Cultivation Starting from Full Talent

Chapter 76: Chapter 74: Return Home

The moment Ning Daoran entered the Refining Workshop, he distinctly sensed a figure flickering from the second floor, seemingly intent on avoiding him.

“Knock, knock, knock~~~”

From upstairs, a very gentle woman descended.

Wen Ru, the daughter of the Workshop master Wen Zichen.

“Senior Ning…”

Wen Ru pursed her red lips, smiling, “I didn’t expect that after seven years, Senior Ning has already succeeded in Foundation Establishment…”

“It was just luck.”

“My father has caught a cold and is unable to receive guests. May I ask why Senior Ning has come to the Refining Workshop…”

Wen Ru expressed an apologetic tone, explaining the reason for Wen Zichen’s absence.

Ning Daoran was well aware that seven years ago, he had been introduced by Wen Zichen to act as a guarantor for Purple Light Master, Ning Jiaojiao, Zhu Ya, and others, venturing forth to explore the ancient Cultivator’s cavern.

They didn’t even make it into the cavern before being annihilated; Purple Light Master was a Robbery cultivator, something Wen Zichen surely came to know afterwards.

Thus, now that Ning Daoran, having succeeded in Foundation Establishment, stepped into the Refining Workshop, Wen Zichen naturally lacked the face to meet him.

“Not for anything else.”

Ning Daoran took out a Phoenix Bird True Feather and said, “This True Feather comes from a Second-stage Late-stage Phoenix Bird. I intend to refine it into a True Feather Fan, so I wanted to ask the Workshop for help. Now that the Workshop master is not here…”

“I also have a slight understanding of the Artifact Refining Skill.”

Wen Ru sipped at her red lips, smiling, “May I ask what grade of True Feather Fan does Senior Ning intend to refine this feather into?”

“At least Second Order High Grade, and preferably Second-Order Top-Grade. Can Fellow Daoist Wen refine it?”

“I can try.”

Wen Ru said, “Regarding the Artifact Refining Skill, I have inherited about eighty percent of my father’s true teaching. Since Senior has brought forth such a grade of True Feather, refining it into a Second Order High Grade Spiritual Artifact won’t be a problem.

If we’re lucky, it might even result in a Second-Order Top-Grade spiritual tool, but that would increase the consumption of materials.”

“The cost is not an issue.”

Ning Daoran said, “Fellow Daoist, just list out the required materials, and give me a lump sum price in the end. I will consider whether to refine this True Feather Fan.”

“Yes, Senior, please wait a moment, I’ll go list them now.”

Before long, Wen Ru returned with a list.

The handwriting on the list was elegant, much like Wen Ru herself, very gentle.

In fact, after stepping into the Cultivation World, Wen Ru was one of the few girls who managed to make Ning Daoran feel a bit of fondness, mostly due to her conversation and temperament.

“Reporting to Senior, if you want to attempt at refining a Second-Order Top-Grade spiritual tool, you will need to add several rare materials, which are priced a bit higher.”

Wen Ru smiled lightly, “Of course, even with these materials added, I only have about a forty percent chance of refining the True Feather Fan into a Second-Order Top-Grade. Please consider it yourself, Senior.”

“How much will it all cost?”

“Including my refining fee, roughly eighteen hundred Spirit Stones.”

“Good.”

Ning Daoran took out eighteen hundred Spirit Stones from the Storage Bag and offered, “Please start preparing the materials, Fellow Daoist. Afterward, I’ll be present to personally watch you refine the True Feather Fan. Is that alright?”

“Naturally, there’s no problem.”

Wen Ru accepted the Spirit Stones and said, “Since that’s the case… tomorrow morning, please honor the shop with your presence, Senior. I will personally refine the True Feather Fan for you.”

“Good, it’s a deal!”

…

The next day, early morning.

Ning Daoran, accompanied by Big Stupid Deer, descended the mountain and arrived at Wen Family’s Refining Workshop to find Wen Ru already waiting, promptly leading one person and one deer to an Artifact Refining Chamber in the back courtyard.

Inside the chamber, there actually was an Earth Fire stored.

“Senior, I will begin now.”

“Mhm.”

