Cultivation Starting from Full Talent-Chapter 655 - 653: Fight a Battle

Ning Daoran furrowed his brows. This Nascent Soul mid-stage True Disciple was outrageously arrogant. Initially, he thought Long Jiyu was insufferable with his condescending demeanor, utterly irritating. But now, it seemed this person was truly the most detestable of the True Disciples.

"Hmph..."

Ning Daoran smirked lightly, completely ignoring him, turning instead to the beautiful Fairy Xu with a smile: "Fairy Xu, could you guide me to the area where talismans are sold? I wish to purchase some high-level talismans."

"Certainly!"

Fairy Xu nodded and smiled: "Senior Ning, please follow me!"

That True Disciple shot a venomous glare at Ning Daoran’s back, clenching his fist tightly, but refrained from taking action.

In the distance, Workshop Master Lu Qinglong watched anxiously, palms sweating profusely.

The identities of these two individuals were highly significant. One was the top-ranked True Disciple, and the other—a newly appointed Guest Elder with unfathomable strength. If they were to clash here in Tianzhao Square... it would undoubtedly lead to a troublesome situation.

"Master Lu."

Just then, Ning Daoran’s transmission reached Lu Qinglong’s ears: "That person is so proud and overbearing, who exactly is he? While I do serve as a Guest Elder of the Divine Fire Sect, I’ve spent most of my time in secluded cultivation within the Cave Mansion and rarely socialize. Thus, I know little about the True Disciples of the Divine Fire Sect."

"Senior Ning may not be aware," Lu Qinglong replied, "this person is the top-ranked True Disciple of the Divine Fire Sect, far ahead of the other five True Disciples. He is the Direct Disciple of... oh, I misspoke—the Personal Disciple of Guest Elder Zhang Qinghe, who himself is a Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivator."

"Furthermore," Lu Qinglong continued, "Zhang Naiqian is the only Nascent Soul mid-stage disciple among the younger generation. Coupled with his First Grade Fire Spirit Root and mastery in cultivating the Divine Fire Technique to an advanced level, his position in the Divine Fire Sect is exceptionally prominent. Many even speculate that he’s being groomed as the next Sect Master."

"Oh?"

Ning Daoran frowned: "But as far as I know, the Divine Fire Sect has always been led by cultivators bearing the surname Long, following an unbroken lineage to this day. Even when this generation lacked exceptional talent among the Long family’s younger cultivators, a female disciple, Long Xian’er, still took up the mantle of Sect Master. Could it be that the next generation will break this tradition?"

"Cough, cough..."

Lu Qinglong realized he may have disclosed too much. As a Workshop Master in Tianzhao Square with decades of business experience, he knew well not to let his tongue slip too much, and laughed: "These matters... I am but an outsider and cannot provide much insight. Senior Ning, you are a Guest Elder of the Divine Fire Sect; perhaps it’d be better for you to inquire within the sect to uncover what Master Lu does not know."

"Very well."

Ning Daoran chuckled: "Regardless, thank you, Master Lu, for sharing what you know with me."

"Senior Ning."

Lu Qinglong said: "Permit me to speak frankly—your decision earlier not to clash directly with Zhang Naiqian or even engage him in combat was exceedingly wise. Though Zhang Naiqian may have a reputation for arrogance, he isn’t someone a Guest Elder like yourself can afford to provoke. The less contact you have with him, the better; otherwise, unnecessary trouble will arise."

"I understand. Many thanks for your advice, Fellow Daoist Lu!"

"You’re too kind, Senior!"

...

Several days later.

Within the Spirit Garden Cave Heaven, Ning Daoran stood tall.

After several days of nurturing the Mixed Element Flower with the Eternal Green Technique, the flower—which had been harvested many years ago—finally regained vitality. It was now planted beside the Heavenly Destiny Fruit in fertile soil, eagerly sprouting fresh buds and flourishing anew.

He clapped his hands and said, "Little Bai, I plan to make a trip to Fierce Sun Sky Pool."

"Oh?"

