Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation-Chapter 180 - 65: A Significant Gap

The matters of adults do not really need much explanation.

Li Ji'an smiled as he invited Yan Qingwan into the mansion.

"Fan'Er, this is what I owed you before." As soon as they entered the main hall and before they had even taken a seat, Yan Qingwan handed over a storage pouch.

Li Ji'an did not decline. In the last communication, Yan Qingwan had already informed him that due to the Zheng Family seeking peace and compensating significantly, along with taking over the Wei Family's assets, the Yan Family's wealth had multiplied several times compared to before the turmoil.

It matches the gains of the victor.

Upon inspection, a full six thousand spirit stones!

This is twenty percent above the auction price.

At least thirty percent higher than the premium for hiring a Pill Master to refine it.

However, this is only in terms of market price, and considering the restrictions within Cangyun State on Foundation Establishment Pills, it's not expensive at all.

Moreover, it's safer and saves the cost of renting a cave mansion in the Immortal City.

After all, at that time, the desert was in turmoil, and it was nearly impossible for any family to safely obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill.

"Aunt thanks you on behalf of the Yan Family." Seeing Li Ji'an accept the spirit stones, Yan Qingwan let out a sigh of relief, a smile blossoming on her face as she gave Li Ji'an a solemn bow.

"The Yan Family has been kind to my father, providing me with shelter and upbringing; my father taught me from a young age to be grateful and repay kindness." Li Ji'an gently supported her, not accepting the bow comfortably.

Yan Qingwan's eyes held even more laughter, but they also sparked a hint of reminiscence: "Fan'Er, your father..."

"To be honest, my father was already not doing well back then, and now he has long since passed." Li Ji'an sighed.

"How could it be so?" Yan Qingwan's expression changed immediately.

Li Ji'an recited the reason he had long prepared: "The reason my father sent me to the Yan Family back then was because he was injured and knew his time was short, but he didn't let me tell you."

"How did he get injured? Who hurt him?" A fierce light flashed in Yan Qingwan's eyes.

Li Ji'an clearly felt the change in her emotions, and for a moment, he was slightly lost in thought.

He had not expected Yan Qingwan to have such deep feelings for him.

"Well... I was too young at the time to know."

Yan Qingwan collected herself, taking a deep breath before slowly sitting down.

"Sigh." A long time later, she let out a deep sigh.

Li Ji'an then guided the conversation to other topics.

He inquired about the current sect recruitment matter.

"This time, Aunt brought ten late-stage Qi Cultivators, and thirty middle-stage Qi Cultivators, fulfilling the sect's requirements." Yan Qingwan also revealed details of the recruitment that were not known to outsiders.

Sects have requirements for families within the state.

Li Ji'an also disclosed the true situation that was not reported in the Imperial Gazette, and offered a word of caution: "The forces in the Outer States are not insignificant. When dealing with the sect, ensure safety while avoiding confrontation with the forces from the Outer States."

"Don't worry, Fan'Er. Aunt is well aware. The family has established itself in the desert for hundreds of years and has been summoned by the sect before, so we have experience in this regard. The members who came this time are all quite savvy." Yan Qingwan replied.

"That's good!" Li Ji'an nodded.

Subsequently, Yan Qingwan showed concern about his life of cultivation over the years, even though the previous communication from Li Ji'an was brief and succinct.

However, today after finding out where Li Ji'an resided, especially having entered this core area of talented individuals in the Immortal City, she realized his previous communications were not simply avoiding negativity but were overly modest.

This is not just a peaceful cultivation; it is practically a luxurious, enjoyable cultivation!

Not to mention other things, just the luxurious mansion built on a second-tier middle-grade spirit vein here is far superior to the Yan Family's ancestral core Dao Field.

Moreover, outside the core area, the Immortal City garrison maintains security, truly allowing one to focus wholeheartedly on cultivation.

"I have to thank Aunt for imparting the alchemy inheritance, as well as friends who helped me here, especially Alchemist Zou, who often guided me. I was fortunate to encounter the change of ownership of the Immortal City, otherwise, it wouldn't have been possible." Li Ji'an modestly said.

