Cultivation Starting from Full Talent

Several days later, in the dense forest outside Yellow Dragon Square.

Ning Daoran changed into a blue Taoist robe and stored Big Stupid Deer inside the Spirit Garden Cave Heaven.

He slowly activated the Returning to Nature Level Body Tempering Technique. Instantly, his entire body emitted cracking sounds as his bones transformed, and his facial features shifted into those of another man.

Although completely different from before, his new appearance was still rather handsome.

He suppressed his external cultivation level to the Early-stage Foundation Establishment, as this was the ideal stage.

Enough to avoid drawing the attention of Golden Core or Nascent Soul cultivators, while still causing smaller factions to think twice before offending him.

Xiyu Pavilion.

Chen Ping'er indeed didn't recognize him. After accepting ten spirit stones as payment, she handed Ning Daoran an identity jade token for attending the exchange meeting.

At this moment, Ning Daoran was using the alias "Independent Practitioner Jianjia."

...

The rear courtyard of Xiyu Pavilion already had several Foundation Establishment cultivators gathered.

Some wore facial-concealing magical masks, while others hid their faces under bamboo hats. Of the six or seven cultivators present, none of their true appearances could be discerned.

"Fellow Daoist Jianjia."

Chen Ping'er gestured toward a spot not far away and smiled, saying, "Our Xiyu Pavilion has maids. Would Fellow Daoist like to summon one to serve at your side? It's quite beneficial."

"Hmm?"

Ning Daoran scanned his gaze over the area, and sure enough, a group of more than ten women, each with varied beauty, stood there chatting softly.

Among them were female cultivators at the Qi Refinement Realm, as well as mundane women. Their array of figures offered a pleasing aesthetic, ranging from alluring curves to delicate slimness.

*p>'Old Lu.'*

Ning Daoran, playing the role of a loose cultivator, had to act with the flair of one. He transmitted his thoughts, saying, *'You pick one.'*

"Huh???"

Big Stupid Deer's eyes widened comically from where it was within the Spirit Garden Cave Heaven. Such luck was hard to believe!

It let out an excited cry, signaling its preference for the third woman on the left.

*p>'Perfect choice!'*

Ning Daoran nodded in agreement. The third maid's appearance wasn't breathtaking, but her natural beauty had an appealing and refined charm.

"Her, then."

Ning Daoran pointed at her.

"Understood."

Chen Ping'er smiled and said, "Koushao, come meet Fellow Daoist Jianjia, and make sure to serve him well."

"Yes!"

The woman stepped forward and respectfully bowed, her beautiful eyes showing a hint of shyness as she said, "Greetings, Senior Jianjia."

This woman possessed a Spirit Root, but her cultivation level was only at the Qi Refining Second Layer.

Such a cultivation level was considered the lowest of the low in the cultivation world.

Were it not for her striking physical appearance, she likely wouldn't even qualify to earn a living in Xiyu Pavilion.

...

Before long, the exchange meeting was about to commence.

Everyone filed into a secret chamber.

Koushao bit her red lips lightly, stepped forward, and gently clasped Ning Daoran's wrist, speaking softly, "Senior, this way."

Ning Daoran was momentarily stunned, his mind suddenly on high alert.

Inside the secret chamber, a massive round table took center stage, around which sat six Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Each cultivator was accompanied by maids. At this moment, a bald-headed cultivator already had his hand roaming the waist of the maid next to him.

Most cultivators couldn't resist indulging in carnal pleasures.

In fact, one of the rotund cultivators had summoned two maids, embracing one on either side. His glinting eyes, filled with calculated intent, gave off an unsettling air.

"Shall we begin?"

An older cultivator in a black robe curled his lips into a sly smile and suggested, "Why not let this old man start?"

Everyone nodded.

The old cultivator slapped his storage bag, from which a brilliant blue goblet-like treasure floated out, glowing with faint spiritual energy. "Gathering Spirit Bowl, Second-Order Lower Grade Spirit Artifact. Its effectiveness in concentrating spiritual energy can assist in cultivation."

