Cultivation Starting from Full Talent-Chapter 484 - 482: Unfortunately, Too Old!

"Oh?"

Ning Daoran was surprised and chuckled, "Who might you be?"

"The younger Li Yinpeng, daughter of Li Yuantong, the master of Fish-Dragon Square in Dragon Tail Peak."

"Is that so."

Ning Daoran frowned slightly, "How far is it from here to Fish-Dragon Square?"

"Not far, only a few hundred miles away."

For a moment, Ning Daoran felt relieved.

While he was in White Dragon Mountain, he had learned some information about the Dragon King Mountain area, which consists of three major peaks ranked according to the level of spiritual energy. In order, they are Dragon Head Peak, Dragon Ridge Peak, and Dragon Tail Peak.

Originally, the entire Dragon King Mountain belonged to the Hidden Dragon Sect, but several hundred years ago, there was a split within the sect leading to intense internal strife that evolved into an irreconcilable feud.

One branch inherited the Hidden Dragon Sect and settled in Dragon Head Peak.

Another declared independence and established the Wind Snow Tower, taking position in Dragon Ridge Peak.

The third branch remained neutral, finally settling on Dragon Tail Peak, establishing the thriving Fish-Dragon Square, which became a considerable force to be reckoned with.

However, among the three, the force of Dragon Tail Peak was the weakest; therefore, they could only stay neutral, keep out of worldly disputes, and content themselves with managing Fish-Dragon Square. It’s precisely because of Dragon Tail Peak’s neutrality that the relations with Hidden Dragon Sect and Wind Snow Tower remained decent.

No wonder Li Yinpeng dared to enter Dragon King Mountain alone to hunt demon beasts, relying on the protection of her home territory. Should anything happen here, neither the Hidden Dragon Sect nor Wind Snow Tower would likely stand idly by.

However, Li Yinpeng’s audacity seemed a bit too great, actually intending to use arrays and prohibitions to capture a Third-tier Early-stage Monster!

"Miss Li, you are quite bold."

Ning Daoran frowned, "This Silver Moon Mink is a Third-tier Early-stage Monster, not something a Foundation Establishment cultivator like you can handle."

"I am aware of this..."

Li Yinpeng pursed her red lips and said, "If it hadn’t been for senior’s intervention, I would have certainly fled just now. I definitely would not have confronted that Third-tier Early-stage Monster."

"That’s good then."

Ning Daoran took out a crystal stone and asked, "What is this? The spiritual energy is very dense."

"Oh?"

Li Yinpeng’s eyes lit up, "It’s actually Dragon King Essence, such a large piece of Dragon King Essence..."

Ning Daoran understood; so it’s called Dragon King Essence. It differs from the Dragon Demon Essence condensed in the Demon Dragon Mountain Range by only one character, but the Dragon Demon Power contained within is at least fifty percent more concentrated. Using it for the cultivation of the Dragon Demon Heart Scripture would certainly double its effectiveness.

For a moment, Ning Daoran was somewhat tempted.

Why not stay in Dragon King Mountain for a while? After all, there was no rush to go to Dongming City, and though he still had quite a bit of Dragon Demon Essence left in his storage ring, after consuming it for more than thirty years, Ning Daoran was starting to feel anxious.

"Is senior visiting Dragon King Mountain for the first time?"

Li Yinpeng said, "I’ve been presumptuous, but I have yet to ask for senior’s esteemed surname and name."

"My surname is Ning, a Loose Cultivator."

Ning Daoran said, "I drift from place to place, having no fixed abode; I am but a... Second Order High Grade Talisman Master!"

Given the commotion he caused previously in White Dragon Mountain, he didn’t mention his identity as an Array Master to avoid more suspicion.

As for the Talismanic way, after years of practice and refinement, although he had no natural talent for it, he had indeed reached the level of a Second Order High Grade, and he was just a step away from becoming a Third-tier Talisman Master.

