Cultivation Starting from Full Talent

Chapter 53: Chapter 52: First-tier Top-grade Array Master!

Ning Daoran was somewhat speechless.

This matter wasn’t actually hard to guess; although Senior Brother Lin Sheng was approaching the peak of the Qi Refining Ninth Level, he never belonged to the most core disciples of the Inner Sect.

There was no other reason; his Spirit Root was simply too poor, and his reach to the Qi Refining Ninth Level hinged entirely on his courage to fight and contend, supported by half of the True Yang Furnace Technique.

Such disciples were numerous in the Inner Sect; essentially, the Sect’s most dangerous missions were always assigned to them, so even if some were lost, the Sect wouldn’t feel too much pain.

These people were like the Sect’s “disposables,” only that Lin Sheng and the like didn’t realize it themselves.

As for Liu Ruyan, she had fallen in love with Lin Sheng at first sight, won over by his heroic spirit and presence; subsequently, her feelings grew deep-rooted.

Moreover, Liu Ruyan’s strength was decent, and she had many talismans and magic artifacts at her disposal, which meant that her chances of survival in the Cangnan Secret Realm were also considerably high.

Therefore, partly to temper herself and partly not to let Lin Sheng face risks alone, Liu Ruyan was highly likely to volunteer to enter the Cangnan Secret Realm.

“Senior Brother Lin,”

Ning Daoran said with a serious expression, “What are your thoughts on the trip to the Cangnan Secret Realm?”

“What else can I think? To fight for a chance at Foundation Establishment,”

Lin Sheng raised his eyebrows slightly and said, “We cultivators, if we don’t even dare to fight, are destined to have no fate with Foundation Establishment.

Moreover, the higher-ups of our Sect have already promised that the disciples who enter the Cangnan Secret Realm and rank in the top ten for harvesting the main ingredients for Foundation Establishment Pills will each receive one.”

He smiled slightly and said, “Junior Brother, isn’t this an opportunity for you and me?”

“What about Senior Sister Liu? Do you also think we should be courageous and diligent?” Ning Daoran asked with a smile.

Liu Ruyan smiled softly, “I don’t know, but since I’m entering the Cangnan Secret Realm, I definitely won’t shy away. When the opportunity arises, it’s time to fight.”

“Mhm.”

Ning Daoran nodded, “My approach is different from yours; I plan to observe first after entering the Cangnan Secret Realm, and the timing of my actions might be a little later.”

“Junior Brother,”

Lin Sheng said, “I have a simplified map of the inside of the Cangnan Secret Realm. Although we will be randomly teleported to some place by the prohibition force upon entering, as long as we agree on a meeting point and meet up earlier, we can be somewhat safer.”

“Senior Brother, I won’t join you; I’m afraid I might hold you back.”

Ning Daoran politely declined. In truth, it wasn’t that he was afraid of holding them back, but that he worried revealing his true strength might shock his senior brother and sister.

Besides, if he continued to conceal his strength, following Lin Sheng and Liu Ruyan with his apparent Qi Refining Seventh Layer abilities, he might actually become a liability.

In the end, Lin Sheng’s attempts at persuasion were unsuccessful, and he repeatedly cautioned Ning Daoran to be careful.

“Senior Brother Lin,”

Ning Daoran stood up, smiling, “Senior Sister Liu, may I have a private word with Senior Brother, just between brothers?”

“Of course.”

Liu Ruyan was sipping Spiritual Tea and smiling, “You two brothers, please feel free.”

…

In the backyard, by the fish pond.

“Squeak~~~”

Little Blackie’s big head emerged from the water surface, and then with a flick of its tail at Ning Daoran’s look, dove back into the depths.

“Senior Brother,”

Ning Daoran said, “The Cangnan Secret Realm is dangerous, and it’s not like the missions you’ve faced before.”

“I know.”

Lin Sheng grinned, “I’m your Senior Brother, do you need to remind me of this?”

