Chapter 210: Walking on Water, Practicing Archery on the Lake

Chapter 210: Walking on Water, Practicing Archery on the Lake

Outside the Xie Family Manor.

Xie Xiaojiu sat in the carriage, riding towards the Inspection Bureau on her own.

Upon reaching the alley at the corner, she called out, "Big Yellow, stop!"

The horse pulling the carriage came to an immediate halt.

"What a fine horse!" praised Jiang Ning, standing by the alley.

Even though he had witnessed the horse's extraordinary intelligence the day before, understanding human speech, he still felt amazed by it once again.

The horse's ability to comprehend human language indicated a certain level of wisdom.

In his previous world, only a few animal species possessed such intelligence.

However, upon further reflection on the wonders of this new world, Jiang Ning's doubts dissipated.

"Sir, please get in the carriage!" Xie Xiaojiu lifted the curtain, revealing her delicate profile.

Jiang Ning nodded and lightly leaped into the carriage, then bent down to enter.

"I've kept you waiting, Sir!" Xie Xiaojiu apologized.

Jiang Ning shook his head and asked, "Is there any news about the Yellow Heaven Sect?"

"Yes!" Xie Xiaojiu nodded and took out a folded paper from her waist, saying, "Sir, take a look at this!"

Jiang Ning took the paper and slowly scanned through the hundreds of words written on it.

In just a few breaths, he had finished reading the entire report.

"Someone entered the Yellow Heaven Sect's headquarters last night?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Yes!" Xie Xiaojiu nodded and explained, "According to the report, at midnight last night, a mysterious person wearing a hooded cloak entered the Yellow Heaven Sect's headquarters."

"Who do you think this person is, and why would they deliberately reveal their presence?" Jiang Ning's face showed deep contemplation.

Based on his initial judgment, Jiang Ning felt that this mysterious person was not ordinary.

If they were not ordinary and had the intention to hide, why would they appear at the Yellow Heaven Sect's headquarters at midnight? Anyone with the intention to conceal their identity and some level of strength would not be discovered by those keeping watch.

Just like him, in the past few days, he had entered and exited the Xie Family Manor without attracting any attention.

Moreover, with exceptional strength, one's five senses would be heightened, making it easier to detect those keeping watch.

Hearing Jiang Ning's questions, Xie Xiaojiu pondered for a moment before replying, "Sir, I really can't figure out the answers to your questions."

Jiang Ning smiled, neither confirming nor denying her words.

Not only Xie Xiaojiu, but even he himself couldn't understand it.

After a moment of deep thought, Jiang Ning temporarily set aside the question.

If there was an opportunity in the future, he would personally investigate the matter.

But not now, as he was still close to Liu Lintang, and he had no confidence in evading Liu Lintang's detection.

Liu Lintang, a Fifth Rank Inner Fortitude Realm cultivator, possessed powerful five senses, as Jiang Ning had personally experienced a few nights ago.

Even in pitch-black darkness and heavy rain, Liu Lintang could still sense Jiang Ning's arrow, which exceeded ordinary factors, at critical moments.

This alone demonstrated that Liu Lintang's five senses were extraordinary.

It was impossible for someone to be watched without being discovered.

Jiang Ning's sudden appearance might easily alert Liu Lintang.

"No rush!" Jiang Ning silently assured himself, "I'm still safe for now, and there's no need to take unnecessary risks. Strengthening my abilities is the way to go."

Half a quarter later.

The carriage entered the Inspection Bureau.

As Jiang Ning stepped out of the carriage.

Pitter-patter—

The sound of raindrops hitting the carriage echoed.

Xie Xiaojiu, who had just exited the carriage, instinctively shivered as the raindrops touched her neck.

"Sir, it's raining!" she exclaimed.

Jiang Ning nodded.

Droplets of rain, carrying the essence of autumn, fell from the gray sky.

As the rain touched his neck, a bone-chilling coldness permeated his body.

This was the first genuine rain Jiang Ning had experienced since arriving in this world.

The previous rainstorms were all summoned by his Cloud and Rain Incantation technique.

But this rain was naturally occurring.

Feeling the raindrops nourishing his skin, Jiang Ning sensed his vitality and spirit soaring.

"Let's go inside to take shelter from the rain," Jiang Ning suggested.

Several hours later.

On the banks of the Luo River.

"Ahh—"

Gazing at the vast lake before him, Jiang Ning felt incredibly refreshed.

After handling some urgent matters at the Inspection Bureau, he had just exited the building.

Through these recent tasks, he had also gained a general understanding of the movements of the Inspection Bureau's personnel.

Following Hong Minghu's orders, the entire Luoshui County was engaged in a crackdown on the Cult of Malevolent Gods.

However, in the past few days, despite their efforts to carry out Hong Minghu's instructions, the subordinates had not achieved much success.