Ning Daoran extended his hand, smiling, “Fellow Daoist, please go ahead.”

So, Wen Ru began to draw forth the Earth Fire to refine various materials.

The first thing to be refined was that Lifebound True Feather from a Second-stage Late-stage Phoenix Bird. Under the ingestion of Earth Fire, the True Feather became even more fiery red.

After that came some other materials, even incorporating a little Golden Essence and Silver Essence, precious materials to be used in forging the handle of the True Feather Fan. Only such special material-forged handles could withstand the high-temperature flames that would be conjured from the True Feather Fan once it took shape.

Ning Daoran stood aside, his eyes never leaving Wen Ru’s slender hands.

He was stealing skills.

The top four ranks of the Cultivation Hundred Arts just so happen to be Elixir Arrays and Talismans, among which Artifact Refining, though ranked the last, was still something indispensable to learn.

One could still purchase Magic Artifacts and Spiritual Artifacts for personal use now, but once advancing into the Golden Core Stage or Nascent Soul Stage, where Third-tier Magic Treasures and Fourth-tier Spiritual Treasures were needed, it would be highly probable that one must personally refine the right Magic Treasures.

Previously, Ning Daoran’s Path of Artifact Refining came from a legacy of First-tier top-grade Arrays bestowed by his grandmother, where refining Array Flags and Array Plates was in itself a form of Artifact Refining.

Hence, although he possessed Samadhi True Fire, a Treasure Fire, Ning Daoran’s Artifact Refining Skill was at most First-tier top-grade, naturally lacking confidence in refining such Second-tier Spiritual Artifacts.

That was why he was stealing skills.

Even more brazenly, when he saw a fascinating part, he actually took out a notebook and meticulously recorded the details and processes of the refining.

Seeing this, Wen Ru couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

For a moment, she didn’t quite know what to say about this Foundation Establishment Senior.

…

Within the chamber, as the True Feather Fan continued to be refined, the temperature rose higher and higher.

Ning Daoran and Big Stupid Deer were already drenched in sweat.

Wen Ru wasn’t in a better position either, her green skirt soaked through, clinging to her body, outlining every curve of her delicate figure.

Luckily, Ning Daoran’s entire focus was on the True Feather Fan.

As for women, did one need them on the path of Cultivation?

Old Lu was enough.

The refining process lasted a full day and night.

“Whew~~~”

Wen Ru suddenly exhaled a deep breath, raising her hand to dissipate the Earth Fire, and instantly, the fiery red True Feather Fan that was hanging in the air began to make sizzling noises, with countless flames of Spiritual Energy swirling within it.

“It’s done.”

Wen Ru, drenched in fragrant sweat, seemed quite satisfied with her work and smiled, “Mission accomplished. This True Feather Fan is a second-tier top-grade spiritual artifact. Senior Ning, your spirit stones were well spent!”

“Excellent, excellent!”

Ning Daoran took the True Feather Fan and could hardly let go, “Fellow Daoist Wen, your artifact refining skill is formidable. I see you are no less talented than your father. The Wen Family’s Refining Workshop truly has inherited the legacy.”

“You flatter me too much.”

Wen Ru’s pretty face blushed.

Ning Daoran didn’t say much more and bade farewell to Wen Ru.

Standing at the entrance of the Refining Workshop, he instructed Big Stupid Deer to return to the Spirit Garden Cave Heaven. Then with a stomp, he leapt into the air and transformed into a dazzling tunneling light, shooting straight toward the Chaotic Sect with an incredibly fast speed.

“…”

Wen Ru stepped out of the Refining Workshop, her beautiful eyes following the direction in which Ning Daoran had vanished. Was this what a Foundation Establishment Cultivator was like?

For a moment, her gaze grew somewhat forlorn.

…

At dawn, Qiongbi Peak.

Ning Daoran emerged from the Artifact Refining Room, having managed to refine both the True Feather Fan and the Beast Bone Shield in one go. Now he possessed three personal spiritual artifacts—the True Feather Fan and the Azure Dragon Spear for offense, and the Beast Bone Shield for defense—altogether adequate for his use.

Moreover, his cultivation foundation had always focused on “skill” rather than “treasure,” which was only of secondary importance.

