Several days later.
Jiang Ning drew his bow, aiming at the surface of the lake.
In an instant, the bowstring was pulled to its full draw.
Then.
Twang
He released his fingers, and the bowstring vibrated, producing a loud crack.
A visible white mist appeared in the air.
In the next moment.
Boom
The air was torn apart as the arrow shot through, creating waves of white air currents.
Wherever the air currents passed, the previously calm lake surface was split open, forming a waterway.
The ripples spread outward along the path of the arrow.
One breath later.
The arrow had already traveled two miles.
Yet, the arrow continued to produce thunderous sounds, tearing through the air and creating white air currents.
Another breath later, the arrow finally lost its supersonic speed, its kinetic energy diminishing.
One more breath later.
The arrow plunged diagonally into the water.
[Name]: Jiang Ning
[Source Energy]: 15.3
[Skill]: Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique (Perfection 1/2000)
"So powerful!!!" Jiang Ning exclaimed inwardly as he glanced at his status panel.
This was the first time he had drawn the bow to its limit after mastering the Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique.
Breaking the sound barrier.
Just this alone matched the terrifying effect of Cao Rong's archery that day.
Moreover, his arrow maintained its supersonic speed for a longer duration than Cao Rong's arrow.
"Is this the power of the perfected Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique, the effect of the perfected Wind and Thunder Force?" Jiang Ning marveled again.
After mastering the Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique, he discovered that he had gained the Wind and Thunder Force mentioned in the manual.
It was this special force that gave the Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique its terrifying power.
As the Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique improved, the Wind and Thunder Force grew stronger.
Now that the technique had reached perfection, the Wind and Thunder Force had reached an incredible level.
It was this force, infused into the arrow, that created such a fearsome effect.
According to the Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique manual, when the Wind and Thunder Force was infused into an arrow, it could last for a certain duration depending on the strength of the force.
Currently, his Wind and Thunder Force could last in the arrow for about two breaths.
During this time, if the arrow hit anything, the Wind and Thunder Force would explode, creating a deafening roar and a powerful blast.
It was like a thunderclap on a clear day, the roar of thunder descending from the heavens.
This was the origin of the "thunder" in the Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique.
"Mid-level martial arts are indeed far beyond what lower-level martial arts can achieve!" Jiang Ning sighed inwardly after experiencing the perfected Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique.
Then, he drew the bow again.
When the bowstring was fully drawn.
Crack
The wooden bow suddenly snapped in half.
Jiang Ning looked at the broken bow in his hands and shook his head.
"It seems this bow is done for!"
He casually tossed the broken bow aside.
Over the past few days, he had already ruined several bows like this.
The high-intensity drawing and shooting were too much for these ordinary bows to handle.
Especially with his current strength, even a slight overexertion could cause irreparable damage to the bow.
Jiang Ning could feel that if he had a more suitable bow and better arrows, the arrows infused with the perfected Wind and Thunder Force would be even more terrifying.
He took out another bow and continued practicing.
Although the Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique had reached perfection, his goal didn't stop there.
This skill's experience points were easy to gain.
So, it was only natural to push it further.
After breaking through, the Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique would undoubtedly become even more powerful.
Twang
Twang
Twang
He drew and shot arrows repeatedly.
[Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique Experience +1]
[Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique Experience +1]
[Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique Experience +1]
[...]
Notifications kept appearing before his eyes.
Seeing the experience points on his status panel continuously increasing, Jiang Ning felt even more motivated and didn't feel tired at all.
The changes and new traits that would come after breaking through filled him with anticipation.
Early the next morning.
Twang
The arrow shot through the air.
Boom
The arrow struck a reef, producing a thunderous roar like a sudden clap of thunder on a clear day. Rubble flew in all directions.
The reef, which had been as tall as a person, was now significantly shorter.
Jiang Ning retrieved the arrow and looked to the side.
He saw Feng Jiuge standing on the shore, her mouth agape and her eyes wide with shock.
"Jiuge, what brings you here?" Jiang Ning asked.
This question snapped Feng Jiuge out of her daze.
"Sir, that arrow of yours..." Feng Jiuge began, hesitating and unable to finish her sentence.
"What about my arrow?" Jiang Ning asked.
Feng Jiuge swallowed hard. "It was... divine!"
Jiang Ning smiled noncommittally.
He had sensed Feng Jiuge's arrival before she saw him.
