Cultivation Starting from Full Talent-Chapter 497 - 495: Alas, My Quality Is Not High

Several days later, a shocking news spread from the Hidden Dragon Sect.

It was said that the legendary great evil, known as the "Jianjia Old Demon" Ning Daoran, appeared near Dragon King Mountain, and several Inner Sect Disciples of the Hidden Dragon Sect had already fallen victim to this person.

The Sect Master Han Dinghai issued a wanted order for Independent Practitioner Jianjia and even went to Wuzhou Prefecture to discuss organizing experts to hunt down the Jianjia Old Demon with Martial Immortal Chen Sanli, who readily agreed to the proposal.

For a time, the Cultivation World in the vicinity of Dragon King Mountain was filled with panic and fear.

Those Loose Cultivators and Robbery cultivators who had been peaceful for a long time, and the slightly fair-looking Female cultivators from the mountains, did not dare to go out alone. When infants cried at night within the Sect, saying "If you cry again, the Jianjia Old Demon will come to take you away" would work wonders to stop them.

Regarding all these tumultuous rumors, Ning Daoran turned a deaf ear.

He continued to hide in his talisman shop, deeply engrossed in his Cultivation, as if the matters outside had nothing to do with him.

...

Thus, five years passed by in the blink of an eye.

This year Ning Daoran turned 380 years old and was nearly entering the ranks of the "old Golden Core" cultivators.

To many Golden Core Stage cultivators, if one hadn’t formed their Nascent Soul by 380 years of age, the hopes were quite slim, and if one exceeded 400 years, their Blood Qi and Mana might start to decline, making the formation of a Nascent Soul practically impossible.

Fortunately, Ning Daoran cultivated the Evergreen Technique, and he had always taken the matter of age lightly.

As for forming his Nascent Soul, it was almost a certainty for him.

"Seal Master Ning."

In the shop, Li Yinpeng’s pretty face was dripping with sweat. She had just finished crafting a batch of Second-stage Lower Grade Talisman to fill the gap of low-end talismans in the shop.

By now, Li Yinpeng had already considered the talisman shop as her home, and she had developed a deep affection for Ning Daoran and Little Bai.

"Miss Li."

Ning Daoran gave a slight smile, picked up a few talismans to inspect them, and said, "Miss Li’s talent in the Talismanic way pleases me immensely. It seems that in the future, the position of the leading talisman master of Fish-Dragon Square will undoubtedly belong to Miss Li."

"Is that so?"

Li Yinpeng’s cheeks flushed slightly as she said, "Since even Seal Master Ning says so, it seems I indeed possess some talent in the Talismanic way. Of course, all this is thanks to Seal Master Ning. If it weren’t for you..."

"Stop, don’t flatter someone to their face."

Ning Daoran laughed.

"Mhm!"

Li Yinpeng nodded and asked, "Is Seal Master Ning planning to go out?"

"Exactly."

Ning Daoran replied, "I’ve been in seclusion for too long and I’m almost moldy. I plan to visit the Prefecture to purchase some Third-tier materials, as the ones I had stocked up before are long gone."

"Good."

Li Yinpeng said, "But considering the unrest outside, please, Seal Master Ning, do ensure you travel in the company of other cultivators. It was rumored several years ago that the Jianjia Old Demon appeared, and subsequently, disciples from Hidden Dragon Sect and the Wind Snow Tower had been going missing. In just five years, at least thirty disciples have disappeared without a trace; alive they are unseen, dead their bodies are not found. The methods of the Jianjia Old Demon are truly extraordinary."

"Mhm, don’t worry."

Ning Daoran nodded, "I will be careful."

"That is reassuring."

Thus, Ning Daoran turned into a streak of Tunneling light and left the Workshop.

Sometime later, he directly proceeded via Earth Tunneling.

Underground, he frowned, feeling extremely displeased.

Well done, Han Dinghai, you use people to feed that Old dragon, and then throw the blame onto me. What exactly did Independent Practitioner Jianjia do wrong to deserve such a massive scapegoat?

And that Old dragon too, why must it consume the Blood Essence of Human Clan Cultivators? Is it not fine to eat Demon Beasts?

Must it be so particular about the taste? Utterly pretentious, it deservedly is not worth lamenting over!

This time Ning Daoran emerged from seclusion, his state already fully charged, and the Eternal Immortal Vine had been nurtured even stronger than before over these five years, even capable of condensing more than ten Evergreen Seeds at once. This allowed the release of even more vines, further bolstering his combat power!

Compared to that, the Old dragon was far more miserable.

Five years later, it must have once again fallen back to the Nascent Soul Early Stage, and along with the severe injuries that reduced its life-span, the Old dragon’s combat power was definitely much weaker than five years before.

With such an increase on one side and a decrease on the other, it was no longer difficult for Ning Daoran to consider killing this Old dragon.

To ensure success this time, even Little Bai was brought along!

The entire Ning Family Army would strike, just waiting to see if that Old dragon would die.

...

Several days later.

Ning Daoran sent back a Class A Paperfolk to the shop, creating evidence that he was present in the Fish-Dragon Square. With this setup, no matter how much commotion was caused outside, no one would suspect the identity of the Seal Master in the Fish-Dragon Square.

"Young Master."

Little Bai spoke up with a light smile, "Last time I missed the great battle, I must make up for it this time. It is just right to use an Nascent Soul Early Stage Demon Beast to test the Wood Attribute Technique I have cultivated over the years."

"Mhm."

