Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation-Chapter 149 - 37: Return to the Desert (Part 2)

Within the cultivator's body, there are countless meridians and acupoints scattered throughout. The effects of absorbing spiritual energy vary greatly with different combinations and arrangements.

The operation of the dantian is even more diverse because of the subtle differences in the conversion of circulation.

"If enough time is given, and enough cultivation techniques are available, I could indeed create a cultivation technique!"

Nearly three months later, just about to enter the desert, on this day, Li Ji'an withdrew his divine soul and emerged from his cultivation technique comprehension.

During these three months, his understanding of the cultivation techniques in this place deepened further, and he even had a vague hypothesis in his heart.

"Hmm?" A few days later, just approaching the desert area, several cultivators' auras appeared ahead, seemingly standing guard.

The entire desert was located in the southeastern direction of the Celestial Cyan Domain, while the Zheng Family was situated in the northwest of the desert, closest to other cultivation influences.

From the Immortal City to the desert, it first reached the Zheng Clan territory.

However, this place was at the edge of the desert and still a significant distance from the Zheng Family.

Li Ji'an steered his flying boat directly into the desert, ignoring the Qi Cultivation stage minnows below.

The next day, a flying boat approached from afar.

"Fellow Daoist, please stop." Someone on it released a Foundation Establishment aura and cupped his hands from afar.

"Please forgive us, Fellow Daoist. We are cultivators of the Zheng Family in the desert. Due to a rebellion by traitors in this area causing turmoil, our Zheng Family, to quell the chaos, has had to set some hidden measures upfront, fearing to mistakenly harm Fellow Daoist, hence this notification."

Seeing the flying boat approaching from a distance, someone on it was even a familiar face. Li Ji'an got up and stood with his hands behind him.

"If Fellow Daoist has nothing special... Hmm? You..." As Zheng Tianxiang came closer, just about to offer more persuasion, his expression suddenly froze.

At thirty-eight years old now, Li Ji'an resembled his past life when he first met Zheng Tianxiang. Compared to his appearance twenty-three years ago, when Yan Qingwan sent Li Ji'an to the Biyun Sect for trials, he had now an added depth of time.

At first glance, Zheng Tianxiang regarded him as Li Ji'an from fifty-five years ago, whom he failed to recruit at the United Marketplace in his past life.

"Are you Li Fan... Fellow Daoist?" But after a moment of bewilderment, Zheng Tianxiang regained his composure.

However, the shock in his eyes intensified!

He frowned, staring at Li Ji'an, recalling the information about him.

Twenty-three years ago, when Yan Qingwan sent Li Ji'an for trials to the Biyun Sect, in order to ally with the Yan Family, he even presented a congratulatory gift of two hundred spirit stones.

Ultimately, however, he learned that the young boy did not enter the Biyun Sect.

Ten years later, to provoke Yan Qingwan and frame the Wei Family, he had Wei Huai Ren ambush the young boy, resulting in Wei Huai Ren's disappearance thereafter.

And that young boy soon vanished quietly afterward, foiling his plans to provoke Yan Qingwan.

Unexpectedly, upon meeting again, he had already achieved Foundation Establishment!

"Could this young boy have encountered some fortuitous event?"

Ignoring the surprise in his eyes, Li Ji'an smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Zheng, it's been a long time."

"Hahaha, congratulations to Fellow Daoist Li on achieving Foundation Establishment, but... after leaving the desert for over twenty years, returning now... one mustn't make a mistake."

Returning to his senses, Zheng Tianxiang's demeanor was not as gentle as before, with a tone full of threat, and even a hint of resentment.

The reason their Zheng Family now tightly guarded the desert border was that two years ago, the Desert Alliance led by the Yan Family suddenly obtained a Second Tier puppet and numerous strategic talisman resources.

Undoubtedly, such restricted strategic resources could only be bought within Golden Splendor Immortal City.

Hence, they severed the route ever since.

Back then, they couldn't figure out how those few desert families could acquire those restricted strategic resources, but now it suddenly made sense.

It must have something to do with this young boy in front of him.

"Is Fellow Daoist Zheng threatening me?" Li Ji'an remained calm, his tone indifferent.

Upon recognizing Zheng Tianxiang, he was somewhat moved.

In his previous life, at the United Marketplace, he tried many times to lure him out, sowing the seeds of ill intentions, and the retribution had been brewing ever since.

This remote wilderness, still some distance from the Zheng Clan territory, presented a good opportunity.

However, sensing the opponent's aura, slightly stronger than his own, even with Gugu's assistance, he wasn't confident enough to leave him behind. Furthermore, being a former prodigy of the Zheng Family and their youngest Foundation Establishment Ancestor, he undoubtedly had hidden aces up his sleeve.

