Chapter 565: Chapter 563: No Such Person Found
After returning to Guiru City, Ning Daoran shut himself inside for dozens of days. On one hand, he needed to deal with the corpses and Demon Cores of the Demon Beasts from this recent battle; on the other hand, he wanted to lay low. After all, Lord Bi Hai was a Divinity Transformation Stage Demon Beast with vast divine skills and might have the ability to disguise himself and infiltrate Guiru City to find soone. If that happened, the consequences would be unimaginable!
Fortunately, Guiru City’s deep foundations and strict defenses against Demon Beasts proved effective. A month passed peacefully, and it beca clear that while Lord Bi Hai might be powerful, even he wasn’t formidable enough to infiltrate the Returning Ruins Immortal Land and kill at will.
One afternoon, Ning Daoran finally stepped out of his Cave Mansion to have a cup of tea in the “public area.”
“Senior Jianjia!”
Not far away, a young male cultivator at the Early-stage Foundation Establishnt Realm held a thick stack of bulletins and smiled, “Returning Ruins Immortal Land Bulletin—would Senior like a copy? It’s got records of all the latest secrets and gossip~~”
“I’ll take one!”
Ning Daoran tossed out two Spirit Stones.
The young man respectfully handed over the bulletin, then cupped his fists before leaving.
“Fellow Daoist Ning?”
The prohibition on the adjacent Cave Mansion opened, and a frosty beauty in a flowing green skirt erged, her expression as cool as ever.
The Jade Marrow Immortal was just as cold and distant as always. Her aloof deanor remained unchanged, though she had grown a bit more familiar with Ning Daoran, her “important custor.”
“Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Ning, for safely returning from slaying demons at sea.”
The Jade Marrow Immortal spoke with a faint smile, “I was worried about you for so ti, but now that I see you returned safely, I’m relieved.”
“Thank you for your concern, Immortal.”
Ning Daoran smiled, “Little Bai, prepare so tea for the Immortal.”
“Yes, young master!”
At that mont, the prohibition of another nearby Cave Mansion slowly opened. Jin Yuanzi, wearing a dark golden Magic Robe, stepped out. In Ning Daoran’s eyes, his cultivation might seem rather ordinary, but as a Nascent Soul Early Stage Great Cultivator, he naturally still carried a certain dignity.
“Fellow Daoist Ning, it’s been a long ti!”
“Fellow Daoist Jin Yuanzi, it’s been a while!”
Ning Daoran nodded, smiled, and signaled Little Bai to pour another cup of tea.
The three sat together, casually chatting about recent happenings in the city.
Ning Daoran’s deep gaze carried restrained divine light, giving off the air of a Nascent Soul Great Cultivator. anwhile, the Jade Marrow Immortal maintained her cool deanor; though her voice was gentle, it carried little emotion.
Jin Yuanzi, however, was the most enthusiastic, frequently casting glances at the Jade Marrow Immortal. It was clear he greatly admired this fellow Nascent Soul Realm female cultivator.
Indeed, among the Nascent Soul cultivators residing on this layer of Cave Mansions, few were immune to admiration for the Jade Marrow Immortal. Her superlative talent in the Talismanic Way, coupled with her ability to reach the Nascent Soul Stage through her own aptitude, was undeniably alluring.
Yet the Jade Marrow Immortal showed no interest whatsoever in matters of Dao companions, displaying complete indifference.
In the Cultivation World, the pairing of male and female cultivators followed certain trends. Generally, female cultivators of striking beauty wouldn’t seek Dao companions at the sa cultivation level, but often aid higher.
Male cultivators operated similarly, usually seeking Dao companions of lower cultivation levels. Female cultivators of the sa level often had haughty temperants, making coexistence difficult, while lower-level female cultivators, being younger and more attractive, were seen as preferable options.
However, combinations like Ning Daoran and Lin Man were exceedingly rare. Alas, Lin Man was burdened with a mission from her senior sister Chi Shan. While she and Ning Daoran carried the title of Dao companions, their relationship lacked any genuine substance.
