2 Rejuvenation.
The Next Morning.
Li Ying was lying on the ground as he opened his eyes, blinking twice. His vision cleared and he saw thick and tall trees with green leaves and dark red bark.
The forest was silent and gloomy. His head was still throbbing and his bones were still shaking from all the running he did.
Li Ying stood up with the help of a nearby tree and looked around. He decided to explore the forest as he felt a sense of fear and curiosity.
Walking slowly he checked the surroundings. Li Ying heard his personal footsteps and breathing. The ground was covered with fallen leaves and twigs, they made cracking sounds when he stepped on them.
While noticing a ray of sunlight breaking through the trees ahead, Li Ying walked towards it wondering what was there. His figure came out of the dense trees.
Li Ying saw a large field in front of him. He was amazed by the sight. The field was full of herbs that he had never seen before. They were short and yellowish, with round leaves and tiny flowers. They smelled sweet and strong, filling the air with their fragrance. Li Ying felt his nose bleed and his eyes water.
He realized that he had found a rare treasure. These herbs were extraordinary and precious. They had a powerful effect on his body and mind. He wondered what they could do if he used them for medicine. He felt a strong desire to pick them and take them with him but he stopped, it wasn't appropriate to pick someone else's treasure.
Li Ying looked around and saw massive creatures grazing on the herbs.
He recognized them, 'Flame Horn goats', he thought.
But they were a great deal larger and stronger than those he had seen earlier than. They had long and curved horns that glowed with hearth. They made low and deep sounds that echoed within the field.
He was shocked with their appearance and made a realization, 'Could it be that that is the ancestral land of Flame Horn goats? It all makes sense. Maybe one of Flame Horn goat ancestors had gained intelligence and created this barrier to ensure survival for its endangered species'.
He was lost in his thoughts when he heard a soft and feminine voice in his ear.
"What kind of Flame Horn goat breed are you, intruder?"
Li Ying was startled and confused. He realized that the owner of the barrier was a human and a young female at that. He felt stupid for his speculations.
He didn't know how to address her, as 'senior' or as 'young fairy'.
If she had created the mysterious barrier then she must be very old and powerful, but she had the voice of a mortal girl in her twenties. Li Ying wondered if she was someone who liked to be addressed as a young girl.
She was mocking him, but Li Ying replied in a very polite manner, "Young Fairy, I am a human. I was only curious and accidentally entered your domain. Please forgive me if I have disturbed your peace."
"Hahaha!" she laughed out loud, "Young Fairy?". She continued, "Young man, I was here when your ancestors weren't even born yet. You have been visiting this forest for years, was that all just an accident?"
Li Ying shook his head and replied, "As expected, Senior, you already know everything." He called her 'Senior' this time.
Li Ying knew that this person who was inside this highly advanced barrier was no ordinary person. He didn't want to anger her and tried to make excuses to leave.
"Senior, I have fulfilled the last goal of my life. I am done, I will retire from my sect and live in the village with mortals for the rest of my remaining few years. I will be leaving then."
He bowed and turned his back, heading towards the towering trees.
"Wait, I can help you," she called out in a flat tone.
He stopped and looked back, his mind racing.
"How can you help an old scholar who has nothing to live for?" Li Ying asked in a humble tone.
She laughed and said, "You have lost the mental state that let you in, you can't get out of the barrier now, and even if you could, the Serpentail Wolf is waiting for you. You don't have any options left except to ask for my help?"
Li Ying had no words to say, he knew she was right.
He was not a fool like the Flame Horn goats. He still feared death and the unknown of the afterlife. It was a rare state of mind that allowed him to enter the barrier in the first place.
'Am I trapped', he thought.
She read his mind and said, "Don't think too much, I have an offer for you." Her voice was confident and playful.
Li Ying felt uneasy and wary.
"What interest would a mighty cultivator like you have in me? I have no intention of joining any wicked cultivation practice, willingly."
Li Ying stressed the word 'willingly', he knew that he was helpless against a powerhouse like her, if she really wanted to harm him.
"Do I look like an Evil Cultivator?" She asked, as if she was insulted by his suspicion.
"Forgive me senior, I have no idea what you look like." Li Ying said, as politely as he could.
It was true, Li Ying had no idea of her appearance. He could not even tell where she was speaking from as her voice had the same loudness from all directions.
"Hmm…Think of the most gorgeous woman you have ever laid eyes on, I am much better than her." She spoke normally again, with a playful tone.
