Chapter 154: The Power of the Cloud and Rain Summoning Technique

Chapter 154: The Power of the Cloud and Rain Summoning Technique

Jiang Ning stepped out of the house and into the courtyard. He looked up at the sky, where the morning light was faint and the air was filled with humidity from the nearby lake. Dew had formed on the bamboo leaves in the courtyard, glistening in the early morning light.

In an instant, Jiang Ning leaped and quickly scaled the wall, landing on a large rock at the Chaos Beach. The lake's surface was hazy, shrouded in mist, and visibility was poor.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning nodded in satisfaction. "No one around, a perfect opportunity!"

He stretched out his hand towards the lake and spread his five fingers. "Rise, clouds!"

In that moment, his words seemed to echo through the heavens. Clouds surged above the lake, gathering from all directions.

If someone were to look up, they would see the clouds gathering high in the sky, forming a thick, dark gray layer. The clouds continued to accumulate, gradually turning into black clouds.

A moment later, a crack of thunder pierced the sky, startling the roosters to crow and the dogs to bark. The sound of thunder woke many residents around Luoshui Lake from their sleep.

Another crack of thunder followed, as the clouds collided, piercing the sky once more.

People nearby stared at the distant black clouds in awe. Some fishermen rushed out of their houses, amazed and worried about the sudden change in the weather.

They were amazed because this was the first rain in months, and it was falling right on Luoshui Lake. But they were also worried because rainy days were not suitable for fishing at sea.

In such weather, a giant wave could easily sweep someone into the lake's depths, becoming fish food. Even with excellent swimming skills, it was dangerous to be out in such harsh conditions.

Jiang Ning knew that such a spectacle would attract attention. After all, with thunder in the sky, anyone would notice the unusual phenomenon above the lake.

Looking up at the rolling black clouds, Jiang Ning was secretly amazed. This was his first attempt, and he was already impressed by this Cloud and Rain Summoning Technique.

He had thought it would be difficult to perform, but now he realized that it came naturally to him, as if it were an innate ability. It only required a small amount of spiritual energy to invoke the rules of heaven and earth, causing the clouds to gather.

His physical state showed that using this technique only made him feel slightly drained, his mind a bit hazy, but otherwise unharmed.

At that moment, the clouds above had fully gathered. Thunder rumbled as they collided, and lightning occasionally flashed across the sky.

No one would have guessed that the stormy scene above Luoshui Lake was caused by a mere Eighth Rank Divine Strength Realm cultivator.

Jiang Ning looked up at the sky, where the gathered clouds covered about half of Luoshui County's city area. "A bit small, but it will do," Jiang Ning nodded.

His initial intention in testing the Cloud and Rain Summoning Technique was to create favorable conditions for himself. In the water, his body would recover at an accelerated rate.

In the heavy rain, he could enhance his senses further. The rain became an extension of his perception.

On land, his Water Manipulation Technique was difficult to use, and even when used, it was too noticeable. But in the rain, it was different.

The falling rain could also become a weapon in his hands.

In an instant, a downpour began as Jiang Ning focused his mind. The rain poured down, hitting the lake's surface and creating ripples. The calm lake now stirred with waves as the unexpected rain fell.

Feeling the rain on his skin, Jiang Ning was satisfied. "Not bad! About thirty percent of the effect I get in water!"

The thirty percent effect was extraordinary for him. And in the rain, his Water Manipulation Technique was even more powerful.

With a thought, the rain around him gathered, forming thin water needles that danced around him like spirit fish.

With a wave of his hand, the water needles shot out.

The dense water needles rained down on the nearby rocks like a heavy downpour.

Dudu—

The rocks shattered, instantly becoming riddled with holes and craters.

Not bad!

Jiang Ning nodded in satisfaction.

He was pleased with the impact of the water needles.

The fact that they could shatter the surface of the rocks meant that the water needles he manipulated with his Water Control Technique had enough power to injure a Martial Artist with a partially tempered skin.

This seemed useless at first glance.

After all, a partially tempered skin was merely as tough as rock.

Beyond that, there were higher levels, such as a fully tempered skin as hard as bronze.

Not to mention the even stronger bodies of Eighth Rank Martial Artists above the Ninth Rank, and Seventh Rank Martial Artists.

However, the human body had many weak points.

