Chapter 189: Breaking Through the Seventh Stage and Mastering Internal Energy

Chapter 189: Breaking Through the Seventh Stage and Mastering Internal Energy

The moon hung high in the sky.

Splash!

The pool erupted with splashes as a figure emerged from the lake.

This person was none other than Jiang Ning.

"Excellent!" Jiang Ning clenched his fist excitedly, feeling the surging power within him, and his heart leaped with joy.

He could clearly sense that his casual fist clenching felt smoother than before, allowing him to mobilize his entire body's strength more effortlessly.

This state indicated that the toughness of his major tendons had significantly improved.

"With this progress, it won't be long before I truly step into the Seventh Stage of the Martial Path."

"Upon entering the Seventh Stage, one can typically unleash a force equivalent to three-tenths of their strength at the peak of the Eighth Stage."

"With an additional three-tenths of my strength, I believe I can now contend with the majority of those at the Seventh Stage of the Martial Path."

At this thought, Jiang Ning's mind involuntarily recalled the scene of Cao Rong's attack.

The arrow tore through the air, briefly creating a sonic boom.

"Cao Rong is indeed formidable!"

"Hong Minghu's request for me to lead the eradication of the Cao family will undoubtedly provoke an all-out retaliation from Cao Rong."

At this realization, Jiang Ning's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

"This is quite troublesome! I must enhance my strength as soon as possible!"

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, several days had passed.

On the banks of the Luoshui River.

Slap!

Jiang Ning casually swung his arm, which resembled a whip, and suddenly emitted a crisp sound.

"Whip-like punches, the Seventh Stage of the Martial Path is achieved!"

Jiang Ning's expression brightened.

With only half of the Bull Sinew Powder consumed, he had reached the Seventh Stage of the Martial Path, attaining the level where his major tendons were as robust as a bull's.

2. Brainwashing: Using psychological manipulation to force cooperation.

2. Compulsion: Employing mental energy to directly control actions.

3. Mind Control: Taking control of the mind and body.

4. Mind Reading: Extracting information from the mind.

5. Mental Assault: Launching a mental attack to cause damage.

"With these techniques, I can ensure their loyalty and prevent any betrayal."

"However, I must be cautious and not overuse these methods, as they may have unforeseen consequences."

"I will use them sparingly and only when necessary."

"Now, let's proceed with the plan."

"Yes, sir!" The subordinates responded in unison, their eyes gleaming with determination.

As this thought occurred to Jiang Ning, a subtle excitement stirred within him.

Mastering internal energy would undoubtedly bring about a qualitative leap in strength.

In his opinion, this improvement might even surpass the one he experienced when he reached the seventh stage of the Martial Path.

After all, internal energy was a power only possessed by those at the fifth stage of the Internal Strength Realm.

Only by mastering internal energy could one truly be considered a fifth-stage expert.

Jiang Ning then looked up at the sun above him.

The sun had already risen past dawn, and its rays were becoming increasingly intense and scorching.

The temperature was also gradually rising.

As time passed, it was getting closer to the Hour of the Dragon.

"Almost there!" Jiang Ning muttered to himself.

When the time reached the Hour of the Dragon, it would be the moment to begin cultivating the Inner Elixir Longevity Skill and absorb the essence of the sun.

Jiang Ning then picked up a miscellaneous book from the side and started reading.

[Qingwei Zhenren's Travels]



This book recounted the journeys of Qingwei Zhenren, a high-level Taoist, as he traveled throughout the Nine Provinces, the Southern Land of Demons, the Three Islands in the Eastern Sea, and the Eighty-One Islands of the Starry Sky.

Although it was a miscellaneous book, Jiang Ning read it with utmost seriousness.

[Literacy Experience Points +1]



[Literacy Experience Points +1]



[Literacy Experience Points +1]



[.]



As time passed, Jiang Ning's literacy experience points continued to accumulate.

Compared to before, he found that his efficiency in reading books was increasing.

