Chapter 281: Surging Inner Breath, Trouble at the City Gate!

Chapter 281: Surging Inner Breath, Trouble at the City Gate!

In the blink of an eye, the New Year's Eve was approaching.

Despite the lingering cold, the entire Luoshui County was bustling with life.

Laughter of children filled the streets and alleys, creating a lively atmosphere.

The entire county was adorned with red lanterns.

In the eastern courtyard, Jiang Ning exhaled a turbid breath, and a white mist, like a sword, pierced through the air, extending over ten feet.

He then walked to a stone table under a nearby pavilion and poured himself a cup of lukewarm tea.

Gulping down two mouthfuls, he quickly emptied the bowl.

Afterward, he glanced at the busy figure in the courtyard.

At this moment, Lu Yi was carrying a wooden ladder, stepping on it to hang red lanterns on the trees.

These lanterns were purchased by her and her sister-in-law, Liu Wanwan, at the market that morning.

In the afternoon, they started decorating the courtyard.

Tomorrow was New Year's Eve, and the following night would be the New Year's Eve dinner, a time for family reunion.

Seeing half of the courtyard already adorned with red lanterns, Jiang Ning couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity.

The New Year celebrations here were quite similar to those of his previous life, stirring emotions within him and evoking a faint homesickness.

After a moment of reflection, he shook his head and chuckled.

Then, he put down the cup he was holding.

"Continue practicing the Five Animal Fist and tempering your bones. The faster I complete the Jade Bone casting, the stronger I'll be, and the better I can handle any unexpected situations."

At this moment, he recalled the events of a few days ago.

Two powerful Five-Star experts from the Worshipping God Sect had joined forces to attack him.

If he had slacked off even for a day, his strength might not have been sufficient to face such a challenge.

Any previous negligence or insufficient strength would have resulted in a life-threatening crisis.

Through this experience, he understood a fundamental truth: strength is the foundation for handling any situation.

With enough strength, troubles become mere inconveniences.

Just like the previous difficulties he encountered, as his strength grew, they naturally dissolved without any effort on his part.

Take the conflict with Medicine King Valley, for instance. If he hadn't demonstrated his abilities to the extent that the Valley Master Lu Qingshan took notice, how could those issues have been so easily overlooked?

As for the rift with the Cao family, it became easier to resolve as his strength grew.

Reflecting on these past events, Jiang Ning became more resolute in his belief.

Strengthening oneself is the key to true stability.

After a brief rest, he glanced at his status panel.

[Skills]: Five Animal Fist (Three Break Limits 663/4000) (Characteristics: Five Viscera Gods, Five Elements Spirit, Fist Master)



In the past few days, the experience points for the Five Animal Fist had increased by over six hundred.

His bones were gradually transforming into Jade Bones, and everything was progressing in the right direction.

Lu Yi's progress in learning the Five Animal Fist was also astonishing.

In just a few days, her Qi and Blood energy had reached a level where it coursed through both her arms.

This made Jiang Ning realize the immense value of his blood to others.

The only downside was that those who consumed his blood would become his subordinates, bound to him to a certain extent.

However, what was harmful to others was a useful tool for him.

As the saying goes, you can't judge a book by its cover.

With this method, he could cultivate trustworthy talents when needed, just like Lu Yi at this moment.

Thinking of this, Jiang Ning called out, "Little Lu!"

"Yes, Young Master!" Lu Yi, standing on the wooden ladder, turned her head towards Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "After hanging the lanterns, come and receive my blood."

"Yes!" Lu Yi's eyes lit up at the prospect.

Through Jiang Ning's experiments, she knew that her transformation was due to his blood.

Her martial arts progress was also closely tied to his blood.

Jiang Ning then began practicing the Five Animal Fist and continued to mobilize his Qi and Blood energy to temper his bones.

The next day, New Year's Eve was fast approaching.

Jiang Ning felt a surge of emotion as he witnessed a small gap in the cloud layer over the distant mountain peak, illuminated by golden light.

Throughout the entire winter, clear days had been scarce.

This had significantly hindered his progress in the Inner Essence Nourishing Art.

By now, he should have at least reached the stage where his inner breath was condensed into a primal energy.

However, based on his current efficiency in absorbing the essence of the sun, it would still take thirty to forty days.

[Skills]: Inner Essence Nourishing Art (Small Success 1277/5000)



After checking his panel, Jiang Ning eagerly awaited the clear day ahead.

Having practiced the Five Animal Fist for so long, he had guided the Five Elements Spirit into his body, and his five viscera were now brimming with abundant energy.

As this energy accumulated, it nurtured his five viscera, making them more robust.

However, without proper cultivation, the energy would continue to build up.

"Later, when I absorb the essence of the sun and refine the Five Elements Spirit within my five viscera, my inner breath will surge, and the Inner Essence Nourishing Art will advance significantly."

With this anticipation, Jiang Ning couldn't wait.

At the fifth rank of martial arts, the greatest change was the mastery of inner breath.

The so-called Fifth Stage Peak, a single breath slaying a thousand troops.

