Cultivation Starting from Full Talent

Chapter 220: Chapter 218 Guiyuan Sect

“Old Lu, take it down!”

The motion of lifting his spear and cleaving was done in one fluid motion, and in an instant, a fiery spear radiance pierced through the air, instantly splitting the massive trunk of the Old Deer Tree in two!

“Pfft~~~”

Amidst the blood splatter, half of the Old Deer Tree’s trunk sprayed blood and burned, turning into char in the blink of an eye, while its Divine Soul resided within the other half. Accompanied by an urgent rustling of leaves, it incredibly burrowed into the ground along with the tree crown, attempting to escape!

“Aow~~”

The Big Stupid Deer’s White Deer ran past trampling at high speed, its Golden Core Power accompanying its hooves as they hit the ground, crushing the Old Deer Tree’s body to pieces!

But this Old Deer Tree was indeed a vile Evil Spirit, extremely so!

Those broken leaves and fragments of trunk all seemed to possess their own Spirituality, twisting individually and rapidly scattering in all directions, as if any part of the body that could survive and escape would be able to regenerate!

“Wishful thinking!”

Ning Daoran soared into the air, “Old Lu, step aside!”

The Big Stupid Deer stomped on the ground, instantly leaping into the sky to provide protection.

“Swish—”

With a wave of Ning Daoran’s hand, the Magical Treasure made its appearance; the Dragon Sparrow Treasure Fan seeped out of his palm, initially the size of a fingernail, but rapidly becoming larger as it spun, soon reaching the size of a palm-leaf fan!

After infusing it with the robust power of the True Yang Furnace Technique, Ning Daoran fanned it towards the ground!

“Whoosh~~~”

A fierce blaze fell from the sky, incinerating everything!

Immediately, the Late-stage Foundation Establishment Old Deer Tree’s shattered trunk shrieked in agony as the Dragon Sparrow Treasure Fan’s fiery blaze penetrated the ground’s surface, leaving no place to hide, not even underground.

Moreover, this light fanning set entire mountains and forests ablaze within several miles!

Setting fire to a mountain would have landed him in prison for life!

Luckily, in the Eastern Wasteland Cultivation World, there were no such rules. Cultivators were very free, allowed to set fire to mountains at will and even to recklessly slash and cut down Spirit wood and Spirit bamboo or use lightning techniques to fish for Spirit fish in lakes inhabited by them, truly uninhibited.

“Senior, spare my life, I’ll never dare again…”

Within the raging fire, the voice of the Late-stage Foundation Establishment Old Deer Tree could be heard.

Ning Daoran frowned, he never listened to these meaningless confessions before death, wielding the Dragon Sparrow Treasure Fan, another burst of fierce flames descended from the sky, burning the Old Deer Tree whose Daoist Heart was breaking, twisting and struggling while cursing angrily.

“Commoner! Even though you are a Golden Core Cultivator, you possess not a shred of mercy, I curse you to remain in the Golden Core Early Stage all your life, cursed never to have the chance to reach Nascent Soul!”

Good at cursing, but it caused no substantial harm.

Ning Daoran smiled faintly and with the third swing of the Treasure fan, he burnt the Foundation Establishment Old Deer Tree to ashes.

“Come.”

He raised his hand and sucked in, immediately a piece of Yin Wood about a finger’s length was pulled into his hand, charred on the outside, tender on the inside; the life essence of the Old Deer Tree.

Second Order High-Grade material, worth some money, keep saving up.

…

“Old Lu, let’s go.”

Man and deer once again made their way through the woods.

Before long, three presences appeared deep in the forest grounds, followed by the shaking of leaves in the woods, and swiftly, three figures emerged from within, appearing within Ning Daoran’s sight—three Foundation Establishment Cultivators walking on foot.

The three of them all looked weather-worn, having experienced a great deal.

Judging by their clothes, they seemed to be Cultivators from Huangzhou area, and Loose Cultivators at that, wearing brightly colored clothing that wasn’t standard Sect attire.

At this moment, Ning Daoran’s outward Cultivation remained at Late-stage Foundation Establishment; no need to be too ostentatious while traveling.

