Though the stranger attacked with ruthless ferocity, Ning Daoran had been mentally prepared long before. The moment the opponent unsheathed the blade, the Qiushui Sword was already drawn, its tip casually colliding with the other's blade.
"Peng!"
A dull explosion rang out, and the soft sword instantly bounced away.
"You?"
The wiry man was utterly shocked, realizing as soon as he made contact that the opponent's mana intensity vastly outclassed his own.
Ning Daoran's body coiled, springing from the green bamboo leaf like an arrow loosed from a bow, delivering a wind-breaking punch.
It was close-combat, the straightforward way of martial artists from Jianghu.
The wiry man panicked. No spell or technique came to his mind; he tried to dodge instead.
But there was no escaping. A single punch, and his head exploded like a smashed watermelon.
…
Ning Daoran swiftly hovered in midair, searched the corpse, and performed Soul Searching before flinging a fireball to burn the body into ashes.
*The result of the Soul Search was not particularly surprising.*
The man was Chen Huaiyi, a Late-stage Qi Refining cultivator who had been hiding in Yellow Dragon Square, exploiting every opportunity to strengthen the foundation of his cultivation.
Currently, his identity was that of a servant at the Flowers Pavilion in the square. Who would have thought that a Late-stage Qi Refining Great Cultivator would willingly serve portly patrons in a brothel?
*But the Cultivation World has always been unpredictable; one must never judge by appearances, or calamity could befall them.*
Through the Soul Search, Ning Daoran discovered that Chen Huaiyi shared some dealings with Fatty Wang—even their conversations prior to Chen's demise were laid bare.
This meant one thing: If Chen Huaiyi were to suddenly disappear, Fatty Wang would surely suspect Ning Daoran.
*He might even guess that Ning Daoran was hiding his true strength, outwardly pretending to be a harmless Qi Refining Middle Stage cultivator while in reality, capable of effortlessly killing a Late-stage Qi Refining cultivator!*
*Such a revelation would undoubtedly become a grave security risk.*
Thus, Ning Daoran decided to return to Yellow Dragon Square to eliminate this threat.
Black market, butcher shop.
Ning Daoran returned, his robes fluttering in the wind, as if untouched by the events prior.
Fatty Wang's face briefly registered astonishment before he plastered on his signature grin. "Little friend, why have you come back again? Looking to buy more low-grade demon meat?"
"Boss."
Ning Daoran smiled faintly. "I have a business proposal. I'd like to discuss it privately with you in the back room. Would that be convenient?"
"Sure thing, no problem!"
Fatty Wang agreed readily, likely believing his dealings with Ning Daoran were aboveboard, and led him straight into the back room.
Once inside, Ning Daoran immediately performed Soul Searching!
*What he uncovered was rather remarkable.*
*Fatty Wang's mind was filled with bizarre nonsense. When Ning Daoran's Divine Sense delved into his thoughts, all he could see were images of Fatty Wang frolicking with his eight wives and concubines—a whirlwind of explicit antics, each more elaborate than the last.*
"What the—!"
Ning Daoran felt as if filth had invaded his brain, hurriedly filtering through to focus only on the important details.
Apart from the bedroom affairs, the most striking parts of Fatty Wang's memory included dealing in demon meat, pulling off various schemes to betray his business partners, and repeatedly escaping death.
Moreover, there was a particularly crucial piece of information: Fatty Wang co-owned a living White Tai Sui with his partner. Yes, a living White Tai Sui.
No wonder he had so much Tai Sui meat—it was cut directly from the creature.
Ning Daoran furrowed his brows.
*White Tai Sui... While somewhat unusual, it wasn't enough to tempt him into taking risks.*
Then, he erased Fatty Wang's memories of today—everything about Chen Huaiyi and Ning Daoran's visit. To ensure consistency in details like Tai Sui meat quantities and Spirit Stone transactions, he fabricated memories of a bald martial artist coming by to purchase Tai Sui meat instead.
After finishing the Soul Search, Ning Daoran slipped out through the back door without a sound.
Fatty Wang woke up from the bed in the back room, rubbing his forehead. "Why did I fall asleep? Looks like I'm really getting old; I should cut back on pulling stunts like bedding seven women at once..."
Saying so, he got up and walked back to the butcher stall, his face lit up with a smile. "Time to get back to work—gotta earn more gold and silver spirit stones. Still have a crowd of chubby kids at home to feed~~~"
…
Spiritual Field Courtyard No. 77.
Deep inside a twenty-zhang underground chamber, Ning Daoran began sorting through the treasures taken from Chen Huaiyi.
The soft sword was a First-tier Lower Grade magic tool, quite sharp but lacking in Spiritual Energy. Its middle section was slightly damaged, making it suitable for sudden assassination attempts rather than prolonged use in magic battles.
He set it aside; it was worth about eighty Spirit Stones at most.
Then there was Chen Huaiyi's flying artifact, First-tier Middle-grade—a match for the green bamboo leaves, though slightly flawed. If Chen Huaiyi hadn't held this, he would never have caught up to Ning Daoran's bamboo leaves.
Other than that, Chen Huaiyi had over three hundred Low Grade Spirit Stones—all of a Late-stage Qi Refining cultivator's possessions combined.
*Ning Daoran couldn't help but feel a pang of pity. How impoverished! In this Cultivation World, the lives of low-level cultivators were unbearably tough. How could one not feel a deep sympathy?*
Then, he picked up a piece of rusty gold arm guard.
The arm guard had been stripped from Chen Huaiyi's arm; it wasn't a magic tool, but its gold-embroidered patterns gave it a luxurious appearance.
