Chapter 255: Five People, Second in the World

Chapter 255: Five People, Second in the World

On the banks of the Luo River.

In front of Jiang Ning's mansion.

A luxurious carriage slowly came to a stop.

"Sister-in-law, is this the place you mentioned where Jiang Ning lives?" A beautiful young girl poked her head out from behind the curtain of the carriage, gazing at the vast expanse of the lake and the snowy landscape beneath the boundless snow. She couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Yes!" Lin Qingyi's voice slowly came from inside the carriage. "After he made his fortune, he bought this lakeside mansion and moved his entire family from the outer city to live here!"

At the same time, a man emerged from the carriage, glancing at the scenery ahead.

He slowly nodded, "It seems that Jiang Ning, as mentioned by Elder Sister-in-law, is indeed a man of honor and integrity. The inner city is much safer than the outer city."

Yesterday afternoon, he had taken his biological sister to the outer city and witnessed the current situation there. He saw the occasional frozen corpses on the streets, and he suddenly realized how difficult life was for ordinary civilians.

There were frozen corpses on the streets! This was not just a literary description but a real scene unfolding before his eyes.

According to his understanding, Luoshui County was considered one of the more peaceful places in the Great Xia.

In some places, it was like a living hell, and the suffering of the people there was a hundred times worse than here.

However, even with this knowledge, he felt helpless.

The vast trend of events was not something that could be reversed by the strength of mere mortals.

Even as the eighth prince of the Great Xia, he had no solution.

All he could do was a drop in the ocean.

As the man stepped out of the carriage, Lin Qingyi and the young girl also emerged.

In the howling cold wind, the girl's fair nose immediately turned red.

"It's so cold!" She stamped her feet and hurriedly rubbed her hands together, blowing warm air into her palms.

Seeing this, Lin Qingyi quickly took off her white fox fur coat and draped it over the girl.

"I told you to dress warmer, but you didn't listen! It's bound to be cold by the lake with no shelter at all!"

The girl smiled at Lin Qingyi, "Elder Sister-in-law is so kind to me."

At this moment, the man beside them glanced at Lin Qingyi with a hint of surprise.

Lin Qingyi's attire was not particularly thick; on the contrary, it could be considered rather thin, no different from the autumn clothing of ordinary people.

Now, with the three of them standing by the Luo River, although it was approaching noon, and the temperature had risen a few degrees compared to the night, it was still cold enough for the water to freeze. Snowflakes continued to fall from above, and the cold wind blew from the frozen lake in the distance.

In this chilly wind, Lin Qingyi's clothes fluttered, but her face remained calm without a hint of discomfort.

This was not something an ordinary person could achieve by sheer willpower.

Lin Qingyi's performance clearly showed her indifference to the cold.

"Could it be that Elder Sister-in-law's martial arts are even more advanced than mine?" The man couldn't help but wonder.

On the side, the girl, now wrapped in Lin Qingyi's fox fur coat, immediately felt a wave of warmth.

"Elder Sister-in-law, aren't you cold?" the girl asked.

Lin Qingyi smiled, "I'm not cold!"

"I don't believe it!" The girl shook her head, reaching her hand out from the thick fox fur and grasping Lin Qingyi's soft and delicate left hand. A look of surprise flashed across her eyes.

"Elder Sister-in-law's hand is so warm!"

Lin Qingyi smiled and said, "Let's go! I'll take you to see Jiang Ning!"

"Great!" The girl's face lit up with excitement.

Yesterday, she had gone to the outer city with her biological brother and heard about Jiang Ning's recent achievements.

He had punished and eliminated the gang that had been plaguing the county, saving many children who had been harmed and left with physical disabilities.

After seeing those children with disabilities, she felt even more admiration for Jiang Ning, whom she had never met.

A young man with noble aspirations, a chivalrous hero.

She had read about such deeds in books.

For her, a caged bird, these deeds were something to aspire to.

On the other side, Jiang Ning stood in the courtyard.

Like a white ape leaping through the mountains, his movements were unpredictable, leaving behind fleeting shadows.

Around the courtyard, torches stood tall, and blades were planted in the snowy ground.

This was the best environment he had created for practicing the Five Animal Fist.

Beneath his feet, the earth was the source of Earth Essence.

The man-made pond in the courtyard was the origin of Water Essence.

The flowers and trees in the courtyard were the source of Wood Essence.

The torches surrounding the courtyard were the source of Fire Essence.

The blades standing in the snowy ground were the source of Metal Essence.

With all five elemental essences present, this was the ideal environment for practicing the Five Animal Fist.

Practicing the Five Animal Fist in such an environment could greatly enhance the foundation of his five organs.

