Cultivation Starting from Full Talent
Chapter 695 - 693 Sister Shen

Chapter 695: Chapter 693 Sister Shen

Spring passes, winter comes, and Jade Mountain Island is blanketed by snow time and time again. In the blink of an eye, ten years have gone by.

This year, Ning Daoran is 520 years old.

The realm descent war has continued unabated. Between the North Sea and Eastern Wilderness, there has been relentless friction and intermittent local skirmishes around the Thousand Island Lake. However, a full-blown cultivator battle of true warfare level has yet to ignite.

Still, the North Sea Cultivation World has been engaged in constant small maneuvers.

In the past two years, their battlefield has steadily retreated. A massive cultivator army has been stationed along the continental northern edge of the Thousand Island Lake around the Tanghua Forest. Within the forest, fortifications have been built, guarded by six Divinity Transformation Stage experts: Flowing Bead Star Monarch, Eight Desolates Star Monarch, Ghostly Star Monarch, Shuiyue Star Monarch, Snake Spirit Star Monarch, and Qingtian Star Monarch, who now overlook the entire Eastern Wilderness Cultivation World.

At first glance, the North Sea appears full of momentum and grandeur, but to those with discerning eyes, this is clearly a sign of shifting from offense to defense.

After nearly two decades of bloody battles, while the North Sea Cultivation World remains slightly superior in power, it has been unable to step out of Li Country. Their overall strength has even been suppressed within Li Yue Continent!

The death of Chaotic Heaven Star Monarch was the turning point of this realm descent war. With his fall, their strength in the Divinity Transformation Stage no longer holds a clear advantage.

As for combat forces in the Nascent Soul Stage and Golden Core Stage, the vast expanse of the Eastern Wilderness Cultivation World ensures that their overall strength in these realms is not inferior to the North Sea’s—indeed, they may even hold a slight edge.

Thus, the North Sea has come to terms with reality. The reason they’ve concentrated heavy forces in Tanghua Forest is simple: the rear of Tanghua Forest is the site of the realm descent. If the Eastern Wilderness cultivators breach that fissure, they will storm directly into the North Sea Cultivation World!

"Young Master!"

Little Bai hurried into the cave mansion, clutching a handwritten letter, and exclaimed, "A letter from Shen Building Master—battle is about to begin!"

"Hmm."

Ning Daoran took the letter and glanced at it briefly. The handwriting was clearly not Shen Luoyan’s, likely penned by another member of the Slaying Immortal Tower. The letter detailed the time of the counterattack: it would commence at the break of dawn tonight—urgent, yet highly decisive. Such haste might just catch the North Sea Cultivation World off guard!

...

Late into the night.

Ning Daoran packed his belongings and left the cave mansion.

With this departure, he might never return. The journey to the North Sea Cultivation World promised extreme peril—perhaps he wouldn’t even have the chance to return alive.

He decided to travel aboard a spirit boat from the Liangyi Sect.

This spirit boat was incredibly sturdy, comparable to the Sea Dragon Immortal Boat. Enhanced by two Fourth-Order Lower Grade Four Spirits Reversing Wind Arrays and restructured with copious amounts of spirit stones, its resilience was without question.

At this moment, Liangyi True Monarch, True Monarch Qi Xing, Lin Xuyan, and Liu Wushuang stood on the deck.

"Uncle Liangyi, Master Qi Xing!"

Ning Daoran cupped his fists in greeting.

"Nephew Ning, no need for formalities!"

The Liangyi Sect’s two senior cultivators responded affably. True Monarch Qi Xing had known Ning Daoran for years and was well aware of his profound capabilities. Meanwhile, Liangyi True Monarch had witnessed Ning Daoran’s power first-hand during a battle a decade ago. Back in the clash against Chaotic Heaven Star Monarch, even Liangyi True Monarch hadn’t been able to intervene, yet Ning Daoran accomplished a world-shaking victory—an unparalleled display of strength.

In truth, both senior cultivators privately believed that the future of the Liangyi Sect would belong to Lin Xuyan and Liu Wushuang’s generation. Ning Daoran, on the other hand, would serve as their strongest external ally. However, were Ning Daoran willing to join the sect, he would undoubtedly be the most fitting candidate for the next Sect Master—far more reliable than Lin Xuyan!

"Are we departing from Thousand Island Lake already?"

"Indeed."

Liangyi True Monarch explained, "The North Sea cultivator army has completely withdrawn from Thousand Island Lake. They are concentrating all their efforts on fortifying Tanghua Forest, clearly designating it as the final battleground. Shen Building Master has verified—there will be a world-shaking conflict in Tanghua Forest against the North Sea forces."

"Good, a world-shaking battle indeed..."

Ning Daoran nodded. He had nothing further to add.

As a cultivator at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, his role was supportive—he would assist if he could, and safeguard himself if he could not. After all, he wasn’t one of the leaders of this decisive battle; there was no need to overburden himself.

...

Two hours later.

At the break of dawn, faint slivers of light began shimmering along the eastern horizon.

Spirit vessels and tunneling light streaks soared away from Thousand Island Lake toward territorial land. As they progressed, a delicate fragrance of begonia flowers wafted through the air.

The legendary Tanghua Forest lay before them!

"Buzz~~~"

The sound of thundering vibrations filled the air as a dazzling glow erupted from within the forest ahead. A massive array opened up, enveloping most of Tanghua Forest, where countless North Sea cultivators appeared—dense as a sea of humanity—all stationed within the array!

"Such intense array power..."

Ning Daoran frowned, deeply shocked.

"Is that..."

Liangyi True Monarch squinted. "It seems Shen Building Master’s soul-search from that late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator of the North Sea turned out to be true. The North Sea Cultivation World does indeed possess a Fifth-Grade Lower Grade Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array!"

"Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array!?"

Ning Daoran soared into the air, peering into the distant scene, his interest piqued immensely.

Since he mastered the Fourth-Order Top-Grade Taixu Return Array, Ning Daoran had found himself stymied on the Array Path, unsure what to pursue next. He understood virtually nothing about Fifth-Order Arrays; after all, the pinnacle of Eastern Wilderness arrays was the Taixu Return Array.

As the North Sea belonged to another cultivation domain, it was plausible for them to possess Fifth-Order Arrays!

"Uncle Liangyi!"

Ning Daoran said passionately, "Where does the North Sea’s Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array come from? Do they truly have Fifth-Order Array Masters capable of crafting such arrays?"

"No."

Liangyi True Monarch replied, "Nephew Ning, you may be unaware—the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array originates from an ancient inheritance of the North Sea Cultivation World. It is a ready-made artifact with no supporting Array Path techniques. Once destroyed, it cannot be repaired or recreated; it is a disposable treasure."

"I see..."

Ning Daoran’s heart sank. This wasn’t good; in such ’nuclear-level’ wars within the cultivation world, even the strongest array wouldn’t last long under the onslaught of numerous Eastern Wilderness cultivators, including Divinity Transformation experts. Once the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array was completely obliterated, wouldn’t he lose his chance to study it?

Immediately, Ning Daoran transmitted his voice to Shen Luoyan aboard the ship ahead.

"Shen Building Master, this Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array is incredibly solid. Have you decided on a strategy to dismantle it?"

"Indeed."

Shen Luoyan replied, "I will obliterate it in one swift move—an unexpected surprise for the North Sea Cultivation World."

"Ah?"

Ning Daoran furrowed his brows. "If that’s the case, would the damaged array flags and plates of the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array be entrusted to me for study afterward?"

"Well..."

Shen Luoyan smirked mischievously. "It’s not impossible, but since this concerns the whole Eastern Wilderness, and while I may be the Alliance Hierarch, I can’t make unilateral decisions. How about you sweet-talk me a little?"

"Sister Shen!"

"Deal."

Shen Luoyan smiled in satisfaction. "After the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array is destroyed, the Divinity Transformation experts from either side will engage in heated duels. At that time, I’ll likely be facing two opponents alone, so I won’t have time to worry about the specifics. During the chaos, you may freely collect the damaged array flags and plates—I’ll consider it my tacit consent. If anyone questions it later, I’ll defend you."

"Thank you, Shen Building Master!"

"..."

...

"Boom, boom, boom~~~"

The war drums thundered fiercely, signaling the imminent eruption of an epic clash between the two sides’ cultivator armies!

In this moment, rays of morning light pierced through the clouds and bathed the land below. They further accentuated the radiance of the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array, its sacred aura undeniable. Intricate divine marks flowed across the outer walls of the array, its power far surpassing the Taixu Return Array.

With this extraordinary array, the North Sea forces could withstand the Eastern Wilderness cultivators’ ferocious assault—at least temporarily.

Ning Daoran frowned, unsure what Shen Luoyan had up her sleeve to dismantle the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array in an instant.

"Fellow Daoists of the Eastern Wilderness."

At that moment, an extraordinary silhouette emerged from within the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array, standing in mid-air. A colossal Divinity Transformation Dharma Image loomed behind her—none other than Flowing Bead Star Monarch. Narrowing her exquisite eyes, she smirked. "North Sea refrains from attacking you, yet you dare to counterstrike against our stronghold—such recklessness! Very well, if battle you seek, then battle you shall have!"

Her lips curled in amusement. "I would like to see how you plan to breach this Fifth-Grade Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array!"

"Hmph!"

Shen Luoyan chuckled faintly, foregoing further words, and simply nodded lightly toward Vice Tower Master Long Xingtian.

"Wuuuu~~~"

Suddenly, a sequence of piercing horn blasts resonated in the air.

Soon, one flying boat after another appeared in the skies above—all hailing from the Eastern Wilderness Cultivation World. Each immortal vessel bore intricate engravings and prohibitions. As Ning Daoran sent forth his Nascent Soul Divine Sense to examine further, he discovered that these boats were filled entirely with spirit stones!

Beyond the spirit stones, there wasn’t a single person aboard!

What was Shen Luoyan planning? Was she intending to supply resources to the enemy?

Ning Daoran was alarmed.

In the next moment, with the thunderous beat of war drums, more than a hundred spirit boats pushed their engines to full throttle, charging directly at the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array.

...

"Hahaha, ridiculous!"

Inside the array, countless North Sea cultivators burst into laughter. "Have the people of the Eastern Wilderness lost their minds? Using spirit boats for collision attacks? They are utterly clueless about the profundity of the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array. Not to mention these mere vessels—even if they dispatch ten thousand spirit boats, the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array will remain steadfast!"

As if to dispute their claims, the first spirit boat collided against the array’s outer wall!

"Boom~~~"

The blinding light rendered vision difficult, as explosions echoed across the battlefield, shaking heaven and earth. The Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array trembled under the impact, undermining the dismissive remarks of the defenders. And then came the second, and the third—the flying boats relentlessly pummeled the array, unleashing catastrophic explosions unseen in ordinary collision tactics!

"Now I understand..."

Liangyi True Monarch broke into a smile. "No wonder Shen Building Master has been acquiring vast quantities of Star Red Stone and Vermilion Bird Sand lately. The combination of these materials with highly potent spirit stones produces unimaginable power. Shen Building Master plans to literally bombard the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array using spirit stones—truly extravagant."

Ning Daoran was stunned. Shen Luoyan—what an audacious pay-to-win strategy!