Cultivation Starting from Full Talent

Chapter 64: Chapter 63: Exchange

Late at night, underground secret chamber.

Ning Daoran had hidden for many days and finally couldn’t resist taking out the storage bags of Lin Chi and Qin Buhui.

The seals on the storage bags of these two young prodigies had long been removed, but he hadn’t looked closely yet, feeling somewhat expectant.

The identities of these two were too special, one being the chief true inheritor of the Qingzhou True Path leader and the other the chief true inheritor of the Qingzhou Demon Leader, surely their legacy was abundant!

First he looked at Lin Chi’s storage bag, which contained no spirit stones at all but various magic artifacts and talismans, presumably because he knew the perils of the Cangnan Secret Realm and thus did not bring any spirit stones or elixir pills into it.

Speaking of which, although the true inheritor of the Soul Devouring Sect was dark and arrogant, he was also cautious by nature.

The estimated value of Lin Chi’s storage bag was about ten thousand spirit stones.@@novelbin@@

Being such a person with a profound background, he actually wasn’t in need of that single Foundation Establishment Pill… Lin Chi had entered the Cangnan Secret Realm solely to eliminate the Foundation Establishment seedlings of the righteous path!

As for Qin Buhui’s storage bag, it gave Ning Daoran quite a shock!

This hidden cultivator nurtured earnestly by Old Monster Tian Hai, had no less than five spiritual artifacts, and additionally several top-grade magic artifacts, with more than twenty unused talismans still in the storage bag!

Furthermore, there was a green jade pendant.

Before leaving, Ning Daoran had quickly performed a Soul Search on Qin Buhui and knew that this jade pendant, called Turtle Breath Jade, could hide his cultivation once infused with mana.

It was this piece of Turtle Breath Jade that allowed Qin Buhui to deceive the Profound Yang Mirror.

The estimated value of Qin Buhui’s storage bag… was over twenty thousand spirit stones!

Moreover, from the Soul Search on Qin Buhui, he also learned the secret that he had been covertly practicing the Soul Devouring Demon Technique, making him a chess piece that the Soul Devouring Sect had embedded within the Sea Burning Sect.

The reason it was only “half a piece” was because he played both sides, taking benefits as an informant from the Soul Devouring Sect while consuming a substantial amount of resources from Old Monster Tian Hai.

Qin Buhui’s ambition was much greater than Lin Chi’s who was of the type who had a top-grade spiritual root and extraordinary talent but preferred not to think too much, whereas Qin Buhui was different.

He was better at disguising, such that even Old Monster Tian Hai had not noticed his practice of the Soul Devouring Demon Technique.

Even more, Qin Buhui’s real intention was to unify the Right and Demon Paths of Qingzhou; once he reached the mid-stage Golden Core, he planned to vie for Qingzhou, aiming to become the true number one person in the Qingzhou Cultivation World.

Unfortunately, many plans laid out but he ended up being killed by Ning Daoran, an unexpected variable that emerged from nowhere in the Cangnan Secret Realm.

“Sigh…”

He took a deep breath.

The items from Lin Chi and Qin Buhui… shouldn’t be touched right now, and definitely shouldn’t be hastily liquidated. The danger level of doing so was too high, especially within Qingzhou.

After leaving, Old Monster Tian Hai and Soul-devouring Demon and others had surely planted many spies, watching every move of anyone who came into contact with Qin Buhui or Lin Chi’s treasures, and would trace back to find the killer of their disciples.

That’s a situation he must avoid.

For now, he would keep the two storage bags concealed on his person and only liquidate them when he was sufficiently strong. At a minimum, he would wait until he reached the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, otherwise he feared he couldn’t stand against those two old monsters!

…

Several days later.

Danxia Peak.

Jiang Yu, in a moon-white plain dress, sat on the Peak Master’s throne, browsing through some sect ledgers.

“Sect Master.”

A group of people came from outside, and at the forefront was a middle-aged man dressed in Inner Sect Elder attire. He appeared quite emaciated and thin, with a clear-eyed, immortal charm about him.

It was just that his eyes were slightly darkened and his walk slightly unsteady, giving off the impression of someone who might have overindulged in drugs.