According to his understanding, the stronger the five organs' foundation, the more vast and boundless the inner energy they could nurture in the future.

The five organs nurture inner energy, and the inner energy is stored in the Dantian.

After a moment.

One round of the fist technique was completed.

[Five Elements Fist Experience +4]



Jiang Ning clenched his fists and stood, a faint hint of joy on his face.

"It really works!"

This time, by creating an environment with all five elements, he felt that after completing one round of the fist technique, his five organs also conveyed a sense of being nourished.

A faint sense of relaxation and joy emanated from within, spreading throughout his body.

Unlike before, when he practiced the Five Elements Fist without the absorption of the Metal Spirit, he clearly felt a bit uncomfortable in his five organs.

But now, he no longer had this feeling.

After sensing for a moment, he practiced the fist technique again.

This time, as he moved, he unleashed a punch, like a fierce tiger descending from the mountain, its might and roar startling.

Clang—

A heavy sound of metal striking suddenly reverberated within him, and a powerful force spread from within.

"It works!"

He slightly focused his mind and continued practicing the fist technique.

After a breath.

He turned and swung his right hand like a tiger's whip.

Pa—

The air exploded.

Clang—

A second sound of metal striking suddenly echoed within him.

At this moment, he was using his mind for two tasks, practicing the fist technique while also forging his bones.

Advancing simultaneously, he constantly adjusted the rhythm.

The rhythm of practicing the fist technique and the rhythm of tempering the bones.

One Hundred and Eight Heavenly Trigram Earthly Drought Bone Forging Technique.

The most important aspect of this bone-forging technique was the number one hundred and eight.

One hundred and eight was a single cycle.

A single cycle was a complete bone forging.

To advance simultaneously and use his mind for two tasks, he needed to find a comfortable rhythm.

By making the fist technique and bone-forging technique harmonize, the completion of the fist technique would also mark the end of a bone-forging cycle.

"Lin Louzhu, please follow me!"

Walking on the shallow snow, Jiang Li led the way.

Behind him, Lin Qingyi and a man and a woman who had come with her followed closely.

After a moment.

The group arrived outside the courtyard of the eastern compound.

Suddenly.

The man who had accompanied them halted in his steps, his eyes slightly surprised.

"Bone Forging sound?"

"Minghao also heard it?" Lin Qingyi asked with a smile.

The bone-forging sounds coming from the courtyard and Jiang Ning's fist practice sounds had reached the ears of the eighth prince before her.

She wasn't surprised by these sounds.

After all, the Iron Bones Pill, Mysterious Bones Pill, and Jade Bones Pill in Jiang Ning's hands all came from her.

At that time, if Jiang Ning still needed these three pills, it would mean that he was about to step into the Sixth Rank of Martial Dao.

After many days, hearing the bone-forging sounds outside Jiang Ning's courtyard, she naturally didn't find it strange.

But for the eighth prince, Minghao, it was indeed astonishing.

Although the Sixth Rank of Martial Dao wasn't a remarkable achievement in a larger place, in this small area, coupled with his youth, it made him feel a bit terrified.

It was known that he, as the eighth prince of Daxia, had only reached the Sixth Rank of Martial Dao and achieved Jade Bone Realm by the age of twenty.

To reach this level, his martial talent was naturally exceptional.

The Daxia royal family, through generations of optimized marriages, had ensured that their children possessed top-notch martial talent.

His mother was a Grandmaster, and now she had even reached the rank of Great Grandmaster.

Needless to say, his father's talent was even more impressive.

As a descendant of a Grandmaster, he was born with dragon-like potential.

With top-notch martial talent and unparalleled innate gifts, he had abundant resources at his disposal.

Achieving Jade Bone Realm by the age of twenty wasn't an outrageous feat.

But in this small place, it seemed a bit intimidating to him.

The Sixth Rank of Martial Dao was a level that could bring fame and glory in the Martial Imperial Exams.

At the very least, one could become a Martial Scholar.

If one could forge Jade Bones like him and seize the title of Martial Graduate, it would be a near-certain achievement.

The Martial Graduate was a path for young men under thirty to strive for fame and glory.

Not only could one become a Martial Graduate, but even becoming a Martial Scholar would grant the qualification to hold a position in the county, at least an eighth-rank military officer.

For most people, this was a way to transcend social class, change fate, and bring honor to one's ancestors.

As for the Martial Graduate, it was even more exaggerated.

One could join the military, starting as a Captain.

With improving martial skills and a deep understanding of military strategy, one could become a Colonel, and it wasn't difficult to become a Brigadier General.

Although this was within the scope of Honorary Generals, they were still generals.

