Ning Sujin noticed that after listening to her words, Li Ji'an not only didn't doubt her but rather asked excitedly, which filled her heart with a sense of recognition she hadn't felt before.
"I'm not sure if I can truly seek fortune and avoid evil; it's just that when encountering certain things and people, a different sense arises in my heart."
What Ning Sujin said was something Li Ji'an couldn't verify, nor did he need to.
With his wisdom as someone who has lived four lifetimes, and his understanding from five years of knowing Ning Sujin, this matter was likely true.
It's uncertain whether it's some kind of "seeking fortune and avoiding evil" cheat, or something more mysterious, but he knew at this moment Ning Sujin was not an ordinary person.
He also understood the origins of Ning Sujin's personality formation.
"Then... your cousin..." Li Ji'an sifted through the key information related to the Immortal Seedlings.
Ning Sujin shook her head, "Taken away by the Immortal Master, never heard from again."
"Perhaps the Immortal Master resolved his calamity."
Ning Sujin shook her head again, "I don't know, let's hope that's the case."
Li Ji'an pursued further, "It's been over a hundred years since the Immortal Master selected Immortal Seedlings; has any taken away ever returned with news?"
"The Immortal Master said that immortals and mortals are different, and to prove the Great Dao, one must sever the Seven Emotions and Six Desires, cutting off mortal cause and effect."
"Immortals and mortals are different!" Li Ji'an fell into contemplation...
A moment later, Li Ji'an came back to his senses, instinctively feeling closer towards Ning Sujin.
If her ability to "seek fortune and avoid evil" complements him, his safety greatly increases!
In the subsequent conversation, Li Ji'an unconsciously carried some emotional value, focusing on "understanding her" and "companionship."
He also understood Ning Sujin's aspiration: not to become an immortal, but to ensure her cousin's wellbeing!
------
Three days later, on the official road from Chong'an Prefecture to the Imperial City.
Apart from the mysterious twenty experts led by the Seeking Immortal Palace envoy to deliver the imperial edict, there were also five hundred close guardians from the Marquis Mansion and ten experts in the Blood Transformation Realm, proficient in superior External Skills, dispatched by the Seeking Immortal Institute mixed into the team.
The Immortal Dynasty is vast, but the only person who can directly interact with immortals is the Emperor, and the only person who can receive the immortals' favor is him, naturally causing more people to want to replace him.
The best method is to disrupt the agreement between the Emperor and the immortals, causing the Emperor to fall into disfavor with them.
Every ten years at the Immortal Seedling ceremony, especially those traveling from all over the country to the Imperial City, are secretly targeted by those people.
Although there hasn't been an incident in recent years, precautions cannot be neglected.
This is also why once an Immortal Seedling is confirmed, it must depart within three days to prevent any long delays.
When Li Ji'an learned this situation, his first reaction was whether Ning Yutan's ominous premonition would be fulfilled in this catastrophe.
Hence, he became increasingly cautious about this journey.
However, Ning Sujin confidently assured him there would be no danger, which gave him some peace of mind, as he quietly practiced the Blood Exchange Method along the way.
Compared to Bone Forging, the Blood Exchange requires higher demands on Inner Breath and Qi and blood circulation, with less emphasis on the quantity of Qi and blood and more time spent transforming mortal blood.
"Unfortunately, time is too tight, there's no chance to see Brother Li." As his Qi and blood were completely consumed, Li Ji'an slowly withdrew his energy, involuntarily thinking of the closest person in this life.
Last night he sent a letter to Brother Li, explaining his situation.
News of heading to the Immortal Palace to become a reserved Immortal Seedling at the Imperial City will ensure not only Brother Li but the entire Purple Mist Temple will be overjoyed; henceforth, Li Ji'an's name alone will be their strongest backing in Shangyi County.
"Xiao Wu, that kid, has good intentions... heh~ you can't change your nature, but it's considered not forgetting his original intentions." Seeing Xiao Wu forcibly stuffing a money pouch into his hands, Li Ji'an smiled slightly; yesterday, he finally fulfilled his promise by visiting Xiao Wu's home and met the sister-in-law he praised to the skies—indeed, she was remarkable.
"Brother Li, I'm coming in."
Suddenly, Ning Yutan's voice came unexpectedly.
