Chapter 112 -110 A Vast Vacuum Dream
“Sigh~~~”
Ning Daoran let out a gentle breath.
At sixty years old, he had ascended to the mid-stage Foundation Establishment. This pace was neither fast nor slow.
If all went well, he would likely enter the late-stage Foundation Establishment around ninety years old.
Before reaching one hundred and fifty, he could achieve Perfect Foundation Establishment and then begin planning for Core Formation.
...
With Divine Sense internal inspection, his lifespan was worryingly long.
At the fourteenth layer of the Evergreen Technique, Ning Daoran at the Foundation Establishment Stage had a lifespan of a whopping five hundred and sixty years!
Time was long, and he didn’t need to feel any urgency in his mindset.
As long as he didn’t seek death, advancing to the Golden Core Stage was a certainty. There was no need to rush anything.
He slowly circulated his Concealing Breath Technique, keeping his outward cultivation level at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.
For a cultivator with a Ninth Grade Spirit Root to reach Foundation Establishment was already a great fortune; advancing too quickly could arouse suspicion, so it was safest to linger in the early stage.
In the sect, most of the Foundation Establishment Elders were also at the early stage.
Moreover, more than half would remain stuck at the early stage for their whole lives, so it was completely normal for Ning Daoran not to breakthrough.
“Ow~~~”
Big Stupid Deer approached with a joyful expression, congratulating Elder Brother on his promotion to the mid-stage Foundation Establishment.
“Indeed, we should celebrate!”
Ning Daoran smiled slightly, “Old Lu, go kill two chickens. Tonight, I’ll personally cook a big plate of chicken for you!”
The tail of Big Stupid Deer wagged wildly, a face full of joy—it was actually a new dish; he had never even heard of it before.
For a time, Spirit Field Courtyard No. 77 once again bustled with activity.
Ning Daoran lit the fire and cooked, Chen Weimo washed rice and boiled it, and Big Stupid Deer swung the axe to chop wood; everything was filled with the atmosphere of human life.
…
The next day.
Ning Daoran decided to go down the mountain to purchase a batch of materials for arrays.
He planned to refine an additional Blood Transformation Soul Chasing Array to hone his Array Path cultivation lest his skills rust with time.
Moreover, a Second Order Killing Array like the Blood Transformation Soul Chasing Array was also considered a foundation and, if necessary, could be traded with others.
In the afternoon, at Yellow Dragon Square.
Ning Daoran wore a deep blue Elder’s robe of the Outer Sect, his appearance still maintained at that of an eighteen-year-old. It was a pity he didn’t groom himself, otherwise, he would have looked very much like an immortal.
Big Stupid Deer, with fur as white as snow and a pair of tender white jade-like antlers gradually maturing on its head, looked more and more like an immortal spiritual beast.
As the two walked down the main street, they easily caught the attention of others.
It was not uncommon to see Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators in Yellow Dragon Square, but a Foundation Establishment Cultivator alongside a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Beast parading through the marketplace was extremely rare.
“Fellow Daoist Ning.”
At Qingfu Square, Chen Ping’er walked out in a deep blue palace dress, growing ever more graceful and tender, with loving eyes that carried an indescribable allure.
She approached with a curtsey and a smile, “On this trip to Qingfu Square, are you here to buy treasures, materials, or talismans?”
“Buying some Array Path materials.”
Ning Daoran took out a list, which accounted for about one-fifth of the materials for the Blood Transformation Soul Chasing Array.
As for the remaining eighty percent, it would be scattered and purchased by a group of Second-class Paperfolk to avoid arousing suspicion.
“Alright, I will select the materials for Fellow Daoist now!”
Since it was an old acquaintance, Chen Ping’er didn’t fuss much and immediately called the manager, who in turn gathered over a dozen clerks to pick out materials.
After completing the transaction, Ning Daoran left Qingfu Square.
Through the streets, a gentle breeze blew.
“Old Lu.”
