"Aoo~~~"
Big Stupid Deer eagerly ran off to cook. Not for any special reason, but simply because in the entire sect, only Senior Brother Lin Sheng called him Junior Brother Lu.
Just being called Junior Brother Lu could keep Big Stupid Deer happy for half a year. He truly craved a sense of belonging.
"Congratulations, Senior Brother, on your True Yang Furnace Technique soon reaching Small Accomplishment!"
While picking up food, Ning Daoran casually inquired about the secrets of the upper realms of cultivation, "By the way, regarding mastery of techniques, I only know about the four levels: Entry-level, Small Accomplishment, Great Success, and Perfect. Are there realms beyond Perfect?"
"Junior Brother, you've asked the right person."
Lin Sheng, after gulping down a glass, laughed and said, "Years ago, when I had just successfully become Master's disciple, Master had one too many drinks and bragged to a group of us disciples about this.
"Generally, technique mastery includes only the levels you mentioned, but for geniuses, even the barrier of Perfect can be broken. Beyond Perfect, there are actually two more realms."
He gestured nervously with his wine cup.
Ning Daoran got the hint, picked up the wine pot, and poured it full. His sword-like brows raised slightly, "Senior Brother, please continue."
Lin Sheng chuckled heartily, "The first realm above Perfect is called Transformation Realm. To cultivate a technique to the Transformation Realm means you're already exceptional, the crème de la crème.
However, above Transformation Realm, there's yet another level: Return to Nature!
Using Master's exact words, Perfect represents the limit of the technique's creator, but Transformation Realm goes beyond that, advancing to a further extreme!
As for Return to Nature, it becomes truly mystical. Master said that those who cultivate a technique to Return to Nature are extraordinary geniuses in the cultivation world. Return to Nature represents the true limit of the technique, the pinnacle of unity between heaven and man."
"Incredible…"
*Ning Daoran sincerely admired this revelation. It seemed that his hypothesis was correct. The realm beyond Transformation in the Body Tempering Technique was indeed Return to Nature!*
*If Transformation is already that formidable, then wouldn't Return to Nature be invincible?*
*If he could keep a low profile and quietly farm in the mountains for years, reaching the realm of Return to Nature in Body Tempering Technique would make him the first-ever cultivator to achieve such a feat!*
*The thought made him uncontrollably break out into laughter.*
...
Lin Sheng, being a straightforward man, didn't notice much, and lowered his voice, "Junior Brother, take this Spirit Nourishing Pill and try secluding yourself for a month. If you can break through the bottleneck and enter the Mid-stage of Qi Refining, I'll guarantee your entry to the Inner Sect!"
"Ahem, let's not rush... I don't have much confidence in my talent, and entering the Inner Sect means taking on all sorts of dangerous missions. I'm concerned about...
"Hmph!"
Lin Sheng raised his brows slightly and said, "Junior Brother Ning, this isn't right. As cultivators, how can we tread the immortal path with such hesitation?
You must understand that the Heavenly Dao has never shown mercy to us mortals. Since ancient times, cultivators all fought against the heavens. Only by advancing against the tide can there be a glimmer of hope. Following the tide guarantees a life as an ordinary person!"
He seemed a bit disappointed. "I won't repeat these words to you a second time, lest it strain our brotherly friendship."
"I understand."
Ning Daoran nodded, "Senior Brother cares for me; I get that. But everyone has their own path—I hope Senior Brother can understand."
Lin Sheng, feeling a bit awkward, recognized his loss of composure and left after a few more drinks.
...
One morning.
On the second-floor balcony of Courtyard No. 77, Ning Daoran drank a cup of tea, feeling it was rejuvenating and peaceful.
Beside him, Big Stupid Deer sat in a chair, holding its tea and taking a sip. It softly grunted, indicating the tea tasted awful.