This is the terrifying effect of an extremely powerful Inner Breath.

In the blink of an eye, the third hour had just passed, and the fourth hour had arrived.

Jiang Ning could feel the warmth of the sun above, freely radiating light and heat.

He could sense his hair being scorched by the sun.

At this moment, he sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion prepared by Lu Yi, assuming the Five Hearts Facing Heaven posture.

The Inner Essence Nourishing Art is a Daoist technique for strengthening the body.

By assuming the Five Hearts Facing Heaven posture, he could better absorb the sun's true energy.

The next moment, he lifted his head to gaze at the sun above.

A wisp of sun essence was drawn into his nostrils from the void.

The sun essence descended from his nostrils into his lungs, scorching hot and filled with terrifying heat.

However, he didn't feel any burning pain as before.

With the protection of the Water and Fire Immortal Robe, he was no longer afraid of ordinary flames and could even bathe in magma. The sun essence naturally couldn't scorch him.

Then, he felt the sun essence disperse, merging into his five viscera.

Instantly, he felt as if he were in a furnace, with warmth flowing through his body like a stream.

As the sun essence tempered his five viscera, the accumulated Five Elements Spirit was rapidly refined, and a wisp of Inner Breath condensed from the viscera, flowing into his Dantian in the abdomen.

[Inner Essence Nourishing Art Experience +1]



As the prompt sounded, the wisp of sun essence was consumed.

Jiang Ning reopened his eyes, his face filled with joy.

With the nourishment of the Five Elements Spirit, his foundation became more robust, and his five viscera had accumulated a significant amount of the Five Elements Spirit.

Therefore, the refinement of the sun essence this time was even more significant than the last.

Before completing the second breakthrough in the Five Beasts Fist, he couldn't draw upon the Five Elements Spirit from heaven and earth to nurture his five viscera.

With his previous cultivation, he could only increase one wisp of Inner Breath with each absorption of sun essence. But now, with a stronger foundation and some accumulated Five Elements Spirit, he could refine more Five Elements Spirit with each absorption, increasing several wisps of Inner Breath.

The efficiency of Inner Breath growth had increased several times compared to before.

This time, it was even more remarkable.

With more accumulation, this absorption session increased his Inner Breath by over ten wisps.

"So comfortable!!!"

Jiang Ning's face beamed with joy.

All the hardships he had endured during this period were now transformed into a bountiful harvest.

His Inner Breath would surge during the next two hours.

Subsequently, he calmed his mind and focused his spirit, clearing his mind of all distractions.

Then, he continued to absorb the sun essence from above.

With each absorption, wisps of sun essence merged into his five viscera.

His viscera continued to be tempered.

[Inner Essence Nourishing Art Experience +1]



[Inner Essence Nourishing Art Experience +1]



[Inner Essence Nourishing Art Experience +1]



With the protection of the Water and Fire Immortal Robe, he was no longer afraid of the scorching sun essence, greatly enhancing his absorption efficiency.

With the robe's characteristics, he no longer feared the burning of the sun essence, significantly improving his absorption efficiency.

He no longer had to worry about the burden on his five viscera.

Two hours later, the sun reached its zenith.

The fourth hour passed, and the fifth hour arrived.

"Huff—"

Jiang Ning slowly opened his eyes from his meditative state, exhaling a breath of turbid air.

[This session of absorbing sun essence increased the Inner Essence Nourishing Art experience by a total of 110 points.]



[Skill]: Inner Essence Nourishing Art (Minor Accomplishment 1387/5000)



Glancing at his skill panel, Jiang Ning closed it.

"At this rate, it will take a little over a year."

"That's not too long."

"Unfortunately, this winter is clearly a harsh one."

He shook his head, then closed his eyes again, focusing inward.

His mind sank into her Dantian.

He saw the river-like Inner Heart within his Dantian, flowing with mighty force.

Both the force and might were more potent than before.

"Indeed, it has grown significantly! Although there's no qualitative change, there's a quantitative accumulation."

After observing the changes in his Dantian, Jiang Ning opened his eyes, feeling satisfied.

The most significant change this time was not the progress in Inner Essence Nourishing Art, but the refinement of the Five Elements Spirit within his five viscera, which led to a substantial increase in Inner Breath.

He had just slightly sensed this refinement.

This single refinement increased his Inner Breath by nearly one and a half times the previous amount, an extremely noticeable improvement.

He was well aware of the reason for such progress, primarily due to the changes in the Five Beasts Fist after multiple breakthroughs.

This step mainly focused on strengthening the five viscera and refining Inner Breath.

With the Five Beasts Fist's multiple breakthroughs, he could draw upon the Five Elements Spirit from heaven and earth to nurture his five viscera.

The stronger his five viscera became, the more his Inner Breath would increase daily.

Simultaneously, as the Five Elements Spirit accumulated within his viscera, absorbing and refining the Five Elements Spirit with the sun essence, his five viscera grew stronger, leading to a surge in his Inner Breath.

However, he realized that during this period of practicing the fist, drawing upon the Five Elements Spirit, and accumulating it, a single day of absorbing sun essence wasn't enough to completely refine the accumulated Five Elements Spirit.

