MTLNOVEL Chapter 40 - 39: Five-Person Squad
Chapter 40: Chapter 39: Five-Person Squad
Three days later.
“Clang~~~”
Accompanied by a hammer strike from Wen Zichen, the fully formed Big Green Dragon seemed to awaken halfway, emitting a buzzing sound.
“It’s done!”
Wen Zichen’s face showed exhaustion, but his heart was secretly delighted.
Being exhausted for three days was true, but this deal would bring him nearly a hundred spirit stones in profit. If he could have such business every day, he would be beyond eager.
“Fellow Daoist, it’s ready.”
Wen Zichen, with some effort, lifted the Big Green Dragon and said, “The final result even exceeded my expectations; it is a Second-Order Middle-Grade Magical Artifact.
It weighs two hundred eighty jin but is inlaid with four miniature weight-increasing arrays, reaching a weight of two thousand jin upon mana injection!”
“Really?”
Ning Daoran took the Big Green Dragon and immediately felt a slight heaviness in his hands. Upon injecting mana, it felt incredibly suitable in his hands. Swinging the two thousand jin heavy Big Green Dragon felt exceptionally powerful, truly a weapon for sneaking attacks and killing!
“Fellow Daoist Ning, are you satisfied?”
Wen Zichen put his hands on his hips, not to mention the other party, even he was quite satisfied with this piece of work.
During several hammer drops, he felt a kind of soul connection, and his long-stagnant hammering technique seemed to have slightly sublimated due to this artifact. For an artifact refiner, such opportunities were very rare.
“Very satisfied.”
Ning Daoran lightly swung the Big Green Dragon, producing a “buzzing” sound.
“Dad!”
Just then, a woman came downstairs and said, “Tonight’s dinner, you must eat no matter what.”
Upon saying this, she suddenly saw Ning Daoran, and her pretty face blushed.
Ning Daoran also looked over. While the woman was not devastatingly beautiful compared to his senior sister Jiang Yu or junior sister Han Bing, she possessed a natural charm that made her quite endearing.
Such a lady, gentle as water, was liked by many men.
“Ahem, the young lady Wen Ru.”
Wen Zichen smiled and said, “Ru’er, come down and meet the customer. This is Chaotic Sect’s Ning Daoran, Fellow Daoist Ning.”
“Fellow Daoist Ning.”
Wen Ru walked down the stairs, performed a polite bow, and her lips carried a sweet smile.
Ning Daoran could quickly sense her cultivation level. Qi Refining Seventh Layer; surprisingly, this woman had a higher cultivation than her father.
Moreover, Wen Ru was young and, with her current cultivation progress, had a chance for Foundation Establishment.
“Fellow Daoist Ning.”
Wen Zichen smiled and said, “My daughter has followed me in studying the path of artifact refining since she was young, and she dual cultivates in artifact refining and arrays, possessing great talent. If all goes as expected, she is destined to take over the refining workshop from me.”
His introduction of Wen Ru to Ning Daoran was no more than seeing that Ning had a promising future and was generous with spending.
Getting to know such a customer early would be beneficial for Wen Ru when she eventually took over the workshop.
With a slight pat on his storage bag, Ning Daoran placed the Big Green Dragon into it, and then he clasped his hands in a fist salute: “I have been away from the mountain for several days and need to return to care for the spirit fields, Master Wen, Miss Wen, I must take my leave now!
Master Wen, your daughter is right; after forging the Azure Dragon Spear for several days in a row, you really should eat well and rest.”
Wen Ru couldn’t help but laugh: “Dad, you see, Fellow Daoist Ning understands much better than you do.”
Wen Zichen gave a wry smile, then respectfully saw Ning Daoran off.
…
Spiritual Field Courtyard No. 77.
Ning Daoran held the Big Green Dragon and practiced a Perfect Level Silver Dragon Spear Technique, with the spearhead wrapped in layers of pear blossoms, making the spear technique extremely smooth and flowing like moving clouds and flowing water.
Big Stupid Deer bellowed in approval, indicating a good performance.
Ning Daoran was also very satisfied. At this moment, the Big Master’s black long spear could now be discarded as the Big Green Dragon had proven far superior!
“Uncle!”
At that moment, a figure rushed into the Small Cloud Mist Array; it was Chen Weimo.
