Cultivation Starting from Full Talent-Chapter 279 - 277 Old Manager Passed Away Early
Chapter 279: Chapter 277 Old Manager Passed Away Early
Chapter 279 -277 Old Manager Passed Away Early
After passing through a narrow alley, Ning Daoran had already disguised himself as Independent Practitioner Jianjia.
When he approached the stall, Xu Xinghe’s pupils violently constricted, already recognizing him.
“Fire Origin Independent Practitioner, Senior… no…”
He looked guilty and said, “I should address you as Senior Jianjia.”
“It seems you know everything,” Ning Daoran said indifferently.
“Indeed.”
Xu Xinghe bowed slightly, his face showing shame, and said, “Back then, although I did my best to dissuade the ancestor, his mind was set, and it was not within my power as a junior to sway him.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Ning Daoran said, “Your family’s ancestor has already been killed by me, and this matter has thus been settled.”
“What?”
Xu Xinghe’s pupils constricted. “The ancestor was killed by Senior?”
“Unexpected, isn’t it?”
Ning Daoran spoke lightly, as if discussing a matter completely unrelated to himself: “The first time the Seven-Colored Peacock descended upon Immortal White Dragon City, your ancestor had not perished; it was false news. But during its second descent, after being repelled by a Nascent Soul Cultivator from Slaying Immortal Tower, I met your ancestor Xu Changyang.
He set an ambush on the way the Seven-Colored Peacock was leaving, but unfortunately, despite his meticulous planning, he didn’t anticipate my sudden appearance. Xu Changyang’s physical body was burned by me in a fire, and his Nascent Soul has also been refined by me. That is the fortune he amassed for the Xu family.”
The Nascent Soul of the Xu family ancestor, in fact, was fed to the Green-clothed Lady.
After Ning Daoran had almost completely scrolled through the Xu family ancestor’s memories, the Nascent Soul had lost its value and became extremely weak after being repeatedly subjected to Soul Search. Ultimately, it was swallowed whole by the Green-clothed Lady.
After swallowing the Nascent Soul, the Green-clothed Lady almost achieved a Breakthrough!
“Senior Jianjia…”
Xu Xinghe bowed his head: “During the battle in Immortal White Dragon City, I was severely injured by a demon beast which cost me my foundation. I fell from Foundation Establishment directly down to Qi Refining Ninth Level. Now, that is more or less where I stand. If Senior wishes to kill me, just do it, as it is what the Xu family deserves.”
“I don’t intend to kill you.”
Ning Daoran said, “On the contrary, since you had diligently tried to dissuade Xu Changyang at that time, I actually ought to thank you. Although the Xu family has fallen, it hasn’t been eradicated and still has a chance for resurgence.”
He smiled slightly: “I am actually looking forward to seeing the Xu family under Xu Xinghe’s leadership, which will surely present a different vista.”
With that, he lightly extended his hand and pushed a jade bottle containing a Foundation Establishment Pill and a First-tier Top-Grade Magical Artifact and a Second-Order Top-Grade Spiritual Tool toward Xu Xinghe.
“These were searched from your ancestor’s Storage Bag and might be useful to you. Keep them. I’m leaving now, and you should not think about revenge, as it would only lead you to a dead end.”
“How dare I, thank you, Senior…”
Xu Xinghe’s hands trembled, ancestor perished, father died in battle, Xu family fallen and pursued by many enemies, family lands seized, most relatives killed. Xu Xinghe’s fallen status saved him from assassination, reduced to avoiding going out in Immortal City, confined to running a stall selling First-tier Talismans for survival.
The items Ning Daoran gave, once something Xu Xinghe would not care for, now to him were treasures, a chance for resurgence.
“Thank you, Senior!”
He bowed deeply again.
By the time Xu Xinghe looked up, Ning Daoran had already disappeared without a trace, silently leaving Immortal White Dragon City.
…
Days later, Qingdian Lake, a vast expanse of water.
