Cultivating Immortality Begins with Rejuvenation.

Chapter 212 The Demonic Cultivator Turmoil
Time can change a lot of things.

Youthful ambition, innocent friendship, a lifelong love, and past regrets.

At least at the moment Dong Jiangling breathed his last, Li Ji'an felt that he had accepted his life and had no more regrets.

This is the power of time, which made him realize reality and his own ordinariness. In short, he accepted his fate!
On his way back to Biluo Market, Li Ji'an walked slowly, recalling Dong Jiangling's life, and his understanding of time deepened slightly.

"My greatest advantage, besides being able to start over, is that I can personally experience long periods of time... If I could transform time into some kind of tangible ability, tens of millions of years later, I would probably be invincible in the world without relying on my cultivation level."

In recent years, Li Ji'an has not had much energy to study cultivation techniques and spells because of the Liu family's affairs. In addition, the requirements for exchanging cultivation techniques in the Biyun Sect are much higher than those for ordinary resources, and he does not have the authority to do so.

After all, cultivation techniques that can be collected by Core Formation sects are not simple, and their secrecy is very strict.

Therefore, there has been little progress in cultivation techniques and spells.

However, he also had quite a few flashes of inspiration, which he stored in his database.

Little by little, quantitative changes lead to qualitative changes, and one day you will reap unexpected rewards.

As they approached the market, Li Ji'an shook off the distractions brought on by Dong Jiangling and regained his composure.

At this moment, the sky was just beginning to lighten, and the market was completely silent.

"Whoosh~" Suddenly, a cold wind rushed out of the market.

Li Ji'an scanned the area with his divine sense and found that it was the escape light of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. However, unlike ordinary cultivators, it was accompanied by a dense aura of yin wind and yin evil.

He had only sensed this aura on the Liu family patriarch before.

"What are you looking at?" The other person was right in front of him in the blink of an eye, and gave Li Ji'an a sinister rebuke.

At the same time, the beam of light shot straight towards Li Ji'an.

Li Ji'an sensed the killing intent, frowned slightly, and withdrew his breath concealment technique, revealing the aura of a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"Hmph!" Just as the other party was about to reach Li Ji'an, sensing the sudden surge in aura, he snorted coldly and drifted away, disappearing into the distance once again.

"A demonic cultivator?" Li Ji'an watched him disappear from sight, slightly surprised.

Demonic cultivators actually dare to venture deep into Cangyun Prefecture?
"Is it because of the Core Formation Elixir or that Golden Body Technique?"

"To appear so openly in the market... could it be that the Myriad Laws Palace and the Demon Realm have reached some kind of secret exchange agreement?" Back at the inn where he was staying, Li Ji'an figured this out.

I had heard before that Wanfa Palace had lowered itself to negotiate with the Demon Realm in order to capture the Liu family patriarch, and wanted to enter the Demon Realm to search for him.

Ultimately, it seems that this goal was achieved, but only cultivators below the Core Formation stage were allowed to enter, and safety was not guaranteed. The only promise was that the Core Formation stage and above cultivators from the Demonic Sect would not intervene.

Xiao Changfeng returned to his sect half a year ago and even met with Li Ji'an before entering the Demon Realm.

"Boom boom boom!"

"alert!"

"It's demonic!"

It wasn't until Li Ji'an had completely forgotten about the matter that traces of the demonic cultivator were finally detected in the market.

In an instant, the market array was activated, and the Qin family's market administrators were on high alert.

Before long, martial law was declared throughout the city, and a large group of Qin family law enforcement cultivators searched house to house.

It is said that the traces of demonic cultivation were discovered in the library of the market. A junior cultivator guarding the library had his life essence drained, the library was ransacked, and demonic energy remained at the scene.

Before long, a fake pill aura entered the market.

"Open the door! Search the demonic cultivators!" The inn was soon visited by a group of cultivators who were conducting a search.

Li Ji'an's expression shifted slightly: "It seems that the secret agreement between the Myriad Laws Palace and the Demon Realm is known only to True Core-level forces in the Heavenly Azure Domain."

"Bang bang bang!" Soon it was Li Ji'an's turn to enter his room.

"Eh, Master Li? You... Please forgive me, Master Li. Last night, some demonic cultivators sneaked into the market. Our ancestor instructed us to investigate them. We apologize for the inconvenience." Li Ji'an opened the door, and the cultivator who greeted him was the same Qin family guard he had seen when he went to the Qin family to trade spirit bamboo.

Li Ji'an nodded slightly: "It's alright. Everyone has a responsibility to resist demonic cultivators. Also, I think I encountered someone who might be a demonic cultivator when I entered the market last night."

There's no need to hide anything if you're upright and honest.

"Oh? There's such a thing? Then...may I ask Master Li to accompany me to meet the Ancestor?" The guard's eyes lit up.

“Of course it’s possible.” Li Ji’an nodded in agreement.

Immediately afterwards, Li Ji'an led Xiao Qiao and followed the guards to the main hall of the market.

Qin Henian was pacing back and forth in the hall, while several younger members of the Qin family bowed their heads respectfully.

