After a round of praise and flattery, Li Ji'an understood the purpose of the five visitors.
All five were outstanding students from the Martial Arts Academy in Shangyi County who entered the Seeking Immortal Institute.
Except for Xiao Wu, the other four were there to make connections with the Quasi-Immortal Seedling.
But Xiao Wu was inquiring about the situation of "Li Jizhang."
After sending the other four and the attendants away, Li Ji'an took Xiao Wu to his private courtyard.
"Strictly speaking, you should call me Uncle!"
Li Ji'an recounted to Xiao Wu the most logical rumor circulated within Shangyi County, which made Xiao Wu sigh deeply.
And after a moment of reminiscence, the already twenty-two-year-old Xiao Wu spoke with a surprising solemnity.
"I promised your father that I would take care of you. If you have any problems in the future, feel free to come to me." Before Li Ji'an could process these words, Xiao Wu added earnestly.
Li Ji'an suppressed his laughter. Xiao Wu had just mentioned his current situation, having entered the Seeking Immortal Institute for the second time, essentially cutting off ambitions of becoming an Immortal Seedling, seeking only further progress in the Martial Dao and the true External Training Method of the Seeking Immortal Institute.
Now, at twenty-two, he has achieved Bone Forging Minor Achievement, learned the Middle Cultivation Technique "Wave Chasing Saber Technique" of the Seeking Immortal Institute, and might be considered a promising young talent, serving in the Patrol Office of the Prefecture City, having been promoted to Deputy Chief Constable.
He has also relocated his parents from Shangyi County to the Prefecture City to enjoy prosperity and happiness, and got married last year.
Except during holidays and time off from work when he practices martial arts, he wears his uniform and patrols with five subordinates.
After a brief hesitation, Li Ji'an set aside the image of Xiao Wu in his youth from his memory and immediately rose to solemnly bow to Xiao Wu: "Thank you, Uncle Xiao."
With "Rejuvenation" in play, in this life's future, such encounters and shifts in relationships are bound to be numerous.
It doesn't matter what titles are used or whether relationships seem to favor or disadvantage.
On the contrary, these relationships can become capital and support for the next life, with each one reducing the risk of childhood growth.
"Hmm! Remember to strive diligently, do not betray your talent, do not betray your father's expectations.
I've been in the Seeking Immortal Institute for five years and have seen many exceptionally gifted individuals admitted with outstanding grades, yet they didn't withstand the myriad temptations of the Prefecture City and eventually faded into obscurity.
Among them were geniuses with Extraordinary Root Bone...
Additionally, martial realm and strength are not equivalent; without techniques of external skills, guarding a treasure mountain without entry, be sure to seize the opportunity to practice external skills.
Seeking immortality and asking the Dao is too ethereal; there's no need to deliberately pursue becoming an Immortal Seedling. If you can master a martial art, you can establish yourself in this world." Xiao Wu earnestly instructed.
"I will certainly remember Uncle Xiao's teachings!" Li Ji'an bowed again.
Satisfied, Xiao Wu patted Li Ji'an's head: "You're much better than your father! Well done, well done. Also, if you aren't used to staying at the institute, you can move to my house."
After declining Xiao Wu's kindness and listening to Xiao Wu reminisce bitterly and sweetly, recalling bits of interaction with Li Ji'an from his past life for a while, he finally saw him off.
Before leaving, Xiao Wu repeatedly invited Li Ji'an to visit his home to meet his aunt.
"This kid..." Watching Xiao Wu leave, Li Ji'an smiled knowingly.
During the reminiscence period just now, much of Xiao Wu's words were to build a grand image of Li Ji'an's past life, with many inaccuracies.
Things like confronting instructors for him.
Teaming up with him to fight off more than a dozen other apprentices.
Even fabricating the magnificent deed of Li Ji'an taking him to a brothel for the first time...
"Hey~ are you the second in the entire mansion, Li Ji'an?" Immersed in memories, Li Ji'an was suddenly awakened by a playful, light voice.
