Luoshui River.
Underwater.
Blades and swords flashed continuously, the force of their clashes causing waves to churn on the surface of the lake. The surrounding fish dared not approach.
After a dozen or so breaths.
Liu Qingsong's eyes narrowed, and with a flick of his wrist, his soft sword, previously flexible like a serpent, suddenly straightened.
Clang
Jiang Ning blocked with his blade but was still forced back several steps.
He took the opportunity to retreat and adjust his stance.
Then.
Jiang Ning stopped, gripping his blade tightly. His blood and qi surged through his right hand, gradually dispelling the numbness.
At the same time.
"You're impressive!" Liu Qingsong said. "I rarely praise anyone like this. You're the first."
"It seems Elder Liu still has some tricks up his sleeve?" Jiang Ning said slowly.
As he spoke, Jiang Ning felt his body, submerged in water, continuously recovering. His stamina and energy were replenishing at an astonishing rate.
At this rate, in just a few breaths, he would return to his peak, his spirit, energy, and vitality overflowing.
Liu Qingsong said, "You're quite clever! What a pity."
In the next moment.
Liu Qingsong, still underwater, opened his eyes wide and raised his left hand, forming a sword finger in front of his nose.
"Burn"
He let out a loud shout, his voice causing the water to ripple like sound waves.
At the same time.
Jiang Ning saw Liu Qingsong's skin undergo a drastic change.
It turned a deep red, like a boiled lobster.
"Young friend, today I must leave you here. I truly dare not let you live," Liu Qingsong said, slowly lowering his sword finger.
"It's time to end this!" Liu Qingsong declared, filled with confidence.
The Blood-Burning Forbidden Technique was the only forbidden technique he had mastered, a life-risking move.
By using this technique, he burned his blood and qi to unleash astonishing combat power.
He had only dared to use this technique in his youth.
Back then, his body was vigorous, and even after using such a damaging technique, with enough medicinal supplements, he could recover without harming his foundation.
But as he aged and his body weakened, he no longer dared to use this technique.
Using the Blood-Burning Forbidden Technique now didn't just burn his blood it burned his lifespan.
It would also further weaken his body, pushing him into old age prematurely.
Originally, he hadn't wanted to use this technique.
But after witnessing Jiang Ning's monstrous talent today, he knew that if he missed this perfect opportunity, killing Jiang Ning in the future would be as difficult as reaching the heavens.
Such a prodigy, once an enemy, could not be allowed to live.
As Liu Qingsong finished speaking.
He gripped his soft sword, his tendons vibrating as he charged toward Jiang Ning with unstoppable momentum.
With the explosive power of his legs, the water beneath his feet felt like solid ground.
The water in front of him parted as he advanced.
"This is... a forbidden technique!!" Jiang Ning's eyes narrowed.
"I can't block this!!" he realized instantly.
From Liu Qingsong's current display, Jiang Ning knew that Liu Qingsong's strength had increased by at least 30-50%.
This increase was in all aspects of his physical abilities.
If Jiang Ning had been able to hold his own earlier thanks to the advantage of the environment, now, with Liu Qingsong using a forbidden technique, he stood no chance.
Thinking this, Jiang Ning looked at Liu Qingsong, who was rapidly closing the distance and sighed softly.
"It's time to end this!!"
"What?" Hearing Jiang Ning's words, Liu Qingsong was momentarily stunned.
In the next moment.
He felt the water around him undergo a drastic change.
The previously calm water now churned around him, flowing downward from above.
At the same time, the water beneath his feet became soft and spongy, making it difficult for him to exert force.
Now.
Despite being only a few feet away from Jiang Ning, it felt like an insurmountable distance.
No matter how he struggled, he found himself unable to escape this confined space.
It was as if an invisible cage had trapped him.
"What kind of technique is this??" Liu Qingsong looked at Jiang Ning, ceasing his struggles.
Jiang Ning seemed not to hear Liu Qingsong's question, showing no reaction.
He truly didn't.
This was his first time experimenting with using his water manipulation ability to create a water prison.
