Chapter 130: Officially Becoming a Direct Disciple!
Chapter 130: Officially Becoming a Direct Disciple!
At the Canglang Martial Academy.
After Jiang Ning and Xiao Peng's intense battle concluded, some time passed before the initiation banquet could take place with the arrival of several esteemed guests.
"Disciple Zhou Xing!"
"Disciple Zhao Hu!"
"Disciple Zhang Tie Sheng!"
"Disciple Li Qing!"
"Disciple Jiang Ning!"
In unison, the five of them offered tea to Wang Jin, respectfully addressing him as "Master."
Wang Jin beamed with joy, exclaiming, "Excellent! Excellent!"
He eagerly accepted the tea from each of them, taking a generous sip from every cup.
Cheng Ran, observing from below, felt a surge of envy witnessing this scene.
Initially, he had assumed that Wang Jin's fifth direct disciple would either be him or Xiao Peng, believing there was no other candidate within the academy.
However, as Jiang Ning repeatedly surpassed his expectations, Cheng Ran gradually realized that Jiang Ning was more competitive than both of them.
Today's events confirmed this.
Jiang Ning's strength had long surpassed that of Xiao Peng and even his own.
Even though Cheng Ran had reached the Ninth Stage of the Martial Dao, he understood that the gap between him and Jiang Ning would only widen.
Jiang Ning's single strike not only crushed Xiao Peng's hopes but also left Cheng Ran feeling utterly hopeless.
Xiao Peng couldn't parry such a straightforward attack, and Cheng Ran knew he couldn't either.
There was no difference between them.
As the initiation banquet concluded, the crowd dispersed.
On this day, witnessed by over ten prominent figures, Jiang Ning and the other four became Wang Jin's direct disciples.
In Daxia, the bond between master and disciple was as strong as that between father and son.
Sometimes, the legacy passed down was even more crucial than blood ties.
With the initiation banquet concluded, Wang Jin's five direct disciples symbolized his heritage.
Normally, no one would dare harm a disciple after an initiation banquet.
If such an incident occurred, it would spark an irreconcilable hatred.
A grudge that could end a family line.
However, today, Jiang Ning realized that the status he had desperately sought before seemed to hold less significance for him now.
At the Welcoming Pavilion.
On the second floor, in a private room overlooking the lake.
"Congratulations, Brother Jiang, on becoming Master Wang's direct disciple!" Cheng Ran raised his cup.
Jiang Ning clinked his cup with Cheng Ran's, saying, "Apologies, Brother Cheng! I took this opportunity from you!"
Cheng Ran shook his head slightly, saying, "Even without Brother Jiang's sudden emergence, I wouldn't have stood a chance against Xiao Peng. Although I entered the Ninth Stage of the Martial Dao a few days before him, my martial arts skills, especially in fist techniques, are clearly a notch below his."
"I've only mastered the Tiger Form Fist, which doesn't meet Master Wang's expectations!" Cheng Ran confessed.
He then emptied his cup in one gulp.
Jiang Ning did the same.
Afterward, as Cheng Ran refilled their cups, he sighed.
"Today, after witnessing Brother Jiang's two strikes, I truly understood the meaning of 'Prodigy.'"
"I can't predict Brother Jiang's future in the Martial Dao, but I know I can only look up to him."
"I once considered myself a martial arts genius, but now I realize that my so-called genius pales in comparison to true prodigies."
Jiang Ning raised his cup, saying, "Why the sudden melancholy, Brother Cheng? Everyone has their own path. I was fortunate to receive help from several esteemed individuals."
Cheng Ran shook his head and said, "I've made up my mind! I won't focus on martial arts anymore!"
Jiang Ning, startled, asked in surprise, "Not practice martial arts? What will you do then?"
Cheng Ran explained, "In these past months, I've exhausted my family's savings of over ten thousand talents of silver, striving to reach the Ninth Stage of the Martial Dao. Now, our resources are limited!"
"With limited talent, continuing to focus on martial arts will only get harder. I'll likely plateau at the Ninth Stage! It's not very meaningful to keep at it."
