Cultivation Starting from Full Talent

77th Spiritual Field Courtyard.

Twenty fathoms underground, inside a sealed chamber.

With a deep breath, Ning Daoran held in his hands a Spirit Scroll containing the Flame Sun Technique. He was about to begin studying it, and with forty thousand Refining Years accumulated, he could condense all his effort to cultivate the Flame Sun Technique to the state of Return to Nature in one go.

*He was deeply eager to see the transformative changes that reaching the state of Return to Nature with the Flame Sun Technique would bring.*

Moreover, once he succeeded, Ning Daoran would truly possess his first offensive means. From then on, he would no longer need to rely on magical artifacts or spears to slay his enemies.

With a solemn expression, he immediately channeled his Refining Years into the cultivation technique and began to train!

[In the eighth year, you gradually grasped the essence of the Flame Sun Technique. When you operated the Evergreen Technique, the surging Evergreen Magic Power within you slowly transformed into blazing flames.]

[Flame Sun Technique: Yellow Rank Top Grade (Entry Level)]

[In the forty-fourth year, your entire body was scorching as if bathed in fire. Under the operation of the Flame Sun Technique, the mana within you continued to turn into searing flames. At this moment, you had already taken your mastery of the technique to a higher level.]

[Flame Sun Technique: Yellow Rank Top Grade (Small Accomplishment)]

[In the two hundred and thirty-second year, you discovered a volcano crater and leapt into it, daring to temper your Flame Sun Technique with a heart of breaking through or perishing. But the magma within the volcano was so intense that you were burned.]

[*Looking at your burns, a spark of insight surged within you.*]

[Flame Sun Technique: Yellow Rank Top Grade (Great Success)]

[In the two-thousand-four-hundredth year, you dreamt for a thousand years in the volcano. At the moment of awakening, the surging mana from the Flame Sun Technique within you stirred the volcano's core rhythm, causing it to erupt. You roared amidst a sea of flames.]

[Flame Sun Technique: Yellow Rank Top Grade (Perfect)]

"So quick…"

Ning Daoran took a deep breath. To achieve perfection in just over two thousand years, his body was now filled with explosive fire-attribute mana. With a flick of his finger, it transformed into a blazing Sword Point, scorching a deep hole into the chamber floor.

"Awooo~~~"

Beside him, Big Stupid Deer stood with its eyes widened and mouth agape, utterly amazed by Ning Daoran's divine skill!

He decided to press on—the goal was to cultivate straight through to Return to Nature!

[In the four-thousand-seven-hundredth year, the volcano fell silent once more. Enshrouded in armor forged by solidified magma, you sat like a decaying elder at the volcano's depths.]

[In the eight-thousand-five-hundred-sixtieth year, with a resonant shriek, you rose tall from the depths of the volcano. Flames erupted across your body, swelling dramatically. After years of cultivating the Flame Sun Technique, you seemed to discover something entirely new within.]

[Flame Sun Technique: Yellow Rank Top Grade (Transformation Realm)]

[In the thirteenth-thousandth year, neither eating nor sleeping, you sat at the volcano's depths, endlessly contemplating the True Intent of flame. But your comprehension had nearly been exhausted. As you studied the Flame Sun Technique's ultimate analysis, it appeared no more comprehensible than a Heavenly Book. Suddenly, doubt clouded your mind.]

[In the eighteenth-thousand-eight-hundredth year, your flesh began to wither. Years of training in the Flame Sun Technique had left old injuries that brought excruciating pain. Though you were only a hair's breadth away from grasping the final ray of enlightenment, your heart was filled with unwillingness.]

[One fateful day, as you raised your eyes towards the faint glimmer of light at the volcano's peak, clarity struck you. Rising into the air, a blaze engulfed the heavens.]

[Flame Sun Technique: Yellow Rank Top Grade (Return to Nature)]

[You deduced the Samadhi True Fire.]

[Refining Years remaining: 23,422.]

... Always read at the source—MV@LEMP@YR.

"It's done!"

Ning Daoran slowly rose to his feet. The moment he activated the Flame Sun Technique, wisps of flame-etched marks emerged across his whole body.

"Buzz——"

With a resonating hum, the scalding fire-attribute mana within him sought an outlet, forcing him to open his mouth instinctively.