Ning Daoran suddenly cocked his head to the side and said with a smile, “Want to take a look at the stalls? Maybe this time we’ll actually find a hidden gem!”
“Ow ow ow~~~”
Big Stupid Deer’s deer eyes shone brightly.
Elder Brother had given it a Storage Bag which also contained quite a few Spirit Stones, and with those stones, it had been eager to try its luck.
“Let’s go!”
The man and the deer crossed the bridge towards the stall area.
After passing through two streets, they found themselves among a bustling array of street vendors.
The stall area was not located in the prime zone of Yellow Dragon Square. Instead of storefronts, there was a lush expanse of Spirit Fields behind the stalls.
Yellow Dragon Square also had a Spirit Vein underground—though not of high grade, the operators of the Square still developed numerous Spirit Fields, which were rented to Spirit Farmers for cultivating Spirit Rice.
Ning Daoran, accompanied by Big Stupid Deer, weaved through the various stalls with Divine Sense scanning over the wares, only to find that the marketplace really lacked anything of significant value.
They were either damaged First-tier Magical Artifacts or some commonplace Cultivation Techniques.
Or they were tricks of Jianghu sorcerers—fine for deceiving Qi Refinement Realm practitioners, but with Divine Sense, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator like Ning Daoran could see through them in a glance.
When Ning Daoran looked at the goods, many vendors revealed awkward expressions, fearing their deceitful practices of passing off fakes as real or substandard goods as superior might anger this Foundation Establishment Expert.
In the end, Ning Daoran shook his head.
“Old Lu, as expected, there’s nothing of value to find. Let’s go home.”
“Ow~~”
Big Stupid Deer was slightly disgruntled, but at that moment, it suddenly bit Ning Daoran’s sleeve and gestured with howls.
“What is it?”
Ning Daoran was slightly startled, following the direction Big Stupid Deer was tugging him towards.
Instantly, he was taken aback; he saw someone he hadn’t seen for a long time—
Zhong Yan.
…
In those years, this woman who was responsible for tending Spirit Field No. 80 on Qiongbi Peak had aged and lost her charm.
Wearing coarse clothes and a face lined with wrinkles, she bore no resemblance to the partially alluring woman of past years.
By now, Zhong Yan was over eighty years old.
For an Early Stage Qi Refining cultivator, she was already in her twilight years, with little of her lifespan left.
What’s more, Zhong Yan suffered greatly in her middle years, losing two husbands in succession: Xin Yan and Hong Ming.
After that, it was rumored she even sold her favors in the shanty area to sustain her cultivation and living.
At this moment, Zhong Yan almost failed to recognize Ning Daoran.
However, Zhong Yan recognized Ning Daoran at a glance.
Forty years had passed, and he still looked exactly the same as when he first arrived at the Qiongbi Peak!
What made Zhong Yan feel even more unworthy was that Ning Daoran had now become a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, an existence she could only look up to.
“…”
Ning Daoran’s gaze briefly swept over Zhong Yan’s shabby stall, filled with insignificant trinkets.
Tattered First-tier Lower Grade Talismans, First-tier Lower Grade Magical Artifacts broken in two, and some so-called secret techniques that were almost worn out by browsing hands.
All these items put together might not even be worth a few spirit stones.
“So it’s Fellow Daoist Zhong…”
Ning Daoran bowed slightly and said, “It’s been a long time.”
“It’s Ning… Senior Ning ah…”
Zhong Yan revealed a bitter smile.
“It’s been so many years, how has Fellow Daoist Zhong been?”
After asking this question, Ning Daoran immediately regretted it, cursing himself for asking what he already knew.
“How can I be well, as the Senior can see?”
Zhong Yan wasn’t too embarrassed or concerned, she wiped her sooty face and forced out a smile, “I… this old body has rented a small plot of spirit land just outside the Workshop, managing it to earn just enough to survive.
This is not a place for conversation; would the Senior be willing to step over to my humble abode for a gathering?”
Ning Daoran thought for a moment and nodded, “If that’s the case, I will follow your lead.”