"In that case, it's better to focus on business, inherit the family's industry, and develop the two wine pavilions."
"Look, this wine pavilion is one of my family's foundations!"
"Once the business booms and I have money, I can hire a few more martial instructors!"
"When I have the funds, perhaps I can also donate some money and obtain an official position. That wouldn't be bad!"
Hearing Cheng Ran's plan, Jiang Ning asked, "Are you serious, Brother Cheng?"
"Yes!" Cheng Ran nodded. "I understand my talents and comprehension. No matter how hard I try, it's difficult to grasp Qi strength. Without mastering Qi strength, I'll forever be stuck at the Ninth Stage of Martial Dao."
"The Ninth Stage of Martial Dao is indeed impressive and powerful in the eyes of ordinary people."
"But when facing a well-equipped small team, with the release of a penetrating armor crossbow, they can easily take my life. It's not that significant."
"If I push myself to the limit, I still can't withstand a few penetrating armor arrows. What's the point?"
Chapter 69
Hearing Cheng Ran's earnest tone, Jiang Ning couldn't help but sigh.
"Since Brother Cheng has made up his mind, I won't offer much advice."
"I have a few good recipes here. Brother Cheng, give me some paper and pen, and I'll write them down for you."
"Oh?" Cheng Ran looked at Jiang Ning in surprise, then slowly nodded. "In that case, I'll thank you in advance, Brother Jiang!"
Soon after.
At the entrance of the Welcoming Pavilion.
"Brother Cheng, farewell for now!"
"Good!" Cheng Ran clasped his hands. "Take care, Brother Jiang!"
Jiang Ning said, "If there's anything I can help with in the future, come find me! We're good friends!"
Hearing these words, a smile appeared on Cheng Ran's face.
"Definitely!"
"With Brother Jiang's words, I won't hesitate to ask for help!"
The two looked at each other and laughed heartily.
After leaving the Welcoming Pavilion, Jiang Ning headed straight for the Wanhua Tower.
This time, he was going to buy more herb essence.
The fifty bottles of herb essence he purchased earlier were running low, and he only had a few days' worth left.
As his Five Beasts Fist broke through its limit.
Now, with each practice of the fist technique, he could condense ten strands of Qi and blood power.
The efficiency of strengthening Qi and blood had doubled compared to before, naturally increasing the strain on his body.
Without the support of medicinal supplements, he couldn't sustain this level of training for many days.
Additionally, the efficiency of refining the skin layer had also skyrocketed.
As a result, the consumption of herb essence naturally increased significantly.
Therefore, to ensure he could continue focusing on martial arts training, Jiang Ning also planned to buy more medicinal supplements with great restorative effects for his body.
As he walked, Jiang Ning muttered to himself, "I exchanged my gold leaves for silver bills, and I still have one thousand nine hundred talents of silver!"
"Later, I also want to go to the armory outside the city to buy a good sword that can withstand the force!"
"According to what Director Han said the other day, the best weapons in Lo Shui County are in the armory outside the city."
"Weapons can't be compromised, so I should set aside at least one thousand talents of silver for them. Therefore, I can only use nine hundred talents of silver to purchase herb essence."
"According to Wanhua Tower's prices, one bottle of herb essence costs thirty talents of silver."
"With the VIP card that Shen Congyun gave me, I can get a 20% discount on all purchases, so it's twenty-four talents per bottle."
"So I can still buy thirty-seven bottles."
Thinking of this, Jiang Ning murmured, "Let's round it up. I'll buy forty bottles. With the remaining nine hundred and eighty talents of silver, buying a good sword should be enough!"
Soon after.
Leaving the Wanhua Tower.
Jiang Ning's hands were empty, but the forty bottles of herb essence he wanted had already been purchased.
Wanhua Tower would specially send someone to deliver them to his residence later, so he didn't have to worry.
Jiang Ning also had great trust in Wanhua Tower.
Afterward, he took a carriage from the entrance and headed for the armory outside the city.
(End of Chapter)
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