Chapter 653 - 55: Lured Out of the City

Looking at the elderly man with white hair in front of him, Master Chunyuan was indecisive.

With his late Core Formation divine sense, he clearly sensed the other party’s disguise technique, yet he couldn’t see through it, indicating that the other’s divine sense was comparable to his.

"Late Core Formation?"

Originally, after traveling northward from the Celestial Cyan Domain to the Yellow Heaven Domain, they discovered through the merchant intelligence of Tong Shangren that a True Man had arrived at Funiu Mountain, who was also a Talisman Master.

This inevitably made them think of the time in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain when the young Huang Jie had temporarily resided in the Si Shui Commerce Association as a Talisman Master.

Therefore, they had high hopes for this "Longevity True Man."

However, at this moment, he couldn’t help but feel somewhat shaken.

"No, that young Huang Jie must have had some exotic treasure to be able to conceal his true nature from my late Core Formation divine sense in the Foundation Establishment Realm. Perhaps disguising himself as an Ascendant is also not difficult."

In just an instant, Master Chunyuan’s heart steadied.

At the same time, the bronze mirror in his storage ring grew restless.

This Treasure Mirror was a gift from that important person and could reflect the true state within a Dantian, revealing everything.

Whether it’s real magical cultivation or the lifebound magical treasure within the Dantian, everything is laid bare.

However, in the end, Master Chunyuan restrained this impulse.

Currently, in Funiu Mountain, he alone did not have the confidence to challenge Funiu Ascendant.

If he accidentally leaked that person’s major affairs, it wasn’t just about whether he could obtain the long-desired reward; it could very well bring about his death.

So the most prudent approach was to take action outside Funiu Mountain.

Having set a target, he had to remain patient.

"I am Shanyuan, best at forming good ties with others. It’s truly a fortunate event to encounter your close one advancing on the Immortal Path upon arriving here. In the future, young friend, should you need anything from the Dao of Alchemy, feel free to seek me out." Master Chunyuan wore a kindly and approachable expression.

"Thank you, Master Shanyuan." Li Ji’an cupped his hands in salute.

"Haha, Daoist Changqing, this is a great opportunity. The senior Shanyuan has come to form ties with you at first meeting. You must seize it." Qu Tianyang, watching with envy, chimed in, trying his best to ingratiate himself with Master Shanyuan.

The old Pill Master of Funiu Mountain had little lifespan left. To smoothly advance on the Dao Path and later ascend to the Realm of the Ascendant, he couldn’t do without the assistance of a high-tier Pill Master.

Moreover, when Funiu Ascendant eventually reaches the end of his lifespan, if he is to fully take over Funiu Mountain, he must bind a high-tier Pill Master to it.

"Thank you, Lord Qu." Li Ji’an smiled and expressed his gratitude to Qu Tianyang.

On their first meeting, Master Chunyuan didn’t rush but instead first got acquainted, then bid farewell to Qu Tianyang and left.

"Old man, since this person has already tracked us here, why not plan to eliminate him and remove the threat once and for all?" Ning Sujin suggested after stabilizing her realm.

With the might of her Primordial Spirit combined with the explosive potential of the Invisibility Puppet, she didn’t consider Master Chunyuan a threat.

Li Ji’an, however, gently shook his head and somewhat seriously admonished, "There are always higher and taller mountains; the cultivation realm never lacks miracles, especially when the other party is a Core Formation Ascendant.

The root of this tribulation isn’t Master Chunyuan. Killing him will not end it.

Moreover, although Master Chunyuan isn’t the strongest in the Realm of the Ascendant, the fragmented memories from the True Monarch of Ten Thousand Laws suggest that he possesses many survival strategies."

Li Ji’an, though unintimidated by Master Chunyuan, knew it was impossible to effortlessly kill him.

Faced with a late Core Formation Ascendant at his early Golden Core stage, even if he used all his means, he couldn’t guarantee success.

The incident with the Blood Spirit Saintess was entirely due to the bloodline suppression of dragon blood over phoenix blood, coupled with the Blood Spirit Saintess’ overreliance on phoenix blood.

Otherwise, facing the Blood Spirit Saintess, even with Ning Sujin’s fullest efforts and all cards exposed, the most he could do was flee.

Ning Sujin frowned slightly, instinctively wanting to retort, but upon noticing Li Ji’an’s serious expression, she immediately put away her playful thoughts.

"Mm, I’ve got it."

Li Ji’an smiled and nodded.

Complacency and impulsiveness are grave taboos in the cultivation realm.

"When I achieve mid-stage Golden Core and can activate Upper Three Grades magical treasures, I’ll have a higher chance of success."

In the following days, Li Ji’an continued his steady cultivation.

During this time, he repeatedly studied Ning Sujin’s Chaos Qi after advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage and the intricacies of cultivation at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Apart from the unmatched power and weight of Chaos Qi over the Five Elements Magical Power, its efficiency and the upper limit of absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi were also beyond her own Spirit Vein.

During the Qi Cultivation stage, when one-tenth Chaos Qi formed, Ning Sujin’s efficiency and upper limit of absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi had already surpassed her own Spirit Vein, but there was still some connection.

