Cultivation Starting from Full Talent
Chapter 651 - 649: The Battle for the Top Six

Chapter 651: Chapter 649: The Battle for the Top Six

Second Layer of the Divine Fire Tower.

A middle-aged man stood with one hand behind his back, exuding confidence. He smiled faintly and said, “I am Chen Liefeng, a Body Refining Master of the Divine Fire Tower. Junior, who are you to dare challenge the Divine Fire Tower?”

“I am Ning Daoran, a Guest Elder of the Divine Fire Tower.”

“Oh?”

Chen Liefeng furrowed his brows, “Mere Guest Elder dares challenge the Divine Fire Tower?”

“Enough with the words, senior. Let’s begin!”

Ning Daoran’s figure sank, and his entire body surged with Blood Qi, quickly manifesting the Dragon Demon Body.

“Very well!”

Chen Liefeng let out a fierce cry, and his entire being burst with Fist Intent. Indeed, he was a Martial Artist, already at the level of Primordial Chaos Early Stage Warrior. However, he had only a trace of Heroic Spirit left — no flesh body. Even with the Divine Fire Tower’s reinforcement, he was unable to exhibit the full strength of Primordial Chaos Early Stage.

If he could, many disciples of the Divine Fire Tower would be blocked from advancing on the Second Layer!

Ning Daoran’s figure sank and vanished from sight. In the next moment, his fist appeared directly in front of Chen Liefeng!

“So fast!”

Chen Liefeng was startled, hurriedly crossing his arms in front of his chest to block the attack!

“Bang~~~”

A loud explosion echoed. Chen Liefeng was blasted backward, his figure like a cannonball smashing into the wall of the Divine Fire Tower. With just one punch, his form began to blur, and his strength diminished significantly!

“Forgive me, senior!”

Ning Daoran’s second punch broke through the air, distorting the space under the pressure of the attack. By this time, Chen Liefeng could no longer withstand it. With a wheezing cry, his Spirit Body shattered into pieces under the force of the blow.

“Apologies!”

Ning Daoran clasped his fists toward Chen Liefeng, whose fading figure was still condensing. Then, he turned and proceeded upward to the Third Layer.

Thus, the Third, Fourth, Fifth Layers…

Ning Daoran ascended layer by layer with little effort. Even when reaching the Twentieth Layer, he solved every opponent within ten punches.

He greatly favored the straightforward combat style of Martial Artists. In earlier challenges, he ascended entirely as a Primordial Chaos Early Stage Warrior, without utilizing a single Magical Treasure.

…

Outside the Divine Fire Tower.

The Great Elder gazed at the Divine Fire Tower, a trace of surprise in his eyes.

Nearby, Chen Ningfeng did not leave. He meditated cross-legged in midair above the bamboo forest, similarly observing the happenings within the tower.

Layer by layer, the tower’s lights illuminated beneath their gaze. At this moment, the light of the Fiftieth Layer had already been activated by the Artifact Spirit.

“How can this be…”

Standing atop a mountain peak, Long Jiyu’s eyes reflected disbelief. “Who is this man? How can a mere Guest Elder charge through fifty layers of the Divine Fire Tower without pausing to recover his Mana?”

“Hmph~~”

The Great Elder chuckled faintly, “Guest Elder Ning is a Dual Cultivation practitioner, skilled in both Spiritual Cultivation and Martial Arts. His cultivation in both paths reaches the Nascent Soul Stage. Long Jiyu, when you provoked Guest Elder Ning earlier, did you consider that his foundation might far surpass your own?”

“Impossible…”

Long Jiyu gritted his teeth. As the Sixth True Inheritor of the Divine Fire Sect, he could not accept being outclassed by a Guest Elder.

“Guest Elder Ning…”

Chen Ningfeng also raised his gaze to observe the movements above the tower. At this moment, the light on the Fifty-First Layer dimmed, while the Fifty-Second Layer’s light reignited. Ning Daoran did not falter, continuing his relentless climb.

…

Shortly after, the Seventieth Layer’s light flickered to life.

Within the Seventieth Layer’s light, an elder sat cross-legged in the center of the floor, surrounded by floating Spirit Light. His presence emanated the aura of a Nascent Soul Middle Stage practitioner. Though only a soul, his cultivation before death had reached the Nascent Soul Middle Stage.