“Home, I’m back…”
The Green Water Turtle dived excitedly into the water.
“Ao ao~~”
Big Stupid Deer and Little Blackie also rushed into the water together.
Ning Daoran, excited, also pulled his robe and jumped into the water for a bath.
On the shore, Little Bai looked at his strong muscles and balanced contours, her face blushing slightly, a pity that she was a refining corpse, surely unworthy of his attention.
After staying at Qingdian Lake for two days, they turned northward to Fanshu City.
Days later, they arrived at Fanshu City.
A light drizzle.
It was the season of spring, a time when flowers bloomed profusely. A fine rain nourished the earth, making the peach trees in Fanshu City bloom gloriously, as beautiful as when Ning Daoran had once visited.
In the city, a lonely grave stood under a peach tree.
Ning Daoran bought incense and paper money to worship with Big Stupid Deer for Grandfather Ou Yeping.
“Old Lu, kneel and kowtow to your master.”
“Ao ao~~”
Big Stupid Deer’s front hooves thudded to the ground, kowtowing to his master. Although it had reached the Golden Core Stage, the master would always remain the master, and in front of Ou Yeping, it would always be the same clumsy Spiritual Deer that just learned to forge.
“Old gentleman…”
Ning Daoran knelt on one knee before the tombstone, smiling, “It’s been forty years since our parting. In these forty years, Old Lu and I have been well. We cultivated diligently in Yizhou’s Immortal White Dragon City, fished in Tianluo Sea, and even witnessed the elegance of a Nascent Soul Great Cultivator. Overall, these forty years have been absolutely wonderful; just missing you, if only there were a chance to play chess under the jujube tree with you again.”
The spring breeze wafted, gently swaying the peach branches overhead.
That night.
Ning Daoran did not return to the sword-making shop but instead spent the night in a tavern with Old Lu, drinking.
In the dead of night, suddenly a bright spirit light soared towards the sky and then condensed into a dense Spirit Fog covering a radius of about several kilometers within the city.
Someone was attempting Core Formation!
Ning Daoran sensed the spirit of the Spirit Fog from afar and already knew who was attempting Core Formation. He did not interfere, just watching from afar, sipping wine one mouthful after another.
The Spirit Fog was unstable. The Cultivator’s skills…
Absolutely incomparable to when Ning Daoran underwent his Core Formation.
In the morning, the Spirit Fog faltered and eventually dispersed—Core Formation had failed.
The person’s aura plummeted instantly; undoubtedly, their Primordial Qi was severely damaged, and failing Core Formation might even reduce the person’s lifespan.
…
In the morning, after finishing buns, Ning Daoran got up and said, “Old Lu, shall we visit an old friend? If not now, I fear there might never be another chance.”
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.
“Ao~~”
Big Stupid Deer nodded in agreement.
One man and a deer strolled along the main street, winding their way forward.
Early morning, Floating Duckweed Workshop.
“What would the esteemed guest like to order?”
Inside the workshop, a young girl dressed in a purple skirt, exceptionally delicate-looking, even… her eyes briefly sparkled with a familiarity that made Ning Daoran feel a sense of déjà vu.
“I don’t need anything, I’m looking for someone.”
Ning Daoran gently clasped his fist, “I am Ning Daoran, I request to meet Master Chen Ping’er of the Floating Duckweed Workshop, please pass on my request.”
“Ah?”
The girl said in surprise, “You… you are the Senior Ning that Master often mentions? But… Master she…”
“Enough, I know. Take me to her.”
“Yes, Senior Ning, please follow me.”
The girl led Ning Daoran through the front hall to the backyard.
The backyard offered a magnificent view, with peach blossoms blooming and drizzles like silk threads.
Inside the living room, a woman in a beige dress emerged, just like in the past, it was indeed Chen Ping’er.
However, the Chen Ping’er who had failed her Core Formation looked terribly unwell, her face pale, and this failed attempt had drastically drained her life force.
