Cultivation Starts from Farming-Chapter 718 - 336: The Path to Nascent Soul (Part 2)

Chapter 718: Chapter 336: The Path to Nascent Soul (Part 2)

The complexity of human nature cannot be summarized merely as black or white.

In this world, there is both ruthless cruelty driven by self-interest and genuine affection willing to sacrifice for one’s kin.

Yang Yao and the young man were left flustered by the sudden laughter, exchanging nervous glances with palms sweating coldly, yet they dared not ask, fearing they would anger the unpredictable master before them.

Just as the two were bewildered, a sudden blur occurred before their eyes, and Xu Ping and the small yellow-brown dog vanished into thin air without leaving a trace.

"This..."

The two stood in a daze for a moment, only coming back to their senses after some time, exchanging vacant looks.

The young man carefully touched his abdomen but felt no discomfort whatsoever.

On the contrary, the meridians in his body, once disrupted by severe injury, were quietly healing, and his vitality was significantly restored.

Only then did the two have a sudden realization.

"Thank you, senior!"

The two bowed deeply towards the direction Xu Ping vanished, gratitude filling their hearts.

...

Time flies like an arrow, half a year passed in a flash.

Northern border of Wei Country, Qingchuan City.

This Immortal City, famous for producing the low-grade spiritual material "Qingxi Stone," had a shop named "Yunluo Shop" quietly change proprietors on an inconspicuous cobblestone street.

The new owner is a young man in his early thirties, with an ordinary face that easily blends into a crowd.

His aura is faint, barely sustaining the level of the fifth layer of Qi Cultivation, making him unremarkable in bustling Qingchuan City frequented by cultivators.

Besides him, there’s also a small yellow-brown dog in the shop, always lazily basking in the sun at the entrance.

Initially curious about their new colleague, the shopkeepers of adjacent stores quickly lost interest.

Because this new shopkeeper apparently had no intention of doing business.

Each day, he either lounged in a bamboo chair at the door basking in the sun or held a book, flipping through ancient texts.

Even if some customers occasionally stepped into the rather deserted "Yunluo Shop," he would just lazily wave them towards the shelves without even lifting an eye:

"Prices are clear, look for yourselves, take what you like."

This nearly playful, lax style of operation might have seen closure, if not for the unusually stable and robust quality of the talismans sold, rife with Spiritual Power, slightly exceeding other shops on the same street.

Even so, "Yunluo Shop" could only maintain a lukewarm existence.

However, apart from sunbathing and reading, this lazy shopkeeper had one immovable hobby—practicing swordsmanship.

Each morning, when the first rays of sunlight shone over the city, he would take out a gray and spiritless wooden sword, gently swinging it in the space before the shop.

That swordsmanship... left much to be desired.

The movements were slow and awkward, utterly lacking in sharpness or swiftness, let alone the ethereal grace of an immortal Sword Technique.

Even the common children practicing martial arts in the city seemed better.

The sword moves were old-fashioned and monotonous, just a few repeated actions that made the shopkeepers from neighboring stores shake their heads.

"Is this fellow perhaps a fool?"

"What use is such swordsmanship? Even a mortal martial arts school wouldn’t take him!"

People mocked privately, yet got used to seeing that sword-wielding figure each morning.

...

Time flies, the years slip by.

Spring brings blooming peach blossoms; in winter, we admire the plum blossoms defying the snow.

Unconsciously, this talisman shop had been open for two whole years.

On this day, the first light of dawn had just appeared, and the city had yet to fully awaken.

As usual, Xu Ping was holding the gray and spiritless wooden sword, standing on the empty ground before the shop, gently practicing.

Yet today, at the edge of this silent morning exercise ground, there was an additional little audience member.

The audience was a seven or eight-year-old boy with a tigerish head and brain, bright eyes, showing signs of heroism even at such a tender age.

The boy stood aside, watching Xu Ping practice swordsmanship intently, unwilling to blink, fearing to miss any details.

Xu Ping continued absorbed in his routine, his movements neither sped up nor paused, seemingly oblivious to the focused gaze by his side.

An hour later, when the sun was fully up, Xu Ping finally stopped his wooden sword.

He cast a faint look at the boy beside him, the corners of his mouth curling into a barely perceptible smile, his voice breaking the morning silence:

"Xiaohu, you’ve been watching for so long, tell me, how is my swordsmanship?"

The boy was none other than the only son of the spiritual materials shopkeeper next door, named Wang Hu.

Upon hearing this, Wang Hu snapped out of a daze, a thoughtful look appearing on his young face.

After a moment, Wang Hu lifted his head, those clear eyes directly meeting Xu Ping’s, earnestly and solemnly saying, "Uncle’s swordsmanship is very beautiful, very captivating."

"Beautiful?"

"Captivating?"

Xu Ping was slightly stunned, his brow raising lightly, eyes flashing with unconcealed surprise.

Knowing that in his unassuming manner, even ordinary Golden Core Cultivators would easily overlook and dismiss it as farmer’s moves.

Yet this little guy managed to discern something amiss; such keen instincts and understanding of Sword Dao truly left Xu Ping surprised.

Undoubtedly a natural talent.

However, Xu Ping just smiled without further comment, merely ruffling Wang Hu’s hair before returning indoors.

Though this little guy indeed has an extraordinary talent in the Sword Dao, Xu Ping had no intention of special guidance, letting things take their course is best!

...

Spring gone and autumn returns, another year had passed.

The biggest change compared to before is that every time Xu Ping practiced swords, Wang Hu would come to observe.