Cultivation Starting from Full Talent-Chapter 145 - 143: Old Friends Falling Away One by One

Chapter 145 -143: Old Friends Falling Away One by One

After this battle, the Lu family of the Baisha River was shocked.

Previously, the Lu family was not unaware that the Chen family had relations with an Outer Elder of the Chaotic Sect.

But after inquiring from multiple sources, the three Lu family ancestors unanimously believed that the Chen family’s relationship with that Foundation Establishment figure was extremely tenuous, and that Chen Yuzhu was sent to the Chaotic Sect to merely serve as a maid in attendance.

They had never thought that the Foundation Establishment Cultivator would actually make a move to help the Chen family.

For a time, with the death of the three ancestors in battle, the sky had fallen for the Lu family.

…

...

Chen Weimo and Chen Yuzhu, along with a Second Rank Middle Stage Ink Jiao Dragon, returned to the Chen family with great fanfare to that Second-stage Lower Grade Spirit Vein. After establishing a new Family Head and making all the necessary arrangements, they quietly left during the starry night a few days later.

Cultivation families like the Lu and Zhao families of the Baisha River were unaware of these events and assumed that the Ink Jiao Dragon had stayed to become the Chen family’s Clan Guardian Spirit Beast.

Thus, afterwards, any Cultivation family that dared covet the Chen family’s Spirit Vein had to weigh their chances against the exceedingly fierce Second Rank Middle Stage Spiritual Beast.

Chaotic Sect, Qiongbi Peak.

Chen Weimo and Chen Yuzhu quietly returned to the Spiritual Field Courtyard No. 77 before dawn.

“Uncle!”

Chen Weimo, with a smiling face, lightly patted the Spirit Beast Bag and returned Little Blackie.

“Back already?”

Ning Daoran, holding a cup of Spiritual Tea in the living room, smiled and asked, “How did the Chen family affair of the Baisha River go?”

“Everything went smoothly. We have reclaimed the Spirit Vein. The Ink Jiao Dragon contributed the most to this victory, thank you so much, uncle!” Chen Weimo responded with a smile.

Chen Yuzhu also gave a respectful bow, saying, “Thank you, young master. You have given my Chen family a second lease on life.”

“Enough, let’s not talk about it anymore.”

Ning Daoran waved his hand dismissively, saying, “I know nothing of this matter. Do not bring it up again.”

“Yes!”

Chen Weimo and Chen Yuzhu smiled, nodded, and then changed out of their long dresses worn for traveling, and began to prepare breakfast.

Ning Daoran, with his hands behind his back, floated towards the backyard.

After his advancement to Foundation Establishment, he had formed a habit of flying rather than walking whenever possible; this was more fitting for the demeanor of a Foundation Establishment Ancestor.

“Little Blackie.”

By the fish pond, Ning Daoran lightly stomped his foot.

“Squeak~~~”

The Ink Jiao Dragon swiftly swam forward, coiling in front of Ning Daoran and lowering its head in an extremely docile manner.

“Hmph!”

Ning Daoran narrowed his eyes and smiled, “You have been quite bloodthirsty on this trip, devouring so much Blood Essence from Cultivators. Do you also have the ambition of an Evil Jiao Dragon?”

“Squeak—”

Little Blackie was greatly alarmed, its vertical pupils rapidly contracting, enveloped by a great and terrible feeling of fear.

Ning Daoran floated up and tapped with the back of his finger three times on Little Blackie’s sturdy head, saying, “This killing was for Chen Weimo to avenge her family; it shall not be taken as a precedent.”

“Squeak~~~”

Once Little Blackie realized Ning Daoran held no killing intent, it immediately showed a gentle expression and, tilting its head, affectionately nudged Ning Daoran like Big Stupid Deer would do.

“Go back, continue your Cultivation.”

Instantly, Little Blackie skimmed into the water, turning into a shadow underneath and quickly disappeared from sight.

Henceforth, the matter of the Chen family of Baisha River came to a close.

Ning Daoran looked up to the sky, thinking that if Granny Yun Cui had a spirit in heaven, she would be quite consoled to see these events unfold.

As for the Chen family’s future, that would depend on whether Chen Yuzhu has the luck to achieve Foundation Establishment.

If she does achieve Foundation Establishment, then the Chen family will continue to be a Foundation Establishment Family; otherwise, their future is uncertain.

…

Atop Qiongbi Peak, Ning Daoran and Big Stupid Deer continued their relentless Cultivation.

Time flew by, and two years passed in a blink.

This year, Ning Daoran was one hundred and five years old. Although he still had the appearance of a young man, he had started to refer to himself as an old man.

At that moment, he finally recaptured a familiar sensation.