This, in turn, led to a higher efficiency in earning experience points.

With just one step away from breaking through the limit in literacy, Jiang Ning felt a sense of impatience.

According to his deduction, once he broke through the limit in literacy, he would be able to use the Omnimorphic Ring.

Techniques: Literacy (2966/3000) (Characteristics: Photographic Memory, Extraordinary Senses)



Jiang Ning glanced at the literacy section of the panel and then closed it.

Facing the direction of the rising sun, he sat cross-legged.

With each inhalation and exhalation, his internal organs became scorching hot, as if they were being tempered by the true fire of the sun.

[Inner Elixir Longevity Skill Experience +1]



[Inner Elixir Longevity Skill Experience +1]



[Inner Elixir Longevity Skill Experience +1]



[.]



As time passed, the experience points for the Inner Elixir Longevity Skill were approaching the 3000-point threshold.

The sun was now high in the sky.

[Technique: Inner Elixir Longevity Skill (Proficiency: 1999/2000)]



During a brief pause in his cultivation, Jiang Ning glanced at the panel.

A flash of excitement crossed his mind.

Suppressing his excitement, he continued to absorb the essence of the sun.

After a moment,

[Inner Elixir Longevity Skill Experience +2]



As this prompt appeared,

the panel suddenly changed.

[Technique: Inner Elixir Longevity Skill (Minor Accomplishment: 1/5000)]



At that instant,

Jiang Ning felt a sense of lightness emanating from within, spreading throughout his entire body.

In this moment, he felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted, and his internal organs became incredibly agile.

His blood surged like a river, and its gushing sound was clearly audible.

In an instant, his blood completed a grand circulation cycle.

At that very moment, Jiang Ning felt the birth of the first wisp of energy within his internal organs, akin to a gentle spring rain.

This wisp of energy, like a silent drizzle, gently passed through his internal organs and settled in a specific spot in his abdomen.

This spot was located three inches below his navel.

"This should be the so-called Dantian!" Jiang Ning thought to himself.

He then focused his inner vision on his body.

Although he had done this countless times before, he had never discovered the Dantian.

But this time was different.

With the guidance of that wisp of internal energy, Jiang Ning instantly located his Dantian, precisely three inches below his navel.

At the same time, he also saw that wisp of energy, resembling smoke and clouds, within the Dantian.

"Internal energy, is this internal energy?" Jiang Ning gazed at the wisp of energy in his Dantian, feeling a surge of joy within.

The next moment,

he opened his eyes.

With a simple finger gesture, he felt that wisp of internal energy appear on his fingertip.

His heart moved with his intent.

Chi—

The air stirred slightly, and a wisp of internal energy, barely perceptible to the naked eye, burst forth from his fingertip.

It pierced into the ground in front of him.

A row of grass was instantly cut off.

Jiang Ning then dug into the soil and shook his head slightly.

"As expected, if the internal energy doesn't reach the level of a 'gang,' its power diminishes significantly once it leaves the body."

After a few more breaths,

Jiang Ning sensed that the wisp of internal energy in his Dantian, which had just been consumed, had fully recovered.

He then performed another test.

Concentrating that wisp of internal energy on his fingertip, he gently poked a rock in front of him.

Instantly, his finger penetrated the rock by three inches.

"Truly formidable!" Witnessing this, Jiang Ning's eyes widened in astonishment.

It must be said that even with his current robust physique, he was still flesh and blood, lacking the sharpness of a weapon.

However, with the attachment of inner breath, his fingers became sharp and resilient, like sturdy metal.

And this was just the effect of a single strand of inner breath.

Another half hour passed.

Jiang Ning continuously consumed that strand of inner breath, conducting various tests.

In the end, the results were no different from what the book recorded.

The inner breath was incredibly mysterious, and wherever it circulated, it greatly enhanced the effectiveness of that area.

For example, when applied to the legs, it could suddenly increase his speed.

Although he could only maintain it for an instant.

But the inner breath he currently possessed was only a single strand.