“You’ve come…”
Chen Ping’er gave a bitter smile, “I thought… I might never see you again in this lifetime…”
“What are you talking about, Fellow Daoist Chen?”
Ning Daoran looked at her frail appearance, and his heart ached. The current Chen Ping’er was no longer as shrewd and capable as before. Although she still appeared beautiful, her spirit was akin to that of an old woman.
“Ning’er, bring the tea.”
“Yes, Master!”
The girl in the purple skirt served them Spiritual Tea and then stood by the side.
“Her name is Ji Ning…”
Chen Ping’er’s eyes filled with affection as she looked at the girl in the purple skirt, “She is my last disciple, and the one I’m most content with… It’s just a pity… my days are numbered, and I can no longer teach her anything.”
Ning Daoran glanced at her.
Fifth-grade spiritual root, Early-stage Foundation Establishment, twenty-seven years old—an excellent prospect indeed.
“Fellow Daoist Ning, you’ve reached the mid-stage of Golden Core?” asked Chen Ping’er.
“Mhm.”
Ning Daoran nodded.
At that moment, Chen Ping’er’s heart bore mixed feelings. While she had failed her Core Formation, Ning Daoran had steadily advanced to the mid-stage Golden Core.
Yet, Chen Ping’er harbored no jealousy. Ning Daoran was different from others. Whether he advanced to the middle stage of Golden Core or even ascended to Nascent Soul or Divinity Transformation, Chen Ping’er would only feel happiness for him.
“Ning’er, go to the front hall to work. I want to talk with Fellow Daoist Ning.”
“Yes, Master!”
Ji Ning bowed and left.
“Old Lu, go have a look around.”
Ning Daoran gestured, and Big Stupid Deer followed Ji Ning to the front hall.
The entire backyard was then left to Ning Daoran and Chen Ping’er alone.
“Fellow Daoist, I don’t have much time left.”
Chen Ping’er suddenly spoke, her eyes rimmed red.
Ning Daoran felt his heart clench.
“Fellow Daoist Ning…”
Chen Ping’er gazed down at the stone pavement, whispering softly, “These days, I’ve been thinking, if cultivators really do have another life, it would be wonderful. If I could do it all over again, I would live cleanly… only then would I be worthy of you…”
“Fellow Daoist Chen…”
Ning Daoran was taken aback.
“Call me Ping’er…”
Chen Ping’er spoke softly, “Before I leave, I want to hear it…”
“Yes, Ping’er.”
“Fellow Daoist Ning.”
Chen Ping’er frowned slightly, “Did you know, there were several times when I couldn’t help but want to marry you, to be your companion?”
“I’m rather slow…”
“It’s alright.”
Chen Ping’er laughed softly, “There’s no chance in this lifetime, but I hope that in the next… Ping’er might be so lucky, to be with you.”
Ning Daoran was at a loss for words.
…
At noon, Chen Ping’er insisted that he stay for a meal.
In the afternoon, Ning Daoran took Big Stupid Deer to the sword casting shop, he felt it was time to face certain matters.
The sword casting shop was full of noise and bustle, with a group of young disciples practicing their hammering technique in the backyard. A few of them had decent abilities, swinging their hammers in a way that whistled through the air, fascinating Big Stupid Deer, the Divine Craftsman.
An out-of-breath manager came out and said to a boy, “Senior Ning? Who’s that? I don’t know…”
The moment he saw Ning Daoran, the manager immediately said respectfully, “Senior, may I ask why you’ve come to our sword casting shop?”
“Is Sang Ping’an around?” asked Ning Daoran.
“You’re looking for the Old Manager?”
The manager was surprised, “The Old Manager passed away twenty years ago…”
“Ah?”
Ning Daoran furrowed his brow, recalling the kindly-faced young manager from Fanshu City who had once followed him closely, not expecting him to have left so soon.
