Chapter 252: The Wonders of the Water Fire Mantle, Inner Core Cultivation Skyrockets!

Chapter 252: The Wonders of the Water Fire Mantle, Inner Core Cultivation Skyrockets!

In the courtyard.

"You're practicing your fist techniques again!" Xie Xiaojiu exclaimed.

"Yes!" Feng Jiuge nodded.

"The muscles on your body look so good!" Xie Xiaojiu exclaimed in admiration.

"I want to pinch them!" She suddenly blurted out.

Feng Jiuge glanced at her: "When you slept with him before, didn't you pinch enough?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Xiaojiu immediately understood what Feng Jiuge was referring to.

She quickly shook her head: "Don't talk nonsense!"

"You're a gentleman, you've never slept with me!"

"When you stayed at my house, you slept on the floor."

Hearing these words, Feng Jiuge looked at Xie Xiaojiu in surprise: "Is that true?"

"Of course, it's true!" Xie Xiaojiu affirmed.

Upon hearing this, Feng Jiuge's expression brightened slightly.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Jiang Ning removed his upper garment and practiced his fist techniques in the courtyard, with beads of sweat occasionally dripping from his nose and a rising steamy heat from his body.

[Five Animal Fist Experience +3]



[Five Animal Fist Experience +3]



[Five Animal Fist Experience +4]



[.]



With each repetition of the fist techniques, a prompt appeared before him.

As time passed, experience points accumulated, and the second limit break was drawing closer.

At noon.

After lunch.

Jiang Ning soaked in a bathtub.

[Skills]: Five Animal Fist (First Limit Break 1288/2000) (Attribute: Five Viscera Storing Essence)



He took a brief glance at his panel and then closed it.

Then, his body slowly sank, submerging into the bathtub.

With the nourishment of the water, he felt his condition gradually recovering.

Half a shichen later.

Jiang Ning stepped out of the room and stood in the courtyard, which had been cleared of snow, and continued his fist practice.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Ten Thousand Joys Tower.

"Sister-in-law, when can I meet the Jiang Ning you mentioned?" The girl in a light yellow gown laid her head on the table in front of her, looking like a limp mud.

Lin Qingyi looked at the girl before her and smiled faintly.

"Is Little Shiqi in such a hurry?"

"This place is so boring, it's too dull!" The girl swayed from side to side.

Just then, a handsome man beside her said, "Little Shiqi, we didn't come out to play, but to travel the world and see what it's like."

"Didn't we already see it yesterday? Luoshui County looked so peaceful and prosperous," the girl said.

Lin Qingyi, who was beside her, heard this and spoke up, "Little Shiqi, what you and Prince Bazhang saw yesterday was the inner city. The people in the inner city are either wealthy or noble. Of course, it appears peaceful and prosperous."

"If you two really want to experience the lives of ordinary people, you should go to the outer city!"

"The outer city?" The man immediately stood up: "Since Sister-in-law says so, then Little Shiqi, let's go and see what the outer city of Luoshui County looks like!"

"Okay!" The girl stood up.

Huangtian Sect Headquarters.

Looking at the man in a white robe before him, Liu Linmen felt an unusual sense of gravity.

This was because he recognized who this man was.

He was the second young master of the Qinghe Earl's Manor in Dongling Prefecture, He Jinseng.

Although he wasn't the eldest son, just the second son.

But according to his understanding, the only one with the qualifications to inherit the Earl's position was him.

Because in martial arts, the eldest son of the Qinghe Earl's Manor was a talentless fool, with pitiful comprehension, at the age of thirty-three, he was still at the peak of the ninth rank.

This second young master, on the other hand, had exceptional martial talent, and before the age of thirty, he had reached the peak of the sixth rank and had even earned the title of a martial champion.

After the start of spring, he would also be qualified to compete for the position of martial champion.

In the Qinghe Earl's Manor, with the eldest son lacking in martial arts, the Earl's position would naturally fall to the second young master, Liu Jinseng.

It was also for this reason that when Liu Linmen saw He Jinseng's visit, his heart became so heavy.

"Second Young Master, please take a seat inside!" Liu Linmen said, gesturing with his hand.

"No need!" He Jinseng shook his head: "Let's get straight to the point. My intention for coming here today is simple! I want to know, in Luoshui County, who is most likely to be the murderer of my younger brother. I believe you, with your reputation as a divine teacher, have a rough answer in your heart."

So it was true!

Hearing He Jinseng's words, Liu Linmen sighed inwardly.

Jiang Ning's figure flashed through his mind, and then he apologized: "Second Young Master, I'm sorry! According to what I know, I don't know who could have done this to the Fifth Young Master."

"You really don't know, or are you pretending not to know?" He Jinseng stared at Liu Linmen, his eyebrows furrowed, and a 'chuan' character appeared between his brows.