*Ning Daoran had a new idea—he decided to delve into the Rain Transformation Technique.*
*It had been two and a half years since he joined the sect. On the surface, he'd cultivated from the First Level of Qi Refining to the Third Level. Not exactly "courageous and diligent," but still within the average pace for outer disciples.*
*Meanwhile, after farming Spirit Rice for two and a half years, his exceptional talent in spirit planting had inadvertently advanced the Rain Transformation Technique to the Fourth Layer—it felt rather reasonable.*
And so, after spending over three hundred years worth of refined cultivation time, he effortlessly reached the Fourth Layer of the Rain Transformation Technique.
The Fourth Layer of the Rain Transformation Technique could now allow cultivation of Second-order Green Bamboo Spirit Rice—this was his true goal.
As spring blossomed, last year's Spirit Rice harvest was ready, and this year's Green Bamboo Spirit Rice could now be planted—but first, he needed to register and collect Green Bamboo Spirit Rice seeds at the Contribution Hall.
"Old Lu, let's head out!"
The man and the deer made their way to the Main Peak, greeting passing Senior Brothers and Sisters along the way, appearing very well-liked.
The Hall.
"Qiongbi Peak, Spirit Field No. 77, Ning Daoran..."
A white-bearded Outer Sect Deacon raised his brows in disbelief, "You claim to have cultivated the Rain Transformation Technique to the Fourth Layer and are capable of planting Second-order Green Bamboo Spirit Rice?"
"Indeed."
"Demonstrate it for me."
"Yes, Martial Uncle!"
Ning Daoran gently waved his hand, and instantly a strand of azure water vapor emerged at his fingertips—soft and spiritually invigorating.
"It truly is the Fourth Layer of the Rain Transformation Technique!"
The deacon elder, greatly surprised, asked, "Young man, how did you manage to cultivate the Rain Transformation Technique to the Fourth Layer in just over two years?"
"I'm not sure myself."
Ning Daoran scratched his head, rather confused, "I simply focused on tending to the spirit fields daily, and unknowingly, my use of the Rain Transformation Technique became so refined that it naturally advanced."
"It seems you indeed have talent in spirit planting. Very well, how many Green Bamboo Spirit Rice seeds are you requesting?"
"Twenty pounds?"
"Approved!"
The Outer Sect Deacon took swift action, and Ning Daoran left with twenty pounds of seeds for Qiongbi Peak.
...
Soon after, in the Outer Door Hall.
"Ning Daoran… Fourth Layer of Rain Transformation Technique..."
An Outer Sect Elder grinned, "Looks like we've found a treasure in the outer sect—a natural spirit planting talent. Elder Xu, it seems you were mistaken back then."
Elder Xu Ning couldn't help but scoff, "A mere Spirit Plant Man—what's the use of talent in this field? Still nothing but a stepping stone for others."
The elders laughed lightly but said no more.
On Chaotic Sect's Master Peak, Purple Cloud Peak.
In front of the Sect Master's Cave Dwelling.
A woman in a pure white elegant dress emerged. She had an immortal charm—astonishingly beautiful with full, alluring curves and jade-like, slender legs. She was none other than the Sect Master, Jiang Yu, the sect's sole Golden Core cultivator.
Although younger in seniority, Jiang Yu had been appointed as the Sect Master upon her Great Success in Golden Core cultivation, and had since presided over Purple Cloud Peak.
"Sect Master."
The Outer Sect Elder presented a register, "The Spirit Field Department of the Outer Sect has added another spirit planter capable of cultivating Second-tier Spirit Rice with the Fourth Layer Rain Transformation Technique."
"Oh?"
Jiang Yu spoke calmly, "Martial Uncle Huang, although our Chaotic Sect's Spirit Field Department isn't particularly large, there are plenty of people who can plant Second-tier Spirit Rice. What's so special about this?"
"Sect Master, this young man has only been with the sect for two years and is merely twenty-two years old."
"I see."
Jiang Yu skimmed the register, "Ning Daoran, Outer Disciple, Ninth Grade Mixed Spirit Root, Third Level of Qi Refining..."
