Cultivating Immortality Begins with Rejuvenation.

Chapter 173 Encountering the True Teaching
Without the disciples from the two states mixing in, the independent cultivators outside were like chickens and dogs. After being massacred by the true disciples of several major sects, most of them retreated unwillingly.

On this day, the group of independent cultivators recruited by Li Ji'an also completed their mission and began to leave in an orderly manner.

That night, Li Ji'an followed Duanmu Qin into a mountain stream.

Li Ji'an and Gua Gua had explored this place a long time ago, but found nothing.

"Having seen the strength of many sect disciples these days, do you feel powerless?"

"Fellow Daoist Li, besides the difference in talent and spiritual roots between us and the disciples of the sects, we also lack resources. For independent cultivators like us, without a great opportunity, even for those of us who have studied the art so deeply, the foundation building stage is already the limit. Facing the disciples of the sects is still hopeless.

Now that we've come this far, there's no turning back."

In the dark mountain cave, Duanmu Qin, who had changed her appearance, further confirmed Li Ji'an's determination.

Li Ji'an said with a hint of resignation, "This matter has been discussed beforehand. If there is a major life-or-death crisis, Li's cultivation is limited, and his strength is low, so he cannot take too many risks."

"Friend Li, you can rest assured about this. Haven't you seen that the upper sect has developed the ruins? Apart from the lingering monsters that caused casualties among the sect's disciples, the ruins themselves do not have any murderous intent." Duanmu Qin laughed. Knowing his strength, he also understood his concerns and comforted him in a gentle voice.

Li Ji'an nodded. He had hinted to Xiao Changfeng before that the ruins were the remains of an ancient sect. Apart from the prohibitions and protective arrays, there were no traps or killing intent. The biggest danger was the monsters that might break in at any time.

This was also the key reason why Li Ji'an finally decided to test it with Duanmu Qin this time.

"Fellow Daoist Li, to be honest, this may be our last chance. After exploring the core ruins of the sect, we will definitely expand the area. Moreover, during this period of patrol, we also discovered that many independent cultivators proficient in formations were exploring this outer area.

If we don't get the chance this time, I'm afraid we won't have the chance anymore." Duanmu Qin then added in a more serious tone.

"Fairy Qin, even if there is a great opportunity, you still have to be alive to seize it. If you live, you will never have to worry about having no firewood. If you die for the opportunity, then everything will be over.

If something can be done, try your best to achieve it; if it cannot be done, do not force it.

You and I are still at least a hundred years away from the optimal age for Dan formation. Everything is possible, there's no need to gamble everything on one thing. "Given their close friendship over the past few months, Li Ji'an offered a heartfelt consolation.

Duanmu Qin was silent for a moment, then praised: "Friend Li Daoyou has a kind heart!"

"We've agreed beforehand that if I succeed, the Le Dao inheritance will be mine, and the rest of the opportunities will be split 50-50. I trust you, fellow Daoist, so please rest assured."

Duanmu Qin's trust in Li Ji'an, in addition to their previous love affair, lies more in his strength. Even if he has ulterior motives, she is confident that she can control him. This is one of the key reasons why she finally chose to cooperate with Li Ji'an.

Li Ji'an nodded: "That's reasonable!"

After all, the other party provided all the information about the opportunity, but Li Ji'an only provided the talisman to break the ban.

Duanmu Qin no longer hesitated and took Li Ji'an deeper into the cave again.

Half an hour later, the cave was about to reach the bottom.

Li Ji'an felt a little strange. Gua Gua had also been to this place before. There was nothing else except the abyss stone wall. Even with his spiritual sense in the late stage of foundation building, he did not find anything abnormal.

A moment later, Duanmu Qin stood in front of an ordinary stone wall, looked back at Li Ji'an, took out a ring-shaped jade pendant, and pressed it against a seemingly natural depression on the stone wall.

"And the jade pendant." Li Ji'an raised his eyebrows slightly.

It is obvious that this cave has a deep connection with the Duanmuqin.

"Hmm?" However, after the jade pendant was pressed, no unusual changes occurred.

Duanmu Qin's beautiful eyes narrowed.

"Not good! The restriction here has been broken."

"Swoosh~" Before he finished speaking, a cold light shot out from behind the stone wall.

Then the entire stone wall flashed with light and became illusory.

"It's a phantom array!" Duanmu Qin dodged while casting a magical shield. "Ding~" The cold light struck the cave wall, sending up a streak of sparks.

While Li Ji'an released the protective magic shield, he retreated violently and released Gua Gua at lightning speed.

However, the spark flashed, and a huge wave of fire suddenly erupted, instantly blocking the retreat.

It turned out that the cold light just now was not intended to attack Duanmu Qin, but to cut off their retreat.

The next moment, the shadow on the stone wall completely disappeared, and the scene inside came into view.

Behind it was a huge cave.

The cave is illuminated by a long-burning lamp, making it as bright as day.

The five people inside walked over slowly.

"Hmph! How dare you make fun of me, Fu?" The leader was none other than the true disciple of Lieyang Sect, Fu Hanxing.

He glanced at Li Ji'an and Duanmu Qin, then looked sharply at an old man beside him.

"Mr. Fu, you have misunderstood. These two are definitely not my accomplices. I really just discovered the restriction here by accident, and I only told my two disciples about it." The old man explained in horror, pointing to the two middle-aged monks beside him.

"Senior Fu, calm down. What Master said is true."

"We hid here three months ago to avoid inspections. Master accidentally sensed the forbidden magic circle here..." His two disciples explained.

"Brother Fu, Master Xie Zhen should not have lied. These two people obviously came prepared. This is the jade pendant they just placed on the stone wall." The young man guarding the stone wall, who was dressed the same as Fu Hanxing, threw Duanmu Qin's jade pendant to Fu Hanxing.

The cold light just now and the blazing fire barrier in the cave behind him were all created by him.

Fu Hanxing looked at the jade pendant, his eyes gradually narrowed, and then he looked at Duanmu Qin.

At the same time, Li Ji'an and Duanmu Qin were both staring at the five people in the cave with vigilance.

Fu Hanxing is in the middle stage of foundation building, the formation master is in the middle stage of foundation building, Fu Hanxing's junior brother is in the early stage of foundation building, and the formation master's apprentice is in the late stage of Qi training.

Duanmu Qin's face gradually showed despair, not to mention that she was facing a leader among the true disciples like Fu Hanxing, who was even one level higher than her.

That was Fu Hanxing's junior brother, who was also in the early stage of foundation building. However, the early stage of foundation building of the sect disciples was definitely not comparable to that of a casual cultivator like her.

Without the obstruction of the illusionary stone wall, Li Ji'an's spiritual consciousness penetrated into the cave and he did not find anyone else.

Facing these five people, he felt a little pressured.

"Why don't you quickly disperse and disguise yourself?" Fu Hanxing shouted coldly.

Duanmu Qin sighed secretly and revealed his true form.

Li Ji'an also removed his disguise.

Fu Hanxing stroked the jade pendant in his hand and slowly stepped forward: "This young master has met you, the masters of Jinhuang Immortal City."

Then he looked at Li Ji'an and sneered, "Brother Jiang even mentioned you specifically. Ha, you're so stupid!"

A cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Stage has a condensed consciousness and naturally has the ability to remember everything he sees. Moreover, Jiang Yunzhou even teased Li Ji'an about how he voluntarily gave up becoming a sect disciple and eventually became a casual cultivator.

"Cooperate well, and I can spare your lives!"

"Tell me about the origin of this jade pendant and how you knew about this cave?"

(End of this chapter)