Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation-Chapter 167 - 53: Banding Together for Warmth (Part 2)

But nowadays, the ruins of Great Marsh Mountain attract too many people.

And Biyun Sect has limited energy, unable to supervise further.

"No matter what, we can't leave Cangyun State now; looking across the entire state, Immortal City is the safest place."

"Indeed, but we cannot completely rely on the Qi Family; we eight must unite together."

The eight of them have known each other for many years, and those loose cultivators who can settle here have had their backgrounds thoroughly examined by Immortal City, establishing a certain level of trust among them.

Mainly, of all present, only these eight have slightly higher cultivation levels, each with some hidden strength.

It's only right to huddle together for warmth.

Immediately, everyone gathered again at Bai Mansion to discuss specific future defense measures.

"I still have a few top-quality magical artifacts at the bottom of the box, which I can lend to you in times of crisis," Hua Hongling was the first to reveal her trump card.

"I will send puppets to patrol and notify everyone at the first sign of trouble," Gou Puppet Master also spoke up voluntarily this time.

"I plan to set up another early warning array to cover our entire area," Master Qian, who was always the most calculating and the only second-tier Array Master, was finally generous for once.

However, Li Ji'an had little faith in his array skills since when Biyun Sect was widely recruiting Array Masters, even Granny You was invited away, while he was not noticed by Biyun Sect.

The problem lies in his lack of skill in array techniques; although he can set up second-tier arrays, most are done step by step, with little personal insight. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

...

"I am preparing to refine a batch of Law Storage Pills; you can take them at a 30% discount in case of magical combat needs," Li Ji'an also showed his sincerity.

Their cultivation techniques are not considered profound, and despite years of technical study, their magical power and combat experience are lacking. The Law Storage Pill can effectively enhance their combat strength.

However, there is no need for additional refinement of this pill as he already has plenty in stock for his own talisman making needs.

"Alchemist Zou, Alchemist Li, in case of emergencies, Alchemist Li, you should first call on Fellow Daoist Hua for help, while Alchemist Zou should head to Master Qian's residence," Doctor Bai reminded emphatically.

Among the eight, in terms of value and profit, Pill Masters undoubtedly came out on top.

However, in terms of self-preservation and combat methods, they were inferior to Doctor Bai and Duanmu Lemei, and even the tailor showed greater combat capability.

This was consensus, not prejudice.

"Thank you, fellow Daoists!" Li Ji'an and Alchemist Zou expressed their gratitude to everyone.

On the same day, Li Ji'an returned and went into seclusion to refine pills as mentioned during the discussion.

However, it wasn't Law Storage Pills he was refining, but Blood Burning Pills.

Three years ago, when the news of Biyun Sect breaching the ruins surfaced, Li Ji'an already had the intention to refine some life-saving pills for critical moments.

The Blood Burning Pill was finally selected, capable of instantly doubling the usual magical power might at critical moments, but it was rather niche and lacked market demand in peaceful times.

The main drawback is that this pill burns one's own qi and blood; for cultivators with insufficient qi and blood, not enough to burn, it would consume their Life Essence Blood, potentially cutting off future advancement to the Great Realm and even shortening their lifespan, accelerating aging.

However, for Li Ji'an, a second-tier Body Cultivator with ample qi and blood that doesn't affect potential, as long as it's not an instant death, he could accept it, the early rejuvenation by a few years is negligible.

The ingredients for this pill were hard to find; recently, while refining a second-tier pill tailored for a family cultivator, one of its medicinal ingredients happened to be the final auxiliary herb needed for the Blood Burning Pill. Li Ji'an relied on his alchemy skill to withhold a portion of the materials while fulfilling the other party's requirements.

The next day, the first Blood Burning Pill was produced.

A top-grade Blood Burning Pill, consuming more qi and blood, but with a greater burst of magical power might.

After analyzing its medicinal properties closely, Li Ji'an was slightly surprised, estimating it consumed enough qi and blood to shorten lifespan by at least ten years, and its explosive magical power should compare to an ordinary Foundation Establishment mid-stage.

"This pill suits me!"

He decided immediately to concentrate on gathering ingredients for this pill in the future to refine at least a few top-grade ones as a trump card.

"The trump cards are still insufficient!"

After safely storing away the Blood Burning Pill, Li Ji'an pondered again, the sense of crisis lingering in his heart.

