Cultivating Immortality Begins with Rejuvenation.

Chapter 155 Frankness

The Biyun Sect's purpose in auctioning off the rare resources in the ruins is obvious.

Firstly, it has cost a huge amount of money to conquer the restrictions of the ruins over the years. Not to mention other things, the thousands of disciples of the sect have been in a place with mixed spiritual energy like the Daze Mountains all year round. In order to prevent their cultivation from declining, the consumption of spiritual elixirs is an astronomical figure.

In addition, now that we have recruited monks from families within the state, we must at least provide basic supplies.

Putting some resources up for auction at this time is a way to cash in and recover losses.

Secondly, as the pressure from the two northern states increased, the situation in the rear became increasingly chaotic. Under normal circumstances, they would not even need to look at the scattered cultivators in the state, but at this moment they had to be on guard.

Releasing some soup and water can slightly soothe the unbalanced psychology of the scattered cultivators in the rear.

This is consistent with Li Ji'an's initial guess.

The sect members eat meat, but it’s okay for them to drink some soup.

Coincidentally, these four Tribulation Cultivators also reminded him that he had become quite wealthy in the past year. In addition, he did not have large expenses like the other people in the Talent Zone, so anyone with a discerning eye could see that he had a considerable reserve of spirit stones.

It's time to spend some spirit stones openly.

"I wonder what kind of resources the Biyun Sect can provide this time?"

At this time, his net worth was nearly 60,000 spirit stones, and he had the support of his status. Since it was an auction held by the Biyun Sect, Li Ji'an could buy with confidence.

Moreover, he had a hunch that the resources released by the Biyun Sect this time would not be too stingy, and there might be rare resources that could not be bought with any amount of spirit stones before.

It is the end of the world.

"Fellow Daoist Li." At this moment, Duanmu Qin's voice came from outside the door.

Li Ji'an walked out of the main room and frowned slightly when he saw the figure in front of him.

Duanmu Qin was in front and Xiao Qiao was hiding behind him.

"Xiao Qiao?"

As she grows older, and with the company of Gua Gua and Huo Ling since she was six years old, Xiao Qiao's personality is no longer as timid as it was at the beginning. In the past two years, she has also had more contact with families in the talent zone. At most, she is an introverted girl and has not shown this behavior of hiding behind people for a long time.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Qiao hid even more tightly.

"Haha~ Sister Qiao, be bolder." Duanmu Qin smiled charmingly, and her body floated to one side, completely exposing Xiao Qiao behind her.

"Sister Qin." Xiao Qiao was shocked.

"..." Li Ji'an finally understood why Xiao Qiao acted like this.

Xiao Qiao, who always dressed conservatively, was now wearing a green silk gauze skirt. Under the gauze, a pair of straight and beautiful legs were faintly visible.

Especially the upper body, the swan-like white neck is completely exposed, and the place where the particularly exquisite gem necklace falls is dazzling white, with a certain ravine...

"She's really grown up already." Li Ji'an sighed secretly.

We have known each other since we were six years old and have been together for nineteen years. Before I knew it, I am already twenty-five years old.

To be honest, although he has been a human for six generations and has rich social experience, he has never raised a child and lacks experience in this area.

During these 19 years, apart from providing him with a place to live and the supplies he needed for his life and practice, he didn't spend much time on him.

"Xiao Qiao, very beautiful." Li Ji'an praised with a smile.

"Haha~ Sister Qiao, I didn't lie to you, did I? Be brave!" Duanmu Qin covered her face and chuckled, cheering her up.

Xiao Qiao was encouraged and took a deep breath: "Li... Li... Brother Li..."

"Hmm?" Li Ji'an interrupted.

Although he doesn't care about the name, he can't pretend to be confused.

He saw something was wrong with Xiao Qiao's behavior.

The girl is pregnant with spring.

And he is the closest opposite sex in Xiao Qiao's life, giving her a sense of security and companionship.

And there is no blood relationship.

The feeling behind its birth is understandable.

Of course, it is likely that it was affected by Duanmuqin and the environment.

However, he could never accept it.

Not to mention the companionship over the years, he has always regarded Xiao Qiao as a junior in his heart, and his deepest impression is her childhood appearance, so it is impossible for him to cross the bottom line.

Furthermore, although he is not averse to food and sex, if he meets a woman who is mutually attracted to him and whose ultimate goal of eternal immortality is not affected by him, he can definitely discuss the Dao with her. This can not only relieve the boring and repetitive daily practice life, but also ease his mood and embellish his own path to immortality. Even if he obtains the exquisite method of dual cultivation in the future, it can also be beneficial to his practice. However, he is definitely not a person with a weak mind who is influenced by the demon of lust.

What he wants is mutual affection, mutual appreciation, and mutual feelings.

