Chapter 308: Breakthrough, Inner Breath Like the Sea

Chapter 308: Breakthrough, Inner Breath Like the Sea

November 10th, 2024

The Eastern Yard.

The fourth hour.

The sun rose high in the sky, its rays warming the earth and melting the snow, which flowed as streams of water.

Jiang Ning felt a surge of warmth throughout his body, and the sun's heat made his hair hot to the touch.

Sitting in a lotus position on a meditation cushion, he practiced the Great Sun Breathing Technique, focusing on the sun above.

With each inhalation, a faint red strand of Great Sun Essence descended from the heavens, entering his nose and then flowing into his five viscera and six bowels.

In that instant, he felt the Five Elements Spirit Essence within his viscera ignite, burning fiercely within him.

Previously, the Five Elements Spirit Essence had been nurturing his viscera, gradually strengthening them. Now, they were ablaze, rapidly enhancing his viscera.

At the same time, the Inner Breath, which usually took a long time to condense into a single strand, now flowed into his Dantian like a spring rain, an endless stream merging into the torrent of Inner Breath within his Dantian.

With each strand of Inner Breath, Jiang Ning felt the torrent within his Dantian grow stronger.

"The accumulated Five Elements Spirit Essence has been ignited by the Great Sun Essence, and the increase is indeed significant!" Jiang Ning opened his eyes with a smile as the Great Sun Essence dissipated within him.

He inhaled again, drawing another faint red strand of Great Sun Essence from the heavens, like a fire snake, into his body.

[Inner Core Nourishing Art Experience +1]



[Inner Core Nourishing Art Experience +1]



[Inner Core Nourishing Art Experience +1]



As more strands of Great Sun Essence merged into his body, his progress in the Inner Core Nourishing Art continued to rise.

Time passed slowly.

The sun gradually climbed higher in the sky, its angle with the ground becoming more direct.

Suddenly—

Jiang Ning heard the sound of surging waves coming from within his Dantian.

Focusing his mind and spirit within his body, he saw that his Inner Breath had become vast like a sea in his Dantian.

At times, giant waves rose high, sweeping across the four directions.

Sometimes, two waves collided, creating a deafening roar, and the Inner Breath's energy surged towards the sky.

Inner Breath Like the Sea!!

Jiang Ning's expression lit up with joy.

The anomaly within his Dantian represented a new level of accumulation, reaching the level of the sea.

Inner Breath Like the Sea was equivalent to thirty years of cultivation.

Normally, a Fifth-Rank Martial Artist would need to diligently cultivate for thirty years, day after day, year after year, to accumulate enough Inner Breath to reach this level.

Hong Ming Hu's Inner Breath had been at this level.

Now, Jiang Ning had successfully advanced from the ten-year level of Inner Breath Like a River to the thirty-year level of Inner Breath Like the Sea.

"The next step is to reach the level of a Jiazi, which is sixty years of cultivation. My Inner Breath will be like a tsunami, sweeping away everything in its path!"

Jiang Ning's mind quickly flashed with various thoughts, but he soon calmed himself and continued to absorb the Great Sun Essence, tempering his viscera and increasing his overall Inner Breath.

[Skill]: Inner Core Nourishing Art (Minor Accomplishment 2447/5000)



"The progress is more than halfway there!"

Closing the panel, Jiang Ning stood up.

Suddenly, a strong wind blew through the entire yard, and waves of energy spread in all directions, causing stones to roll and dead branches to fly.

This phenomenon lasted only for a brief moment before disappearing abruptly.

If his Inner Breath were to lose control, it would not just surge like waves but explode like a tsunami, instantly destroying the entire yard and turning it into ruins.

"Thirty years of cultivation, and the Inner Breath is indeed like the sea!" Jiang Ning nodded in satisfaction.

The pressure he could exert when releasing his Inner Breath was now completely different.

Before, it was like a mighty river, with great waves.

Now, it was like surging sea waves, endless and continuous.

If he were to unleash it fully, it would be like a tsunami, sweeping away everything.

He glanced at the sky above.

The sky was a deep blue, without a single cloud.

"I hope this good weather lasts for a few more days. With my current accumulation, my Inner Breath will surely surge in a short time!"

The next morning, Jiang Ning opened his door.

The sky was just brightening.

The moon hung low in the eastern sky, its light dimmed by the dawn.

Jiang Ning knew it would be another beautiful day after just a glance at the sky.

After washing up, he began practicing his fist techniques in the yard.

[Skill]: Five Beasts Fist (Four Limit Breaks 1603/5000) (Characteristics: Five Viscera Storing Essence, Five Elements Spirit, Fist Technique Mastery, Bear-Tiger Body)



After a full day of practice, his fist technique had gained over 1600 experience points, nearly completing a third of the required progress.