The accumulation of energy in his body continued to grow. While this process enhanced the strength of his five viscera, the effects were too gentle, and the everyday enhancement consumed far less than what he was now absorbing.

As a result, the accumulation over these days had become increasingly significant.

"If the clear weather continues for another three to five days, it should be enough!" Jiang Ning muttered to himself.

Meanwhile, outside Luo Shui County, a military force had quietly emerged in the nearby forest.

Shadowy figures, numbering over a hundred, moved without making a sound. Even the thirty-odd black nightmare horses were equally silent.

This high level of discipline was evident in every aspect of the army.

"Holy Maiden, what should we do? Today is a bright and sunny day, and the moon will likely be very bright tonight," the leader with a coarse voice said.

Upon hearing this, the Black Lotus Sect's Holy Maiden, her face covered in black gauze, slowly spoke.

"No problem! Captain Jiang, just follow the original plan!"

"Tonight is the time for family reunions and feasts, and the defense will be at its weakest."

"It's also the best time to break through the city gates!"

Hearing these words, the leader grinned.

"Good! Then let's proceed with the original plan!"

"Tonight is the time to breach the city!"

In the blink of an eye, night fell.

The cold moonlight hung high above the branches.

It illuminated the snow-covered areas within the city, and the reflected moonlight made the county town as bright as day.

In the outer city, there were only a few red decorations.

In the inner city, every household hung bright red lanterns.

Along the roads, red lanterns were hung every ten steps.

In Jiang Ning's mansion, large and small red lanterns, illuminated by candlelight, adorned the various courtyards and trees.

In the main hall.

"Big Sister, come and sit down to eat! There's already plenty of food!" Jiang Ning said, watching Liu Wanwan bustling about.

Sixteen dishes were already laid out on the table.

Such a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner was something he had never experienced, even when his parents were alive in his previous life.

Hearing this, Liu Wanwan turned to look at Jiang Ning.

Then, with a gentle smile, she said, "Ning'er, you have a drink with your big brother first. There are only two more dishes to be served."

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "I'm not in a hurry. The reunion dinner won't be complete without Sister-in-law."

"Alright!" Liu Wanwan said, "There are just two more vegetable dishes, they'll be ready soon!"

After saying this, Liu Wanwan hurried back to the kitchen.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning's gaze fell on Jiang Li.

"Why are you looking at me like that, little brother?"

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "Big brother is so lucky to have found a wife like you, who can handle both the hall and the kitchen."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but feel a sense of sentiment.

He couldn't help but recall the several 'special' women he had met during his previous life's blind dates.

Shaking his head, he didn't want to dwell on the past any longer.

Since he had been given a second chance at life, everything from his previous life was now like smoke in the wind.

He only wanted to make the most of this new life.

After all, his previous life held no more attachments for him.

A moment later.

"Miss Lu Yi, come and sit down to eat!" Liu Wanwan wiped her hands on her apron and then took it off but also invited the somewhat restrained Lu Yi to join them.

Hearing Liu Wanwan's words, Lu Yi turned to look at Jiang Ning.

"Come and sit down to eat!" Jiang Ning said.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yi nodded.

A moment later.

"Dinner's ready!" Little Beanbag exclaimed, shaking her legs excitedly.

Beside her, Jiang Yiming immediately poured her a glass of freshly squeezed juice.

This freshly squeezed juice was Jiang Ning's idea.

At this moment, Jiang Ning and Jiang Li's bowls were also filled with a bowl of clear, cold liquor.

In front of him, the table was set with sixteen steaming hot dishes.

There was a variety of meat dishes, including donkey meat stew and tender tofu, all steaming hot.

Looking at this scene, Jiang Ning felt a surge of emotions.

The next moment.

As they were about to start eating.

Jiang Ning and Jiang Li had just clinked bowls.

Boom—

Boom—

Boom—

They suddenly heard several booming explosions in the sky outside, mixed with the sound of fireworks.

The explosions came from above Luo Shui County, and the sky outside lit up with a flash.

The sound was like thunder, reverberating throughout the entire county town.

"Is that a signal flare?" Jiang Ning asked, and he and Jiang Li exchanged glances.

Just then.

Bang—

Bang Bang—

Bang Bang Bang—

The drumbeats were intense, like thunderclaps, and they grew increasingly frequent.

Hearing these drumbeats, their expressions changed instantly.

"Battle drums!" Jiang Li exclaimed, standing up.

Jiang Ning nodded and slowly put down the bowl filled with liquor.

"It seems like something's happening at the city gates. I need to go and check it out!"

"Little brother, I'll go with you!" Jiang Li said.

"No need!" Jiang Ning shook his head and continued, "Big brother, stay here. The family needs a pillar of support. As for me, you don't have to worry! My strength is among the top three in the entire county town, if not the very best!"

"If there's a crisis I can't handle, I'll return immediately. At that time, big brother and sister-in-law, we'll leave the county town together via the lake!"

After saying this, Jiang Ning immediately headed out.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end