Cultivation Starting from Full Talent
Chapter 709 - 707: Refining Failure

Chapter 709: Chapter 707: Refining Failure

Fairy Yusui stared at him, initially seeming like she wanted to throw herself into Ning Daoran’s arms, but then she remembered something, bit her red lips, and her beautiful eyes sparkled as she said, "Fellow Daoist Ning, you’ve returned?"

"Yes."

Ning Daoran smiled and nodded, "Just returned for a visit, handling some matters."

"Oh?"

Fairy Yusui said softly, "Would you be willing to come to my Cave Mansion for a cup of tea?"

"Of course, I’d be delighted."

Fairy Yusui’s delicate face brightened with additional joy.

Inside the Cave Mansion.

The fragrance of tea wafted through the air as Fairy Yusui spoke softly, "Fellow Daoist Ning, during the Battle of Descent, I didn’t travel to Li Country. I was only tasked with crafting a large number of talismans in Guiru City and sending them to the battlefield, so I didn’t get to witness your heroic feat of slaying a Divinity Transformation. What a pity that was..."

"In the Battle of Descent, everyone contributed. You crafting talismans in Guiru City to support the battlefield was no less of a contribution, so there’s no need to feel any lack compared to others. Truly, there isn’t."

Ning Daoran added, "As for the so-called heroic feat of slaying a Divinity Transformation... that’s slightly overstated. Yusui, you don’t know; the Battle of Descent back then was exceedingly perilous. It was never a case of me, alone, facing the Divinity Transformation stage cultivators. Every Divinity Transformation from the North Sea Cultivation World that was slain required the combined efforts of multiple Nascent Soul stage Great Cultivators from our Eastern Wasteland Cultivation World. I certainly had my role, but I absolutely wouldn’t dare claim sole credit, much less boast that I personally slew any North Sea Divinity Transformation cultivator."

"Hmm..."

Fairy Yusui concealed her laughter with her hand, "After so many years, Fellow Daoist, you’re still just the same. So disciplined, not the least bit changed."

"You’re the same."

Ning Daoran said, "Still so beautiful."

"..."

Fairy Yusui’s cheeks suddenly flushed, rendering her speechless.

After a long moment, she finally said gently, "Then, what brings Fellow Daoist back to Guiru City this time?"

"To purchase materials."

Ning Daoran explained, "To be frank, during the Battle of Descent, the North Sea Cultivation World deployed a Fifth-Grade Lower Grade Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array. This array was exceedingly sturdy. After we demolished it, I secretly salvaged the severely damaged array flags and plates. After decades of deductions, I’ve finally completed the full inheritance of the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array. Thus, this time, I’ve returned to Guiru City to purchase materials and attempt crafting a set of the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array."

"That’s incredible..."

Fairy Yusui was instantly moved, "Fellow Daoist Ning, your talent in the Array Path truly leaves me in awe!"

"Hahaha~~~"

Ning Daoran laughed and said, "I’ll likely stay in Guiru City for a few days. Yusui, if you’re not preoccupied, accompany me to the workshop to buy materials. Having someone familiar with Guiru City with me, I’m sure I won’t get swindled."

"That would be wonderful."

Fairy Yusui smiled, "I couldn’t ask for more than to have more time with you."

Just then, two Nascent Soul auras appeared outside the Cave Mansion.

It was Ning Mingyu and Longque Wanderer.

Ning Daoran and Fairy Yusui exited the Cave Mansion.

"Brother, you’re back?"

"Yes."

Ning Daoran smiled, "I came back to buy some array materials. Mingyu, if you’re free, accompany me to the workshop. Brother Long Que, you can go about your own business; no need to tag along..."

"Ahem, ahem!"

Longque Wanderer was mildly offended, feeling somewhat unappreciated.

...

Several days later.

The material checklist for the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array had been fully acquired. Although a few rare materials couldn’t be found, there were suitable substitutes, so it didn’t affect much.

When Ning Daoran left Guiru City, Fairy Yusui was reluctant to part and escorted him all the way to the port, only returning to her Cave Mansion after watching him sail away.

Months later.

Ning Daoran, covered in travel dust, arrived back at Bi Yi Peak.

By then, Bi Yi Peak had begun to bustle with life.

"Mountain Master."

True Monarch Wanhua approached with a grin, "During your absence, Bi Yi Peak has taken in two Nascent Soul cultivators. Since we haven’t formally established our sect, I referred to you as the Mountain Master. What do you think of the title?"

"That’s fine."

Ning Daoran nodded.

Though the title Mountain Master sounded a bit odd, it occasionally resembled the word "bamboo" in sound, which amused him.

"Where are they? I’ll meet them in the reception hall."

"Alright, I’ll summon them immediately," Wanhua replied with a smile.

Soon, two Nascent Soul Early Stage Great Cultivators arrived in the reception hall.

One of them was a particularly young Nascent Soul cultivator, his face still lively with vigor. Introducing himself, he said, "This humble one is Xuanlong True Monarch. In the past, I was a True Disciple of the Divine Leaf Sect and a disciple of Deputy Sect Master True Monarch Wanhua. During the Divine Leaf Sect’s great battle, I was grievously wounded while fleeing from pursuit by North Sea Cultivators. It took me years to find my master, and now I come to pay my respects to the Mountain Master!"

"Mountain Master."

True Monarch Wanhua said, "This brat Xuanlong was once defiant and unruly, but ever since his injury, he has tempered his character. He’s now quite promising. I hope Mountain Master will permit him to remain at Bi Yi Peak."

"Mountain Master!"

Xuanlong True Monarch said resolutely, "I personally witnessed the Mountain Master standing firm against a Divinity Transformation cultivator in the past. Now that my master is here as well, I no longer wish to go elsewhere and only hope to stay and cultivate here!"

