Chương 7: Chapter 6 Cautious by Nature (Thanks to the Alliance Leader from Hei Lanzhou!)
Invisibility Technique, a magic that allows one to blend with the nearby terrain using mana to avoid the prying eyes of others. Generally speaking, it's a minor skill, but it could come in handy under special circumstances.
Sound Absorption Technique, this one is even more outrageous. It manages to operate mana within the body, creating a small field that draws in surrounding sounds, making it imperceptible to others.
Both of these cultivation techniques are quite trivial, even somewhat bizarre.
However, Ning Daoran quickly formed an idea in his mind, what if he combined the Concealing Breath Technique, Invisibility Technique, and Sound Absorption Technique?
He could only think of one word to describe it.
Stealth!
Yes, stealth! The ultimate assassin's skill!
If he really could refine all three of these basic skills to perfection, it would be unimaginable!
Learn them first, but no need to spend refined time on cultivating them intensively, save that refined time for cultivating the Body Tempering Technique.
Good steel should be used on the blade's edge!
"Ning Daoran."
The voice of a brother guarding the Book Collection Pavilion timely rang out, "Your reading time is up, come out."
"Yes, brother!"
Stepping out of the Book Collection Pavilion and retrieving his Identity Jade Talisman, immediately the excited cry of Big Stupid Deer "Ao" reached his ears.
Ning Daoran was slightly taken aback; Big Stupid Deer was still tied to the wooden stake outside, and a kind-hearted junior sister had even fed it a handful of grass.
"Old Lu!"
He immediately said gravely, lowering his voice, "Don't just eat anything others give you, do I need to remind you of that rule?"
"Oao~~~"
Big Stupid Deer rubbed his shoulder, blinking continuously to convey that the junior sister looked very pretty and obviously a good person.
"Don't let it happen again, let's go home."
Ning Daoran patted the deer's head, smiled, and unfastened the reins, tucking them into his pocket.
Usually, he would not tie up Big Stupid Deer, as Big Stupid Deer didn't like being restrained.
Returning to Spiritual Field No. 77, he continued to bury his head in planting Spirit Rice, harvesting continuously.
…
One night.
The weather was hot. Ning Daoran fried some edamame with a young rooster, added green pepper and shredded potatoes, and also steamed a large pot of Spirit Rice.
"Old Lu, it's too hot."
Fan in hand, he suggested, "How about we move the table outside to eat?"
"Oao!"
Big Stupid Deer's tail wagged wildly, thrilled by the prospect of dining al fresco again?
Soon after, the man and deer carried a table laden with food, placed it outside just beyond the Small Cloud Mist Array, and each fetched a stool to start enjoying the rich dinner.
The room was sweltering, but the summer night breeze outside was indeed refreshing.
"Ah…"
Holding his rice bowl, Ning Daoran suddenly smiled, remembering his childhood days back in the '90s when his family, too poor to afford air conditioning, would also carry the table outside to eat on summer nights.
"Old Lu, isn't it cooler?"
Big Stupid Deer, face buried in his food bowl and scooping rice continuously, nodded repeatedly; he was too busy even to look up except when picking up food.
How did a deer manage to use chopsticks?
Don't ask.
Big Stupid Deer was extraordinarily gifted.
At that moment, two people passed by Spiritual Field Courtyard No. 77.
Leading was a young girl in a light blue Outer Disciple robe, appearing to be around twelve or thirteen and extremely delicate-looking.
Ning Daoran only glanced once to confirm that this girl was a beauty in the making, bound to be a nation-toppling presence eventually.
Following the girl was an old man in a grey robe.
These two were indeed the masters of Spiritual Field No. 78.
"Eh?"
The girl, noticing the man and deer, felt it might be rude not to greet them, so she stepped forward and performed a modest bow, "You are Fellow Taoist Ning, right? I'm Han Bing, we entered the sect together. I came to the sect one day after you."