…
On the outskirts of the Workshop, in a dilapidated tile house.
Zhong Yan’s dwelling was extremely simple, and after she had welcomed Ning Daoran and Big Stupid Deer inside, she brewed two cups of tea.
“Fellow Daoist Zhong.”
Ning Daoran looked at her aged appearance and hesitated to speak.
“The Senior doesn’t need to say anything.”
Zhong Yan’s lips twitched, and she said with a bitter smile, “Back then, Xin Yan and I became Daoist companions, seeking longevity together. Now looking back, all that’s left is endless regret.
How arduous is the road of immortality for those with inferior spiritual roots like us?
What exactly did we gain after a lifetime of hardship?”
She said with a resigned laugh, “Cultivation is but a grand illusory dream, and in the end, it’s so laughable.”
Ning Daoran frowned and remained silent.
“Senior… Fellow Daoist Ning…”
Zhong Yan softly said, “Xin Yan and I actually envied you very much back then. You became a Sect Disciple at such a young age, and although your Spirit Root wasn’t very good, your Daoist heart was resolute.
We all never expected that you would reach Foundation Establishment in just twenty short years… Such fortune is something someone like me couldn’t even dare to dream of.”
Nostalgia filled her eyes as she continued, “The Immortal road is elusive, and both Xin Yan and I could only walk a very short part of it. The farther scenery, we can only ask Fellow Daoist Ning to witness it for us, these old friends…”
Ning Daoran’s heart was complicated, and he still did not speak.
“Fellow Daoist.”
Zhong Yan spoke softly, “This old body’s tea… the taste is not good. If there’s nothing else, Fellow Daoist, please feel free to leave.”
“Hm.”
Ning Daoran stood up, taking Big Stupid Deer with him as he turned to leave.
Zhong Yan did not say anything, but as she watched Ning Daoran’s figure grow more distant, her eyes filled with tears.
“Fellow Daoist Zhong.”
Suddenly Ning Daoran turned around and said, “Those Lingnan Demons who killed Fellow Daoist Xin back then are said to be lurking around Black Wind Village now. Does Fellow Daoist still harbor resentment toward those two?”
“Yes!”
Zhong Yan’s gaze turned fierce, “I wish I could tear those two villains to pieces!”
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“If that’s the case, leave it to me.”
Ning Daoran nodded and turned away.
…
Deep into the night.
Black Wind Village was ablaze with fire.
When daylight came.
Upon opening her door, Zhong Yan found two bloody heads placed before her doorstep.
These were the heads of the Lingnan Demons!
These two were Robbery cultivation experts who had reached the Peak of Qi Refining, notorious in the Qi Refining circles of the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range.
Unfortunately, with their cunning methods and a Top-grade magical tool for protection, the other Qi Refining Stage Practitioners could only be angry but dared not speak out against them.
It was said that after the Lingnan Demons took over Black Wind Village with their ruthless tactics, they proclaimed themselves as the masters of the village.
Originally, Zhong Yan thought she would never have the chance to avenge Xin Yan in this lifetime.
But now, the heads of these murderers were placed right in front of her.
She knew who had taken action against the Lingnan Demons.
For a moment, Zhong Yan slowly knelt on the ground, tears blurring her vision as she looked up to the heavens.
“Husband, do you see? Fellow Daoist Ning has avenged you!”
…
Among the clouds.
Ning Daoran looked down indifferently, watching Zhong Yan’s weeping figure below.
“Old Lu.”
He frowned and said, “From now on, our debt with Fellow Daoist Zhong has been fully repaid.”
“Roar~~”
Big Stupid Deer nudged his shoulder with its head.
In truth, Ning Daoran didn’t lift a finger to kill the Lingnan Demons; it was all Big Stupid Deer’s doing. A few frost and flame spells later, two heads flew into the air effortlessly.
“Alright!”
Ning Daoran raised his eyebrows and said, “Let’s go back to the mountain and continue cultivating. There’s no need to look back at where the old friends have gone; our own path of cultivation is still long ahead of us!”