Cultivating Immortality Begins with Rejuvenation.

Chapter 238 Blood-Taking Ritual
After Xiao Qiao successfully established her foundation, Li Ji'an prepared to go into seclusion.

Four years ago, when delivering the spirit talisman to the Sishui Chamber of Commerce, due to Yuan Shunyi's mention of the war between the righteous and the demonic, in order to reduce the long journey, both parties extended the delivery period of the spirit talisman to once every ten years. Now, four years have passed, and Li Ji'an plans to complete the transaction of the spirit talisman as soon as possible and begin to study the way of puppets.

Except for the lack of the luxurious alchemy room furnishings of the outer peak of the Biyun Sect, the core training ground of the Qishi Forest is slightly better in other aspects.

In particular, this place has all five elements, which is advantageous for making talismans.

Meanwhile, the outer peaks of the Biyun Sect are protected by the Jade Pill True Person, so they are basically safe.

However, just as Li Ji'an was about to go into seclusion, Xiao Qiao brought a request.

"Have you lowered your guard? Or is there really a hidden danger in the Foundation Establishment stage?" Ning Yutan, who had been avoiding people all along, actually took the initiative to visit Xiao Qiao and asked Li Ji'an for protection.

Li Ji'an agreed without hesitation.

Previously, whether it was leaving her here to cultivate or giving her Foundation Establishment Pills, it was all done in Xiao Qiao's name.

Furthermore, Xiao Qiao made it a condition that he would assist her.

This is the first time he has shown his Foundation Establishment cultivation since he took the initiative to request protection.

Half a month later, Ning Yutan arrived as promised.

"Junior Ning Yutan pays respects to Senior!"

Looking at Ning Yutan, who was kneeling respectfully before him, Li Ji'an activated his divine sense to the fullest extent, but failed to sense anything unusual.

“Yu Tan, we are old acquaintances, no need for formalities. Come closer, let me examine your physique carefully.”

"Thank you, senior." Ning Yutan stepped forward slowly, still feeling a little nervous.

“Your magic power is barely enough for your foundation building, but your physical body…” Li Ji’an scanned Ning Yutan’s body thoroughly with his divine sense, then reached out and pressed his hand on her wrist, unexpectedly discovering some abnormalities in her physical body.

Her physical body was much weaker than that of ordinary female cultivators, and her vital energy and essence were scattered and not condensed.

In this state, even with a high-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, there would likely be great danger.

"Could it be a side effect of being frozen?" Li Ji'an wondered to himself.

One hundred and sixty-six years ago, when Ning Yutan was brought to this world by the Liu family, she was considered to have entered the realm of physical cultivation, and her qi, blood, and essence were stronger than those of ordinary cultivators.

However, his physical body is very weak now.

"Senior, is my physical body insufficient for Foundation Establishment?" Ning Yutan asked with some concern.

Li Ji'an didn't speak, but pointed another finger at his brow and slowly closed his eyes.

"It's very difficult!" After a moment, Li Ji'an slowly opened his eyes and shook his head with a solemn expression.

Not only was his physical body too weak, but Li Ji'an also sensed a sense of alienation between his physical body and his soul.

In this situation, attempting to build a foundation is not only unlikely to succeed, but it's also questionable whether one can even survive.

"Ah!" Ning Yutan was stunned upon hearing this. She and Ning Sujin had previously analyzed that their physical bodies were indeed insufficient, but they did not have much experience in cultivation. They thought that if they had Foundation Establishment Pills, they might have a chance. However, Li Ji'an's expression at this moment made her heart tremble.

If she cannot establish her foundation, then she, who has only survived for nearly a hundred years due to the freezing technique of Old Thief Liu, will not have many more years to live. Moreover, as time goes by, the aftereffects of her frozen body are becoming more and more severe.

"Please help me, senior!" Ning Yutan hurriedly knelt down again.

Li Ji'an's expression was solemn, and he remained silent.

There are many ways to replenish the blood and qi of a cultivator's body, among which the most effective is the method of "absorption and replenishment".