He felt he had touched the bottleneck and seemed to be merely a step away from reaching the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment.

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No rush, take it slow. The foundation of one’s Cultivation must be accumulated steadily.

Advancing through ranks with a Ninth Grade Spirit Root was extremely difficult; it required great patience and waiting. Luckily, he had a long Life Span and could afford to wait.

However, just then, news arrived—Lin Sheng had advanced to the Mid-stage of Foundation Establishment!

Lin Sheng possessed an Eighth Grade Spirit Root, not much better than Ning Daoran’s, but he never slacked off in his Cultivation. So, his advancement to Mid-stage Foundation Establishment was also expected.

Although reaching Mid-stage Foundation Establishment at the age of one hundred and fifteen meant that prospects for Core Formation were very slim, it was still a cause for celebration.

Two days later, Lin Sheng held a feast in his Cave Mansion to celebrate his advancement to Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

Ning Daoran brought Big Stupid Deer along to congratulate him, each presenting a small gift.

He discovered that Lin Sheng’s aura had begun to become more reserved, and he was introducing several descendants of the Lin family to his junior brothers and sisters.

It was common knowledge that Lin Sheng practiced Pure Yang and still possessed a Primordial Yang Body.

Therefore, those descendants were the progeny of his elder and younger male cousins, and mostly, those with Spirit Roots had been arranged by Lin Sheng to Cultivate within the Inner or Outer Sect of the Chaotic Sect.

Ning Daoran felt somewhat dazed. Even Senior Brother Lin Sheng had started to make arrangements for matters after his departure?

After the celebration, he was left sighing incessantly.

It seemed that Senior Brother Lin Sheng had confirmed his own doubts about achieving Core Formation and held no more hopes for it.

…

Several days later.

News came from Spirit Field number 80 on Qiongbi Peak: Qin Xiang had passed away.

Qin Xiang, who had diligently farmed Spirit Rice for decades, his death made Ning Daoran and Big Stupid Deer very sad for a while. In the end, Ning Daoran decided to pay his last respects to Qin Xiang as the Peak Master.

In the early morning, amidst misty clouds.

Within the courtyard of the Spirit field, more than a dozen members of the Qin family mourned in funeral attire, weeping loudly.

Qin Xiang’s corpse lay in a coffin, which was placed under a date tree within the courtyard.

Date fruits fell and made a pattering sound on the coffin lid.

“Fellow Daoist Qin…”

Ning Daoran furrowed his brows, “I did not expect you to depart so hastily, not even saying goodbye.”

“Peak Master…”

Qin Xiang’s children knelt down, crying.

“Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Qin was an old acquaintance of mine; I will not make things difficult for you.”

Ning Daoran looked at them and asked, “Are all of the Qin family here?”

“Indeed.”

A middle-aged man knelt on the ground and said, “They’re all here…”

Ning Daoran’s gaze swept around and finally landed on a young girl in white clothes who possessed an Eighth Grade Spirit Root!

It seemed that because she was too young and had not been sent to the Sect to Measure Spiritual Roots, even the Qin family didn’t know of her potential.

“What’s your name?”

“I… My name is Qin Wenyao…”

“Good.”

Ning Daoran said, “From now on, Qin Wenyao will also cultivate with Chen Weimo. I will teach you the Evergreen Technique and the Rain Transformation Technique. How far you can go depends on yourself. As for these 80 Spirit Fields, they will be passed to Qin Wenyao, with the family managing them on her behalf.”

“Thank you, Peak Master, thank you, Peak Master!”

Qin Wenyao’s parents repeatedly kowtowed in gratitude.

Ning Daoran nodded, “Take good care of Fellow Daoist Qin’s funeral. From now on, you must keep to your place and not overstep.”

“Yes, Peak Master!”

After Ning Daoran and Big Stupid Deer left, the Qin family members were both happy and sad; they were happy that they were not expelled from Qiongbi Peak like the Ma family had been, but grieved over the death of Qin Xiang, who had been the mainstay of the family.

…

Six months after Qin Xiang’s seated meditation death.

Qin Wenyao began cultivating with Chen Yuzhu, calling Chen Weimo ‘Master’. As for the Evergreen Technique, Ning Daoran occasionally provided personal instruction.

Not long after, a stumbling figure arrived at the front of Courtyard 77, standing in the wind looking as though his life might be extinguished by the breeze at any moment.

This person was Huang Shan, the master of Spirit Field 81.

“Huang Shan seeks an audience with the Peak Master…” His low voice called out from outside.

Through the rustling sound, the Small Cloud Mist Array dispersed.

Dressed in green robes and still looking like a youth, Ning Daoran, accompanied by the White Deer, came out to meet him.