Just like Ning Sujin.

"Uncle Li, I..." Xiao Qiao was interrupted by Li Ji'an and was suddenly panicked. She seemed to have seen through her little thoughts and her face turned red with shame.

"Yes, that's right. Uncle Li has treated you as his daughter a long time ago. Don't let your imagination run wild. As long as you don't want to leave, you can stay here forever." Li Ji'an nodded and solemnly expressed his attitude.

"Okay, Xiao Qiao understands." Xiao Qiao looked at Duanmu Qin resentfully, lowered her head and ran quickly towards the backyard.

Li Ji'an then looked at Duanmu Qin and said, "Fairy Qin, please don't teach Xiao Qiao these things from now on."

Ever since he guessed Duanmuqin's thoughts last time, Li Ji'an kept a distance from her, neither getting close to her nor offending her.

"Fellow Daoist Li, you have wronged me." Duanmu Qin smiled coquettishly.

Li Ji'an glanced at her. Xiao Qiao's dressing style was exactly like hers.

The only difference is that Duanmu Qin's figure is more charming and a lot bigger, so the same clothes make her look more seductive when she wears them.

"I only helped Sister Qiao to untie the knot in her heart. As for what's really going on in her heart, I can swear a great oath to my inner demon that I will never interfere."

Li Ji'an smiled faintly: "Then I'll trouble Fairy Qin to guide him well in the future and help him find a normal emotional direction."

"Fellow Daoist Li is truly a gentleman!" Duanmu Qin gave Li Ji'an a thumbs-up, then changed the subject: "But why do I feel that fellow Daoist is out of place in this world of cultivation?"

"What do you mean, fairy?" Li Ji'an asked in confusion.

Duanmu Qin twisted her waist and slowly stepped forward, her fingers lightly stroking Li Ji'an's chest. "The harmony of yin and yang is the foundation of the Way of Heaven, and love between men and women is human nature. Moreover, the practice of dual cultivation can also improve one's cultivation. And you, my friend, are able to settle down here and are considered a leader among the independent cultivators in the state. In this regard, you have nothing that ordinary cultivators in need can't achieve. If you wanted it, I wonder how many female cultivators would flock to you. Yet, you are able to be so self-possessed?"

While speaking, Duanmu Qin glanced down at Li Ji'an intentionally or unintentionally.

"Ha~ If I hadn't been here to help you relax your muscles and bones, and if I hadn't known you were full of energy, I would have thought otherwise."

Li Ji'an smiled casually, not caring what others thought.

"Fellow Daoist, look at the male cultivators here. Doctor Bai is over 200 years old and has many wives and concubines. A few days ago, he even took in an 18-year-old concubine. Master Zou Dan has many children and grandchildren, and he doesn't shy away from it.

Even the puppet master Gou on the opposite side, in addition to often hanging out in Chunfeng Tower, also has a lot of female puppets hidden in the backyard.

No matter how stingy Master Qian Zhen was, he still kept a few maids.

Only you, fellow Taoist..." "Before, I always thought that you had a delicate beauty like Xiao Qiao, and looked down on the fallen women outside. I never thought... fellow Taoist is actually a gentleman who keeps himself clean." Duanmu Qin's voice became more charming.

Li Ji'an narrowed his eyes slightly.

I know that Xiao Qiao was probably being used by him this time.

The purpose was very clear, it was to test him.

"Oh~ Fairy, you are too kind. There are many people here who are self-disciplined, and there are even some who are ruthless and heartless. I am just an ordinary person."

Duanmu Qin shook her head: "It's different!"

"Ordinary people who are not interested in women are mostly those with poor cultivation and lack of financial resources. Or they are the ones who are urged by their master to do so by their senior disciples. Or they are the unruly ones who have the Great Dao and look down on the practice of dual cultivation. But with someone like you who is so talented and skilled, and so free from restraint... Could it be that you have the Great Dao?"

Li Ji'an looked normal, but he was stunned in his heart.

The other party actually talked about his secret.

If I didn't possess the secret to rejuvenation and only had one life to live, I might have lived my life recklessly and did whatever I wanted, not wanting to have any regrets after death.

However, before Li Ji'an could respond, Duanmu Qin continued, "Or perhaps, fellow Daoist, a person of pure emotion, disdains false feelings, nor enjoys pleasure devoid of emotional nourishment?"

Li Ji'an breathed a sigh of relief.

Half jokingly and half seriously, he said, "Fairy, you are really good at judging people."

"Hehe~" Duanmu Qin smiled like a flower.

"Now that we've come to this, Fairy, why don't you be frank and tell me why you've taken a fancy to me? If you just want me to be your cannon fodder, then considering our friendship over the years, I'd like to advise you to give up on this idea." Li Ji'an asked directly.