This man was none other than the Peak Master of Danxia Peak, known as the Second Elder, Lin Xingyuan.

The Chaotic Sect had only three Inner Sect Elders. First ranked was the Great Elder, Gongyang Yan, in charge of True Yang Peak and the Absolute Skill True Yang Furnace Technique.

Ranked second was this Second Elder, Lin Xingyuan, who managed Danxia Peak and the Chaos Pill Scripture, a true second-stage top-grade alchemist, regarded as a pillar of the Chaotic Sect.

The Third Elder, Ning Qing, managed Purple Cloud Peak and the Purple Cloud Sword Technique, and was the master of Junior Sister Han Bing.

This Second Elder was rarely seen by others in the Chaotic Sect, being reclusive and not fond of going out.

Additionally, he spent too much time in alchemy and tasting pills, resulting in the debilitated appearance of one who might suffer from kidney deficiency when viewed at a glance.

“Greetings to Second Master Uncle.”

Jiang Yu smiled slightly, “Are this batch of Foundation Establishment Pills done?”

“Um.”

The Second Elder said, “I have not failed the trust entrusted by the Sect Master. This time, the success rate of the pills reached 70%, producing three high-quality Foundation Establishment Pills, eleven top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, thirty-four standard Foundation Establishment Pills, and over fifty inferior pills. Let’s not mention the waste pills.”

“Um, not bad, much better than the batch fifty years ago.”

Jiang Yu said, “Distribute these pills according to the previously agreed rules.”

“Yes!”

An Outer Sect Elder said, “These high-quality Foundation Establishment Pills…”

“Keep two for the Inner Sect, and the remaining one…” Jiang Yu’s eyes shimmered as she spoke, “Give it to the Outer Sect’s Ning Daoran; he made significant contributions in the Cangnan Secret Realm.”

“Ah?”

That Outer Sect Elder was taken aback, “Sect Master, Ning Daoran is only at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer and also has a Ninth Grade mixed spiritual root. Giving him a high-quality Foundation Establishment Pill, isn’t that a bit wasteful?”

“Wasteful?”

Jiang Yu said, “Although Ning Daoran has a Ninth Grade mixed spiritual root, he is also a second-level Spirit Farmer who has cultivated the Rain Transformation Technique to the sixth layer. If he can successfully establish his Foundation, our Chaotic Sect will see a young third-tier Spirit Farmer emerging.

Elder Zhou from the Spirit Field Department is already over 190 years old, an old Foundation Establishment about to reach the end of his lifespan, how can you bear to see him work year after year to plant Purple Jade Spirit Rice for the Sect?”

“Very true, Grand-niece Sect Master.”

The Second Elder glanced at that Outer Sect Elder, “I will hand over the Foundation Establishment Pills belonging to your Outer Sect later. The Sect Master has said how to distribute them, so why do you have so much to say?”

“Yes, I understand!”

…

At dusk, as night fell.

On a mountainous path in the Outer Sect, Martial Uncle Xu, followed by two disciples, was planning to personally deliver a Foundation Establishment Pill to Ning Daoran.

‘A mere Ninth Grade mixed spiritual root also deserves a standard Foundation Establishment Pill?’

Discontent filled Xu Ning’s eyes.

There’s much to be said about the quality of Foundation Establishment Pills.

Generally, a standard Foundation Establishment Pill could increase the chances of successful Foundation Establishment by about twenty percent, while a top-grade pill could increase it by twenty-five percent.

The best would be high-quality Foundation Establishment Pills, which could increase chances by thirty percent. One should never underestimate that extra five percent, as it could sometimes determine success or failure.

‘Giving a high-quality Foundation Establishment Pill to someone with a Ninth Grade mixed spiritual root is like feeding Spirit Fruits to an old cow.’

Xu Ning was torn: ‘My son Sheng’er’s spiritual root and talent far surpass Ning Daoran. If this high-quality pill were given to him… the increase in his probability for successful Foundation Establishment would be more than just a little…’

Eventually, with a flash of light in his hand, the pill he had planned to give to Ning Daoran was switched to a different box.

…

Qiongbi Peak.

