Chapter 363: Night Falls, Yu Manyun's Arrival!

Chapter 363: Night Falls, Yu Manyun's Arrival!

On an unnamed peak in the Dongling Mountain Range.

The last rays of the setting sun gradually faded away.

Jiang Ning's gaze once again fell upon the 'Realm' column on his panel.

Realm: Fourth Stage Bone Marrow Refinement (8/1999)



At first glance, he understood that 1999 was the number of times he needed to refine his bone marrow, and 8 was the number of times he had done so since the afternoon.

His eyebrows furrowed slightly.

"1999 times? My talent is indeed not exceptional!"

He had learned that at the Fourth Stage of Bone Marrow Refinement, one draws upon the power of heaven and earth to cleanse the bone marrow.

Some people only need a few hundred repetitions to achieve purity and perfection in this realm.

Others, however, may spend their entire lives refining their bone marrow tens of thousands of times to reach the same level of purity and perfection.

This difference lies in their innate abilities.

Generally, the younger one is, the fewer times they need to refine their bone marrow.

As one ages, the number of repetitions required increases.

According to his panel, Jiang Ning needed 1999 repetitions to be precise.

From this, he could tell that his innate conditions were not top-tier.

After all, in terms of age, few people since the founding of Daxia had been younger than him when they reached the Fourth Stage of the Martial Dao.

"But it shouldn't be too bad!" he muttered to himself.

Reaching perfection in Bone Marrow Refinement after 1999 repetitions was, in his opinion, a sign of above-average talent.

He was also aware of his own circumstances; after all, he was born into an ordinary family, as ordinary as they come.

In contrast, the direct descendants of aristocratic families, grandmaster heirs, and the offspring of the royal family were nurtured from a young age with precious elixirs and heavenly materials.

Their innate abilities allowed them to develop bodies with the strength to wrestle lions and tigers.

The accumulation of impurities and ailments in their bodies was minimal, and they were less prone to hidden illnesses and injuries.

Compared to them, Jiang Ning's starting line was naturally far behind, and reaching perfection in Bone Marrow Refinement after 1999 repetitions was already much better than he had initially imagined.

He closed the panel.

He glanced at the lingering glow of the setting sun.

"Let's head home first! If Yu Manyun dares to show up tonight, I'll make sure she can't leave!"

A cold light flashed in Jiang Ning's eyes, and he leaped down from the peak.

The Dongling Mountain Range was a sight to behold, with sheer cliffs, countless peaks like an ocean, and mist swirling around them.

There were withered pines clinging to the cliffs, and waterfalls cascading from the heavens. Jiang Ning darted through the mountain streams, his pores emitting a faint white light, making him seem like some divine being leaping through the mountains.

A short while later, he arrived home.

It was dinnertime.

Thin wisps of smoke rose from various parts of the city.

Jiang Ning could smell the aroma of cooking wafting from the kitchen.

He headed towards the front hall.

At this moment, the white light emanating from his body had mostly dissipated, returning him to a normal appearance, except for a faint glow on his skin, like the sheen of jade.

"Uncle, you're glowing!" exclaimed Xiaokui, playing in the front yard.

Jiang Ning smiled.

At that moment, the old turtle beside Xiaokui looked at Jiang Ning with a hint of fear.

It could sense that Jiang Ning was different from before.

It couldn't quite explain this difference, but as a mystical creature, it felt a stronger sense of oppression from Jiang Ning.

Night fell.

After dinner, the sun had already dipped below the horizon, and the sky darkened rapidly like ink spreading across the canvas of the sky.

Jiang Ning finished his dinner and returned to his courtyard.

At any other time, he would have gone to the forest behind his home to find a suitable place to practice.

But tonight was different; he had learned from Xiao Emei that Yu Manyun would be coming in the dark.

To be prepared for any eventuality, he decided to stay and guard his home.

"The courtyard is still a bit small!" he thought as he looked around.

Jiang Ning shook his head, knowing that with his current mastery of blade techniques, even casual swings of his blade could unleash gale-like prana, shattering everything in its path.

If he practiced his blade techniques in the courtyard, it wouldn't take long for the entire place to turn into ruins, with withered flowers and broken plants.

Realm: Fourth Stage Bone Marrow Refinement (8/1999)



He checked his panel again.

It would take 1,999 repetitions of bone marrow refinement to reach perfection, achieving purity and a state akin to frosty bone marrow.

After an afternoon of practice, drawing upon the power of heaven and earth, cleansing his bone marrow, he had completed eight repetitions.

Jiang Ning's face showed deep thought as he muttered to himself.

"After an afternoon of practice, I've nearly reached the upper limit of my bone marrow refinement efficiency. I can complete one repetition in just over half an hour."

"At this rate, I can probably complete around 20 to 25 Bone Marrow Refinement sessions in a day."

"With 1,999 Bone Marrow Refinement sessions, it'll take about three months to reach the level of Marrow Refinement Like Frost and achieve perfection in this realm!"

With this thought, he once again turned his attention to the panel.

【Skills】: Wood Splitting Blade Technique (6th Breakthrough 7000/7000) (Characteristics: Lateral Thinking, Swift as Lightning, Divine Blade Control, Unity of Man and Blade, Innate Blade Mastery)



Five Beasts Fist Technique (5th Breakthrough 267/6000) (Characteristics: Essence in Five Viscera, Five Elements Spirit, Fist Technique Grandmaster, Bear-Tiger Physique, Five Elements Body)



Both skills have now reached the level where he can master the Third Tier Technique.