"Haah!"

A searing pillar of fire burst forth from his mouth, melting several meters of dense rock in the chamber walls instantly!

Ning Daoran hurriedly shut his mouth, startled.

*He was deeply shaken—this wasn't ordinary fire-attribute mana. It was flame imbued with Primordial Spirit, Primordial Qi, and Primordial Essence, even if the versions within him were incomplete.*

Take Primordial Qi, for instance—it was a force typically only perceptible to those in the Divinity Transformation Stage.

Therefore, the flame Ning Daoran had summoned wasn't a true Samadhi True Fire. It more closely resembled an imitation with faint traces of its divine aura but lacked the true essence.

But this was more than enough!

Why demand a perfect Samadhi True Fire at the Qi Refinement stage? This flame alone was more than sufficient for slaying enemies!

Moreover, for Alchemy and Artifact Refining, there would no longer be any need to rent Earth Lung Fire—this Samadhi True Fire was countless levels more refined than any Earth Lung Fire!

Ning Daoran was overwhelmed with joy!

A body destined for greatness in Alchemy and Artifact Refining!

Suppressing his elation, he activated the Concealing Breath Technique, stashing the Samadhi True Fire deep within his body. This secret must never see the light of day. If discovered—even by the higher-ups of the Chaotic Sect—they might dissect him piece by piece for study.

"Clang!"

He unsheathed the Qiushui Sword and tried channeling a trace of the Samadhi True Fire into it. Instantly, the blade glowed red-hot. A simple swing radiated with flames of the Samadhi True Fire, and its lethality was magnified by at least thirty percent thanks to the mid-grade magical artifact. It was now an unstoppable force!

"Old Lu…"

He took a deep breath and asked, "When will you break through to the Late-stage Qi Refining?"

"Awooo~~~"

Big Stupid Deer let out a mighty howl, releasing a surge of robust spiritual power—it had already reached the Late-stage Qi Refining Realm!

The Shape-shifting Technique truly lived up to its name as an Earth Rank top-grade absolute skill.

"Not bad…"

Ning Daoran and Big Stupid Deer both curved their lips slowly into grins, breaking into sinister chuckles.

It seemed their shared journey toward longevity was no longer just a madman's fantasy!

...

The next morning, at dawn.

Ning Daoran concealed his divine aura, suppressing his revealed cultivation level to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer. From now on, he would maintain the façade of being in the Qi Refining Seventh Layer until his Foundation Establishment was complete, minimizing unwanted attention.

Nevertheless, his current identity as a Late-stage Qi Refining Outer Disciple and Spirit Farmer had already drawn significant notice from others.

No matter. As long as he refrained from being overly conspicuous, it would be fine.

He patrolled the fish pond.

Six acres of fish pond shimmering under the sunlight, its waters glistening and serene.

"Little Blackie!"

Ning Daoran called softly—it was a calm voice, yet it resounded deafeningly beneath the surface.

"Squeak squeak~~~"

The Big Black Fish emerged from the water.

Over the years, through consistent feeding and self-driven cultivation, it had already reached First-tier Middle Stage Perfect and was just a short step away from the First-tier Late Stage.

The abundant Spirit Rice and occasional Spirit Fish fed to it over the years had not gone to waste.

"Not bad. Stay humble and continue to cultivate diligently."

Ning Daoran raised an eyebrow slightly: "When Old Lu reaches Foundation Establishment, you must have ascended to the Second Rank. Otherwise, a pot of pickled fish awaits you."

"Squeak squeak~~~"

The Big Black Fish was horrified. It thrashed its tail on the water surface desperately, protesting. How could it possibly keep up with Elder Lu's heavenly talent?

"Hmph."

Ning Daoran said, "Fine. I'll lower the bar. By that day, you will need to have reached First-tier Late Stage Perfect, or else…"

"Squeak~~~"

The Big Black Fish nodded frantically, not daring to bargain any further.

"From now on, you're allowed to eat no more than ten pounds of Spirit Fish a day. Anything more, and you'll answer to me."

"Squeak!"

...

In the afternoon, Ning Daoran and Big Stupid Deer lounged under the shade of a tree.