It was sheer misfortune. Despite four centuries of cultivation in the Cultivation World, Ning Daoran remained an old virgin.
“Fellow Daoist Ning.”
Jin Yuanzi sipped his tea and smiled, “This ti you ventured into the Endless Demon Sea to slay demons, staying away for half a year. How was your harvest?”
“…”
The Jade Marrow Immortal frowned slightly, expressing quiet disapproval.
For Nascent Soul cultivators, such hunts for opportunity were typically kept private, not casually shared. It was surprising that Jin Yuanzi lacked tact, directly asking this question. Wouldn’t this force Ning Daoran to lie?
Ning Daoran’s clear eyes made it evident he wasn’t soone accustod to lying, making this situation particularly awkward.
“Ah, let’s not talk about it. My luck wasn’t good.”
Holding his cup, Ning Daoran frowned, “After entering the deep sea, I first encountered a storm of Sea Demons. Not only did I slay few demons, but I also lost my Demon Spirit Treasure Boat. I had to abandon ship and use Water Escape, drifting at sea for months before finally returning to Guiru City. As for my harvest, it amounted to only a few Golden Core Early Stage Demon Beasts—barely worth ntioning.”
“I see…”
Jin Yuanzi nodded, “Slaying demons at sea and seeking opportunities are always matters of luck. Fellow Daoist Ning need not be disheartened. In a year or two, prepare thoroughly and try again. Next ti, surely rewards will follow!”
“Thank you for your kind words, Fellow Daoist.”
Ning Daoran nodded with a smile and continued sipping his tea.
“Recently, there’s been earth-shattering news circulating in Guiru City. Fellow Daoist Ning, since you’ve just returned, perhaps you haven’t heard it yet.”
Jin Yuanzi said, “The Jade Marrow Immortal has been in the city, so she must have heard about this.”
He was clearly fishing for conversation, wanting to speak more with the Jade Marrow Immortal and enjoy her company.
“Oh?”
Ning Daoran asked, “What kind of news could warrant the term ‘earth-shattering’ from Fellow Daoist Jin Yuanzi?”
“Ah!”
Jin Yuanzi chuckled, “Not long ago, a cultivator with the alias ‘Huaguo Mountain Great Monkey’ shot up the Demon Slayer List rankings. In a short span, they climbed from the tens of thousands to the ninety-ninth position and then surged even higher, reaching eighty-eighth!
The top hundred cultivators on the Demon Slayer List are either legendary experts or Late-stage Nascent Soul and Divinity Transformation cultivators. Their rankings rarely shift over decades. Yet this person advanced so swiftly, reaching such heights in one fell swoop!”
Jin Yuanzi’s face was full of amazent as he added, “This person must be a Divinity Transformation cultivator or at least a Late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.”
“I’ve heard snippets about this.”
The Jade Marrow Immortal, who had been silent, said, “According to those associated with the Demon Slayer List, no one knows exactly who this ‘Huaguo Mountain Great Monkey’ is, but their combat strength rivals Late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators!”
Jin Yuanzi remarked, “It’s indeed peculiar. In the Eastern Wilderness Cultivation World, the number of Late-stage Nascent Soul and Divinity Transformation cultivators can be counted on one hand. Most of them are already on the Demon Slayer List. For example, Guiru City’s City Lord Ning Tianyi—he’s ranked ninety-first and was just surpassed. But who exactly is this ‘Huaguo Mountain Great Monkey’?”
He sighed, asking, “What is Huaguo Mountain anyway? Have either of you heard of it?”
The Jade Marrow Immortal shook her head.
Ning Daoran furrowed his brow and voiced his concerns with caution, “It’s best not to inquire into the affairs of such an exceptional Great Cultivator. We, re Nascent Soul Early Stage cultivators, shouldn’t invite unnecessary trouble by investigating them.”
“Indeed.”
The Jade Marrow Immortal showed a rare smile, “Fellow Daoist Ning’s worries are well-founded. Let’s not delve into this matter further.”
