Cultivation Starting from Full Talent

Chapter 124: Chapter 122 Lay Practitioner Bai Ming

The trading session was located in a private room within Xiyu Pavilion.

Upon entering the room, Ning Daoran noticed that there were already three cultivators present, all emitting auras of Early-stage Foundation Establishment.

Just right, Ning Daoran’s outward aura was also suppressed to the Early-stage Foundation Establishment, leveling the cultivation base of all four people, which was for the best.

“Fellow Daoists,”

Chen Ping’er bowed slightly with a smile and said, “Now that everyone is present, this young lady shall take her leave first.”

The four Foundation Establishments nodded in unison, watching as the manager of Xiyu Pavilion left.

A grey-robed elderly cultivator raised his hand and reactivated the isolation prohibition, smiling, “Fellow Daoists, shall we begin? Who would like to go first?”

“I will go first.”

The black-faced Foundation Establishment cultivator slapped his Storage Bag and a green rope floated out, saying, “Green Snake Rope, crafted from the backbone of a Second-stage Early-stage Demon Beast, exceedingly sturdy, good for both offense and defense.

Although it has some flaws, it still possesses the essence of a Second-order Lower Grade Spirit Artifact. If any fellow daoist is interested, you may directly exchange an item of equivalent value.”

Ning Daoran was slightly startled.

The standards of this exchange session really weren’t high, beginning with a flawed Second-order Lower Grade Spirit Artifact.

Such a treasure couldn’t even be ranked in Ning Daoran’s Storage Ring.

However, the other two Foundation Establishment cultivators were keenly interested.

The grey-robed elder said, “Indeed a Spirit Artifact! This treasure has excellent Spiritual Energy, may I ask what would the Fellow Daoist like in exchange?”

“Would Fellow Daoist happen to have any Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Breakthrough Elixir Pills, the Snow Melt Pills?”

“Snow Melt Pills are extremely precious, I do not have such Elixir Pills, but I wonder if these two talismans would catch your eye?”

The elder slapped his Storage Bag, and two High-quality Talisman Paper crafted Second-Order High-Grade Frost Freeze Talismans appeared on the table.

“Frost Freeze Talisman?”

The black-faced cultivator frowned slightly, “Fellow Daoist actually has such a grade of Frost Freeze Talismans, truly rare. But to exchange two Second-rank Talismans for a genuine Second-order Spirit Artifact, is it?”

“I will add three hundred Spirit Stones. Would that suffice for the exchange?”

“That will do!”

Immediately, the two completed the exchange.

Another young cultivator looked indifferent, remaining silent.

Ning Daoran also kept his composure. Although the Green Snake Rope was already damaged, nearly falling out of the ranks of Spirit Artifacts, the days of Family cultivators and Loose Cultivators in Foundation Establishment were indeed tight.

A Spirit Artifact that Ning Daoran disdained might be seen as a hope for advancement in cultivation by others.

“It’s your turn, Fellow Daoist,” the grey-robed elder looked over.

Ning Daoran then took out an 800-year-old Spirit Grass, essentially going through the motions, and eventually exchanged it for a Second-tier Mid-grade Divine Speed Talisman from the young cultivator, which was about the right price.

Thus, after several rounds of exchanges, Ning Daoran still hadn’t found what he wanted.

He gradually grew a bit impatient.

The standard of this exchange session was indeed low, and the three Early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators seemed to be on the weaker side, possessing very limited treasures.

But in the fourth round of exchanges, the young cultivator slapped his Storage Bag and took out a piece of Spirit Wood with deep patterns and rich Spiritual Energy.

“This…”

The elder immediately sharpened his gaze, “Fellow Daoist, is this Third-tier Spirit Wood, Chen Ling Wood?”

“Indeed.”

The young cultivator said, “I chanced upon a small piece of Chen Ling Wood during one exploration of a Secret Realm and have cherished it ever since. I wonder if any fellow daoist is interested?”

Chen Ling Wood, a Third-tier Spirit Wood, was precisely one of the main materials needed to construct the White Feather Flowing Sound Array.

Ning Daoran immediately said, “May I know what kind of treasure Fellow Daoist wishes to exchange for?”

