Chapter 293: Promotion to Eighth Rank Official!

Chapter 293: Promotion to Eighth Rank Official!



At the Internal Affairs Bureau.

In the courtyard.

The old woman observed Jiang Ning's expression and immediately wore a look that suggested she had found a teachable young one.

Then, she spoke again.

"The Four Steps of External Body Forging, and there are higher-level secret methods for Ninth Rank Skin Polishing that are not passed down."

"There's no such special method for the Eighth Rank Divine Power Realm."

"As for the Sixth Rank Sinew Tempering step, if there's something to speak of, it would be the Dragon Sinew."

"However, there are numerous auxiliary items and resources in various sects and powers that can aid in achieving the Dragon Sinew. The Ascending Dragon Pill from the Inspection Office is one such example."

"For the Sixth Rank Bone Tempering step, the secret method that is not passed down is the forging of the legendary Divine Bone."

"The importance of Divine Bone is no less than that of the Golden Body."

"After forging the Divine Bone, the physical body becomes extremely formidable."

"If a Sixth Rank martial artist can forge the Divine Bone, not to mention being invincible at the Sixth Rank, even a Fifth Rank peak martial artist would retreat upon seeing this."

"Even a Fourth Rank Power Mastery Master would be in great pain."

Hearing this, Jiang Ning couldn't help but speak up again.

"What if someone possesses both the Golden Body and the Divine Bone?"

The old woman glanced at Jiang Ning upon hearing this.

"If someone possesses both the Golden Body and the Divine Bone, even without entering the Internal Refinement of Five Viscera and still being at the External Refinement stage, they can be called Invincible Below Grandmaster."

"They can bathe in arrow rain on the battlefield, and unless a Grandmaster takes action, no one can kill them."

"Even if a Grandmaster takes action," the old woman hesitated for a moment and then continued, "it's still difficult to kill them! The only way for a Grandmaster to kill such an External Refinement expert is to shatter their five viscera and six entrails!"

The old woman smiled as she finished speaking.

"But in reality, if someone can truly forge the Divine Bone and Golden Body, they would receive an abundance of resources. They would quickly succeed in Internal Refinement, and the five viscera and six entrails would no longer be an obvious weakness."

"Moreover, as their martial realm rises, the Divine Bone and Golden Body will undergo further transformation, becoming even more terrifying."

"In ancient times, those at the First Rank peak could challenge immortals with their flesh and blood bodies, claiming to be comparable to immortals and deities."

Upon hearing the old woman's final words, Jiang Ning shuddered.

"Comparable to immortals and deities?"

"Is this really possible?"

The old woman gave Jiang Ning a faint glance, "What's there to doubt? In ancient times, such records of achievements already existed."

Hearing this, Jiang Ning gasped in surprise.

At the First Rank peak, with the Divine Bone and Golden Body, one could challenge immortals and deities.

Thinking of this, he hurriedly spoke up.

"Senior, if one at the First Rank peak can challenge immortals and deities with the Divine Bone and Golden Body, what about the Martial Saint?"

"Martial Saint?" The old woman smiled, "In the decline of ancient times, immortals and deities didn't completely disappear. Martial Saint has killed many Remnant Immortals and Minor Deities."

"Remnant Immortals? Minor Deities?" Jiang Ning's expression was filled with astonishment.

The old woman gave Jiang Ning a speechless look, then seemed to think of something and immediately explained, "There are distinctions among immortals and among deities."

"The difference between weak and strong immortals is no less than the difference between a beginner in martial dao and a Martial Saint."

"The same is true for deities!"

"The end of ancient times involved terrifying secrets. Merely hearing about them would instill great fear, and I dare not delve too deeply into them."

"You only need to know that the end of that era also marked the end of immortals and deities, as well as the imperfection of heaven and earth."

"The transition between the two eras was like a fishing net falling, leaving no escape for the big fish. Only small fish and shrimp could slip through the net's gaps."

"Due to the changes in heaven and earth, the loss of Spirit Essence, the Dao of Immortality was severed. Immortals no longer possessed their divine abilities, and they became known as Remnant Immortals."

"The imperfection of heaven and earth is also the imperfection of immortals."

"As for deities, during that time, there were still Minor Deities who relied on incense offerings to survive, unlike the past where they were Heavenly Deities who didn't require such offerings."

"These Minor Deities, poisoned by the incense offerings, many fell and became evil deities."

"The founding of the Great Xia and the establishment of the human realm was not as simple and smooth as one might think."

"Martial Saint has indeed killed many, including immortals and deities."

"At the First Rank peak, in ancient times, it was the apex of martial dao, the pinnacle of martial arts."

"At the apex of martial dao, one can forge the Divine Bone and Golden Body to slay immortals and deities, let alone the Martial Saint, who is even more advanced."

As she finished speaking, the old woman's gaze once again swept over Jiang Ning's body.

The fact that she could patiently explain so much was indeed because Jiang Ning had repeatedly amazed her.