“Fellow Daoist.”

The three of them were not fearful, and the older one of them cupped his fists and said, “We are three Independent Practitioners who passed by this place a few days ago and were plotted against by an Old Deer Evil Spirit. Today we returned specifically to take care of that Evil Spirit only to find it already killed. May I inquire if it was Fellow Daoist who did this?”

“Indeed.”

Ning Daoran nodded.

“Fellow Daoist is truly impressive, even managing to exterminate that Late-stage Foundation Establishment Evil Spirit!”

The older man said excitedly, “My name is Chen Lin, Late-stage Foundation Establishment.”

The young man in a red short coat bowed with his fists, “I am Yuan Yangqiu, Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, Loose Cultivator from Huangzhou.”

The younger man wearing green robes bowed as well, “I am Zhang Shuo, Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, like my second brother, both of us native Huangzhou Loose Cultivators.”

The older man smiled and said, “Fellow Daoist may not know, but the three of us share the same goals and values. Decades ago, we swore brotherhood as men of different surnames, vowing to eliminate demons together. Having traveled extensively near Mou Yuan, people in the northern regions of Huangzhou call us the Mou Yuan Three Heroes. May I ask how Fellow Daoist is addressed?”

“My surname is Ning.”

Ning Daoran smiled, “Independent Practitioner from Qingzhou, commonly known as Independent Practitioner Ning.”

“So, it’s Fellow Daoist Ning.”

Chen Lin said with a smile, “The Mou Yuan area is rife with evil spirits, making it extremely unsafe. The surface is dangerous, and the skies are even more perilous with demon birds. We also need to cross through the Black Pine Forest to head south; how about we accompany Fellow Daoist and travel together?”

“I agree.”

Ning Daoran responded without hesitation.

“That would be excellent.”

Yuan Yangqiu and Zhang Shuo looked pleased, “Since that’s the case, let’s set off tonight, we can part ways after crossing the Black Pine Forest.”

“You all make a valid point!”

…

Thus, Ning Daoran, along with the Big Stupid Deer, set off to travel with the group.

At this moment, Big Stupid Deer’s cultivation had reached the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment. Therefore, when Chen Lin and the other two looked at the White Deer, the unease and awkwardness in their eyes flashed by momentarily. A demon beast at the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment level possessed combat power comparable to that of a human at the Late-stage Foundation Establishment. This Spiritual Beast was extremely tricky!

Nevertheless, it appeared that Chen Lin and the others had made up their minds to go through with this!

If they could subdue this Spiritual Beast as well, the gains from this trip would be unimaginable!

Half a day later.

At dawn, the morning light broke.

Although they encountered several Evil Spirits on their way, those mere Qi Refinement Realm Evil Spirits were not even worth a scoff in front of several Foundation Establishment Experts.

Even a Late-stage Qi Refining female ghost had no chance to turn and flee before being turned to flying ash by Yuan Yangqiu’s lightning-infused palm strike, allowing not the slightest opportunity for escape.

“Fellow Daoist Ning.”

Chen Lin reached out and pointed forward, saying, “Passing through the pass up ahead is the official road; once we get there, we will part ways.”

“Alright, thanks for your companionship, fellow cultivators.”

Ning Daoran stood up and walked forward.

However, he stopped in his tracks when he reached the pass, seemingly hesitating.

“Fellow Daoist, why have you stopped?”

Chen Lin frowned, “Could it be that you have some doubts?”

“Indeed.”

Ning Daoran’s eyes turned to the ground ahead, and with a smile, he said, “But, I wonder if the Second-Order Middle-Grade Jade Toad Demon-trapping Formation beneath the ground up ahead is intended for me?”

“You…”

A fierce look flashed through Yuan Yangqiu’s eyes, not expecting their scheme to be seen through.

“Fellow Daoist jests.”

Chen Lin was still pretending, “What formation up front? Why haven’t I seen it?”

Zhang Shuo, who had not spoken, suddenly brandished a Spiritual Artifact short knife, ruthlessly stabbing at Ning Daoran’s heart from behind.

“Clang!”

