Cultivating Immortality Begins with Rejuvenation.

Chapter 284 Childhood in the Sect
"Are you Uncle-Master Changfeng?"

Eight-year-old Li Ji'an looked up at Xiao Changfeng with clear eyes.

Xiao Changfeng looked at the child in front of him with a wistful expression.

A moment later, he squatted down and reached out to touch the child's head: "Little Ping An, I am your Uncle Changfeng."

In the message, Li Ji'an had already made it clear to Xiao Changfeng that the child was destined to be with him, that he was an orphan, and that he would be named Li Ping'an, meaning that he would live a peaceful and safe life.

"They do look somewhat alike." Muttering to himself, Xiao Changfeng no longer hesitated, picked up Li Ji'an, and returned to the Biyun Sect.

When Li Ji'an met Xiao Changfeng in his previous life, he was fifteen years old. He had been nourished by the spiritual energy of the cultivation world and looked very different from his appearance in the Desolate Spirit Land before he was eight years old.

At this moment, Xiao Changfeng could only see a slight resemblance.

Moreover, Li Ji'an also mentioned in his message that the reason they were destined to meet was because the child looked somewhat like him.

As Li Ji'an was taken away by Xiao Changfeng, the frog, which had disappeared deep underground, blinked and, following Li Ji'an's instructions, headed towards the desolate Fallen Dragon Ridge. Just like in his previous life, Li Ji'an planned to have it take the little fire spirit to hunt in the wild, which could be considered a kind of training.
-
A month later, Li Ji'an arrived at Biyun Sect.

According to the rules, one must first go to the main hall of the sect to pay respects to the sect leader and the elders. Only after receiving their approval can one truly enter the sect and become a direct descendant. Once one's spiritual root is formed, it will be easier to become a true disciple during the unified sect entry trial.

The direct descendants of a sect are generally the offspring of the sect's disciples. They are born into the sect from a young age and have a deeper bond with it than disciples who enter the sect through the entrance trial. Given the same talent, the sect naturally prefers to cultivate these kinds of disciples.

"Little Ping An, come here, let your grandmaster take a look." As soon as they entered the main hall, the sect leader and the elders were already waiting. Master Yu Dan looked at the child with kind eyes, his eyes bloodshot.

A month ago, the soul lamp left by Li Ji'an in the sect went out. Xiao Changfeng conveyed the message, and everyone already knew the result.

"Peace be upon my master."

"Not bad, not bad, a bright child. He does resemble Xiao Li somewhat, they seem to have a connection." Master Yu Dan stroked Li Ji'an's head and nodded with a smile.

After exchanging greetings with each of them, Li Ji'an was led to the center of the hall to await the approval of the elders.

“Since he is Li’s successor, he should naturally be a direct descendant of our sect.” Master Yudan was the first to nod.

“It makes perfect sense that Xiao Ping’an was born an orphan and grew up with Master Li Dan.”

"I sensed its spiritual veins; its spiritual root should be quite good. When it matures, it should possess the potential of a superior being!"

Most of the elders had received the benefits of Li Ji'an's elixirs and therefore agreed to the matter of the direct lineage.

"That's not appropriate!" However, before the elders could finish speaking, Elder Tian, ​​who held a high position behind the sect leader, suddenly spoke up.

Five years ago, the Supreme Elder Yunqing was injured when the six sects joined forces to open the sixth tomb chamber. He is now in seclusion to recuperate. Elder Tian and Xiao Changfeng are the pillars of the sect.

In addition, Elder Tian is more senior than Xiao Changfeng and now wields considerable power.

Xiao Changfeng glanced sideways, knowing what Elder Tian was thinking.

Back when the sect's true disciple was trapped in the Demon Realm and his fate was unknown, he originally wanted to give the Core Formation materials that the sect had prepared for Zhao Qi to his relatives and descendants. However, Xiao Changfeng actually escaped, ruining his plan.

Although he didn't hold a grudge, he knew that he must have had a grudge against Xiao Changfeng that time. After Zhao Qi returned, he strongly advocated returning the Core Formation Spiritual Resources to Zhao Qi.

Thus, his feud with Xiao Changfeng deepened even further.