And this arrow, though slightly restrained, was deliberately shown to her.
He hadn't been to the Inspector's Office for several days, having been secluded to practice archery.
Although Feng Jiuge was under his command, there was no guarantee she wouldn't have other thoughts.
In such a situation, the more strength he displayed, the more firmly Feng Jiuge would follow him.
No one wanted to follow a weakling with no future.
But everyone wanted to follow a strong leader with a bright future.
As long as he was strong enough, even if he didn't show up often, Feng Jiuge would be less likely to betray him.
Composing himself, Jiang Ning said, "Jiuge, since you're here at this time, is there something important at the Inspector's Office?"
"Not really," Feng Jiuge shook her head, then added, "Sir, have you forgotten the matter we discussed a few days ago? Exchanging the Surging Waves Saber Technique for my family's Blazing Spear Technique?"
Hearing this, Jiang Ning suddenly remembered.
He patted his head. "I did forget. I've been so focused on archery practice these past few days that it slipped my mind."
Then, he added, "I have the Surging Waves Saber Technique manual with me."
As he spoke, Jiang Ning pretended to reach into his chest and pulled out a blue booklet.
On the cover of the booklet were the words:
[Surging Waves Saber Technique]
Then, Jiang Ning leaped into the air, landing on the shore several feet above, appearing in front of Feng Jiuge.
"This is the mid-level martial art, Surging Waves Saber Technique."
At this moment, Feng Jiuge took the blue booklet but looked at Jiang Ning with a strange expression.
When she had arrived earlier, she had noticed that Jiang Ning had been in the water.
But this booklet, as soon as she touched it, she knew it wasn't made of waterproof material.
Under such circumstances, if Jiang Ning had carried this booklet into the water, it would have been stained with water.
But she didn't see any water stains on the booklet.
This made her recall that night a few days ago.
During the raid on the Cao family, she remembered that Jiang Ning hadn't been carrying a weapon, but when the black figure attacked, Jiang Ning had suddenly drawn a long saber to counter.
After the battle, she had secretly observed.
At some point, the long saber had disappeared from Jiang Ning's hands.
Now, seeing this booklet's peculiar condition, her gaze subtly fell on the dark black ring on Jiang Ning's finger.
Feng Jiuge's heart tightened.
Then, she also took out a brand-new booklet from her chest.
"Sir, this is my family's Blazing Spear Technique. Please take a look!" Feng Jiuge said.
Jiang Ning took the booklet from Feng Jiuge and began flipping through it on the spot.
He immediately entered a state of deep focus.
[Literacy Experience +1]
[Literacy Experience +1]
[Literacy Experience +1]
[...]
Seeing this, Feng Jiuge stood silently beside him for a while.
Then, she also began flipping through the Surging Waves Saber Technique in her hands.
In the blink of an eye.
About half an hour later.
Jiang Ning slowly closed the book.
[Skill]: Blazing Spear Technique (Uninitiated 0/10)
After glancing at his status panel, Jiang Ning nodded slightly, then directly stored the Blazing Spear Technique manual in his Sumeru Ring.
Feng Jiuge's actions, micro-expressions, and gaze hadn't escaped his notice.
He knew that Feng Jiuge had probably guessed he possessed a Sumeru Ring, so he decided not to hide it anymore.
Although the Sumeru Ring was precious.
As previously mentioned, using it required many prerequisites.
Not only did one need mental energy that was tangible and could be projected outward, but one also needed the so-called "immortal root" or "spiritual wisdom."
Therefore, the Sumeru Ring wasn't something just anyone could use.
Jiang Ning had also realized that even if someone knew he had a Sumeru Ring, there was no need to worry too much.
The saying "a common man's wealth is his ruin" only applied to the truly weak.
He was no longer weak.
With several divine abilities, a perfected mid-level archery technique, seventh-grade martial arts strength, and mastery of internal breath, he could surpass even someone like Wang Jin, a peak seventh-grade martial artist.
Moreover, in Jiang Ning's view, those stronger than him would undoubtedly know the origins and requirements of the Sumeru Ring.
After all, this wasn't some top-secret information. Even Feng Jiuge knew about it.
As for those who didn't understand and coveted his Sumeru Ring, their strength was likely inferior to his.
For these reasons, he had nothing to fear.
Since Feng Jiuge had guessed it, he decided not to hide it anymore.
