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A few days later.
Under the old banyan tree on Qiongbi Peak, there was a small gathering. Ning Daoran, Xin Yan and his wife, Old Lu, and Granny Yun Cui were all present. Even Han Bing, the typically reserved young junior sister, was sitting off to the side, listening to the idle chatter.
"Old Lu's recent outing yielded a First-tier Lower Grade magical artifact—such a joyous occasion! It seems the Mid-stage of Qi Refining is now within reach!" Xin Yan's face was all smiles.
"I wouldn't go that far, I wouldn't go that far..."
Old Lu laughed and shook his head. "Just a Low Grade magic tool, that's all. While it has some benefit for cultivation, saying it will lead me to the Mid-stage of Qi Refinement—that's still quite unlikely."
"Old Lu, don't be so modest! The first person from Qiongbi Peak to reach the Mid-stage of Qi Refinement will surely be none other than you."
Beside Xin Yan, his curvaceous and charming wife giggled.
Although Zhong Yan was already in her forties, she had maintained her appearance well. Coupled with her full and voluptuous figure, she exuded an undeniable allure.
As a cultivator, Zhong Yan wasn't overly conservative about matters between men and women. She would often tell risqué jokes during conversations, fostering a relaxed camaraderie among the group.
"Fellow Daoist Ning."
Old Lu turned his attention toward Ning Daoran, smiling as he said, "You're truly the fastest cultivator among us here on Qiongbi Peak. In just one short year, you've advanced from the First Layer of Qi Refining to the Third Layer—putting us old timers, who've spent years cultivating, to shame!"
"Not at all, not at all. I've only been fortunate," Ning Daoran replied.
At that moment, he was holding up Granny Yun Cui's granddaughter, raising her high into the air. The infant, named Chen Weimo, had already begun babbling, and seemed to have taken a liking to him, chirping cheerfully.
"What about Han Bing?"
Granny Yun Cui turned her gaze to the introverted Outer Disciple, smiling. "How is your cultivation progressing lately?"
"I-I've been cultivating the Rain Transformation Technique..."
"The Rain Transformation Technique?"
Old Lu couldn't help but laugh. "The Rain Transformation Technique is fine at the First Layer. But Fellow Daoist Han, as an Outer Disciple, you should focus more on cultivating techniques that can enhance your progression in cultivation."
Behind Han Bing stood her aging servant, who nodded lightly but also appeared somewhat helpless. In Chaotic Sect, the foundational cultivation technique for Outer Disciples was Body Tempering Technique.
Generally speaking, Outer Disciples relied on cultivating Body Tempering Technique until reaching the Late-stage Qi Refining level. At that point, they could request other techniques from the sect, such as Flame Sun Skill. These techniques were the true advancement skills; without them, relying solely on Body Tempering Technique would make achieving Foundation Establishment impossible.
"Senior Brother Ning."
Han Bing asked shyly, "Are you still cultivating Body Tempering Technique?"
"Yes."
Ning Daoran nodded with a smile. "Body Tempering Technique is the basic cultivation method provided by the sect. Those of us without the fortune of apprenticeships can only practice it."
"But Body Tempering Technique is so difficult to cultivate. Senior Brother, have you really achieved Small Accomplishment in it?"
"I have."
Ning Daoran nodded. Achieving Small Accomplishment in Body Tempering Technique paired perfectly with the Third Layer of Qi Refining; hiding too much would only seem suspicious.
"Fellow Daoist Ning has actually achieved Small Accomplishment in Body Tempering Technique?" Xin Yan looked as if he'd seen a ghost.
"Huh?"
Ning Daoran was taken aback. "Is Small Accomplishment in Body Tempering Technique so unusual?"
"Of course!"
Xin Yan said seriously, "Fellow Daoist Ning, you might not know. When the Chaos Ancestor founded the sect, the very first cultivation method created was Body Tempering Technique itself.
Body Tempering Technique is famously easy to learn but difficult to master. Most cultivators only manage to grasp the basics at most—Small Accomplishment is beyond the reach of most.
It's said that across the entire Chaotic Sect, most cultivators' Body Tempering Technique only reaches Small Accomplishment before transitioning to more potent foundational methodologies. Only Great Elder Gongyang Yan has cultivated Body Tempering Technique to Great Success."
"I see..."
Ning Daoran feigned an expression of "shock and awe." "The Great Elder has actually cultivated Body Tempering Technique to Great Success? That's incredible..."