It seemed like the Cult of Malevolent Gods had vanished overnight.

Jiang Ning had briefly inquired about this matter but did not dwell on it further.

He had known beforehand that the Cult of Malevolent Gods was not to be underestimated.

If it were that simple, how could the Cult of Malevolent Gods' divine statue have been enshrined in the City God Temple in the first place, allowing all the citizens to offer incense to it?

In Jiang Ning's opinion, the Cult of Malevolent Gods was not only connected to the Cao family but also had deep ties to the Liu and Xie families, and even the County Magistrate.

That County Magistrate, although seemingly non-existent now, had been in this world for so long, and Jiang Ning had never even seen him in person.

But Jiang Ning felt that the County Magistrate might not be so easily dormant.

Moreover, from what he saw a few nights ago, he knew that the Cult of Malevolent Gods might have connections with the Yellow Heaven Sect.

After the reports from the past few days, Jiang Ning felt that this possibility was very high.

If not for someone's support, how could the Cult of Malevolent Gods have cultivated in Luoshui County for so long, leaving so many traces, only to suddenly disappear without a trace?

After that, he no longer stayed at the Inspection Bureau.

Now that he had fully digested the Dragon Tiger Sinew Pill, although his sinew refinement was still a step away from the level of the Dragon Sinew, he didn't plan to waste more time on it.

Without the precious Dragon Tiger Sinew Pill, the progress of sinew refinement couldn't be improved in a short time.

Putting his time into sinew refinement for a short period wouldn't bring about a sudden leap in progress.

At this moment, Jiang Ning desperately needed the sense of security that came with improved strength.

So, he set his sights on the Gale Thunder Arrow Art.

The first breakthrough in the Gale Thunder Arrow Art brought him control over the wind and thunder force, a change that greatly enhanced his combat power.

Subsequent breakthroughs would also bring significant improvements.

In a short time, the only way to achieve a significant increase in his strength was through the Gale Thunder Arrow Art.

To gain experience in the Gale Thunder Arrow Art, a vast space was required.

The Inspection Bureau was naturally not an ideal place for him.

Where was the best place for him to practice archery, other than Luoshui Lake?

Luoshui Lake, vast and boundless, rarely saw human traces.

No matter how much noise he made while practicing archery, it wouldn't attract any attention.

At this moment, standing on the shore of Luoshui Lake.

Jiang Ning leaped into the air and landed on the lake's surface.

Boom—

As his feet touched the water's surface, his right foot stepped on the lake, and the surface beneath him suddenly exploded like a bomb, and Jiang Ning's figure soared, rushing towards the lake ahead.

Boom—

Boom—

With each step, the lake surface beneath him exploded, and the water splashed into countless shattered pearls.

Stepping on the lake's surface, Jiang Ning's figure rose and fell, easily moving towards the lake ahead.

"No wonder they say that Seventh Rank Martial Artists can already walk on water."

Feeling his current state, Jiang Ning sighed in his heart.

At this moment, his speed wasn't fast; he wasn't running at an extremely fast pace on the water's surface.

It was merely the terrifying explosive power within a small area that made this scene possible.

Refining the sinews like a dragon, even within a small area, allows one to easily mobilize the whole body's power and burst out with twice the usual explosive force.

This is the most terrifying aspect of the Seventh Rank.

Although he hadn't reached the level of refining the sinews like a dragon, he was only a step away, and he could still easily take this step.

At this moment.

With each step Jiang Ning took, the explosive power within a small area instantly turned the water's surface as solid as the ground.

The reaction force from stepping on the water's surface also allowed his figure to rise and fall, covering a distance of two or three zhang with each step.

At this moment, Jiang Ning effortlessly glided over the lake's surface.

He also continuously felt the changes brought about by the breakthrough in sinew refinement.

Half a cup of tea later.

"The breakthrough in sinew refinement is indeed very different from before!" Jiang Ning sighed.

After half a cup of tea's time of careful comprehension, he had a thorough understanding of his physical body.

The power throughout his body flowed as he wished, and he could burst out in any part of his body in an instant.

Normally, only Martial Artists who had reached this step could walk on water.

Being able to burst out with ten out of ten power within a small area was the secret to walking on water.

The next moment.

Boom—

He stomped his foot hard, and the water beneath him suddenly exploded, forming a vacuum that spread in all directions.

His figure also shot forward, and his speed instantly surged.

In an instant.

He crossed a distance of more than ten zhang.

At this moment, he was like a gust of wind rushing over the lake's surface, and the raindrops falling around him were directly blown away by the fierce wind around his body, unable to touch his skin.

Moving like the wind, this moment was perfectly displayed on his body.

On the vast lake's surface.

If someone were sailing on the lake, they would see a figure running swiftly like the wind.

Behind this figure were afterimages.

This was a visual error caused by extreme speed.

After a long while, a loud explosion reverberated through the air.