Li Ji'an hadn't noticed any movement, but Ning Yutan had already slipped into the carriage.
"Yutan, before departure, Duke Dingguo repeatedly reminded us that this journey may not be peaceful; as the most crucial Immortal Seedling of the team, how can you run around? Go back quickly, or it may cause chaos." Li Ji'an furrowed his brow, immediately advising.
Ning Sujin sensed Ning Yutan's ominous premonition for this trip—others may not believe it, but Li Ji'an did.
And this ominous premonition might very well manifest on this journey.
Currently, he hasn't yet practiced External Martial Arts; his fighting skills are weak; staying with the Duke is the safest option.
"Oh come on, Brother Li, there's no problem, with so many people outside protecting me, who dares to come and die? Besides, I came to find you with my parents' approval." Ning Yutan didn't seem worried at all.
Don't jinx it!
Li Ji'an tightened in his heart.
"Brother Li, my father taught me the Falling Flower Sword Technique. I want to master it before the Immortal Master descends and, before ascending to the Immortal Realm, I definitely need to give that old woman a good beating, hmph!"
Li Ji'an casually humored while considering how to persuade her back to Duke Dingguo: "The Duke now allows you to practice External Skills?"
"Yes, yes, my father said that now ascension to the Immortal Realm is determined, so there's no need to practice Inner Strength Body Forging for now; anyway, once in the Immortal Realm, I'll need to practice Immortal Techniques, so he encouraged me to master External Skills quickly to comprehend the Qi and Blood Activation, which may benefit future Immortal Techniques."
"Is the Falling Flower Sword Technique really powerful? The Eldest Lady's family-inherited Floating Willow Step is a top-tier Qinggong Body Technique, and the Su Family's famous Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle is also a world-class martial art; maybe she learned it too..." Li Ji'an's mind sparked with a plan.
As expected, Ning Yutan became emotionally agitated: "Hmph! Over the years, she has bullied me with that sneaky Body Technique because I haven't practiced External Skills; once I do, mastering our family-inherited External Skills, Qi and Blood Activation, enhancing my five senses, even with closed eyes, I will sense her movements. Then, her Body Technique will be useless."
"And let me tell you, our family-inherited Falling Flower Sword Technique is also prestigious in the world martial arts ranking; certainly capable of beating her into retreat."
As she spoke, Ning Yutan's voice unconsciously raised, aiming towards the carriage in front where Ning Sujin was.
"Are you sure?" An expected cold voice suddenly rang out.
The next moment, Ning Sujin's ghostly figure entered the carriage.
"Ah! Can you not be so ghostly all the time?" Ning Yutan's face changed instantly, reflexively hiding beside Li Ji'an.
Ning Sujin rolled her eyes, sitting on the other side of Li Ji'an: "The Immortal Master will descend in three months, do you think you can master the Falling Flower Sword Technique and defeat me in three months?"
"I... hmph, even if I can't achieve Great Success, I can certainly reach Minor Achievement. My realm is higher than yours, my Qi and Blood is more vigorous, even Minor Achievement is enough to beat you, if you dare not use Body Technique to fight me." Ning Yutan stubbornly argued.
"Fool!" Ning Sujin sneered coldly.
"Listen carefully, I'm going to teach you the Floating Willow Step right now. Back then, I mastered it in one month; don't say I'm bullying you."
"..." Ning Yutan's eyes widened in shock; she didn't expect her destiny rival to teach her the Su Family's inherited Body Technique.
Ning Sujin didn't give her a chance to speak: "No need for nonsense, this Body Technique was taught to me by my mother, not from the Su Family, and my mother refined it, so it's not the Su Family's inheritance, no one will bother you."
"Qi from the Dantian, transform the Heart, Blood-Born Fire Organ, converge at the Wellspring..."
Not waiting for Ning Yutan to react, she already recited the body technique formula entirely.
Li Ji'an's eyes sharpened, memorizing it first in his heart.
The cultivation techniques in this realm were derived from numerous Martial Dao masters who risked their own Qi and blood reversal, breaking meridians, or even exploding their bodies to deduce and explore—extremely precious.
Ordinary people would not be able to purchase them with gold or silver.
Especially superior body technique like the Floating Willow Step, ranked high in the world martial arts.
Although he doesn't feel the urgency to practice External Skills now, he surely will need them in the future.