He hid his Perfect-level mastery of Body Tempering Technique so well that he didn't feel even an ounce of guilt uttering such praise.
"Indeed."
Old Lu remarked, "Back when the Chaos Ancestor founded the sect, he fully disclosed the principles of Body Tempering Technique, declaring it a gift for all humanity in the hopes it would allow individuals with Spirit Roots to rise above mediocrity.
But Body Tempering Technique is undeniably easy to learn yet difficult to excel in. I myself have spent many years cultivating it but remain at the Entry-level stage."
Everyone sighed in unison about the hardships of cultivation.
...
As the group chatted idly, a figure approached from the main peak, descending through the sky.
It was an Inner Sect Disciple dressed in white robes.
At a glance, Ning Daoran recognized him—it was the man he and Big Stupid Deer had rescued from the mountain stream just days before.
*Has karma caught up this quickly?* Ning Daoran groaned inwardly. *Oh, please don't come... really, don't come. I just want to quietly grow Spirit Rice here and surround myself with low-tier cultivators like Xin Yan and Old Lu...*
"Excuse me, which one of you is Junior Brother Ning Daoran?"
The man descended from his green-leaf flying artifact—a treasure associated with Royal Weapon flight. Everyone had heard of such artifacts, but none on Qiongbi Peak had ever possessed one.
It was rumored that only someone at least at the Mid-stage of Qi Refining could muster sufficient mana to operate these flying artifacts.
Ning Daoran stepped forward alongside Big Stupid Deer to greet the visitor. "That would be me. May I ask who this Senior Brother is?"
"My name is Lin Sheng!"
The man grinned broadly. "I've already heard about how you saved my life that night. I've just finished recuperating these past few days, and here I am to visit you... No need for unnecessary pleasantries. Lin Sheng will never forget a life-saving debt!"
As he spoke, he patted his muscular chest. "Not repaying a favor—that's just not my style! I heard Junior Brother Ning looks after a Spirit Field. Wouldn't you invite this Senior Brother to your home for a cup of tea?"
Clearly, he wanted to speak with Ning Daoran privately.
"Naturally, that's no problem at all."
Feeling his scalp tingle, Ning Daoran bid farewell to Han Bing, Xin Yan, and the others, then led Lin Sheng to his humble courtyard.
Lin Sheng had a clearly outgoing personality. His features radiated decisiveness and vigor. As he glanced at Xin Yan, Old Lu, Zhong Yan, and the others, his gaze carried an intimidating presence, treating these Spirit farmers as beneath his notice.
When his eyes settled on Han Bing, the young junior sister of the Outer Sect, they softened slightly.
Xin Yan, Zhong Yan, Old Lu, and the others were naturally cautious and deferential—they were merely Spirit Plant men who rented fields in the outer mountains. To Chaotic Sect, they would always be outsiders.
Even before Ning Daoran or Han Bing, these Spirit farmers still held lesser standing. Faced with Lin Sheng, an Inner Sect Disciple, they became even meeker—lowering their voices to avoid provoking his ire, which might prove troublesome.
...
Inside the Spirit Field Hut.
Ning Daoran placed a cup of tea on the small table and said with a smile, "Senior Brother, please enjoy some tea!"
"Junior Brother Ning."
Lin Sheng smiled faintly and lightly patted the storage bag at his waist. Immediately, a bundled package appeared in his hand. He placed it on the table and gently pushed it forward, saying, "I, Lin Sheng, don't like dragging things out. I'm here to repay your kind act of saving my life. I hope you'll accept this small token of gratitude."
"Huh?"
Ning Daoran looked at him in surprise. He'd met straightforward people before but never someone as direct as Lin Sheng.
"Junior Brother, I hope you won't think poorly of it."
Lin Sheng unwrapped the bundle, revealing dozens of Low Grade Spirit Stones, several small bottles filled with elixir pills, and some gold, silver, and jewels from the mortal realm.
In the cultivation world, gold and silver weren't particularly valuable—but in the mortal world, they could buy land, build homes, or secure a marriage.
"Junior Brother."
Lin Sheng said, "I still need to cultivate, so I can't give you too many Spirit Stones. As for the elixirs, they're meant to aid blood qi and enhance spiritual power. They're not anything extraordinary, but I've tested them—they don't have harmful impurities. They'll be beneficial for your progress in the Early Stage of Qi Refining."
"Senior Brother, you truly don't need to be so generous."
Ning Daoran replied, "I was merely acting on instinct. Moreover, we are sect brothers. Seeing you injured and bringing you back to the sect was nothing but the right thing to do."