“What’s wrong?”
Ning Daoran sat upright and smiled, “Chen Weimo, your cultivation has been growing very slowly these days. Can you eventually master the ‘Evergreen Technique’?”
“I…”
Chen Weimo looked like a little girl who had made a mistake: “Uncle, I’ve been trying my best, but it’s really difficult…”
“Difficult?”
Ning Daoran looked at the string of spirit fish in her hand and said helplessly, “Why don’t you find fishing difficult?”
Chen Weimo muttered under her breath and sought help with her eyes from Big Stupid Deer.
Big Stupid Deer bellowed and rose, snatching the spirit fish from Chen Weimo’s hands to go prepare braised fish in the kitchen.
“Humph…”
Ning Daoran said lightly, “Before your grandmother left, she asked me to supervise you. How can you be negligent in matters of cultivation? Now that I have transmitted the Evergreen Technique to you, you should practice diligently and cherish such an opportunity.
First, circulate the Evergreen Technique for two Grand Circulations, then you can eat.”
“Yes, uncle…”
The little girl pursed her lips and directly sat cross-legged on the bamboo mat in the courtyard, starting to circulate the Evergreen Technique.
A few breaths later.
She opened one eye: “Uncle, which layer of the Evergreen Technique have you achieved?”
Ning Daoran gently raised his hand, and streams of vibrant life force flowed: “Third Layer, remember to keep it a secret.”
“Amazing!”
Chen Weimo widened her eyes: “Uncle, how long did it take you to reach the first layer?”
“Less than half a year.”
Ning Daoran said without blushing or his heartbeat skipping.
Chen Weimo was shocked and became even more diligent.
…
Several days later.
Ning Daoran decided to upgrade the Small Cloud Mist Array to mid-grade to add illusions and confusion effects to the array.
Otherwise, without any cultivation, people could just barge in, rendering it quite useless.
When he heard “purple copper,” he immediately thought of it as a material for artifact refining, suitable for inquiry at the Wen Family’s Refining Workshop.
Carrying Big Stupid Deer, he descended the mountain once again!
First, he visited Qingfu Square and found neither purple copper nor Liuhe Stone for sale.
Then he headed to the Wen Family’s Refining Workshop.
“Fellow Daoist Ning, we meet again, eh?”
Wen Zichen emerged from the back hall with a big smile on his face. “What do you plan to refine this time?”
“I’m not planning to refine anything, just wanted to ask the workshop master if you have purple copper or Liuhe Stone?”
“We do have purple copper.”
Wen Zichen replied, “I’ve treasured over a jin of purple copper in my early years, and there’s still over half a jin left. As for the Liuhe Stone, I have never heard of it.”
“Oh…”
Ning Daoran was somewhat disappointed.
“I do know the whereabouts of Liuhe Stone,” an old man said, his voice emanating from the back room.
An elder with a completely white beard walked out, radiating the robust aura of the Qi Refining Ninth Level, and chuckled, “If Fellow Daoist wants Liuhe Stone, you may cooperate with me.”
Ning Daoran was momentarily stunned.
Wen Zichen quickly smiled and said, “Fellow Daoist Ning, let me introduce you. This is the Purple Light Master, a long-time friend of mine for many years, at the Ninth Level of Qi Refining. Though a Loose Cultivator, he has extensive connections in Shanyang County and is exceptionally modest.”
“Pleased to meet you, Daoist Purple Light,” Ning Daoran said with a smile.
“Pleased to meet you, Fellow Daoist Ning.”
Purple Light Master gave a bow.
“May I know what exactly is the situation with the Liuhe Stone you mentioned?”
“Please look at this.”
Purple Light Master slapped his Storage Bag, and a fingertip-sized peculiar stone floated out—it was a Liuhe Stone.
Unfortunately, it was too small to support the reformation of an Array Plate.
“It’s quite serendipitous,” Purple Light Master said. “A few months ago, I discovered a cave mansion of an ancient cultivator. The owner seemed to be in the late-stage of Foundation Establishment, and the mansion was protected by multiple prohibitions. Alone, I certainly could not break them.
Thus, I have been looking for companions these days, hoping we can work together to break open the mansion and share the treasures.
