Cultivating Immortality Begins with Rejuvenation.

Chapter 282 Leaving the Sect
"Clang clang clang!" The sect's great bell rang urgently.

Elder Li is seriously injured!

"Quickly, notify Elder Zhenzong."

"Immediately send a message to Dan Ding Peak!"

……

Two months later, when the entire region was shocked by the Sect of All Beings, Li Ji'an, critically injured, fell to the gate of the Biyun Sect, causing a panic.

Not long after, Li Ji'an, who had been carried into Dan Ding Peak, slowly awoke after taking the healing pills personally refined by Master Yu Dan.

He claimed that while tracking down thieves who attacked and killed sect disciples in the Daze Mountains, he was ambushed and killed by several thief cultivators, including a fake Core Formation cultivator. He barely escaped with his life.

Afterwards, the sect's physician came to treat him and said that the damage had affected his very essence and greatly shortened his lifespan. Unless he could refine the legendary ancient holy pill—the Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pill—he would not have many years left to live, even if he recovered.

"Master! It's all my fault! You must hold on. From now on, I will definitely cultivate diligently, study alchemy, and do my best to find the Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pill formula!" Xu Xiaochun knelt in front of the warm jade bed, tears streaming down his face.

Guo Wanzhi bit her thin lips tightly, her eyes blurred with tears, and gently wiped the marks off her master's body.

"How could this be? How could this be?" Master Yudan's old eyes were cloudy, and he sighed repeatedly.

He had already planned that when he reached the end of his life, Master Li would take his place in serving the sect. However, it now seems that Master Li is about to pass away before him.

As for the legendary sacred pill... let alone a mere pseudo-elixir elder, even the Myriad Laws True Monarch of the Myriad Laws Palace might not have such good fortune.

Half a month later, Li Ji'an's internal injuries improved, and he was able to recuperate on his own.

"It's all about timing and fate, you all don't need to be so concerned. I'm already satisfied that I was able to obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill in this lifetime." After leaving Dan Ding Peak, Li Ji'an decided to return to the outer peak to cultivate in seclusion and heal his injuries. Before leaving, he comforted a few close friends and family members.

In particular, he instructed Xu Xiaochun not to be influenced by him.

Li Ji'an then returned to the solitary peak and activated the restriction.

"Phew~" As soon as he returned to the outer peak, Li Ji'an dispelled his dejection.

The so-called serious injury was nothing more than a pill with similar effects, based on research on the False Death Pill.

The purpose is simply to find a reasonable way to exit the stage of rejuvenating oneself.

This life is different from the past. There are soul lamps left in the sect. Once I am rejuvenated and my soul is reshaped, the soul lamps in the sect will be extinguished.

For the next three years, Li Ji'an secluded himself, focusing his efforts on puppetry.

The materials for second-tier puppets that Tianyuan Prefecture had previously purchased were almost exhausted, and they finally stepped steadily into the ranks of second-tier puppeteers.

Five complete mid-stage Tier 2 puppets were successfully created.

Compared to the frog puppet previously created for Guagua, these five puppets are all humanoid, with attack and defense capabilities comparable to a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator of the human race.

He doesn't need to use the Puppet Technique for precise control; he only needs to set commands for them, and even five puppets could defeat a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Unfortunately, one needs at least the initial stage of Foundation Establishment to use the Puppet Control Technique to imprint and control it.

Aside from puppetry skills, the greatest gain in these three years was the secret soul technique—the Soul-Startling Thorn—told by the soul spirit within the Soul Wood Headband.

Before returning to his sect, he secretly visited the Strange Stone Forest and had a brief exchange with Ning Sujin.

After Ning Sujin examined the technique, she found no problems with it, so the two agreed to start practicing it together.

Li Ji'an mastered the Soul-Shocking Thorn technique in just one year, and his divine sense was already able to condense into a tangible soul thorn. Now, three years later, although the power of the Soul-Shocking Thorn is not as great, its accuracy has become extremely precise.