However, this scene shocked Feng Jiuge deeply.
Earlier, she had only speculated, but Jiang Ning's actions now confirmed her guess.
"Sir possesses an immortal root??" Feng Jiuge was utterly shocked.
Then she thought to herself, "No wonder Sir's talent is so high. Possessing an immortal root, in ancient times, would have given him the qualifications to become an immortal."
Feng Jiuge was momentarily stunned, then snapped out of it.
"Sir, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now?"
"Alright," Jiang Ning nodded slightly, then added, "If anything comes up at the office, come find me here. I'll continue my training here."
"Yes, sir!" Feng Jiuge replied.
After Feng Jiuge left.
Jiang Ning checked his status panel.
[Name]: Jiang Ning
[Source Energy]: 18.5
[Skills]:
Surging Waves Saber Technique (Advanced 151/1000)
Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique (Perfection 1673/2000)
Blazing Spear Technique (Uninitiated 0/10)
"The Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique is still over 300 experience points away from meeting the requirements for the first breakthrough. I'll focus on maxing out this skill's experience first!"
With this in mind.
Jiang Ning continued to draw and shoot arrows.
Twang
Twang
Twang
[Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique Experience +1]
[Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique Experience +1]
[Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique Experience +1]
[...]
As he continued to draw and shoot arrows, the experience points for the Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique kept increasing.
In the blink of an eye.
By the afternoon.
Twang
[Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique Experience +1]
Another arrow was shot, and the experience points for the Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique increased by one.
[Skill]: Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique (Perfection 2000/2000)
"Finally maxed out! Now, all I need is Source Energy points! If I'm not mistaken, the first breakthrough for a mid-level martial art requires 100 Source Energy points, just like the Five Animals Fist."
"That means, as long as I reach 100 Source Energy points, I can perform the first breakthrough for the Wind and Thunder Arrow Technique!" Jiang Ning thought to himself.
[Source Energy Points]: 18.5
"Now, I'm just over 80 points short. That's not difficult. I just need to buy some rare treasures and spend some money!"
[Skill]: Surging Waves Saber Technique (Advanced 151/1000)
Blazing Spear Technique (Uninitiated 0/10)
Then, he glanced at his status panel again.
"No rush. I'll wait until I've perfected the Surging Waves Saber Technique and the Blazing Spear Technique, and my strength has significantly improved, before preparing for this!"
Having made up his mind.
Jiang Ning stored the bow in his Sumeru Ring, then leaped into the water with a splash.
Once fully submerged, Jiang Ning felt as comfortable as a fish in water, completely relaxed.
His body, nourished by the water, quickly reached its peak condition.
In the next moment.
He swam like a dragon, swiftly moving through the water.
This speed was no slower than his speed on land.
Especially underwater, within a radius of one mile, everything was under his control.
It was as if he had a god's perspective.
"This feels amazing!!"
This sense of complete control, like having a god's perspective, filled Jiang Ning with satisfaction.
This sense of security far surpassed what he felt on land.
"In the water, I'm at my strongest!" Jiang Ning thought to himself.
A moment later.
He arrived at the hidden reef near the deserted island.
This place, due to its unique terrain, had strong winds and turbulent waves.
The surface of the water was rough, and underwater, there were strong undercurrents constantly crashing against the reef, creating waves.
Coming here, Jiang Ning was reminded of Tian Buyi, the "Dragon of the River."
Back then, he had been practicing his saber here when he coincidentally encountered the injured Tian Buyi.
From Tian Buyi, he had gained a great opportunity.
Two Leopard Fetus Body Transformation Pills.
"Speaking of which, Tian Buyi has been quite helpful to me in reaching my current level!"
"Now, I just wonder what the Medicine King Valley's attitude toward me is. Have they fully figured out that I was the one who did it?"
Thinking of this, Jiang Ning fell into deep thought for a moment.
Then, he shook his head and chuckled.
"Forget it!"
"Thinking about this is pointless!"
"As long as I'm strong enough, the Medicine King Valley won't pose much of a threat to me!"
Having made up his mind, Jiang Ning quickly adjusted his state.
He began practicing his saber underwater.
[Surging Waves Saber Technique Experience +1]
[Surging Waves Saber Technique Experience +1]
[Surging Waves Saber Technique Experience +1]
[...]
As he practiced his saber, the experience points for the Surging Waves Saber Technique kept increasing!
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