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

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

In the blink of an eye, the New Year's arrival was imminent.

Despite the lingering winter chill, the entire Luo Water County had come alive with festive cheer.

Laughter of children filled the streets and alleys, just as it had in his previous life, creating a lively atmosphere.

The entire county was adorned with red lanterns, adding to the joyful ambiance.

Eastern Courtyard.

"Hoo—"

Jiang Ning exhaled, sending a white misty breath that seemed to pierce through the air from a distance.

He then poured himself a cup of lukewarm tea and placed it on a stone table in a nearby pavilion.

Glug—

Glug—

After two large gulps, the bottom of the bowl was already visible.

He glanced at the busy figure in the courtyard, then looked at his own status panel.

At that moment, Lu Yi was standing on a wooden ladder, her toes balancing on the rungs as she hung red lanterns on the tree.

These lanterns had been purchased that morning by Lu Yi and her sister-in-law, Liu Wanwan, at the market.

In the afternoon, they began decorating the courtyard.

Tomorrow marked the start of the New Year celebrations, and tonight was New Year's Eve, a time for family reunions and festive dinners.

Half of the courtyard was already adorned with small red lanterns, stirring emotions within Jiang Ning.

This New Year's celebration resembled the ones from his past life by about seventy to eighty percent.

This realization touched him deeply, and a faint homesickness arose in his heart.

He pondered for a few breaths.

Shaking his head, he chuckled softly.

Then, setting down the teacup he was holding, he said, "Continue practicing your fist techniques and tempering your bones. Complete the forging of the Jade Bone as soon as possible. The stronger my strength becomes, the more calmly I can face any sudden situations."

At that moment, he recalled the events that had occurred a few days ago.

Two Fifth Rank powerhouses from the Divine Worship Sect had joined forces to attack him.

If he had been negligent in his cultivation even for a day, his strength would not have grown to such an impressive level.

If he had ever slacked off in the past, his strength would have been insufficient, leading to a life-threatening crisis.

This experience further reinforced a principle in his mind: strength is the foundation for dealing with all challenges.

As long as his strength was sufficient, those troubles would cease to be problems.

Just like the difficulties he had encountered before, with the growth of his strength, they naturally resolved themselves without requiring any effort.

Take, for instance, the conflict with the Medicine King Valley. If he hadn't demonstrated enough strength to catch the attention of the valley's master, Lu Qingshan, it would have been impossible to resolve those issues so easily.

As for the rift with the Cao family, as his strength grew, resolving it became much simpler.

Reflecting on these past events, Jiang Ning became even more determined in his beliefs.

Enhancing his strength was the key to establishing a solid foundation.

After a brief rest, he took another look at his status panel.

【Skills】: Five Beasts Fist (3rd Limit Break 663/4000) (Attributes: Five Viscera Essence Storage, Five Elements Spirit, Fist Technique Master)



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

Moreover, his body was gradually transforming into Jade Bone, and everything was progressing in a positive direction.

Lu Yi's progress in learning the Five Beasts Fist was also remarkably swift.

In just a few days, the power of Qi and Blood within her body had reached a level where it coursed through both her arms.

This realization made Jiang Ning understand that his blood was an invaluable treasure to others.

The only downside was that after consuming his blood, they would become his subordinates, to some extent, under his control.

However, this was harmful to others.

For him, it was an extremely useful method.

As the saying goes, one can know a person's face but not their heart.

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

"Little Green!" He called out immediately.

"Master, you called me!" Lu Yi, standing on the wooden ladder, her toes balancing on the rungs, turned to look at Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning smiled, "After you finish hanging the lanterns, come and receive my reward."

"Yes!" Lu Yi's eyes lit up.

Through Jiang Ning's experiments, she had also come to understand that her transformation was a result of her master's blood.

Her progress in martial arts had been swift, influenced by her master's blood.

Then, Jiang Ning began practicing his fist techniques and continued to stimulate the power of Qi and Blood within his body, refining his internal energy.

The next day.

The New Year was approaching.

"Finally, the skies are clear skies!"

As he gazed at the eastern sky, a small gap in the cloud layer revealed a golden light shining on the distant mountains, filling Jiang Ning with profound emotions.

Clear skies had been rare throughout the entire winter.

This had significantly hindered his progress in the Inner Essence Cultivation Skill.

According to the original cultivation timeline, he should have already reached the stage where his inner breath condensed into Primal Energy.

At the very least, he should have been close to achieving that level.

However, based on his current efficiency in absorbing the essence of the Great Sun, he still required thirty to forty more days.

【Skills】: Inner Essence Cultivation Skill (Minor Accomplishment 1277/5000)



After glancing at his status panel, Jiang Ning eagerly anticipated the clear skies.