When I first entered the Wilderness United Market in my previous life, my neighbor, Fellow Daoist Lin, was favored by some female cultivators in the market because he had some body cultivation and relatively abundant qi and blood. They would cultivate together to replenish their qi and blood.

However, this method is more harmful and less beneficial to male practitioners.

Moreover, this does not apply to Ning Yutan's current situation.

The main problem lies in the sense of separation between the physical body and the soul, which affects not only the physical body stage of the three foundation-building stages, but also the soul stage.

If it weren't for Li Ji'an's profound medical research and his special expertise in physical and spiritual conditions, even ordinary second-level physicians would probably be helpless.

"You should go back first. I need to think about it carefully!" After a while, Li Ji'an opened his eyes. He already had a direction in mind, but he still needed to think it over again.

"Senior's kindness and virtue are unforgettable. I am willing to serve you like a cow or a horse to repay your kindness." Ning Yutan hurriedly kowtowed again.

Looking at his prostrate posture, Li Ji'an recalled their first encounter at the Immortal Seeking Academy in Chong'an Prefecture during his third life, and a strange smile appeared on his face.

"Go."

Even if Ning Sujin, with whom he had shared intimate relations, did not reside in his body, Li Ji'an would still do his best, for she was the only remaining acquaintance of the Immortal Dynasty.

Moreover, their relationship back then was quite interesting.

After Ning Yutan left, Li Ji'an used his medical skills to deduce her condition again, taking into account her physical condition.
-
In the peach blossom forest.

"Why do you believe what he said?" Ning Yutan asked, puzzled.

Another cold voice, slightly sluggish at this moment, responded after a moment: "This is the first time I have sensed his mind at close range with complete clarity. He has no ill intentions, in fact... his kindness is very pure!"

"Huh? Why? Didn't you say before that selfishness and self-interest are the main themes in the cultivation world, and that anyone who offers help for no reason is either a scoundrel or a thief?"

"...I also sensed that the way he looked at you was filled with nostalgia!" Ning Sujin's voice sounded somewhat lost at this moment.

"What? Remembrance? This... how is this possible?" Ning Yutan exclaimed in shock.

"..."

"Are you suggesting he really is...? How could that be? It's been over a hundred years!"

"Shouldn't we have already gone to the underworld?"

"But we were ambushed by that old scoundrel Liu. I was frozen in ice, and you were cultivating your soul!"

"Don't forget what I'm called by the people of this world?"

"A chosen one of the gods? You mean, Brother Li might also be a chosen one of the gods, and his supernatural abilities..."

"I'm not sure. I'll try to find more opportunities to contact him." The cold voice was full of expectation.

"Oh my god, Brother Li is a chosen one of the gods? If it's true, that would be wonderful!" Ning Yutan was overjoyed.

"Shut up! Keep this matter to yourself. Even if it is true, do not reveal a single word. This place is too dangerous for those favored by the gods!" Ning Sujin warned sternly.
-
The next morning, Ning Yutan arrived early at Li Ji'an's residence to pay her respects, bringing with her pastries that she had made overnight.

What surprised Li Ji'an the most was that, whether intentionally or because he was particularly good at it, the pastries he made this time were exactly the same as the pastries he had made when they first met in the Immortal Dynasty.

Looking at Ning Yutan, who was kneeling respectfully on the ground, Li Ji'an's lips curled up slightly.

"Get up."

"Thank you, Senior Li!"

"I already have a plan for your physical condition. First, I will use my magic power to clear your meridians and nourish your sea of ​​consciousness every day. Second, I will use the Essence and Blood Pill to strengthen your qi and blood," Li Ji'an said truthfully.

Upon hearing this, Ning Yutan immediately prostrated herself on the ground again: "Yutan thanks Senior Li!"

Li Ji'an was slightly surprised to see that he showed no doubt or wariness.

"Yes, but it's best to have a cold jade bed to nourish the sea of ​​consciousness, as that will make things twice as effective. Also, the essence blood pill requires the blood of a second-tier demon beast, so I need to prepare those two things first."