He could see at a glance that Huang Shan’s life was nearing its end and that he would die within a day or two.

If one considered age, Huang Shan was of a similar age to Ning Daoran, which certainly marked the lifespan limit for a Qi Refining Stage Practitioner.

“Fellow Daoist Huang.”

Ning Daoran said with folded hands, “Please come into the parlor for some tea.”

“Thank you, Peak Master…”

Huang Shan said respectfully, “But… I don’t feel like drinking tea. If the Peak Master is at leisure, perhaps we could sit under that large banyan tree for a while. Huang Shan has some final words that I cannot rest easy without speaking…”

“Alright, I will listen to Fellow Daoist’s wish.”

Under the banyan tree, on a large stone slab, Ning Daoran and Huang Shan sat upright.

By their side, the White Deer lay at an angle, looking lazy and content.

“Peak Master.”

Huang Shan looked up at the banyan tree and smiled, “Back in the day, you, along with Xin Yan, Zhong Yan, Granny Yun Cui, Little Weimo, and I, especially loved to chat and joke around here.”

“Aow~~”

To the side, Big Stupid Deer lifted its head and let out a cry.

Huang Shan couldn’t help but laugh, “That’s right, that’s right, along with Deer Fellow Daoist.”

Pleased with itself, Big Stupid Deer once again closed its eyes, displaying its carefree demeanor.

“Sigh…”

With a sigh, Huang Shan said, “Just like that, eighty years have passed…”

“Time is like this; it cannot be reversed by human effort.”

Ning Daoran looked into the distance at the rice fields, his eyes tranquil and detached. His mental state seemed so much stronger than Huang Shan’s.

“It’s a pity…”

Leaning on the large stone slab, Huang Shan let out a wry smile, “I have cultivated my whole life, yet I still could not break through to the Late-stage Qi Refining, leading an insignificant and fruitless life…

I’ve practiced the Longevity Skill for a full eighty years, yet I still have such a shallow understanding. It’s ridiculous when I think about it.”

Regret was clear in his eyes, “Our generation will all die in the end. It’s only you, Fellow Daoist Ning, with your enduring way on the Immortal Path, who can see further into the journey on behalf of us all.”

Ning Daoran remained silent, emotions complicated within him.

“Fellow Daoist Ning, what does the path ahead on the Immortal Road actually look like? Is the Foundation Establishment Stage really as wonderful as they describe?” Huang Shan suddenly asked.

“Of course.”

Ning Daoran said, “The scenery of longevity is certainly extremely beautiful, though I’ve only seen some of the marginal glimpses.”

“Is that so…”

Huang Shan smiled with a look of longing in his eyes, “That’s really wonderful…”

The two of them talked a little more about old times.

Soon after, Huang Shan had a coughing fit and returned to Spirit Field Cottage 81.

…

That night.

Huang Shan’s great-grandson, Huang Yu, dressed in mourning attire, came to report the death; Huang Shan has passed away in meditation during the night.

Ning Daoran was deeply moved.

Eighty years ago, those Spirit farmers chatting on the big slab under the banyan tree were now only left with him.

Old Lu, Xin Yan, Zhong Yan, Qin Xiang, Huang Shan, Granny Yun Cui—all those familiar figures had disappeared one after another into the stream of time.

He couldn’t help but feel nostalgic. Truly, this path to longevity was a lonely one in the end.

“Aow~~~”

By his side, Big Stupid Deer gently nudged Ning Daoran’s arm, gesturing for him not to feel too sad.

“Huang Yu.”

Ning Daoran looked at the young man in front of him. He was Huang Shan’s great-grandson, with a Low Grade Spirit Root. Under Huang Shan’s guidance, he had already introduced energy into his body and even cultivated the Rain Transformation Technique to the Second Layer.

He was also a one of a kind Spirit farmer.

“From now on, you are responsible for cultivating Spirit Field 81.”

Ning Daoran said, “But remember one thing, the Spirit Field is only so large; it cannot support the entire extended family.

You should take the appropriate opportunity to separate the unnecessary relatives and let them live in the mundane world, leaving only those who can help you tend to the Spirit Fields. This will prevent disturbance to your own cultivation.”

“Yes!”

Huang Yu immediately bowed deeply, “I will keep the Peak Master’s words in mind.”

“Go on.”

…

Several months later.

Qiongbi Peak returned to its peaceful state, and the deaths of Qin Xiang and Huang Shan seemed to be quickly forgotten.

People come and go, the Heavenly Dao rolls on, and the fate of the Human Clan seems to be like the grains beneath the millstone, inevitably crushed in the end.

Perhaps the so-called practice of Cultivation is merely to escape this worldly shackle and become the grain that flies out from beneath the millstone.