I Can Be Young Again

The carriage to the prefectural city was provided by the martial arts academy, and the county yamen also dispatched guards to escort them. The journey was uneventful, and they arrived safely half a month later.

His past life's experiences gave him a thorough understanding of Shangyi County, and with the Purple Heaven Temple as his backing, he had almost nothing to worry about within the county.

However, upon arriving in Chong'an Prefecture, Li Ji'an subconsciously became more cautious in his words and actions.

He declined the martial arts academy's veteran driver's offer to tour the prefectural city, which was several times more prosperous than Shangyi County, and headed straight to the Immortal Seeking Academy to report.

"A flood dragon emerging from shallow waters! Young friend, your future is boundless. Please wait a moment while I handle your credentials." Thanks to his second-place finish in this year's Martial Arts Examination for the entire prefecture, the steward at the Immortal Seeking Academy was very courteous to Li Ji'an and did not spare any praise.

Li Ji'an respectfully performed a salutation: "Sir, you flatter me. I am unworthy. I am deeply grateful for your personal assistance."

The old steward raised his eyebrows slightly and scrutinized Li Ji'an once more: "Indeed, indeed. You have achieved success at a young age, yet you are not arrogant or impetuous. Your disposition is also excellent. Your future is boundless."

Li Ji'an bowed again.

Although he had never been to the prefectural city in his previous life, he had learned a great deal through various channels. The Immortal Seeking Academy in the prefectural city was affiliated with the most powerful department of the Immortal Bestowed Dynasty—the Immortal Seeking Palace.

The Palace Lord of the Immortal Seeking Palace was personally appointed by the Emperor in every generation.

All worldly affairs could be delayed, but the matter of seeking immortal seedlings could not be treated with the slightest carelessness.

This was a maxim passed down through generations of the Zhao Imperial Clan.

The steward of the Chong'an Prefecture Immortal Seeking Academy, a Prefectural Governor of the fourth rank, dared not throw his official weight around when dealing with him.

Furthermore, those who held such positions were, at the very least, Great Martial Masters at the Blood Transformation Perfection stage.

Skin Grinding was merely the foundation, Muscle Compaction was the entry level, and Bone Forging was a hurdle that blocked eighty percent of the martial artists here.

As for Blood Transformation... it was a chasm that kept ninety-nine percent of people in the world out.

Only when one's Mortal Blood was refined into pure Vital Energy and Blood could one truly shed their mortal shell and possess extraordinary power, capable of subduing dragons and tigers, and holding back an army alone.

The true "immortal seedlings" of the Immortal Seeking Palace were also limited to the Blood Transformation Perfection stage.

In this life, Li Ji'an's roots were strong due to the medicinal supplements he received from the age of eight, coupled with ten years of martial arts experience from his previous life and the comprehension boost from "Rejuvenation." He achieved remarkable progress, completing standing meditation in three months, Skin Grinding in half a year, and Muscle Compaction in one year.

However, he did not dare to be careless about the upcoming hurdle of "Bone Forging."

As for reaching Blood Transformation Perfection before the Immortal Seedling Ceremony, he was not very confident.

The Immortal Seedling selection had already occurred five years ago in this life. Theoretically, Li Ji'an had two more chances in this life: one in five years when he turned twenty, and another in fifteen years when he turned thirty.

If he could reach Blood Transformation Perfection in five years, his chances would be high.

As for fifteen years later, at the age of thirty, he would have reached the age limit, and his age points would be almost zero. To stand out among the top ten in the entire Immortal Bestowed Dynasty, he would likely need to reach Marrow Cleansing Perfection, or even Minor Organ Refining, to be competitive.

"Here is your academy token. Keep it safe. With this token, no one in Chong'an Prefecture will dare to offend you," Steward Hao said as he handed the nameplate to Li Ji'an, adding casually.

"Thank you, sir!"

Steward Hao liked Li Ji'an more and more as he looked at him. Feeling the vigorous Vital Energy and Blood emanating from him at close range, he nodded repeatedly, a look of infinite regret flashing in his eyes.

"Ah, it's good to be young." He was already over seventy, his Vital Energy and Blood declining faster each day, and he was constantly on the decline. He increasingly regretted his youthful arrogance and self-importance. Seeing Li Ji'an today reminded him of his past self.

