Cultivating Immortality Begins with Rejuvenation.

Chapter 149: Opportunity to form a pill
Doctor Bai's residence.

"Fellow Daoist Hua, how could you be so ignorant of the seriousness of the matter? You actually dared to snatch food from a tiger's mouth."

Several second-level masters of skills in the core area gathered in Doctor Bai's mansion, looking at Hua Hongling who was lying on the cold jade bed and receiving treatment.

"Hmph! I just wanted to see if there is any ancient recipe for changing one's body shape. Besides, we haven't even entered the restricted area. What's more, the ancient ruins don't belong to the Biyun Sect!" Hua Hongling spat out blood and became more and more angry the more she thought about it.

"Don't be angry!" Doctor Bai quickly held her down.

"Be careful with your words, be careful with your words." The puppet sent by Master Gou Gui hurriedly reminded.

"The Biyun Sect spent decades, even selling off the century-old management rights of the Immortal City. They finally gained this, and they will definitely not let anyone else get their hands on it."

"I heard that the Daze Mountains are now almost completely blocked by the sects. Some wandering cultivators who passed by were left dead in the wilderness before they could even figure out the situation. Even a passing dog would be hit a few times. Fellow Daoist Hua was only slightly injured. He is considered lucky."

"Yes, the supply to several chambers of commerce has been cut off, and now no one is allowed to enter or leave that area."

"Hey, the sect in your state is a bit too overbearing."

……

Li Ji'an sat in the corner, listening to everyone's complaints without saying a word.

Ever since the news of Biyun Sect’s bountiful harvest in the ruins of Daze Mountain Range was revealed three months ago, many people have been getting restless.

At first, the Biyun Sect only issued a warning, but now they are no longer wasting time and will attack anyone who comes close.

This is consistent with Li Ji'an's understanding of the sects and social structure of this world over the years.

Especially in Cangyun Province.

There is only one dominant sect, which occupies the best and only spiritual vein temple in the state, and also controls the Daze Mountain Passage, the only natural barrier between Cangyun State and other states, forming a region of its own.

In this kind of cultivation world, the upward path is almost blocked. Even the five major families and the numerous foundation-building families have no possibility of resistance.

The Biyun Sect truly deserves the title of Heaven!
As for the independent cultivators in the state, they are nothing more than cattle and horses led by an illusory hope.

The few people in Bai Mansion at the moment are definitely considered to be the top independent cultivators in Cangyun Province.

But that's all.

As the saying goes, there are no masters among casual practitioners.

These second-level masters in the Immortal City are like gods in the eyes of other families and independent cultivators, but in the eyes of the Biyun Sect, they are nothing. The real masters are in the sect.

Those who have reached the pinnacle of their cultivation, especially the Jindan cultivators in the Biyun Sect, who have no hope of going any further, but have plenty of time, a foundation of cultivation, and sufficient resources, are most likely to become masters.

Like ordinary casual cultivators, they have to maintain their practice and worry about their livelihood. Their energy is limited. Except for a few gifted individuals, it is difficult for them to be noticed by the sect.

Moreover, those who are truly gifted have already entered the sect.

In fact, if the Biyun Sect had not devoted all its efforts to the ruins in recent years, Li Ji'an's talent, which was shown when he refined the top-grade elixir, should have allowed him to join the sect and become a senior alchemist at Danding Peak.

Of course, this is only the situation in special areas like Cangyun Prefecture and is not applicable everywhere.

At least according to Hua Hongling and another second-level musician from other states, there is Tianyuan State, which is separated by a mountain from the Daze Mountains, and Daoyuan State. There are many sects and the area is even more vast. The sects cannot be unified, so there are more opportunities for independent cultivators.

As for the Wanshang cultivation area in Tong Yaoyao's ancestral land that Zhao Shuyao mentioned, because there are no sects, but only many business alliances, there is more room and hope for the survival of independent cultivators.

However, each form of cultivation domain has its advantages and disadvantages.

Cangyun Prefecture is at least safe, and it can even be said to be the safest area.

For Li Ji'an, he would rather stay here.

"Master Li Dan, you almost joined the Biyun Sect. What do you think about this?" The musician from Daoyuanzhou suddenly looked at Li Ji'an.

He smiled and shook his head at the musician with a graceful figure and a voice that was elegant yet tinged with seduction, wearing a veil on her face: "Fairy Duanmu is too kind. I am just an eliminated loser and I dare not pursue you."

Back then, refusing to join the sect would only mean being eliminated. The sect's reputation was very important, and no one knew the real reason except those who took the trial with you.

