บท 2: Chapter 1: Starting with Full Talents_2
Zhou Tiezhu!
The grandson of the old patriarch, the legitimate eldest grandson of one of the village's two major families, the Zhou family!
The biggest impression Ning Daoran had of him was...
This child's gaze always uncontrollably focused in the middle, giving him an air of intelligence.
"What's the matter?" Ning Daoran asked with a smile.
Zhou Tiezhu grinned and said, "Grandpa sent me to call you, saying that a cultivator has come to the village to select people with spirit roots! He wants you to come quickly and try~~~"
"Ah? A cultivator?"
Ning Daoran's heart stirred, and he immediately rushed to the village with Big Stupid Deer!
...
The village was bustling, a scene not seen for a long time.
When Ning Daoran entered the village with Big Stupid Deer, he saw many people dressed in white and blue. Those people looked like true immortals, extremely formidable.
"Gentlemen, I am an Outer Disciple of Chaotic Sect here to measure the spirit roots of the younger generation in the village. If there are any with spirit roots, our sect will certainly make arrangements."
A deep blue-robed elder spoke with a warm smile, his complexion robust, giving him somewhat a youthful look despite his old age.
A crowd of village children gathered together, waiting to have their spirit roots tested. Nineteen-year-old Ning Daoran also stood among them, giving off an aura that made him stand out.
A few unfamiliar children stood not far away, all from other villages who were discovered to have spirit roots and were about to be taken back to the Immortal Sect. The children from Dragon Flying Village looked at them with undisguised envy.
One of the Chaotic Sect disciples held a green ruler and walked towards the waiting youths. The ruler passed in front of each youth, but there was no movement.
Soon after, the Outer Disciple frowned, "Could it be that this village doesn't have a single person with spirit roots?"
The old patriarch's face grew more tense.
Finally, it was Ning Daoran's turn. A streak of green ripples swiftly swept across the ruler.
"Eh?"
The Disciple measuring the spirit roots was slightly startled, first joyful, then slightly disappointed, "Just a Ninth Grade Mixed Spirit Root..."
"Oh?"
The Outer Disciple looked at Ning Daoran and smiled, "For now, you just stay here. There will be arrangements for you shortly."
The old patriarch's face immediately showed some relief.
By midday, the testing of the spirit roots was complete, and in the entire village, only Ning Daoran had a spirit root.
"Let me see."
The Outer Disciple approached and pressed an index finger on Ning Daoran's wrist, immediately feeling a wave of heat.
"You've practiced the Body Tempering Technique, right? Try operating it."
"Yes!"
Ning Daoran slowly operated the Body Tempering Technique, which he hadn't yet mastered.
"Ah... The Body Tempering Technique hasn't reached the entry level, and it seems you've just entered the First Layer of Qi Refining... How old are you this year?"
"Nineteen."
"Not even twenty yet."
The Outer Disciple pondered inwardly, "Ninth Grade Mixed Spirit, Qi Refining First Level, Body Tempering Technique unmastered, under twenty, this is truly a case of being regrettable to waste yet insipid to consume..."
This kind of spirit root was entirely at his own whim to take or discard.
He looked at Ning Daoran, "Would you be willing to go to Chaotic Sect and be a servant, or even an Outer Disciple, that would be possible. Although the great path won't be achieved, a lifetime without worries about food and clothing isn't a problem."
Ning Daoran nodded vigorously.
He was more than willing, to settle down at the sect and quietly cultivate Spirit Rice; this was better than anything, and he naturally agreed to take his first step on the path of cultivation!
Meanwhile, Big Stupid Deer also nodded its head and let out a cry.
"Heh..."
The elder couldn't help but laugh, "Is this your spiritual beast?"
"Yes, senior."
"Quite interesting."
The Outer Disciple looked toward the old patriarch, "We from Chaotic Sect will take this young man. He will stay in the village tonight, and tomorrow morning, he will set off with us to return to the sect."
"Good, good!"
The old patriarch nodded repeatedly.
...
In the afternoon, at the old patriarch's house.
