Chapter 18: When the Time Comes, Heaven and Earth Conspire Alike

Page 1/3

Receiving news from Yan Qingwan, Li Ji’an felt somewhat reassured. According to earlier reports, the chaotic clashes among the Eight Great Families of the Wasteland would likely not reach a decisive conclusion anytime soon. After all, these families were long-established cultivation clans well known within Cangyun Prefecture. Even if a victor emerged, they would abide by the rules of the Biyun Sect, refraining from annihilating entire clans. In contrast, the bandits from Tianyuan Prefecture acted recklessly, with brutal methods and cruel tactics.

What surprised Li Ji’an slightly was that Xiao Changfeng had reported this matter to the sect four months ago, yet the sect had not dispatched anyone to pursue the culprits. Ten days later, Xiao Changfeng and Li Ji’an returned to the clan that had been exterminated. It coincided with the conclusion of the Biyun Sect’s law enforcement team’s investigation and cleanup.

“Greetings, Senior Brother Jiang,” Xiao Changfeng greeted from a distance.

Coincidentally, the team leader was one of the three true disciples who had entered the sect alongside Li Ji’an during his initial assessment.

“Junior Brother Xiao, have you settled your personal affairs? The sect is currently in need of talent; it’s best to return early,” Jiang Yunzhou looked up and nodded to Xiao Changfeng.

“Yes, Senior Brother. I am returning to the sect on this trip,” Xiao Changfeng replied with a respectful salute.

Jiang Yunzhou then turned his attention to Li Ji’an.

“Hmm? It’s you, Li Fan,” Jiang Yunzhou recognized Li Ji’an immediately—they had once been rivals until the end. Sensing the aura of Foundation Establishment emanating from him, Li Ji’an bowed and saluted, “Greetings, Senior.”

“Little Li, you were somewhat reckless in your youth,” Jiang Yunzhou remarked casually, having heard about Li Ji’an’s livelihood through alchemy in the Immortal City.

“Thank you for your guidance, Senior,” Li Ji’an responded humbly.

Seeing his attitude, Jiang Yunzhou dismissed the matter.

Xiao Changfeng then spoke again, “Senior Brother Jiang, the latest news is that the bandits have arrived in the Wasteland. The local clans report nearly a hundred of them, with at least three Foundation Establishment cultivators among their ranks. Do we know who from the sect was sent? Are preparations sufficient?”

Jiang Yunzhou waved a hand, “The sect is currently pressed for manpower. Let the Eight Great Families of the Wasteland handle this. If necessary, the Five Great Clans can intervene. We cannot solve every problem ourselves.”

Xiao Changfeng frowned slightly, hesitated, but ultimately held his tongue and saluted before taking his leave.

Li Ji’an felt a stir in his heart but had long suspected that the Biyun Sect had been orchestrating secret maneuvers these past years. At this moment, they likely were truly unable to spare forces.

Perhaps the sect also wished to keep the various powers in the prefecture occupied.

They set off again.

Along the way, Xiao Changfeng was noticeably quieter.

Page 2/3

Li Ji’an continued to plan his Foundation Establishment breakthrough. Without achieving this stage, he would remain insignificant—a mere ant without the power to defend himself even in Cangyun Prefecture, let alone meddle in other affairs.

Currently, he was at the ninth layer of Qi Refinement, the peak of this cultivation phase. The next stage involved strengthening his mana, transforming his dantian, and solidifying the shift of spiritual power from gaseous to liquid form—a gradual and foundational process for Foundation Establishment. Alchemical pills had minimal effect at this point.

If he could obtain some rare spiritual treasures from nature, the process would be much faster. Alternatively, life-or-death mana battles could refine his power and accelerate reaching the peak.

Given his current status, acquiring such spiritual treasures was nearly impossible. As for life-or-death duels, they were ill-suited for him, leaving only the passage of time.

At most, within three years, he could reach his prime.

“Three years—is it possible for the fire spirit to attain the power of a first-rank spirit flame?”

