Chương 22: Chapter 21 Li Sandao
At the end of the workshop.
Ning Daoran broke out in a cold sweat.
The Mingxiang Pavilion was so close to the Wind Stopping Tower that Huang Chengyan, a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator, couldn't possibly ignore the situation here.
Just now, he had felt as if a Divine Sense had swept over them, and if he had indeed said something wrong, perhaps Huang Chengyan would be personally escorting him back to the sect by now.
It was extremely dangerous!
One misstep could lose him the chance to continue cultivating Spirit Rice in the sect!
"Old Lu, let's go home!"
He tossed a green bamboo leaf into the wind and casually inserted a cultivation technique, causing the bamboo leaf to suddenly increase to nearly five meters in length, resembling a flat boat.
Ning Daoran, carrying Big Stupid Deer, jumped onto it, settled it down, and then inserted another cultivation technique to control the bamboo leaf to return to the sect.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh—"
The gentle breeze caressed his face, and the feeling of flying was utterly wonderful.
Big Stupid Deer was initially scared of heights, but it gradually acclimated and began to enjoy the view, looking down at the bamboo forest below, emitting "yow-yow" deer calls.
"Ha ha ha ha~~~"
Ning Daoran also laughed out loud; how could mere mortals possibly have such an experience?
The man and deer flew directly over the mountain forests or dived down or shot straight up into the sky, having the time of their lives.
"Oh, isn't that Junior Brother Ning?"
A beautiful senior sister was descending the mountain for training, standing on a brocade handkerchief and said with a smile, "Is this your first time flying with a Royal Artifact?"
"That's right."
Ning Daoran saluted from atop the bamboo leaf, "This senior sister's mana is truly profound; your control of the artifact is so stable!"
The senior sister's cheeks turned red, "You flatter me, junior brother, I'm just well-practiced."
The two brushed past each other, and Big Stupid Deer "ao" greeted the senior sister.
The senior sister covered her mouth with a light laugh and flew away, piloting the brocade handkerchief.
Returning to Qiongbi Peak.
Much traveling by foot was saved; from Yellow Dragon Square to Qiongbi Peak took only half an hour.
Since he could now fly with a Royal Artifact, Ning Daoran decided he could slightly reveal a bit more of his cultivation.
That night, a clear fluctuation of mana rose from courtyard number 77, as Ning Daoran "broke through" to the Qi Refining Fourth Level, advancing to the mid-stage of Qi Refining!
For a time, not only were Zhong Yan, Huang Shan, and Granny Yun Cui congratulating him, but upon hearing the news, Junior Sister Han Bing and Senior Brother Lin Sheng also came; they ate and drank, each leaving some Spirit Stones as gifts.
...
Deep in the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range.
Stone Valley, the ancestral land of the Wang family.
Wan Xuantong, who possessed the cultivation of the Qi Refining Eighth Layer, controlled a Flying Boat, which lightly landed in the courtyard before he stepped into the old mansion.
Inside the old mansion, an elder in a blue robe who looked frail and aged was indeed the Foundation Establishment Ancestor of the Wang family, who, despite many years of Foundation Building, remained at the Early-stage Foundation Establishment, but his lifespan was running short, likely only a few years left.
Besides the Wang Family's Patriarch, the current family head Wan Liu and the elder Wang Xu, both were at the Qi Refining Ninth Level.
"Ancestor."
Wan Xuantong knelt down, his face filled with shame, "Grandson is incompetent, I was unable to persuade that Ning Daoran; he is determined not to leave the Chaotic Sect."
"Tong'er, did you mention all the conditions?" asked Wan Liu.
"I did."
Wang Xuantong frowned, "Father, that boy seemed determined, as if his heart was made of iron. Even when I said he could choose any unmarried woman from the Wang family, he still refused."
"Hmph!"
Wan Liu scoffed coldly, "A mere Third Level of Qi Refining wretch, who got lucky to become a Second Order Spirit Plant Master and then becomes so insolently arrogant. He's not giving any regard to our Wang Family of Stone Valley at all."
"Wan Liu."
The Foundation Establishment Ancestor gently uttered.
"Uncle!"