Little Bai raised his brows in surprise and asked: "Are you planning to sneak into Fierce Sun Sky Pool for cultivating?"

"Cough, cough, stop spouting nonsense. I’ve always conducted myself honorably; how could I stoop to petty tricks like those?"

He cleared his throat and added, "Besides, the active resurgence period of the Earth Fire in Fierce Sun Sky Pool is eighteen years away. Even if I sneak in now, it would likely be futile. I merely intend to use my Divine Sense to survey and familiarize myself with the spatial regulations and rhythmic flows of the Sky Pool. That way, I won’t be caught unprepared later."

"What you say makes sense, Young Master!"

Little Bai grinned and nodded.

Thus, Ning Daoran left his Cave Mansion and headed toward Fierce Sun Sky Pool.

Fierce Sun Sky Pool was situated behind the mountains of the Divine Fire Sect. Its defenses were tightly secured, with numerous Inner Sect disciples guarding the perimeter, barring outsiders from entry. However, Ning Daoran carried the Guest Elder token, which allowed him to pass through the first layer of defenses under the pretense of merely wandering about the back mountain.

By afternoon.

The forest basked in sunlight, its air imbued with the fragrance of wild roses strewn across the ground, their scent intoxicating. Red fruits, unfamiliar to the eye, lay scattered across the forest floor, their aroma evoking a sense of tranquil euphoria.

Ning Daoran strolled leisurely through the mountains, releasing his Nascent Soul Divine Sense to scan the area.

Soon after, he came to a gradual stop.

"Fellow Daoist, you’ve been following me for quite some time now. Why not show yourself?"

"Hmph, you sure are sharp!"

A figure emerged behind him, thundering forth from the cracks of the void—a person who had teleported from several miles away. Clad in True Disciple robes, it was none other than the top-ranked True Disciple Zhang Naiqian whom Ning Daoran had encountered days prior!

"I’ve been keeping an eye on you for a long while."

Zhang Naiqian’s gaze turned cold: "Guest Elder Ning, what are you doing in the back mountain?"

"Just looking around."

Ning Daoran replied nonchalantly: "I am a Guest Elder of the Divine Fire Sect, and the back mountain is not a forbidden area. My interest in the scenic beauty of the sect’s rear mountains brought me here. Fellow Daoist Zhang, does that concern you?"

"I couldn’t care less about your excuses!"

Zhang Naiqian suddenly flexed his arm, and flames began to rise around him. His eyes were filled with malice; sneering, he said, "Guest Elder Ning, I’ve heard whispers that you made your way from the first floor to the seventy-second floor of the Divine Fire Tower in one go, completely surpassing that waste Long Jiyu. The sect is abuzz with your achievement. It seems Guest Elder Ning has some skill..."

He paused, chuckling coldly: "I wonder if Guest Elder Ning has the courage to spar with me, Zhang Naiqian? Let me test your mettle and see if you’re truly worthy of being a Guest Elder at the Divine Fire Sect."

"Oh?"

Ning Daoran chuckled lightly: "According to the third rule of the Divine Fire Sect’s regulations, disciples are forbidden from private duels. Any disciple who harms another, regardless of the reason, shall face immediate severe punishment!"

Smiling faintly, he said: "As a Guest Elder, I must adhere to sect regulations. Fellow Daoist Zhang, if you’re eager to spar, perhaps you should challenge someone else. I fear that if I accidentally kill you, it would violate sect rules."

"You dare court death?!"

Zhang Naiqian’s gaze turned frigid: "Ning Daoran, whether you consent or not, I will fight you today!"

"Oh? Is that so?"

Ning Daoran smiled faintly, twisting his body and vanishing on the spot.

"You..."

Zhang Naiqian was taken aback and swiftly struck the spot where Ning Daoran had stood. The ground instantly cracked open, flames spewing from below.

But in that mere moment, Ning Daoran’s presence had completely disappeared. Even as Zhang Naiqian expanded his Divine Sense across dozens of miles to search, he failed to find a single trace.

"Impossible... Impossible!"

