Cultivation Starting from Full Talent

Su Mei was dumbfounded, that person really turned out to be him.

"Go!"

Ning Daoran waved his hand, and threads of the Golden Silk Sword erupted from his body. In an instant, they transformed into countless radiant beams, piercing through and instantly slaughtering every single Golden Core Stage demon cultivator from the Soul Devouring Sect!

In the blink of an eye, the mountaintop was littered with corpses, a gruesome sight unbearable to witness.

"..."

Su Mei's body trembled uncontrollably, struggling to reconcile the unimaginably powerful Great Cultivator before her with the refined and gentle Ning Daoran of years past. Yet, he undeniably was that very same Divine Doctor Ning—back then, he saved lives; at this moment, he took them.

"Divine Doctor Ning, you…"

Su Mei bit her red lips and walked forward slowly.

"You're grievously injured; rest for a moment."

Ning Daoran supported her by the shoulder and guided her to sit on a stone nearby, then took out a Heavenly Yuan Fruit, saying, "Consume this, it will heal the damage to your heart veins."

"Alright…"

Su Mei obediently took small bites of the Spirit Fruit, though tears glistened in her eyes.

Since her father, Su Chuanping, passed away, she had been carrying the burden of supporting the vast Yunxi Martial Sect alone. It had been far, far too long since she felt cared for by someone else.

"Miss Su."

Ning Daoran scanned the surroundings and asked, "How did Yunxi Martial Sect offend the Soul Devouring Sect?"

"Divine Doctor Ning, you may not know, but beneath Yunxi Martial Sect lies a fourth-order middle-grade Spirit Vein."

Su Mei spoke softly, "Several months ago, the Soul-devouring Demon came personally to the mountain, offering fifty thousand Spirit Stones to buy the land, but I refused…"

"Fifty thousand Spirit Stones to purchase a massive fourth-order middle-grade Spirit Vein?"

Ning Daoran frowned, "Has the Soul-devouring Demon's brain gone soft? Could his Spirit Stones be worth more than gold? To consent to such terms would surely amount to coercion and robbery!"

"Indeed."

Su Mei said, "The Inner Sect disciples of Yunxi Martial Sect were unanimously opposed, so I rejected his offer to purchase the Spirit Vein. Soon after, the Soul Devouring Sect began to harass us sporadically around Yunxi Martial Sect's perimeter, escalating step by step until finally unleashing an all-out assault on our sect…"

"I see."

Ning Daoran remarked, "A bloody tragedy sparked by a single Spirit Vein. By rights, the Soul-devouring Demon should already be a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator; for someone like him to go on a killing spree over a mere fourth-order middle-grade Spirit Vein indicates that his mental state hasn't improved one bit throughout these years of cultivation."

"Divine Doctor Ning, the Soul-devouring Demon has advanced to Nascent Soul Middle Stage…"

Su Mei bit her silver teeth, "With our humble Yunxi Martial Sect, how could we possibly contend against a Nascent Soul Middle Stage Great Cultivator? Yesterday, he finally commanded his forces to assault the mountain in full force and even ordered my head brought to him."

"Miss Su, you needn't worry."

Ning Daoran folded his arms and spoke indifferently, "As long as I am here, the Soul-devouring Demon won't be able to act recklessly! By the way, the disciples of Yunxi Martial Sect… are they all slain?"

"Not entirely."

Su Mei replied, "When the Soul Devouring Sect attacked the mountain, I had already asked two True Disciples to lead most of the sect's True Disciples into a hidden prohibition in the rear mountains. In truth, over half of Yunxi Martial Sect's forces remain intact."

"Have them stop hiding."

Ning Daoran said calmly, "I will help you defend Yunxi Martial Sect, and we'll wait for the Soul-devouring Demon to seek his revenge!"

"Alright!"

Su Mei forced a faint smile and nodded lightly.