"Oh?"

A few people's eyes gleamed with interest.

Ning Daoran, however, merely flicked his gaze over briefly, as this item held little value to him.

In the end, the bald-headed cultivator traded the black-robed elder a First-tier Top-Grade Magical Artifact and four hundred spirit stones for the Gathering Spirit Bowl.

Next, a slender cultivator presented an herb—a three-hundred-year-old Purple Blood Ginseng, one of the key ingredients in crafting Foundation Establishment Pills!

Although everyone present was at the Foundation Establishment stage, many had disciples and heirs, so the Purple Blood Ginseng sparked a competitive bidding frenzy.

Eventually, a tall cultivator traded a Second-Order Lower Grade Spirit Artifact for the Purple Blood Ginseng.

*p>Ning Daoran furrowed his brows.*

Several rounds passed, yet not a single treasure piqued his interest.

Finally, the black-robed elder, the only cultivator at the Mid-stage of Foundation Establishment present, revealed a hint of impatience. He turned toward the slender cultivator and smiled, asking, "Fellow Daoist Luo, I've heard that you know the whereabouts of Dust-falling Grass, a critical Jiedan Elixir. Is this true? This old man came specifically for this item and hopes you won't disappoint me."

"Indeed."

The bald-headed cultivator's eyes also lit up. "Fellow Daoist Luo, though the location of Dust-falling Grass is doubtlessly a secret, can you at least give us a general sense of the opportunity? It would ease our minds."

"Everyone here truly shares a common interest in the Jiedan Elixir."

The slender cultivator chuckled and revealed, "Dust-falling Grass—what an opportunity! I only stumbled upon its secret by accident. In Luzhou territory, there lies a secret realm whose opening date is fast approaching. Rumor has it that deep within the treasure-filled area of this realm grows a Ten-thousand-year-old Dust-falling Grass."

"Luzhou?"

Ning Daoran frowned, remarking, "Not only is Luzhou an arduous thousand-mile journey from here, but it's also home to countless great cultivators. Are we supposed to compete for opportunities with those powerhouses there?"

"Fellow Daoist Jianjia, you're mistaken."

The slender cultivator smiled, replying, "We cultivators are meant to defy the heavens. Cultivation itself is a river of countless boats in fierce competition. If we don't fight, how is it cultivation at all?"

Ning Daoran felt his words made sense and did not rebut.

*p>However, such expeditions to Luzhou's secret realm were something Ning Daoran would never consider personally.*

*p>The risks were excessively high; he could foresee not just Foundation Establishment cultivators but also Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators vying for opportunities within the secret realm.*

The others seemed intrigued.

Especially the black-robed elder, who, already over one hundred and twenty years old and approaching the Late-stage Foundation Establishment, was starting to plan for his eventual Core Formation.

A few cultivators moved their lips silently, obviously communicating via spiritual transmission.

Ning Daoran folded his arms, shut his eyes, and assumed the demeanor of a seasoned expert.

Nearby, the maid Koushao pressed her lips together, her delicate gaze repeatedly sneaking glances at Ning Daoran as her inner turmoil raged.

"Senior…"

Koushao finally broke the silence and said, "Regarding Dust-falling Grass, this humble one happens to know a clue about it."

"Oh?"

Ning Daoran opened his eyes. "You know a clue about Dust-falling Grass?"

"Indeed."

Koushao bit down on her pearly teeth and replied, "However, Senior must offer up a certain price for this humble one to disclose the clue."

Instantly, not only Ning Daoran but several Foundation Establishment cultivators shifted their attention toward her.

"Young girl."

The bald-headed cultivator sneered and said, "Bold claims cannot be made lightly. You're merely at the Early Stage of Qi Refinement; how could someone like you possibly possess knowledge about the whereabouts of Dust-falling Grass, a key ingredient for Third-tier major pills?"

Several other cultivators snickered in response.

Ning Daoran's expression remained indifferent, but he swept his divine sense over Koushao.

*p>He found her mental state unshaken, suggesting she might genuinely know the location of Dust-falling Grass.*

"Speak."

