Luo River.
Beneath the turbulent surface of the lake.
Boom
Jiang Ning swung his blade, and the nine layers of accumulated force within him erupted explosively.
The lake water split into two, creating a visible vacuum in the water that lingered for a long time.
Even as undercurrents surged toward it, they were instantly divided by this vacuum.
After a full breath.
The vacuum created by the blade strike gradually disappeared, and the water quickly filled the void.
[Surging Waves Saber Technique Experience +1]
[Skill]: Surging Waves Saber Technique (Perfection 1/2000)
Looking at his status panel, Jiang Ning felt a surge of satisfaction.
In just two days, his Surging Waves Saber Technique had advanced from mastery to perfection.
If he were to tell anyone about this, who would believe it?
He then sheathed his blade and clenched his fist.
In an instant.
Force gathered and accumulated within him like a tidal wave.
"With nine layers of force overlay, my explosive power has doubled!"
"And my body can now fully withstand such bursts of power."
At this moment, Jiang Ning could feel three distinct forces within him.
The first force was calm and balanced, derived from the perfection of his Five Animals Fist.
After breaking through its limits, he felt it was more appropriate to name it the Five Elements Force.
In the Five Animals Fist, the ape represented fire, the bear represented earth, and the deer represented water.
Originally, the concept of the five elements was just a theory within the Five Animals Fist, a philosophical idea.
However, after the first breakthrough, this theory began to manifest in reality.
Now, he could feel that his internal organs were gradually dividing into the five elements, and as they did so, they seemed to naturally absorb a certain essence from the world.
Under the nourishment of this essence, he could feel his organs growing stronger every day.
[Essence Stored in the Five Organs]: Essence is stored within the five organs, causing them to strengthen autonomously.
Looking at this trait on his status panel, Jiang Ning felt a deep sense of realization.
Over the past few days, even when he wasn't actively cultivating, the strengthening of his organs had caused his internal energy to grow continuously.
Now, his internal energy had become much more robust, reaching over two hundred strands.
This energy gathered like mist in his dantian.
He then glanced at the skills section of his panel.
[Skill]: Internal Alchemy Cultivation Technique (Proficiency 245/5000)
Through his relentless efforts over the past few days, his Internal Alchemy Cultivation Technique gained over 200 experience points.
Jiang Ning also noticed that after several days of absorbing solar essence, his organs had strengthened further, increasing the efficiency of his cultivation. The experience points he gained each day had also risen compared to previous days.
He clearly remembered that on the first day of absorbing solar essence, he had gained 33 experience points for the Internal Alchemy Cultivation Technique.
Today, he had gained 35 points, showing clear progress.
This indicated that as his organs continued to strengthen, his efficiency in absorbing solar essence would only increase.
He then turned his attention to the other two forces within him.
One force was wild and violent, like a roaring thunderstorm.
This was the Wind and Thunder Force, derived from the perfection of his Wind and Thunder Archery Technique.
Compared to the Five Elements Force, this force was significantly more powerful and destructive.
It was this Wind and Thunder Force that gave the Wind and Thunder Archery Technique its immense killing power.
The third force was like a raging flood, layer upon layer, surging and powerful.
This was the Nine-Layered Force.
The interplay of these three forces within him filled Jiang Ning with confidence.
If he were to face Cao Rong now, he could crush him and eliminate this potential threat.
After a moment, Jiang Ning calmed his restless heart.
"No rush! Cao Rong is still in the military camp in Dongling County."
"The best time to act will be when he leaves the camp and comes to Luoshui County."
Having made up his mind, Jiang Ning got up and headed to the Inspection Bureau.
He planned to ask Feng Jiuge to keep an eye on Cao Rong's movements.
Feng Jiuge's father was a military man, so she might be able to help him with this.
As for Xie Xiaojiu, as a daughter of the Xie family, she could also use her family's resources to monitor Cao Rong's activities.
If he had connections, he needed to use them.
If he relied solely on himself, how could he keep track of Cao Rong's movements?
If Cao Rong arrived in Luoshui County without his knowledge, it would have been a real problem.
With Cao Rong in the shadows and himself in the open, the threat would be immense.
A peak seventh-grade divine archer posed too great a danger.
Arrows that could break the sound barrier meant that one couldn't rely on hearing to detect an attack.
The hearing would be useless.
This was the terror of a divine archer.