“Old Lu.”

He looked into the distance and suddenly smiled, “How long has it been since we’ve been home?”

“Ow ow ow~~~”

Big Stupid Deer bellowed excitedly; it had longed to return to the village and see Little Tiezhu, Little Hehua, the old chieftain, Aunt Bai, and the others.

“We’ll need to bring more stuff!”

Ning Daoran raised his eyebrows, “Let’s go. Prepare some more Green Bamboo Spirit Rice. Little Tiezhu and Little Hehua should also taste what a cultivator eats. I’ll prepare the other things… you move the spirit rice.”

“Ow~~~”

Big Stupid Deer rushed into the underground storeroom and soon emerged laden with bags of Spirit Rice.

After entrusting Chen Weimo with house-sitting duties, Ning Daoran, accompanied by Big Stupid Deer, headed to the Outer Door Hall. After recording his intention to visit his hometown, he took out a green bamboo leaf and left the Chaotic Sect with Big Stupid Deer.

…

Originally, on a bullock cart with Senior Brother Zhao Lichen and several other children with Spirit Roots from neighboring villages, it took three full days and nights to reach the Chaotic Sect.

This time, Ning Daoran rode the green bamboo leaf home, flying leisurely among the clouds, not fast at all.

About two hours later.

“Old Lu, look!”

Ning Daoran pointed down and laughed, “We ate lunch on that large slate on our way to the Chaotic Sect. That was the first time I tasted roasted goose, thanks to Senior Brother Zhao!”

“Ow ow ow~~~”

Big Stupid Deer wagged its tail wildly; it too remembered this place.

Soon after, the green bamboo leaf broke through the clouds and entered a huge valley.

This valley, known on the map of Qingzhou as Dragon Valley, was so named because there were reports of a Jiao Dragon flying over in the past.

Dragon Flying Village was located deep within Dragon Valley.

As noon approached, a village that felt strangely familiar appeared before them.

Twenty years had passed.

A sudden pang of emotion hit Ning Daoran; the place where he had lived for twenty years had changed considerably.

Many of the houses from his memories had collapsed and disappeared, some were overgrown with weeds, seemingly untended for many years.

Looking at the village before him, he suddenly felt afraid—a vague dread filled his heart.

“Old Lu, let’s enter the village on foot.”

He descended on the green bamboo leaf, and together with Big Stupid Deer, they took a small path around the outskirts of the village and walked slowly into it.

…

“Dad! Mom! There are strangers coming!”@@novelbin@@

At the entrance of the village, a child with hair tied in buns shouted and ran away.

Ning Daoran smiled slightly and walked into the village with Big Stupid Deer.

His gaze fell on the back of the village, where many new graves had appeared—places that used to be empty.

“Old Lu…”

Suddenly, Ning Daoran came to a stop in front of an old house.

That old house was the former Ning Family homestead, seized by relatives after his parents died. But now, the iron gate was rusty and riddled with holes, and the interior seemed overgrown with weeds, left uninhabited for many years.

Deep in his memory, the images of his parents in his former life began to surface.

Father and mother from his past life; their figures were growing more and more indistinct, and one day, as Ning Daoran looked back on the road of cultivation, he would no longer remember their faces.

“Ow~~~”

Big Stupid Deer nudged Ning Daoran’s arm, urging him not to be sad.

“Yeah.”

Ning Daoran patted Big Stupid Deer’s head and continued forward. Little Hehua’s house was empty, but soon he saw a group of children playing.

“Where do you come from, guest?”

A boy wearing split pants, braver than the rest, greeted him.

“May I ask, do you know where Chen Huhua is?” inquired Ning Daoran.

“Ah?”

The boy was surprised, “You’re looking for my Aunt Hehua?”

“…”

Ning Daoran was taken aback, since when did Little Hehua have a nephew like this?

“Aunt Hehua!”

The boy ran off and shouted in front of a martial arts school, “Auntie, someone is looking for you!”

“Really?”

From the courtyard, a woman martial artist in a green short shirt with a beautiful countenance walked out of the martial arts school. As she looked toward Ning Daoran and Big Stupid Deer standing in the distance, she suddenly froze.