Cultivation Starting from Full Talent-Chapter 452 - 450: Robbery Cultivation Approaches

Time flies, and it has already been three years since Liu Ruyan and True Monarch Tu Yang got married.

This year, Ning Daoran is 333 years old, and his cultivation has become ever more profound. When he is serious, he exudes the aura of an expert.

"Old Lu."

He had just ended his retreat and with a slight lift of his eyebrows, he said, "Go to the Demon Dragon Mountain Range. The paperfolk has discovered a mine of Dragon Demon Essence with a considerable reserve!"

"Ow ow~~"

Big Stupid Deer’s tail wagged rapidly.

"The usual rules."

Ning Daoran said, "Little Bai stays to watch the house, and the rest of you come with me."

"Yes, young master."

Little Bai tidied his robe and bowed, also happy to stay and guard the house.

...

Demon Dragon Mountain Range.

Ning Daoran disguised himself as Independent Practitioner Jianjia, and Big Stupid Deer used a shape-shifting technique to transform into a Fire Falcon soaring in the sky.

Several days later, they reached the depths of the mountains.

Ning Daoran, holding the Big Green Dragon, landed on a low hill, overlooking the front valley filled with flowing Spiritual Energy, exceptionally serene. Beneath the surface, there was actually a damaged Second-Order Middle Grade Spirit Vein.

Such Spirit Veins are surely contested opportunities for Cultivation Families in the Eastern Wasteland Cultivation World, but this place belongs to Fire Dragon True Monarch. Only a Cultivation Family tired of living would think of occupying this Spirit Vein.

Ning Daoran cast a spell, and his body immediately became transparent. He quickly burrowed into the ground with the Earth Escape Skill, taking Big Stupid Deer along the Second-Order Middle Grade Spirit Vein.

In an instant, a wondrous sight appeared before them.

This withered and fragmented Second-Order Middle Grade Spirit Vein underground looked like a long and extensively forked green root, and at this moment, several deep red "mushroom"-like treasures had formed along the root’s main vein, which were none other than Dragon Demon Essences!

"Indeed, it’s here!"

Ning Daoran was overjoyed and immediately gathered the Dragon Demon Essences into his Storage Bag with his mana.

Before long, the entire Spirit Vein had been stripped clean, and Ning Daoran’s Storage Bag now contained at least a thousand pounds of Dragon Demon Essence, enough to support many years of consumption!

"Boom~~~"

Suddenly, the ground beneath them lightly sank.

"Hm?"

Ning Daoran was slightly surprised and released his Divine Sense, only to discover a gigantic creature wreaking havoc in the air a hundred miles away. It attacked a hemispherical array with its massive bulk, and after several continuous assaults, the array collapsed directly!

Fire Dragon True Monarch?

Ning Daoran’s heart tightened; the Demon Dragon Mountain Range was really too small, to unexpectedly encounter the Fire Dragon True Monarch here.

At this time, the Fire Dragon True Monarch revealed its true form, attacking a sect built along a river at the edge of the Demon Dragon Mountain Range. Judging by the severely damaged signboard, it seemed to be called the Giant Whale Sect.

Ning Daoran had heard of this name before; Giant Whale Sect was a First-class Sect within the territory of Qinzhou, with Sect Master Giant Whale being a Mid-stage Golden Core Cultivator, and there were also a few Golden Core Stage Cultivators under his leadership. In Qinzhou, it was a major power that operated above and below the law, and because the sect was infamous for many preposterous acts, it was often mentioned in the Cultivation World’s newspapers.

Unexpectedly, the Giant Whale Sect had provoked the deadly Fire Dragon True Monarch!

Ning Daoran couldn’t be bothered to intervene, turned away, and continued searching for Dragon Demon Essence. Although he had the will to oppose tyranny and aid the weak, it was a different story when facing someone so much stronger than himself, like Fire Dragon True Monarch!

...

One month later, with a full load, Ning Daoran returned to the Purple and Green Three Peaks.

"You’ve returned, young master?"

Little Bai, dressed in a white gown purer than snow, bowed and presented a cup of tea.

It must be said that Little Bai was indeed satisfying.