Now that the Foundation Establishment is completed, the correlation degree further decreases.

This matches the situation described in the insights of Profound Origin Celestial Monarch.

"It’s even better than my Upper Grade Spirit Root." Comparing his own cultivation during the Foundation Establishment Stage, Li Ji’an speculates that Ning Sujin’s current cultivation efficiency is at least equivalent to an Earth Spirit Root.

Except for occasionally pausing while crossing the river by feeling the stones, Ning Sujin has yet to encounter any bottleneck.

And now, after the Qi Cultivation Stage, Ning Sujin’s cultivation in the Chaos Technique becomes increasingly smooth.

If unexpected events do not arise, her cultivation during the Foundation Establishment Stage will proceed quickly.

Very likely to advance beyond his record of fifty years reaching Foundation Establishment Perfection, especially since she also benefits from the Primordial Spirit.

Of course, the spiritual energy concentration here is also considerably better than during Li Ji’an’s Foundation Establishment Stage.

Additionally, with Li Ji’an by her side, she also won’t lack in beneficial elixirs.

As for himself, it’s been thirty-four years since forming the Golden Core, and his Golden Core cultivation has been smooth; the wood element spiritual energy is abundant here, and with full devotion to cultivation, his progress has been remarkable.

Thus, five years pass by leisurely.

Compared to Li Ji’an’s comfort over these five years, Master Chunyuan, who is also in the core Dao Field of Funiu Mountain, grows increasingly anxious.

After reading Ascendant Tong’s communication once more, his face turns ashen, but he has no choice but to endure the other’s doubts and patiently explain.

Having arrived at Funiu Mountain for five years, initially throwing a bait and waiting for the fish to hook, then actively creating opportunities for attachment—all have failed.

The other behaves like a reclusive hermit with no desires, staying inside the Dao Field all day without emerging.

Completely denying him any opportunity for alone time.

To this day, he hasn’t even had a single opportunity to use the Bronze Mirror to reflect upon his Dantian.

Ascendant Tong has urged many times during these five years, and now even doubts whether he has other intentions.

"Report to Ascendant Shanyuan, Honored Guest Elder Alchemist He seeks an audience." Just as Master Chunyuan is feeling distressed, a maid reports from outside the door.

"Not meeting... Wait, Alchemist He? Invite him." Master Chunyuan reflexively refuses but suddenly recalls a piece of information earlier reported by the Business Alliance’s informants here, and immediately changes his attitude.

Soon, the sharp-featured Alchemist He fearfully and respectfully bows before Master Chunyuan.

Besides his cultivation as Core Formation Ascendant, it is also due to his identity as Pill King.

Master Chunyuan disregards his pleasantries and quickly steers the conversation towards Li Ji’an refining Divine Escape Talisman for him.

"I wonder what exchange would be required for Elder Changqing Talisman Master to refine a special Spirit Talisman?" Master Chunyuan casually asks.

"The word is too heavy from you, Pill King elder; if able to refine a Spirit Talisman for you, I believe Changqing Talisman Master would consider it an honor, he wouldn’t suggest conditions." Alchemist He hastily replies.

"How could one bully by power? What spiritual talent did Alchemist He use to exchange for Young Friend Changqing’s Spirit Talisman back then?" Master Chunyuan smiles kindly and waves his hand.

"Reporting to Pill King elder, Changqing Talisman Master initially hoped this junior would trade with Tier Three Lifespan Extension Pill, but unfortunately..."

"Tier Three Lifespan Extension Pill?" Master Chunyuan hears this, and a trace of doubt flashes in his eyes.

That young man advanced to True Man less than forty years ago, with ample life span, why would he want a Lifespan Extension Pill?

"Could it be misjudged? This Changqing Talisman Master is not that young man?"

"Forget it, is or isn’t unique, one look will tell, this time will you not take the bait?" After giving Alchemist He a few pointers, Master Chunyuan sends him away, and another plan forms within him.

The next day, a quirky figure appears outside Li Ji’an’s Dao Field.

"Grandmother, Xiaojiu is here, with good news." She cheerfully shouts inside.

Ning Sujin hears this voice, a smile appears on her face, and she promptly opens the Dao Field’s array gate.

The girl skips merrily to Ning Sujin, who is cultivating in the backyard, and intimately massages her shoulders.

"Grandmother, I just heard Fifth Senior Brother divulge a secret; Pill King elder seeks to refine a furnace of Tier Three Lifespan Extension Pills. Its main material is ready, now only lacking a portion of Demon Beast Essence Blood; whoever can provide this Demon Beast Essence Blood may enjoy priority trading rights."

The girl is the youngest disciple of Funiu Ascendant, an orphan adopted by him, named Xiaojiu due to her ranking.

She came to hear the marital harmony tale of the new Honored Talisman Master couple years ago, and grew extraordinarily curious.

In such a cultivation realm, there are such miraculous stories, it’s almost unbelievable.

Therefore, she frequently approaches Ning Sujin proactively.

And Ning Sujin, back then, happened to receive Ning Yutan’s final farewell, was melancholic, and upon meeting Xiaojiu, saw Ning Yutan’s image on her, establishing a bond.