“Yes, yes…”
Jin Yuanzi nodded repeatedly.
…
Several days later.
Ning Daoran decided to offload his spoils. A large amount of Third-tier Materials and Demon Cores needed to be dealt with. These items were better converted into Spirit Stones promptly, as one never knew when they might require substantial funds. A re ten million Spirit Stones in his Storage Ring wouldn’t suffice!
If Lin Man returned soday, preparation of at least five million Spirit Stones as a betrothal gift would be necessary.
Thus, Ning Daoran refined a new batch of Class A Paperfolk and secretly released them.
Days later, Guiru City workshops were flipped upside down. Suddenly, nearly four hundred Third-tier Demon Cores flooded the market, including more than twenty Pure Demon Pills!
The workshops imdiately used the Pure Demon Pills as selling points, each preparing auctions to compete for market resources in Guiru City. The chaos was palpable—one faction finished its performance, only for another to step up. No ans were spared in this battle for precious market assets in the Returning Ruins Immortal Land.
Ning Daoran couldn’t be bothered with the events, especially after netting over a million Spirit Stones.
anwhile, upper echelons of Guiru City began speculating. While the Returning Ruins Immortal City had significant profits from nurous cultivators venturing to sea to slay demons and retrieve Demon Cores and other materials, Third-tier Demon Cores were not common commodities. Normally, no more than three to five such cores would appear on the market daily. Yet here, in just a few days, hundreds were introduced!
Who could possibly possess the capacity to provide so many Third-tier Demon Cores in such a short period?
Naturally, everyone thought of the mysterious cultivator who surged to eighty-eighth in the Demon Slayer List—Huaguo Mountain Great Monkey. Only they might have such a capability!
The City Lord Mansion sent out cultivators to investigate the sellers, using Divine Souls and aura traces to track them. However, all efforts ended in failure, with no leads found.
…
Months later.
Life in Guiru City returned to a peaceful and fulfilling rhythm of cultivation.
One day, while Ning Daoran ditated in his Cave Mansion, a disturbance in the prohibition outside signaled movent. Soone had just left Jin Yuanzi’s dwelling and was now lingering outside Ning Daoran’s abode.
“Swish!”
A Sound Transmission Talisman flew into the mansion, carrying a male voice: “Senior Ning, I am Zhou Yunlong, a fellow cultivator from Xia Country’s Cultivation World, and I respectfully request a eting!”
“Oh?”
Ning Daoran furrowed his brow and waved his hand to lift the prohibition. “Co in, young friend.”
“Thank you, Senior!”
Zhou Yunlong imdiately bowed deeply in gratitude.
Observing Zhou Yunlong, Ning Daoran noted his Golden Core Late-stage cultivation and fairly solid foundation. Yet he couldn’t fathom why the man had sought him out.
After serving tea, Ning Daoran said, “Given you’re a fellow cultivator from Xia Country, feel free to speak plainly. I have cultivation matters to attend to.”
“Yes!”
Zhou Yunlong cupped his fists. “I was wondering whether Senior has any plans to venture into the Endless Demon Sea for demon slaying. I would greatly appreciate the chance to accompany you on such a journey. After staying in Guiru City for over a century, I am very familiar with the Endless Demon Sea and can serve as your guide. Of course, all opportunities in the sea belong to you, Senior—I only hope to gain a bit of rit in exchange.”
“I understand.”
Ning Daoran replied flatly, “Unfortunately, I currently have no plans for demon slaying at sea. Besides, I prefer to travel alone for such matters—it suits my temperant better.”
“I see…”
A disappointed Zhou Yunlong took his leave soon after.
“Fellow Daoist Ning, open the door.”
Outside, the voice of the Jade Marrow Immortal sounded.
Ning Daoran lifted the prohibition.
The Jade Marrow Immortal floated inside, releasing several soundproofing prohibitions before speaking with furrowed brows. “Did Zhou Yunlong just invite you to join him for demon slaying at sea? You must absolutely not agree—he’s not to be trusted.”
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