Such a precise manipulation required his full concentration.
On the other side.
Seeing Jiang Ning's indifferent attitude, Liu Qingsong sighed inwardly.
He knew he wouldn't get an answer from Jiang Ning.
Then.
He silently adjusted his stance.
After a breath.
Boom
A loud rumble came from within his body as his muscles and tendons tensed.
With a stomp of his feet.
He unleashed his full strength.
Boom
The force was like a bomb exploding underwater.
The water couldn't absorb much of the impact before it was blasted apart.
The powerful recoil sent Liu Qingsong's body flying upward, soaring several feet into the air.
I'm out!!!
Feeling the change in the water around him, Liu Qingsong was filled with excitement.
The joy of escaping certain death filled his heart.
In all his years, he had never felt such elation.
However, in the next moment.
Liu Qingsong's heart sank as if plunging into an abyss.
Despair had never been so overwhelming.
Because he realized that the invisible water prison he had just broken free from with all his strength had reappeared around him.
Moreover, he felt his condition deteriorating rapidly.
The Blood-Burning Forbidden Technique, which he could sustain for a dozen or so breaths in his youth, was now much harder to maintain.
As he aged, his body could no longer endure the strain of burning his blood and qi.
Even more deadly, he felt he was nearing the limit of how long he could hold his breath.
Realizing this, he suddenly understood.
This was why Jiang Ning had lured him into the water earlier.
After a long while.
Jiang Ning quietly looked at Liu Qingsong's lifeless body floating before him, feeling a mix of emotions.
A seventh-grade martial artist was like a god in Luoshui County.
Why were the Cao, Liu, and Xie families able to dominate Luoshui County?
Having a seventh-grade martial artist was one of the key reasons.
And now, a seventh-grade expert from the Medicine King Valley had fallen by his hand.
"Is this the power of a divine ability?" Jiang Ning murmured.
[Water Manipulation]: A divine ability that grants innate, albeit weak, control over water.
He glanced at this trait again, thinking to himself, "Even a weak control over water allows me to easily defeat an otherwise invincible opponent in the water."
"The power of divine abilities is truly terrifying!!"
Then Jiang Ning approached Liu Qingsong's body and gently closed his wide-open eyes.
Liu Qingsong had died with great unwillingness, and Jiang Ning knew this.
No one would accept such a death drowning underwater with peace.
Especially not someone of Liu Qingsong's status.
After this battle, Jiang Ning had a rough understanding of the strength of a seventh-grade expert.
On land, he would have no chance against Liu Qingsong.
Whether in speed, explosive power, or combat experience, he would be completely outmatched.
Not to mention, Liu Qingsong, as a seasoned seventh-grade expert, had mastered numerous techniques.
If he used that forbidden technique, Jiang Ning would be defeated in just a few moves.
"Seventh-grade martial artists are not to be trifled with lightly," Jiang Ning thought to himself.
Then.
He began to loot the bodies of Liu Qingsong and the two eighth-grade experts.
After a while.
The three bodies were tied to a large rock, which slowly sank to the bottom of the lake. The bodies of Liu Qingsong and the others gradually disappeared into the dark depths.
"This should ensure no one finds these bodies," Jiang Ning thought, glancing at the dark abyss below before turning to leave.
Not long after.
East Courtyard.
His residence was now silent.
Following his earlier instructions, Jiang Li and his family of four had gone to the martial arts school.
By now, they should have arrived.
So Jiang Ning was in no hurry.
Sorting through the loot from Liu Qingsong and the others was his priority.
Then, Jiang Ning laid out the items he had taken from Liu Qingsong and the two eighth-grade experts on the table.
A few bottles and jars, some silver notes and coins, including two gold leaves.
Aside from these, there was also a piece of parchment and a soft sword.
The soft sword was Liu Qingsong's weapon.
The loot from Liu Qingsong and the others wasn't much.
This was normal, Jiang Ning thought, as people traveling light wouldn't carry much.
Most people only brought money and weapons when going out.