Wan Liu immediately responded respectfully.
"The Chaotic Sect is not to be provoked lightly," said the Foundation Establishment Ancestor, his eyes flashing coldly, "But a mere Outer Disciple going missing probably won't cause much reaction from Chaotic Sect. Find an opportunity to cripple the boy, cut off his legs and keep him at our Wang family.
Even without legs, he can still perform the Rain Transformation Technique. I will put a binding spell on him to make him grow Second-tier Spirit Rice for our Wang family forever. Since he dares to slight our Wang family, he deserves such a fate.
Remember, it must be done without alerting anyone; if necessary, I can act personally to ensure success."
"Yes, Ancestor!"
Actually, what truly caught the attention of the Wang Family's Patriarch was not Ning Daoran's status as a Second Order Spirit Plant Master, but the fact that at such a young age, he had advanced to become a Second Order Spirit Plant Master; thereby, he had a good chance of advancing to a Third-order.
If 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 naturally be extraordinary.
Even the Golden Jade Pavilion in Yellow Dragon Square could then overpower Qingfu Square by a significant margin, and the continuous influx of resources would greatly enhance the Wang Family's power in the Cultivation World.
...
Days at Qiongbi Peak were as usual; peaceful and joyful.
Ning Daoran and Big Stupid Deer no longer descended the mountain, busy daily in their several fields, the Spirit Fish in the pond growing more numerous and plumper; they had almost reached the point where they could eat Spirit Fish every day.
Several days later, some disheartening news arrived.
Hong Ming had died deep in the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range, apparently from a group of Loose Cultivators who conspired to take down the infamous Lingnan Demons; unfortunately, a traitor emerged, and the plan backfired, resulting in the death of Hong Ming and several other Loose Cultivators.
An Outer Disciple holding Hong Ming's relic, a badly damaged Magic Artifact shortsword, handed it to Zhong Yan.
Ning Daoran clearly remembered that, initially, Xin Yan too had died at the hands of these Lingnan Demons, and had not expected Hong Ming to meet the same fate.
"Fellow Daoist Zhong, I wish you peace in these trying times."
Ning Daoran placed five Spirit Stones in front of Zhong Yan's cabin and then left straight away.
After a long while, Zhong Yan finally pushed open her cabin door a crack, stared at the five Spirit Stones on the ground for a long time.
Her spirit seemed to collapse suddenly, and she looked much aged.
Half a month later, Zhong Yan barely cheered up, applying some rouge and powder to her face, regaining a hint of her former radiance.
At this point, she was nearly fifty, her beauty fading, no man would recklessly fall for her anymore.
Not long after, the Chaotic Sect Outer Sect decided to reclaim Spirit Field No. 80, and Zhong Yan left Qiongbi Peak.
With her own strength as a fragile woman, taking care of three acres of Spirit land was too strenuous.
"Sigh…"
Standing on the second floor, Ning Daoran watched Zhong Yan leave, emitting a helpless sigh.
Several days later, a young cultivator named Qin Xiang took over Spirit Field No. 80, and Qiongbi Peak seemed to return to its former tranquility.
…
A few months later.
An Outer Disciple arrived outside Spiritual Field Courtyard No. 77.
"Is Junior Brother Ning here?"
The visitor was a Sixth Level of Qi Refining cultivator, with a simple and honest appearance.
"What brings Senior Brother here?"
"I am Li Sandao, a disciple of the Outer Sect Contribution Hall. I heard that Junior Brother is adept at growing Second-tier Spirit Rice. My younger brother is currently striving to reach the middle stage of Qi Refinement and wants to buy some Spirit Rice from Junior Brother. Would that be possible?"
"Senior Brother, please come in."
Ning Daoran let him into the courtyard, and the two quickly made a deal.
Li Sandao bought thirty catties of Spirit Rice in one go, paying twenty Spirit Stones, which was slightly higher than what Qingfu Square typically offered.
Ning Daoran was naturally happy to do business on Qiongbi Peak, as it involved the lowest risk, but he needed to control the sales volume so as not to reveal his "astonishing production."
However, things were not that simple.