"Senior Li, this is all the wealth I possess. Although I know it's certainly not enough to repay you for your help, it's... a token of my sincerity." Ning Yutan took out another storage bag, her face full of earnestness. Li Ji'an scanned it with his divine sense and found that it contained nearly a thousand spirit stones.

This was a huge sum of money for Ning Yutan, who had no other skills besides making and selling spirit cakes.

After a moment's hesitation, Li Ji'an used his magic to take the storage bag: "Alright, you can put your magic cultivation on hold until I come back. Focus your energy on body tempering."

Upon hearing about body refinement, Ning Yutan's expression subconsciously changed.

Seeing his expression, Li Ji'an immediately thought of what had happened to him and added, "Don't overthink it. Your physical body and blood are insufficient now. Although it's impossible to achieve anything in body refinement, it can still slightly improve your physique."

"I...yes, I will follow your words, senior!" Ning Yutan suddenly came to her senses and hurriedly replied.

Watching Ning Yutan leave, Li Ji'an frowned secretly. The shadow cast on the Ning sisters by the Liu family's practice of raising blood slaves would probably be difficult to erase for the rest of their lives.

Just then, the communication talisman trembled.

Qin Chuan sent a message informing Li Ji'an that there was an unused cold jade bed in the Qin family, which could be delivered in a month and a half.

He then received a reply from Liu Jiuchan, saying that the clan had just prepared to collect blood and invited Li Ji'an to come in person, where he could obtain the freshest second-tier demon beast blood.

Refining the Essence Blood Pill not only requires the blood of a second-tier late-stage demon beast, but also the fresher the better. That's why Li Ji'an took the initiative to contact Liu Jiuchan for Ning Yutan's sake.

After replying to the message, Li Ji'an immediately set sail for the Liu family.

Meanwhile, in the peach blossom forest, through several layers of interconnected formations, it was sensed that Li Ji'an had completely left the Strange Stone Forest.

Ning Yutan asked impatiently, "So? What was his reaction when he saw me present him with that box of lucky cakes?"

Before Ning Sujin could respond, she continued incredulously:
"A cold jade bed, the blood of a second-tier demon beast, and the need to refine a high-grade second-tier pill and nurture me every day... If it weren't for Brother Li, I really can't understand who would be so kind. Even if I were sold, I wouldn't be worth this much!"

"Hey, say something! Are you still awake?"

"I'm here!" Ning Sujin finally spoke.

However, her voice was already trembling.

Moreover, the person in my memory gradually overlapped with the senior expert who had just left.

"Brother Li, is it really you?"

"Are you truly one of the chosen ones?"

"Is the law you've merged with immortality, or reincarnation?"

Ning Sujin was overwhelmed with emotion, wishing she could immediately recognize him and tell him about the grievances she had suffered over the years.

She vividly remembered Li Ji'an's expression when he saw the box of lucky cakes; that genuine emotional fluctuation couldn't be faked.

Moreover, given the strength of Li Ji'an's spiritual sense, he could see right through Ning Sujin's current spiritual soul.

However, in the end, Ning Sujin sighed inwardly and temporarily suppressed her inner impulse.

As someone also favored by God, she knew the plight of those favored by God.

Furthermore, she was also worried that her feelings for Li Ji'an might have led to a misjudgment, and she dared not reveal herself easily if she was not completely certain that the other person was Li Ji'an.

"There are no obvious changes, we need to observe further!" Ning Sujin finally said to Ning Yutan.

“It must be Brother Li. Yes, he must have recognized me when he suddenly appeared at my spirit cake shop seventeen years ago. He liked me so much back then, which is why he kept helping me, clearing my name of the demonic cultivator suspicion, connecting me with Sister Xiao Qiao, helping me cultivate here, and giving me such a precious Foundation Establishment Pill… All of this makes sense now.” Ning Yutan said with certainty.

Ning Sujin: "..."

