Cultivating Immortality Begins with Rejuvenation.

Chapter 235 Gift of Foundation Establishment Pill
After carefully inquiring about the details from Xiao Qiao, Li Ji'an went to the three-story stone building in the core of the Qishi Forest and looked towards the direction of the peach blossom forest by the river.

That place was built by the Liu family patriarch specifically for the Celestial Master.

It not only contains multiple illusion arrays, but also isolates the inside from the outside, so that even the non-core members of the clan are not allowed to get close.

Wanfa Palace also took away the sleeping Celestial Master from within back then.

Previously, Ning Yutan was kept by Xiao Qiao's side, and she chose to cultivate in that peach blossom forest on her own.

Is it really Ning Sujin?

I've been cultivating in this third-tier, low-grade spiritual vein training ground for three months, and the peach blossom forest hasn't been opened even once.

Even the Qin family members stationed here have come to visit, but Ning Yutan has never shown her face even once.

Li Ji'an sensed that the other party was deliberately distancing itself from him and was wary of him.

"Is it impossible to avoid misfortune and seek good fortune without a physical body? Or will associating with me bring disaster?"

Three months ago, after hearing Xiao Qiao's secret, Li Ji'an guessed that the other soul in Ning Yutan's body was likely Ning Sujin. At that time, he planned to reconnect with her, even revealing information about her first life in the cultivation world in an attempt to gain her trust and provide some assistance.

But after three months of observation, he understood the other party's attitude.

In the end, Li Ji'an decided not to force it for the time being. After all, he was only at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and even if he helped personally, it would not make much sense.

With the Peach Blossom Forest Dojo for cultivation and Xiao Qiao's help, their cultivation conditions are already quite favorable.

On this day, Qin Chuan traveled a long way from the Purple Bamboo Forest.

"Qin Chuan greets Senior Li!" More than a decade has passed since they last met. Qin Chuan has advanced to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, and his magical power is comparable to that of Li Ji'an when he first entered the late Foundation Establishment stage.

However, he remained humble and respectful towards Li Ji'an.

“We are both Foundation Establishment cultivators, Fellow Daoist Qin, there’s no need for such formalities.” Li Ji’an reached out his hand to help him up.

"No, no, Senior Li's life-saving grace is still fresh in my mind, I cannot overstep my bounds." Qin Chuan waved his hands repeatedly.

Li Ji'an stopped worrying about the form of address and asked him to sit down: "Master Qin didn't come?"

"Our ancestor has been busy with clan affairs in recent years and has been unable to leave, so he specifically sent me to pay my respects to you, senior," Qin Chuan said respectfully.

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Our ancestor wishes to ask you, senior, for help in refining the Foundation Establishment Pill," Qin Chuan said directly, then took out a set of pre-prepared Foundation Establishment Pill ingredients from his robes.

Li Ji'an raised an eyebrow: "Is it because of Qin Xiaoqiao?"

After years of dedicated practice, Xiao Qiao has finally reached the peak of Qi Refining and can now prepare for Foundation Establishment.

"You can't hide it from Senior Li, that's true." Qin Chuan said with a smile.

"Alright, Master Qin, you're very kind. Xiao Qiao is also my junior. I'll do my best to refine a high-grade Foundation Establishment Pill for her this time. Leave the rest to me." Li Ji'an nodded in agreement and made a promise.

Qin Chuan's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

I had long heard of Senior Li's extraordinary alchemy skills, but I never imagined that he was already capable of obtaining high-grade Foundation Establishment Pills.

When he established his foundation, he only took a mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pill.

Afterwards, Qin Chuan chatted with Li Ji'an for a long time, discussing some experiences in cultivation, and asked Li Ji'an if he had any opinions on Xiao Qiao's current arrangements.

From him, Li Ji'an learned of Qin He'nian's idea: from the very beginning, he intended to hand over the Qishilin Taoist temple to Liu Jingchun's only granddaughter, Xiao Qiao.

Now, within the Strange Stone Forest, the Qin family only has clansmen stationed there to protect the safety of the Taoist temple, gradually handing over control to Xiao Qiao.

