Chapter 220: Unexpected Harvest

Chapter 220: Unexpected Harvest

Luoshui County.

Several patrolling constables gripped their long knives tightly, their steps light and cautious as they carefully approached the source of the commotion.

When they saw Jiang Ning standing in the snow, the heavy hearts that had been in their throats finally fell back into place.

"Commander Jiang!!"

One of them immediately spoke up.

One of the constables, upon seeing Jiang Ning, had a slightly stunned expression, then his face became incredibly complex.

He still remembered the last time he saw Jiang Ning, when he had accompanied Feng Tou on a visit.

At that time, Jiang Ning was merely a rising star in Luoshui County, not a particularly important figure.

Now, just a few months later, things were completely different.

Jiang Ning had become a renowned figure in Luoshui County.

Mention his name, and who in the entire county wouldn’t know?

An ordinary civilian growing to become one of the most prominent figures in Luoshui County in just a few months—no one would have thought it possible before.

At the same time.

Jiang Ning's gaze swept over them calmly.

"Trouble you all to clean up the battlefield!"

"Not at all! Not at all!!" One of them said with a smile.

He glanced at the blood-flesh monster by Jiang Ning's side, the black blood melting the snow on the ground, and immediately added, "Commander Jiang slew the evil and protected our safety. This small task should be done by us!"

"Right! Right! What Brother Chen said is correct!" another person chimed in.

Jiang Ning nodded, then squatted down in front of the lifeless, headless blood-flesh monster, extending his right hand to part the flesh and feel its bones.

Bone Forging Realm!!

Jiang Ning's eyes narrowed sharply.

Indeed, it was a Sixth Rank Martial Artist!

Moreover, it was a Sixth Rank Martial Artist of the Cult of Malevolent Gods.

Jiang Ning couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.

Because a Sixth Rank Martial Artist from the Cult of Malevolent Gods represented fifty thousand contribution points.

Fifty thousand contribution points, just in value alone, were equivalent to fifty thousand taels of silver, and more.

The Dragon Ascension Pill he needed now required only fifty thousand contribution points.

With these fifty thousand contribution points, he could exchange for a Dragon Ascension Pill from the Inspection Bureau's internal affairs department to help him reach the Dragon Sinew level.

Suddenly.

His eyes narrowed as he saw a faint golden glint from the blood-flesh monster's torn clothing.

Gold?

Jiang Ning felt a surge of joy.

He then reached into the clothing and felt the contours of the object emitting the golden glow, which turned out to be a small square box about the size of a palm.

In the next moment.

The object was silently stored in his Infinite Ring.

After securing the item, Jiang Ning's hand swept over the headless blood-flesh monster, covering it with his mental energy.

In an instant, the headless blood-flesh monster's body disappeared from in front of the constables.

Seeing this, the constables’ eyes widened in shock.

Jiang Ning thought for a moment, then walked to the head he had just severed and stored it in his Infinite Ring as well.

Taking the body back to verify its identity and the Sixth Rank Martial Artist level would allow him to claim the fifty thousand contribution points. He had to be cautious and take the head as well.

A short while later.

Watching Jiang Ning’s retreating figure.

The constables finally exchanged glances.

"What kind of technique is this?"

"I don't know! It looks like a technique from the Immortal Path!"

"To me, it seems like the legendary Cosmic Shrinking Technique!"

"..."

While the constables were discussing, Jiang Ning had already arrived at the lakeside of Lake Luoshui.

The place was only about two hundred meters from where the battle had just taken place.

At the moment, Lake Luoshui, after a heavy snowfall, had a layer of floating ice on its surface.

Looking at the calm lake surface, Jiang Ning thought, "It seems I underestimated my own strength and the power of the Gale Thunder Arrow Technique. This escape route wasn't necessary."

Jiang Ning smiled, then walked straight toward his home.

As he walked, his mind felt much lighter.

Being able to slay a Sixth Rank Martial Artist, and even one with an undying body, clearly showed a significant improvement in his strength.

Especially his long-range combat skills.

The Thunderbolt Arrow he mastered after the third limit break of the Gale Thunder Arrow Technique.

Its power and speed were simply astonishing.

A single arrow shot, and a Sixth Rank Martial Artist, who should have been able to react, was pierced through the chest by his arrow.

This level of lethality, if not for the fact that the person was a member of the Cult of Malevolent Gods and possessed a transformation ability, would normally have killed an ordinary Sixth Rank Martial Artist. This effect was extremely gratifying to Jiang Ning.

It indicated that his long-range combat skills had reached an exceptional level.

If in an open area, with his current archery skills, he could face an ordinary Sixth Rank Martial Artist and achieve similar results.

What surprised him the most, however, was his Sword Intent.

The Sword Intent that could invoke the power of Heaven and Earth had effects that far exceeded his expectations.

A single stroke of the blade, like slicing through melons, had cut off a large portion of the blood-flesh monster's body.