Jiang Ning soared into the sky above the lake.

In an instant, he traversed the cliff, several zhang high, and landed on the edge of the cliff on the desolate island.

"I'm back!" Jiang Ning smiled as he recognized the familiar scene.

This desolate island was the best place in his mind for practicing archery.

Practicing archery here, he wouldn't have to worry about being discovered by anyone, let alone being found by Liu Lintang.

Then, a longbow appeared in his hand.

He nocked an arrow and effortlessly drew the bowstring to its full extent.

Boom—

【Gale Thunder Arrow Art Experience +1】

The arrow was released, creating a wave of air that tore through the sky.

The raindrops in the air were instantly scattered by this wave.

In mid-air, a visible trail was left by the arrow's path.

The arrow flew for several li before gradually losing momentum and falling diagonally towards the lake.

【Technique】: Gale Thunder Arrow Art (Once Break Limit 2/2000) (Trait: Wind and Thunder Breath)



Jiang Ning glanced at the skill panel, and the experience points for Gale Thunder Arrow Art had increased by one.

He nocked another arrow and drew the bowstring again.

Boom—

Boom—

Boom—

Arrows pierced through the air one after another.

His Wind and Thunder Force was being continuously consumed.

At the same time, the experience points for Gale Thunder Arrow Art were also increasing.

On the other side.

At the headquarters of the Yellow Heaven Sect.

"Sun Tanzhu, my apologies! I was in seclusion last night and couldn't receive you immediately!" Liu Lintang entered the hall with a benevolent expression.

Then, he blinked his eyes.

Even after a night of recovery, his eyes still felt sore from briefly opening the Heavenly Eye the day before.

"No worries!" The visitor lifted the hood covering her head upon seeing Liu Lintang, revealing her face.

She was a middle-aged woman in her forties.

Then she asked, "Is Liu Xiangzhu having trouble with his eyes?"

Liu Lintang smiled and said, "My eyes were injured a few days ago, and I opened the Heavenly Eye yesterday. It will take some time to fully recover, and they still feel a bit sore."

Upon hearing the words 'Heavenly Eye,' the middle-aged woman immediately showed respect.

"So, Liu Xiangzhu is also a Celestial Master!"

"I'm not worthy of that title!" Liu Lintang smiled and waved his hand, "I have barely mastered the Heavenly Eye Insight."

Then he said, "Sun Tanzhu, when you entered the city last night, did anyone notice you?"

"Of course not!"

"That's good!" Liu Lintang nodded, then continued, "I wonder what your Sect Leader is thinking. Are you willing to join the Yellow Heaven Sect?"

"If you are willing, the false divine power on the members of your sect can be completely removed by our Hongdu Chief, who will petition the Heaven King on your behalf."

Upon hearing these words, the middle-aged woman's expression remained unchanged.

They had already considered this condition before.

It was precisely because of this condition that the Cult of Malevolent Gods had the idea of joining the Yellow Heaven Sect.

After all, it's better to seek shelter under a powerful sect, and the Cult of Malevolent Gods had been worshipping that deity for a long time, absorbing too much of its essence.

Moreover, there was another crucial matter.

But they weren't in a hurry.

The middle-aged woman slowly spoke, "The Sect Leader is still considering."

"Still considering?" Liu Lintang's eyes narrowed.

"Yes!" The middle-aged woman nodded, "This is a decision from above, and I cannot interfere."

Then she said, "Sun Tanzhu, do you know why our Sect Leader, who followed you, was attacked, and who was behind the attack?"

"I have not yet discovered the culprit!" Liu Lintang shook his head, "But I have a general idea of the target. Give me some time, and I will find out."

Liu Lintang explained to the middle-aged woman.

Before he came to Luoshui County, he had received instructions from above to recruit the Cult of Malevolent Gods into the Yellow Heaven Sect.

The higher-ups were very interested in the Cult of Malevolent Gods' methods.

In this entire world, there were very few sects that could manifest such powers.

This was also why Liu Lintang had a favorable attitude towards the Cult of Malevolent Gods.

At the same time.

Upon hearing Liu Lintang's words, the middle-aged woman nodded and said, "I believe you, Liu Tanzhu. If you find out who is behind this, please let me know."

"Rest assured, it won't take many days!" Liu Lintang said calmly.

"Since you've given me your word, I'm relieved!" The middle-aged woman nodded and continued, "Then I'll take my leave now!"

"Good!" Liu Lintang slightly nodded, seeing off the middle-aged woman as she left.

Until she disappeared around the corner outside, a contemplative look appeared in Liu Lintang's eyes.

After losing two Great Dharma Masters, the Cult of Malevolent Gods actually sent an Altar Master.

It seemed that the divine statue was still in Luoshui County; otherwise, they wouldn't have sent such a high-ranking Altar Master to this small place.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end