However, as True Core Elders of the same sect, their shared belief in prioritizing the sect's interests prevents them from engaging in open warfare. If they encounter a powerful enemy within the sect, they will certainly join forces to fight against it.

However, once behind closed doors, the two inevitably engage in open and covert struggles.

After the Supreme Elder was injured, Elder Tian, ​​in order to seize power in the sect, targeted Xiao Changfeng at every turn.

Xiao Changfeng was carefree by nature and took fame and fortune lightly. After being targeted by Elder Tian, ​​he simply stopped caring about worldly affairs and focused on cultivation, which further fueled Elder Tian's arrogance.

This further enhanced Elder Tian's prestige within the sect.

"There is indeed something inappropriate." Sure enough, after Elder Tian expressed his opinion, the remaining group of fake Dan elders echoed his sentiment.

"..." Li Ji'an's eyelids trembled slightly.

I really didn't expect this.

If the Supreme Elder was unharmed, and with the support of Xiao Changfeng, Jade Pill True Person, and other elders, he originally thought there would be no problem with the sect's direct lineage.

However, unexpectedly, the Supreme Elder encountered an accident during this period.

"What's wrong?" Xiao Changfeng raised his eyes slightly and turned to look directly at Elder Tian.

Elder Tian glanced at him sideways, his face displaying an air of official business for the sect: "How has my Biyun Sect been able to stand for thousands of years without fading away? It is because we do not work behind closed doors, do not pass down the hereditary system, but widely recruit talents from all over the world and cultivate disciples and students fairly and justly. Only in this way can the sect be passed down without end and talents be produced generation after generation."

"The reason for the existence of the direct lineage of a sect is to ensure the bloodline of the sect's disciples and to prevent them from feeling disheartened."

"If this child is a descendant of Master Li Dan, then that's fine, but he's just a disciple taken in from outside. How can he become a direct descendant? If everyone is like that, then why bother with sects having disciple-recruiting trials? All disciples and students can just go out and recruit disciples themselves."

His words were in accordance with regulations and rules, and were consistent with the rules that the sect had always promoted.

No one can refute that.

However, in reality, the unspoken rule of the Biyun Sect is that once someone becomes an elder, it's not just about bloodline inheritance.

When Elder Tian was promoted to the rank of elder, he brought back a junior member of the clan with whom he had long since lost contact to the sect and trained him as a direct descendant.

But this is something that cannot be discussed openly.

Therefore, after Elder Tian finished speaking righteously, both Xiao Changfeng and Master Yudan were speechless.

Finally, the sect leader announced the decision: "Elder Tian's words are reasonable. However, Master Li has been in the sect for over sixty years and has refined countless pills for the sect. We cannot let people's hearts be chilled. Little Ping'an is currently helpless and alone, so let Little Ping'an stay at Dan Ding Peak. After his spiritual root has grown, he can participate in the sect's trials."

"Good!" the crowd agreed.

Li Ji'an nodded secretly. Although it was a bit different from his previous life's plan and he failed to enter the sect as a direct descendant, he was still satisfied to be able to grow in a third-tier spiritual vein dojo like Dan Ding Peak.

This starting point already places them among the top tier in the entire Tiancang Domain.

Moreover, given his confidence in his future and his familiarity with the sect's trials, he was confident that he could become a true disciple without relying on the advantages of being a direct descendant.
-
"Little Ping'an, once you're at Dan Ding Peak, treat it like your own home. If anyone bullies you, come find your grandmaster. Oh, and you also have a senior brother and sister." With the dust settled, Master Yu Dan led Li Ji'an back to Dan Ding Peak.

Not long after, Li Ji'an, who had been away for ten years, once again set foot on Dan Ding Peak, and everything was so familiar.

Meanwhile, outside the Peak Master's Mansion, a group of disciples craned their necks to look inside.

"Junior brother, senior brother is here!" A moment later, a figure rushed in.

It was Xu Xiaochun.

“You…you’re my junior brother? Junior brother, from now on, your senior brother will be your strong support! If anyone bullies you, just tell me.” Xu Xiaochun saw the child in the hall at a glance and went forward to pick up Li Ji’an.