"You are just like your father." Yan Qingwan looked at Li Ji'an with satisfaction.

After chatting for a while, Yan Qingwan asked if she could see Li Ji'an's alchemy room.

At this moment, Duanmu Qin came out fully dressed.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist." Duanmu Qin saluted gracefully.

"Peach Blossom Fairy, this is my aunt. Aunt, this is Peach Blossom Fairy." Li Ji'an introduced them to each other.

Upon seeing Yan Qingwan for the first time, Duanmu Qin felt a bit different, secretly admiring her as a gentle and graceful female cultivator, someone who clearly has come from a good family, grown up under the protection of elders, and is a proper lady.

Compared to her, a loose cultivator with no support relying only on herself, being sought after by male cultivators of status and position is what makes her stand out.

When Duanmu Qin secretly investigated Li Ji'an before, she only knew that he grew up at the Yan Family in the desert, receiving care from this aunt. Today she realized how extraordinarily beautiful his aunt actually is.

For a moment, she wondered how Li Ji'an could keep such a straight face regarding women, perhaps due to frequently interacting with such beauties in his childhood.

After all, having grown accustomed to such beauties from a young age, how could ordinary-looking female cultivators catch his eye?

Yan Qingwan also secretly admired Duanmu Qin's dazzling beauty, not needing to look at her face, just her alluring figure was enough; beautiful is beautiful, presented boldly and openly.

She thought to herself that if she were a male cultivator, she would also prefer to be a Dao partner with such a straightforward female cultivator.

"Fan'Er indeed has good fortune."

"Peach Blossom Fairy is too kind. I came in haste this time and forgot to prepare a gift beforehand. Please accept this Cold Marrow as my aunt's meeting gift, and I hope you won't find it lacking."

Yan Qingwan's gifting of a present as an elder gave Duanmu Qin a warm feeling, a recognition of identity.

But... she glanced at Li Ji'an, and in the end, shook her head helplessly: "Fairy Yan, you misunderstand. I am just a fellow Daoist with Fellow Daoist Li... this gift is too much to accept."

Yan Qingwan was momentarily stunned and also looked at Li Ji'an.

She was born in the Desert, where customs and practices differ somewhat. Coupled with her upbringing in the clan, she was more conservative about the matter of Dao companions.

Those who could engage in Dual Cultivation, even if not Dao companions, had to be concubines.

Relationships like Duanmu Qin's and Li Ji'an's were rare in the Desert.

Li Ji'an nodded to her, agreeing with what Duanmu Qin had said.

"Peach Blossom Fairy, please forgive me. I misunderstood," Yan Qingwan apologized somewhat regretfully with a chuckle, "I just said, how could Fan'Er have such good fortune to marry a Dao companion as celestial as the Peach Blossom Fairy."

Duanmu Qin glanced at Li Ji'an and smiled, "Haha~ Fairy Yan, your words make me feel unworthy. Fellow Daoist Li's status and position in the Immortal City are beyond my reach.

Before, I was puzzled, but after seeing Fairy Yan's graceful presence today, I understand."

"Peach Blossom Fairy, you are too modest..."

"Fairy Yan, you flatter me too much..."

The two women exchanged pleasantries, full of mutual praise.

Li Ji'an nodded silently. As in the secular world, the more beautiful the women, the more they appreciate and praise each other. In contrast, those with less favorable conditions tend to compare and envy each other.

A moment later, Duanmu Qin reluctantly took her leave.

Li Ji'an took Yan Qingwan to the backyard.

As they approached, Xiaoqiao, who was practicing hard on her qin, came forward from afar.

"Xiaoqiao, come and greet your grandaunt." Li Ji'an introduced them.

"Xiaoqiao greets grandaunt," Xiaoqiao greeted respectfully.

Yan Qingwan was accustomed to such titles, as she was constantly called ancestor within the clan.

Knowing Xiaoqiao's identity, Yan Qingwan also inquired warmly and gave her a greeting gift.

When they reached the Alchemy Room and saw the arrangements inside, Yan Qingwan marveled silently.

