Chapter 426 - 37: Utter Conviction

"Ping’an Junior Brother?"

Soon after entering the hall with the two women, Zou Qi came searching.

He was still as lively and serene as he was twenty years ago.

However, his expression froze for a moment when he looked at Li Ping’an.

Ten years ago, when he learned the exact news of his master’s passing from Senior Sister Qiao, he fell into confusion for the first time.

He had believed that his grandfather’s divination showed that his Core Formation opportunity was connected to Li Ji’an, but... before he could establish his Foundation, his master had already passed away.

"Could it be this premium Foundation Establishment Pill?"

Days later, he speculated that the divination might be related to the premium Foundation Establishment Pill.

After all, he only had eleven strands of Gold Element Spirit Root. Even if his grandfather managed to get him a genuine Foundation Establishment Pill, it couldn’t guarantee success.

Even if he barely established his Foundation, the thickness and purity of Magical Power wouldn’t be great, impacting the Core Formation.

With a premium Foundation Establishment Pill, the effects of Foundation Establishment are superior, Magical Power thick and pure, increasing the success rate of Core Formation.

At this moment, seeing his master’s inheritor in person, Zou Qi saw shadows of his master.

"Ping’an Junior Brother." Confirming Li Ping’an’s identity, Zou Qi regained his composure and bowed solemnly.

"Ping’an greets Senior Brother Zou." Li Ji’an returned the gesture, though he secretly harbored doubts.

After twenty years, Zou Qi was now forty-four years old, yet he still hadn’t established his Foundation, although his Magical Power aura had clearly reached the peak of late Qi Cultivation.

While there isn’t a particular age limit for Foundation Establishment, as long as one’s vitality hasn’t declined, it could be done. Yet within the Sect, to compete for resources, it’s best to advance as soon as possible since the earlier the advancement, the more talented one is deemed, with greater future potential.

"Could it be some unexpected change?"

He had doubts in his heart but couldn’t inquire due to his current status.

Afterward, Sect Leader Qiao hosted a banquet for Li Ping’an and Hu Zaiyi.

After the banquet ended, Hu Zaiyi was properly arranged, and Xiaoqiao led Li Ping’an back to the garden villa.

"Ping’an, this medicinal field was left by Master for you. Of particular note is the deadwood and Flame Stone, which are extraordinary and should be kept secret from outsiders." Xiaoqiao conveyed according to Li Ji’an’s instructions before his Rejuvenation.

"Also, Ping’an, are Little Fire and Gugu still undergoing training? Could you let Senior Sister meet them?" Xiaoqiao asked with some anticipation.

"Please forgive me, Master instructed before his passing not to seek them out before Foundation Establishment. I hope Senior Sister can wait a few more years."

Xiaoqiao seemed a bit disappointed.

She walked with Li Ji’an around the villa, chatted for a long time, but despite Xiaoqiao’s efforts to appear close, they hadn’t spent enough time together, lacking understanding. Moreover, due to Li Ji’an’s identity as the Chief True Inheritor of Biyun Sect, Xiaoqiao spoke with caution, making things a bit stiff.

Li Ji’an anticipated this and didn’t insist, straightforwardly stating his purpose for the visit.

He entrusted Xiaoqiao with carefully investigating six late-period thief cultivators within the Odd Stone Forest’s influence.

For this first request from the Junior Brother she had just met, Xiaoqiao was highly motivated, eager to accomplish it.

That night, Xiaoqiao arranged for Li Ji’an to stay at the ancestral home and summoned all the hall masters within the area, personally explaining the details of the investigation task.

With a mix of rewards and strictness, she demanded that not a single suspicious person be omitted, with generous rewards for those who found clues on thief cultivators.

In the following half month, all families, markets, and even common gathering areas within the Odd Stone Forest underwent a thorough search.

Every late-period Qi Cultivator was secretly tested, especially those cultivators hiding their realm within families, became primary targets for the hall masters, causing chaos.

Unfortunately, despite such a large-scale investigation, no thief cultivators were found.

Instead, it exposed family cultivators who were hiding their realms, planning to play the fool, revealing themselves.

During this time, Li Ji’an sent Old Huang to wander the Odd Stone Forest freely, while meeting Ning Sujin every night, finally easing Ning Sujin’s longing.

On the first night, facing the physically and energetically changed Li Ji’an, Ning Sujin initially hesitated, despite confirming the thoughts and soul were unchanged, her body instinctively resisted.

The current eighteen-year-old Li Ji’an was so young, energetic, full of vitality.

It took a few days until she completely accepted and adapted to Li Ji’an’s new body.

During this period, Ning Sujin mentioned that the invisibility puppet she once thought could be contracted and controlled through her strong Primordial Spirit Contract within decades, yet after several attempts, the Puppet Control Technique still couldn’t manipulate it.

Li Ji’an observed her operation personally and could only shake his head in helplessness.

Previously, he had underestimated the Tier Five Invisibility Puppet, thinking it was as simple as his Second Tier Puppets, where even an introductory Puppet Control Technique would suffice after a Divine Soul Contract.

Witnessing Ning Sujin’s demonstration, he realized her Puppet Control Technique level was too low.

To control the Tier Five Puppet, even basic control might require at least a Tier Three Puppet Control Technique.

Fortunately, the puppet inheritance included Puppet Control Techniques from Tier One to Four, so Li Ji’an immediately imprinted all Tier Four Puppet Control Techniques for Ning Sujin to study further.

Once he retrieved five Second Tier Puppets he crafted in a past life from Gugu, he provided one to her for extra practice, enabling her to soon control the invisibility puppet.

Half a month later, Xiaoqiao informed Li Ji’an of the disappointing result.

This meant it was time for departure, as Li Ji’an needed to move on to the next area of influence.

Before leaving, Li Ji’an casually asked about why Zou Qi hadn’t established his Foundation yet.