She lost interest and said, "If he has talent in spirit planting, the outer sect should offer him appropriate support. Let people contribute in areas they excel at. If he needs help with his cultivation, offer minor conveniences. The sect does not neglect talented disciples, even in farming."
"Understood, Sect Master!"
...
Spirit Field No. 77.
Ning Daoran and Big Stupid Deer had already enthusiastically begun their work.
Harvesting all three acres of Spirit Rice, burning the stalks, tilling the soil, and then preparing the Green Bamboo Spirit Rice seedlings. These seedlings were precious and fragile, requiring constant care with the Rain Transformation Technique.
Fortunately, Ning Daoran's spirit planting proficiency had reached Great Success. He performed every step meticulously.
Of course, during planting, he closed his Grass and Tree Holy Spirit state. The outer spirit lands couldn't be planted with Spirit Rice that carried the Holy Spirit's blessing.
One year, he forgot to disable the Grass and Tree Holy Spirit and ended up pulling everything out in the middle of the night.
Nothing much—only caution was required.
Days later.
Other nearby spirit fields were also verdant with new seedlings. Everyone had harvested their Spirit Rice and planted new crops.
On the field embankment, Elder Lu sighed deeply.
"Elder Lu, troubled by something?"
Ning Daoran passed by with Big Stupid Deer.
"Nothing major,"
Elder Lu smiled, "Just that my years have advanced, yet my cultivation shows no signs of breaking through. I've been contemplating—rather than waiting for my life span to run out, perhaps I should make one last desperate attempt. Maybe I can reach the Middle-stage of Qi Refining and see that scenery in this lifetime."
*Ning Daoran was speechless. What scenery is there at the middle stage of Qi Refining? Isn't it all the same?*
"Fellow Daoist Lu also has such thoughts?"
Xin Yan's voice arrived as he lowered his pant legs and said, "Recently, I've also felt increasingly anxious. I still lack a suitable magic artifact to enhance my cultivation.
I've heard that the prohibition around Nansong Secret Realm has been loosening. Many early Qi Refining loose cultivators plan to team up and explore. Fellow Daoist Lu, would you like to join?"
"I'm indeed interested!"
Elder Lu contemplated for a moment and turned to Ning Daoran, "Fellow Daoist Ning, your talent is extraordinary, yet you've been stuck in Qi Refining Third Layer for over a year. Would you like to join us?"
"No, thank you. I wish you luck, Fellow Daoists." Ning Daoran declined calmly.
*Exploring Secret Realms was something he stayed far away from unless absolutely necessary.*
Two months later.
Xin Yan and Elder Lu left Qiongbi Peak to search for opportunities outside.
The peak grew quieter, but luckily Ning Daoran and Big Stupid Deer's playful antics kept it lively.
...
Half a month later.
News arrived from the outer sect—Elder Lu encountered disaster during his expedition and never returned.
The messenger was Xin Yan. Elder Lu had ventured into a poison mist within the secret realm and perished there, leaving behind no remains.
Under the banyan tree, by the stone slab.
Zhao Lichen delivered the news to Ning Daoran and others before departing.
Granny Yun Cui remained expressionless. Such was the fate of loose cultivators—there wasn't much point in lamenting it.
Zhong Yan pressed her red lips together, secretly relieved that her Daoist partner Xin Yan was safe.
Soon after, Xin Yan returned.
"Fellow Daoist Ning!"
Xin Yan squeezed out a bitter smile and said, "Elder Lu… will never come back."
"I see."
Ning Daoran remained calm, "What a pity, Elder Lu was kind-hearted…"
"Indeed…"
Xin Yan chatted briefly before taking his wife's hand and leaving.
But just as he embraced his wife, the purple hilt of a short knife at his waist unintentionally peeked out from under his robe.
"..."
*Ning Daoran fell silent.*
*The cultivation world truly was perilous!*