Sparks splattered as Ling Daoran’s outer long robe shattered under the impact of the Spiritual Artifact, but the inner armor underneath was revealed.

Wanxiang Cloud Thunder Armor!

Strands of cloud and thunder energies flowed, and under the strike of the Spiritual Artifact short knife, the Wanxiang Cloud Thunder Armor did not even have a scratch, still maintaining its pristine condition!

“Fellow cultivators, I’m about to send you on your way.”

Ning Daoran’s posture was casual.

“Dammit!”

Chen Lin exclaimed in shock, “Attack together!”

As he spoke, he brought out a Spiritual Artifact, ready to unleash his mana, but a blood-red silk thread swept across, and the next moment, Chen Lin’s body swayed and then his head and body were separated.

“Thud thud!”

Two streaks of golden light swept past; they were two Golden Silk Swords that pierced through the hearts of Yuan Yangqiu and Zhang Shuo.

Irresistible, unavoidable.

As a Golden Core cultivator killing Foundation Establishment cultivators, it was truly a battle of different dimensions, and all the more so with Ning Daoran, a Golden Core that was leagues above them!

…

Soul Search!

Ning Daoran reached out a hand and grasped the undissipated souls of the three, forcefully entering their memories and beginning the Soul Search.

As expected, all three were Robbery cultivators.

However, they were not known as the Mouyuan Three Heroes, but the Mouyuan Three Killers!

What’s more, the leader, Chen Lin, was not only a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Expert but also a First-tier top-grade Array Master, having once studied under a Second-Order High-Grade Array Master and was ultimately expelled from his Sect due to improper conduct.

Before leaving, Chen Lin snuck into the Sect’s treasure vault, stealing an entire set of Second-Order Middle-Grade Jade Toad Demon Trapping Arrays, and what’s more, he had secretly learned the succession techniques of the Jade Toad Demon-trapping Formation from his master, only unable to refine it himself due to his limited talent.

Even so, relying on this formation, the three of them had committed numerous misdeeds in the northern borderlands of Huangzhou; many Foundation Establishment Cultivators fell into their trap.

With each successful robbery, their courage and greed grew larger. Today, they even thought of targeting Ning Daoran, whom they believed to be a “Late-stage Foundation Establishment” Great Cultivator—unfortunately, they were wrong, and their opponent was actually a Golden Core cultivator.

A Second-tier Array would have no trouble trapping a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but to trap a Golden Core Cultivator was much more difficult.

“This can’t go to waste.”

Ning Daoran immediately took out a blank Jade Scroll and, while controlling Chen Lin’s Divine Soul and seizing the opportunity while his soul was still intact, transcribed the complete succession of the Jade Toad Demon-trapping Formation based on his memory.

Having multiple skills doesn’t burden one; as an exceptional Third-tier Middle-grade Array Master, the more arrays he mastered, the better.

Furthermore, from the Soul Search of Chen Lin and the others, Ning Daoran obtained some useful information.

A thousand miles away in the northern borderlands of Huangzhou, there was a Sect called Guiyuan Sect, whose Sect Master was Zuo Qiuhai, a Golden Core Early Stage Cultivator and a talented dual cultivator of magic and body. He not only cultivated magic but also a Body Refining Technique called the Mad Lion Form, which was said to possess a Lion-shaped Root Map!

This Lion-shaped Root Map was extremely rare and worth a trip to Guiyuan Sect to acquire the map for Big Stupid Deer’s cultivation.

Moreover, Guiyuan Sect was in the south, en route.

“All set!”

Ning Daoran collected the Storage Bags of the Robbery cultivators and said, “Next stop, Guiyuan Sect. Old Lu, let’s head to Guiyuan Sect and get a Lion-shaped Root Map for you!”

…

Thus, a man and a deer headed south.

Two days later, they reached the foot of Yan Gui Mountain, where Guiyuan Sect was located on the mountain itself.

However, when Ning Daoran looked up at Yan Gui Mountain, he noticed strands of Evil Qi lingering in the air above the mountain, akin to billowing mist, immediately frowning. It seemed that Guiyuan Sect was not as simple as it appeared.