Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation-Chapter 172 - 57: Candid Conversation (Part 2)

Li Ji'an smiled faintly, "Then I'll trouble Peach Blossom Fairy to guide him well in the future, so he can have a normal direction in his emotions."

"Fellow Daoist Li, you truly are a gentleman!" Duanmu Qin gave Li Ji'an a thumbs up, then shifted the topic, "But why do I feel like you are out of place in this cultivation realm?"

"What do you mean by that, Fairy?" Li Ji'an asked in confusion.

Duanmu Qin swayed her waist as she slowly approached, her fingers lightly tracing Li Ji'an's chest, "The union of Yin and Yang, the foundation of the Celestial Dao, the pleasures between men and women are natural. Moreover, dual cultivation techniques can enhance cultivation, and you, Fellow Daoist, living so leisurely here, are regarded as the elite among loose cultivators in the state. In this respect, you don't have the same frustrations as ordinary struggling cultivators. Many female cultivators would flock to you if you wished, yet you restrain yourself so?"

As she spoke, Duanmu Qin intentionally or unintentionally glanced downward at Li Ji'an.

"Ha~ If not for me knowing that you are vigorous and lively from our massages, I might have thought otherwise." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Li Ji'an laughed carefreely, indifferent to what others might think.

"Look at the male cultivators around here: Doctor Bai, over 200 years old, with many wives and concubines; just a few days ago, he took an 18-year-old concubine. Alchemist Zou has a wealth of descendants, not shy about it at all.

Even that Gou Puppet Master opposite, besides frequenting the Spring Breeze Building, hides many female puppets in his backyard.

Master Qian, however stingy, still keeps a few maids.

But as for you..."

"I always thought you had a tender beauty like Xiaoqiao around, indifferent to the withered flowers outside, but it turns out... you truly are a gentleman, maintaining your integrity," Duanmu Qin's voice grew more seductive.

Li Ji'an narrowed his eyes slightly.

He knew that Xiaoqiao had likely been used by her.

The purpose was clear: to test him.

"Ha~ The fairy praises me too much, there are quite a few here who maintain their integrity, even those of great detachment and isolation. I am but an ordinary person," Li replied.

Duanmu Qin shook her head, "Not the same!"

"Ordinarily, those who avoid women are either lacking in cultivation, financially lacking, or disciples of sects under supervision, or they hold the great Dao, looking down on dual cultivation techniques with arrogance. But someone like you, with such skills and freedom... could it be you hold the great Dao?"

Li Ji'an's expression remained unchanged, but his heart paused.

She really hit upon his secret.

If he hadn't possessed the great Dao of Rejuvenation, with only one life to live, perhaps he really would be carefree, living with no regrets.

However, before Li Ji'an could respond, Duanmu Qin continued, "Or perhaps, you're someone who values true emotions, disdainful of false pretenses, and uninterested in joy without emotional nourishment?"

Li Ji'an exhaled deeply.

Half-jokingly, he said, "The fairy knows people well."

"Hehehe~" Duanmu Qin's smile was as sweet as a flower.

"Since we've come to this, why doesn't the fairy be open about why you fancy me? If it's just to use me as cannon fodder, for the sake of our acquaintance over the years, I advise you to give up that thought," Li Ji'an directly asked.

Realizing her investigation on him today made Li Ji'an reassess his previous speculation.

After all, if it was just to lure him as cannon fodder, then temptation by opportunity, painting favorable scenarios along with sincerity, would be enough.

Duanmu Qin's expression froze for a moment upon hearing this.

It was clear she hadn't anticipated this turn of events.

"Well! Fellow Daoist Li is indeed an upright man." After a moment of reflection, Duanmu Qin suddenly let out a sigh of relief.

"To be honest, I do have a great opportunity this time, but my strength is weak, and I can't succeed alone, and I can't fully trust ordinary people either."

Li Ji'an slowly shook his head, clearly dissatisfied with the answer, "Is that all?"

It's the same as his previous speculation, in the eyes of others, his strength is low, apart from alchemy, he has no skills and is not a suitable adventure partner.