"Ancestor, Master Li has a lead." Just then, the guard reported loudly.

"Hmm?" Then, Qin Henian looked at Li Ji'an who came in, and then gave Xiao Qiao, who was following behind Li Ji'an, a special look.

"This junior greets Master Qin." Li Ji'an and Xiao Qiao bowed in greeting.

"Haha, Xiao Li, no need for formalities, please take a seat." Qin Henian's previously irritated expression relaxed, and he waved with a smile.

He wasn't surprised that Li Ji'an came to the market.

After all, Guo Zhilan had previously told him about inviting Li Ji'an and Xiao Qiao to reside in the third-tier spiritual vein.

Although he did not agree at the time, he must have had some concerns.

It is perfectly reasonable for me to come and investigate in person now.

"Why is Master Li Dan here at the market?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.

"As I approach the later stages of my career, I'm feeling restless and yearning for opportunity," Li Ji'an said frankly.

"Haha, young friend, you've come to the right place. The third-tier spiritual vein in the Strange Stone Forest might just be your destiny." Although Qin Henian was talking to Li Ji'an, his mind was on Xiao Qiao, and he spoke frankly about it.

"Thank you for your kind words, senior." Li Ji'an gave an ambiguous reply.

Seeing that Li Ji'an seemed undecided, Qin Henian didn't press the matter further and instead asked, "Oh, you said earlier that you had clues about demonic cultivators?"

Li Ji'an then recounted in detail what he had encountered on his way back from attending Dong Jiangling's funeral the previous day.

"A late-stage Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator?" Qin Henian immediately became serious.

"That's what I sensed. At the time, I had never seen a demonic cultivator before, so although I was a little surprised by his sinister aura, I didn't think much of it. It wasn't until the guards searching for the demonic cultivator came that I felt that perhaps that person was the one the real person was looking for."

However, this junior cannot guarantee whether he has concealed his aura. Li Ji'an displayed the normal reaction of an ordinary cultivator.

"Alright, young friend, this clue is crucial. I'll owe you another favor." Qin Henian pondered for a moment before speaking to Li Ji'an.

"I dare not accept such praise. I was merely doing my part," Li Ji'an said, rising to decline.

Qin Henian smiled and nodded at him, not dwelling on the topic: "Young friend, please sit down. I have important matters to discuss with you later."

He then instructed the younger generation of the Qin family: "Report this truthfully to the sect immediately and request support. A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, or even a Core Formation stage demonic cultivator, how could I possibly capture him on my own?"

"Furthermore, starting today, strengthen security and issue warnings to everyone in the market, truthfully informing them of any information about the demonic cultivators."

After Li Ji'an finished describing the situation of the demonic cultivators they encountered, Qin Henian had a plan in mind.

He deduced that this demonic cultivator was most likely not from the local area.

Furthermore, since he was clearly there for the sake of the Liu family patriarch, which probably involved some schemes from above, he was too lazy to investigate and simply passed the buck.

As for whether it would cause panic in the market, he didn't care at all; it was an asset he had acquired for free.

In fact, after hearing Li Ji'an say that the demonic cultivator's aura was at least at the late Foundation Establishment stage, he no longer intended to investigate further, as it was clearly beyond his capabilities. He was now more concerned with fulfilling his promise to Liu Jingchun.

However, just as they were preparing to invite Li Ji'an to the Qishilin Spirit Vein Dojo,

"Report!" someone else reported from outside the lobby.

"Come in!"

"Reporting to the Ancestor, we have found a person on patrol, but he cannot explain where he came from," the guard reported.

Qin Henian frowned slightly. According to Li Ji'an, the demonic cultivator had already left the market early in the morning.

Moreover, how could a demonic cultivator in the late Foundation Establishment stage not be able to deceive the soul detection jade talisman within his own clan?
"Bring it up."

"Yes!" The guard stood up and waved to the outside.

Immediately afterwards, a female cultivator, tightly bound by the Spirit-Binding Rope, was brought up.

In fact, Li Ji'an had already frowned secretly before this.

Because he had already sensed that the person who had been tied up was Ning Yutan.

However, he was also puzzled, because Ning Yutan had passed his soul test during the screening at Wanfa Palace.

How could it fail a test of the Qin family's caliber?

Ning Yutan was bound tightly, her magic power was also restricted, and she was pushed inside with a look of despair on her face.

I had just arrived here from the shop, and countless people were watching me all the way. It felt as if I had been stripped naked and paraded through the streets.

At that moment, she truly felt like dying.

There's really nothing good about this cultivation world!
"You damned woman, when are you going to wake up?!" she cried out in despair, her head bowed low.

"Thump!" Upon arriving in the lobby, Ning Yutan was forced to kneel on the ground.

Qin Henian sensed that the person's aura was that of a minor Qi Refining cultivator, and there was no trace of demonic energy.

"Why are you concealing your identity? Is it related to demonic cultivators?" He shouted sharply, his divine sense suddenly condensing and enveloping Ning Yutan's sea of ​​consciousness. If she lied, his fake core divine sense could detect it in an instant.

Ning Yutan buried her head in her chest and remained silent.

