Cultivation Starting from Full Talent

Chapter 87: Chapter 85: My Junior Brother is Making Progress (Eleventh Update! Asking for First Subscription! Asking for Monthly Votes!)

The vast auction hall was silent as a tomb; you could have heard a pin drop.

Ning Daoran frowned, puzzled.

“Fellow Daoist.”

He gently bumped the shoulder of a middle-aged Qi Refining Middle Stage man beside him and said, “What’s the origin of this Blood Transformation Soul Chasing Array? Why does everyone seem…?”

“Ah, Daoist, you don’t know about this?”

The man frowned and transmitted his voice, “It seems that Daoist isn’t a local cultivator, to be unaware of the origins of the Blood Transformation Soul Chasing Array.”

“Please enlighten me, Fellow Daoist!”

“Qingniu Mountain is divided into North and South Mountains. The North Mountain is occupied by the Liuyun Sect, and the South Mountain by Venerable Wuxiang, who is not only a Foundation Establishment Expert but also a Second Order Array Master!

This Blood Transformation Soul Chasing Array is the unique legacy of Venerable Wuxiang. But just half a month ago, Venerable Wuxiang was killed during an outing, and his legacy was stolen. Now that the legacy of the Blood Transformation Soul Chasing Array has appeared in the auction, guess who the seller could be?”

Ning Daoran was startled and transmitted back, “Could it be… the work of Master Liu who occupies the North Mountain?”

“Humph!”

The middle-aged cultivator snorted coldly and transmitted, “It’s said that Master Liu was formerly involved in Robbery cultivation; who else could it be besides him?”

He looked deeply at Ning Daoran, “Is Daoist also an Array Master, interested in this Array Path legacy? I would advise Daoist, such things are easy to acquire, but more likely, you won’t live to use them.”

“So it is…”

Ning Daoran nodded.

After a moment of brief silence among the crowd, someone finally could not resist the temptation of the Second-tier Array Formation Inheritance. A bald Artifact Refining Perfection cultivator said, “1,800 Spirit Stones!”

Everyone was shocked and turned to look, followed by low murmurs of discussion.

“So it’s Hu family’s people, no wonder they dare to bid…”

“The Hu family has an Ancestor who is a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, naturally fearless.”

“2,000 Spirit Stones.”

A few breaths later, Ning Daoran also raised his hand and said, “However, is this legacy true? Could I have a glance at it first, to avoid it being some incomplete Array, which would then be unnecessary to bid on?”

“Fellow Daoist, rest assured.”

An old man behind the female cultivator auctioneer smiled, “All Daoists bidding can step forward to verify the authenticity of the legacy.”

For a moment, Ning Daoran stepped forward with the bald cultivator.

With just one look, he recognized that this was indeed an inheritance for a Second-Order Middle Grade Array, and moreover, it was a Killing Array that would greatly benefit the advancement of his own Array Path.

After all, he only possessed the Second-tier Lower Grade Sea Ice Array, and the Water Cloud Golden Bamboo Sword Formation which he planned to refine later was a Second-tier top-grade. If he didn’t have a Second Order Middle Grade Array as a base in between, it would be extremely difficult to successfully refine the Water Cloud Golden Bamboo Sword Formation in one go.

This trip to Qingniu Mountain was the right move. Whether or not he could deal with Transcendent Niu Mo, he decided to secure the Blood Transformation Soul Chasing Array legacy first.

“It’s sufficient.”

Ning Daoran nodded, “Indeed, it is a complete Array legacy.”

The bald cultivator also nodded in agreement.

“2,100 Spirit Stones.”

He slowly stated the next price, bidding with caution.

Although the Hu family had an Ancestor who was a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment sitting in power, Spirit Stones weren’t endless. Much of their Spirit Stones were spent cultivating Foundation Establishment Seedlings of the clan, mainly investing in Foundation Establishment Pills; so, what could actually be spared for buying Array inheritances wasn’t much.

“2,500 Spirit Stones.”

Ning Daoran seemed much more generous in his funds.

“Fellow Daoist is indeed wealthy. I concede,” the bald cultivator said readily, giving up straight away.

“This Daoist has bid 2,500 Spirit Stones. Any higher bids?” The female cultivator auctioneer said with a beaming smile.

The crowd fell silent again.