“Still a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Breakthrough Elixir…”

The young cultivator was somewhat embarrassed: “Not hiding from Fellow Daoist, I appear young because I consumed the Solid Color Pill when I was young. I am already over a hundred years old, and if I don’t advance to Mid-stage Foundation Establishment now, I fear there is no hope for the Golden Core.”

“So that’s the case.”

Ning Daoran took out a Jade Bottle from his Storage Bag and said, “Here are three Snow Melt Pills, one of which is a Top-quality Snow Melt Pill, and the other two are just genuine. Do you think that’s sufficient for the exchange?”

The young cultivator’s eyes were bright: “Enough!”

The two completed their exchange.

Ning Daoran packed up the Chen Ling Wood.

While the young cultivator was putting away the Snow Melt Pills into his Storage Bag, the black-faced cultivator’s gaze clearly flashed with a hint of greed.

Ning Daoran saw it but couldn’t be bothered to care.

His karma is of no concern to himself.

After a few more rounds of exchanges, Ning Daoran still hadn’t made any other significant gains.

However, having acquired a piece of Chen Ling Wood made the trip worthwhile.

…

Yellow Dragon Square.

Ning Daoran removed his disguise and, accompanied by White Deer, wandered around for a while before deciding to return to Xiyu Pavilion.

He had forgotten to replenish some First-tier and Second-tier Talismans earlier. After the intense battle with Ouyang Po, it was necessary to replenish some.

“Fellow Daoist Ning.”

Just as he stepped into Xiyu Pavilion, Chen Ping’er and Fairy Yun Lan appeared together, with Fairy Yun Lan smiling lightly and saying,

“Yun Lan has a favor to ask. Knowing that Fellow Daoist is a past frequent patron of Ping’er, thus our Supreme Elder of Xiyu Pavilion would like to have a chat with you. Would Fellow Daoist be willing to oblige?”

“Supreme Elder?”

“Indeed.”

Chen Ping’er’s smile was a bit stiff as she said, “The Ancestor is currently in the teahouse on the second floor. If Fellow Daoist has some free time, perhaps you would meet with him.”

“Hmm.”

Ning Daoran nodded, “Please lead the way.”

On the second floor, in the teahouse.

An old man with white hair and beard was meditating, his body surging with the aura of a Golden Core Early Stage.

Xiyu Pavilion’s Supreme Elder, turned out to be a Golden Core Expert!

“Fellow Daoist Ning, it is fortunate to meet you.”

The elder stood up and smiled indifferently, “I am Lay Practitioner Bai Ming, the Supreme Elder of the Xiyu Pavilion. I have long heard of Fellow Daoist’s great reputation, and therefore I took the liberty of inviting you to meet. I hope you won’t mind.”

“Senior flatters me.”

Ning Daoran asked, “May I know why senior wanted to see me?”

Lay Practitioner Bai Ming smiled slightly and raised his hand to set up several prohibitions. “Please take a seat first, Fellow Daoists. Ping’er, Yun Lan, you are not outsiders. Please sit as well.”

“Yes, Ancestor!”

The two female cultivators were extremely respectful, addressing him as “Ancestor.”

They sat down beside Lay Practitioner Bai Ming, one on each side.

Ning Daoran did not say much.

Having cultivated for decades, he had a deep understanding of many things in the Cultivation World.

If a female cultivator of average talent and good looks was attached to a great power and advanced quickly in her cultivation, one should not expect her to maintain her virtue.

Chen Ping’er’s gaze flickered unwillingly; perhaps she had not yet served anyone physically.

But the relationship between Yun Lan and Lay Practitioner Bai Ming, being evident in every frown and smile, was obviously more than what it seemed on the surface.

Chen Ping’er and Yun Lan, two seemingly vulnerable women, how could they have established the grand Xiyu Pavilion in Yellow Dragon Square in such a short time?

Obviously, Lay Practitioner Bai Ming was the real driving force behind the rise of the Xiyu Pavilion in Yellow Dragon Square.

“Fellow Daoist Ning.”