Moreover, the Sword Intent that invoked the power of Heaven and Earth had the effect of preventing the wound from healing.

Just that one strike, and he had secured his victory, leaving the monstrous flesh and blood creature without any ability to retaliate.

"Now, even if I'm not Liu Lintang's match, I should have some ability to fight back, right?" Jiang Ning thought to himself.

After a long while.

Jiang Ning stood in front of his house, his expression complex.

"Finally, I don't have to hide anymore!"

The next moment, a smile crept onto his lips.

Through the courtyard wall, he heard the giggles of Xiao Dou Bao, and he knew that his brother and sister-in-law's family was safe and sound.

The next moment.

Dong, dong, dong—

Jiang Ning knocked on the door.

As the knocking sound echoed, the movement in the courtyard suddenly halted.

"Who's there?" came a cautious voice from within.

"It's me, sister-in-law!" Jiang Ning called out.

"It's Ah Ning!" came Liu Wanwan's surprised voice from inside.

"Brother Jiang, Ah Ning is back!" Liu Wanwan's voice echoed again.

Then, she walked towards the door, and as the door bolt fell into place.

Liu Wanwan's face came into Jiang Ning's view, and her expression was visibly worn out.

"Sister-in-law!" Jiang Ning greeted her.

"Come in quickly and warm yourself with a cup of hot tea!" At this moment, a kind smile graced Liu Wanwan's face.

These past days, with Jiang Ning's departure, her mind had been in constant worry.

She was well aware that her little brother-in-law, having reached this point, must have attracted the attention of extraordinary people, undoubtedly some big shots.

Walking on this path, it was like walking on thin ice, facing an abyss.

One wrong step, and it might lead to irreversible consequences; she and her husband would not escape danger.

So, since the day Jiang Ning didn't return home, she knew her little brother-in-law had encountered trouble, and it was a significant one.

If not, why would her little brother-in-law hide outside?

However, she didn't blame her little brother-in-law.

She knew that her family had faced immense danger before. If not for her little brother-in-law's sudden appearance and the favor of that influential figure from Wanhua Tower, they would have suffered unjustly and died in prison.

That person, coveting her beauty, would have threatened her with Xiao Dou Bao and Jiang Yiming to force her into submission.

At that time, death might have been a luxury, a form of relief.

Compared to that situation, what was the current crisis?

"Little brother!" Just then, Jiang Li's surprised voice echoed from behind.

Jiang Ning looked up and saw Jiang Li standing on the courtyard steps.

At this moment, Jiang Li's face was covered in stubble, looking haggard as if he had aged several years.

As he walked out of the house, Jiang Li wore a thick coat, and the sleeve of his right arm still hung limply.

Seeing their appearances, Jiang Ning's heart sank. He knew that both Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan had been worried sick about him.

When Jiang Ning appeared, Jiang Li rushed to his side and examined his shoulders.

"Little brother!" Jiang Li called out, his voice tense.

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "I'm fine!"

Jiang Li's tension eased as he heard those words.

"Daddy, let me through!" At this moment, Xiao Dou Bao's soft voice echoed from below.

Jiang Ning looked down and saw Xiao Dou Bao, not yet tall enough to reach Jiang Ning's thighs, pushing her way towards him.

Jiang Li stepped aside, and Xiao Dou Bao immediately pounced onto Jiang Ning's legs.

"I miss you so much!" Xiao Dou Bao exclaimed.

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "I miss you too!"

"I want to go up!" Xiao Dou Bao said, looking up at Jiang Ning.

Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan smiled, understanding Xiao Dou Bao's intentions.

Jiang Ning picked up Xiao Dou Bao and placed her on his shoulders, then stood up.

"Little brother, let's go inside and talk!" Jiang Li suggested.

Jiang Ning nodded and stepped over the threshold.

The two walked on the swept stone bricks, heading indoors.

Liu Wanwan closed the door behind them and fastened the bolt.

"Little brother, are you leaving again?" Jiang Li asked as they walked.

"I'm not leaving for now!" Jiang Ning replied.

"What trouble are you in, little sister?" Xiao Dou Bao asked, sitting on Jiang Ning's shoulders.

"Adult matters are not for children to ask!" Jiang Li scolded Xiao Dou Bao.

Xiao Dou Bao pouted and silently hugged Jiang Ning's neck.

"Little brother, let's warm up with a cup of hot tea first!" Jiang Li suggested as they entered the hall.

The wind and snow were blocked outside, and Jiang Li poured a cup of hot tea for Jiang Ning.

"Thank you, big brother!" Jiang Ning accepted the tea and took a few sips, feeling warmth spread throughout his body.

At that moment, Liu Wanwan entered the room from behind the two men.

She glanced at them and spoke up, "You two brothers chat, and I'll prepare some midnight snacks for you!"