"Huh?" Having just finished practicing a set of the Ancient Demon-Suppressing Fist, Li Ji'an felt a slight ripple in his heart, and a vague sense of familiarity arose spontaneously.

"Is this...something about to happen?"

During these three years, he never slackened in his study of divination. Although he was still some distance from mastering the basics, he did not come away empty-handed.

The fundamental link of divination, the interaction between heaven and man, requires the soul to guide the sea of ​​the heart, so that the sea of ​​the heart can connect with the three fundamental principles of heaven, earth, and man.

Now that the mind and consciousness have merged, theoretically they can generate a kind of unseen connection, similar to a sixth sense.

This is merely the foundation of divination, and only a sense of responsiveness. Because the mind is initially attuned, some of these responsiveness may not even be perceptible, let alone revealing what is about to happen or whether the event is auspicious or inauspicious.

"Master, how are you? Are you able to leave seclusion?" Not long after, Xu Xiaochun's voice came from the barrier outside the peak again.

During those three years, only he, Guo Wanzhi, and Master Yudan would occasionally come to check on his recovery.

Xu Xiaochun, however, is a consistent visitor, coming almost every month.

Initially, he mostly blamed himself and expressed concern from the sidelines.

Later, Li Ji'an became so annoyed that he sent a telepathic message to inform him that he was alright and ordered him not to disturb him unless necessary, which finally brought him some peace and quiet.

"What's the matter?"

“Master, a true immortal just visited, claiming to be your closest elder.” Xu Xiaochun was overjoyed upon receiving Li Ji’an’s response.

Li Ji'an raised an eyebrow slightly.

The intuition was indeed correct.

But then he became alert again.

Your closest elder relatives?
Or is it the real person?

Even after racking his brains, Li Ji'an never imagined that there was such a person in the Tiancang Domain.

"How to call it?"

"I don't know, I only know that Elder Zhenzong Wang has led all the elders to welcome him into the sect."

Just then, Master Yudan's communication talisman vibrated.

"Fairy Fuyao? Peak mid-stage True Core cultivator?"

Li Ji'an's expression grew even more solemn.

Currently, the sect is still searching for true core cultivators in the ancient tomb. There are only three pseudo-core cultivators guarding the sect, and a true core cultivator at the peak of the mid-stage poses a great threat.

However, he then shook his head slightly. With the sect's grand formation in place, let alone a mid-stage True Core cultivator, even a peak True Core expert would have to think twice.

With this in mind, Li Ji'an officially emerged from seclusion.

Xu Xiaochun was overjoyed and wept tears of joy as she saw that Li Ji'an's appearance had recovered considerably.

“Master, your disciple has perfected the refinement of your magical power and will soon be able to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage. After I achieve Foundation Establishment, I will begin searching for the formula for the Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pill.”

Li Ji'an smiled kindly and patted his shoulder: "Foolish child, this is the will of Heaven, and it cannot be defied!"

"I'm going to defy the heavens!" Xu Xiaochun's eyes were resolute, consistent with his youthful arrogance.

Li Ji'an then smiled and shook his head, saying nothing more.

As we age, time helps everyone grow.

The two then headed towards the sect's main hall.

"Wanzhi greets Master! Congratulations on your completion of seclusion." As she passed by Dan Ding Peak, Guo Wanzhi happened to be flying towards the outer peak. "Not bad, your magical power is pure and profound. Wanzhi has extraordinary talent, and her future achievements are limitless." Li Ji'an examined her magical power aura after she established her foundation and praised her generously.

Two years ago, Guo Wanzhi achieved the Qi Refining Perfection and successfully established her Foundation.

However, at that time, her sect contributions were not enough to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills. Xu Xiaochun gave his contributions to Guo Wanzhi and said that she should establish her foundation first and then earn contributions to raise Foundation Establishment Pills for him.