"Oh…"
Ning Daoran immediately put down his chopsticks and stood up: "Ning Daoran greets Junior Sister Han Bing!"
"Oao~~~"
Big Stupid Deer also raised its neck and bellowed, as if to greet her.
Han Bing couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle lightly.
Then, the old man behind her frowned slightly and gave a soft cough.
"Brother, I should head back now."
"Alright."
Watching Han Bing and the old servant walk away, Ning Daoran did not mind and was indifferent, continuing to cultivate his Spirit Rice, unconcerned with the tumult of the outside world.
…
Seasons changed, time swiftly passed, and soon it was the chilly end of the year.
The north wind was as sharp as a knife, swirling up thousands of layers of snow.
Inside the small house of Spiritual Field No. 77, a basin of charcoal fire was lit. Ning Daoran leaned against Big Stupid Deer for warmth, as in winter, its fur became exceptionally thick and warm.
Perhaps due to consuming a significant amount of Spirit Rice, the fur was glossy, top-notch quality.
Ning Daoran, watching the snow drifting outside, suddenly burst with inspiration and couldn't resist singing a few lines:
"Snowflakes fluttering, north wind howling~~~ all land~ vast~ and boundless~~~"
Big Stupid Deer's ears perked up, eyes squinting in enjoyment, truly delightful to hear.
…
"A day's plan lies in the morning; we must not slack off. Time for cultivation!"
Ning Daoran rose to his feet and glanced at the Refining Time he had accumulated, which, after half a year, had reached over four thousand years.
In fact, he had made numerous attempts, striving to improve the efficiency of acquiring Refining Time.
He had increased and decreased the amount of Spirit Rice provided by the Grass and Tree Holy Spirit, only to find that the results were more or less the same.
He had also tried a "staircase planting" method, planting one batch of Spirit Rice two days after another to earn a time difference.
But in the end, these efforts all ended in vain, as the system of the Grass and Tree Holy Spirit had some kind of "rule": the amount of Refining Time it could produce in a year was fixed at ten thousand years, no matter how fancy the planting method.
Whether it was increasing or decreasing production, the total amount of Refining Time could only decrease, never increase.
Now, possessing over four thousand years worth of Refining Time, that was akin to a regular cultivator having four thousand years' worth of lifespan to specialize in one magic technique—just thinking about it was terrifying.
He slowly pushed the pile in the warm cabin, setting up a Body Tempering Pile similar to a horse stance, then poured in the Refining Time and continued to cultivate the Body Tempering Technique to support his cultivation foundation!
[In the first year, you look at your now greatly successful Body Tempering Technique, feeling that there is no possibility of improvement, that this is already the peak of your cultivation.]
[In the 999th year, having sat dried up for a millennium, you begin to doubt life itself, wondering if your aptitude and insight are truly as appalling as to provoke gods and humans alike?]
[Your hair turns fully grey, as those who had cultivated alongside you have died off one after another.]
[In the year 2006, more than two thousand years have passed; you still hold the Body Tempering Technique silently—the text on the technique seems like a celestial tome, incomprehensible to you.]
[In the 3,100th year, your flesh and blood begin to dry up; years of cultivation have left you like a well about to run dry, your life nearly unable to sustain your practice.]
"F***! My! Life!"
Ning Daoran looked bewildered. Three thousand years and still no breakthrough in achieving great success with the Body Tempering Technique? What kind of divine aptitude and physique did he have to endure this?
He began to complain about his alter ego, "With your talent, if it hadn't been for me, you probably would have never touched the path of immortal cultivation in your entire life."
Although he was somewhat worried that this batch of four thousand years of Refining Time wouldn't be sufficient to cultivate to perfection, Ning Daoran decided to give it his all.
He continued to pour in more effort, cultivating the Body Tempering Technique! All in!!
[In the year 4,222, your Blood Qi finally turned a corner, and in that moment, like a man sitting in a dry well seeing a glimmer of light in the sky, your dusty Taoist heart finally awakened.]