Li Sandao began to visit Qiongbi Peak frequently, sometimes just to buy a small amount of Spirit Rice or Spirit Fish, sometimes purely for chit-chat, sometimes 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. At that trade fair, there will be an Array Master who might have a First-tier Lower Grade Array Formation Inheritance. Would Junior Brother like to try his luck?"
"A First-tier Lower Grade Array Formation Inheritance?"
Ning Daoran was naturally tempted, but these too-convenient opportunities always felt a bit suspicious.
It was better to stay away from circumstances where one could easily be tricked.
He quickly made a decision, "Senior Brother should know that Senior Brother Lin Sheng exchanged an Evergreen Technique for me, which is extremely difficult to cultivate.
Currently, I am striving to reach the Second Level of Evergreen Technique and really can't spare any effort to care about a First-tier Lower Grade Array Formation Inheritance."
"Oh, that's too bad."
Half a month later, Li Sandao appeared again.
"Junior Brother, recently an ancient cultivator's Cave Mansion relic appeared five hundred li southwest of the Sect. Senior Brother has arranged with a few friends to explore it together, including a First-tier Middle-grade Array Master, so breaking the Prohibition shouldn't be a problem.
Would Junior Brother be willing to join us? Since the ancient cultivator was a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, perhaps there are opportunities for Foundation Establishment in the relics.
Junior Brother, being in the middle stage of Qi Refinement at such a young age, shouldn't miss this chance!"
"Oh?"
Ning Daoran smiled warmly at Senior Brother Li, "Ancient cultivator's Cave Mansion and such may all be fictitious, and besides, I'm responsible for taking care of these three acres of Spirit land. Old Lu is just one deer and can't handle it all; where would I find the leisure to explore some relics?"
"That's really unfortunate, then… the opportunities within… Senior Brother won't be polite then!"
"Senior Brother, please don't be polite…"
…
Half a month later, Li Sandao again appeared at Qiongbi Peak.
Ning Daoran stood waiting in the small building, watching to see just how patient Senior Brother Li was, determined not to give up until he had lured him down from the mountain.
"Junior Brother Ning, I hope all is well."
"All is well, how has Senior Brother been lately?"
"Very good, very good."
Li Sandao's smile carried a hint of amusement as he said, "Have you heard any news recently, Junior Brother? It is said that in the brothel of Yellow Dragon Square, a group of female cultivators from Miaoyin Square has recently arrived.
These female cultivators are skilled in music, their melodies said to be heavenly, greatly beneficial to cultivators in the middle stage of Qi Refinement!"
His smile widened, "Moreover, it's said among these female cultivators there is a Qi Refining Ninth Level fairy, a registered disciple of a False Core True Man, who has been searching for a young and promising dual cultivation partner.
If Junior Brother happens to catch the Immortal's eye, the great Dao could be within reach!"
"Oh?"
Ning Daoran's mind wavered slightly, "Senior Brother, this fairy… what is her figure like?"
"Truly an exceptional beauty."
Senior Brother Li's smile was suggestive, "Those who have been there said that the Immortal is heavenly beautiful, with ample bosom yet a slender waist, and legs that are unimaginably long. Such a rare beauty is hard to find in a lifetime!"
"I see."
Ning Daoran's furrowed brows relaxed, saying, "Senior Brother doesn't know, but I prefer flat-chested women, they look… a bit cuter…"
"Ah… Junior Brother you???"
Senior Brother Li left in embarrassment.
Ning Daoran watched his back calmly, his gaze tranquil, yet inside he pondered who exactly wanted him to leave the mountain so badly—was it someone from the Wang Family of Stone Valley or someone from Black Wind Village seeking revenge?
The former was most likely.
But it didn't matter.
He had no urgent need to leave the mountain recently, so he might as well hide at Qiongbi Peak for a few more years; after all, it was fairly safe within the Sect. Having cultivated the Evergreen Technique, his lifespan was considerably extended, and he could afford to wait.
…
The Wang Family of Stone Valley.
"Bang!"
The Foundation Establishment Ancestor furiously smashed his hand on the table, his gaze icy as he said, "That little beast can really endure, can't he!?"
With his own lifespan dwindling, how could he outwait him?!
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