"I really don't know!" Liu Linmen looked at the assertive He Jinseng with a helpless expression.

As soon as these words were spoken, the room fell silent, not a sound to be heard.

After a few breaths, Liu Linmen said, "If you remember any clues in the future, Master Liu, you can come and tell me. I'll remember this favor."

"Definitely!" Liu Linmen readily agreed.

As He Jinseng's figure gradually moved away, Liu Linmen shook his head with a smile and then turned back.

At the entrance of Luoshui County.

A man was standing a hundred meters away from the city gate, leading a horse and gazing up at the three characters of 'Luoshui County' above the gate.

"Jin Fuguan, if Jiang Ning dares to kill Cao Rong, what should I do about it?"

"It's up to you, sir!" Jin Fuguan, standing beside him, spoke up, but inside, he was lamenting.

The road was blocked by heavy snow, making the journey extremely arduous.

And now, he had to undertake such a difficult task; how could he not feel bitter?

He was well aware that Jiang Ning was from the Inspection Bureau and was not an ordinary small figure. He was an eighth-rank official appointed by the court, one of the real power figures in the Inspection Bureau.

Even though everyone knew that Cao Rong was killed by Jiang Ning, how could they possibly deal with Jiang Ning, a deputy commander, in Luoshui County?

Thinking of this, he glanced at Jin Fuguan beside him and then cautiously said, "Sir, why don't you follow the example of Feng Xiaowei and just fool around with Yan Duwei?"

"What? Do you think I'm not a match for Jiang Ning?" the man asked.

Jin Fuguan immediately replied, "Your strength, even in Luoshui County, is only second to the lord of the manor and above tens of thousands of people. Little Jiang Ning is naturally no match for you!"

"But Luoshui County is Jiang Ning's territory, and he has the support of the Inspection Bureau behind him."

"If you and I were to clash with them, it would ultimately be like two fists against four hands!"

Hearing this, the man laughed.

Then he patted Jin Fuguan's shoulder and said, "You see through things clearly! You're right, I'm too lazy to do this difficult task!"

His words fell.

He strode forward.

"Let's go! Into the city!"

"Yes, sir!" Jin Fuguan quickly followed.

"Sir, do we still need to investigate Cao Rong's matter?"

"Investigate what?" The man said, "Let's go and drink some flower wine, and after a few days, we'll heal our injuries and return!"

"Understood!" Jin Fuguan immediately followed with a cheerful smile.

The next day.

The weather was clear, the sun was bright, and the sky was cloudless.

The warm sun hung high in the sky, radiating endless light and heat.

This was a rare sunny day.

Jiang Ning had been practicing his fist techniques in his own courtyard.

[Five Animal Fist Experience +4]



[Five Animal Fist Experience +3]



[Five Animal Fist Experience +4]



[.]



After practicing the fist techniques over and over again, their meaning became clear.

After a long while, Jiang Ning exhaled and retracted his fist stance, lightly spitting out a mouthful of turbid air from his stomach.

At this moment, his whole body was drenched in sweat, and he was emitting a large amount of heat. A cloud of smoke rose from his head.

[Skills]: Five Animal Fist (Once Breaking Limit 1723/2000) (Attribute: Five Viscera Storing Essence)



Jiang Ning glanced at his own panel and then closed it.

"It's almost there!"

"With my current efficiency, before midnight tonight, the Five Animal Fist will be able to complete the second limit break."

At this moment, the time was also approaching the Hour of the Serpent.

Jiang Ning's figure leaped over the tall courtyard wall and landed on the rocky beach.

Then, he stepped onto the ice layer on the lake, creating a huge opening.

With the rare clear weather, he naturally wanted to take advantage of it to absorb the sun's essence and increase his Inner Core Cultivation experience.

A moment later.

Jiang Ning sat cross-legged on the water's surface, with his upper body above the water and his lower body submerged.

The lake water began to freeze again.

At this moment, Jiang Ning, like a Taoist master, faced the sun and began to breathe in the sun's essence.

As the sun's essence entered his stomach, his body emitted rolling waves of heat.

The lake water, which had just started to freeze, suddenly began to melt, and the surrounding ice layer slowly thawed.

Suddenly.

Jiang Ning abruptly opened his eyes, and joy appeared in them.

Something was wrong!

He looked up at the sky; it was clear, cloudless, and the sun was high. Even with half of his body in the water, he could feel the warmth of the sun.

The next moment.

His figure suddenly leaped out of the water and landed on the nearby ice.

Then he inhaled towards the sun above, and a scorching sun essence was immediately sucked into his stomach through his nose.

He slowly closed his eyes.

After a few breaths.

He opened his eyes, and joy appeared in them.

At this moment, he was completely sure that the sun's essence had entered his body, and there was no longer the burning sensation that had previously scorched his five viscera.