Ning Daoran took the tea cup and sat down, smiling as he asked, "Has anything happened during the time I was away?"

"Just some minor things."

Little Bai said, "However, a few days ago, a Golden Core Early Stage Cultivator named Yan Chen visited Master Bishui. They hit it off and became close friends. Now, Yan Chen is residing on Purple Mist Peak. I find this person somewhat suspicious."

"Oh?"

Ning Daoran frowned slightly.

Soon after, a Sound Transmission Talisman flew into the Cave Mansion from Master Bishui, "I’ve heard that Fellow Daoist Ning has just returned from a journey. Moreover, it has been a long time since the three Peak Masters of our peaks have gathered. I have hereby prepared a banquet this evening with the hopes of inviting Fellow Daoist Ning, as well as Fellow Daoist Si Tu, to join us. And to also introduce my brother Yan Chen to the two of you. May I know if Fellow Daoist would honor us with your presence?"

Ning Daoran immediately responded, "Master Bishui has extended the invitation, I, Ning, will certainly arrive on time for the banquet."

As evening approached and the sun set in the west.

Ning Daoran, dressed in a green robe, looked extraordinarily spirited, exuding an evergreen and enduring vitality. Among the three Peak Masters, only he, although a Golden Core, still maintained the appearance of a youthful man.

As he strolled leisurely towards Purple Mist Peak, he greeted various Loose Cultivators and Spirit Farmers, resembling a friendly old man taking a walk after dinner, amiable and approachable, without any airs of a Golden Core Cultivator.

Ning Daoran always had a good reputation among the Purple and Green Three Peaks. As a person, he was modest and never put on a show. He treated the Spirit Farmers with laughter and jokes, but his only fault was that he liked to enter into closed-door cultivation too much, sometimes accidentally causing the death of Spirit Farmers due to his extended retreats.

Purple Mist Peak.

"Fellow Daoist Ning!"

Master Bishui came out of the Cave Mansion, smiling, "The presence of Fellow Daoist Ning graces my modest place!"

"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist."

Ning Daoran looked up at the young cultivator emerging from the Cave Mansion, who had a smile plastered on his face, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

"Fellow Daoist Ning, please don’t take offense. Let me introduce you; this is my brother, named Yan Chen, at Golden Core Early Stage."

"So it’s Fellow Daoist Yan." Ning Daoran nodded and smiled.

"I have met Fellow Daoist."

Yan Chen said with a smile: "I’ve heard my elder brother mention Fellow Daoist Ning quite often before, saying that Fellow Daoist’s achievements in the Array Path are unparalleled, and within the entire Qinzhou, only a handful of people can be counted. I truly envy your skills."

"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist."

The crowd entered the Cave Mansion and continued with pleasantries; not long after, Qingxia Peak’s Peak Master, Situ Yu, also arrived.

He appeared as a middle-aged cultivator, Golden Core Early Stage, with a cold and resolute look in his eyes, extremely disinclined to smile.

At the banquet table, several Golden Core Cultivators clinked their cups in a toast, a scene of joviality.

Yet, each of them harbored their own thoughts.

A flash of white light in Ning Daoran’s eyes was fleeting, but it allowed him to see clearly that Yan Chen’s shown face was not his true one, but rather the result of a shape-shifting technique. By concealing his appearance in this way, could it be that he was as cautious as I am?

Moreover, Master Bishui seemed to trust Yan Chen completely, even willing to concede half of his own Cave Mansion for Yan Chen to reside in. Whenever Master Bishui looked at Yan Chen, his gaze turned passionate and tender.

Could it be that...

Ning Daoran’s heart trembled; the Cultivation World has homosexuals too!

Damn it, no!!!

He found this very difficult to accept.

After many years of acquaintance, Ning Daoran had never imagined that Master Bishui had such a preference... However, Yan Chen seemed not to be so; on the contrary, he hid it deeply!

"Has Fellow Daoists heard about an incident that happened over a month ago?"

Situ Yu said, "The Demon Dragon True Monarch, that demon dragon, actually flew out of the Demon Dragon Mountain Range and annihilated the Giant Whale Sect. It is said that Master Giant Whale led a group of disciples and was forced to leave the sect and has now become a Robbery Cultivator. The entire sect has turned into Robbery Cultivators, heh, this matter calls for caution."