His past self, who at fifteen had already achieved Muscle Compaction Perfection, was not as good as the current Li Ji'an. Yet, he had been conceited and self-satisfied, indulging in flattery and false praise, lost in the mundane world. His talent, which could have led him to become a generation's Vital Energy and Blood Grandmaster, ultimately stopped at Blood Transformation, and he watched himself decay and wither.

He dreamed of returning to his youth, but alas... flowers may bloom again, but a person never regains their youth.

"Young Li, early success is not always a good thing. Those who achieve greatness late also attain the Way. Work hard and do not waste your talent," Steward Hao could not help but advise as he was leaving.

But that was all. Young people, having not experienced the world, and achieving astonishing success, found it difficult to maintain their original intentions.

No matter how correct the principles were, if the other party had not experienced them, and had not been taught them by elders from a young age, they could not understand or comprehend them.

Li Ji'an deeply agreed with Steward Hao's advice.

However, these principles were of little use to him.

On the contrary, with his "Rejuvenation" ability, he could "be young again." He would undoubtedly experience many instances of early success in the future, making the possibility of late blooming almost nonexistent!

Moreover, what could the so-called "late blooming" compare to the accumulation of his countless lives?

After bidding farewell to Steward Hao, Li Ji'an was led by a servant to the residential area of the Immortal Seeking Academy.

"Young Master Li, you are the second-ranked student in the entire prefectural city, so you have been specially assigned a private courtyard in Zone A. Please come this way." The servant led the way, introducing Li Ji'an to the various areas within the academy and important matters.

"Thank you!" Being as steady as he was, to ensure his safety at the Chong'an Prefecture Immortal Seeking Academy, he had naturally obtained detailed information from the head of the Shangyi County Martial Arts Academy, so he was well-prepared.

The pressure on the Immortal Seeking Academies in the thirteen prefectures of the Immortal Bestowed Dynasty was immense. If an academy failed to send a qualified immortal seedling to the Imperial City's Immortal Seeking Palace for ten consecutive years, they would be heavily penalized!

There were even records of officials being executed for dereliction of duty if the Emperor was angered.

The Chong'an Prefecture Immortal Seeking Academy had failed to send any immortal seedlings to the Immortal Seeking Palace for three consecutive years.

Therefore, they treated geniuses and prospective immortal seedlings with exceptional favor.

The servant's attitude towards Li Ji'an was respectful throughout, and he even tried to curry favor with him. However, as they reached the entrance of the courtyard in Zone A, the servant frowned slightly, gave Li Ji'an an apologetic smile, and quickened his pace.

"Have the esteemed students forgotten the academy's rules?"

Five people stood side by side at the entrance to Zone A. Their initially relaxed expressions instantly became solemn upon seeing Li Ji'an and the servant arrive.

Ignoring the servant's reprimand, the five people strode towards Li Ji'an.

Li Ji'an raised his eyebrows slightly, a smile appearing on his face.

He recognized one of them; it was the young fellow who had entered the martial arts academy in his eighth year in his previous life—Xiao Wu.

At thirteen, Xiao Wu was new to the academy, his innocence still intact. Having left his parents' care for the first time, he felt quite lost and lonely.

He thought Li Ji'an was a member of the academy, and since Li Ji'an had no airs about him, was even kind and humble, Xiao Wu began to rely on him.

Later, upon learning Li Ji'an's true identity, he was shocked, and their relationship grew even closer and more intimate, becoming like friends despite their age difference.

As the saying goes, children speak without filter. Xiao Wu would often tease Li Ji'an about being older than his own father yet still practicing martial arts with him, calling him his martial brother and saying it was embarrassing.

However, he only allowed himself to tease Li Ji'an; he wouldn't tolerate others doing so. In fact, he had gotten into a few fights when others mocked Li Ji'an.

He distinctly remembered, just before his Martial Arts Examination, Xiao Wu had patted his chest and promised Li Ji'an that if he succeeded in the examination, he would look out for Li Ji'an upon his return. He even said that if Li Ji'an ever had a son, he would sponsor the herbs for strengthening bones and muscles.

It was just that Li Ji'an underwent Rejuvenation before Xiao Wu could even participate in the Martial Arts Examination.

For the next five years, Li Ji'an remained at the Purple Heaven Temple, his whereabouts unknown.

When Xiao Wu had first entered the academy two years ago, he learned that this kid had failed the Martial Arts Examination back then. Two years later, he barely scraped by in the second round to enter the Immortal Seeking Academy. He had now been in the academy for five years.