[Your flesh seethes as the Spiritual Energy from the Wash the Marrow and Change the Meridians continuously compresses and condenses; they become so pure that they autonomously gather into Spirit Mastery, continuously cleansing your body, ultimately completing the Twelve Blood Qi Transmutations.]
[Body Tempering Technique. Lower Grade Yellow (Perfect)]
[Qi Refinement Realm (Fifth Layer)]
[Remaining Refining Time: 356 years]
…
"Phew..."
Ning Daoran exited the Refining Time, exhaling sharply, feeling as though his body might ignite.
The Perfect-level Body Tempering Technique, with the spiritual power originally condensed on his body's surface now transformed into patches of Spirit Mastery, one could imagine its defensive capabilities.
At this moment, the one operating the Perfect Body Tempering Technique could truly be considered as solid as a rock!
If the arrow shot by Third Master back then were to hit Ning Daoran now, it probably wouldn't even scratch him!
And another piece of good news.
Another breakthrough; he was now at the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining!
Moreover, the aura of the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining was nearing fullness.
Strictly speaking, he should now be considered at the "Late Stage of Fifth Layer of Qi Refining," or maybe "Half-step Sixth Layer of Qi Refining."
In a single breath, Ning Daoran felt his Blood Qi, flesh, and bones reach an unprecedented state, his vitality as vibrant as a fire in the night.
Just beneath the skin, everything also appeared red, with his increase in Mana, strands of Spirit Mastery continuously adding to his strength.
The Perfect-level Body Tempering Technique was incredibly powerful!
It was truly divine!
"I can't... must stay low-key, must not get carried away."
Ning Daoran took a deep breath and calmly sat down in his chair.
There's a saying that heaven will bring those who are too arrogant to their knees, and this peril-filled cultivation world is no exception. His achievements so far were hard-won and had to be cherished carefully.
The next second, he operated the Concealing Breath Technique, keeping his outward aura at the Third Layer of Qi Refining.
Half a year into the sect, a bit of good luck meant advancing from the First Layer to the Third Layer of Qi Refining seemed reasonable enough.
…
"Is Fellow Taoist Ning Daoran at home?"
At that moment, an old voice came from outside; it was Old Lu.
"I am!"
Ning Daoran activated the Small Cloud Mist Array, inviting Old Lu into the courtyard, then immediately reactivated the array.
Old Lu, being at most an Early Stage Qi Refining disciple himselficiently, lacked the capability and observational skills to notice the unusual growth of the Grass and Tree Holy Spirit in such a short time.
"I came up from the Yellow Dragon Square at the foot of the mountain with a pot of liquor and a roasted chicken, hoping to chat."
"Sure!"
Ning Daoran smiled, nodded, then gestured with his thumb over his shoulder, and said, "Old Lu, go make two dishes for me."
Big Stupid Deer, without looking back, grabbed a frying pan and started to cook.
A flicker of surprise crossed Old Lu's eyes.
F*** me, a Spiritual Beast helping with the cooking! That's totally absurd, but not unexpected for an Outer Disciple!
The two of them sipped shots of strong liquor.
After the third rounds of drinks, Old Lu finally got around to his real purpose for visiting.
"Recently, I discovered a relic with a broken prohibition in the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range, suspected to be the resting place of a Perfect Qi Refining Cultivator. Would Fellow Taoist Ning be interested in exploring it?"
'Exploring a secret realm?'
Ning Daoran's heart sank; this was not good news at all—the death rate was too high!
He politely declined immediately, and no matter how Old Lu persuaded him afterward, he refused to budge.
Old Lu left feeling somewhat disgruntled.
Ning Daoran watched his figure receding, his mind meditating on something.
As he laughed to himself, "Why venture into dangerous secret realms when I can break through and attain longevity just by cultivating Spirit Rice from within the sect?"
He was naturally cautious and always engaged in only the most secure ventures.
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