake of Funiu Mountain, nor will he bring any unnecessary trouble upon you," the old thief Chun Yuan affirmed.

Li Ji'an smiled faintly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Two months later, the sky above Xiao Jiu's Core Formation Dojo was filled with turbulent winds and clouds, and spiritual energy began to gather suddenly.

The first step, swallowing the ocean whole, is about to begin.

Boom~
Just then, the inner city formation of the Funiu Mountain Immortal City suddenly erupted with a loud bang.

"Click~"

Almost instantly, a sound of cracks appearing in the array came from all directions.

"Enemy attack!" The warning was immediately issued from the core of Funiu Mountain, which was controlled by Master Fengyin.

Nine tolls of the golden bell signal a city-wide alert!
(End of this chapter)