Turning his head, he saw three young girls standing at the gate of the courtyard next door. The leader was quirky and mischievous, with big almond eyes filled with curiosity, gazing at Li Ji'an.
"I am Li Ji'an." Li Ji'an smiled and nodded.
At the same time, he matched her with the information he had gathered beforehand.
No surprise, this girl is Ning Yutan, the first of this year's Chong'an Prefecture martial examination.
Aside from the widely known identity as the top martial exam candidate, Li Ji'an also learned from the head of Shangyi County's Martial Arts Academy of a secret not known to the public. She is the talented legitimate daughter of Marquis Dingyuan, the most powerful in the entire Chong'an Prefecture.
She is three months away from turning fifteen but has already initially entered Bone Forging, her talent can be described as extraordinary.
According to the headmaster, the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill gifted by the Grand Ancestor Emperor to Dingyuan Marquis's Mansion was probably given to her to consume.
Of course, her qualification to consume that Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill also proves her inherently extraordinary root bone talent, taking it would only enhance her further.
"Nice, nice, you helped me vent my anger, so I should reward you. Chunfeng, Qiuyue, bring over the snacks mother gave me." Ning Yutan spoke straightforwardly and sent two maids to fetch the items.
She herself then walked lightly to Li Ji'an's side, circling him and examining, while casually saying: "My name is Ning Yutan, and I am this year's martial exam champion. In the path of martial arts, the accomplished take precedence, you can call me senior sister, and we'll stick together in the future."
Naively innocent, unrestrained and free.
In this era, only families of immense wealth and prestige can raise such a child.
Moreover, she's a girl.
This enough demonstrates her being extremely pampered within the clan.
"Ah, so it's the champion! Admirable, admirable!" Li Ji'an complimented her, yet didn't respond directly to her speech.
"Haha~ cough, cough, humble achievements, not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning. Hey, you haven't used a Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill, right?" Ning Yutan smiled proudly, then pretended to be modest, and asked expectantly.
Li Ji'an shook his head with a bitter smile, a Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill, that divine pill and immortal treasure can wash marrow and sinews, improving congenital root bone. It's said that even the lowest quality root bone can be raised to superior root bone with a single Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill, extremely rare in the world, how could an ordinary person afford to enjoy it?
"See!" Ning Yutan promptly struck her palm, delighted.
"I knew it, how much can a Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill accomplish? It's mainly about your own talent and effort. You haven't used a Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill and yet still became the second..."
Getting increasingly excited, Ning Yutan immediately shouted towards the independent courtyard on Li Ji'an's right-hand side: "Ning Sujin, did you hear that? Li Ji'an hasn't used a Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill but still strongly beat you, how dare you say I'm better than you just because I've taken pills? Isn't it disgraceful?"
"Ning Sujin?" Li Ji'an was slightly taken aback.
The information he gathered indicated the third place this year was a girl named Su Sujin.
Rumored to be from a family of Qi Blood Masters.
Like him who has achieved Solid Flesh Perfection, but since her bone age is nine months older than his, she is ranked below.
"Itching for a fight again?"
Before Li Ji'an could react, a cold and remote girl appeared at the entrance of the courtyard next door.
She wore a plain blue outfit, her hair bun was tied high, her posture tall and slender, were it not for her bright and clear voice with a feminine touch, at first glance she would appear like a remarkably handsome young man.
Taking a closer look, her appearance bears a sixty percent resemblance to Ning Yutan.
"What are you doing? I'm warning you, this is the Seeking Immortal Institute, not the Marquis Mansion!" Ning Yutan obviously feared Ning Sujin, hiding almost instantaneously behind Li Ji'an upon hearing her voice.
"Hmph! Forget what your father instructed? When away from home, the eldest sister is like a mother. I am teaching you, who can utter a word of objection?"
Before the words fell, Li Ji'an felt his vision blur, Ning Sujin's figure became illusory and elusive, the next moment, a fleeting shadow appeared, and she was already beside Ning Yutan...