Even with an exceptionally strong physique, one was not invulnerable to blades and swords.

But the eyes, ears, and other orifices did not possess such strength.

Attacking these weak points with the power to shatter rocks would have unexpected effects.

After Jiang Ning left Chaos Beach, the clouds and rain that had enveloped the sky dissipated as quickly as they had come.

In an instant, the clouds parted, and the sky was clear and bright.

The residents around, witnessing this, couldn't help but marvel at the sight.

Returning to his courtyard, Jiang Ning shook the wine flask.

Dong-dong-dong—

He could hear the black stone inside the flask knocking against the walls.

Then, he opened the flask and peered inside.

The next moment, a glint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

In the wine, he saw several silver specks of starlight.

It was as if dazzling starlight had fallen into the wine, creating a mesmerizing and mysterious sight.

"Could that black stone truly be the source of the heavenly treasures I refined yesterday?"

With this thought, Jiang Ning raised the flask and gulped down a mouthful of wine.

Gulp—

As the wine flowed down his throat, he instantly felt the burning sensation of the strong liquor, dispelling the chill, and a warm feeling spreading throughout his body.

[Water Proficiency EXP +1]



"As expected! This black stone is indeed my most valuable find from yesterday!"

Jiang Ning was delighted to see this prompt.

The prompt confirmed his earlier speculation.

Without delay, he excitedly went to the ancient well in his courtyard.

He retrieved the White Dragonfish meat that he had placed in the well.

With a single slice, he cut off ten pounds of meat, then returned the remaining fish to the well.

Although the White Dragonfish was a special spirit fish that wouldn't spoil even if left indoors, the outdoor temperature was still too high during the day. Storing it in the well ensured the best possible taste.

Holding the ten pounds of White Dragonfish meat, Jiang Ning headed towards his room.

This ten pounds of White Dragonfish meat would be his breakfast for the day.

[Water Proficiency EXP +1]



[Water Proficiency EXP +1]



[Water Proficiency EXP +1]



.

Devouring the fish meat and drinking the wine, Jiang Ning watched as his Water Proficiency EXP continued to rise.

"Awesome!"

Jiang Ning felt more and more satisfied as he ate.

The freshness of the fish meat, combined with the fine wine, was a delightful experience.

Especially since this enjoyment also enhanced his strength.

As the sun hung high in the sky, Jiang Ning continued to absorb and expel the essence of the sun, and his Inner Alchemy Vitality Technique experience points steadily increased.

After a long time, Jiang Ning opened his eyes and slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air.

[Skill]: Inner Alchemy Vitality Technique (Proficiency 1555/2000)



"Just over four hundred more experience points, and my Inner Alchemy Vitality Technique will break through to the minor achievement level."

"At my current rate, it will take about ten more days!"

"Ten days from now, when my Inner Alchemy Vitality Technique breaks through, I'll be able to master Inner Breath!"

"Inner Breath is typically the hallmark of a Fifth Rank Inner Strength Realm expert!"

Thinking of this, Jiang Ning couldn't help but feel excited.

Mastering Inner Breath would undoubtedly elevate his strength to a new level.

Inner Breath was a truly extraordinary power.

It wasn't until noon that Jiang Ning prepared to go out.

At this moment, his strength had soared to three thousand jin.

Throughout the morning, after absorbing the essence of the sun, he had been consuming Strength Enhancing Pills and using the Furnace Refining Technique.

The effects of the ten pounds of White Dragonfish meat, three Strength Enhancing Pills, and the Tiger Pup Transformation Body Pill had increased his strength by over a hundred jin.

His strength had thus surpassed the three-thousand-jin threshold and continued to grow.

Half an hour later, Jiang Ning returned to the forge.

Led by a young assistant, Jiang Ning arrived at the backyard of the forge.

Clang-clang-clang—

The large hammer thundered like rain, and the small hammer fell like rain.

The sound of hammering on iron was incessant, following a highly disciplined rhythm.

The furnace fire blazed intensely, and even in the open-air forge, Jiang Ning felt waves of heat washing over him.

At that moment, Yang Kai was walking towards Jiang Ning, wiping his hands with a black towel.

"Shopkeeper Yang, how have you been?" Jiang Ning greeted with a bow.

