Cultivation Starting from Full Talent-Chapter 194 - 192: Reunion with Chen Ping’er

Chapter 194: Chapter 192: Reunion with Chen Ping’er

“It?”

Ou Yeping’s expression turned stern, “Kid, are you sure this deer can learn the hammering technique?”

“Absolutely certain!”

Ning Daoran, seeing skepticism still lingering in the old man’s eyes, said, “Old Master, if you take Old Lu as your closed-door disciple, I can guarantee you will not regret it. It’ll definitely be the most talented disciple you’ve ever taken in your life.”

Golden Core Spiritual Beast with Five-colored Deer bloodline, how could its talent not be high?!

“Kid, don’t blow your own trumpet so much that you tear a hole in the heavens!” laughed Ou Yeping.

“Cough cough…”

Ning Daoran then realized why this old man, nearly two hundred years old, was only at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment – he didn’t revere the heavens!

“Old Master, rest assured, Old Lu’s talent will not disappoint you.”

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“Hmph~~”

Ou Yeping smiled faintly, turned around, and picked up one of the hammers piled up, saying, “You guys settle down in the guesthouse in the back courtyard tonight. Sang Ping’an, get them twenty catties of raw iron, and pass on to them the first layer of the Wind and Thunder Hammer Technique.

If this deer can forge the twenty catties of raw iron into refined iron within three days, I’ll take it as my closed-door disciple. If not, I’m sorry, my sword-casting shop does not keep idlers.”

“Thank you, Old Master!”

Ning Daoran said, cupping his fists in gratitude.

Ou Yeping smiled indifferently and walked away.

…

That night.

Ning Daoran did not go to rest in the guesthouse, instead, he stayed by the forging platform to accompany Big Stupid Deer in hammering.

The mental method of the first layer of the Wind and Thunder Hammer Technique was already committed to memory by Big Stupid Deer.

Panting heavily, it stood up on its hind legs in a horse stance, its front limbs full of sinewy muscle; one hoof shone with a faint glow, deftly gripping the hammer handle.

“Clang!”

The first hammer fell, and the raw iron sung out with a buzz, echoes ringing out without end.

From afar, Manager Sang, acting as the eyes and ears of the shopkeeper, couldn’t help but be astonished, murmuring to himself, “That can’t be, such speed and precision on the first strike… could this deer really be as exceptional as it seems?”

Quickly, Big Stupid Deer hammered down strike after strike, clanging and clanging as it beat a large chunk of fiery red raw iron into constant deformation.

During the deformation, carbon elements in the iron splashed out, leaving the remaining iron more refined.

Ning Daoran, on the other hand, was using his Golden Core Divine Sense to intensely observe, realizing that although forging seemed simple, it was actually full of depth and complexity.

After midnight.

When Big Stupid Deer swung the hammer again, the arc of lifting and dropping the hammer was very adept, and its technique became more rounded and smooth. Soon, quite a bit of refined iron was hammered out.

As a result, by the afternoon of the second day, twenty catties of raw iron were transformed into about ten catties of refined iron!

Ou Yeping was shocked.

Hefting the large block of refined iron, he frowned and asked, “Is this refined iron really forged by that deer?”

“Sev…. oh no, Shopkeeper, it’s absolutely true!”

Sang Ping’an, rubbing his dark circles, said, “I haven’t slept all night and have been watching until now; that White Deer’s technique has become quite smooth. I feel… it has completely mastered the first layer of the Wind and Thunder Hammer Technique.”

“So swiftly accomplished?”

Ouyang Ping was amazed, “Could it be as Ning said, this Spiritual Deer really is a prodigy!?”

“It seems to be true indeed.”

“If that’s the case, then let’s take it on as a disciple!”

Ou Yeping, being a straightforward old Foundation Establishment cultivator, stepped out and said, “Ning, I am not one to go back on my word. This White Deer… I will take it as my disciple, and will pass on the complete Wind and Thunder Hammer Technique to it, as long as it’s diligent, it will be able to learn all of my life’s learning.”

“Thank you, Old Master!”