While examining the arm guard closely, the Grass and Tree Holy Spirit System panel suddenly flickered, attempting to record a cultivation technique!
[Shape-shifting Technique, Earth Rank top-grade (Uninitialized), incompatible for Spiritual Beast recording.]
…
"What?!"
Ning Daoran was instantly stunned.
The arm guard concealed a cultivation technique—and it was a Spiritual Beast Secret Technique?
Furthermore… an Earth Rank top-grade one?
*His mind went blank. The highest-tier cultivation he currently possessed was the Soul Searching Technique, which was merely Dark Rank Lower. This Shape-shifting Technique surpassed Soul Searching Technique by nearly two entire stages!*
He promptly dismantled the arm guard!
Summoning a piece of broken porcelain, he carefully scratched along its edges, as the sharp porcelain blade gradually peeled open the seams of the arm guard. Sure enough, within lay a luminous book titled "Shape-shifting Technique."
Additionally, there were three glowing diagrams, each brimming with condensed Spiritual Energy.
Demon Form Root Map.
Three maps in total—Turtle Form, Leopard Form, and Bear Form Root Maps.
*These items were entirely unfamiliar to Ning Daoran.*
He frowned and recalled via the Soul Searching memories that Chen Huaiyi had stolen the arm guard from a Flowers Pavilion patron.
At the time, this patron had invited four brothel girls to his room for "sparring," leaving his clothing outside, which Chen Huaiyi opportunistically snatched.
*An Earth Rank top-grade Spiritual Beast Secret Technique, coupled with three Demon Form Root Maps—losing all these must be driving that patron mad…*
"Heh!"
Ning Daoran couldn't help but crack a grin.
Since Big Stupid Deer had successfully cultivated Strengthening Technique, he was now lacking a Spiritual Beast Secret Technique to further its progress. This fortuitously landed right in his lap. He began studying and deciphering the Shape-shifting Technique recorded within.
The book detailed the "Shape-shifting" absolute skill, designed for various spiritual beasts to cultivate but required a high bloodline purity—medium-grade or above.
*He wasn't sure whether Big Stupid Deer's bloodline was sufficient.*
Ning Daoran furrowed his brows. Ever since learning that Big Stupid Deer was a White Deer, he'd suspected it harbored secrets—most likely unknown even to itself.
No matter, he'd have it begin cultivating to see.
"Old Lu, come down!"
At his low call, Big Stupid Deer bounded down from the surface.
"Master this technique in secrecy. Only cultivate underground and never reveal the results publicly, lest it invites mortal danger."
*Ning Daoran's heart was crystal-clear; obtaining such an Earth Rank top-grade technique was undoubtedly a treasure.*
*In the Cultivation World, resources followed the doctrine of Wealth, Methods, Companions, and Territory—underscoring the importance of cultivation techniques.*
*Chen Huaiyi was merely a Late-stage Qi Refining servant, while the patron carrying the Shape-shifting Technique could very well be a powerful figure.*
*Thus, the technique's cultivation must remain top-secret to avoid drawing deadly threats!*
As for disbursing the Shape-shifting Technique to others to cause chaos, Ning Daoran would never resort to such tactics.
*Since it had come to him by chance, it was surely heaven's will. Heaven's gifts not taken were not worth cultivating.*
Big Stupid Deer embarked on cultivating the Shape-shifting Technique.
Ning Daoran continued advancing his Body Tempering Technique and Evergreen Technique, slowly pushing his own cultivation forward.
…
Months passed.
In the underground chamber, Big Stupid Deer let out a mighty howl. After months of effort, the Shape-shifting Technique had reached Small Accomplishment!
With the crackling of its joints, its body began to morph. It shrank considerably, lowered its head, and shortened its neck. Spots and patterned markings emerged on its fur.
Leopard Form, Small Accomplishment!
Holding the Leopard Form Root Map in his hand, Ning Daoran grinned widely. "Nicely done. Achieving this in mere months—Old Lu, I daresay your talent and comprehension surpass even mine!"
"Roar~~~"
The transformed Big Stupid Deer, now in Leopard Form, leapt onto the table, rubbing its head affectionately against Ning Daoran's arm to express humility. It knew its aptitude couldn't compare to its master's effortless ability to grasp cultivation techniques at Return-to-Nature levels.
"Good that you know. Given the gap between us exceptional geniuses, you'll need to work even harder on your cultivation."
Ning Daoran calmly shut the Refining Time System.
As he gazed at Big Stupid Deer's look of admiration, he couldn't help but emit a sly laugh, "Ke ke ke!"
…
Next morning.
On Qiongbi Peak's farmland, a group of spirit farmers was chatting.
"Something big happened last night near Yellow Dragon Square."
Old Ma's face appeared grim.
"Oh? How big of a deal could it be to make someone as composed as Old Ma this somber?" Ning Daoran asked.
"Fellow Daoist Ning, you may not be aware,"
Old Ma took a deep breath and continued, "Just last night, the most renowned brothel in Yellow Dragon Square, Flowers Pavilion, was annihilated. Over sixty beautiful and enchanting young ladies perished in horrific fashion!
Word has it that even the brothel owner, madams, servants, and the like—were all eliminated without exception. The means were particularly ruthless, and the establishment's Qi Refining Middle Stage enforcers were not spared either."
"Such a calamity..."
Huang Shan furrowed his brows. "Who would go so far as to massacre a brothel?"
*Ning Daoran remained silent, his thoughts heavy. This incident was likely tied to the Shape-shifting Technique…*