"…Also, I've noticed early on that Fellow Daoist Li often uses trading rare herbs as an excuse to exchange for talisman materials from alchemy seekers, and... those who need Second Tier talisman materials seem..." Duanmu Qin took a slight step back, then continued honestly.

Li Ji'an paused instantly, looking at Duanmu Qin with some vigilance.

The cultivation realm has many means, and there are many wonders Li Ji'an hasn't yet known. He wasn't particularly surprised that Duanmu Qin discovered his covert trading of talisman materials.

What surprised him was that he, merely a loose cultivator with no grievances against others, had been under Duanmu Qin's watch from the outset.

"Plus, with your connection to the Nine Tripods Commerce Association, I think you should be able to obtain high-tier Breaking Ban Talismans!" Duanmu Qin added.

"The fairy is indeed perceptive." Li Ji'an chuckled, replied ambiguously.

At the same time, the doubts in his heart completely unraveled.

Duanmu Qin's answer made sense.

For ruin exploration, the Breaking Ban Talisman is indeed essential.

But also because the Breaking Ban Talisman is not only extremely useful for restrictions in ruins, but also has a great destructive power against protective arrays, making it a prohibited item in Cangyun State.

"Don't you want to know what kind of opportunity it is?" Duanmu Qin waited for a moment, seeing Li Ji'an not asking as expected, she asked with more admiration.

Li Ji'an clasped his hands, "To be honest with the fairy, although I am a mere loose cultivator, I am now quite wealthy due to my alchemy skills. Ordinary opportunities may not be able to move me."

"Hehehe, Fellow Daoist Li really is wealthy and powerful." Duanmu Qin laughed brightly, her eyes charming.

"Then if I tell you, there's a Seven-Colored Jade Tree, a bottle of Qiuli Water, and a legacy of the Music Path?"

Li Ji'an's expression changed instantly.

The Seven-Colored Jade Tree is a Core Formation Spirit Tree, greatly promoting the solidification of liquid magical power into a solid-state pill.

Qiuli Water purifies the impurities of Core Formation, enhancing the quality of the Core Formation as a Heaven and Earth Spirit Treasure.

If he had these two items in his life, he truly would have hope for Core Formation.

"Is the fairy serious?" Li Ji'an's face turned serious.

This is an opportunity for Core Formation, worth more than gold. If there's a true possibility, Li Ji'an would treat it seriously.

If the risk is within an acceptable range, he is willing to plan meticulously.

"You guess?" When Li Ji'an got serious, Duanmu Qin suddenly smiled, revealing a sly look.

"Ha~" Li Ji'an laughed freely, understanding Duanmu Qin's intention.

Evidently, the trust level is still not enough.

But he's not rushing, and he won't lose his head over it.

If such an opportunity truly exists, he is only willing to plan, and needs to assess the risk.

Breaking limbs, severe injuries severing his path, those are his limits. If there's an uncontrollable risk of death, he'd outright refuse.

And in the current situation, she's the one who should be anxious.

"Fellow Daoist Li, since today's matter is opened up, to express my apology, I'm willing to offer a session of massage as compensation, how about it?"

"I have no objections!" Li Ji'an gladly accepted.

Until now, he thought she wanted him as cannon fodder, so he deliberately kept a distance.

But now, she's open about it, showing a willingness to cooperate.

Each massage benefitted his body cultivation and if not for previous misunderstandings, he would have been willing to pay spiritual talent for the service.

He had already decided, when he has time, to have Duanmu Qin provide him such services.

Before long, Li Ji'an felt immensely comfortable on the Warm Jade Bed, compared to the previous two times, Duanmu Qin clearly added more items this time.

Additionally, because of their recent openness, both were more relaxed, with less of a barrier.

----------

A month later, the auction hosted by the Biyun Sect commenced as scheduled.

It was grander than the one hosted by the Qi Family back then.

Moreover, it was said that several Fake Pill Ancestors from the Five Great Clans would attend this time.

On this day, seven people from the core area gathered to attend the auction at the square together.