"Indeed, I too wanted to mention this matter."

Master Bishui said: "The entire Giant Whale Sect has become Robbery Cultivators, sweeping through like locusts. It is said that several small Sects have already been plagued by them. If they intend to attack the Purple and Green Three Peaks, we must respond early on."

Ning Daoran nodded.

He said nothing, but he noticed that when the Giant Whale Sect was mentioned, although there was no change in Yan Chen’s expression, his Divine Soul fluctuated strongly for a moment.

This person really seemed to be no simple matter!

The feast ended.

Master Bishui, his face flushed red and not using Mana to dissipate the effects of alcohol, appearing completely drunk, laughed and said, "Fellow Daoist Ning... Fairy Liu getting married to Tuyang Peak is truly a pity. I feel... Fairy Liu matches you better, Fellow Daoist Ning. Marrying True Monarch Tu Yang, that old man, is such a waste..."

"Shh!"

Ning Daoran was somewhat speechless, "Fellow Daoist, you’re drunk. How can such words be spoken? Moreover, Liu Ruyan is my senior sister, I would never overstep my bounds."

"Mm."

Master Bishui said, "However, before Fairy Liu left, she said to me that she will always be a member of the Purple and Green Three Peaks. If the Purple and Green Three Peaks ever need help, she certainly won’t stand by idly."

Ning Daoran nodded and smiled, not paying much heed.

His gaze glanced toward the direction of the Cave Mansion, his lips moved slightly, and he used a Sound Transmission Talisman to say to Master Bishui: "Fellow Daoist Bi Shui, I have something to say that is perhaps out of line, but I’ll say it anyway. This Yan Chen... although he treats you well, you should still be on your guard. Didn’t you obtain a few Arrays from me before? You might as well set one up in your half of the Cave Mansion; only then can you be prepared."

"My Brother Yan..."

Master Bishui paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Good... Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist Ning."

While speaking, his gaze toward Ning Daoran grew a bit more distant.

’Your sister...’

Ning Daoran was exceedingly speechless and turned to return to Luoxia Peak.

...

Several months later.

The autumn climate was crisp, and the maple leaves atop the three peaks of the Purple and Green Three Peaks all turned red, like a beautiful painting.

But at this moment, a large number of Robbery Cultivators suddenly appeared near North Mountain.

"Robbery Cultivators attacking, raise the Array on all peaks, quickly!"

A Late-stage Qi Refining Cultivator rode a Flying Sword into the sky, and as he shouted, his head was already severed by a flying disc.

"Buzz~~~"

Ning Daoran immediately activated the Third-tier Array he had set around Luoxia Peak.

Right after, the Mountain Protection Formations of Purple Mist Peak and Qingxia Peak also activated concurrently. Figures from the outside world swooped towards the peaks, indeed all Robbery Cultivators, and among them were not a few who were Golden Core Stage!

Ning Daoran narrowed his eyes, just able to make out an old man at the front of the crowd, enveloped in Evil Qi, one hand held behind his back, stowing away a Magic Treasure Level flying disc that had been used to kill the Spirit farmer. This person was the one responsible.

This person’s likeness he had seen in reports before.

Master Giant Whale! The former Sect Leader of the Giant Whale Sect!

Such a Mid-stage Golden Core Cultivator reduced to Robbery Cultivation posed a significant threat.

However, Ning Daoran was somewhat puzzled as the Purple and Green Three Peaks were not weak. On paper, there was himself, a Mid-stage Golden Core, along with three Golden Core Early Stage, and Arrays protecting the mountain. How could the mere Giant Whale Sect dare to attack?

Unless...

There was someone on paper on their side!

’No, there are more people!’

Ning Daoran’s Divine Sense flew out, and he detected a late Gold Core Stage presence, a man in a dark blue Magic Robe, one hand held behind him, with a Fire Falcon perched on his shoulder.

Though the Fire Falcon appeared inconspicuous, it was in fact a Third-tier Middle Demon bird!