Li Ji'an had no objection to this.

With Xiao Qiao in charge of the Strange Stone Forest, it's like he has gained another place to settle down, especially since it's a third-tier training ground.

The only problem is that this place is too far from the Golden Glory Immortal City, and high-quality resources are scarce. If things continue like this, we will lose the channel for the sect to exchange for high-quality resources. Otherwise, it would be good to continue cultivating here.

A month later, a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills was successfully refined, and unsurprisingly, two were of superior quality.

Li Ji'an handed them all over to Xiao Qiao, and hinted that she should give one to Ning Yutan.

At the same time, he also prepared to leave the Qishilin.

Because a few days ago he received a message from Yan Qingwan that Zhang Tiezhu's lifespan was nearing its end.

He was four years younger than Dong Jiangling, but his cultivation level was several levels higher than the latter's. He had never been seriously injured and had lived a comfortable life in the Yan family all these years, so he lived fourteen years longer than Dong Jiangling.

"Uncle Li, let Xiao Qiao accompany you one more time. I also want to see Senior Yan again." Knowing that Li Ji'an was going back to the wasteland, Xiao Qiao said expectantly.

"You want to see your aunt?" Li Ji'an raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Senior Yan and Grandpa Qin came together a few years ago, and I got along very well with Senior Yan,” Xiao Qiao replied.

Li Ji'an nodded, knowing that he was referring to the time when the four of them returned from Tianhe Immortal City.

"Okay!" After thinking for a moment, Li Ji'an agreed.

The Strange Stone Forest is very close to the Wasteland, almost bordering it. If Xiao Qiao can take stable control of the Strange Stone Forest in the future, it will greatly help the Yan family's status in the Wasteland.

That evening, Li Ji'an watched as Xiao Qiao delivered a high-grade Foundation Establishment Pill into the peach blossom forest, and only came out after a long while.

Then he took Xiao Qiao and flew towards the Yan family.

"How did it go? Did Yu Tan say anything?" Li Ji'an asked from the flying boat.

"I'll accept it. Sister Tan told me not to worry, she'll definitely help me secure my position as the Lord of the Strange Stone Forest after she reaches Foundation Establishment," Xiao Qiao replied, not particularly interested. Li Ji'an nodded in satisfaction.
-
In the peach blossom forest, after sensing through several layers of magic arrays that Li Ji'an and Xiao Qiao had completely left the range of her divine sense, Ning Yutan's cold face finally relaxed.

"We've already left the Strange Stone Forest."

"Sister, what is that person's purpose? Why are they so concerned about us?"

"..."

"What if they've discovered our identities?"

"More than a hundred years have passed. Those in the Liu family who knew about our affairs have all turned to dust. This person's bone age is only around eighty years old. There is no reason for him to know these old stories."

"Then...could it be that he's really attracted to my stunning beauty?"

"Hmph~ What kind of female cultivator can't a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator have? With your looks, you can have as many high-grade Foundation Establishment pills as you want."

"Then why?"

"..."

long silence.

A cold voice let out a mournful sigh: "He really resembles Brother Li!"

"Are you crazy? If Brother Li were alive, he would be almost two hundred years old. Besides, without the guidance of those beasts from the Liu family, how could a mere mortal like him have come to the cultivation world?"

"..."

"I've exhausted myself these past few months, and I need to slumber for a long time before I awaken and attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage!" The cold voice finished speaking and fell silent.
-
One month later, at the Yan family ancestral land.

Li Ji'an and Xiao Qiao quietly landed at Yan Qingwan's residence.

He had communicated with Yan Qingwan beforehand to avoid disturbing other members of the clan.

In fact, with his current cultivation level and ability to conceal his presence, no one in the Yan family could detect him.

"aunt."

"Senior Yan."

As Yan Qingwan sensed Li Ji'an's late-stage Foundation Establishment power and saw his unchanging demeanor, she couldn't help but feel ashamed of the emotional turmoil she had experienced during that near-death experience.

"Fan'er, Xiao Qiao, please sit down."