"Slap!" Master Yu Dan slapped him on the back of the head: "You're so clumsy and unruly. How can you set an example for your junior brother? You? A support system? Take care of yourself first."

"Hiss~ Master, I was wrong, I was wrong. I was just happy to see my junior brother." Xu Xiaochun put Li Ji'an down and hurriedly smiled apologetically.

"Senior brother, slow down!" Guo Wanzhi had been rushing all the way and finally caught up with him.

"Little Ping An?" A hint of affection appeared in his eyes the moment he met the child's gaze.

She then knelt down on one knee and gently hugged Li Ji'an in her arms: "Ping'an, be good. I'm your senior sister. I'll take care of you from now on, okay?"

"Yes, thank you, senior sister." Li Ji'an nodded with a smile.

"Call me senior brother." Xu Xiaochun hurriedly squatted down, looking at Li Ji'an with delight. However, as he looked at him, his eyes gradually reddened.

This month, he had vaguely heard about his master's message to Elder Changfeng. Seeing his junior brother now meant that he would never see his master again.

Both Xu Xiaochun and Guo Wanzhi embraced Li Ji'an, remaining silent for a long time.

On that day, Li Ji'an was taken to the cave dwelling by Xu Xiaochun. Logically, after his death, the cave dwelling should have been taken back and awaited the next alchemist elder to move in.

However, on Dan Ding Peak today, only Xu Xiaochun and Guo Wanzhi, both second-stage Foundation Establishment alchemists, have the best chance of achieving this.

Since the two had been following Li Ji'an in this cave to study alchemy, they made no changes.

Xu Xiaochun and Guo Wanzhi continued to live in separate side rooms of their respective cave dwellings, while the main room was given to Li Ji'an.

Having thus regained his youth, Li Ji'an settled down permanently on Danding Peak.

With a third-tier spiritual energy environment, the sect's superior Qi-sensing techniques, and ample replenishment pills to repair his spiritual veins, Li Ji'an clearly felt his affinity for spiritual energy increasing rapidly in this lifetime.

Moreover, Xu Xiaochun would often come up with some sudden inspirations to concoct some pills that would be beneficial to the development of a child's spiritual roots.

However, those were some insights and experiences that Li Ji'an had gained during his previous life's research on the Replenishing Essence Pill, which he compiled into the "Li Family Pill Transmission" that he gave to the Jade Elixir Master.

Its effects are not comparable to the Replenishing Essence Pill, but it is better than nothing and has a slight effect.

In addition, this would also hone his alchemy skills, so Li Ji'an did not refuse.

Moreover, although he failed to become a direct descendant of the sect, Master Yudan still allowed him to attend the sect's children's classes every day.

In addition to learning to read and write and gaining insights into qi, there are also many teachings on runes, inscriptions, and Daoist seals.

Of course, the sect's core values, the general situation within the region, and even the sect's history and development are also key aspects of ideological education.

Li Ji'an was quite interested in the inscriptions and Dao seals, things he had never been able to access in his previous life.

On this day, Guo Wanzhi, as always, escorted Li Ji'an to the sect's Dharma Transmission Peak for his class.

"Ping An, study diligently. Today, your senior sister is refining pills. Your senior brother will come to pick you up after class," Guo Wanzhi said gently.

"Okay, take care, senior sister." Li Ji'an waved with a smile.

After watching Guo Wanzhi leave, Li Ji'an stepped into the inner hall.

"Little Anzi, why are you so late today?" A tall and strong boy of about ten years old turned around and shouted from inside the hall.

"Senior Sister stayed up too late refining pills last night, which caused a delay," Li Ji'an said casually.

"After we finish the lecture, let's go to the back mountain. There's a good show to watch. Want to come?" The big guy leaned closer, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Li Ji'an missed the opportunity with disdain, looking at him with contempt.

This kid is the great-grandson of Jinshi Zhenren of Baoqi Peak. He is two years older than Li Ji'an and looks somewhat like Jinshi Zhenren. He has been tall and strong since childhood and used to bully other classmates because he was stronger than ordinary children.

However, ever since he was defeated by the seemingly delicate Li Ji'an with one hand when they competed in strength half a year ago, although he was still unconvinced verbally, he had begun to admire Li Ji'an quite a bit in his actions.