Ning Daoran immediately kicked Big Stupid Deer, “What are you waiting for, kneel down and pay respects to your master!”

“Roar roar~~”

Big Stupid Deer hurriedly prostrated itself, nodding towards the old master as a form of kowtow.

For a moment, the old master laughed heartily, “Very good, very good, it’s rare for me to take in a closed-door disciple today, prepare the feast, tonight we shall not return until we’re drunk!”

Ning Daoran’s eyes lit up; this old master’s temperament and nature fitted his taste perfectly!

That night.

Ning Daoran fetched quite a bit of Spiritual Wine from the Spirit Garden Cave Heaven, and the old master got completely drunk.

The next day, Big Stupid Deer formally began its apprenticeship.

In the smithy, the old master struck one hammer blow, and Big Stupid Deer followed suit, learning everything meticulously, from the force and speed to the technique itself, extremely dedicated.

…

Ning Daoran found himself with spare time, wandering around the courtyard. When utterly bored, he picked up a short stick that the apprentices practiced with and performed a set of the Silver Dragon Spear Technique.

Immediately, Sang Ping’an watched, eyes wide with astonishment.

“Senior Ning, your stick technique…”

“It’s a spear technique.”

Ning Daoran glanced at him, “You want to learn? I can teach you…”

“Ah?!”

Sang Ping’an was about to kneel down to pay his respects right then and there.

“Don’t kneel.”

Ning Daoran summoned a wave of mana to lift the other man up, saying, “I can teach you the technique, but… I have no intention of taking disciples. Honestly, with your aptitude, you’re not qualified to be my disciple…”

“Cough cough…”

Sang Ping’an was somewhat embarrassed, “Senior is absolutely correct; indeed, I naturally have slow aptitude, otherwise… I, Sang Ping’an, would have already mastered the old manager’s Wind and Thunder Hammer Technique, and perhaps even become a sword-casting master in the sword-casting shop.”

“Oh?”

Ning Daoran was somewhat puzzled, “Since your aptitude is so dull, why did the old master allow you to stay in the sword casting shop and even assume such an important position as manager?”

“Hush…”

Keeping his voice low, Sang Ping’an said, “Senior mustn’t spread the word, but actually I’m related to the old manager, he’s my Seventh Uncle from my hometown…”

Ning Daoran was taken aback, so that was the reason.

He gently patted his Storage Bag, pulling out a copy of the Silver Dragon Spear Technique manual, “This is the spear technique and mental method, I don’t ask you to swear fealty as a disciple, just take good care of Old Lu and myself while we stay here.”

“It’s only right!”

Sang Ping’an accepted the spear technique manual, and after glancing over it a few times, he exhibited an expression of being unable to put it down.

“Don’t rush to practice.”

Ning Daoran settled into a recliner and inquired in great detail about the situation in Fanshu City, with Sang Ping’an talking incessantly, leaving no stone unturned, which saved a great deal of trouble.

Fanshu City was a border town, a gathering place for cultivators and martial artists.

Due to its proximity to the Divine Weapon Sect, a first-class sect, business was extremely booming. Within the city was a Floating Duckweed Workshop with a very large business. Additionally, there was also a black market that sold various illicit treasures, as well as demon meat.

In summary, Fanshu City’s positioning was a bit like the “Yellow Dragon Square” of the Divine Weapon Sect.

However, Fanshu City was under the jurisdiction of the court, not belonging to the Divine Weapon Sect, creating an entity of its own and not entirely dependent on the Divine Weapon Sect.

…

After listening for a long time,

Ning Daoran stood up and dusted off his green robe, smilingly said, “Since there’s nothing else happening, would Manager Sang please show me the way to the Floating Duckweed Workshop?”

“Delighted to!”

Sang Ping’an’s face lit up with joy, “To lead the way for Senior Ning is my honor!”

Although he was a manager in the sword casting shop, there were as many as eight managers in the huge shop – four in charge of the front courtyard, four of the back. Those who managed the back courtyard were in charge of disciples with higher talent, and thus had somewhat higher status and position.