She even began to suspect that Jiang Ning was not who he claimed to be.

As the environment of heaven and earth began to recover, she was one of the direct beneficiaries.

She also knew that the terror of ancient times had ensnared all those with great abilities, but some with lesser abilities had managed to escape.

Some were seeking reincarnation, hoping to cultivate the Dao once more.

Just like the most renowned Daoist and Buddhist masters of the current era.

These two individuals, as far as she knew, were rare successful cultivators among those with minor supernatural abilities.

She now suspected that Jiang Ning might be one of those exceptional beings.

Otherwise, she would have started to doubt life itself.

However, she didn't sense that ancient, lingering aura from Jiang Ning's body.

So this guess was just a guess.

At the same time, Jiang Ning heard the old woman's words and instantly realized that the so-called Immortals and Deities weren't as powerful as they were made out to be.

The Martial Dao wasn't as weak as he had imagined.

Reaching the pinnacle of the First Rank, the peak of the Martial Dao, if one could forge a Divine Bone and a Golden Body, they would create the strongest physique among mortals.

With the strength of the Martial Dao's apex, one could rival ordinary Immortals and Deities.

Nowadays, due to the times, Immortals and Deities are weaker compared to the ancient era because modern cultivators rely more on external environments, making them less powerful than their ancient counterparts.

After learning this information, Jiang Ning's heart instantly settled.

His greatest concern before was that the Black Lotus Mother would come knocking on his door someday.

As for the Palace Master of Watermoon Sword Palace, he wasn't too worried.

He was a court official, and the Palace Master of Watermoon Sword Palace wasn't someone without connections; she had the entire Watermoon Sword Palace backing her.

No matter what, she would have to consider her status.

Moreover, with the Great Xia still not in complete chaos, even if she was powerful, she could only be considered a master within Dongling Prefecture.

Looking across the Great Xia, there were countless stronger cultivators than her, like fish in the river.

If she dared to be arrogant, the Watermoon Sword Palace might become a target and be reduced to rubble.

Jiang Ning also believed that the Palace Master, having brought the Watermoon Sword Palace to become the top power in Dongling Prefecture, wouldn't be a fool unaware of the risks.

Just like the previous Valley Master of Yao Wang Valley, Lu Qingyi.

At that time, with his strength and Lu Qingyi's power, why did he choose to settle the grudge between Yao Wang Valley and himself when he was still weak?

The key point was his status at that time.

As the Deputy Commander of the Inspection Office in Luoshui County, an Eighth Rank official, if anyone dared to touch him, it would be a public challenge to the Inspection Office and the Martial Saint's Office.

The same logic applied to the Palace Master of Watermoon Sword Palace.

Unless she was insane, how dare she act recklessly?

Moreover, his Fourth Rank peak strength didn't make him feel like he was facing an insurmountable peak.

In three to eight days, after completing the Jade Bone forging, his achievements in the Ninth Rank of the Martial Dao would be equivalent to a Fifth Rank cultivator.

If things went smoothly and the weather was favorable, in about a month, he would reach the stage where his Inner Breath would condense into Primal Energy, further narrowing the gap with the Palace Master of Watermoon Sword Palace.

So, he wasn't too worried about this matter.

As for the troubles from the Divine Worship Sect, that was even simpler.

If the Flesh and Blood God could cause trouble for him, the Black Lotus Mother would have already shown up.

Thinking of this, Jiang Ning's heart instantly settled.

He also understood that his top priority now was to advance his official rank, increase his authority within the Inspection Office, and learn more profound Martial Dao information.

"Senior!" Jiang Ning cupped his hands respectfully, "If I want to get promoted, do I just need enough Contribution Points?"

The old woman glanced at Jiang Ning and instantly understood his purpose for coming today.

She nodded slightly, "Contribution Points in the Inspection Office represent the merits you've earned for the office. Naturally, you can get promoted if your merits are sufficient."

Hearing this, Jiang Ning asked again, "Senior, I want to know how much authority I need to obtain Fifth Rank Martial Dao information from the office?"

"With your current Eighth Rank official position, just half a rank higher is enough," the old woman said.

"How many Contribution Points are needed for a half-rank promotion?" Jiang Ning asked again.

"Ten thousand!" the old woman replied.

Hearing this number, Jiang Ning couldn't help but gasp, feeling a chill down his spine.

Ten thousand Contribution Points, even at the official exchange rate, was equivalent to spending ten thousand silver talents on a promotion.

How many Contribution Points would future promotions require?

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a sting of pain.

Ten thousand silver talents, if used to buy heavenly treasures and earth treasures for absorption, could bring a significant increase in Essence Energy Points.

But now, it was just spent like this, and it would be a lie to say he didn't feel any pain.

However, considering the importance of rank and authority increases, he knew this was a necessary sacrifice.

At this moment, the old woman looked at Jiang Ning again.