Primarily because he had plentiful materials; it was like a poor student practicing handwriting, who, despite being untalented and grinding through hundreds of pages a day, can still develop respectable calligraphy due to sheer repetitive practice.

"A Second Order High Grade Talisman Master?"

Li Yinpeng’s eyes shone brightly, "Senior is so proficient in the Talismanic way? Since senior is without a fixed home, why not accompany me to Fish-Dragon Square for a visit? If senior wishes, you can open a talisman shop in Fish-Dragon Square. I can speak to my father about it and reduce some of the rent for senior!"

Ning Daoran’s interest was piqued; this idea was not bad. To stay in Dragon King Mountain as a Talisman Master, crafting talismans in his spare time and searching for Dragon King Essence in the mountain when opportune, seemed like a good plan.

"I agree!"

Ning Daoran nodded directly, "I have indeed been weary from my travels recently and am indeed seeking a place to settle down. Since Miss Li offers such kindness, it would be ungracious of Ning to decline!"

Saying so, he took out the corpse of the Silver Moon Mink from his storage bag, extracted its inner core, skinned it, and handed the pelt to Li Yinpeng, "Miss Li, please appraise it and name your price. Ning trusts your character."

"In that case..."

Li Yinpeng pondered a moment and took out three thousand Spirit Stones, "The pelt of a Third-tier Early-stage Monster is worth five thousand Spirit Stones, but I only have three thousand here. I will make up the rest to senior after we return to Fish-Dragon Square, would this be acceptable?"

"Agreed!"

"Then let’s set off!"

"Alright!"

Li Yinpeng led the way with her tunneling light.

Ning Daoran followed behind, somewhat speechless. Such an innocent girl, truly unaware of the wickedness of the world, unafraid of being knocked unconscious with one blow, or being taken away to become a Dual Cultivation Furnace, or having her Primordial Yin Blood Qi refined into elixir pills—truly too naive.

Fortunately, he was a good person!

...

In the evening, two lights sped across the mountains, entering the domain of Dragon Tail Peak.

Halos of light clustered together on the mountainside, revealing an extremely bustling workshop, which was the Fish-Dragon Square Li Yinpeng had mentioned.

Li Yinpeng invited Ning Daoran to a meal, reserving a seat on the second floor of a restaurant in the Workshop Square.

The room had a great view; one could look up to see the bamboo groves and distant mountains, with a gentle breeze brushing across the face, extremely refreshing.

Soon after, a spirited middle-aged man entered the private room. He was dressed in a vestment robe, radiating the aura of a Golden Core Middle Stage cultivator, none other than Li Yinpeng’s father, the master of Fish-Dragon Square, Li Yuantong.

"Are you the Independent Practitioner Ning that Yinpeng mentioned?"

Li Yuantong smiled and said, "I am Li Yuantong. I’ve heard that Fellow Daoist fought and killed an early-stage Third-tier Silver Moon Mink in the mountains, and you are also a Second Order High Grade Talisman Master? I hold the utmost admiration for you!"

"Killing the Silver Moon Mink was merely fluke, and being a Second Order High Grade in the Talismanic way is nothing to brag about, you flatter me too much, Fellow Daoist!"

"Ha ha ha~~~"

Li Yuantong was very hearty, saying, "Fellow Daoist Ning, being so young yet at the Golden Core Middle Stage is truly enviable. May I ask, how old are you, Fellow Daoist?"

Beside him, Li Yinpeng’s eyes went wide, her face full of anticipation.

Li Yuantong also had his own considerations; Li Yinpeng’s impression of Ning Daoran was extremely favorable. If the other party was a young Golden Core cultivator, it might be possible to advance this marriage proposal. If this young and handsome Golden Core Middle Stage cultivator could become the son-in-law of Dragon Tail Peak, that would secure the fortune of Dragon Tail Peak for hundreds of years to come.

"I am embarrassed..."

Ning Daoran smiled and said, "I, Ning, have lived for over three hundred and seventy years..."

"..." freeweɓnovel.cѳm

Li Yuantong’s expression froze, never expecting that this young-looking cultivator in front of him was actually older than himself.