"Wan'er, remember to warm up a pot of good wine!" Jiang Li hurriedly added.

"Don't worry, you'll have your wine today!" Liu Wanwan glared at Jiang Li and then stormed off.

Just then, another figure entered the hall from the back door, and it was Jiang Yiming.

"Uncle, good to see you!" Jiang Yiming greeted Jiang Ning politely.

Jiang Ning examined Jiang Yiming and nodded in satisfaction, seeing that he had grown taller.

The entire night, Jiang Li and Jiang Ning engaged in deep conversation.

That night, Jiang Ning did nothing but drink and chat with Jiang Li.

Early the next morning, Jiang Ning woke up just as the sky was beginning to brighten.

His regular sleep schedule had become his biological alarm clock.

At this time, he would naturally wake up.

[Name]: Jiang Ning

[Essence Energy]: 53.33

[Skills]:

Scholarly Skills (Third Limit Break 873/4000) (Characteristics: Photographic Memory, Extraordinary Senses, Keen Mind)



Five Viscera Fist (First Limit Break 742/2000) (Characteristics: Five Viscera Essence)



Enhanced Firewood Splitting Blade Technique (Fifth Limit Break 6000/6000) (Characteristics: Broad Knowledge, Swift Blade, Divine Blade Control, Unity of Man and Blade, Innate Blade Constitution)



Inner Core Nourishing Technique (Minor Accomplishment 732/5000)



Unbreakable Body Technique (Minor Accomplishment 453/5000)



Enhanced Water Nature (Fifth Limit Break 6000/6000) (Characteristics: Underwater Breathing, Rain Summoning Technique, Water Affinity, Cloud Control, Water Body)



Gale Thunder Arrow Art (Third Limit Break 49/4000) (Characteristics: Wind and Thunder Breath, Heart of Arrow Technique, Wind and Thunder Arrows)



Water and Fire Essence (Minor Accomplishment 45/500)



Jiang Ning looked at his skill panel. Although he had mastered many skills, he had already planned what to do next.

Aside from primarily breaking through the Martial Dao and reaching the Dragon Sinew level, he intended to mainly increase his experience in Scholarly Skills and Water and Fire Essence.

As for the other skills, some lacked sufficient Essence Energy points, so even with full experience, they couldn't be advanced, while others had painfully slow experience growth.

Skills like Inner Core Nourishing Technique and Unbreakable Body Technique were in this category.

For Inner Core Nourishing Technique, experience growth was slow, and it required daily cultivation of the Great Sun's essence energy.

As for Unbreakable Body Technique, according to his understanding, although it could grant legendary Unbreakable Body experience, the physical body's strength would reach an extraordinary level.

However, at this time, Jiang Ning was still in the Martial Dao stage, rapidly progressing with his valiant and diligent cultivation. He didn't plan to spend time on this skill yet.

He decided to consider cultivating this skill and enhancing his physical strength later when his progress slowed down.

After a quick wash, Jiang Ning began brewing tea, admiring the snow, and reading in the courtyard.

[Scholarly Skills Experience +1]



[Scholarly Skills Experience +1]



[Scholarly Skills Experience +1]



[.]



After a long while, the teapot began to boil.

Jiang Ning suddenly felt nostalgic, reminiscing about the days when he lived with Xie Xiaojiu, being taken care of, with food and clothes provided.

"Habits are indeed scary!"

Jiang Ning shook his head and continued drinking tea and reading.

Breaking through the Scholarly Skills limit greatly increased his mental power.

Now that he had gained some self-protection strength, he had to consider the threat of the Earth King from the Yellow Heaven Sect, whose Yin Soul had exited its body.

That Earth King was separated from him by thousands of mountains and rivers. Such a distant journey wouldn't be crossed just because of him, a small character.

After all, travel in this world was troublesome, even for martial practitioners. Crossing a continent was no easy feat.

Even with the fastest running speed, one would still be limited by stamina and endurance, making it challenging to travel day and night.

Usually, people still relied on horses for long-distance travel.

However, possessing a Yin Soul that could exit the body was different.

One could travel several thousand miles at night, and that Earth King could use his Yin Soul to travel back and forth between the two places in a single night.

Enhancing mental power was the best way to resist the Yin Soul.

Sitting in the courtyard, Jiang Ning brewed tea, admired the snow, and read, quietly waiting for time to pass.

When the Inspection Bureau opened, he immediately set off for it.

He handed over the Worshipping God Sect's Sixth Rank Martial Artist, whom he had killed the previous night, to the Internal Affairs Department, exchanging him for 50,000 Contribution Points to purchase the Dragon Ascension Pill and enter the Dragon Sinew level.

Upon reaching the Dragon Sinew level, he could formally temper his bones, thereby entering the Sixth Rank Martial Artist level.

At this bone-tempering level, it was also the final step for the skin, flesh, and bones.

These four steps were part of External Cultivation.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end