"Feeling a bit of pain?" she asked, already knowing that Jiang Ning had accumulated over ten thousand Contribution Points and that he could afford to spend them.

"Indeed, a bit of pain!" Jiang Ning nodded sincerely.

Hearing this, the old woman said calmly, "Go take the Martial Scholar exam!"

"The Martial Scholar exam?" Jiang Ning was a bit surprised by the old woman's suggestion.

The old woman slightly nodded, "With your strength, passing the Martial Scholar exam won't be difficult!"

"In the Inspection Office, if you have an official title, the Contribution Points required for promotion will be halved."

"If you can obtain the Martial Bachelor title, the Contribution Points required for promotion will be halved until the Seventh Rank."

"If you can obtain the title of Martial Scholar, the contribution points required for promotion to official positions will be halved until you reach the fifth rank."

"If you can become the Martial Champion, the contribution points needed for promotion will be halved until you reach the third rank."

"As for higher ranks, it's no longer a matter of contribution points."

Jiang Ning's heart raced upon hearing these words. He had already planned to participate in the martial examinations.

In Great Xia, official titles were one of the best safeguards.

Their importance was not inferior to having an official background.

So, he had already considered this.

He planned to participate in both the martial and civil examinations after the spring, aiming to gain dual honors. Combined with his position in the Patrol Office, anyone who wanted to move against him would have to think twice.

This was why he wasn't overly concerned about the Watermoon Sword Palace.

Hearing the old woman's words, Jiang Ning made up his mind.

When the martial examinations began, he would have to go to Dongling City to participate.

The lowest title one could obtain through the martial examinations was Martial Bachelor, which required taking the exams in Dongling City.

Seeing Jiang Ning's contemplative expression, the old woman smiled.

"Why not wait until after the spring, obtain the official titles first, and then come here to exchange contribution points for higher positions and authority?"

"No!" Jiang Ning shook his head, and ten gold-inlaid jade discs instantly appeared in his hand.

Each disc represented ten thousand contribution points.

These ten discs were earned from his previous merit of wiping out the Divine Worship Sect's most important stronghold in the outer district, killing a sixth-rank martial artist from the sect, and recovering the statue of the Flesh and Blood God that was once enshrined in the city temple.

The total contribution points earned from this merit were ten thousand, which was represented by these ten gold-inlaid jade discs.

The old woman was surprised to see the ten discs in Jiang Ning's hand and looked at him in astonishment.

"Have you made your decision?"

"Yes!" Jiang Ning nodded.

Hearing this, the old woman's heart skipped a beat.

Jiang Ning's determination to wait no longer than a month, even until the spring, surprised her.

"Have you formed the Jade Bones?" the old woman asked.

"Almost!" Jiang Ning replied.

"You little monster!" The old woman was slightly startled, speaking these three words.

The next moment, she raised her hand, and the ten gold-inlaid jade discs flew into her hand.

"Your identity token!" the old woman said.

Jiang Ning produced the golden token representing his identity.

The token flew into the old woman's hand and disappeared instantly.

The old woman then produced another golden token.

It was similar in size and color to Jiang Ning's, also entirely golden, but the patterns on the token were completely different.

On the front, at the top, were the words 'Eighth Rank'.

These words shone with a bright golden light in the sunlight.

"Are you Jiang Ning?" the old woman asked.

"Yes, senior!" Jiang Ning replied.

The old woman extended her index finger and touched the token.

Sand-like particles fell, and the words 'Jiang Ning' slowly appeared on the token.

Condensing Qi into Gale?

Jiang Ning was astonished, his heart unsure.

"Take it!" The old woman spent less than two breaths to inscribe Jiang Ning's name on the new token.

Whoosh—

The token broke through the air, accompanied by a whistling wind.

As the golden light approached, Jiang Ning reached out and caught the token, which landed steadily in his hand.

"This is your identity token, an eighth-rank token!"

"But this eighth-rank position is still a nominal one. I'll inform the Dongling Prefecture, and it will take some time for the actual position to be assigned. Whether it's an on-site promotion or a transfer to another place will depend on the higher-ups' arrangement."

Hearing this, Jiang Ning understood.

There were only four eighth-rank officials in the Patrol Office, and they were all commanders.

It was a case of one-in, one-out.

If he were to wait for the higher-ups' arrangement, either one of the four commanders would be transferred, or he would be transferred himself.

Between these two choices, he preferred to stay in Luo Water County rather than be transferred to an unfamiliar place.

Thinking of this, Jiang Ning turned to the old woman and asked, "Senior, can I choose to stay here for the promotion?"

The old woman was not surprised.

She shook her head slowly and continued, "Unless you can have one of the four commanders here transferred, and you take over, you can only accept the transfer order from above or resign."

Jiang Ning could only nod slightly, indicating his acceptance.

Then, he temporarily set aside this issue.

Water flows downhill, and people strive for higher positions.

One day, he would leave Luo Water County.

Before that, he needed to further enhance his abilities.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end