Ning Daoran retrieved a batch of Class A Paperfolk. With a sound of "Peng Peng Peng," he tossed them out, transforming them into paper figures, saying, "You all, patrol Yunxi Martial Sect. Kill any member of the Soul Devouring Sect on sight, and rescue all Yunxi Martial Sect disciples who can still be saved!"

"Yes, Master!"

The Class A Paperfolk scattered swiftly.

Su Mei watched, secretly astonished by Ning Daoran's many techniques. Upon reflection, however, it felt entirely natural for someone at Late-stage Nascent Soul to possess such methods.

...

Soon after, Su Mei invited Ning Daoran to rest in Yunxi Martial Sect's grand hall. Meanwhile, at the rear mountain, two True Disciples led a group of young disciples out from the prohibition. When they rejoined the grand hall, the injured Su Mei was met with tearful gazes from the disciples, each overwhelmed with sorrow.

"Do not worry."

Su Mei rose to her feet and said, "This elder accompanying me is an old friend from Ji City. With him here, even the Soul-devouring Demon himself cannot prevail; we will surely emerge from this ordeal unscathed." Sourced directly from MV6LEMP6YR.

"This… this elder…"

A female Martial Artist at the early-stage Condensed Liquid Realm gazed at Ning Daoran with wide, watery eyes, "This elder looks so young. Could he really rival the Soul-devouring Demon? That Soul-devouring Demon… is reputedly a Nascent Soul Middle Stage cultivator, a titan of the cultivation world!"

Other disciples also looked over with concern.

Most of them were Martial Artists completely lacking Spirit Root, capable only of sensing Ning Daoran's immensely strong mana but unable to determine his exact cultivation realm. Moreover, even among Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment cultivators, few had ever encountered a Nascent Soul cultivator, much less discern Ning Daoran's true cultivation.

"Rest assured, young friends."

Ning Daoran smiled faintly, "With me here, Yunxi Martial Sect will remain safe. You need only stay by Miss Su's side and assist at the sect, leaving all other matters to me."

"Understood. Thank you, elder!"

A True Disciple directly knelt on one knee.

The other disciples also expressed their gratitude one after another, while Ning Daoran accepted their reverence unperturbed.

Now a venerable senior, it was only fitting he should receive such respect.

Soon after, the disciples dispersed, some repairing the buildings damaged by the battle, while others cultivated diligently, practicing Punching Piles on the open ground and training in the Dragon Demon Heart Scripture.

...

Ning Daoran transformed into tunneling light, arriving outside the mountain gate. With a slap of his storage bag, an array plate and array flags flew out. In no time, he had set up a fourth-order lower-grade Kunpeng Echo Array.

He refrained from employing the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array, fearing its formidable array power might outright scare away the Soul-devouring Demon.

After all, that treacherous old fox would likely flee at the slightest sign of danger. Since Ning Daoran had happened upon him at last, he was determined to confront and resolve the matter in this one battle. Otherwise, letting him escape again would make future encounters exceedingly difficult.

The Soul Devouring Sect had sent a group of Golden Core Stage cultivators to annihilate Yunxi Martial Sect, who should have reported back long ago. However, those Golden Core cultivators had all been slaughtered by Ning Daoran. The Soul-devouring Demon had yet to hear back, so he would likely come in person before long.

There was no need for unnecessary meddling; Ning Daoran simply had to wait patiently here.

"Buzz~~~"

The Kunpeng Echo Array roared to life. Its concealment and sound isolation effects activated, enveloping Yunxi Martial Sect in clouds and mist, rendering it impenetrable from the outside.

Several days later.

"Divine Doctor Ning."

Su Mei arrived gracefully, dressed in a clean and practical blue short gown, her long hair tied behind her head. She looked stunning, just as she did years ago.

She carried a bamboo basket, inside which were a few dishes along with a wine jug emanating the aromatic scent of Spiritual Wine.