Lay Practitioner Bai Ming smiled lightly. “I’ve heard from Ping’er that you, despite your young age, have already reached Foundation Establishment, and you possess extraordinary skills in spirit plants and array paths. Therefore, I took the liberty to invite you to be a Guest Elder at our Xiyu Pavilion. You wouldn’t need to do anything; just lend us your name, and you would receive ten percent of the profits from our Xiyu Pavilion in Yellow Dragon Square annually. Please consider this.”

Ning Daoran’s heart turned solemn, knowing that such good things do not come without a catch.

Since the other party was willing to share profits, there must be other motives and calculations.

“Senior, it’s not that I am unwilling, but I, being the Peak Master of Qiongbi Peak of Chaotic Sect, truly find it inappropriate to hold a position at Xiyu Pavilion. I hope senior will understand.”

He frowned, “Otherwise, for Fellow Daoist Chen’s sake, I would never refuse.”

“That’s truly unfortunate…”

Lay Practitioner Bai Ming’s expression remained unchanged without any sign of displeasure. Smiling, he said, “Since Fellow Daoist finds it inconvenient, I will not insist. But as a regular of our Xiyu Pavilion, you naturally qualify as our VIP. Here is a VIP token from Xiyu Pavilion; please accept it. With this token, you can enjoy a ten percent discount at any branch of Xiyu Pavilion.”

“Thank you, senior!”

Ning Daoran accepted the token immediately, fearing he might really offend the senior otherwise.

Not long after, he left Xiyu Pavilion.

“Fellow Daoist Ning.”

Chen Ping’er actually followed him out of the Xiyu Pavilion, her beautiful eyes showing a mix of reluctance and complexity.

“Farewell!”

Ning Daoran immediately transformed into a tunneling light, returning to Chaotic Sect.

No matter how alluring Chen Ping’er’s gaze was, he did not look back even once.

“Ao ao~~”

Inside the Spirit Garden Cave Heaven, Big Stupid Deer bellowed loudly, calling his big brother awesome, completely ignoring these candy-coated shells!

…

Time flew by, and soon it was the end of the year.

Qiongbi Peak.

Ning Daoran walked out from the Spirit Garden Cave Heaven, his appearance disheveled and unkempt.

He stared at his reflection in the pond, doubting his life for a moment.

This White Feather Flowing Sound Array was so profound; even by the end of the year, he hadn’t seen the slightest breakthrough.

His understanding of this array still remained superficial.

No, he must thoroughly comprehend it!

Ning Daoran, in a fit of anger, unleashed the power of the Evergreen Technique from within.

“Squeak, squeak, squeak~~~”

The big salty fish in the water could no longer hide and kept jumping out to see its master.

“Hmph!”

Ning Daoran pulled out a Second-order Demon Core and said, “Cultivate properly, I advise you not to be stubborn, lest you harm yourself!”

“Squeak, squeak~~~”

Terrified, the Big Black Fish scattered its soul and immediately dived to the bottom of the river, truly beginning to focus on cultivating by suppressing its presence.

“Uncle!”

At that moment, a figure appeared—it was Chen Weimo.

“Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. Uncle Han Bing, Uncle Lin Sheng, and Uncle Lin Zhuojun have all sent visit notes, saying they would like to gather at Qiongbi Peak tomorrow.”

“I know.”

Ning Daoran nodded. “Chen Weimo, bring out the best food and drink tomorrow; let’s not make anyone feel that Qiongbi Peak is stingy.”

“Alright~~~”

…

The next day, Qiongbi Peak became lively.

Ning Daoran personally wrote couplets and blessings, and Big Stupid Deer stuck the couplets onto its front hooves and licked the back vigorously before cheerily sticking them all around.

Chen Weimo set off a string of firecrackers in front of the small yard.

The Ma family, Huang Family, and Qin Family, hearing the noise, also began setting off their firecrackers, the laughter of distant children filling the air.

Around noon.

Han Bing, Lin Sheng, and Lin Zhuojun arrived.

“Brother~~~”

Han Bing gave a dimpled smile and exchanged some New Year’s greetings.

Lin Sheng and Lin Zhuojun brought with them modest gifts, a token of sentiment.

Additionally, Lin Zhuojun still brought his son, Lin Yun, whose cultivation was already among the best of his generation.

Upon seeing Ning Daoran, who focused wholeheartedly on farming, although he was extremely respectful on the surface, his eyes betrayed his impatience.