Today, Li Ji'an realized that his previous speculation had deviated from the truth after being investigated by the emperor.

After all, if you just want to trick yourself into being cannon fodder, the temptation of opportunity, promises of goodwill, and sincerity are enough.

Duanmu Qin's expression froze when she heard this.

This scene was obviously not expected.

"Good! Fellow Daoist Li is indeed an open and honest gentleman." After pondering for a moment, Duanmu Qin suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.

"To be honest, I do have a great opportunity this time, but my strength is low, and it is difficult for me to succeed alone. I cannot fully trust ordinary people."

Li Ji'an shook his head slowly, clearly dissatisfied with the answer: "That's all?"

As previously speculated, in the eyes of outsiders, he is weak and has no special skills except alchemy, so he is not a good adventure partner.

"...Also, I noticed earlier that Fellow Daoist Li often uses the excuse of trading rare medicinal materials in exchange for talisman materials from those seeking pills, and...those who are in need of second-level talisman materials seem to..." Duanmu Qin slightly distanced herself, and then spoke frankly.

Li Ji'an paused for a moment and looked at Duanmu Qin with some vigilance.

There are many methods in the world of cultivation, and there are also various magical methods that Li Ji'an doesn't know about. He was not particularly surprised that Duanmu Qin found out that he was secretly trading talisman materials.

Surprisingly, he was just a casual cultivator with no grudges against anyone, but he was noticed by Duanmu Qin so early on.

"In addition to the relationship between fellow Daoist and the Jiuding Chamber of Commerce, I think fellow Daoist should be able to obtain a high-level forbidden-breaking talisman!" Duanmu Qin added.

"The fairy is quite thoughtful." Li Ji'an laughed and gave an ambiguous answer.

At the same time, the doubts in his heart were completely resolved.

Duanmu Qin's answer was reasonable.

When exploring ruins, a talisman is indeed a necessity.

However, the forbidden talisman is not only very effective against the restrictions on the ruins, but also has great destructive power against the protective magic circle, so it is a forbidden item in Cangyun State.

"Fellow Daoist, don't you want to know what the opportunity is?" Duanmu Qin waited for a moment, and seeing that Li Ji'an did not ask as expected, he asked with even more appreciation.

Li Ji'an bowed and said, "To be honest, Fairy, although I am just a casual cultivator, I am now quite wealthy due to my alchemy skills. Ordinary opportunities may not necessarily impress me."

"Haha, Brother Li is indeed rich and powerful." Duanmu Qin smiled heartily, with seductive eyes.

"What if I told you that there was a seven-colored jade tree, a bottle of Qiuli water, and a tradition of music?"

Li Ji'an's expression changed instantly.

The Seven-Colored Jade Tree is a spiritual tree that can form elixirs. When it condenses liquid magic power into solid pills, it greatly promotes the effect of condensing the pill.

Qiuli Water is a magical treasure from heaven and earth that can purify impurities in elixirs and improve the quality of elixirs.

If he had these two things in this life, he would really have hope of forming a pill.

"Are you serious, Fairy?" Li Ji'an said solemnly.

This kind of opportunity to form a pill is priceless. If there is such a possibility, Li Ji'an will take it seriously.

If the risk is within an acceptable range, he is willing to make every effort to plan it.

"Guess?" When Li Ji'an became serious, Duanmu Qin suddenly smiled with a cunning look.

"Heh~" Li Ji'an smiled casually, understanding Duanmu Qin's intention.

Clearly, trust is still not enough.

However, he is not in a hurry, nor will he get carried away.

If such an opportunity really came up, he would only be willing to make some plans and would also need to assess the risks.

Broken arms and legs, serious injuries that cut off travel, etc. are the bottom line, and if there is an uncontrollable risk of death, it will be directly rejected.

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

"Friend Li, now that we've talked about what happened today, I'd like to apologize and offer you a massage as compensation. How do you think?"

"Of course!" Li Ji'an accepted it happily.

During this period of time, he thought the other party wanted him to be cannon fodder, so he deliberately kept his distance.

But at this moment, the other party was frank and honest, and showed sincerity in cooperating.

Every massage benefited his physical cultivation, and if it weren't for the previous misunderstanding, he would have been willing to pay spiritual money in exchange for the service.

He has decided that when he has time in the future, he will ask Duanmu Qin to serve him.

After a while, Li Ji'an felt extremely comfortable on the warm jade bed. Compared with the previous two times, Duanmu Qin obviously had more things to do this time.

Moreover, because of the frankness between the two just now, they were more generous this time and there was less of a barrier between them.
-

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

It was even more grand than the one when the Qi family took over.

Moreover, this time, it is said that several fake Dan ancestors from the five major families will be present.

On this day, seven people from the core area made an appointment to go to the auction in the square together.

(End of this chapter)