That being said, Xu Xiaochun clearly stated when he first muttered to himself outside the peak that he was actually only helping Guo Wanzhi establish her foundation, while he himself planned to follow the example of his uncle Xiao Changfeng and attempt to establish his foundation without using Foundation Establishment Pills.

After all, even if Guo Wanzhi successfully establishes her foundation, if she wants to earn more contributions, she will have to take risks, which may require her to enter the Blackwater Swamp Ancient Tomb.

But that place is too dangerous, and there have been frequent reports of real people dying there over the years.

"Thank you, Master. However, it was only after my senior brother gave me his own contribution that I was able to exchange for Wanzhi's Foundation Establishment Pill..." Guo Wanzhi looked at Xu Xiaochun, but instead of being pleased to receive Li Ji'an's praise, she directly mentioned Xu Xiaochun's contribution.

Li Ji'an nodded, understanding Guo Wanzhi's thoughts, but made no comment for the time being.

After sending his two disciples back to Dan Ding Peak, Li Ji'an went to the sect's main hall.

Upon entering, Li Ji'an suddenly raised an eyebrow.

"Auntie Yao!"

The person who came was none other than Tong Yaoyao, whom they had not seen for seventy-two years!
Back when the Biyun Sect was developing the ruins in Daze Mountain, the Jiuding Chamber of Commerce withdrew from the Tiancang Domain. After that, because the distance was too great, exceeding the range of the communication talisman, they were never heard from again.

"Tsk tsk, you actually formed your core!" Tong Yaoyao exclaimed in surprise when she saw Li Ji'an.

"This..." Upon seeing this, the three pseudo-elders, including True Immortal Jade Pill, were quite shocked.

Over the years, they had never known that Li Ji'an actually had a close relative who was at the mid-stage of the True Core realm.

When Tong Yaoyao spoke just now, they thought there was some misunderstanding.

The outcome is now beyond any doubt!
"Well... Senior Fuyao, Elder Li, please continue your conversation. We'll take our leave now." The three elders tactfully took their leave.

After watching the three leave, Li Ji'an set up a restriction before speaking with Tong Yaoyao again.

"Aunt Yao passed away 60 years ago. Before she died, I told you about my request from back then, but Aunt Yao refused."

“She said the things of the previous generation should be left behind, and you have your own life to live. You don’t need to carry too much burden for their generation anymore. Besides, the Yellow Sand Desert is too terrifying, and she doesn’t want you to take any risks.”

"This is the jade pendant she left for you. It was given to her by your father. You can keep it as a memento."

Looking at the jade pendant handed to him by Tong Yaoyao, Li Ji'an's memory flashed back. It wasn't a gift from him, but rather something that Zhao Shuyao had snatched from him back in the Immortal Dynasty.

With a carefree smile, Li Ji'an took the jade pendant, put it in his pocket, and silently wished himself well.

"Thank you, Aunt Yao!" Li Ji'an bowed and expressed his gratitude.

"I had promised Aunt Yao that I could help you form your core, but now... it's no longer necessary." Along with the jade pendant, there was also a dark box. Tong Yaoyao examined Li Ji'an for a moment, then shook her head.

"Auntie, is this... a Core Formation Spiritual Treasure?" Li Ji'an sensed a faint spiritual energy.

"What? You've already formed a fake core, and you have no hope for this lifetime, but you still want it?" Tong Yaoyao immediately withdrew her hand.

Li Ji'an chuckled awkwardly. Tong Yaoyao's personality was still as carefree as ever, without a trace of the affected profundity and majesty of the True Core experts in the Tiancang Domain.

He had some guesses about Tong Yaoyao's life in Wanshangyu over the years.

"I..." If I have no hope in this life, I still have the next life.

"Fine, fine, it was meant for you anyway." Tong Yaoyao frowned slightly, then reluctantly tossed the black box over.

"Thank you so much, Aunt Yao!" Li Ji'an was overjoyed and hurriedly opened the black box.