This was a bit problematic; his age wasn’t just suitable to be Li Yinpeng’s husband, but he could even be her great-grandfather.

"Cough cough..."

Li Yuantong said, "I really couldn’t tell..."

"Cough cough!"

Ning Daoran was also a bit embarrassed: "In my youth, wishing to keep my looks, I took a Solid Color Pill at great cost. Now it has indeed caused me some embarrassment. Had I not taken that pill, I suppose I’d be an old white-haired cultivator by now."

Li Yinpeng had been silent throughout. She felt like the sky was falling. She previously thought very highly of Ning Daoran and was considering taking the initiative for once to become a Daoist couple with this Golden Core cultivator. After all, they were a match in terms of social status, and she very much liked the way he spoke.

Now she was speechless. This man was even older than her father, shattering any hopes for a relationship.

"Fellow Daoist Ning."

Li Yuantong ordered the best Spiritual Wine from the restaurant, poured the wine, and then smiled, "I heard that Fellow Daoist roams everywhere, why not settle down in Fish-Dragon Square? I would willingly dedicate a shop in a prime location to you, Fellow Daoist. As for the rent, I would only ask for seventy percent, hoping that Fellow Daoist stays and enhances the foundation of Fish-Dragon Square. What say you, Fellow Daoist?"

"Certainly!"

Ning Daoran agreed immediately: "I would ask for nothing better, thank you, Workshop Master!"

"Ha ha, that’s wonderful, then please drink this cup to the full, Fellow Daoist!"

"Fellow Daoist, cheers!"

In no time, Ning Daoran and Li Yuantong enjoyed a deep and hearty conversation.

Li Yuantong felt that Ning Daoran looked young and handsome, his appearance simply explosive, but was surprised to find he was an amiable older brother. Therefore, Li Yuantong felt a great affinity with him and engaged in deep conversation, even discussing intimate friends along the Supreme path, both men feeling deeply moved and sighing.

"Daddy."

Li Yinpeng interjected, "I won’t tell mom about today’s conversation. Daddy, you should be more careful next time."

"Cough cough~~" Li Yuantong, frightened into sobriety, was extremely embarrassed.

"Cough cough~~"

Ning Daoran was also a bit embarrassed.

...

Several days later.

Li Yuantong indeed allocated a shop for Ning Daoran to rent.

The location of the shop was terrific, opposite a very large Duo Bao Pavilion, next to a restaurant and a Miaoyin Square where cultivator ladies sang and danced. By comparison, the talisman shop Ning Daoran opened was the most low-key.

Afternoon.

Ning Daoran crafted a signboard with his own hands, inscribed with "Ning’s Shop," mainly selling Second-Order Middle Grade and Top-grade talismans, offering discounts for bulk purchases.

Of course, these were just a front; Ning Daoran only needed a cover for his identity. His real intention for staying at Dragon King Mountain was, naturally, the essences of the Dragon Kings in the mountain.

The essence condensed from the bones of an Ancient Dragon King was not something that could be compared to the essences from the Demon Dragon Mountain Range.

For the shop’s smooth operation, Ning Daoran ordered Little Bai to pose as a maid, so Little Bai transformed into a delicate and beautiful girl, with her cultivation fixed at the Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment, to avoid being bullied and not too eye-catching.

Thus, Ning Daoran divided various demon beast materials, then released a few Class A Paperfolk and let these Paperfolk craft the talismans while he concentrated on cultivating the Dragon Demon Heart Scripture within the Spirit Garden Cave Heaven.

In this way, he gradually gained a foothold in Fish-Dragon Square, and the reputation of Ning’s Shop grew bigger and bigger, rapidly starting to turn a profit, and the business became increasingly prosperous.

...

Several months later, one clear morning.

"Swish~~~"

Dressed in a green robe, Ning Daoran walked out from the back door of the shop and disappeared into the morning mist.

Today was a good day, suitable for treasure hunting in the mountain!