Spring's warmth awakened blossoming flowers, and rivers and streams began to thaw.
Even Qiongbi Peak was speckled with sprouting green, as Courtyard No. 77 of the Spiritual Field was gradually overtaken by lush vegetation once again.
"A year's plans depend on spring; we can't slack off, Old Lu!"
Early in the morning, Ning Daoran, dressed in a short-sleeved shirt, seemed particularly industrious, just like the countryside boy he once was.
He decided to renovate the small house. While it was merely home to one man and one deer, his lifelong dream was to pursue a certain quality of life. After all, wasn't the ultimate goal of cultivation and longevity just living longer and enjoying more?
The renovation request had been approved half a month prior. The Outer Sect Elder made it clear that as long as they didn't breach the range of the Small Cloud Mist Array, they could rebuild it however they liked. The necessary wood and stone could all be sourced from Qiongbi Peak.
In no time, Ning Daoran and Big Stupid Deer became fully engaged in an enthusiastic construction effort.
Big Stupid Deer made multiple trips, carrying sturdy materials from the mountainside up to the peak, while Ning Daoran borrowed saws, chisels, and other tools. With his arms bared, he tirelessly turned raw logs into uniform planks.
The foundation alone took a full ten days to complete.
It took so long because this was no ordinary foundation—it extended twenty fathoms underground!
Ning Daoran, naturally cautious, firmly believed that living solely on the surface was unsafe. He needed to prepare for danger at all times.
Thus, he resolved to secretly build underground bedrooms, growing rooms, storage rooms, a spirit worm room, training hall, alchemy chamber, and dozens of massive interconnected rooms deep below the surface!
Only after that did he start constructing the above-ground portion. There wasn't much to say about it: a modest but spacious and comfortable two-story building.
…
In the courtyard, the three plots of Spirit Rice were nearly ready for harvest. The chill in the spring breeze rolled through the fields, and the wave-like motion of the grain was mesmerizing.
It was then that Ning Daoran discovered another pressing issue.
He had run out of Spirit Rice seeds, though it would still be almost half a year before the next allocation date.
Granted, he could exchange Spirit Stones for seeds at the Contribution Hall, but that would draw too much unnecessary attention.
The Spirit Field Department had already distributed the annual supply of seeds to Spirit farmers last year. Each household received ten catties of seeds—more than enough for their needs.
He had no other choice but to descend the mountain and purchase some at the famed Yellow Dragon Square.
"Old Lu, care to take a trip down the mountain? It's been a long while since we've gone out," Ning Daoran said with a smile.
"Awooo~~~"
Big Stupid Deer immediately lifted its big head, wagging its tail so enthusiastically it blurred. Clearly, it was eager to go for some fresh sights, as it had gotten quite bored staying in the Sect.
"Let's move out!"
Having made up his mind, Ning Daoran pulled out two hundred catties of Spirit Rice from his storage room, loading it onto Big Stupid Deer.
By market standards, ten catties of Spirit Rice could be sold for one Low Grade Spirit Stone, but the price of seeds was two Spirit Stones per catty—absurdly expensive.
After changing into the plain garb of a commoner, Ning Daoran descended the mountain with Big Stupid Deer, keeping a low profile. Predictably, they avoided running into anyone along the way.
Amid the wilderness, the mountains were alive with birdsong and floral fragrance.
Yellow Dragon Square was about fifty li from the mountain gate, so keeping a brisk pace was essential. Ning Daoran and Big Stupid Deer darted swiftly across the path.
By noon, they arrived at Yellow Dragon Square.
"Holy crap!"
Seeing the rows of shops and towering buildings, Ning Daoran couldn't help but exclaim in awe. The thriving bustle here surpassed even that of the Chaotic Sect, especially in terms of sheer liveliness.
On the mountain, senior and junior brothers and sisters were secluded in cultivation most of the time. There wasn't nearly this much excitement there!
"Awooo!"
Big Stupid Deer's eyes widened as it gazed at the bustling crowd, utterly amazed by the scene and soaking up the novel experience.