He glanced over the items. The money and weapons didn't need much attention.
What mattered were the bottles and jars, as well as the parchment.
Then, Jiang Ning picked up a jade bottle.
Strength-Boosting Pill.
He read the label and felt a surge of joy.
He had heard of this pill. It was an excellent supplementary pill for eighth-grade Divine Strength experts.
It had a remarkable effect on strengthening muscles.
This pill was also produced by the Medicine King Valley.
"This is good!" Jiang Ning glanced at the other bottles and jars.
There were four bottles containing Strength-Boosting Pills.
"These must be the daily supplements for those two eighth-grade experts," he thought.
Jiang Ning opened one bottle, poured out two pills, and popped them into his mouth, chewing them like candy.
"Tastes good!" Jiang Ning nodded, storing the four bottles of Strength-Boosting Pills.
Then he glanced at the labels on the other jars.
"Healing pills? Not worth much," Jiang Ning set the healing pills aside.
Then he picked up the parchment.
[Furnace Alchemy Technique]
Jiang Ning read the opening lines of the parchment, then looked further down.
The parchment was covered in small, tadpole-like characters.
[Literacy Experience +1]
[Literacy Experience +1]
[Literacy Experience +1]
[...]
In less than half the time it took to drink a cup of tea, he finished reading.
Then, his gaze fell on the furnace depicted at the bottom of the parchment.
He studied the image carefully, imprinting it in his mind.
Now, having finished reading the parchment, he understood what it contained.
It was a secret technique.
A unique technique of the Medicine King Valley.
This technique was simple to practice. As long as one could fully visualize the furnace depicted on the parchment in their mind, they could master it.
The effect of this technique was also straightforward.
It assisted the body in absorbing and refining pills.
When needed, one would visualize the furnace in their mind.
Then, using their blood and qi as fuel, they would activate the furnace to refine the pill.
This allowed the pill to be quickly absorbed, releasing its full potency.
The main feature of this technique was that it increased the absorption rate of pills and reduced the buildup of medicinal toxins.
Normally, the potency of a pill was difficult to fully absorb.
An average person could only absorb about 20-30%.
Those with better constitutions could absorb more, whether from pills or natural treasures.
This technique could also increase the absorption rate of pills and reduce the accumulation of medicinal toxins.
All pills, no matter how effective or valuable, contain some level of toxicity.
Over time, this buildup could have severe negative effects on the body.
After understanding the secret technique on the parchment, Jiang Ning felt a surge of joy.
The Furnace Alchemy Technique was an extremely practical technique for him at this stage.
"Let's give it a try," Jiang Ning thought.
Then he sat cross-legged on the ground and closed his eyes.
In his mind, the furnace depicted on the parchment appeared in perfect detail.
At this moment, his photographic memory was on full display.
What was the most difficult step for others was as easy as drinking water for him.
The other requirement for this technique was the ability to use spiritual energy to inspect one's body, which was a basic requirement for mastering this technique.
And now, Jiang Ning possessed both.
In the next moment.
Jiang Ning focused his spiritual energy and began visualizing the furnace.
Boom
In his visualization, the furnace was suddenly engulfed in roaring flames, emitting intense heat.
At this moment, if someone were nearby, they would feel Jiang Ning radiating heat like a blazing fire.
The air around him seemed to distort, as if amid a scorching summer.
Time passed breath by breath.
In just a few dozen breaths, Jiang Ning stopped visualizing the furnace and opened his eyes.
"What a staggering consumption!" Jiang Ning was inwardly shocked.
Now, he felt that the blood and qi in his body had been greatly depleted.
The consumption was comparable to several hours of martial arts practice.
Then, he inspected his body, feeling the changes within.
Earlier, he had swallowed two Strength-Boosting Pills. He wanted to see how the pills had been refined by the Furnace Alchemy Technique.
Upon inspection, he immediately saw a pool of pure medicinal liquid in his abdomen.
"Is this the refined essence of the Strength-Boosting Pills?" Jiang Ning wondered.
Just then.
"What's that..." His heart tightened.
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