Chapter 240: Mastering the Deity's Authority?

Chapter 240: Mastering the Deity's Authority?

Inside the room.

"Ah, that's refreshing!" Jiang Ning stretched, yawning leisurely.

Clap, clap—

His entire body resonated with a harmonious sound.

After a simple stretch, his body felt incredibly relaxed.

Upon waking up, his mind was clear, and his condition had reached its peak, unlike the previous grogginess.

"As expected, sleep is indeed the most effective remedy!" Jiang Ning sighed softly.

Then, he threw off the covers and got out of bed.

Just like at midnight, he stretched his hand into the water to restore his state.

Looking back now, it was similar to drinking strong coffee to stay awake when feeling tired.

Although it could alleviate physical fatigue, it was merely a temporary solution.

Jiang Ning, after putting on his shoes and socks, looked around but didn't see Xie Xiao Jiu's figure. However, he could already hear the whistling sounds of sword energy in the courtyard.

He got off the bed.

Jiang Ning picked up the cooled tea from the table and poured it into a cup.

Glug, glug—

He quickly drank several mouthfuls, filling his stomach.

After emptying his bowels, Jiang Ning pushed open the door.

The next moment, he narrowed his eyes slightly.

The sunlight outside was at its brightest.

The dazzling rays reflected off the snowy ground, creating a blinding glare.

Suddenly stepping out from the dimly lit room into the bright, snowy courtyard, his eyes couldn't help but feel a slight sting.

Within a fleeting moment, he had already adjusted to the courtyard's glaring sunlight.

And there, in the courtyard, was Xie Xiao Jiu practicing her sword techniques.

At this moment, the longsword in her hand seemed to dance like a graceful phoenix soaring through the sky.

Watching Xie Xiao Jiu practicing in the snowy courtyard, two lines of poetry spontaneously surfaced in Jiang Ning's mind.

"Like Yi shooting down the nine suns,

Like a group of emperors riding the dragon's wings."

"Coming like thunder, seizing the raging storm,

Leaving like the calmness of the vast ocean."

"What a majestic sword technique!" Jiang Ning silently praised in his heart.

Just then, Xie Xiao Jiu abruptly sheathed her sword, turning to lean the longsword against her back. Her black dress stood out vividly against the snowy backdrop.

"Did my sword practice disturb you, sir?"

"No!" Jiang Ning smiled, "Your sword dance was excellent. I've had enough sleep, so I woke up!"

"That's good!" Xie Xiao Jiu patted her chest in relief.

Then, with a bright smile, she said, "Thank you for the compliment, sir!"

"You seem much more cheerful than before!" Jiang Ning remarked.

He glanced at the sundial in the courtyard.

It was just past three in the afternoon, not yet four o'clock!

"Keep practicing your sword! We'll go to the Inspection Office again later this afternoon!"

"Yes, sir!" Xie Xiao Jiu replied from behind.

Jiang Ning returned to his room and quickly freshened up.

Then, he took out a few strips of jerky from the Infinite Ring.

After consuming the jerky, his empty stomach felt much more satisfied.

Next, he sat cross-legged and focused his inner vision on his body.

The next moment, he felt a surge of joy.

After several hours of absorption, the seventy-eight bones that had undergone tempering now glowed with a faint silver hue.

"The silver in the bones is about two to three parts!"

"At this rate, a single bone would only need four to five temperings to reach the strength of an Iron Bone!"

Looking at the eighteen bones glowing with silver, Jiang Ning's thoughts wandered.

After a good night's sleep and several hours of absorption, the silver hue on the seventy-eight bones that had undergone tempering once was now almost uniform.

This indicated that the iron marrow absorbed into the bones had been mostly digested and absorbed.

If necessary, he could essentially proceed with the next round of tempering.

After examining his body, Jiang Ning opened his eyes and slowly stood up.

The next moment, he clenched his fists, summoning his inner strength.

Instantly, he felt a difference.

Yesterday's bone forging progress was astonishing, and with its advancement, his flesh, bones, and tendons resonated, enhancing his physique slightly compared to the previous day.

Although it wasn't an increase of ten to fifteen percent, the improvement was still very noticeable. He could clearly sense the sudden surge of power within him, and even his vital energy had strengthened due to the enhanced physique.

"The records in the book are indeed correct! Flesh, bones, and tendons are originally one. The strengthening of the bones will lead to the transformation of the physical body."

"The deeper the bone forging, the more evident the transformation of the flesh!"

Jiang Ning marveled as he further sensed the changes within his body.

"No wonder the bone forging realm is known as the transformation of the physical body!"

At this moment, Jiang Ning truly felt the impact of the bone forging progress.

As the bones gradually approached the Iron Bone stage, the physical body was also slowly transforming.

Greater strength, higher endurance, and more abundant vital energy.

If described in gaming terms, his attributes for physique, strength, and defense had all improved.

As bone forging progressed, these improvements would only become more significant.