Sang Ping’an was one of the front courtyard managers, and the more refined weapons in the sword casting shop all came from the back courtyard.

Therefore, not only did this front courtyard manager have little power, he also couldn’t gain much in the way of profits and was essentially fed by the old master simply out of familial obligation.

Thus, if he could climb up the ladder by attaching himself to Ning Daoran, a Foundation Establishment Expert, Sang Ping’an’s status in the sword casting shop would naturally soar to the heavens!

After all, Ning Daoran was a guest staying at the sword casting shop and was also a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, which was an extremely high position, second only to the old master himself.

The old master usually treated Sang Ping’an with indifference, so Sang Ping’an had to find another path and cling tightly to Ning Daoran’s “coattails.”

In the streets, people bustled to and fro.

Ning Daoran followed behind Sang Ping’an, passing through the busy streets and alleys, eventually arriving in front of a massive workshop.

This workshop’s facade was extraordinary, with “Floating Duckweed Workshop” in dark blue letters inlaid at the front. These characters seemed to be made of spiritual gemstones, incredibly luxurious.

Inside the workshop were three levels, the space inside anything but ordinary.

Being a local “snake,” Sang Ping’an was extremely familiar with the place and guided Ning Daoran around.

“Senior Ning, the first layer generally doesn’t sell anything noteworthy, just Spirit Rice, magic artifacts, low-grade materials, and the like.”

“The second floor sells talismans and materials. It’s said that even third-tier talismans are available for sale.”

“The backer of this Floating Duckweed Workshop… is rumored to be tied to the court. What’s sold on the third floor are spiritual artifacts, high-grade materials, spiritual medicines, and other treasures.”

…

Ning Daoran nodded.

The scale and layout of this Floating Duckweed Workshop gave him a very familiar feeling.

“Fellow Daoist Ning?”

Just then, a familiar voice came from behind.

“…”

In an instant, Ning Daoran froze; he remembered that voice.

When he turned his head around, it felt as if a millennium had passed at a glance.

A stunningly beautiful woman in a white dress stood not far away, her lovely face carved from ivory without a single flaw, tall and slender in stature, emanating a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment aura, indistinguishable from the fairies cultivating in the mountains.

“Chen… Chen Ping’er?”

Ning Daoran was dumbfounded.

“It really is you, Fellow Daoist Ning…”

Chen Ping’er’s eyes instantly reddened and welled up with tears.

If it weren’t for the crowd, she might have thrown herself into Ning Daoran’s arms right then.

…

In the private room of the Floating Duckweed Workshop,

Chen Ping’er activated several prohibitions with a wave of her hand.

As usual, Ning Daoran added a few more Array Formation Restrictions.

“It has been sixteen years since we parted at Xiyu Pavilion.”

Chen Ping’er’s eyes were slightly red, “I never expected… To see you again in Fanshu City… Truly… I am a bit happy…”

“Indeed, it’s been far too long since we parted at Xiyu Pavilion.”

Ning Daoran said, “At the time, Fellow Daoist Chen’s whereabouts were unknown, I thought you had been killed by the Jiuyun Sect cultivators. Unexpectedly, we would reunite here. What exactly happened back then?”

“It’s a long story.”

Chen Ping’er gave a wry smile, “During the battle when Jiuyun Sect attacked Xiyu Pavilion, Fairy Yun Lan and Mu Xue held off a Golden Core Cultivator, granting me a chance to escape. Afterwards, Xiyu Pavilion was taken over and I, gravely injured, didn’t dare to return, only to end up here and eventually set up another Floating Duckweed Workshop, operating it until today…”

Ning Daoran didn’t inquire about the initial capital — it wouldn’t be good to dampen the mood.

“Fellow Daoist Ning, how did you come to be in Fanshu City?”

“I’ve left the Chaotic Sect, and I am traveling the world with Old Lu, having just drifted to this place, where I will likely stay for a while.”

“That’s wonderful.”

Chen Ping’er’s eyes sparkled, and she said with a shallow dimpled smile, “With a daoist companion, I no longer feel alone in this Fanshu City!”