Ning Daoran nodded as he flew through the underground tunnel, "Everyone remember, we must not cause too much of an uproar in this battle. We’ll fight swiftly and end it quickly. Last time, the Old dragon had a scale shattered by Old Lu and Little Blackie, and even if a new scale has grown, it remains extremely fragile. We will target this scale for our attack, eliminating it with swift and decisive action."

"Alright~~"

"Roar~~"

"Yes, Brother Ran!"

Even Ning Xiaogui was eager to try, but was unfortunately rejected by Ning Daoran.

Ning Xiaogui has not yet advanced to the Gold Core Late Stage, still somewhat green, and engaging a Nascent Soul Early Stage with a Golden Core Middle Stage is considerably dangerous, with a high chance of exploding and dying, so it’s better to wait.

As for Little Bai, Old Lu, and Little Blackie, all three are Late-stage Golden Core Spirit Beasts with profound foundations. Even taking a few hits from the Old Dragon certainly won’t kill them.

Just like last time with Little Blackie, who got his head cracked open by the Old Dragon’s punches, nearly spilling his brain, but after returning to the Spirit Garden Cave Heaven, he still frolicked in the water. All he needs is to eat some more High-quality True Blood Pills, and his injuries will heal quickly.

The physical toughness of Demon Beasts is far beyond what humans can comprehend.

If it were Human Clan Cultivators, having their heads smashed flat, they would likely be dead.

...

Not long after, returning from whence he came, Ning Daoran concealed his aura and reappeared above the dilapidated ancient formation.

Repeating the old trick, he gently landed on the first layer of the underground cavern.

"Hum~~~"

Inside the True Dragon Pattern Array, the purple True Dragon Artifact Spirit emerged once again, its eyes staring straight at Ning Daoran, seemingly speechless, with the Dragon Binding Rope floating behind it.

Transformed Treasures truly stand out from the mundane.

"Kid, why are you here again?" the Dragon Binding Rope Artifact Spirit slowly asked.

"I’ve left with a heavy heart, I had to return."

Ning Daoran calmly stated: "Artifact Spirit Senior, there is no need for us to fight this time. I’ve come back precisely to slay that Old Dragon!"

"Do you think you can slay it?" The Artifact Spirit seemed skeptical.

"I couldn’t last time, but this time I definitely can."

Ning Daoran said: "Artifact Spirit Senior has been entrenched here for years, just to suppress that Old Dragon. If I were to slay it, wouldn’t Senior then be free? The world is so vast, where can you not go? Why confine yourself to this place?"

"Hmph!"

The Artifact Spirit snorted coldly: "I thought you would offer to take me as your follower if the Old Dragon was subdued."

"Why would I?"

Ning Daoran replied: "I am just a mere Golden Core Stage cultivator. While I may have some strength, I also know my limits. With my cultivation, how could I be worthy to be Senior’s master?"

"Enough."

The Artifact Spirit spoke indifferently: "I’ll let you go down, hoping you can subdue the dragon. If not, don’t even think about leaving."

"Agreed, settled with a word."

Ning Daoran raised his eyebrows slightly: "Thank you, Artifact Spirit Senior!"

"Hmph!"

The Artifact Spirit twisted and turned, and in an instant, it spat out a stream of Essence Qi. Immediately, the True Dragon Pattern Array below slowly started to operate. The center of the array opened once again, revealing a hole just big enough for one person to enter.

Ning Daoran immediately dashed inside.

Looking up, the Lower Grade Transformed Treasure, the Dragon Binding Rope, was still slithering in the air, appearing extremely sacred.

Although Ning Daoran verbally expressed no desire for it, which cultivator wouldn’t covet such a treasure? In truth, he greatly wished for it—a treasure that can attack, defend, and bind would be coveted by anyone.

But Ning Daoran was aware of his place. Such prideful spirits in Transformed Treasures would certainly not acknowledge him at present; he would at least need to reach Nascent Soul Mid-stage or Late Stage to be worthy.

Speaking of which...

The Transformed Treasure, the Nascent Soul Sword, found in the Mirror Flower Water Moon Secret Realm also made Ning Daoran incredibly envious. Perhaps when he was strong enough in the future, he could also take it with him.

...

"Hum~~"

His body turned into a ripple and infiltrated the prohibition within the Dragon Cave.

The moment Ning Daoran appeared, the Old Dragon slumbering in the center sensed that unforgettable aura and immediately lifted its head, its eyes filled with mockery.

"Little bastard, you dare to come again?"

"Of course."

Wearing the vestment robe given by Wind Snow Tower, garbed in a green shirt, Ning Daoran appeared composed and casually smiled: "Fellow Daoist, as a Nascent Soul Cultivator, why resort to such foul language? Without using contemptuous titles for others, can’t you speak? As someone who was once a Divinity Transformation Great Cultivator, such lack of decorum is rather disappointing."

"Oh?"

The Old Dragon sneered: "You want to talk about rules with me? If we’re discussing rules, you’re just a Golden Core and should address me as Senior. Yet you call me Fellow Daoist—how’s that? You criticize me for foul language, yet you do not follow the rules of the Cultivation World?"

"Indeed, that’s true."

Ning Daoran replied seriously: "As a Golden Core stage cultivator, I indeed should address you as Senior. But alas... I lack good manners and can address you however I wish. What can you, this mere ant, do to me?"

"You little bastard, are you trying to provoke me?"

The Old Dragon’s body coiled, and its massive aura unfolded as it sneered: "If that’s the case, then you’ve succeeded! Now, show your real skills, lest you die too quickly and I don’t get to have enough fun!"

"Don’t worry, I will make sure Fellow Daoist feels fully satisfied this time!"

Ning Daoran gently flicked his sleeve, and immediately ten golden Evergreen Seeds floated in the air.