It was easy to imagine that upon truly entering the bone forging realm and completing the Iron Bone tempering, the physique would undergo a profound transformation.

With this thought, Jiang Ning's determination surged.

The transformation of the physical body was a manifestation of mighty power.

The growth of his physique would be the most reliable source of strength.

This power, far more reliable than authority and status.

Afterward.

Jiang Ning resumed his Bone Forging.

Now, after a good night's sleep, his vigor was at its peak, the best time of the day.

It was also the most efficient time for Bone Forging.

In the blink of an eye.

Noon arrived.

"Aning, it's time to eat—"

"Miss Xie, it's time to eat—"

Liu Wanwan's voice carried through several walls.

"Let's go and eat first!" Jiang Ning stepped out of his room and said to Xie Xiaojiu.

During the meal, Liu Wanwan and Jiang Li looked at the two of them, their eyes filled with joy.

Jiang Ning seemed to see the scene of them holding a big, fat baby in their eyes.

He couldn't help but shake his head.

After a hurried lunch.

Jiang Ning returned to his room to continue Bone Forging.

With every bit of progress in Bone Forging, his strength increased proportionally.

The strength of one's physique was the foundation, the foundation of a strong cultivator.

The stronger the physique, the more solid the foundation, and the further one could go in the future.

From his previous understanding of the Refine Skin Realm and Bone Forging Realm, Jiang Ning had learned some of the secrets to achieving the Martial Saint realm.

The highest level of Refine Skin was the Golden Body.

According to the Buddhist teachings, the Golden Body Arhat had reached the pinnacle of Refine Skin, forging a golden body.

Therefore, the Vajra Unshakable Body, the supreme art of the Vajra Temple, was located within the temple itself.

The highest level of Bone Forging was also above the Jade Bone.

According to the One Hundred and Eight Heavenly Stars and Earthly Fiend Bone Forging Technique, this art of forging the body of a Martial Saint contained records of finding the Heavenly Trigram Yang and Earthly Trigram Yin, which could forge the foundation of a Martial Saint.

Based on these two dimensions, Jiang Ning had a certain guess in his mind.

A guess about achieving the Martial Saint realm! To become a Martial Saint, one must forge a perfect physical foundation.

The first person in a thousand years, the only Martial Saint of this generation.

To match his might, it would not be so simple.

The physical foundation was of utmost importance.

Jiang Ning also held the physical foundation in high regard.

At the same time, regarding the physical body, he couldn't help but think of the two great gods recorded in the myths of his past life.

The Eight-Nine Mystic Power, the Golden Body.

In terms of supernatural powers, these two great gods in the myths might not be the strongest.

But when it came to combat and survival, these two great gods were undoubtedly in the first tier.

This was the advantage of an indestructible body.

All kinds of supernatural powers and a thousand techniques were no longer a concern.

Only by reaching this step could one no longer fear powerful enemies and have the room to maneuver in dire situations.

Based on his own status panel, Jiang Ning was very clear.

As long as he gave himself enough time to develop, he would eventually become an existence that surpassed all others.

Even longevity might not be a problem for him.

With his current understanding, the characteristics on the status panel had given him more insights.

Those characteristics might not be as simple as they seemed.

They might not just be traits but could also be related to the authority of deities.

As his thoughts came to an end, Jiang Ning cleared his mind of distractions and continued Bone Forging.

Afternoon.

The fourth hour of the afternoon.

Jiang Ning and Xie Xiaojiu boarded a carriage, heading for the Inspection Office.

Yesterday, He Jinsheng, the second son of Qinghe Marquis, had arrived in Luoshui County.

Since he couldn't retreat, he could only face the situation head-on.

At that time, no matter how the situation changed, it would be better to be in the Inspection Office than at home.

At home, there was not only himself but also his older brother's family.

If a conflict arose.

With his strength and He Jinsheng's starting point at the peak of the Sixth Rank Martial Dao, it would be easy for those around them to get caught in the crossfire.

But it would be different at the Inspection Office.

With Hong Minghu there, even if a conflict occurred, it would be difficult for it to escalate.

Sitting in the carriage.

Jiang Ning continued his Bone Forging.

Just before they set off, he had briefly recovered his state.

Now, his state was excellent, his vital energy was abundant, and his vigor was overflowing.

Time flew by like a galloping horse.

In the blink of an eye, evening arrived.

Jiang Ning returned alone.

As for He Jinsheng, he had spent the entire afternoon Bone Forging at the Inspection Office, and Jiang Ning hadn't heard a word about him.

Where this person was now, Jiang Ning didn't know.

Caw, caw, caw—

The cold moonlight showered down from above.

A crow cawed on a tree branch.

Jiang Ning stepped out of his room, a faint smile on his face.

After a day of Bone Forging, he now had a total of 206 bones in his body emitting a silvery glow.

This indicated that he had initially refined the 206 bones in his body.

Now, he just needed to wait for these 206 bones to completely absorb the iron marrow, and he could begin the second round of refinement.