Array Masters were already rare, and Second-tier Array Masters even more so. The demand for Array Path inheritances was not high to begin with.

Moreover, this was a black market auction, where outside the Workshop there was no guarantee of anything, and who knew what might happen.

Perhaps, some were using this legacy of the Blood Transformation Soul Chasing Array as bait to fish for victims.

“If so, the Blood Transformation Soul Chasing Array legacy will go to this Daoist.”

The female cultivator smiled, walking forward, followed by several Perfect Qi Refining cultivators who all looked menacing, as if unwilling to take money and demanding life instead.

Ning Daoran lightly patted his Storage Bag, presented 2,500 Spirit Stones, and smoothly tucked the Array legacy into his Storage Bag. He fist-saluted the crowd and then left the auction.

“Humph…”

From behind, there were several malicious glances thrown his way, looking at Ning Daoran’s figure as if he were a dead man.

The Qingniu Square was still bustling.

Ning Daoran didn’t hurry to leave but took another stroll around the stalls. With his Divine Sense sweeping all around, he was constantly being followed, by several different groups of people.

Indeed, this legacy of the Blood Transformation Soul Chasing Array was stolen goods, bait for a trap.

In reality, a legitimate Second-Order Middle Grade Array Formation Inheritance would not be cheaper than the price of a Foundation Establishment Pill, at least starting at 5,000 Spirit Stones.

The reason it could be bought for only 2,500 was plainly due to it being stolen goods and bait.

After nightfall.

Ning Daoran no longer lingered, left the Workshop, and rode upon a green bamboo leaf, drifting away from Qingniu Square and flew towards the south.

Flying at a leisurely speed, as the other party was fishing, he was doing the same.

Approximately the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later.

A flash of light abruptly shone above a distant woods, and a terrifying aura of a Foundation Establishment Expert unfolded from the heavens.

“Fellow Daoist, in such a hurry to leave with your precious item?”

That Foundation Establishment cultivator wore a black cloak, his face hidden in the misty light as he sneered, “A Second-tier Array legacy for 2,500 Spirit Stones, and you dare to buy? You are truly bold.”

“Are you Master Liu?”

Ning Daoran didn’t want to waste words.

“Do you recognize this old man?”

The Foundation Establishment Cultivator revealed an aged face and smiled, “Well, a man about to die doesn’t need to hide anything.”

“Indeed, you are about to die.”

Ning Daoran’s hand slipped, and his five fingers gripped an Azure Dragon Spear. He no longer concealed his power and directly released the thick magical power aura of an Early-stage Foundation Establishment.

“Foundation Establishment?”

Master Liu was taken aback, his eyes filled with chilliness.

Ning Daoran smiled, “In the past, weren’t you known as Transcendent Niu Mo?”

“Hmph, what if I was?” The killing intent in the other’s eyes was hard to conceal.

“It doesn’t matter.”

Ning Daoran said, “Fellow Daoist, do you remember that twenty years ago, you killed an Outer Disciple of the Chaotic Sect, an old man called Old Sun?”

“Who would remember something from twenty years ago?”

Transcendent Niu Mo pondered for a moment, “But it seems there indeed was such a person, merely an Outer Disciple Spirit Farmer, at the Qi Refining Middle Stage, who despite his old age had not achieved Foundation Establishment, still dreaming of returning to his hometown to enjoy his family happiness…”

He scoffed, “That year, a magic saber descended from the heavens and split him in two, his death was indeed swift, practically sending him back home.”

“…”

Ning Daoran’s gaze turned icy, “To prevent Fellow Daoist from dying in confusion, I won’t deceive you. I am his junior brother, here to take revenge.”

“Oh, and then?”

Transcendent Niu Mo showed an expression of cleaning his ears, “A mere Early-stage Foundation Establishment looking to kill me, a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment?”

“Bang!”

Before he finished speaking, Ning Daoran had already activated the Wind Riding Leisurely Technique. His body shot forward with tunneling light, instantly appearing before his opponent, and he swung the Azure Dragon Spear directly at his head!

“Ah!?”

Transcendent Niu Mo was shocked. This speed and mana intensity, how could it belong to an Early-stage Foundation Establishment?

In a panic, he shouted, and a Second Rank Lower Grade Golden Light Talisman was activated, transforming into a golden light shield to protect his body. Immediately, the Golden Light Talisman flickered and began to crack!

