章 22: Chapter 21 Li Sandao
At the workshop's end.
Junior Brother Ning broke out in a cold sweat.
The Mingxiang Pavilion was so close to Wind Stopping Tower that a Foundation Establishment Expert like Huang Chengyan could not have been unaware of the situation here.
He had just felt as if a Divine Sense had swept over him. If he had said anything wrong, he probably would have been personally apprehended by Huang Chengyan and taken back to the Sect.
It was too dangerous, far too dangerous!
One wrong step, and he feared he would lose the chance to continue cultivating Spirit Rice at the Sect!
"Old Lu, let's go home!"
He threw the green bamboo leaf into the air, casually casting a spell into it, and instantly the green bamboo leaf buzzed as it expanded to nearly five meters in length, resembling a flat boat.
Junior Brother Ning carried Big Stupid Deer and leaped onto it. After setting it down, he cast another spell to control the green bamboo leaf and return to the Sect.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh—"
The gentle breeze brushed against his face, the sensation of flying exquisitely delightful.
Big Stupid Deer was initially afraid of heights but gradually grew accustomed and began to enjoy it, looking down at the bamboo forests below and emitting joyful deer calls.
"Hahaha~~~"
Junior Brother Ning let out a hearty laugh as well. How could it be said that Cultivation wasn't wonderful? Mortals could never experience such a feeling.
The duo, one human and one deer, played above the mountains and forests—soaring straight, diving, or rising swiftly—and had a great time.
"Hey, isn't that Junior Brother Ning?"
A beautiful Senior Sister was descending the mountain for training, standing on a brocade handkerchief, smiling and saying, "Is this your first Royal Artifact flight?"
"Yes."
Junior Brother Ning bowed from atop the green bamboo leaf, "This Senior Sister's Mana is profoundly deep, to control a Royal Weapon so steadily!"
The Senior Sister's cheeks turned red: "You flatter me, Junior Brother. I'm just well-practiced."
They passed by each other. Big Stupid Deer greeted the Senior Sister with a loud "Moo."
The Senior Sister covered her mouth with a giggle and flew away on her brocade handkerchief.
Returning to Qiongbi Peak.
It saved much travel time; going from Yellow Dragon Square to Qiongbi Peak took only half an hour.
Now that he was capable of flying with a Royal Artifact, Ning Daoran decided to slightly reveal his actual cultivation level.
That night, an obvious fluctuation of Mana rose from Courtyard No. 77. Ning Daoran "broke through" to Qi Refining Fourth Level, advancing to the Qi Refining Middle Stage!
For a while, not only did Zhong Yan, Huang Shan, and Granny Yun Cui come to congratulate him, but upon hearing the news, Junior Sister Han Bing and Senior Brother Lin Sheng also arrived. They ate and drank merrily, each leaving some Spirit Stones as congratulatory gifts.
Deep within the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range.
Stone Valley, the ancestral land of the Wang family.
Wan Xuantong, who possessed Qi Refining Eighth Layer, controlled a Flying Boat, landing lightly in the courtyard before stepping into the old estate.
Inside the old house was a green-robed elder appearing frail and ancient, the Foundation Establishment Ancestor of the Wang family. He had been in Foundation Establishment for many years, still at the early-stage, but his life span was dwindling—likely only a few years left.
Besides the Wang family's patriarch, there was also the current Family Head Wan Liu and the Elder Wang Xu, both at Qi Refining Ninth Level.
"Ancestor."
Wan Xuantong kneeled, his face filled with shame, "I am useless, Grandson, as I couldn't persuade Ning Daoran. He is determined not to leave the Chaotic Sect."
"Tong'er, did you present all the conditions?" Wan Liu asked.
"I did."
Wan Xuantong furrowed his brow, "Father, that boy's heart is like iron, fully determined. Even when I said that he could choose any unmarried girl from the Wang family, he still refused."
"Hmph!"
Wan Liu scoffed coldly, "Just a trifling waste of Third Level of Qi Refining, who got lucky and became a Second Order Spirit Plant Master, yet he's so recklessly arrogant. He hasn't taken our Wang Family of Stone Valley seriously at all."
"Wan Liu."
The Foundation Establishment Ancestor softly spoke.
"Uncle!"
Wan Liu immediately responded respectfully.
"The Chaotic Sect is not to be provoked, we can't be careless with this matter."