Fortunately, after years of self-adjustment, she has finally returned to her original aspirations.

Her initial intention towards Li Ji'an in this life was to treat him as her own son and hope that he would become successful, and now that wish has come true.

"Aunt's cultivation, which has stagnated for many years, has made progress again. Congratulations!" Li Ji'an sensed that Yan Qingwan's cultivation had improved somewhat. Although she had not yet broken through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, she was close. He couldn't help but praise her.

Yan Qingwan smiled and shook her head: "Fan'er, don't tease me. Your aunt has been in the Foundation Establishment stage for over sixty years. I only set off again this time because of your encouragement. However, your aunt's talent is average, and the resources in the wasteland are even more scarce. I can only do my best and leave the rest to fate."

On the contrary, you have actually broken through to the late Foundation Establishment stage in just over a decade. In the wilderness, you would truly be a top-tier cultivator!

After exchanging pleasantries, Li Ji'an quietly went to Zhang Tiezhu's residence, leaving Xiao Qiao and Yan Qingwan to chat privately.

Compared to the funeral arrangements for Dong Jiangling back then, Zhang Tiezhu's place was much quieter.

It wasn't that the Yan family was cold-hearted, but rather that Zhang Tiezhu's age was considered an even more auspicious time for death than Dong Jiangling's. Moreover, everyone in the clan knew each other well, and they had long anticipated which clan member was nearing the end of their life.

In addition, the Yan family's patriarchal system advocates that all things should be based on spiritual practice, and matters unrelated to spiritual practice should not be carried out in a grand manner.

Zhang Tiezhu now has four generations living under one roof.

His eldest grandson, Yan Ruofan, is now in her early thirties, at the mid-stage of Qi Refining, and got married two years ago, giving birth to Zhang Tiezhu's great-grandson.

A few years ago, Yan Qing also completely gave up his ambition to establish his foundation, got married and had children.

Yan Jue and Yan Qing stayed by Zhang Tiezhu's bedside as he lay weakly breathing.

Yan Jue's Daoist partner was preparing Zhang Tiezhu's funeral clothes in the next room, while Yan Qing's Daoist partner and Yan Ruofan's Daoist partner were washing Zhang Tiezhu's old clothes outside.

Five children were chasing and playing in the yard.

Not long after, Li Ji'an came to the bedroom to see Zhang Tiezhu off.

After Yan Qing and Yan Jue paid their respects to Li Ji'an, they were quickly driven out by Zhang Tiezhu.

"Xiao Fan, now that I'm gone, you're probably the only one in the cultivation world who knows about the Immortal Dynasty. Fortunately, the Liu family has already been destroyed, which can be considered as retribution for their evil deeds. You can forget about them completely and live your own life well." After receiving a trace of wood-elemental life force from Li Ji'an, Zhang Tiezhu, now slightly more lucid, gave him these words of advice.

Of the five people who came here, Zhu Linxian died early while testing medicine, followed by Dong Jiangling, and now Zhang Tiezhu. As for Zhao Shuyao, she was the oldest and had not yet cultivated Qi. During Dong Jiangling's funeral, Zhang Tiezhu felt that she should have died even earlier than Dong Jiangling.

Li Ji'an didn't know if Zhao Shuyao was still alive. Even if he had given her the longevity pill, it would have been a matter of a few years earlier or later. Since she had gone to a distant foreign land, if he were to meet her again, she would only be a corpse.

"Xiao Fan, there's something else I've been thinking about for a long time, and I think I should tell you. Do you know that Chi Shi Sanren?" Zhang Tiezhu couldn't help but say as they parted.

“Fellow Daoist Chishi? I know him. What happened to him?” Li Ji’an nodded.

Ever since he discovered that Chishi Sanren's lifespan had remained unchanged, he felt that the other party was somewhat terrifying.

It's hard to say whether it's some ancient monster that has lived for countless years.

Even that ancient cultivation technique no longer held much appeal for Li Ji'an.

Zhang Tiezhu paused and continued, "Over the years, I have accompanied him on many trips and noticed some of his peculiarities, which may be a great opportunity."

(End of this chapter)