Though certainly inferior to Fire God Wine, it was still a fine brew among Spiritual Wines, likely an exquisite vintage from Yunxi Martial Sect's cellar, thoughtfully selected by Su Mei.

"I prepared a few dishes and brought a jug of wine; I hope Divine Doctor Ning doesn't deem it unworthy."

Su Mei blushed, "Divine Doctor Ning has traversed the world, while Yunxi Martial Sect is but a humble mountain sect. What we can offer is meager, I fear…"

"Miss Su, there's no need to be so formal."

Ning Daoran chuckled, picking up his chopsticks, "But since you personally cooked these dishes, I must certainly give them a try."

As he spoke, he slapped his storage bag and took out two Jade Light Cups and another pair of chopsticks, saying with a smile, "Miss Su, will you join me for a drink?"

"Alright!"

Su Mei readily agreed, and the two began drinking in the spring wind side by side.

Years ago, they too had shared wine in the back garden of the pharmacy beneath the tree, though there had been more company then—Su Chuanping, Chi Susu, and Chi Haoran were still alive at that time.

"Miss Su, what became of Susu afterwards…" Ning Daoran finally couldn't help but ask.

"Miss Susu lived well."

Su Mei gazed toward the mountain's base, her beautiful eyes lost in thought, "Though Yunxi City reveres martial prowess, it also holds scholarly families. Miss Susu eventually married a local scholarly gentleman from Yunxi City. They were deeply in love and grew old together. Their descendants still live in Yunxi City today. After we settle this matter, shall I take you to pay respects to her?"

"No need."

Ning Daoran shook his head, "Adding to the sorrow serves no purpose; I won't go."

"Alright."

Su Mei answered softly.

"Miss Su."

Ning Daoran asked again, "How did Old Su end up passing away?"

"Father…"

Su Mei said, "Thanks to Divine Doctor Ning's intervention, he lived an additional fifty years. When I ascended to early-stage Embracing Elixir and founded Yunxi Martial Sect, Father passed away with a smile, saying he had no regrets and only lamented being unable to see Divine Doctor Ning once more in his lifetime."

"Such a pity…"

Ning Daoran sighed, "Over the centuries, I have either been in secluded cultivation or chasing after fortuitous encounters, often brushing against life and death. I lacked the opportunity to visit you all."

"Divine Doctor Ning need not feel guilt over these trivial matters."

Su Mei pressed her red lips together and asked hesitantly, "Divine Doctor Ning, may I ask you a question?"

Ning Daoran smiled, "We are old friends; what would be improper to ask? Miss Su, feel free to speak your mind."

"Are you…"

Su Mei steeled herself, "That legendary Jianjia True Monarch… The one who slew Divinity Transformation cultivators during the Battle of Descent and shook the Eastern Wilderness Cultivation World? I heard that this peerless figure… also bore the name Ning Daoran."

"Yes."

Ning Daoran confessed without concealment, "To be frank, Miss Su, I am indeed him."

"Ah!"

Having confirmed her suspicions, Su Mei was overjoyed yet flustered, realizing the man she had long held in her heart was none other than the top-tier Great Cultivator revered across the Eastern Wilderness Cultivation World!

"Miss Su, do not let my identity unsettle you."

Ning Daoran said, "I am still myself, always have been."

"Alright…"

Su Mei pressed her red lips together, her smile becoming gentler, her gaze lovingly lingering on Ning Daoran. Her heart brimmed with joy.

At this moment, she felt no trace of worry.

To think that the mighty Ning Daoran, capable of slaying Divinity Transformation cultivators, would face the Nascent Soul Middle Stage Soul-devouring Demon… It felt inevitable that the latter's fortunes were at an end.

...

Just then, a familiar voice came from outside the Kunpeng Echo Array.

"I wonder which Fellow Daoist stands on behalf of Yunxi Martial Sect? Might this humble Devouring Soul True Monarch have the privilege of meeting you?"