Transcendent Niu Mo quickly grabbed a treasure to counterattack, but his opponent’s figure vanished in an instant. Immediately after, a harsh thrust from the spear pierced through Transcendent Niu Mo’s back, the Golden Light Talisman almost splitting in two!

“Such a weak Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.”

Ning Daoran’s left hand spread out, and instantly a golden silk rope flew out, tightly binding Transcendent Niu Mo’s body.

“Hiss!”

Amidst the emerald green light, the brilliance of the Second-tier top-grade spiritual tool, the Jade Saber, surged in the air!

“Ahhh~~~”

Transcendent Niu Mo was terrified, he shouted urgently, “Fellow Daoist, please… I am willing…”

The moment the golden silk rope was swiftly retracted, the Jade Saber transformed into a several-zhang-long saber light that sliced through the air!

In the midst of the blood rain, Transcendent Niu Mo still appeared to stand amidst the wind, but from his forehead down to his lower body, a fine line of blood appeared, splitting his entire body in two.

“Do you feel relief in death like this?” Ning Daoran asked indifferently.

The vitality of a Foundation Establishment Expert was incredibly terrifying. Transcendent Niu Mo heard these words clearly, but the sensation of his life force rapidly draining away and his mana completely disappearing filled him with despair.

At this moment, Transcendent Niu Mo’s heart was filled with immense remorse. Why had he, of all things, chosen to kill that minor Qi Refining elder years ago? The man himself didn’t have much worth, so why had he bothered to act against him?

Ning Daoran lifted his hand and took the Storage Bag from the other party. Immediately after, he released a beacon of Samadhi True Fire, incinerating Transcendent Niu Mo’s body thoroughly.

The next second, he conducted a Soul Search!

Transcendent Niu Mo’s life was somewhat indescribable, never having done a single good deed, but committing all manner of evils.

He had offended many people, from his Ancestor, Master, his Master’s wife, Senior Sisters, Senior Brothers, Junior Sisters to Junior Brothers, offending them all, after which he bitterly left the Sect. Before leaving, he proclaimed loudly, “Everyone in the world is heartless and has betrayed me.”

Ning Daoran didn’t dare Soul Search too much, fearing it might affect his own cultivation will, and according to the Soul Search results, over 60% of Transcendent Niu Mo’s foundation remained inside the Liuyun Sect.

The Liuyun Sect had a few Foundation Establishment Seedlings, whom he had truly put his heart into cultivating.

“Forget it…”

After a long while, Ning Daoran dismissed his intention to annihilate the Liuyun Sect. As long as it didn’t greatly impact his own cultivation, he would try not to wipe out another’s entire lineage, for those filled with rage and violently destroying others would not find happiness, even if they reached immortality. Since there’s no happiness, what’s the point of cultivation?

“Old Lu, let’s go pay our respects to Senior Brother Sun!”

The next second, Ning Daoran transformed into a streak of light and left.

…

In the depths of the mountains, beneath a verdant Qing Shan.

Following the Soul Searching Memory of Transcendent Niu Mo, it was here Old Sun had been killed all those years ago, and where his bones were buried.

“Hm?”

Next to an ancient tree, Ning Daoran sensed a very faint presence of Soul Power.

But he didn’t gather these residual souls with the Soul Searching Technique, as it would show disrespect to the deceased.

“Senior Brother Sun!”

He burned a pile of joss paper, arranged the offerings on an altar, placed the First-tier High-grade Magical Artifact Short Knife, which Transcendent Niu Mo used to kill Old Sun, snapped in two on the altar, and knelt on one knee, saying:

“I don’t know if Senior Brother still remembers Ning Daoran and Old Lu. Today, we have avenged you. Transcendent Niu Mo has been executed; please rest in peace, Senior Brother!”

“Ao ao~~~”

Big Stupid Deer also knelt down on its front legs, expressing its sentiments.

After paying respects, the human and deer promptly departed.

…

In the midst of the night fog shrouded the woods.

A hazy residual soul emerged at the foot of the tree, taking the form of an old man. He struggled to lift his head to watch the direction where Ning Daoran and Big Stupid Deer disappeared. Although his face was indistinct, it was clearly filled with relief.

“My junior brother has grown up, not only avenging me but also becoming a Foundation Establishment Expert…”