Having practiced the Five Beasts Fist for so long, he had drawn the Five Elements Spirit into his body, by now, his five viscera had accumulated a substantial amount of Five Elements Spirit.

These accumulated Five Elements Spirit had been continuously nourishing his five viscera, making them increasingly powerful.

However, without the Inner Fortitude Skill to refine them, they continued to accumulate.

"When I absorb the essence of the Great Sun later, I'll refine the Five Elements Spirit within my five viscera. My inner breath will surge, and my Inner Essence Cultivation Skill will advance significantly."

With this thought, Jiang Ning's heart was filled with anticipation.

At the Fifth Rank of the Martial Path, the greatest change was his mastery over his inner breath.

The so-called Fifth Stage Apex, a single breath to slay a thousand troops.

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

In the blink of an eye.

The eighth hour of the morning had just passed, and the hour of the snake had arrived.

Jiang Ning also felt the warmth emanating from the sun above, freely scattering light and heat.

He could feel his hair being scorched by the sun's rays.

At this moment, he sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion prepared by Green Ripple, assuming the Daoist posture of facing the five directions.

The Inner Essence Cultivation is a Daoist method for strengthening the inner body.

By assuming the Daoist posture of facing the five directions, it facilitates the absorption of the sun's true essence.

The next moment.

He looked up at the sun above.

With a slight inhalation, a strand of invisible sun essence was drawn into his nostrils from the void.

The sun essence sank from his nostrils into his lungs, scorching hot and containing terrifying heat.

However, he no longer felt the pain of being burned as before.

With the Water Fire Immortal Robe's characteristic, he was no longer afraid of ordinary flames and could even bathe in lava. The sun essence, of course, couldn't scorch him either.

Then, he felt the sun essence dispersing and merging into his five viscera and six bowels.

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

As the five viscera were tempered by this strand of sun essence, the five elements essence stored within the five viscera were rapidly refined, and strands of Inner Breath condensed from the five viscera, flowing into the Dantian in his abdomen.

[Inner Essence Cultivation Experience +1]



As the prompt sounded, the strand of sun essence was exhausted.

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

With the nourishment of the five elements essence, his foundation became robust, and the five viscera had accumulated a significant amount of the five elements essence.

Therefore, this time's refinement of the sun essence had even more significant changes compared to the previous time.

Before the Five Beasts Fist had completed its second breakthrough, it couldn't draw upon the five elements essence from heaven and earth to nurture the five viscera.

Previously, with each absorption of the sun essence, he could only increase one strand of Inner Breath. But after the last time, when the five viscera became stronger and accumulated some five elements essence, he could increase several strands of Inner Breath with each absorption and refinement of the five elements essence.

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

But now, it was different.

With more accumulation, this time's absorption increased his Inner Breath by over ten strands.

"So comfortable!!!"

Jiang Ning's face lit up with joy.

The hardships of this period of time had turned into fruitful results at this moment.

His Inner Breath would surge in the next two hours.

Subsequently, he calmed his mind and spirit, clearing his thoughts.

Then, he continued to absorb the sun essence above.

As he absorbed, strands of sun essence merged into his five viscera and six bowels.

The viscera and bowels were constantly tempered.

[Inner Essence Cultivation Experience +1]



[Inner Essence Cultivation Experience +1]



[Inner Essence Cultivation Experience +1]



With the Water Fire Immortal Robe's characteristic, he was no longer afraid of being burned by the sun essence, which greatly improved his absorption efficiency.

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

Two hours later.

The sun was directly overhead.

The hour of the snake had passed, and the hour of the horse had arrived.

"Huff—"

Jiang Ning slowly opened his eyes from his closed state and exhaled a breath of turbid air.

[This time's absorption of the sun essence has increased Inner Essence Cultivation experience by a total of 110 points.]



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



After checking his panel, Jiang Ning closed it.

"At today's efficiency, it will take a little over a month."

"That's not too long!"

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

69shu.com

He shook his head, then closed his eyes again, and turned his attention inward.

His mind sank into his Dantian.

Instantly, he saw the river of Inner Breath surging within his Dantian, like a mighty current.

Both the momentum and the power were more intense than before.

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

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

The most significant change from this absorption of the sun essence was not the progress in Inner Essence Cultivation but the refinement of the five elements essence within the five viscera, which led to changes in his Inner Breath.

He had just slightly felt it.

This single refinement increased his Inner Breath by about one and a half times the total amount, an extremely noticeable effect.

He was well aware that this significant progress was mainly due to the changes in the Five Beasts Fist after multiple breakthroughs.

Fifth Rank Inner Fortitude Realm.