The hour of the Snake had passed, and the hour of the Dragon had arrived. Jiang Ning continued to sit cross-legged, assuming the posture of the Five Hearts Facing Heaven.

He then began cultivating the Inner Core Nourishing Art, practicing the method of breathing and absorbing the essence of the Great Sun above his head.

The Great Sun's essence entered his Five Viscera, instantly igniting like a raging flame in an oil pot.

The five types of Spirit Essences—red, black, white, orange, and green—were rapidly burned, and the strength of his Five Viscera increased at an astonishing rate.

His Inner Breath also instantly became like a continuous spring rain, flowing into the ocean of clouds within his Dantian.

With each strand of Inner Breath merging, the ocean of clouds within his Dantian would expand slightly.

The strengthening of his Inner Breath was like accumulating water to form a river, or gathering sand to create a tower.

As he gradually expanded the ocean of clouds within his Dantian, one day, it would undergo another transformation.

Several days later...

Jiang Ning pushed open the door to his room.

He squinted slightly, feeling the cold wind carrying snowflakes that lashed against his face, seeping into his room through the door crack.

The falling snow melted into puddles on the floor, making it appear somewhat dark and gloomy.

"Despite the snowfall, the temperature is obviously much better than before. It seems like spring is just around the corner," Jiang Ning thought to himself.

Although the weather had suddenly turned cold overnight, and heavy snow had fallen, this did not deter Jiang Ning from continuing to absorb the essence of the Great Sun and gain experience in the Inner Core Nourishing Art.

Jiang Ning's face showed no trace of worry; instead, he wore a delighted expression.

The temperature had dropped, but it was not as cold as before, indicating that the weather was gradually warming up.

This meant that it wouldn't be long before winter ended and spring arrived, bringing with it sunny days.

At that time, his Inner Core Nourishing Art would progress smoothly, just like it had the previous year.

Skill: Inner Core Nourishing Art (Minor Achievement: 2773/5000)



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

With the recent good weather, his progress in the Inner Core Nourishing Art had significantly increased.

He was already more than halfway to the stage of condensing his Inner Breath into Vital Energy.

He closed the panel, turned around, and secured the door before heading into the courtyard.

The next moment, a figure rushed into Jiang Ning's courtyard with great enthusiasm.

"Master, you're awake!" Lu Yi exclaimed with excitement, her face flushed, and a drop of sweat visibly hanging from her nose.

"Little Green, what's the matter?" Jiang Ning asked.

Lu Yi, still excited, replied, "Master, I've reached the Eighth Rank!"

"Eighth Rank?" Jiang Ning smiled and nodded. "Not bad!"

Hearing Jiang Ning's praise, Lu Yi couldn't help but chuckle, her face filled with joy.

Then, she added, "Master, please wait a moment. I'll go and get your toiletries right away! When I woke up and saw the heavy snowfall, I immediately soaked the willow branches and towels in hot water, and I've also prepared saltwater for you."

After saying this, Lu Yi hurried back to her own quarters in the side courtyard.

Seeing Lu Yi's excitement, Jiang Ning couldn't help but smile.

Jiang Ning could tell that Lu Yi was overjoyed and in high spirits at that moment.

"The Eighth Rank of Divine Power Realm?"

"It seems my flesh and blood are indeed very effective. One day, when someone eats my flesh and drinks my blood, they will gain longevity and strength enough to move mountains!"

"When that day comes, won't I become like Tang Monk?"

Thinking of this, Jiang Ning shook his head with a smile.

His flesh and blood contained his unique imprint.

Although Lu Yi had already reached the Eighth Rank, if he were to separate his own power, she would immediately lose her strength.

The more she absorbed his flesh and blood, the deeper their connection would become.

Of course, he could also separate his own imprint.

By doing so, he would lose the ability to separate his power from them.

His flesh and blood would then become brilliant elixirs, capable of enhancing others' physical bodies.

Jiang Ning was very satisfied with the effect of this power.

Although enhancing others' strength required him to sacrifice some of his own power, whether through blood or flesh, it would have some impact on him.

While this impact wasn't significant, it was still real.

However, compared to this effect, the benefits were far more valuable.

With this ability, he could cultivate truly trustworthy confidants.

The cost was minimal, and as long as the number of people was small, he could accept it.

For every bit he lost, others could gain tenfold or even a hundredfold.

A moment later, Lu Yi arrived with a basin of hot water and Jiang Ning's toiletries.

"Master, please wash up first. After you're done, I'll bring you some warm meat congee from the kitchen."

"Okay," Jiang Ning nodded.

Taking the willow twig that had been soaking in hot water, he bit into it with his teeth, chewing it into a fibrous state, before dipping it into the fine salt that was as white as snowflakes.

He then took a sip of warm salted water, gargled, and spat it out, using the willow twig to clean his teeth.

