Chapter 20: The Immortal City on the Verge of Change

Ten years had passed since they last met, and as Li Ji’an saw Great Elder Yan Kongyi once more, a sincere smile appeared on his face. Counting his previous life, he had known Yan Kongyi for fifty-eight years. Given the history of the elder forcing him into marriage in that past life and teaching him the art of talismans in this one, their bond ran deep. Had it not been for the wood-attributed cultivation method the elder practiced—which, alongside his mastery of talismans, focused heavily on longevity—he might have long since passed away at his current age of one hundred and thirty.

"Great Elder!"

Yan Kongyi glared at him, huffing, "How have these years treated you? Have you been bullied?"

Li Ji’an smiled and shook his head, stepping forward to take the elder’s arm and lead him into the courtyard. Yan Qing, who was two years older than Li Ji’an, finally relaxed upon entering the courtyard. At thirty-eight years old, this was his first time leaving the wilderness; entering the Immortal City today had left him feeling genuinely uneasy. He felt particularly insecure due to the Foundation Establishment-stage cultivators flying by the city gates from time to time.

"Hmm?" Just as they stepped into the main hall, Yan Kongyi noticed fifteen-year-old Xiao Qiao scurrying into the inner room. He turned to stare at Li Ji’an.

"The descendant of an old friend; a poor child," Li Ji’an explained.

There was a hint of skepticism in the elder’s aged eyes, but meeting Li Ji’an’s clear, unflinching gaze, he remained half-convinced. Li Ji’an understood the misunderstanding. Over the last two years, Xiao Qiao’s mood had improved significantly, and with plenty of nutritious food, she had developed well physically. Aside from her still-youthful face, she appeared quite mature in other respects. However, her personality remained timid and reclusive; she refused to see anyone but Li Ji’an, finding comfort only in the company of the creature Gua-Gua and the Fire Spirit.

After settling Yan Kongyi and Yan Qing in the hall, Li Ji’an brewed them some spirit tea himself. After answering several caring questions from the elder, he realized that what Yan Qingwan had said in her messages was true. She had mentioned that the Great Elder often asked about his life in the Immortal City, but whenever she relayed his answers, the elder would refuse to believe them, suspecting her of lying. Yet, when she suggested he contact Li Ji’an directly, his pride would prevent him from doing so.

"Brother, it hasn’t been easy for you in the Immortal City all these years, has it?" Yan Qing asked as soon as the elder finished his questions.

Li Ji’an nodded. "There is no such thing as an easy life in this world."

"If you ask me, if you had stayed with the family back then, now..."

Before he could finish, Yan Kongyi slapped him on the head. "What kind of nonsense are you spouting? Can't you see this lad is thriving? He has already reached the peak of the Qi Refining stage."

"Ah?" Yan Qing was shocked and hurriedly tried to sense Li Ji’an’s cultivation level again.

Li Ji’an shook his head slightly. "Just luck, mere luck. It is thanks to my aunt teaching me alchemy and the Great Elder teaching me the art of talismans."

Yan Qing’s expression turned sour. For the past decade, he had been stuck at the sixth level of Qi Refining for the first few years. It wasn't until the wars flared up again and he received guidance from his father, Zhang Tiezhu, and achieved several feats of merit that he finally obtained a breakthrough pill three years ago, reaching the late stage of Qi Refining. Now, he was barely at the eighth level and had only just become a candidate for the Yan family elder position this year. His entire upbringing, from the family hall to his observations in the joint market, had taught him that life for a rogue cultivator in the city was incredibly difficult and hopeless. Li Ji’an’s current status challenged everything he believed.

As Yan Qing struggled for words, Yan Kongyi took a sip of the spirit tea. "Hmm? Not bad. What tea is this?" It was fragrant and brimming with spiritual energy, even possessing properties to calm the mind and spirit.

"Seven-Realization Star Sea."

"This is Seven-Realization Star Sea?" Yan Kongyi paused for a moment before realizing he had let his guard down; he immediately held his breath. Over a decade ago, while teaching Li Ji’an, he had boasted that the best pairing for drawing talismans was drinking spirit tea, and that the finest he had ever tasted was the second-grade Seven-Realization Star Sea, which could both soothe the mind and heighten one’s insight into talismans. Li Ji’an kept this tea on hand precisely because of that advice. At thirty spirit stones per ounce, it was not cheap for an average cultivator. Li Ji’an only drank it when crafting talismans.

"Great Elder, I cannot be certain if it is the real thing, as it was a gift from a friend," Li Ji’an said tactfully to preserve the elder’s dignity.