The current core trump card is the second-tier Body Cultivation, capable of breaking the magical shield of cultivators of the same realm at close range in an instant.

And when facing a Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator, even if the magical shield is shattered, one could rely on their physical body to endure an attack and survive.

The prerequisite is that the opponent does not know his Body Cultivation strength and has no specific countermeasure.

Li Ji'an was confident in this, as the human race's Body Cultivation does not undergo a qualitative transformation like the Demon Race, becoming tough and heavy, but with qi and blood support.

And his control over qi and blood is meticulous, allowing him, if he wishes, to disperse his entire second-tier Body Cultivation's qi and blood into thousands of threads, with none leaking out.

Even when Duanmu Qin directly contacts him to smooth his blood vessels and muscles, she cannot detect any abnormalities in his skin and flesh.

Next is the most fundamental trump card, Divine Sense comparable to the late Foundation Establishment stage!

However, without a Divine Soul Secret Technique, it has no offensive effect, only allowing avoidance of threats and traps in advance or feigning as a great cultivator of the late Foundation Establishment stage to deter others.

Next is Gugu, not reliant on offense and defense but can hide him within its stomach universe in critical moments, with Gugu's current concealment ability, even a Fake Pill True Man probably couldn't detect it.

Lastly is the only Guardian Path means—the talisman.

Instinctively examining his dantian,

Three Lifebound Talismans float within the dantian, nourished by magical power.

After three years of nourishment, their might has improved slightly.

The top-grade Blazing Halberd Talisman can pose a threat to Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivators.

The top-grade Golden Bell Talisman, if Jiang Yunzhou doesn't use a prototype Magical Treasure, should not break it in a single hit.

The top-grade Wind Escape Talisman allows for full-speed escape akin to a Foundation Establishment mid-stage.

However...

The more Li Ji'an looked at his dantian's state, the more powerless he felt.

Due to the cultivation technique's reason, his magical power was not strong, and these years of nourishing the three Lifebound Talismans made it more sparse.

Three years ago, witnessing Zheng Tianxiang's Lifebound Magical Artifact autonomously protecting its master had deeply moved him, desiring to nurture a Lifebound Defensive Magical Artifact himself.

In the end, having already been cultivating three Lifebound Talismans, he lacked the magical power to further cultivate the more demanding Lifebound Magical Artifact, having to abandon the idea.

After organizing his trump cards, Li Ji'an felt slightly more at ease.

Later, he went out to trade the promised Law Storage Pills with the seven of them.

Finally, upon arriving at Duanmu Qin's residence, he stated that he wouldn't accept Spirit Stones this time, considering it repayment for last time's acupressure and muscle relief.

"Fellow Daoist Li, your character is truly noble. It's my fortune to know you on my cultivation path. Please come in," Duanmu Qin warmly invited Li Ji'an into her mansion.

This was Li Ji'an's first visit to Duanmu Qin's residence.

Maidservants roamed in groups, the mansion was full of vibrant flowers and greenery with a unique flavor.

After dismissing her staff, Duanmu Qin personally brewed tea for Li Ji'an.

The central courtyard pavilion was surrounded by blossoming flowers, in the center a zither. Duanmu Qin wore thin silks, her graceful curves faintly visible, unabashed in revealing herself before Li Ji'an.

Especially when she leaned forward to pour tea for Li Ji'an, her collar opened, revealing stunning scenery, bright spring suddenly spilled.

"Peach Blossom Fairy, do not tease me, I merely dislike accepting undue favors," Li Ji'an sipped a mouth of spirit tea, responding with a smile.

"Fellow Daoist Li, you need not be modest. Your reputation is widespread across Immortal City. It's not just hearsay; caring for Fellow Daoist You's granddaughter as your own, dedicating yourself to her cultivation resources.

In this ruthless cultivation realm, where many turn on blood ties for resources, you, simply due to a request from Fellow Daoist You, could act so selflessly.

I've witnessed this personally," Duanmu Qin spoke earnestly.

"Haha, Peach Blossom Fairy has sheltered countless orphans, compared to you, what do I amount to?" Li Ji'an laughed, shaking his head.

Since coming into greater contact half a year ago, Li Ji'an had learned much about Duanmu Qin, realizing that many maids and servants at Spring Breeze Building, including his mansion's maids, were orphans she sheltered over decades.

For this reason, over the past six months, Li Ji'an became significantly more accepting of her.