At this point in his martial arts journey, brushing his teeth was no longer of any significance.

However, after countless mornings, he had grown accustomed to this daily routine of brushing and washing.

For him now, the psychological aspect of this morning ritual held more importance than its practical function.

After brushing, Lu Yi quickly handed him a wrung-out hot towel.

He washed his face and then used the hot towel to dry his hands.

Lu Yi took the towel from Jiang Ning and said, "Young Master, I'll go get you some meat congee right away!"

"Mhm!" Jiang Ning nodded.

Then he watched as Lu Yi's figure gradually receded into the distance.

"So comfortable, too comfortable!"

"If this continues, I'll lose my ability to be independent!"

During these days, Jiang Ning had also deeply experienced the life of a divine immortal.

He didn't have to worry about daily tasks; Lu Yi would take care of everything, leaving everything in perfect order.

This also made him feel like he was rapidly falling into a state of decadence.

He was becoming more and more indulgent in this lifestyle.

"Taking Lu Yi in was indeed the right decision!" Recalling the past, he was filled with emotion.

Afterward, he heated up his lower body.

A moment later, Lu Yi appeared before him, holding a food box from the cafeteria.

After opening the box, a bowl of steaming hot meat congee was presented to him, the rich aroma of meat causing his appetite to stir.

After consuming a large bowl of meat congee, Jiang Ning instantly felt warmth coursing through his body, making him extremely comfortable.

Then, undeterred by the harsh weather with its mix of wind and snow, he continued his fist training.

Due to the loud noises from his intense training, the courtyard had become somewhat spacious.

The previous artificial hill and the large trees in the courtyard had been cleared, leaving only a small bridge, a pavilion, a bamboo grove next to the pavilion, and a few large trees along the walls.

On the other side.

Qujiang County.

"White Inspector, why are you suddenly taking a detour into the city?" Xiao Emei stepped out of the carriage, looking at Bai Luoyu in confusion.

Bai Luoyu smiled, "With such harsh weather, it's natural to seek shelter from the wind and snow."

As he spoke, Bai Luoyu stood on the chariot's shaft, gently swaying, dressed in white, his bearing majestic. Xiao Emei stood beside him, half a head shorter, like a pair of divine lovers, attracting the frequent glances of those entering the city.

Xiao Emei: "..."

She looked at Bai Luoyu, speechless.

She really wanted to say, "Since it's so cold, why are you still using a fan to create a breeze? Are you sick?" But she only dared to mutter these words in her heart, not daring to speak them aloud.

Although she was third on the Human Ranking.

The Human Ranking only accounted for the top talents of Guangning Prefecture.

Guangning Prefecture was a small prefecture, covering a territory of three counties.

Larger prefectures governed six or seven counties, twice as many as Guangning Prefecture.

Therefore, the Human Ranking of Guangning Prefecture didn't hold particularly high value.

Above the Human Ranking was the Earth Ranking, which covered an entire state.

The Earth Ranking listed the top talents under the age of thirty from an entire state.

In Dongling Prefecture, there were also those who had made it onto the Earth Ranking, and their strength far surpassed hers.

As far as she knew, two years ago, Bai Luoyu had barely made it onto the Earth Ranking.

This was also the reason why Bai Luoyu could go to the Dao Palace for further training.

Therefore, Xiao Emei was well aware that she was by no means Bai Luoyu's match.

Even her current self was no match for Bai Luoyu from two years ago, let alone the current Bai Luoyu.

So, she didn't have a clear understanding of Bai Luoyu's true strength.

She had no idea if he had reached the level of Inner Breath Like the Sea, comparable to the older generation of experts, and she had no confidence in this either.

Moreover, Bai Luoyu's status was such that even Su Zhi, the Deputy Lord of the Inspection Office and a Fourth Rank in martial arts, would treat him with respect. How could she possibly compare?

Subsequently, Xiao Emei could only nod, "Then let's follow your suggestion, White Inspector, and first enter the city to take shelter from the wind and snow."

Then, Xiao Emei asked, "White Inspector, when will we set off for Luo Water County?"

"What's the hurry?" Bai Luoyu lightly shook the fan in his hand, a smile on his lips, "We've been traveling for several days, and it's been bumpy and tiring. Let's take a hot bath first and consider this question later."

"White Inspector, our time is precious! Every day we delay is a day wasted!" Xiao Emei couldn't help but frown.

Bai Luoyu smiled, "What's the rush? Martial arts lie in relaxation and tension. If the string is too tight, it might snap, and that's not necessarily a good thing! Rest well for a few days, and we'll set off again when the snow stops and the sky clears."

As his words fell.

"Miss Xiao, let's enter the city!" Bai Luoyu said.

Hearing Bai Luoyu's firm tone, Xiao Emei could only nod in agreement.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end