His words were carefully chosen: rejecting the excessive gift while maintaining the goodwill between himself and Lin Sheng. As an Inner Disciple, Lin Sheng's favor could prove invaluable in the future.
Lin Sheng frowned slightly and said in a serious tone, "It's fine. Accept my heartfelt gratitude, and we'll remain not just brothers bound by sect, but also forged through profound bonds. Lin Sheng isn't giving you these just to sever ties—that's not who I am."
Faced with such insistence, Ning Daoran could only accept.
"Thank you for your generosity, Senior Brother!"
"No need to be formal!"
Lin Sheng took a sip of tea and rose to inspect the courtyard scenery.
"Junior Brother, do you intend to stay here cultivating Spirit Rice indefinitely?"
Lin Sheng raised an eyebrow slightly. "You've already reached the Third Layer of Qi Refining, which—given your Ninth Grade mixed spiritual root—is already impressive progress. Frankly, you're qualified to join the Inner Sect.
If you're willing, I can recommend you to join the Inner Sect Fire Feather Hall. Though its missions are hazardous, the contributions it offers are plentiful.
As long as you dare to strive with courage and vigor, like I do, I'll personally vouch for you. Once you become a Registered Disciple, you'll even be able to cultivate True Yang Furnace Technique alongside me."
"Registered Disciple, True Yang Furnace Technique?" Ning Daoran was only faintly familiar with Inner Sect affairs.
"Junior Brother might not know yet."
Lin Sheng chuckled. "I'm currently a Registered Disciple under Great Elder Gongyang Yan, part of the Inner Sect Fire Feather Hall. Our main task is handling high-risk sect assignments. My recent injuries resulted from a clash with the Green Robe Association, who've been consorting with evil spirits.
Hmph, unfortunately, my shot wasn't swift enough, and I got wounded by one of those spirits..."
With a smile, Lin Sheng continued, "Perhaps, Senior Brother should let Junior Brother see the power of Inner Sect absolute skills?"
"Alright!"
Ning Daoran responded enthusiastically.
"Ow~~~"
Meanwhile, Big Stupid Deer raised its head from its grass meal, letting out a noise of anticipation—it, too, wanted to witness a true skill of the Chaotic Sect.
Lin Sheng nodded and smiled, taking several steps back. Suddenly, his entire demeanor sharpened. A fierce surge of fiery Spiritual Energy burst from within, turning Lin Sheng into what seemed like a blazing furnace and causing the surrounding temperature to rise dramatically.
"Damn… that's awesome…"
Ning Daoran couldn't help but exclaim.
Big Stupid Deer joined with a cry, gazing admiringly at this Lin Sheng.
"True Yang Furnace Technique, an Inner Sect absolute skill. Only those accepted as disciples of Great Elder Gongyang Yan have the privilege to learn it."
Lin Sheng spoke proudly: "Junior Brother Ning, your talent is genuinely decent. When you break through to Mid-stage Qi Refining, you should really try to enter the Inner Sect. If you're willing, I'll gladly recommend you."
"Mid-stage Qi Refining is immensely challenging."
Ning Daoran sighed with a bitter smile. "Senior Brother, if I manage to advance to the Mid-stage of Qi Refining, I'll surely seek your help... By the way, why not stay for dinner, Senior Brother Lin? My cooking skills, with Big Stupid Deer there to help, are no less than Late-stage Qi Refining—perhaps even Perfect Qi Refining!"
Lin Sheng readily agreed. "Alright, I'll stay for dinner. Let's have a good time!"
In no time, the small hut was filled with laughter again. Big Stupid Deer tended the fire while Ning Daoran stirred the pot. Dish after delicious dish was served, with even a backyard chicken slaughtered to spice up the meal for their guest.
Of course, being an Inner Sect Disciple, Lin Sheng wasn't particularly impressed by something as ordinary as chicken.
After tasting the first bite of chicken, however, Lin Sheng's eyes lit up as he repeatedly gave thumbs up.
"Junior Brother has been modest; you and Junior Brother Lu's culinary skills far surpass Perfect Qi Refining—they're practically at Perfect Foundation Establishment, even rivaling the Golden Core Ancestors!"
"Senior Brother overpraises!"
"Ow~~~"
...
After Lin Sheng left, Ning Daoran fell deep into thought.
*My apparent rapid progress in cultivation is still too conspicuous. It seems I'll need to linger longer at this threshold between Early and Mid-stage Qi Refining to avoid drawing unnecessary attention!*