Standing in the snow, Jiang Ning closed his eyes, quietly sensing the transformation within his body due to the progress of Bone Forging.

Time passed silently.

In his quiet perception, he could clearly feel the changes within his body.

This change was like a seed sprouting from the soil.

Although it seemed silent and unchanging, from a microscopic perspective, it was constantly in motion, constantly making noise.

At this moment.

It was the same within his body.

He could feel his physique strengthening bit by bit.

With each breath, his body grew stronger than the one before.

His muscles' resilience was also gradually improving.

Each breath made his muscles more resilient than the last.

His skin and muscles were becoming stronger with each passing moment.

The same was true for his vital energy.

The various changes within his body were slow but persistent.

It was like the sand grains that would eventually pile up to form a tower.

Like the drops of water that would eventually gather to form a pond.

Standing in the snowy field, Jiang Ning quietly sensed the subtle changes within his body.

Time passed, perhaps the duration of a cup of tea or an incense stick.

Jiang Ning opened his eyes and moved.

He suddenly disappeared from his original spot, leaving behind only the cold wind and the occasional snowflakes falling from the tree branches in the empty courtyard.

Rocky Shore.

Jiang Ning appeared above the ice layer.

Due to the continuous drop in temperature and the recent heavy snowfall.

The lake beneath his feet had already frozen over.

Boom—

Jiang Ning stomped his foot, shattering the nearly ten-centimeter-thick ice layer beneath him.

His body then sank into the icy lake.

As he entered the water, he felt the bone-chilling cold, and his body trembled.

But the coldness dissipated instantly, and he felt as if he had stepped into a hot spring, a sense of comfort washing over him.

"So refreshing!" Jiang Ning closed his eyes.

Soaking in the lake water gave him an indescribable sense of pleasure.

"As I thought, it's much more comfortable soaking in the water! Putting my hand in a bucket is nothing compared to this!"

Recalling his previous method of restoring his body, Jiang Ning couldn't help but mutter.

Fully immersed in the water, Jiang Ning instantly felt his condition rapidly improving.

Much faster than when he had dipped his hand in the bucket the night before.

After several breaths.

He opened his eyes, and his body's condition had completely recovered.

The fatigue from a day of intense cultivation seemed to vanish at that moment.

"Is this the water and fire invulnerability and water resistance effect of the Water and Fire Immortal Garment?"

He spread his five fingers and gently stirred the water, feeling as if there was an invisible membrane between his fingers and the lake water.

With this membrane, his body was separated from the water.

With this barrier, he could imagine.

Even blood-melting toxic water, without his permission, could not touch his body in the slightest.

Then.

Jiang Ning's thoughts stirred, and the membrane covering his palm, the so-called Water and Fire Immortal Garment, disappeared.

The lake water touched his palm again.

However, with his unique characteristics, even though the lake water was freezing cold, he felt exceptionally comfortable, as if soaking in a hot spring.

"The Water and Fire Immortal Garment seems to conflict with the water spirit harmony I now possess."

Jiang Ning murmured to himself.

With the water spirit harmony, he was fearless in water, even at the bottom of the lake, it felt no different than being on land.

Then.

He had an idea, and he muttered to himself, "But that's not necessarily true! I'm not afraid of ordinary water because of my water spirit harmony! But for toxic water, water spirit harmony may not be effective."

According to his knowledge, there were some waters in this world that appeared ordinary but could turn any living being into solid ice, never to melt for a thousand years.

"If it's this kind of water, I can face it with the Water and Fire Immortal Garment, but without it, I can only run as far as I can!"

With this thought, Jiang Ning became even more satisfied with the Water and Fire Immortal Garment.

At least, according to his previous tests.

In terms of fire resistance, he could bathe in magma without a scratch.

This showed that in water control, even with a limit, the limit was very high.

Then.

He was in the water.

He began to cultivate the Water and Fire Essence Technique to gain experience in this skill.

[Skill] Water and Fire Essence Technique (Secondary Limit Break 189/2000) (Attribute: Water and Fire Immortal Garment)



Today, he had completed the initial bone forging.

His 206 bones needed some time to settle.

After this settling period, he could proceed with the second bone forging.

In the meantime, he naturally couldn't neglect cultivating the Water and Fire Essence Technique.

Although the first limit break of the Water and Fire Essence Technique didn't grant him the fire resistance he had hoped for.

But if the first limit break didn't appear, he could still hope for the second one.

After all, gaining experience in this skill wasn't difficult.

The second limit break didn't require many essence energy points, just 200.

In the water, Jiang Ning continuously cultivated the Water and Fire Essence Technique.

[Water and Fire Essence Technique Experience +4]



[Water and Fire Essence Technique Experience +3]



[Water and Fire Essence Technique Experience +4]



With each cultivation, he noticed a difference.

"It seems... the experience gain efficiency has increased?" Jiang Ning observed the prompt before him, his eyes revealing a hint of surprise.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end