Yang Kai quickly draped the towel over his shoulder and returned the bow.

"Brother Jiang, how have you been?"

Then he asked, "May I ask why Brother Jiang has come to my forge today? Is there something important?"

Jiang Ning nodded, "I have a business proposal I'd like to discuss with Shopkeeper Yang. I wonder if you're interested?"

"Of course, I'm interested in Brother Jiang's business," Yang Kai nodded repeatedly.

Jiang Ning said, "I don't know if your shop needs iron ore?"

"Iron ore?" Upon hearing these three words, Yang Kai's eyes widened in surprise.

He nodded repeatedly, "Yes, of course! Did Brother Jiang find an iron mine? If it's iron ore, it's not easy to obtain!"

"Normally, iron ore is not allowed to be privately owned. All the mines within the Xia Dynasty are under the control of the court."

"If it were any other time, it would be fine, but now that the big shot from the Inspection Bureau has arrived in Luoshui County, it's not an easy matter!"

As he said the last sentence, Yang Kai couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.

Jiang Ning said, "It's not an iron mine."

"Not a mine?" Yang Kai's face showed surprise, and he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

If it wasn't a mine, how much iron ore could there be?

Thinking of this, Yang Kai patted his chest and said, "Then how much ore do you have, Brother Jiang? I'll buy it at the market price!"

"You said it yourself!" Jiang Ning smiled.

"Of course!" Yang Kai didn't seem to mind.

After more than an hour, a light boat stopped on the lake surface.

"Brother Jiang, your skills are truly remarkable!" Yang Kai, sitting in the light boat, couldn't help but marvel.

He felt that the light boat under Jiang Ning's control seemed to possess a unique magic. With a gentle stroke of the oar, the boat shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.

This was so unreasonable!

Jiang Ning smiled at Yang Kai's exclamation but didn't continue the topic. Instead, he changed the subject.

"Shopkeeper Yang, below us is the iron ore I just mentioned!"

Then he asked, "Shall we go down and take a look?"

"That's great!" Yang Kai nodded, "With the strict control over iron ore these days, I've been worried about obtaining it. Since Brother Jiang has made this discovery, I'll naturally take it."

"Then let's go!" Jiang Ning said.

"Just like that?" Yang Kai was surprised.

"What else?"

"How can we dive without this?" Yang Kai took out a deflated fish bladder from his waist and waved it in front of Jiang Ning.

Huff—

Huff—

Huff—

He exhaled into the fish bladder.

In the blink of an eye, the small fish bladder expanded to the size of a basketball.

"Brother Jiang, are you not prepared?" Yang Kai asked, seeing Jiang Ning's unperturbed expression.

Jiang Ning replied, "I don't need it. I have good water proficiency and can hold my breath for a long time."

"Alright then!" Yang Kai showed a skeptical expression.

"Let's go!" Jiang Ning said again.

Plop—

With the sound of entering the water, Jiang Ning disappeared from the lake surface in an instant.

Seeing this, Yang Kai also jumped into the lake.

After a moment, the two continued to dive deeper.

Following behind Jiang Ning, Yang Kai became increasingly amazed.

They were diving to a considerable depth.

For safety, Yang Kai had already used the fish bladder to breathe once.

However, he noticed that Jiang Ning, without breathing once, still appeared to be swimming with ease.

Compared to him, Jiang Ning seemed much more relaxed.

"What an incredible lung capacity!" Yang Kai marveled to himself.

After a short while, Jiang Ning spoke up, "We're almost there."

Even underwater, his voice was exceptionally clear, and through the medium of water, his words reached Yang Kai's ears distinctly.

Hearing Jiang Ning's words, Yang Kai slightly narrowed his eyes and looked downward.

But at this moment, the two had already entered the deep waters of Luo Water Lake, and the light was dim. Even with his eyes wide open, Yang Kai could only see darkness below.

"Is there really a sunken ship here? And it's carrying iron ore?" Yang Kai wondered.

But he didn't voice his thoughts and continued to follow Jiang Ning silently.

After a few more breaths, the two dove several zhang deeper.

Yang Kai could now see the outline of the sunken ship up close.

Upon seeing the ship's outline, he couldn't help but turn to look at Jiang Ning.

"What kind of eyesight does he have?!" Yang Kai exclaimed in his heart.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end