Granny Yun Cui rose from the fields, washing the dirt off her hands with the Rain Transformation Technique. She turned to look at Chen Weimo, who was playing with Big Stupid Deer.

All of a sudden, a look of determination appeared in her eyes.

"Young Friend Ning, may I have a word with you?"

"Oh?"

Ning Daoran had never seen Granny Yun Cui so serious before. He replied, "Something the matter, Granny? Then… let's speak inside the Small Cloud Mist Array."

"That would be ideal."

In the courtyard, Ning Daoran prepared a cup of low-grade Spirit Tea—the best he could currently offer.

Sitting upright and composed, Ning Daoran asked, "Granny, what's this about?"

"Young Friend Ning."

Granny Yun Cui's dim, old eyes gazed at him tenderly as she said quietly, "The time has come for this old body to meet its end."

"Ah? Granny?" Ning Daoran stiffened slightly.

"Ah…"

Granny Yun Cui let out a bitter chuckle. "Years ago, I sustained severe injuries in battle with my enemies, damaging my Dao foundation. Otherwise, I might have lasted a few more years.

But I've struggled through all these years, long enough for Weimo to grow up. Even if I don't want to leave, I must. My only wish is to do one last thing for the Chen family with this decrepit body."

Ning Daoran understood the gravity of the situation and said solemnly, "Granny, are you asking me to take her in?"

"You could say so. Or, you could view it as a trade," Granny Yun Cui replied. "Chen Weimo is a kind-hearted child, but her aptitude for cultivation isn't particularly strong. If left alone in this Cultivation World, it's unlikely she'll survive long."

She looked at Ning Daoran. "Young Friend Ning, I have watched you closely over these past years. You are steadfast and good-hearted. If I entrust Weimo to you, I know you will not let me down.

You may take her as your disciple—or not. If her appearance pleases you, keeping her by your side as a concubine wouldn't be out of the question. I trust you will treat her well.

Moreover, she has held a fondness for you since childhood. This arrangement seems fitting."

"Granny!"

Ning Daoran frowned. "I would never think of her that way. I've watched Chen Weimo grow up. How could I entertain such thoughts? Granny, state your terms, and I will consider them."

"Very well."

Granny Yun Cui retrieved a wrinkled Storage Bag from her waist. As she infused mana into it, two thick handbooks floated out and landed on the table.

"Young Friend Ning, to confess, I've long since reached Perfect Qi Refining but failed my Foundation Establishment in the past. Furthermore, I am both an Array Master and an Alchemist. Here lies a First-tier Top-grade Array Inheritance and a First-tier Middle-grade Pill Dao Inheritance.

I know you've always wanted to study Arrays and Alchemy but lacked a mentor to guide you into the field.

I am willing to gift you these two inheritances. My only condition is for you to care for Chen Weimo until the day she reaches Foundation Establishment. If her aptitude truly falls short and she fails…

Then it would be her misfortune, and unrelated to you."

Ning Daoran was flabbergasted. Though he'd long suspected Granny Yun Cui held secrets, he never imagined they would run this deep.

This elderly Spirit Farmer was in fact a Great Cultivator at Perfect Qi Refining stage and also a First-tier Top-grade Array Master!

To understand the rarity of an Array Master—within the Eastern Wilderness Cultivation World, one of Granny Yun Cui's caliber would typically be revered by major Cultivation Families. Even the Chaotic Sect would treat a First-tier Top-grade Array Master with significant respect.

"Granny,"

Ning Daoran furrowed his brows. "If I accept your terms, what about yourself? What do you plan to do?"

Instantly, tears welled up in Granny Yun Cui's eyes.

She broke into a gratified smile. "I knew I wasn't wrong about you… If so, then with Weimo entrusted to your care, I can rest easy. As for myself… I'll take care of one last matter to ensure that my Little Weimo lives her life in peace forevermore…"

"When do you leave, Granny?"

"I shall depart today."

Granny Yun Cui let out a heavy sigh, glancing back toward the banyan tree. Finally, after one last look at Chen Weimo, she said, "Ning, from this day forward, my Little Weimo is in your hands."

"Granny…"

Ning Daoran said softly, "Fear not."

...

At dusk.

Granny Yun Cui left quietly.

That night, Chen Weimo cried her heart out. She seemed to have guessed at some of the truth.