The Foundation Establishment Ancestor's eyes flickered with a sinister light, "But if a mere Outer Disciple were to disappear, the Chaotic Sect probably wouldn't make much of a fuss. Find an opportunity to cripple that boy, leave him without his legs at our Wang family's place.
Without legs, he would still be able to execute the Rain Transformation Technique. I want to put a binding mark on him, so he will cultivate Second-tier Spirit Rice for the Wang family for eternity. Since he dared to slight the Wang family, he deserves this fate.
Remember, it must be done without anyone noticing, and if necessary, I can personally take action to ensure it's foolproof."
"Yes, Ancestor!"
In truth, what truly intrigued the Wang family's patriarch was not Ning Daoran's status as a Second Order Spirit Plant Master, but rather that someone so young had risen to such a rank. This indicated he had a very good chance of advancing to Third-tier.
Once the Wang Family of Stone Valley had a Third-tier Spirit Plant Cultivator capable of cultivating Third-tier Purple Jade Spirit Rice, the significance would be entirely different.
Moreover, the Wang family's Golden Jade Pavilion in Yellow Dragon Square might have the opportunity to overpower Qingfu Square. When endless resources would start pouring in, the Wang family's influence in the Cultivation World would grow stronger.
Life on Qiongbi Peak was tranquil and happy as usual.
Ning Daoran and Big Stupid Deer no longer descended the mountain, busying themselves daily with several plots of land, while the Spirit fish in the fishpond grew more numerous and plumper. They almost reached the point where they could eat Spirit fish every day.
A few days later, some not-so-good news spread.
Hong Ming died in the depths of the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range. It was said that a group of Loose Cultivators conspired against the legendary Lingnan Demons, but unfortunately, there was a traitor, and the conspiracy backfired, resulting in the death of several Loose Cultivators including Hong Ming.
An Outer Disciple brought back Hong Ming's relics, a badly damaged Magic Artifact short sword, to Zhong Yan.
Ning Daoran remembered clearly that Xin Yan also died at the hands of the Lingnan Demons. He didn't expect Hong Ming to repeat the same mistake.
"Fellow Taoist Zhong, my condolences."
Ning Daoran placed five Spirit Stones in front of Zhong Yan's house and left straight away.
It was a long time before Zhong Yan opened her door just a crack, staring blankly at the five Spirit Stones on the ground for a long while.
It was as if her spirit had collapsed suddenly, and she aged considerably.
```
Half a month later, Zhong Yan finally began to perk up a bit, applying some rouge and face powder, and her demeanor regained a trace of her past radiance.
By then she was nearly fifty, her beauty faded, and no man would recklessly pursue her any longer.
Not long after, the Outer Sect of Chaotic Sect decided to reclaim Spirit Field No. 80, and Zhong Yan left Qiongbi Peak.
With her own weak strength as a woman, tending to the three acres of Spirit land was too much of a strain.
"Alas…"
Junior Brother Ning, standing on the second floor, watched Zhong Yan depart, letting out an inevitable sigh.
Several days later, a young Cultivator named Qin Xiang took over Spirit Field No. 80, and Qiongbi Peak seemed to once again regain its previous calm.
...
Several months later.
An Outer Disciple came to the outside of Spiritual Field Courtyard No. 77.
"Is Junior Brother Ning there?"
The visitor was a Sixth Level of Qi Refining cultivator, his appearance quite simple and honest.
"What brings Senior Brother here?"
"I am Li Sandao, a disciple from the Contribution Hall of the Outer Sect. I heard that Junior Brother is skilled at cultivating Second-tier Spirit Rice. My younger brother is currently attempting to reach the Qi Refining Middle Stage, and we'd like to buy some Second-tier Spirit Rice from you, if possible?"
"Senior Brother, please come in."
Ning Daoran directly let him in, and the two quickly made a deal.
Li Sandao bought thirty catties of Spirit Rice in one go, giving twenty Spirit Stones, a price slightly higher than that of Qingfu Square.
Ning Daoran was naturally happy to do business on Qiongbi Peak, where the risk was lowest, but he had to control the quantity sold to not reveal his "amazing yield".
However, things weren't so simple.
Li Sandao began visiting Qiongbi Peak frequently, sometimes buying just a little Spirit Rice or Spirit fish, other times plainly for a chat, and at times to exchange Cultivation insights with Junior Brother Ning.