"The higher sect naturally has its own considerations, so it's better not to make any rash comments."

Venting your emotions will not change anything, but may lead to trouble.

In the end, the few of them just expressed their concern for Hua Hongling and left.

The eight of them are recognized as the top independent technicians in Xiancheng. They all live in the core area, and over time they have gradually formed a small circle that sticks together for warmth.

After all, they are all helpless independent cultivators, and they need each other.

"Master Li Dan, please stay." After leaving Bai's house, Duanmu Qin called Li Ji'an.

"What else does Fairy Duanmu want?"

Duanmu Qin took light lotus steps, her steps light and graceful, twisting her waist as she stepped forward, smiling: "Does Master Li Dan have any prejudice against me?"

"Why do you say that, Fairy Duanmu?" Li Ji'an asked with a smile.

"Master Li Dan has lived here for five years. He has socialized with the other six people in their residences, but Fellow Daoist Li only visited my residence once, sending an invitation that year." Duanmu Qin seemed to be resentful.

Li Ji'an smiled brightly, "Fairy Duanmu has misunderstood. I went to other Taoist friends only to trade for things I needed for cultivation. Fairy Duanmu is good at playing the flute and the zither, but I am a rough man and cannot pretend to be so elegant."

Duanmu Qin is the only second-level musician in Xiancheng, and it is said that he even has shares in Chunfeng Tower.

Using music to enter the Tao is good at cleansing the soul, soothing inner demons, and has a very good therapeutic effect on the state of mind.

However, Li Ji'an was mentally strong and had no such need.

"It seems that Master Li Dan still has some misunderstanding about me. Why don't you come with me into the mansion and have a chat so that Master Li Dan will know that I can do more than just play the piano and the flute." Duanmu Qin invited.

Li Ji'an raised his eyebrows slightly, still smiling at the charming female cultivator in front of him, but his heart was full of vigilance.

The casual cultivators who are able to build a foundation here are by no means ordinary people.

And the beautiful female cultivator who can build a foundation is even better!

It can't be because I'm the youngest and most handsome one in this talent zone, right?

"Hahaha, please forgive me for making fun of you, Fairy. I've been short of money lately, but I'm in a hurry to go back and make pills. I'm ashamed, ashamed." Li Ji'an laughed at himself.

Duanmu Qin also smiled slightly with her cherry lips half covered by her veil.

"Master Li Dan really underestimates me. Since he invited you into his mansion, why would he accept your spiritual resources? Could it be that... Master Li Dan is worried about my mansion? Then why don't I follow Master Li Dan into your mansion?"

"Please come in, fairy." Li Ji'an didn't care about face and invited her into the mansion, which happened to be diagonally opposite.

Duanmu Qin was obviously stunned for a moment, then she laughed and shook her head, then followed Li Ji'an.

Li Ji'an brought Duanmuqin to the living room and ordered the puppet gifted by Master Gou Gui to pour tea for her. "Fairy, if you have something to say, please speak up."

"Master Li Dan hasn't gotten to know me yet, so I'm embarrassed to speak." Duanmu Qin shook her head and chuckled.

"Oh?" Li Ji'an was stunned. Could he be wrong?

"Then how do I get to know the fairy again?"

Duanmu Qin smiled charmingly: "Can we go into the bedroom and talk?"

"Of course." Li Ji'an became interested and wanted to see what the intentions of this female foundation-building cultivator were.
After bringing Duanmuqin into the bedroom, Li Ji'an turned around and looked at her.

Duanmu Qin no longer kept people in suspense. With a wave of her hand, something flew out of her storage bag.

This object grows when it is blown by the wind, and when it falls to the ground it has become a piece of warm jade that is large enough for three people to lie down on, emitting heat.

"Warm Jade Bed?"

"Master Li Dan, please lie down. I am about to perform my ugly act." Duanmu Qin extended her hands in invitation.

"In addition to playing the zither and the flute, I am also an expert at massaging tendons and bones. Please feel me, Master Li Dan."

Li Ji'an suddenly laughed. She didn't expect that a female cultivator who had reached the foundation-building stage would resort to such a trick.

"Okay, then I, Li, will be a god in heaven today!" With a casual smile, Li Ji'an released all his strong energy and blood, and lay on his back on the warm jade bed.

Duanmu Qin summoned a little more of his magic power, and the entire bedroom was instantly filled with spiritual mist.

Then he took out a jade flute and placed it aside.

The jade flute has no one playing it, yet it emits melodious and graceful sounds.

In an instant, the air was filled with fairy air and fairy music, as if it were a fairyland.