"Oh," Yan Kongyi let out a long breath, not daring to press the matter further, and drank his tea in silence.

Yan Qing was astonished again. "A friend who can gift you second-grade spirit tea must be someone extraordinary, right?"

"Not really, we just met by chance during a sect trial," Li Ji’an replied calmly.

"A cultivator from the Bi Yun Sect!" Yan Qing’s eyes widened. This aligned perfectly with the wilderness cultivators’ perception of sect disciples, much like the attitude Li Ji’an and his three companions had held when discussing them ten years ago.

Seeing Yan Qing’s resolve waver, Yan Kongyi glared at him and snorted, "What is so strange about that? This brat inherited his father’s extraordinary comprehension and talent for alchemy; why wouldn't he do well anywhere? If your father had passed on such talent to you, you could do the same."

Yan Qing snapped back to reality, gradually calming down. Fearing further shocks, Yan Kongyi carried his tea and followed Li Ji’an into the alchemy room.

"Lad, I have come today to ask for a favor."

Li Ji’an smiled politely. "Great Elder, what are you saying? As long as it is within my power, I would be honored."

Yan Kongyi explained the situation. Two and a half years ago, a group of bandits bypassed the Beast-Taming Liu family and entered the wilderness. To this day, no one had dealt with them, and they remained rooted there. Two years ago, they forcibly seized a family estate from the Zheng family, creating a three-way stalemate: the Zheng family held two second-grade primary arenas, the bandits held one, and the other five families banded together. Recently, the Zheng family and the bandits had shown signs of joining forces, putting immense pressure on the five families. Yan Kongyi had been sent secretly to the Immortal City to purchase strategic supplies. Their intended contact was the Nine Cauldrons Chamber of Commerce, whom Yan Qingwan had previously visited. However, upon arriving today, they failed to meet the proprietor, and Yan Qingwan had sent them to find Li Ji’an.

Li Ji’an frowned slightly. In the last ten years, he had only met the mature and voluptuous proprietor, Tong Xiangyu, once. Furthermore, Zhao Shunyao had previously warned him, intentionally or not, to avoid lingering under Tong Xiangyu’s gaze.

"Very well! I will do my best," Li Ji’an agreed without hesitation.

Before long, the three arrived at the Nine Cauldrons Chamber of Commerce.

"Greetings, Guest Official Li."
"Guest Official Li."
"Guest Official Li, do you need us to call the manager?"

As they stepped into the Alchemy Cauldron Pavilion on the first floor, the attendants and deacons greeted him one after another, showcasing Li Ji’an’s reputation and status there. Yan Kongyi’s aged face showed surprise, while Yan Qing stood with his head down, dumbfounded, unable to believe his eyes. They had been here once before, and Yan Qing had been deeply intimidated by the grand building. During that first visit, the mere glance of an attendant had made him feel as though they were mocking his lack of spirit stones. He never imagined that Li Ji’an would be treated with such respect.

Li Ji’an brought Yan Kongyi directly to see Manager Wu, asking him to relay a message to the fifth floor. Manager Wu agreed readily. Watching Manager Wu walk away, Yan Kongyi felt uneasy. Earlier, following Yan Qingwan’s instructions, they had tried to have someone relay a message, but the proprietor had bluntly stated that times had changed and she wouldn't even see them. However, they had only come because Yan Qingwan had reached a consensus with this side beforehand.

Soon, Manager Wu returned. "Guest Official Li, the proprietor asks that you go up alone."

Hearing this, Li Ji’an felt that success was unlikely, but he comforted Yan Kongyi before heading up. Compared to their first meeting ten years ago, the proprietor had hardly changed. Her mature, voluptuous figure was half-reclined in a rattan chair, her eyes slightly closed, her demeanor weary and languid.

"Do you all enjoy begging for favors on behalf of others?" she asked lazily, not looking at him.

"Please forgive me, Proprietor. I was essentially raised by the Yan family; to speak of a debt of gratitude is no exaggeration. Now that the family is in danger, my cultivation is insufficient and my strength is weak. I cannot help in other ways, so I must do what I can," Li Ji’an said honestly.

Finally, Tong Xiangyu turned her gaze slightly to look at him. A satisfied curve appeared at the corner of her mouth.

"Guest Official Li, logically, since this is your first time asking me for something, I shouldn't refuse you. However... the current situation is about to undergo a massive change. The future landscape is unknown, and any cooperation is meaningless for now. We must wait until the situation stabilizes."

"Hmm?" Li Ji’an’s attention sharpened. A massive change in the situation?

"May I ask, Proprietor, what situation is about to change?"

Tong Xiangyu glanced at him again. "The Immortal City!"