If applied to his fists, it could make his punches more powerful and fierce.

When attached to a tree branch, it could even make the branch temporarily possess the toughness of a weapon.

Moreover, the inner breath also had the effect of healing injuries and sealing wounds.

"No wonder they say that only a Fifth-Rank is a true powerhouse! With just one strand of inner breath, it has such formidable power. If it were a Fifth-Rank powerhouse at their peak, as long as their inner breath doesn't run out, it would be impossible for anyone below Fifth-Rank to defeat them by sheer numbers!" After experiencing the profoundness of the inner breath, Jiang Ning couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

Then, he looked up at the sun above his head and then down at the shadows around him, instantly knowing the approximate time.

It was already past the hour of the snake.

To achieve a minor breakthrough in the Inner Elixir Cultivation Technique, he needed to absorb the sun's essence energy at the hour of the snake.

The sun's essence energy at this hour was even more domineering, with greater damage to the internal organs but also better tempering effects.

Half a cup of tea later.

The hour of the snake arrived.

Jiang Ning once again faced the sun and swallowed the protective pill for the internal organs that Shen Congyun had left him, then began to absorb the sun's essence energy.

As he inhaled, he instantly felt the fierce and domineering sun's essence energy entering his body through his nasal cavity.

Boom—

As soon as this strand of the sun's essence energy entered his body, it seemed to turn into raging flames, roasting his five viscera and six entrails. The intense burning sensation was so overwhelming that even the cooling effect of the protective pill was like a drop in the bucket, unable to counteract this raging fire.

In an instant.

Intense pain swept through her five viscera and six entrails.

After a while.

A full ten breaths.

Huff—

Jiang Ning exhaled a scorching breath from his nose.

If someone were to place their palm under Jiang Ning's nose at this moment, they would feel that the breath he exhaled could burn ordinary people's skin.

"How terrifying is the sun's essence energy!" The moment Jiang Ning opened his eyes, his brows furrowed slightly, and he couldn't help but sigh deeply.

He could clearly feel that even with the strength of his five viscera and six entrails, after being tempered by that strand of the sun's essence energy, they had all sustained damage.

In this state, it was not suitable to attempt to absorb the sun's essence energy again in the short term.

Immediately.

His brows relaxed again.

"Two strands of inner breath!" His expression revealed a hint of joy.

[Skills]: Inner Elixir Cultivation Technique (Minor Breakthrough 33/5000)



After looking at his personal panel, Jiang Ning pondered for a moment.

"It seems that absorbing one strand of the sun's essence energy can increase one point of experience in the Inner Elixir Cultivation Technique!"

"It can also bring about the growth of one strand of inner breath in the dantian."

After a moment of contemplation.

Jiang Ning jumped to his feet.

Plop—

The sound of entering the water echoed as his figure disappeared into the water.

In the lake, Jiang Ning instantly felt his body recovering to its peak, with his five viscera and six entrails being nourished and damaged areas gradually healing.

"While my body is recovering, it's the perfect time to practice my sword skills! With the enhancement of the inner breath, I'm sure I can withstand the explosion of nine layers of force!"

With this in mind.

Jiang Ning didn't waste any more time.

His figure leaped onto the Chaotic Beach, picked up his sword, and entered the water again.

[Chaos Sword Technique Experience: +1]



[Swimming Skill Experience: +1]



[Swimming Skill Experience: +1]



[Chaos Sword Technique Experience: +1]



Feeling the triple boost of happiness, Jiang Ning was even more motivated.

Two hours passed in a flash.

Splash—

A figure leaped out of the water and landed on the lake's surface.

At this moment, even after absorbing the sun's essence energy multiple times, Jiang Ning's body had already recovered to its peak.

[Skills]:

Inner Elixir Cultivation Technique (Minor Breakthrough 33/5000)



Chaos Sword Technique (Great Accomplishment 151/1000)



"Thirty-three points of experience, thirty-three points!" Jiang Ning thought to himself.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end