Li Ji'an was among them and lamented that only these entertainment monks could enjoy themselves.

Especially when a pair of slender hands with warm magic power slowly applied pressure on his body, the feeling that had been lost for many years came back.

……

An hour later, Li Ji'an stood up with satisfaction.

In my previous life in the wilderness, I heard that in addition to the dual cultivation method, there were two other cultivation methods in the cultivation world: music cleansing and muscle and bone relaxation.

He had experienced music practice before, and it was mainly based on the mind, so it didn't have much effect on him.

This is the first time I have used the muscle and cartilage relaxation technique.

This technique has a very good soothing effect on the physical body and was once a favorite of physical practitioners.

However, as physical cultivation gradually weakened and became rare in the world, this technique gradually disappeared into the dust of history.

With Li Ji'an's current physical physique of a second-level physical cultivator, even the ordinary Qi training techniques are of little use to him. Only the techniques of a foundation-building cultivator like Duanmu Qin are suitable for him.

"Thank you, fairy!" Li Ji'an thanked with a smile.

This time I really got to know him again.

"Haha~ As long as Master Li Dan likes it, I'm always at your service." Duanmu Qin was not at an easy task this time, as it consumed a lot of her magic power.

"Okay, Li has gotten to know the fairy again. Fairy, can you speak frankly now?" Li Ji'an slightly restrained his smile.

Duanmu Qin sat down on the warm jade bed in front of Li Ji'an, leaning back slightly to reveal her white neck, her eyes slightly filled with resentment: "Master Li Dan is in this state. Could it be that if I say something wrong, I will be kicked out?"

"The fairy was joking."

"Master Li Dan, let me be frank. Of the eight of us here, only you, me, and Fellow Daoist Hua have a slight chance of forming a pill. The others are past their prime age and lack the potential.

Fellow Daoist Hua is more than brave but lacks foresight. After much thought, I think only Master Li Dan is worth considering.

But this is only a small hope.

As casual cultivators like you and I, without opportunity, there is absolutely no hope.

Now, the opportunity is right before our eyes. If we fail to seize it, we may be punished by heaven." Duanmu Qin said solemnly.

"..."

Li Ji'an's expression remained unchanged, but he had figured out some things in his mind.

No wonder Hua Hongling was beaten by the sect disciples.

I'm afraid he was bewitched by this woman.

He was just a pawn to test the sect's attitude.

Ever since the news of Biyun Sect’s gains began to surface three months ago, the people who were most excited, the most jealous, and the most unable to contain themselves were foundation-building cultivators like Duanmu Qin, who had not yet lost hope of forming a pill.

To form a pill, you need a spiritual object to form the pill. The more spiritual objects you have, the greater the chance of success. Even the quality of the pill will be improved.

Most of the spiritual objects that can form elixirs are treasures from heaven and earth. They were very abundant in ancient times, but are extremely rare nowadays.

This time, the Biyun Sect obtained a large number of second-level and even third-level items in the ruins. The most important thing was the medicinal fields and the surviving medicinal herbs.

This means that this relic is different from most of the ones excavated before. It is nourished by spiritual energy, and living plants from ancient times are preserved, and the spiritual treasures of heaven and earth must also be preserved.

"Fellow Daoist Li, the path to immortality is about struggle. If you don't fight this time, I'm afraid you will never have another chance in this life!" Seeing that Li Ji'an remained silent, Duanmu Qin hurriedly tried to persuade him again.

Li Ji'an smiled, knowing that what he said was true.

After all, she spent so much effort just to make Li Ji'an believe her sincerity.

"What the fairy said is true, but how can we, a mere casual cultivator, compete with the powerful sects? What's more, it is still unknown whether there are any treasures of heaven and earth in it." Li Ji'an shook his head and did not refuse directly, otherwise it would be too fake.

There must be something wrong with a casual foundation-building cultivator who remains unmoved by the spiritual treasures of heaven and earth!

"Friend Li, don't worry. I guarantee it's inside!" Duanmu Qin said confidently.

Li Ji'an looked at her with interest, thinking that this woman might know some information that he didn't.

"Fellow Daoist Li, please don't forget my advantages. I have a wide circle of friends and there are many distinguished guests in the sect." Duanmu Qin saw that Li Ji'an was confused and took the initiative to explain.

After feigning silence for a moment, Li Ji'an directly refused this time, "Never mind. My cultivation is shallow and my strength is low. I dare not dream of such a great opportunity. Today, I am only discussing the great Dao with the fairy. There is no other communication. Fairy, please return!"

(End of this chapter)