"Junior Brother Ning, there's a small trade fair in Yellow Dragon Square in three days.
I heard that Junior Brother is quite interested in array formations, and at that fair, there will be an Array Master. There might be a First-tier Lower Grade Array Formation Inheritance. Would Junior Brother like to come and try his luck?"
"A First-tier Lower Grade Array Formation Inheritance?"
Ning Daoran was naturally tempted, but these offers that seemed to come right when he wanted something felt a little too convenient.
It was better to steer clear of potentially being duped.
He quickly made a decision: "Senior Brother must know that Senior Brother Lin Sheng exchanged an Evergreen Technique for me, which is a very challenging Cultivation Technique.
I'm currently aiming for the Second Level of Evergreen Technique, and truly don't have the energy to concern myself with any First-tier Lower Grade Array Formation Inheritance."
"Oh, that's a pity then."
Half a month later, Li Sandao appeared again.
"Junior Brother, recently at five hundred li southwest from the sect, a relic of an Ancient Cultivator's Cave Mansion was discovered. I've already arranged to go with a few good friends to explore it. Among us, there is a First-tier Middle-grade Array Master, so breaking through the Prohibition won't be a problem.
Would Junior Brother like to come along? It's said that the Ancient Cultivator was at the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment. Who knows, there might be a chance for Foundation Establishment in the remains of the Mansion.
Junior Brother is young and already at the Qi Refining Middle Stage; you're at the prime time to exert effort, and this opportunity should not be missed!"
"Oh?"
Ning Daoran looked at Senior Brother Li with a smile: "These things, like an Ancient Cultivator's Mansion, could well be nothing but tales. Besides, I'm responsible for tending to three acres of Spirit field and Old Lu the deer is too busy to handle it alone; where would I find the leisure to explore some relics?"
"That's really unfortunate, if there's any opportunity...Senior Brother won't be polite then!"
"Senior Brother, please don't be polite…"
...
Half a month later, Li Sandao appeared once more on Qiongbi Peak.
Ning Daoran stood on the small building above, waiting from afar, just to see how patient this Senior Brother Li was — was he not going to give up until he had tricked him off the mountain?
"Junior Brother Ning, I hope all is well."
"All is well here, how about you, Senior Brother?"
"Very well, very well."
Li Sandao's smile held a hint of guile as he said, "Has Junior Brother heard the news? Lately, a group of female cultivators from Miaoyin Square has arrived in the brothel of Yellow Dragon Square.
These women cultivators are masters of melody, playing tunes that can be said to be divine sounds of nature, which are extremely beneficial for cultivators in the Qi Refining Middle Stage!"
His lips curved up: "Moreover, it is said that among these female cultivators, there is a Qi Refining Ninth Level fairy, a Registered disciple of a False Core True Man. She has been looking for a young and promising Dual Cultivation partner.
If Junior Brother happens to catch the eye of this Immortal, the Great Dao could well be within reach!"
"Oh?"
Ning Daoran's mind was slightly swayed: "This fairy Senior Brother speaks of...what's her figure like?"
"She is indeed one of the finest beauties in the world."
Senior Brother Li's amused smile grew: "Those Senior Brothers who went to listen say that this Immortal is as beautiful as a celestial being, with a full bust but a slender waist, and very long legs. Such a beauty is rarely encountered in a lifetime!"
"I see."
Ning Daoran, who had been frowning, now relaxed and said: "Senior Brother might not be aware that I prefer women with a flat chest, it...seems cuter that way..."
"Ah…Junior Brother, you???"
Senior Brother Li left in frustration.
Ning Daoran looked after him impassively, but inwardly wondered who exactly was so eager to have him leave the mountain. The Wang family? Or members of Black Wind Village seeking revenge?
The former seemed very likely.
But no matter.
He had no pressing need to leave the mountain lately, so he might just hide away in Qiongbi Peak for a few years. Besides, he was relatively safe within the Sect, and having cultivated the Evergreen Technique, he had a long Life Span to spare.
...
The Wang Family of Stone Valley.
"Bang!"
The Foundation Establishment Ancestor slammed his palm down fiercely on the desk, his gaze icy cold: "This little beast can really endure!"
With my Life Span running out, how can I outwait him?!
```
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