If I were to tell the truth, I would surely be arrested and taken to the Palace of Ten Thousand Laws, where I would likely never see the light of day again.

"Sister Tan?" Just as Qin Henian was about to lose his patience, Xiao Qiao recognized Ning Yutan's identity and couldn't help but exclaim.

"Hmm?" Qin Henian was slightly taken aback.

Ning Yutan also raised her head instantly and turned to look at Xiao Qiao.

"Fellow Daoist Li, Sister Qiao." She was overjoyed, as if she had grasped a lifeline.

"Little Qiao, do you know this person? What's her background?" Qin Henian finally found a reason to talk to Little Qiao.

Xiao Qiao paused slightly and looked at Li Ji'an, but received no response. She had no choice but to brace herself and bow to Qin Henian: "Reporting to Senior, Sister Tan is the manager of the Spirit Food Shop. In the past two months, I have often gone to the Spirit Food Shop to taste the spirit cakes."

"That's all?" Qin Henian frowned slightly, this did not absolve Ning Yutan of suspicion.

"My lord, Sister Qiao, I am truly not a demonic cultivator, and I have absolutely no connection with demonic cultivators. You must believe me!" Ning Yutan hurriedly cried out her innocence.

Qin Henian glanced at him and said, "For the sake of Xiao Qiao, you only need to truthfully confess your identity and I will set you free."

“I…” Ning Yutan was speechless.

"What? Is there something shameful about your identity?"

Ning Yutan's eyes darted around frantically: "My lord, I...I ran away from home, I ran away from my arranged marriage...I disobeyed my ancestors...If people find out, I'd rather be dead."

"..." Qin Henian was stunned.

Xiao Qiao also slightly opened her mouth, and then couldn't help but look at Li Ji'an.

Li Ji'an chuckled inwardly. Ning Yutan had been in this world for over a hundred years, but it seemed she still didn't truly understand the customs and traditions of this cultivation world, and was still clinging to the ideology of the Immortal Dynasty.

This further confirmed his suspicion that the Ning sisters had been kept under house arrest in the Peach Garden by the Liu family patriarch.

"Ahem~" He had no choice but to step in.

"Master Qin, this woman has come for me." Li Ji'an stood up and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Oh?" Qin Henian looked at Li Ji'an in surprise.

Given Li Ji'an's status, he could practically have whatever he wanted from most of the female cultivators in Cangyun Prefecture.

In addition, he was calm and composed, and handsome, making him a first-rate good-looking man.

Perhaps, this woman was attracted to him.

Xiao Qiao immediately looked at Li Ji'an, her eyes revealing an expression of "I knew it."

Ning Yutan was overjoyed, but she immediately bit her lower lip to force herself not to laugh. She quickly blushed and glanced at Li Ji'an shyly before lowering her head.

"Hahaha... Could it be that young friend Li is a romantic rogue?" Qin Henian laughed heartily.

"Please excuse my rudeness, senior." Li Ji'an said without changing his expression.

"Why aren't you untying this fairy?" Qin Henian immediately gave the order.

The guards immediately untied Ning Yutan, and Xiao Qiao stepped forward to help her up.

"Thank you, Sister Qiao." Ning Yutan had experienced the highs and lows of life and death, and her eyes were truly filled with tears.

"Sister Tan, you're too kind," Xiao Qiao said with an awkward smile. She always felt that one day she would have to call her godmother.

After all, since he was old enough to understand things, he had never seen Uncle Li be so proactive towards that female cultivator.

Even with Duanmu Qin before, Uncle Li was always the passive party.

"Brother Li..." Ning Yutan walked up to Li Ji'an and called out in a slightly affected tone, her voice sweet and seductive.

"Aren't you going to thank Master Qin?" Li Ji'an said in a deep voice.

"Yes, yes, thank you for your leniency, Master Qin." Ning Yutan, quick-witted, hurriedly bowed to Qin Henian.

Qin Henian laughed, not bothering to gossip about the two of them: "No need for that, it's good that the misunderstanding is cleared up. However, you have been humiliated this time. I will host a banquet in the Strange Stone Forest as an apology, how about that?"

Ning Yutan's eyes widened.

Did the fake alchemist host a banquet to apologize to himself?
The self-sufficient life she led after leaving the Peach Blossom Forest in the past two years allowed her to experience the hardships of the cultivation world and to understand the meaning of strength as the ultimate authority.

Let alone a fake Core Formation cultivator, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator is someone one has to look up to.

Not knowing how to respond, she looked at Li Ji'an.

And it was at this moment that she finally sensed the powerful Foundation Establishment aura emanating from Li Ji'an, which he had not concealed.

"Li Da..."

Li Ji'an had long noticed Qin He'nian's interest in Xiao Qiao and guessed that Liu Jingchun had probably confided in him as well, understanding his intentions.

"Then thank you, Master Qin." With Qin Henian blocking the way, Li Ji'an didn't mind Xiao Qiao and Liu Jingchun meeting.

Qin Henian was overjoyed and immediately led Li Ji'an and the other two back to the Qishilin Taoist Temple.

(End of this chapter)