However, Ning Yutan's words reminded her.

"If it really is Brother Li, then the downfall of the Liu family... that mysterious person was probably him!"

"Yes, yes, yes, it must be Brother Li who helped us get revenge, which is why he secretly orchestrated the downfall of the Liu family!" Ning Yutan immediately clapped her hands.

"Shut up! It's all just your speculation."

"Hmph! Wait until Brother Li comes back this time, and see how I find out what he's really made of!"
-
A month later, when Li Ji'an returned to the Liu family's residence, where the land was ablaze with red and steam was rising, Liu Jiuchan warmly welcomed him inside.

As for Liu Jiuchan, the cause and effect of secretly seizing that Sacred Beast Pill back then had already been settled with the previous transaction of the Blood Pill.

For the Liu family, Li Ji'an's greatest covetousness now is still the recipe for the Sacred Beast Pill, which is the family's secret weapon and can transform the bloodline of spirit beasts.

With the recipe for the Sacred Beast Pill and Xiao Qiao's ability as an Earth Spirit Master, the Guagua bloodline has endless hope.

Unfortunately, given his current status and abilities, he has no chance of obtaining it.

"Brother Li, you've come at just the right time. The clan will be holding a sacred beast blood-taking ceremony in three days," Liu Jiuchan said warmly.

In the Liu family of Beast Tamers, spirit beasts of the mid-second tier or above are considered sacred beasts of the clan, holding a higher status than ordinary clan members. A ritual must be performed to extract their essence blood for trade.

When the Liu family was at its peak, the blood-drawing ceremony held every ten years was packed with people. Many cultivators from the Foundation Establishment stage in Cangyun Prefecture would come in person, and even elders from the Biyun Sect would come.

However, with the completion of the Daze Mountain Range, the connections between Cangyun Prefecture and Tianyuan Prefecture have become increasingly smooth. Meanwhile, the Spirit Beast Mountain in Tianyuan Prefecture is deliberately blocking the Liu family. Many of Cangyun Prefecture's old customers who need beast blood will go to the shops or markets under the Spirit Beast Mountain in Tianyuan Prefecture.

The Liu family's blood-drawing ceremony is becoming increasingly desolate, with fewer than a hundred guests present at this moment.

"It's an honor!" Li Ji'an nodded with a smile and walked with Liu Jiuchan.

"Master Li Dan!"

"I have met Master Li Dan."

"Master Li's cultivation has made great progress, which is commendable."

……

As soon as they entered the Liu family compound, many guests who had come to witness the ceremony came forward to greet them.

Most of the guests here today are Foundation Establishment cultivators from families within Cangyun Prefecture. They look up to Li Ji'an, who is a guest alchemist of the Biyun Sect and has reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

"You're too kind, fellow Daoists." Li Ji'an smiled and nodded.

Liu Jiuchan stood by his side, feeling honored, and her gaze toward Li Ji'an became even more tender.

With Li Ji'an's current status and position, he can fully satisfy Liu Jiuchan's needs for a Daoist partner.

Once she becomes his Daoist partner, her status within the clan will rise accordingly.

Subsequently, Liu Jiuchan personally arranged a guest room for Li Ji'an and provided him with demon beast meat as food.

For the next three days, they were basically inseparable, always by each other's side.

Unfortunately, Li Ji'an's attitude towards him remained indifferent, no different from that towards his other fellow Daoists.

On this day, the Liu family's once-in-a-decade blood-drawing ceremony was held again.

The number of Foundation Establishment cultivators who finally arrived was just over a hundred, a far cry from the Liu family's heyday. Most importantly, none of the other pseudo-Core Formation families sent representatives, and the Biyun Sect only had two inner disciples attend.

The Liu family's False Pill Ancestor made a public appearance and delivered a welcoming speech.

"I, Wu Weixiong, have come to attend the meeting!" However, before the Liu family patriarch could finish speaking, an arrogant shout rang out above the Liu family compound, and then a tall, imposing man swaggered in...

(End of this chapter)