Ning Daoran, with Big Stupid Deer munching on delicious egg noodles atop his head.
At the stove, a woman took off her apron and looked at the pair with undisguised disdain.
She didn't have much fondness for the duo who often freeloaded, even knowing that Ning Daoran was about to enter the sect didn't lessen her disgust.
"Dear nephew,"
The old patriarch spoke earnestly, "Don't rush off after eating, I have something for you."
He pulled a wrinkled handkerchief from his chest and pushed it gently across the table.
"What is this?"
Ning Daoran held significant respect for the old patriarch, since he was an elder and had always been decent to him.
Upon unfolding the handkerchief, he was surprised to find it contained two tiny crystal stones, glossy and lustrous.
Ordinary folks might not find it peculiar, but Ning Daoran, being an early stage qi refining practitioner, could immediately see the rich spiritual energy contained within!
Spirit Stones!
This was Ning Daoran's first encounter with spirit stones, said to be an essential commodity in the cultivation world, used as hard currency.
Though they were merely two low grade spirit stones, for Ning Daoran, who had just introduced energy to his body, they were undoubtedly treasures.
"Dear nephew..."
The old patriarch sighed, his eyes filled with nostalgia, "Your father and I were as close as brothers, so I am rather like an uncle to you.
Your parents passed away early, leaving you alone and helpless. I've seen all these years, and haven't been able to help much... just this bit."
The old patriarch's voice was calm, "We hill-folk are deemed lowly by cultivators. Although I am the patriarch, my experience is shallow. These two spirit stones aren't much, just a token gesture for detecting your spirit root.
If one day you become an immortal master, having emerged from our Dragon Flying Village, remember to bless this place that raised you..."
"Okay."
Ning Daoran immediately accepted the spirit stones and then, with Big Stupid Deer, walked to the door before turning to bow to the old patriarch and then leaving.
The old patriarch smiled and waved goodbye.
...
At dusk.
Ning Daoran was pulled home for dinner by a little girl in a red cotton jacket.
Her name was Little Hehua, the daughter of Widow Bai from the village.
Ning Daoran had once rescued Little Hehua from drowning in a pond, hence their excellent relationship.
Widow Bai had already prepared dinner, simple farm dishes like braised beans with pork, but exceptionally fragrant.
Actually, Widow Bai was very beautiful; after her husband died from illness, many single men in the village would secretly drool upon seeing her from afar.
"Eat slowly."
Widow Bai watched Ning Daoran's and Big Stupid Deer's less than elegant eating and laughed, "I heard that after measuring the spirit root this morning, you're the only one in the village with a spirit root."
"Mhm."
Ning Daoran nodded, "Tomorrow, I'm leaving the village to go up the mountain to cultivate. Aunt Bai, please take good care of yourself and Little Hehua."
"Ah, you've finally made it..."
Widow Bai suddenly sighed, a trace of melancholy appearing on her pretty face: "You've had a hard life too, losing your parents early, just like me and my daughter..."
Then, stealing a glance at Ning Daoran, her face flushed slightly from the chilly air, she whispered, "Actually, I've had something on my mind for years. Have you ever thought about settling down here?"
Her voice was as tiny as a mosquito's, "It would be good... this home is lacking a man, and Little Hehua is fond of you..."
"Ah?"
Ning Daoran was startled, almost choking on his food.
The widow's hint was quite clear, though...
"I and Old Lu are doing fine by ourselves, even though it's a bit tough," he said with a grin.
"Roar~~~"
Big Stupid Deer cried out in agreement.
Little Hehua, not understanding the implications, just said, "Mom, Brother Ning said he will come back, it's okay, we will see him again."
Widow Bai smiled and nodded, not pressing the matter further.
...
That night, Ning Daoran tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
He could finally enter the sect and quietly grow spirit rice, after all, growing spirit rice was his current greatest goal!
Five parts Grass and Tree Holy Spirit, a growth speed fifty times faster, spirit rice that would mature in one year could now ripen in just a week—what an opportunity!
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