"No time!" Li Ji'an sat back down in his seat and refused directly.

“This is going to be a good show. I, Pang Lei, never lie,” the big guy continued, leaning closer.

Li Ji'an pushed his large face away with one hand and said impatiently, "Speak, what good show is it?"

"It was a male disciple from Treasure Peak who secretly arranged to meet my grandfather's female disciple from the weapon-refining room at the back mountain..." Pang Lei said with a lewd expression.

"..." Li Ji'an's face darkened, and he glared at him disdainfully.

The great-grandson of the dignified Elder of the False Core Formation is so despicable.

Doesn't he know that with his status, he can have any female cultivator he wants in the future?
"Fuck off!"

After sending Pang Lei away, Li Ji calmed down and waited for the court session to begin.

"Hmm?" Suddenly, a thought struck her, and the little girl in the front row, smelling of morning dew, turned around and handed her a food box of pastries.

"Brother Ping An, I made this myself, please try it." The girl was only six years old, and the pastries she made were quite a mess, but her little face was full of sincerity.

Her parents were ordinary disciples of the inner sect. Her father died in an ancient tomb five years ago, and her mother died in the belly of a monster while collecting herbs in the Daze Mountains two years ago. They were true direct descendants of the sect.

When Li Ji'an came to class half a year ago, he saw that the boy was gloomy all day long, so he often comforted him and eventually helped him let go of his knot in his heart.

From then on, the little girl also treated him as her own brother.

"It smells so good~~ Yan Yan is so great." Li Ji'an took a piece and put it in his mouth, praising her generously.

Xiao Zhaoyan smiled happily instantly, her two big eyes curving into crescent shapes.

Before the hour-long class was over, Xu Xiaochun had slipped in without anyone noticing.

By the time Li Ji'an stood up, he was already chatting familiarly with the female students in the lecture hall.

As the most promising alchemist in the Biyun Sect, Xu Xiaochun now holds a high position among the sect's disciples. Apart from the true disciples, everyone gives him some face.

Even after all the other students had left, Li Ji'an remained quietly seated, waiting.

Seeing that Xu Xiaochun probably wouldn't finish talking anytime soon, he simply started reading "The Divine Grinding Soul Forging Technique".

Currently, his physical bones and muscles are not fully developed, and his spiritual roots are not yet formed; only his divine soul can be cultivated.

After finishing one round of the Soul Forging Technique, seeing that Xu Xiaochun was still going on and on, Li Ji'an had no choice but to bring up his senior sister, which finally brought Xu Xiaochun back to his senses and led Li Ji'an back to Dan Ding Peak.

However, not long after returning to Dan Ding Peak, the sect's golden bell suddenly trembled violently.

Before long, a violent aura of fake pills flew towards Dan Ding Peak.

Enraged, Jinshi Zhenren descended upon Li Ji'an's cave and barged in without a word.

"Elder Jinshi, please calm down." Xu Xiaochun immediately stepped in front of Li Ji'an.

Guo Wanzhi, who was in seclusion refining elixirs, rushed out right after her.

Master Yudan also immediately emerged from seclusion, arriving with an explosive hairstyle.

Before Master Jinshi could speak, Xiao Changfeng's powerful True Core aura emanated from the main peak.

"Don't misunderstand, I'm just here to ask Xiao Ping'an if he heard Xiao Lei say what he's going to do after class today?" Master Jinshi said, suppressing his anger.

"What happened to Pang Lei? Before class today, he invited me to the back mountain after class, saying that he overheard an inner disciple from Treasure Weapon Peak inviting a female disciple from the Elder's Weapon Refining Room to the back mountain for a secret rendezvous." Li Ji'an's expression changed slightly.

"Xiao Lei was attacked just now, and his Soul Jade was destroyed. Fortunately, he was saved by a protective magic artifact!" Elder Jinshi said truthfully.

“Pang Lei was attacked…” Li Ji’an frowned slightly.

It's normal for disciples within a sect to have romantic relationships, and the sect never interferes. There's no reason to be attacked for peeping at their secret rendezvous.

Moreover, this happened within the sect.

(End of this chapter)