He raised his sharp brows and asked, "What do you want in exchange for the clue about Dust-falling Grass?"

"I…"

Koushao bit her red lips and said, "Nothing else. I only hope Senior will redeem me from my contract."

... Content presented by MV|LEMP|YR.

"Koushao!"

Not far away, a manager of Xiyu Pavilion barked out, "Do you even understand what you're saying? You insolent wench, how dare you overstep your bounds with Senior Jianjia so impudently!"

Koushao's face instantly went pale.

"Very well."

Ning Daoran responded, "Manager, how many spirit stones are needed to redeem Koushao's contract?"

The manager frowned, saying, "Senior truly wishes to redeem her contract?"

"Indeed."

"Well…"

The manager hesitated briefly and answered, "A flat price: twelve hundred spirit stones!"

"You…"

Koushao's face turned pale. Clearly, this price far exceeded the typical value of a maidservant.

Still, she didn't argue. Her contract was held by Xiyu Pavilion, and they could set any price as they pleased.

"Here are twelve hundred spirit stones."

Ning Daoran immediately slapped his storage bag, taking out a pouch of spirit stones and handing it to the manager. The manager gleefully accepted it with a delighted smile.

In the next moment, however, he caught sight of Ning Daoran's steely gaze.

"Ah…"

The manager quickly retrieved the contract and said, "Senior, here is Koushao's slave contract. Please take it."

"That's settled."

Ning Daoran stood and said, "Koushao, follow me."

"Yes, Senior…"

...

"Fellow Daoist Jianjia, you're leaving already?"

Not far from the gate, Chen Ping'er, who had been chatting and laughing with Fairy Yun Lan, turned around.

"Indeed."

After returning the identity jade token, Ning Daoran said, "I've redeemed this maid's contract. I trust I can take her with me now?"

"Of course…"

Chen Ping'er was momentarily taken aback.

This Independent Practitioner Jianjia was handsome and already at the Foundation Establishment stage at such a young age. By all rights, he was seen as promising—a potential candidate for Core Formation among loose cultivators.

She couldn't fathom what had drawn him to this young maid.

Koushao had an inferior Spirit Root, meager cultivation talent, and wasn't even a virgin...

"Let's go."

Ning Daoran's body shifted slightly. He wrapped his arm around Koushao's slender waist.

In the next moment, he sprang into the air, transforming into a beam of tunneling light as they disappeared from Yellow Dragon Square.

Left behind were a puzzled Chen Ping'er and Fairy Yun Lan.

...

Yellow Dragon Mountain Range, in a lush forest.

Birdsong filled the air, and fragrant flowers added to the idyllic scenery.

"Speak."

Ning Daoran sat on a fallen tree trunk and said, "What is the actual clue concerning Dust-falling Grass?"

As he spoke, he gently rubbed his fingers together, reducing the contract in his hand to powder.

"Respected Senior Jianjia!"

Koushao bowed slightly and said, "When I was younger, my father and I once traveled deep into Yellow Dragon Mountain Range. That year, a flash flood caused several cliffs to collapse, revealing an area of prohibition.

Within that prohibition grew a few spiritual grasses. Years later, after I studied the Hundred Herbs Scripture, I discovered that those uniquely shaped herbs were indeed Dust-falling Grass!"

"Are you certain?"

"Absolutely!"

Koushao nodded emphatically, biting her red lips.

But in the next instant, Ning Daoran, who had been sitting before her, suddenly vanished.

Immediately afterward, Koushao felt a strike to the back of her head—a strong hand chop.

*p>Ning Daoran was as meticulous as ever. Other than himself and Big Stupid Deer, he fully trusted no one.*

*p>Especially not a maid like Koushao, who had asked for her contract to be redeemed the moment they met.*

*p>The cultivation world was rife with temptations and dangers.*

*p>Step-by-step prudence was necessary for survival.*

He began a soul search, which would confirm the truth with certainty.

His earlier questioning had merely been a prelude to deciding whether to spare her life afterward.