Spiritual Field Courtyard No. 77.

“Master Ning!”

Without entering, Xu Ning, standing outside the door, presented the Foundation Establishment Pill and smiled, “Danxia Peak has concocted a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills; this is yours. Take good care of it.”

“Thank you, Martial Uncle Xu!”

Though aware of the lack of goodwill, Ning Daoran maintained the necessary courtesies.

Xu Ning left on the wind.

Under the stars, Ning Daoran opened the small box, which contained a pill the size of a Malteser, filled with the fragrance of plants and herbs and marked with a few pill patterns—it was a standard Foundation Establishment Pill.

“That’ll do!”

Unaware of the deception involved, he tucked the pill into his chest and chuckled, “Old Lu, practice well. I’ll get a Foundation Establishment Pill for you too, so we brothers can achieve Foundation Establishment together!”

“Ao ao~~~”

Big Stupid Deer’s eyes gleamed with excitement, utterly thrilled.

…

Life settled down once again.

Ning Daoran spent his days at Qiongbi Peak full of enrichment, occupied with cultivation, farming, fishing, teaching Chen Weimo, and cooking; these trivial tasks seemed to bring him much joy.

He was never one to be overly greedy; being alive, enjoying the present joys, and planning for the future was enough for him.

Time flowed swiftly, and a year had passed since the expedition to Cangnan Secret Realm.

That year, Ning Daoran turned 39.

His nineteenth year in Chaotic Sect since leaving his village brought him a deeper understanding of the Cultivation World, and his own cultivation had greatly advanced.

If Ning Daoran were to return to his village at this moment, he would be seen as a transcendent immortal, and likely even Zhou Tiezhu and Little Hehua would regard him as a divine being.

He quietly made a decision, resolving to bring Old Lu back to the village to visit everyone after completing his Foundation Establishment.

…

One afternoon.

“Senior Brother! Senior Brother Ning!”

Outside, a sweet voice of his junior sister called out.

“Just come in.”

Ning Daoran appeared on the second floor, “Your mark is in both arrays, Junior Sister, you don’t need to keep shouting from outside.”

Han Bing flew up on her Flying Artifact directly to the second floor.

“What is it?”

“I have a mission I wanted to complete with Senior Brother, and it would be best to also call Senior Brother Lin Sheng.”

She looked a bit anxious, “For the past year, Senior Brother Lin Sheng hardly leaves his door, his cultivation has somewhat recovered, but his mental state is greatly flawed. Perhaps we…”

“First, what’s the mission? If it’s too dangerous, I’m not going.”

Ning Daoran knew Han Bing’s temperament—in fact, her cultivation style was somewhat similar to Senior Brother Lin, both were bold and diligent.

But Han Bing’s cultivation was deeper, her Purple Cloud Sword Technique combined with Sword Heart Clarity made her overall strength much stronger than Lin Sheng’s.

“Senior Brother, do you know about the Green Robe Association?”

“I know. It’s an organization of mortals who worship the ‘Green-clothed Lady’, reputed to have a significant influence around Shanyang County. They’re often in conflict with the River God Gang, causing many casualties. Yet, the local government seems helpless against them.”

“Yes.”

Han Bing nodded, “The mission I took on today is to eliminate a Branch Leader of the Green Robe Association and bring back the head of that seducer of mortals.”

“Junior Sister, isn’t that a bit improper?”

Ning Daoran said, “It’s said that the Green-clothed Lady is a Green-clothed Evil Ghost with Golden Core Early Stage cultivation. Aren’t you afraid that by killing their Branch Leader you might provoke this Green-clothed Lady?

Let me just say, Senior Brother isn’t scared, okay?”

“No need to worry, Senior Brother.”

Han Bing smiled, “That Green-clothed Lady is just a Wandering Ghost. Reportedly, her ash is buried at the Main Altar of the Green-clothed Association, hundreds of miles away.

We won’t take long to deal with the Branch Leader. She can’t possibly make it here in time, and besides, once we complete this mission, we’ll each earn five hundred Sect contribution points.”

“That much?”

After swiftly assessing the risks, Ning Daoran said, “Let’s go, let us find Senior Brother Lin!”