He could consider keeping aces himself, and these cultivators from a war-torn area surely more so.

Most importantly, he didn't favor this evenly matched combat, preferring a steady crush instead, thus he refrained from striking first.

Ultimately, his aces were insufficient.

Post-Foundation Establishment, those late Tier One talismans were nearly useless, except for the Teleportation Talisman.

Even the peak Tier One Body Refining had little use against Foundation Establishment stage magic.

The main purpose of returning to the desert, besides meeting with Yan Kongyi, was to seek the Second Tier Talisman Inheritance he mentioned.

Once he possessed a Second Tier Talisman, at least in terms of aces, he would confidently crush Zheng Tianxiang before him.

Seeing that Li Ji'an showed not the slightest fear, Zheng Tianxiang was momentarily stunned, then suddenly realized that to have such confidence, he probably wasn't simple.

Immediately, he connected this with the sudden appearance of strategic-level resources among those alliance families earlier; he was almost certain this young boy in front probably had formidable backing.

"Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Li has misunderstood me. Frankly speaking, I, Zheng, and your father once had a good relationship, and I held your father in high esteem. Unfortunately, in the end, he was led astray by the eldest lady of the Yan Family."

Testing out Li Ji'an's confidence, Zheng Tianxiang swiftly changed his approach.

"Oh? Is there such a matter?" Li Ji'an smiled.

"Fellow Daoist Li isn't aware? This matter is well-known in the desert, isn't it?" Zheng Tianxiang asked surprisingly.

"Back then, your father's talent was extraordinary, especially his alchemy talent far surpassed ordinary people. Even your father's master, Alchemist Mo, praised him highly. As a result, that eldest lady of the Yan Family, relying on her beauty, seduced your father, who was poorly discerning, causing him to fall deeply.

As a result, after dedicating his life to the eldest lady of the Yan Family, the Yan Family discarded the donkey after it's done tilling, expelling your father, who had reached nearly seventy years of age, from the family.

In the end..." Zheng Tianxiang recited emotionally as if witnessing it firsthand.

This narrative had actually been secretly disseminated in the desert for a long time before Li Ji'an ventured to the Immortal City.

At the time, the opposition spread these stories just to ruin Yan Qingwan's reputation.

This time, however, it was intended to sow discord.

Never underestimate rumors, nor count on them being stopped by wisdom; even wars between nations can be swayed by public opinion.

Had Li Ji'an not been rejuvenated, it would be hard to say he wouldn't be influenced, at least planting a seed of doubt.

"Hmph! Utter nonsense, I shall ask my aunt about this." Li Ji'an portrayed the emotion Zheng Tianxiang anticipated, scoffing coldly.

Zheng Tianxiang was instantly pleased but then said solemnly, "Fellow Daoist Li, this matter wasn't spoken by me alone; it's known by everyone in the desert. You could ask anyone."

Li Ji'an said no more, prepared to steer the flying boat to leave.

"Fellow Daoist Li, hold on." Zheng Tianxiang called again.

"Hmm? Do you really wish to engage with me?" Li Ji'an glanced at Zheng Tianxiang coldly.

"Haha, a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding, didn't I say that I and your father had a close friendship? How could I attack you? Consider this, Fellow Daoist Li, a token of my goodwill, as it signifies the longstanding friendship with your father. Please accept it with a smile.

If there's anything where you require my assistance in the future, don't hesitate to ask, farewell."

Watching Zheng Tianxiang depart, Li Ji'an looked at the jade bottle in his hand and shook his head with a smile.

He understood Zheng Tianxiang's intention, worried he might join the Yan Family and get involved in the desert's struggles.

Nonetheless, it was an over-speculation.

Li Ji'an asked himself; when he had the strength to decide with a single word, he would naturally lend a hand to the Yan Family.

However, at present, he had just achieved the strength for self-preservation and couldn't change the chaotic desert landscape involving multiple forces by himself. It was impossible for him to risk himself.

Moreover, the current Yan Family doesn't solely represent themselves but is an alliance of five Foundation Establishment clans in the southeast direction of the desert.

Following that, he proceeded unimpeded, and three days later, he arrived at the Yan Family.

Thirteen years since their last meeting, returning to the Yan Family and seeing the Spirit Pearl Mountain that resembled a jade pearl, Li Ji'an still felt a sense of closeness.

After all, from eight years old until he left at fifteen, he lived and cultivated here in peace.

"Which Fellow Daoist has come to our Yan Family with what purpose?"

Just entering the Spirit Pearl Mountain area, Li Ji'an's unconcealed Foundation Establishment aura alarmed the Yan Family's two ancestors.

The next moment, two figures shot up into the sky, forming a defensive stance, ready for battle.

"Aunt, I'm back!"