“Junior, who are you to have reached this layer?”

The elder furrowed his brows and rose, “I am Long Jinhu, Law Enforcement Elder of the Divine Fire Tower. And you, who might you be?”

“I am Ning Daoran, a newly-appointed Guest Elder of the Divine Fire Tower.”

“Oh, a Guest Elder?”

Long Jinhu let out a cold laugh, “Well then, let this old man test the skills of Guest Elder Ning.”

“Naturally.”

Upon reaching the Seventieth Layer, even Ning Daoran’s Blood Qi showed slight signs of weariness. Adding the fact that the opponent was Nascent Soul Middle Stage, fighting at Primordial Chaos Early Stage level would put him at a disadvantage.

Of course, much of this stemmed from the lack of proper weapons.

The Big Green Dragon was simply too heavy for Ning Daoran to wield in his current state. Moreover, his other Magical or Spiritual Treasures were tailored for Spiritual Cultivation, not meeting the weight requirements of Martial Artist weaponry. In this instance, it was better to fight as a Nascent Soul Cultivator!

“Shing~~”

In an instant, threads of Golden Silk Sword surged forth, as Ning Daoran manifested Returning to Nature Level Dual Yin Sword Intent.

“Such profound mastery of Sword Dao!”

Long Jinhu exclaimed with admiration, his figure soared upward, summoning two Magical Treasures that launched attacks. He gave Ning Daoran no time to prepare.

The elder summoned a pair of Spiritual Treasure-grade Golden Shears, which clanged against the Golden Silk Sword in mid-air, deflecting them continuously.

Yet Ning Daoran remained composed. Standing atop a massive Liangyi Eight Trigrams Star Formation, Sword Intent surged around him. Within merely seven or eight moves, he suppressed the elder’s offensive. The Liangyi Sword Technique then officially unfolded, paired with the Golden Silk Sword. Sword light flooded the skies, driving Long Jinhu back repeatedly.

By the sixteenth strike, a Golden Silk Sword pierced through Long Jinhu’s chest with a “squelch,” leaving a large hole in his Spirit Body.

“Enough…”

Long Jinhu suddenly ceased fighting techniques, smiling bitterly, “The younger generation truly surpasses the old… Guest Elder Ning’s swordsmanship has won my utmost admiration. But… I must ask, where does your sword technique originate?”

“The Liangyi Sword Technique,”

Ning Daoran replied, “It is the Mountain Suppressing Skill of the Liangyi Sect.”

“Oh?”

Long Jinhu’s eyes widened, “Could it be that Young Friend Ning belongs to the Liangyi Sect?”

“Not exactly.”

Ning Daoran smiled, “I am a Loose Cultivator, but I do have deep ties with the Liangyi Sect. I have already promised my Master Qi Xing to serve as the Liangyi Sect’s Guest Elder in the future, so you could say I am half a disciple of the Liangyi Sect.”

“I see…”

Long Jinhu slowly clasped his fists, “I accept my defeat. Please proceed upstairs, Young Friend.”

“Thank you for the concession.”

Ning Daoran also clasped his fists, then turned and ascended toward the staircase to the Seventy-First Layer.

Darkness filled the space, the Seventieth Layer was pitch black.

As Ning Daoran fully stepped inside, the Artifact Spirit activated a streak of Spirit Light that descended from above, illuminating the entire Seventieth Layer. At the center sat an elder adorned with a dragon-shaped hairpin. He remained seated in the middle, his aura emanating the presence of Nascent Soul Middle Stage cultivation.

“I am Long Zaiyang, former Peak Master of Divine Deer Peak in Divine Fire Sect.”

The elder squinted, smiling, “Junior, who are you to have climbed to the Seventy-First Layer of the Divine Fire Tower?”

“I am Ning Daoran, newly-appointed Guest Elder of the Divine Fire Sect.”

“So, a Guest Elder.”

Long Zaiyang flicked his sleeve lightly, unleashing a flurry of Flying Swords, “Very well, let us play. Let me see how capable this Guest Elder who defeated Long Jinhu truly is.”

“Fine, please allow me to learn from your techniques, senior!”