At this stage, one strengthens the Inner Fortitude and cultivates Inner Breath.

With the Five Beasts Fist's multiple breakthroughs, one can draw the five elements essence from heaven and earth into the body, nurturing the five viscera and six bowels.

The stronger the five viscera, the more the Inner Breath will increase daily on its own.

Moreover, with the accumulation of the five elements essence in the viscera, absorbing and refining the five elements essence with the sun essence, led to a surge in his Inner Breath.

Additionally, he discovered that these days of practicing the fist technique had drawn in too much five elements essence, and a day's absorption of the sun essence was not enough to refine all the accumulated five elements essence.

The accumulation of energy in his body had been building up.

Although this accumulation also enhanced the strength of his five viscera, the effect was too gentle, and the energy consumed during the enhancement was far less than what he currently absorbed.

As a result, the accumulation had been growing more and more each day.

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

On the other side, outside Luo Shui County, a group of soldiers had quietly appeared in the distant mountains.

Their numbers totaled more than a hundred, yet they made no sound at all, not even the thirty-plus Black Nightmare Horses.

This level of discipline was a testament to the high caliber of this army.

"Saintess, what should we do? Today is a clear day, and the moon will likely be very bright tonight," the coarse-voiced leader said.

Upon hearing this, the Black Lotus Sect Saintess, her face covered by a black veil, slowly spoke.

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

"Tonight is the time for family reunions, when the defenses are at their weakest."

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

Hearing these words, the leader grinned.

"Good! Then we'll proceed as planned!"

"Tonight, we break through the city gates!!"

In the blink of an eye, night fell.

The cold moonlight hung high above the branches.

It illuminated the snow-covered county, and the reflected moonlight made the entire county 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, lit by flickering candlelight, adorned the various courtyards and trees.

In the main hall—

"Big Sis, come and sit down to eat! There's already plenty of food!" Jiang Ning watched as Liu Wanwan bustled about and couldn't help but speak up.

Sixteen dishes were already laid out on the table.

Such a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner was even more lavish than the ones he had with his parents in his previous life.

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

Then, she smiled gently, "Ning, you have a drink with your brother first. There are only two more dishes left to prepare."

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "I'm not in a hurry. The family reunion dinner isn't complete without you, Sis."

"Okay!" Liu Wanwan said, "There are only two more vegetable dishes left; 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 a wife like you, a virtuous woman who can manage both the household and the kitchen."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

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

He immediately shook his head, too lazy to think about them anymore.

Since he had been given a second chance at life, everything from his previous life was now like passing clouds.

He only wanted to live this life well.

Anyway, his previous life no longer held any attachments for him.

After a moment—

"Miss Lu Yi, come and eat together!" Liu Wanwan wiped her hands on her apron and then took it off, saying to the somewhat restrained Lu Yi beside her.

Hearing Liu Wanwan's words, Lu Yi immediately looked at Jiang Ning.

"Come and eat together!" Jiang Ning said.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yi nodded.

A moment later—

"Dinner's ready!!" Xiao Dou Bao sat in a chair, happily swinging her legs.

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

This freshly squeezed juice was also Jiang Ning's idea.

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

In front of Jiang Ning, eighteen steaming dishes were laid out on the table.

There was a variety of dishes, including chicken, duck, fish, and meat.

In the center of the table, a pot of donkey meat stew was bubbling, alongside white tofu.

Looking at this scene, Jiang Ning couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

The next moment—

As everyone began to eat, Jiang Ning and Jiang Li clinked their bowls together.

Boom—

Boom—

Boom—

They suddenly heard several booming sounds mixed with fireworks in the sky outside.

The booming sounds came from above Luo Shui County, illuminating the sky outside.

The sound was like thunder, reverberating throughout the entire county in an instant.

"Is that a signal rocket?" Jiang Ning asked, looking at Jiang Li.

At this moment—

Bang—

Bang Bang—

Bang Bang Bang—

The drumbeats were intense, like continuous thunderclaps, and they became increasingly dense.

Hearing the drumbeats, the two of them immediately changed their expressions.

"Battle drums!" Jiang Li stood up.

Jiang Ning also nodded, slowly putting down the bowl filled with liquor.

"There must be trouble at the city gate. I need to go and take a look!"

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

"No need!" Jiang Ning shook his head and continued, "Big Brother is at home, and the family needs a pillar of strength. As for me, Big Brother doesn't need to worry! My current strength is among the top three in the entire county, if not the very best!"

"If there's a crisis that I can't handle, I'll immediately return, and then Big Brother and Big Sis will leave with me from the lake!"

After saying this, Jiang Ning immediately headed out.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end