Chapter 5: I Simply Want to Train Using Your Cultivation Techniques

No Spiritual Energy awakening.

That meant this whole thing was unique to this world — he was the only one with it.

Su Ning had initially assumed something strange had happened to the world at large.

He closed the forum thread and began searching for historical records about miniature people.

Sure enough, there were indeed references to "little people kingdoms" in ancient history.

The Classic of Mountains and Seas recorded four such "little people kingdoms." The first appeared in the "Classic of Regions Beyond the Seas: South" section, known as the "Kingdom of Zhourао": "The Kingdom of Zhourао lies to its east; its people are short and small, and they wear hats and belts. Another account places the Kingdom of Zhourао east of the Three-Headed Kingdom."

The second "little people kingdom" appeared in the "Classic of the Great Wilderness: East" section, known as the "Kingdom of Jingren": "There is a little people kingdom called Jingren."

The third "little people kingdom" appeared in the "Classic of the Great Wilderness: South" section, known as the "Kingdom of Jiaoyao": "There are little people, called the Kingdom of Jiaoyao, of the Ji surname, who eat fine grain."

The fourth "little people kingdom" also appeared in the "Classic of the Great Wilderness: South" section, known as the "Kingdom of Junren": "There are little people called Junren."

"Although ancient mythology and folk records do mention some of these, the little people kingdom I've seen is truly one of a kind — unprecedented." Su Ning finished his search. Nearly all ancient historical references to little people kingdoms were of the legendary variety; official histories did mention them too, but they bore little resemblance to what he had witnessed firsthand.

The "Records of the Grand Historian, Biography of Dayuan, Chapter 63" states: "The Comprehensive Geography records: 'The little people kingdom lies south of Daqin; its people are only three feet tall. When they farm, they fear being eaten by cranes, and Daqin sends guards to protect them — this is the Kingdom of Jiaoyao, whose people live in caves.'"

In the "Huainanzi, Terrain Chapter," there is the following record:

"To the southwest lies Jiaoyao." Gao You's commentary states: "Jiaoyao is a kingdom of short people, no taller than three feet."

And according to the "Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wei, Account of the Wuhuan, Xianbei, and Eastern Barbarians":

"More than a thousand li east of the Queen's Kingdom, across the sea, there are more kingdoms, all of the Wa people. There is also a kingdom of dwarves to the south, whose people are three to four feet tall."

"Moreover, most of the little people described in these records aren't nearly as small as what I'm seeing now. Some of the so-called dwarf kingdoms are more or less the same thing…"

Little people kingdoms were synonymous with weakness — let alone cultivating immortality.

The little people kingdom in his vegetable garden was something else entirely.

Before he knew it, it was nearly eleven o'clock. For the sake of keeping himself alive a little longer, Su Ning didn't hesitate — he turned off the lights and went to sleep.

The next day.

He didn't stir until past eight in the morning.

Sleeping more than ten hours straight, free from any work pressure — this was something the Su Ning who had once been a corporate drone in the city wouldn't have dared to dream of.

"Bliss!"

He glanced at the time.

There were a few messages on his phone.

They were from Su Yi:

"Su Ning, what did you say to my parents? Why did they come at me with a scolding the moment they called?"

"We already broke up — why are you still pulling these clingy stunts? Are you serious right now?"

"This is between the two of us. Why are you dragging them into it? The more you do this, the more disgusting I find you!"

It was clear she was furious.

But this wasn't Su Ning's doing.

"I heard you went back home to farm?"

"You're still as unmotivated as ever. If you'd had even a little more drive back then, would things have ended up like this?"

"Forget it… never mind. That's it. I hope you won't bother me anymore. We're done!"

He tried to reply and explain, only to find he'd been blocked again.

Su Ning shook his head.

A bitter feeling settled in his chest.

Sigh…

The people who had once been closest to him had all ended up blocking him.

But he didn't really care anymore.