“Senior Brother must never be careless. The dangers are not only the demon beasts and prohibitions within the realm, but I believe even more treacherous are the cultivators who are also human beings.

I’ve inquired about a lot of information; this time, most Sects from all over Qingzhou are participating in the Cangnan Secret Realm, including first-class Sects like Sea Burning Sect, as well as Demon Sects like Soul Devouring Sect, and so on.

The power of these Sects and Sects is intertwined in Qingzhou, and no one can be sure they won’t eliminate the new forces of their rivals within the secret realm, so we must be especially cautious.”

Ning Daoran’s voice was low as he lightly patted his Storage Bag and took out a new set of Small Green Bamboo Array flags and Array Plate from it, “Senior Brother, take this set of arrays and integrate it into your cultivation. I hope it can be of use to you.”

“Ah?”

Lin Sheng was shocked, “Junior Brother, you really shouldn’t, this Small Green Bamboo Array is meant for your own defense, I really can’t accept it…”

“You worry too much, Senior Brother.”

Ning Daoran took out two more sets of Small Green Bamboo Array, smiling, “I am a First-tier Middle-grade Array Master. It’s not like I’ve only made one set of these Killing Arrays; please, Senior Brother, feel free to take it.”

“If that’s the case, I’ll take it then.”

Lin Sheng solemnly accepted the set of array equipment, filled with gratitude.

A set of First-tier Middle-grade Small Green Bamboo Array, regardless of the cost of refinement, simply the materials for the array were worth at least 1,500 Spirit Stones – no small sum.

“Senior Brother, there are a few other things.”

Ning Daoran took out some more items from his Storage Bag, two First-tier Middle-grade Defense Magic Items, one Second-stage Lower Grade Divine Speed Talisman, plus several bottles of Healing Pills.

“Junior Brother, what are you doing?” Lin Sheng was once again astounded.

As a Qi Refining Seventh Layer, the items Ning Daoran had taken out obviously seemed “a bit too much” and surpassed what was expected of someone at his cultivation level.

“During my previous experience, I stumbled upon some small fortune.”

Ning Daoran grinned, “Senior Brother needn’t worry; I still have many more items.”

“Alright!”

Lin Sheng took a deep look at Ning Daoran, and from that moment, he truly saw his junior brother in a new light — he had hidden his strength so deeply!

“Senior Brother must remember, do not reveal these trump cards unless absolutely necessary. Moreover, remember to keep these things confidential. Even Senior Sister Liu should not be told until after the Cangnan Secret Realm is over.”

“Okay.”

Lin Sheng acknowledged the stakes involved and nodded heavily.

Still, he felt something was amiss, “Junior Brother, are you sure it’s okay to explore the secret realm alone?”

“No worries, Senior Brother, you can rest assured.”

“Good, that’s best!”

Lin Sheng had an inkling that his worry might be superfluous; this Junior Brother was probably even more prudent than himself.

…

After Lin Sheng and Liu Ruyan left,

Ning Daoran recalled the encounter with Senior Sister Jiang Yu at the First-class Pavilion and wondered if she had sensed something. Had his secret been perceived by this early-stage Golden Core Senior Sister?

The thought made him vaguely uneasy.

The Concealing Breath Technique urgently needed an upgrade!

The next second, he directly accessed the Grass and Wood Holy Spirit System and, after spending over four thousand years worth of Refining Time, cultivated his Concealing Breath Technique to the Return to Nature level!

“Phew…”

Taking a deep breath and running the Return to Nature level Concealing Breath Technique, his entire body’s aura vanished into thin air, and his inner circulation became even more profound than the Turtle Breath Skill, filled with the true intent of Concealing Breath!@@novelbin@@

Even the external aura seemed to be contained!

Ning Daoran tensed up slightly, took out the Azure Dragon Spear from his Storage Bag, and activated the secret skill Silver Dragon Water Collection, which, to his relief, did not provoke any extraordinary phenomena this time!