Ning Daoran stopped in front of a mid-sized shop named Liuxi Square. It wasn't the largest, but neither was it the smallest; it was the kind of place that could easily go unnoticed. This would do.
The shopkeeper of Liuxi Square was a mustached man with only Third Level of Qi Refining cultivation. Upon seeing a customer, his face broke into a welcoming smile. "What can I do for you, Fellow Daoist?"
"Boss, do you buy Spirit Rice?"
"We do, we do, of course we do."
"Great."
Unloading the two hundred catties of Spirit Rice, the shopkeeper promptly called an assistant over to weigh it.
"Boss, does your shop sell Spirit Rice seeds as well?"
"Of course we do."
The shopkeeper grinned. "How many catties of Spirit Rice seeds do you need, Fellow Daoist?"
"Just convert the value of all the Spirit Rice I'm selling into seeds."
"Understood."
Before long, the shopkeeper handed over a heavy sack of seeds to Ning Daoran.
After carefully inspecting the seeds to ensure they were brimming with vitality, Ning Daoran turned to leave with Big Stupid Deer.
…
Not long after Ning Daoran left the shop,
a figure stepped out from the backroom of Liuxi Square. It was a gray-robed elder exuding the aura of Sixth Level of Qi Refining, holding a fortune-telling sign. A trace of murderous intent flickered in his eyes as he watched Ning Daoran and Big Stupid Deer.
"Are you seriously planning to make a move?"
The shopkeeper's brows furrowed tightly. "Have you lost your mind? That kid sold two hundred catties of Spirit Rice in one go—he could be from a noble household! Have you considered the consequences?"
"Hmph!"
The elder scoffed. "What noble scion sells their own Spirit Rice?"
"But what if he's a disciple of the Chaotic Sect?"
"So what if he is?"
The elder raised an eyebrow slightly, the hostility in his eyes momentarily softening as he looked at the shopkeeper.
"He's only at the Early Stage of Qi Refining. Killing him is no big deal. How would the Chaotic Sect avenge him? My own cultivation has stagnated for years without progress. Perhaps if I take this gamble, I can break through to the Late Stage of Qi Refining…"
Greed and malice flashed across his eyes. "If he is an Outer Disciple of the Chaotic Sect, all the better. He must possess Magic Artifacts given by his Sect. How could I possibly miss this opportunity?"
The shopkeeper heaved a deep sigh. "If you're going, go. Just don't involve me in this. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other."
The elder snorted coldly and stormed out the door.
…
Amid the wilderness, the air was filled with birdsong and the scent of flowers.
Ning Daoran led Big Stupid Deer up the mountain trail. The path was secluded and tranquil, without a soul in sight.
Before long, Ning Daoran felt an unsettling sensation.
*It was as if something—or someone—was watching him.* Meanwhile, Big Stupid Deer seemed completely oblivious, leisurely trotting along and occasionally munching on fresh roadside grass.
"Old Lu!"
Ning Daoran lowered his voice and said, "I think someone is tailing us. Watch my eyes for any signals."
In an instant, his gaze turned sharp and intense.
"Awooo~~~"
Big Stupid Deer's demeanor shifted abruptly, its forehead bulging with seven or eight cross-shaped veins. The idea that someone would dare target him and his "big brother"? Utterly outrageous!
"Haha… You're quite perceptive, Fellow Daoist!"
At that moment, a figure emerged from the woods.
Ning Daoran turned calmly towards the source of the voice.
The elder stepped out leisurely from the dense forest, his palm facing upward. Suspended within it was a small green sword, only a few inches long.
"Let me offer you some advice, Fellow Daoist: don't even think about running or resisting. Against the combined might of Mid-stage Qi Refining cultivation and a First-tier Middle-grade Magical Artifact, you—a mere Early Stage Qi Refiner—stand no chance."
"Hmph. So, Fellow Daoist thinks I should just surrender, then?"
"Not surrender, no."
The elder's eyes glinted with cruelty as he smiled. "Since you're a disciple of the Chaotic Sect and have seen my true face, do you really think you'll walk away alive?"
"I see now."