“Foundation Establishment alchemical ingredients…”

Although Zhao Shuyao had previously comforted him, implying that ingredients difficult for ordinary wanderers or even the Wasteland clans might not be so challenging for Tong Yaoyao, he currently had no reserve of spirit stones.

In the past six years, he had almost lived paycheck to paycheck striving for the ninth layer of Qi Refinement. The recent capture of the fire spirit, the consumption of replenishing pills, restraining talismans, and his new trump cards had nearly drained him completely.

“Save spirit stones!” Fortunately, his alchemy skills had improved, and so had his talisman crafting. Having gained some fame in the Immortal City, he had a number of returning customers, enabling him to earn spirit stones steadily.

Three months later, he successfully returned to the Immortal City.

First, he reported to the Jiuding Commerce Guild—after nearly a year away, it was proper to notify them.

Zhao Shuyao had said years ago she planned to travel and had yet to return. Li Ji’an guessed she had gone with Tong Yaoyao on her trial, possibly no longer in Cangyun Prefecture, or even the entire Tian Cang Domain.

Upon returning to his residence, Elder You next door was still absent. The warning talisman Li Ji’an had placed earlier had not been triggered.

Since Elder You had been taken by the sect, the Immortal City likely preserved her courtyard.

His own courtyard’s warning talismans remained intact, and the protective array was functioning normally.

With the Biyun Sect law enforcement guards stationed there, the Immortal City was indeed relatively safe.

Besides their patrols, the city’s defensive array constantly sensed fluctuations in spiritual energy, responding immediately to any anomalies. According to records, no major incidents had occurred in hundreds of years.

Of course, some minor incidents might have been covered up by the law enforcement.

After thoroughly checking every corner of the courtyard and having Guagua and Xiao Qiao inspect the grounds up to ten zhang underground to ensure all was in order, Li Ji’an finally settled back in peacefully.

“Gua~”

Page 3/3

“Uncle Li, how’s the little fire spirit?” Upon entering, Guagua and Xiao Qiao immediately surrounded Li Ji’an, both curious about the fire spirit.

Li Ji’an smiled faintly and summoned the fire spirit forth.

Over the past four and a half months, the little fire spirit’s condition had improved significantly. The fire’s vitality, previously weakened by several restraining talismans, had grown vigorous again.

Careful observation revealed that, nurtured by the fire-elemental mana in Li Ji’an’s dantian, the spirit’s flame had deepened in color and intensity.

At its sudden appearance, it startled at the sight of a large frog’s head but showed a touch of affinity toward Xiao Qiao.

Li Ji’an communicated with the fire spirit, instructing it to moderate its power carefully—not to harm Xiao Qiao or Guagua, and to avoid setting the house ablaze.

Then he carefully sensed the state of his own dantian.

During the journey, as the fire spirit gradually recovered, he had felt subtle changes in the fire-element mana within his dantian, suspecting the spirit’s influence.

Now, upon closer inspection, he raised an eyebrow.

Although the fire spirit had left the dantian, the fire-element mana within remained as pure and refined as he had sensed along the way.

“Has the fire spirit, while being nurtured, also purified the impurities, refining the mana?”

This discovery brought him joy.

He had feared that nurturing the fire spirit might delay his progress to the peak of Qi Refinement, but unexpectedly, it brought benefits.

“If we speak of spiritual treasures, this fire-element sacred spirit must be among the highest. Such effects are quite reasonable!” Quickly understanding the connection, Li Ji’an smiled brightly.

When the time comes, heaven and earth conspire to assist!

Li Ji’an suspected he might have been drawing on Xiao Changfeng’s luck this time.

In his fifty-eight years in the cultivation world, this trip seemed the most fortunate.

Compared to before, the only difference was Xiao Changfeng’s company.

Realizing the fire spirit’s mana-refining effect, Li Ji’an’s confidence soared. He estimated that within another year, he could complete the Qi Refinement stage.