"Good!"

Ning Daoran smiled, "However... Xuanlong, your master has currently fallen to the Late Golden Core Stage, his realm even below yours. Do not foster arrogance or disrespect; such behavior... Bi Yi Peak will not tolerate. Let me make this clear upfront."

"Rest assured, Mountain Master!"

Xuanlong True Monarch gritted his teeth, "Back when I climbed the mountain, I was merely in the Qi Refinement Realm. My master never despised my clumsiness and personally guided me to Nascent Soul Late Stage. What’s more, it was to guard the Ancestor Mountain that my master faced the North Sea Divinity Transformation and suffered a decline in cultivation. I hold only reverence for my master, never disdain."

"Very well!"

Ning Daoran smiled, "Stay here, then. When Bi Yi Peak establishes a sect in the future, you will have a place within it!"

"Thank you, Mountain Master!"

Then, Ning Daoran turned his gaze to the other individual.

This person was also an early Nascent Soul cultivator, but his face was worn with scars left by years of hardship. His robes were tattered, marking him unmistakably as a Loose Cultivator.

"I am Chen Yiyang, greeting the Mountain Master!"

He cupped his fists in salute, "Mountain Master, I am a native Loose Cultivator from the Jade Bottle Continent. Alone and unsupported, I’ve relied on sheer resilience to reach the Nascent Soul Stage. So, Mountain Master, please don’t see me as just some old man. Truth be told, I only look old—I’m merely 400 years of age..."

"Ahem..."

Ning Daoran interjected, "Fellow Daoist Chen, I didn’t despise your aged appearance... In truth, being older can convey reliability. Don’t let appearance bother you. Even I sometimes feel my age; I’ve reached 540 years myself..."

"Mountain Master,"

True Monarch Wanhua couldn’t help but laugh, "Stop trying to comfort him. The more you explain, the more awkward it probably feels for Fellow Daoist Chen."

Chen Yiyang burst into hearty laughter and scratched his head, appearing genuinely simple and good-natured.

As a Loose Cultivator, reaching this stage through resilience alone was nearly impossible. In a world where most Loose Cultivators are cunning and calculating, Chen Yiyang seemed untainted by malice. It was likely he spoke the truth—his success came from perseverance rather than scheming.

Who could say if some fortuitous encounter or Immortal Fate played a role in him reaching Nascent Soul?

"Fellow Daoist Chen, you may stay as well. In the future, when we establish our sect, you too shall have a position!"

Ning Daoran said solemnly, "For now, we don’t yet have a name for our sect. Everyone should think it over and contribute ideas, so we all feel a sense of participation."

The others nodded repeatedly, agreeing.

"Alright, then. Return to your cultivation."

"Yes, Mountain Master!"

After everyone left, Ning Daoran began his closed-door cultivation, attempting to craft the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array!

...

Three years passed in the blink of an eye.

In the year Ning Daoran turned 545, he continued steadfastly pursuing his immortal path.

Inside the Spirit Garden Cave Heaven, in a small wooden hut.

"Boom~~~"

A loud explosion suddenly broke out from within the hut, shattering its protective formations. Fierce flames shot skyward!

"A fire! Quick, put it out!"

Beside the Jade Spirit Spring, Little Blackie and Ning Xiaogui absorbed the Spiritual Spring and sprayed it towards the fiery wooden hut.

Out of the conflagration, Ning Daoran floated out.

At this moment, his appearance could hardly be called otherworldly. His face was ashen, and his robes were dotted with holes. To his dismay, the first attempt at crafting the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array... had failed!

"Young Master, are you alright?" Little Bai drifted over.

"I’m fine, just a minor setback!"

Ning Daoran’s expression was resolute, his gaze firm.

The failure was likely due to an issue within the Array inheritance he had deduced. Something had gone wrong during his deductions, and the inheritance was flawed. The next task would not be to reattempt the crafting but to reinterpret and derive a more accurate version of the inheritance.

Fortunately, he had ample time and room for error.

The failed attempt to craft the Heavenly Yuan Wind Thunder Array didn’t trouble Ning Daoran for long; he soon regained his confidence and felt reinvigorated in spirit.

That night.

Deep beneath Bi Yi Peak, within the Qi Gathering Array.

Ning Daoran descended, narrowing his eyes as he gazed at the Mysterious Treasure Bottle. To his astonishment, the bottle was brimming with life force, and a green bamboo shoot had sprouted from the seed that represented the Primordial Qi of the Jade Bottle Continent. That seed had ultimately grown into a green bamboo!

When Ning Daoran extended his Divine Sense to probe this green bamboo, he was profoundly shocked. The vitality contained within it was immensely terrifying, surpassing even the fortieth layer of his Eternal Green Technique by far!

This was understandable.

No matter how expertly cultivated his Eternal Green Technique was, it was still just his personal cultivation. Conversely, this green bamboo embodied the vitality of an entire continent, making an immeasurable contrast.

With the sprouting of the green bamboo, some inexplicable transformations seemed to be occurring throughout the Jade Bottle Continent...

As Ning Daoran extended his Divine Sense underground, he noticed golden veins slowly spreading through the depths. A surge of Spiritual Energy arose beneath Divine Leaf Mountain, and the previously withered Spirit Veins began rejuvenating, appearing radiant. The spirit veins of the main peak, once split in half, had now recovered to the level of a Fifth-rank top-grade Spirit Vein!

Moreover, this influence seemed to resonate across the entire continent, with the revitalization starting from Divine Leaf Mountain.

When Ning Daoran surveyed the surface, he discovered that Divine Leaf Mountain now hosted over a thousand Human Clan cultivators. During his three years of seclusion, countless cultivators had sought refuge on the mountain!