When going out, who wouldn't respectfully address them as generals? Therefore, the Sixth Rank of Martial Dao was a status that commanded respect throughout the world.

And he, Minghao, the eighth prince of Daxia, had witnessed a young man forging his bones in a small Luoshui County.

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And just like him, they had all reached the age of adulthood.

"Incredible!!!" Ji Minghao was amazed in his heart.

From this, he had already seen Jiang Ning's future achievements in the Martial Dao, and they would undoubtedly surpass his own.

Having just reached adulthood, he had already attained the Sixth Rank in the Martial Dao.

With such accomplishments, in his eyes, the possibility of Jiang Ning becoming a Grandmaster was already more than half.

With sufficient cultivation, he might even have a chance to reach the position of a Great Grandmaster.

"No wonder Elder Sister-in-law has such high hopes for Jiang Ning?" At this moment, Ji Minghao suddenly understood a lot.

Although there were many Grandmasters in this world.

There were also ten Great Grandmasters.

But this world was so vast.

In the royal family, every Great Grandmaster was a highly influential figure.

Even he, the eighth prince of Daxia, would never dare to show any disrespect towards a Great Grandmaster.

Even his father, that existence seated high above in the palace, would treat a Great Grandmaster with courtesy.

At this moment.

Ji Minghao stood outside the courtyard, and his respect for Jiang Ning increased a little.

Among those of equal strength, a genius rising from a small place had far more potential than those born into wealth and high status.

Because the opportunities between the two were so unequal!

Moreover, their firm and steadfast minds would often take them even further in the future.

At the same time.

Jiang Li also heard the conversation between Lin Qingyi and Ji Minghao.

"Bone Forging?"

He was slightly startled in his heart.

Then, his thoughts turned, and he stopped in his tracks, looking at Lin Qingyi and the other two with hesitation.

"May I invite the three esteemed guests to rest in the front hall first? After my younger brother finishes his cultivation, I'll inform him, and he'll come to the front hall to receive you."

"No problem!" Lin Qingyi nodded slightly, indicating her agreement.

"No need!" Ji Minghao suddenly spoke up.

Seeing Lin Qingyi and Jiang Li looking at him, he smiled.

"I've heard of many of Jiang Ning's deeds since coming to Luoshui County, and I've developed great admiration for him!"

"Since I've come to visit, how can I not show any sincerity?"

"I'll just wait here!"

Hearing this, Jiang Li spoke calmly, "Young Master Ji, it's snowing heavily today, and the lake wind is cold. It's better to take shelter from the wind and cold inside."

"No problem!" Ji Minghao waved his hand, "This little snow is nothing! We martial practitioners have long ceased to fear the cold!"

Lin Qingyi, standing beside him, couldn't help but smile.

Then she said, "Young Master Li, there's no need to insist. Since Minghao wants to wait here, let him wait."

At this moment, Lin Qingyi had already guessed some of Ji Minghao's thoughts.

Ji Minghao had always liked to make friends with heroes and chivalrous men from all over the world, often disregarding his status and showing respect to talented people.

As for what he intended to do,

it depended on the ideas in people's hearts.

But at this moment, Jiang Li was slightly startled by Lin Qingyi calling him 'Young Master Li'.

He waved his hands repeatedly, "Madam, the words 'Young Master Li' are too much for me! Please just call me Jiang Li!"

Lin Qingyi smiled, "You're older than me, what's wrong with calling you 'Young Master Li'?"

Beside them, Ji Minghao, upon hearing their conversation, couldn't help but show surprise in his eyes once again.

The wife of the prince was an extremely respected figure, and he had to show great respect to her.

The old prince in that palace was his father's uncle and a pillar of the royal family.

He was known as the second strongest in the world.

Along with a few others, they were the second strongest in the world.

Now, there was another second strongest, the leader of the Huangtian Sect, the Yellow Heaven Daoist.

There were five people who were the second strongest in the world.

And the first, there was only one.

That Martial Sage, he was the first since ancient times!

That Martial Sage was said to have killed demons, slaughtered divine beings, and defeated immortal cultivators.

Some said that even in ancient times when immortals and gods coexisted,

that Martial Sage could kill gods and immortals.

So, there could be many second strongest, but for the first, there was only him, the Martial Sage.

It was simple! All five had reached the peak of the First Rank.

Each was the top stabilizing force of a major power.

Before a fight, no one knew who was stronger or weaker, higher or lower.

That was why there were five people who were the second strongest in the world.

At this level, unless necessary, no one dared to act lightly.

Especially now, everyone knew the world would be in great chaos, and no one dared to act lightly.

Once their true strength was revealed and found lacking, they might face devastating calamity!

(End of Chapter)

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