Li Ying was speechless. He would have been flustered by her self-praise if he was younger. But he felt no anger towards her, survival was his only motive right now.
"How will you help me, senior?" He asked.
"I can help you cultivate." She answered enigmatically.
Li Ying was stunned. He had never heard of anyone who could alter one's cultivation talent. Just how unfathomable was this senior? He had always wanted to cultivate, but he had no aptitude for it. He had tried many methods and techniques, but he had never succeeded. Li Ying had given up on his dream long ago and accepted his fate as a mortal.
He hesitated for a moment, then said. "I'm already old, even if I begin cultivating, I won't live long. Besides, I have nothing to offer you in return for your generosity."
"Do you wish to cultivate or not? Do you think you will remain old after I make improvements to your body? You have no need to repay me, you have nothing of value to me. You only have to do one thing." She spoke irritably, with a disdainful tone.
'Am I supposed to amuse her, or am I the guinea pig for her new technique? Or does she want revenge on someone without revealing her identity?' Many questions flooded in Li Ying's mind. He did not understand her motives or methods.
"Senior, what do I need to do?" He asked.
"Nothing much…Your only task is to reach the peak of this world in 100 years. If you fail to do so, I will revert you to your original state after 100 years." She replied.
He hesitated before saying, "Senior, this task is too hard. I can't surpass the saints who are hidden in the holy lands, they have been cultivating for ages." He said, as realistically as he could.
"Hmph! You can't surpass some old fossils after the tenth-grade cultivation aptitude that I will give you." She said, as if she was confident of her claim.
Li Ying was silent. He felt another shock. 'Did she really say 'Tenth-Grade' aptitude? Even the ninth-grade aptitude was a legend. Didn't the geniuses of the holy lands have the cultivation aptitude of only seventh or eighth grade? How can she give me such a high aptitude?'
Li Ying had no choice but to accept the offer, the worst outcome would be death but Li Ying was already curious about her techniques. On the other hand, if she succeeded, he would be able to cultivate!
Li Ying blurted out, "Senior, I agree to your offer."
She was satisfied when he agreed and praised him, "Excellent. You have made a wise decision. You will soon experience a new life that you have never imagined."
A thin strand of golden qi flew from the front and struck Li Ying's forehead. Li Ying had no time to react. He felt a sharp pain in his head, followed by a warm sensation in his body. He felt his mind go blank; he lost consciousness. A golden light wrapped around his body and lifted him in the air.
…
Li Ying opened his eyes and noticed a different scenery than before. He was lying on the ground in a field of rare herbs that emitted a pleasant aroma.
He stood up and saw huge Flame Horn goats who were staring at him. Their horns glowing with hearth, their aura was immense, but they didn't intend to harm Li Ying. Their nature was very different from the low-leveled Flame Horn goats.
Li Ying turned his head and saw a wooden house at some distance. It was not very large, but it looked lavish. It had a thatched roof, a wooden door, and few windows.
He heard a familiar voice coming from the house.
"Oh, you are awake. Seems like my experiment worked. How do you feel?"
Li Ying realized he was her experiment after all, but he did not care. He felt grateful and curious.
"Senior, I feel better than ever. Have I truly acquired 'tenth grade' aptitude?"
He examined his hands. They were smooth and firm, with no signs of aging. His face had no beard or wrinkles, only smooth and handsome features. He had regained his youth. A surge of qi flowed smoothly and powerfully in his body.
"Yes." The voice came from the house, sounding satisfied and proud.
"Now let's discuss your future. First of all, I will accept you as my disciple. I am already too involved with you. So, our relationship needs to be defined." She said, as if she was giving him a command.
Li Ying did not hesitate and knelt down.
"Disciple pays respect to the master." He said, as his forehead touched the ground.
Li Ying was now bald, without any hair on his body. He had lost all his hair, as a result of the transformation.
"You can raise your head, I'm not used to this." She said, sounding like she was flushing.
Li Ying stood up, his bald head shining under the sun. His face was smooth and handsome, without any wrinkles or blemishes. His eyes were bright and sharp, reflecting his intelligence and determination. He looked like he was in his twenties.
Li Ying wore a black robe that draped over his body, embroidered with gray patterns of dragons and phoenixes.
He noticed his robe. This wasn't the simple robe he used to wear daily. It was replaced by his master. The robe was not only elegant and comfortable, but also contained a powerful defensive formation that could protect him from harm.
'This master is not bad at all.' Li Ying felt grateful and happy.