Since the man was intent on taking his life, there was no need for hesitation.
Ning Daoran reached for the cloth-wrapped half of the Azure Dragon Spear strapped to Big Stupid Deer's back. A light tap was enough to cue Big Stupid Deer to disappear into the ground, leaving Ning Daoran to focus fully on the brewing confrontation.
Among the swaying tree shadows and chilling winds of the forest,
"Swoosh!"
Ning Daoran's eyelids twitched faintly, his chilly gaze curling into a faint smile. Without another word, he vanished into a streaking afterimage!
"So fast!"
The elder's heart raced as dread struck him. The energy that erupted from Ning Daoran in that instant clearly belonged to a Mid-stage Qi Refiner—not the Early Stage cultivator he had assumed!
"Courting death?!"
The elder retreated hastily, channeling mana into his small green sword. The weapon immediately transformed into a streak of jade light, slashing through the air with terrifying speed!
Emerald light flashed. Ning Daoran tilted his body just in time; the collar of his robe was sliced open silently. Such was the sword's sharpness that it managed to breach a layer of protective Spirit Mastery and graze the skin beneath!
"What?!"
The elder was astounded. That small green sword was a First-tier Middle-grade Magical Artifact, yet it failed to slice through the boy's neck?!
A fierce wind roared as Ning Daoran brought his spear crashing down like a thunderclap!
*He knew that he lacked experience in spellcraft duels. To rely on magical exchanges alone would be foolish.* Instead, his focus was singular: eliminate his foe, no matter what!
The elder's face turned pale with fright. He quickly slid a talisman from his sleeve, activating it into a golden light that enveloped him in a protective barrier.
"Boom!"
A deafening crash resounded as the heavy blade of the Azure Dragon Spear slammed down on the elder's head. The golden light shield cast by the talisman warped violently under the tremendous force!
With the strength of his Perfect Body Tempering Technique, Ning Daoran's physical power was formidable. The elder staggered, losing his balance, and Ning Daoran followed up with a powerful kick to the man's stomach.
Meanwhile, the small green sword screamed through the air, striking Ning Daoran's shoulder. Yet, it barely managed to leave a shallow wound. Shielded by the Perfect Body Tempering Technique and reinforced by defensive talents, Ning Daoran's flesh now rivaled solid stone!
"Awooo~~~"
In a flash, Big Stupid Deer burst from beneath the ground, ramming into the elder's back with full force.
Seizing the moment, Ning Daoran leapt high, bringing his spear down towards the elder's skull once again.
"This is the end!"
The elder, overcome by despair, swiftly recalled his green sword for defense. However, the sound of shattering echoed through the forest as the spear smashed the sword into fragments!
The spear continued its descent. With a harsh noise, the golden light barrier exploded, and the talisman burned to ash.
"You…!"
The elder looked at the descending spear tip, a paralyzing cold spreading down his spine!
"Fellow Daoist, wait! I'm willing to—"
His plea was cut short as the spear connected, fracturing his skull and spraying blood and brain matter everywhere. Whatever else he intended to say would never be heard.
…
"Thump-thump-thump-thump~~~"
His heart pounded so hard it felt ready to burst. *For a moment, Ning Daoran had thought he would be killed by that green sword.* This was only his second true battle, yet he still couldn't suppress his panic.
No time to dwell on it—he had to clean up the scene first.
His looting movements became increasingly practiced. Unfortunately, the elder was rather impoverished; there wasn't even a Storage Bag on him. Clearly, he had anticipated the dangers of robbery cultivation and left his possessions elsewhere.
In the end, Ning Daoran only found a dozen Low Grade Spirit Stones and a skill book wrapped in multiple layers of cloth parchment.
"Huh?"
Holding the leather-bound manual, Ning Daoran was surprised. The Grass and Tree Holy Spirit System automatically recorded the technique.
[Soul Searching Technique. Dark Rank Lower (Uninitialized)]
A Dark Rank technique?
Ning Daoran felt a chill run through him. It was his first time encountering a Dark Rank technique. Glancing at his Refining Time display—which still had over three thousand years—he immediately began cultivation!