I don’t mean to hide it from you; outside the mansion, there are several Liuhe Stones, visible through the prohibitions. This small piece is what I dug up from the outside.”
Ning Daoran nodded. “So…may I be of any help?”
“It’s also fate that today I met Fellow Daoist Ning at Fellow Daoist Wen’s place,” the Purple Light Master said with a light chuckle. “If I’m not mistaken, Fellow Daoist Ning practices the Evergreen Technique from the Chaotic Sect, correct?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then it’s a fortuitous occasion. The prohibition of the ancient cultivator’s mansion is a Five Elements Restriction, requiring the magic power of five different attributes to break.
I’ve already agreed with several Loose Cultivators, and we have gathered the magic powers of gold, water, fire, and earth. If you are willing, your strand of Wood Attribute Magic Power from the Evergreen Technique will complete the last one needed to potentially overcome the mansion’s restrictions.”
Ning Daoran fell into thought.
He traditionally never considered exploring secret realms or ancient mansions—such risks were high, and in his stable cultivation for longevity, there was no need for such risks.
However, this was a small group in the Qi Refinement Realm. Although he was only at the Eighth Layer himself, with his absolute skills in Return to Nature and various top-grade magical tools, joining might smell a bit fishy.
Moreover, he really needed the Liuhe Stone to upgrade the Small Cloud Mist Array, which would truly make him a First-tier Middle-grade Array Master!
Also, he was curious whether Purple Light Master had other plans.
It wasn’t beneficial to always cultivate at Qiongbi Peak. Experiencing the vicissitudes of Jianghu was sometimes necessary; he could treat this as a sort of tempering!
Most importantly, he possessed a Perfect Level Wind Riding Leisurely Technique and various escape skills. If he couldn’t win a fight, couldn’t he just run away?
…
As Ning Daoran hesitated, Wen Zichen slightly smiled and spoke.
“I understand Fellow Daoist Ning’s concerns, but I’ve known Daoist Purple Light for over twenty years. If Fellow Daoist trusts me, I can assure you, I trust Daoist Purple Light’s character, and I assure you this trip will definitely be safe.”
“In that case,” Ning Daoran said solemnly, “I’ll join as well. But I hope Daoist Purple Light remembers the promise. After breaking the prohibition, I only want the Liuhe Stones. I’m not interested in other treasures; I’ll just provide a strand of Wood Attribute Spiritual Power to open the restriction, and I will leave after obtaining the Liuhe Stones.”
“Fellow Daoist is very cautious…” Purple Light Master couldn’t help but smile and said, “Then so be it. You only need to help us open the restriction. All the Liuhe Stones will belong to you, and exploring the mansion will be enough with the remaining four of us.”
“Alright.”
“If that’s the case, let’s meet here at noon tomorrow and head to the ancient cultivator’s mansion together. Is that alright?”
“That’s fine.”
…
The next day, close to noon.
Ning Daoran arranged a bunch of talismans in order inside his Storage Bag, packed up the Azure Dragon Spear, and with the Qiushui Sword on his back, he grinned at Big Stupid Deer.
“Let’s go, Old Lu. I’m taking you out for some exposure today!”
“Aw~~~”
Big Stupid Deer cheered enthusiastically.
Ning Daoran directly placed him into the Spirit Beast Bag since Big Stupid Deer’s strength was not suitable for public display yet; he would wait for the right moment to act.
At the Wen Family’s Refining Workshop.
Purple Light Master was already there, along with three other Loose Cultivators.
A seductive woman in a long dress, extremely voluptuous, at the Qi Refining Ninth Level, named Ning Jiaojiao.
A rugged man with raised eyebrows, named Zhu Ya, at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer.
And an old Taoist with a wine gourd hanging at his waist, at the Qi Refining Ninth Level, named Wang Chongyan.
…
Once the group was complete, they set off immediately!
Everyone summoned their Flying Artifacts. Ning Daoran stood on a green bamboo leaf, flying steadily. Among the group, he looked the youngest.
“Fellow Daoist Ning.”
Suddenly, a voice transmission reached his ear, from the voluptuous woman Ning Jiaojiao:
“I won’t hide from you, Fellow Daoist; Zhu Ya and I are together. It’s also by chance that we joined this exploration. If there’s any movement later, or if necessary, you can join forces with us two!”