Zhang Naiqian stood shocked: "What kind of Concealing Breath Technique is this?"

...

Elsewhere in the back mountain.

Ning Daoran gracefully emerged from the void, his aura entirely suppressed.

He looked up to the summit of the main peak in the back mountain. It was a volcano, clouds of smoke billowing from its top—the entrance to Fierce Sun Sky Pool.

Legend had it that Fierce Sun Sky Pool was formed by the impact of a meteor from the Outer Heaven, dating back hundreds of thousands of years. It wasn’t until tens of thousands of years ago that a Divinity Transformation cultivator of the Long family discovered an extraordinary "Cosmic Starfire" energy hidden within the Earth Fire Core deep inside the volcano. This led to the area being cordoned off and the establishment of the Divine Fire Sect.

The Earth Fire within Fierce Sun Sky Pool was no ordinary flame, but an otherworldly fire—the true treasure.

Based on Ning Daoran’s deductions, the meteor that struck the Eastern Wasteland Cultivation World must have been enormous, likely a remnant of a Constant Star Fragment; otherwise, it couldn’t have sustained its flames for so long.

If that were the case...

Was it possible that the Earth Fire Core might still be undergoing nuclear fusion, similar to the sun?

The thought was terrifying.

That said...

As a Nascent Soul cultivator, his body was vastly superior to that of ordinary mortals. Even if radiation were present, he could surely withstand it.

This brought to mind the nuclear disaster in Japan. If he could travel back in time, his Nascent Soul body might even allow him to fearlessly consume Japan’s nuclear-contaminated seafood.

At the absurd thought, he nearly chuckled aloud.

Just as his mind wandered, a disheveled old man reclined lazily atop a huge boulder in the mountains, casting a glance in his direction and murmured: "Young friend, why do you stare at this Sky Pool for so long?"

"Hmm?"

Ning Daoran turned to look.

In the rear mountains of the Divine Fire Sect was an unkempt old man...

Clearly, Ning Daoran wasn’t foolish enough to mistake him for a common man. He swept his Divine Sense over the elder but found his aura utterly concealed, making it impossible to discern whether he was a cultivator.

Either the old man was truly mortal, or his Concealing Breath Technique was extraordinary.

"Who are you?" Ning Daoran inquired.

"Shouldn’t I be asking who you are?"

The old man grinned: "Why have you come to the back mountains of my Divine Fire Sect? I’ve never seen you before."

"I am Ning Daoran, newly appointed Guest Elder of the Divine Fire Sect."

Ning Daoran laughed and asked, "Senior, who might you be?"

"I... I’m just a carefree old man."

The elder laughed heartily, clearly pleased with his response, and said: "Young friend, do you have any food? I’ve been asleep for months, and I am famished."

"Very well."

Ning Daoran clapped toward the Spirit Garden Cave Heaven: "Old Lu, come out and roast a spiritual sheep for this elder."

"Awooo~~~"

The Big Stupid Deer rushed out carrying a roasting rack, expertly slaughtering and barbecuing the sheep with astonishing proficiency.

Before long, the spiritual sheep was roasted to perfection, its aroma wafting far and wide.

The old man pulled out a small knife and sliced off chunks of meat, consuming them voraciously, grease dripping from his mouth as he muttered: "Delicious... This spiritual sheep is top-notch, and your Nascent Soul-stage spiritual deer is truly remarkable with such skills!"

Ning Daoran tossed him a jar of wine and said: "Senior, no need for formalities. Eat and drink to your heart’s content—I have plenty to spare."

After eating until his belly was round, the old man belched contentedly, while Ning Daoran sat nearby on a stone, crossing one leg casually. He smirked and said: "Senior, according to those Jianghu tales, after the benefactor is fed and satiated, they typically bestow upon their host some great fortune. Perhaps teach me a martial technique, or impart the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms—or something of the sort?"

"None of that!"

The old man rolled his eyes: "But I wouldn’t mind sparring with you, young lad!"

Ning Daoran slapped his thigh in frustration: "What is this—eating and then beating the chef?"

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