A Second Tier high-level Spirit-Gathering Array, Spirit-Summoning Array, Soul-Nourishing Array... it was the highest-grade alchemy room configuration she had ever seen.

Seeing Li Ji'an's Upper Grade Second Tier Pill Furnace and several rare herbs, especially the primary herb for the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Breaking Rank Pill, she felt utterly inferior. If Li Ji'an had stayed with the Yan Family, it would indeed have held him back.

Internally, she sighed, reflecting that the Yan Family had accumulated several generations of hard work and sacrifice to establish a family envied by countless Loose Cultivators in the Desert.

Yet, Li Ji'an and his son, in merely two generations, had achieved such accomplishments, truly envying others.

Originally planning to experience alchemy in such a room, a Communication Talisman brought news.

"Fan'Er, the sect is gathering the Desert families. I must go first; I'll come back to see you later."

Li Ji'an escorted her all the way to the entrance of the core area, introducing Hua Hongling and others along the way.

Even after leaving the entrance, Yan Qingwan remained in a daze. Li Ji'an's residence, especially his alchemy room, had already deeply impressed her.

Yet, just earlier, those renowned masters of the Immortal City were so kind and respectful to him.

Among them, the Flower Vase Master and Master Qian, as well as Doctor Bai, were renowned even in the Desert.

Before the chaos in the Desert, a Foundation Establishment Ancestor of the Wei Family had spent considerable effort seeking a Lifebound Magical Artifact from the Flower Vase Master.

And it was said, while the Flower Vase Master had a bad temper and an uncooperative attitude, the magical artifacts crafted by them were highly praised.

Master Qian had been specially invited by the Li Family to the Desert to set up the Clan Protection Array, and Yan Qingwan, in her youth, had seen their lofty demeanor from afar.

Yet, moments ago, both had greeted her with utmost kindness.

"I underestimated Fan'Er's status and position in the Immortal City!" Only upon returning to the assembly area of the four families in the Desert did Yan Qingwan sigh with a trace of happy realization on her face.

"Fellow Daoist Yan, a high-ranking visitor from the Upper Sect came by while you were away. In your absence, I had to bite the bullet and receive them. I humbly ask for your understanding." Zheng Mosheng, the current pillar of the Zheng Family, welcomed her with a smile.

Since seeking peace, the Zheng Family had aligned themselves entirely with the Yan Family.

Yan Qingwan understood their intention, which was merely flattery with a hidden agenda.

However, in the current Desert situation, where the Yan Family had three Foundation Establishment Ancestors and occupied three Spirit Vein Dao Fields, they had no choice but to take the lead.

Thus, Yan Qingwan was the nominal leader for this Desert mission.

The Zheng Family, Zhou Family, and Xu Family all deferred to Yan Qingwan.

The Zheng Family was somewhat better. At least they had a Foundation Establishment cultivator guarding the family. But for the Zhou and Xu Families, all their Foundation Establishment Ancestors had come, leaving their clans vulnerable if they displeased the Yan Family.

"What did the Upper Sect command?" Yan Qingwan inquired calmly.

Zheng Mosheng glanced at the two ancestors from the Zhou and Xu Families before replying, "The Upper Sect stated that resources are insufficient this time. Apart from basic supplies, we need to prepare our own materials. We have three days to get ready before heading to the Great Marsh Mountains."

"Prepare our own materials?" Yan Qingwan furrowed her brows slightly.

About to instruct the clan members to purchase supplies, several people hurried in from outside the courtyard.

"Ancestor, the Immortal City's pills are in short supply. We barely managed to gather these by running around all the Pill Shops," said the purchasing delegates from the other three families.

"Oh dear, Fellow Daoist Yan, you'd better hurry. Without sufficient pill supplies, your clan might easily fall from their realm in such chaotic Spiritual Qi areas," urged Zheng Mosheng and the three others, upon seeing their clan members had procured some materials.

"..." Yan Qingwan's face darkened. They seemed to have deliberately manipulated the timing, suggesting that, perhaps, normal-priced pills were truly unavailable in the Pill Shops outside.

"Yan Qing, come with me to the Inner City!" She decided to seek out Li Ji'an.