This was ideal; there was no longer any need to be cautious—the Return to Nature level Silver Dragon Spear Technique could now be used freely.

“Still not enough…”

He frowned, thinking about the potential dangers he might face in the Cangnan Secret Realm, feeling as though his Cultivation safety index plummeted.

Thus, in one go, he spent another five thousand years worth of Refining Time and brought his Sound Absorption Technique and Invisibility Technique up to the Return to the True Realm.

After completing the cultivation, there was no other change—his techniques had simply become more exquisite, truly refined to perfection!

Afterward, looking at the remaining Refining Time, he still had tens of thousands of years left.

Without further thought, he spent it all.

Before long, all three Lower Grade Yellow Escape Skills—Wood Escape, Earth Escape, and Water Escape—also reached the level of Return to Nature.

Thus, when Ning Daoran used the Wood Escape Technique to merge with a wood attribute creature while also activating the Concealing Breath Technique, the Invisibility Technique, and the Sound Absorption Technique, he almost reached a state indiscernible even to Golden Core cultivators.

“Phew~~”

He exhaled slowly and finally felt a slight increase in his safety index.

However, once he entered the Cangnan Secret Realm, he still had to be cautious and avoid making unnecessary appearances whenever possible.

He no longer pondered over it; instead, he took out various materials and officially began refining the Five Elements Wander Array!

…

Over a month later, Ning Daoran emerged from seclusion.

Though his face was covered with dust from the artefact refining, making him look utterly travel-worn, he had finally completed his task.

Now, his Storage Bag held a complete set of the Five Elements Wander Array, including five Array Flags and five Array Plates, all of which had been tempered for his own use.

“It’s done!”

He inhaled deeply; at this moment, he truly became…

A First-tier top-grade Array Master!

The thought alone brought him to the brink of tears.

In the field of Array Path, his talent was indeed extraordinary. Although Grandmother’s array inheritance was immensely meritorious, Ning Daoran’s own aptitude for grasping insights with a single hint was also formidable.

He now had a thorough understanding of a set of Five Elements Wander Array and could refine a second or a third set anytime, provided he had enough materials.

And now, there were only three days left until the Cangnan Secret Realm would open.

It was time to prepare properly.

…

Within those three days,

Han Bing came to bid farewell.

Being the favored disciple of the Third Elder, she naturally didn’t need to risk her life in the Cangnan Secret Realm to strive for a chance at Foundation Establishment.

After seeing off Junior Sister Han Bing, Ning Daoran visited Yellow Dragon Square multiple times, buying a large amount of Elixir Pills, Low-level talismans, etc., to prepare for everything he would need in the secret realm.

He didn’t care about how much he spent from the Spirit Stones in his Storage Bag. Spirit Stones were meant to be used to convert into his own combat power. After all, if he were to die with unspent Spirit Stones, it would be immensely regrettable.

He put a heap of Qi Refining Middle Stage and Late-stage Qi Refining Refinement Pills, Breakthrough Pills, and 8,000 Low Grade Spirit Stones into a Storage Bag, then placed this Storage Bag under the pillow in his twenty-zhang deep underground chamber.

“Chen Weimo.”

Before leaving, Ning Daoran called the young girl over and spoke to her earnestly, “I’m about to head to the Cangnan Secret Realm. Though I’m almost certain of success, there is still the unexpected chance of something unpleasant happening.

Remember, if I don’t return from the Cangnan Secret Realm, you should go to my underground chamber. Under the pillow, there is a Storage Bag containing enough resources to sustain you until Foundation Establishment.

If I do come back, then act as if nothing happened.”

“Uncle…”

The young girl’s eyes immediately welled up with tears.

“Old Lu, let’s go!”

Carrying his Magic Sword, Ning Daoran departed from Qiongbi Peak, heading towards the Inner Sect Hall.