After thinking it over, he still sent a text to Auntie Su and her husband, urging them not to pressure Su Yi anymore — a peaceful parting like this was fine.

With that done.

Su Ning got up, washed up, and headed outside to dig, level the ground, and prepare planting holes.

He was going to plant something.

With nothing else to do, he sat down in front of the little tree and quietly watched the little people go about their lives.

Like a benevolent god seated on high, gazing down upon mortals.

When the little people saw Su Ning, they didn't say much — they simply went about their business.

In their hearts, Su Ning was a god: omnipotent and supremely powerful.

After all, this was someone who could crush a Chaos Creature with a single finger.

But how could they have known that in this world, Su Ning was nothing more than… an ordinary man on the verge of being killed by illness.

"In just one night, the little people have already built their own Cultivation Caves. Truly impressive." Su Ning couldn't help but nod in admiration.

Around the little tree, nine tiny structures had risen from the ground.

Together they formed a small village.

Only nine houses, yet they looked the part.

The main building material was the roots and stems of weeds, with fallen leaves from the little tree serving as roofing.

Quite crude, all things considered.

The little people settled in, sat cross-legged on their rooftops, and began to cultivate.

This was fascinating.

It was Su Ning's first time watching "immortals" practice cultivation, and he observed with keen interest.

Wisps of energy drifted in from the surroundings and slowly entered their bodies, and their bearing visibly sharpened.

Each person absorbed a different kind of energy.

Kunlun Immortal Maiden absorbed white energy.

Abyss Devil Lord absorbed dark, shadowy energy.

The others each absorbed something different as well.

These were the Dao Law attributes unique to each of them.

"Watching them cultivate feels like watching a grand immortal drama."

"A miniature grand immortal drama," Su Ning corrected himself.

Seeing this kind of scene for the first time, Su Ning clicked his tongue in amazement.

It was like witnessing something utterly novel and extraordinary.

"Hmm… wait… they can cultivate — I wonder if I can too…" The thought struck him.

"If I could cultivate as well, then the power of immortals… could it possibly cure my terminal illness???"

The thought sent a jolt through Su Ning's heart!

Suddenly… he was filled with anticipation.

The sudden illness had cast him into an abyss. Now the appearance of the little people had pulled him back out, and for the first time, he could see a glimmer of hope.

He still had so many regrets left unresolved. He still had so many corners of the world left unseen.

If not for fate's cruel hand, who would ever want to die?

The more hopeful he felt, the more nervous he became.

"Um… I'd like to ask — what Cultivation Techniques are you practicing? Could you… teach me?" Su Ning spoke up.

"I know your Cultivation Techniques are your unique trump cards, not something you share lightly. But I really do need this…"

He didn't dress it up in grand words, nor did he resort to threats or tricks. He simply stated his need directly.

At the sound of Su Ning's voice, the little people in cultivation all opened their eyes and roused themselves from their meditative states.

"The Immortal Senior wishes to have our Cultivation Techniques???"

The nine exchanged glances.

"Is it inconvenient?" Su Ning asked.

"No… it's not that… we don't mean it that way. It's just that our Cultivation Techniques are tailored specifically to each of us. Everyone's constitution is different — we're simply afraid that the Immortal Senior might not be able to cultivate them." Great Xia Sovereign said.

"Are you dense? The Immortal Senior is so powerful — how could he possibly need to cultivate our techniques? He's probably just curious and wants to take a look."

"As long as Senior wishes to see them, we have no objections."

Could they even object?

The man was staring right at them…

Besides, one finger from him could flatten any of them. With both benefit and threat in play, what were a few Cultivation Techniques worth?

You couldn't exactly expect someone to feed you and act as your bodyguard without giving anything in return, could you?

Truthfully, without offering something, the nine little people wouldn't feel at ease.

Only when interests were intertwined would a relationship last.

"I actually do want to cultivate your techniques," Su Ning said honestly.

The Nine Great Saints: ……

Proofreader & Editor: Fat Goose 🪶