Ning Daoran soared into the air, and with a sweep of his hand, threads of Golden Silk Sword shot forth. Soon after, the Liangyi Sword Technique exploded forth, creating an independent spatial domain.

Facing a slightly weaker Nascent Soul Middle Stage opponent, the Liangyi Sword Technique and Golden Silk Sword were enough. There was no need to use the Water Cloud Golden Bamboo Sword Formation, Fire God Sword, Chaos Immortal Vine, or other treasures—it would be excessive bullying.

“Senior Long, please guide me!”

Ning Daoran was the first to strike. With a sweep of his hand, threads of Golden Silk Sword attacked from all directions. At the same time, Liangyi Sword Technique unleashed chaos, deep-blue Sword Qi erratically striking from every angle. While not as physically potent as the Golden Silk Sword, the chaos proved sufficient in disrupting and suppressing the opponent’s defenses!

“Impressive!”

Long Zaiyang laughed heartily, releasing torrents of fierce flame. A red-hot Flying Sword surged outward from his Spirit Body, dispersing and launching attacks against Ning Daoran from all directions.

The Divine Fire Tower was a peerless treasure, and its guardians—Artifact Spirits like Long Zaiyang—received immense power from it. Despite being Spirit Bodies with no tangible treasures, they still reached about seventy percent of their power from life.

Using exclusively the Liangyi Sword Technique and Golden Silk Sword, Ning Daoran engaged in a fierce clash with his opponent. He only managed parity, as Long Zaiyang was a veteran Great Cultivator with immense skill—not someone easily outmatched.

Thus, the combat between the two sparkled brilliantly. Layers of Sword Light crisscrossed within the Divine Fire Tower, dozens of Flying Swords clashing amidst the chaos, rendering a decisive outcome elusive.

…

Outside the Divine Fire Tower.

Aside from the Great Elder, Chen Ningfeng, and Long Jiyu, more disciples had gathered upon hearing this challenge. Males and females alike numbered over a hundred.

“Who would have thought that Guest Elder Ning possesses such tremendous ability…”

A graceful female disciple stood with one hand on her waist, her eyes fixed above, “Charging to the Seventy-First Layer in one go. If he defeats that layer, he will tie with Senior Brother Long Jiyu for sixth place…”

“Impossible!”

A bald male disciple frowned, “Senior Brother Long Jiyu’s foundation is profound. How could he lose to a mere Guest Elder? Besides, this Guest Elder Ning is said to be a Loose Cultivator. His cultivation techniques must be highly scattered. How could they compare to Senior Brother Long Jiyu’s lifelong mastery of the Divine Fire Technique?”

“Hmph~~~”

The Great Elder glanced at the group of young disciples, “Why do you hold yourselves so high? Even if Guest Elder Ning succeeds, so what?”

“The Great Elder speaks the truth.”

A disciple wielding a massive crimson sword on his back clasped his fists, “It’s true, there’s merit in what the junior brothers and sisters are saying. The guardian of the Seventy-First Layer is Artifact Spirit Long Zaiyang, Senior Long. His Divine Fire Technique and Sword Dao have long been perfected. Although Guest Elder Ning’s talent is extraordinary, defeating Senior Long Zaiyang would be no easy feat.”

The Great Elder chose to remain silent rather than argue.

Likewise, Second Elder Chen Ningfeng fell into silence. He reflected that if he were to challenge Long Zaiyang himself, he would likely prove incapable of victory. When alive, Senior Long was known for his fiery temperament, but his truly unmatched combat ability as a Nascent Soul Middle Stage practitioner made him a formidable figure.

“Hmph…”

Long Jiyu raised his head to gaze up at the Divine Fire Tower. He worried most of all—if Ning Daoran did defeat Long Zaiyang and matched his rank within the tower, it would be a great humiliation.

Even worse, if Ning Daoran advanced past the Seventy-Second Layer, Long Jiyu would be pushed from sixth place. That would mean losing his opportunity for prized cultivation in the Fierce Sun Sky Pool!

“Could he actually…”

Long Jiyu looked upward, his expression complex.

At that moment, with a “whoosh,” the light of the Seventy-First Layer extinguished. Seconds later, the light of the Seventy-Second Layer ignited.