An ordinary martial artist would be helpless against such an archer's sneak attack.
Unless one's spiritual power had grown to a certain level, allowing them to develop a sixth sense and avoid danger without seeing or hearing it.
But even Jiang Ning hadn't fully reached that level yet.
A few hours later.
Jiang Ning returned to the rocky shore.
After visiting the Inspection Bureau, Feng Jiuge readily agreed to his request.
As soon as Cao Rong made any moves, she would report them to him.
Hearing Feng Jiuge's assurance, Jiang Ning felt much more at ease.
He then went to see Xie Xiaojiu.
Xie Xiaojiu also promised him that the Xie family would closely monitor Cao Rong's movements.
If they discovered any trace of Cao Rong, they would inform him immediately.
With their assurances, Jiang Ning felt reassured and returned to the rocky shore to continue his training.
Now that he had obtained the Blazing Spear Technique, he naturally wanted to practice it thoroughly.
He wanted to see if he could master the advanced martial arts that Wang Jin had mentioned.
Having witnessed the power of intermediate martial arts, Jiang Ning was even more eager to explore the potential of advanced martial arts.
Soon after.
Jiang Ning stood on a waterlogged reef.
With a wave of his hand, a long spear appeared in his grasp.
[Blazing Spear Technique Experience +1]
[Blazing Spear Technique Experience +1]
[Blazing Spear Technique Experience +1]
[...]
As he began practicing the spear, he felt his experience points rapidly increasing.
The rate of growth was no slower than that of the Surging Waves Saber Technique.
Seeing the notifications before him, Jiang Ning's worries were completely put to rest.
At this rate, it wouldn't be long before the Blazing Spear Technique reached perfection.
The sun rose and set.
The moon rose and fell.
In the blink of an eye, several days had passed.
During these days, Jiang Ning hadn't left the rocky shore, paying no attention to the changes in Luoshui County.
Martial arts remained his top priority.
As long as he was strong enough, he could easily handle any external changes.
However, Luoshui County was far from peaceful.
The entire Cao family had been imprisoned, and the resources they once controlled had been completely divided and consumed.
But after the death of the Worship Sect's leader, the remaining members of the sect in Luoshui County were left leaderless.
One after another, their hideouts were discovered and eradicated by the Inspection Bureau.
Dealing with the Worship Sect was now the Inspection Bureau's top priority.
In troubled times, religious sects were most likely to stir up the people and incite rebellion.
Any rebellion would shake the foundations of the Great Xia Empire.
It was now night.
The Inspection Bureau was still brightly lit.
Sitting in the pavilion, Hong Minghu was deep in thought.
"Commander Ye, how should we handle this?" Hong Minghu pointed to the invitation on the table, frowning.
Ye Qiu also furrowed his brow.
"I didn't expect the Yellow Heaven Sect to come here to spread their teachings. This is a big problem!"
Hong Minghu nodded. "Indeed, it's a big problem. With the Worship Sect, we could just eradicate them. But the Yellow Heaven Sect... it's not wise to move against them now."
"True," Ye Qiu agreed. "The Yellow Heaven Sect has already spread across five provinces and twenty-three prefectures of the Great Xia Empire. Half the empire has its followers! Moreover, the Yellow Heaven Sect's teachings promote goodness. Wherever they go, they heal the sick and help the needy, never committing any evil deeds. Without orders from above, it's hard to take action against them."
"Most importantly, the leader of the Yellow Heaven Sect is a remarkable figure, on par with the Imperial Preceptor. He has even debated with the heads of Taoism at Mount Yu Xu and Buddhism at the Diamond Temple."
"That leader is one of the world's top grandmasters, and it's said that he once received guidance from the Martial Saint."
"The Yellow Heaven Sect is not something we can easily deal with."
Hearing this, Hong Minghu's frown deepened.
After a few moments of silence.
He said, "I wonder what the higher-ups are thinking, allowing the Yellow Heaven Sect to grow so powerful. If the Yellow Heaven Sect were to incite a rebellion, the entire empire would be thrown into chaos."
Ye Qiu nodded in agreement. "That's a very real possibility."
Then, Ye Qiu added, "Commander, how should we handle this Yellow Heaven Sect's leader?"
Hong Minghu replied, "The leaders of the Yellow Heaven Sect are all genuine fifth-grade experts, possibly no weaker than me. We'll have to meet with him and see what his intentions are."