Inside is a perfectly round, light blue bead that exudes a rich aura.

"The Pearl of the Vast Ocean!" Ranked seventy-second among the Core Formation Spiritual Treasures.

This bead is said to be born alongside the Autumn Departure Water. Although its elixir-forming effect ranks only seventy-second, its purification ability is quite good, depending only on the length of time it has been born alongside the Autumn Departure Water.

If they have been together for over a thousand years, they will have the purifying effect of 50% of the water from autumn.

"Don't rush to thank me. Now that you're a third-tier alchemist, giving Aunt Yao a Youth-Preserving Pill shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"No problem, definitely no problem!" Li Ji'an readily agreed.

He had previously refined pills for the Jurchen sect, and there were still complete sets of materials in the pill room.

Without further ado, Li Ji'an invited Tong Yaoyao to the outer peak.

During this journey, he subtly inquired about the situation of Wanshangyu.

Compared with the introduction by Yu Xiao Zhenren of the Sishui Chamber of Commerce, I have a much clearer understanding of Wanshangyu.

He also learned why Tong Yaoyao had only arrived now.

It turns out that only after reaching his current level of cultivation was he released by the ancestor, finally gaining his freedom.

In addition to fulfilling Zhao Shuyao's last wish, he also wants to find her biological father.

His mother passed away a few years ago, and her greatest wish was for him to reunite with his biological father.

She did not tell Li Ji'an who her biological father was.

Three days later, Tong Yaoyao received the Youth-Preserving Pill and left satisfied.

“It’s time to leave.” Li Ji’an carefully sensed his rejuvenation time and decided to leave the Biyun Sect.

After the incident with Tong Yaoyao, apart from Master Yudan, the other two veteran elders' attitudes towards Li Ji'an changed drastically, adding a touch of awe to their original status as a third-tier alchemist.

"Gentlemen, my lifespan is nearing its end. Master Fuyao has shown me a way to survive. Perhaps I will be gone for three or five years, or perhaps... we will meet again in the next life." Li Ji'an formally took his leave, and now he had a good reason.

The jade pill master wearily handed Li Ji'an a bottle of pills: "Little Li, I am incompetent. In the past three years, apart from these miscellaneous pills that have a slight restorative effect, I have accomplished nothing. I only hope that they can be of some use to you."

"I will never forget your kindness, teacher!" Li Ji'an solemnly kowtowed and bid farewell to his teacher.

At the same time, he handed over the "Li Family Elixir Records," which he had compiled in his previous life and continued to improve in this life, to the Jade Elixir Immortal.

He then summoned two of his disciples to a secret room.

There's not much to say about Guo Wanzhi. She's a well-behaved girl who respects her teachers and is especially devoted to Li Ji'an. She has exceptional talent, works very hard, and has a solid foundation in alchemy. She has already reached the Foundation Establishment stage and is a qualified disciple. However, they aren't very close.

As for Xu Xiaochun, he had a particular fondness for him. Since Xu Xiaochun was currently without a Foundation Establishment Pill, he gave him a mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pill that he had used to practice refining a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, so as not to waste the time they had spent as master and disciple.

Both disciples, knowing what Li Ji'an's trip meant, had tears in their eyes.

After comforting his two disciples, Li Ji'an boarded a flying boat and left the Biyun Sect.

Prior to this, he had already sent a message to Xiao Changfeng and bid him farewell.

Three years ago, Xiao Changfeng received news that Li Ji'an was seriously injured, so he sent him a message to find out the reason for the incident. They have continued to communicate with each other over the past three years.

However, the development of the ancient tomb has reached a critical moment. Two years ago, they broke through the fifth tomb chamber, and now they are about to break through the last tomb chamber. The six major sects are also on the verge of war, all looking forward to the possible Nascent Soul Transformation opportunity in the last tomb chamber! So he simply cannot leave.

Upon receiving Li Ji'an's message, he wished her well.
(End of this chapter)