[Skills]: Waterfire True Energy (Second Limit Break 48/3000) (Attribute: Water Fire Mantle, Palm Control of Water and Fire)



[Water Fire Mantle]: Equipped with the Water Fire Mantle, able to avoid water and fire, unafraid of water and fire.

"Could it be because of this, due to the attribute of the Water Fire Mantle?"

Jiang Ning muttered to himself.

He had already attempted this before.

After obtaining the Water Fire Mantle, even flames reaching over a thousand degrees were unable to cause any burns to his body.

"It should be!" Jiang Ning affirmed his guess as he read the description of the Water Fire Mantle on the panel.

With flames over a thousand degrees having no effect on him, he could even bathe in lava.

In such a situation, what was the temperature of the Great Sun Essence Qi? Naturally, it wouldn't cause any burning sensation to his organs.

Upon this realization, his heart filled with joy.

Unafraid of the burning Great Sun Essence Qi, this meant that his efficiency in absorbing the Great Sun Essence Qi would also increase.

With improved efficiency, his experience points would accumulate faster.

Moreover, the growth rate of his inner energy would also increase.

The next moment, he sat cross-legged on the ice like a Daoist master, gazing up at the Great Sun above and absorbing its essence.

[Inner Core Cultivation Experience +1]



[Inner Core Cultivation Experience +1]



[Inner Core Cultivation Experience +1]



[.]



The frequency of the prompts increased, more than doubling compared to before.

Time slowly passed, and his Inner Core Cultivation experience continued to rise.

At the eighth hour of the morning, it was noon.

Jiang Ning slowly opened his eyes.

Huff—

He exhaled the astonishing heat from his belly, instantly melting a shallow layer of the ice in front of him, revealing water stains.

Then, in the midst of the cold air emanating from the ice, it quickly froze again.

[This absorption of the Great Sun Essence Qi has increased your Inner Core Cultivation experience by a total of 98 points.]



A thought crossed his mind, and a summary prompt appeared before him.

Reading the prompt, a hint of joy flashed in Jiang Ning's eyes.

With this efficiency, his speed had more than doubled compared to before.

[Skills]: Inner Core Cultivation (Minor Accomplishment 991/5000)



"With my current efficiency, in just over forty days of sunrise, my Inner Core Cultivation will reach Major Accomplishment, and my inner energy will be as powerful as a trigram."

"I never expected the Water Fire Mantle to have such a miraculous effect!"

Jiang Ning's heart was filled with countless emotions.

Since acquiring the Water Fire Mantle, today was the first time they had a clear day.

Because of this clear day, he discovered that the Water Fire Mantle had this effect, doubling his efficiency in absorbing the Great Sun Essence Qi.

Thinking of this, Jiang Ning looked up at the sky and shook his head.

"Unfortunately, there are too few clear days during this winter. It's either snowing or cloudy!"

"If there were more sunny days, I could quickly break through to the next realm in Inner Core Cultivation, and with abilities comparable to a Fifth-Rank peak, even if the Qinghe Marquis Manor causes trouble for me, I wouldn't be the slightest bit afraid!"

Returning to the courtyard, Jiang Ning continued his fist training.

Under the warm sun, he sweated profusely.

Suddenly—

Footsteps approached from the courtyard.

Jiang Ning looked up and saw Jiang Li slowly appearing in his line of sight.

"Big Brother?"

Jiang Li revealed a hint of simplicity.

"Big Brother, is something the matter?"

Jiang Li said, "Ah Ning, do you remember? At the third hour of noon, it's the time when the entire Cao family will be executed in the vegetable market. We should be heading there soon."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning suddenly realized, "Oh, it's time for the Cao family's execution!"

"Ah Ning, shall we go?" Jiang Li asked.

"Let's go!" Jiang Ning nodded affirmatively.

Then he said, "Big Brother, wait here for a moment. I'll go take a quick shower and change my clothes!"

After saying this, Jiang Ning climbed over the courtyard wall and headed towards the lake.

After breaking through the ice, he entered the cold lake water to wash away the sweat on his body.

Then, he changed into a new set of clothes in the water.

When he returned to shore, his body was slightly damp.

"This skill is so convenient!" Jiang Ning nodded in satisfaction.

After mastering the Water Manipulation Technique, he could instantly dry any wet clothes.

Immediately, he thought of something else.

He shook his head, "Unfortunately, the Water Manipulation Technique can't separate blood."

He had tried this method before.

In the beginning, when he activated the Water Manipulation Technique, it seemed like a natural field enveloped the human body, and he couldn't even separate the blood of ordinary people.

Even now, he couldn't achieve this, unable to separate the water from the human body.

A moment later, he reappeared in front of Jiang Li.

"Big Brother, let's go!"

Jiang Li looked at Jiang Ning's attire and was slightly surprised.

Then, without saying anything, he nodded slightly.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end