Ye Qiu nodded. "In that case, I'll arrange for the leader to meet with you tomorrow."
"Good," Hong Minghu nodded slightly. "Also, invite the other three commanders to join us."
"And..." Hong Minghu thought for a moment. "Have the four deputy commanders attend as well."
"Yes, Commander!" Ye Qiu responded.
Meanwhile.
Under the bright moonlight, Jiang Ning stood barefoot on a reef submerged in the lake.
As the lake breeze blew, the water lapped against his legs, bringing a refreshing coolness.
In the next moment.
Jiang Ning swung his spear.
The spear in his hand danced like a dragon.
In that instant, it seemed as though flames ignited.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
One strike after another fell on the water's surface like a torrential downpour.
The water erupted, and white spray scattered in all directions.
The Nine-Fold Fire Force within him burst forth wildly.
After a few breaths, Jiang Ning sheathed his spear and stood still.
[Skill]: Blazing Spear Technique (Perfection 0/2000)
Looking at his status panel, Jiang Ning's brow furrowed.
He noticed that the Blazing Spear Technique entry was slowly fading as if it was about to disappear from his panel.
He quickly looked up and found the Surging Waves Saber Technique entry.
[Skill]: Surging Waves Saber Technique (Perfection 1/2000)
His eyes narrowed as he saw that this entry was also fading.
In the next moment.
He felt the two forces within him slowly merging as if becoming one.
Sensing this change, a flash of insight crossed Jiang Ning's mind.
"Could it be..." As this thought arose, a flood of information rushed into his mind.
He immediately closed his eyes and focused inward.
Half an hour later.
Swoosh
Swoosh
Swoosh
The night breeze stirred the lake, causing white waves to rise and fall.
Standing on the reef, Jiang Ning was as still as a pine tree.
Suddenly.
He opened his eyes.
[Skill]: Water-Fire True Force (Proficiency 13/500)
Seeing the change on his status panel, Jiang Ning felt a surge of joy.
From the information that had flooded his mind, he learned that after mastering both the Surging Waves Saber Technique and the Blazing Spear Technique, and achieving perfection in the Nine-Layered Force and the Nine-Fold Fire Force, he had a chance to grasp a spark of insight and deduce this advanced martial art: the Water-Fire True Force.
Just now, having met the requirements, he had skipped the process and directly merged the two forces, allowing him to comprehend this advanced martial art.
Jiang Ning opened his palm and felt the interplay of water and fire, the two fused forces circulating within him.
Then.
He placed his hand on a nearby reef and pressed lightly.
Without a sound.
The entire reef turned into fine sand, slowly flowing downward.
As the lake breeze blew, some of the sand was carried away, scattering across the lake.
"Is this the power of an advanced martial art?" Jiang Ning's eyes widened slightly as he observed the scene before him, inwardly shocked.
This level of destructive power was beyond his imagination.
The fusion of water and fire, two opposing forces, allowed him to experience the might of advanced martial arts.
The reef had been completely disintegrated by the interplay of these forces, turning into fine sand.
[Skill]: Water-Fire True Force (Proficiency 13/500)
He glanced at his status panel again.
"If the Water-Fire True Force is this powerful at proficiency level, how strong will it be at perfection?"
With this thought, Jiang Ning's drowsiness vanished.
He immediately began grinding experience points for this technique.
The Water-Fire True Force's experience points grew simply by continuously circulating and tempering the force.
This technique was an extreme method of refining force.
The higher the skill level, the stronger the force.
[Water-Fire True Force Experience +1]
[Water-Fire True Force Experience +1]
[Water-Fire True Force Experience +1]
[...]
It wasn't until late at night that Jiang Ning finally went to sleep.
The next morning.
He returned to the rocky shore to continue tempering this force.
After a night of training, he realized that refining this force was extremely taxing for him now.
His stamina and energy were quickly depleted.
If it weren't for the fact that being in the water allowed him to continuously recover, he wouldn't dare to refine this force without medicinal aids.
But now, things were different.
Being in the water was like being constantly nourished by medicine, allowing him to recover from all his exertions.
These auxiliary effects surpassed even the most precious medicines.
After all, all medicines had some toxicity.
If one used medicines without restraint, nobody could withstand it.
No matter how wealthy one was, no one dared to treat medicine like water.
But Jiang Ning didn't have to worry about such issues.
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