"The foundation of the Five Beasts Fist Technique is a lower-tier martial art, while the Wood Splitting Blade Technique is not even considered a proper martial art, just a peasant's chopping technique!"

"The Energy Flow derived from the Five Beasts Fist Technique should be more advanced."

At this thought, Jiang Ning found himself in a spacious courtyard.

The next moment, the dark courtyard was instantly illuminated by a fiery light.

In the spacious courtyard, a tiger bathed in flames appeared.

Waves of heat radiated outward, instantly turning the surrounding vegetation yellow and withered.

The Third Tier Technique of the Five Beasts Fist had reached a level where it could manifest in reality.

At this moment, Jiang Ning felt the raging power of the heavens and earth.

Compared to the blade technique, the fist technique seemed to stir up a much more powerful force.

Suppressing his excitement, he began practicing the Five Beasts Fist, displaying the Energy Flow and drawing the power of the heavens and earth into his body.

【Five Beasts Fist Experience +1】

【.】

In less than an incense stick's worth of time, Jiang Ning's body trembled.

Every pore on his skin instantly emitted a visible glow.

A radiant light burst forth from the top of his head, like a waterfall cascading from the void or a bridge connecting to the heavens.

In an instant, he felt his body being washed by an invisible force, and a sense of relief spread throughout his body, as if a burden or constraint had been lifted.

His body became incredibly light.

After several breaths, he opened his eyes.

The pores on his skin still emitted a radiant glow, and his body was filled with a faint light, as if a divine being had descended.

"As expected!"

"The power of the heavens and earth drawn by the Five Beasts Fist is indeed more substantial and exaggerated, and the time to complete a Bone Marrow Refinement session is also significantly shorter!"

He nodded repeatedly, his face filled with satisfaction.

Then, he turned his attention back to the panel.

【Realm】: Fourth Stage Marrow Refinement (9/1999)



"As expected!"

Seeing the changes on his panel, he couldn't help but feel relieved.

His heart was filled with renewed motivation.

In life, the most discouraging thing is to work hard without seeing any results or knowing where the finish line is.

For ordinary people, practicing martial arts is like sailing across a vast ocean in a small boat, not knowing how long it will take to reach the shore or if they are even heading in the right direction.

This uncertainty and aimlessness can easily lead to giving up halfway.

But Jiang Ning was different. Not only did he know the right direction, but he could also clearly see his destination.

He only needed to practice like this for a total of 1,999 times, and he would achieve perfection in the Fourth Stage Marrow Refinement.

With this confirmation and goal in mind, his motivation surged.

Subsequently, he continued practicing the fist technique, unleashing the Energy Flow and drawing the power of the heavens and earth into his body.

【Five Beasts Fist Experience +1】

【Five Beasts Fist Experience +1】

【Five Beasts Fist Experience +1】

【.】

With each repetition of the fist technique, the experience points for the Five Beasts Fist Technique increased.

The twofold harvest further fueled his motivation.

Moreover, the efficiency of his Bone Marrow Refinement also gradually increased with each repetition, as he became more familiar with the technique.

Meanwhile, Bai Luoyu stood in her own courtyard, gazing at the direction of Jiang Ning's courtyard, which was illuminated by a bright fire.

"Is this the Energy Flow? Second Tier Technique? Or the Third Tier Technique?"

She spoke aloud, deep in thought.

According to her understanding, to affect the outside world and manifest extraordinary phenomena, one must at least possess the Second Tier Technique.

The First Tier Technique could only reflect the spiritual world.

She was not in direct opposition to Jiang Ning, yet despite being a mile away, she could witness the extraordinary phenomena in his courtyard.

This indicated that the Energy Flow Jiang Ning had mastered was not limited to the First Tier but was at least the Second Tier Technique.

The Second Tier Technique could influence reality, and even without directly facing an opponent, one could witness the extraordinary phenomena it created.

The Third Tier Technique was even more terrifying, as it could manifest in reality, transforming the illusory Energy Flow into a tangible existence.

This level of supernatural power was beyond the reach of ordinary martial artists.

"This talent is too freakish!" Bai Luoyu couldn't help but shake her head.

He had the intention to go and satisfy his curiosity, but he also knew that it would be reckless to intrude on someone's cultivation and pry into their secrets.

"With the conditions he currently possesses, as long as his Inner Breath undergoes transformation, condenses into liquid, and transforms into True Energy, he should be able to start Marrow Washing!"

At this thought, Bai Luoyu shook her head, "No, I can't fall behind him! I've already mastered the second-level Formation, and my Inner Breath has long undergone transformation. I only lack the total amount of True Energy!"

"It would take a hundred years of cultivation to enable me to complete a full Marrow Washing!"

"Half a month later, at the Wanbao Pavilion's auction, I must go. There's a Thunderfruit on the auction list, and Brother Jiang obtained a hundred years of cultivation with its help!"

"With the help of the Thunderfruit, I should also be able to possess a hundred years of cultivation!"

"A hundred years of cultivation would satisfy the True Energy consumed in a single Marrow Refinement!"

As time passed, the night deepened.

The clouds obscured the moonlight, making it hazy as if draped in a thin veil.

"The weather is dry, be careful with the candles!"

"The weather is dry, be careful with the candles!"

"The weather is dry, be careful with the candles!"

". . ."

The night watchman's voice, gongs, and shouts rang out, signaling the arrival of the Hour of the Dog.

Two black figures took advantage of the deep night, swiftly approaching the courtyard they were near.

Suddenly, the lithe figure in front stopped.

She looked towards Jiang Ning's eastern courtyard, her eyes widening in surprise.

The woman behind her also halted, following her companion's gaze. She remained calm.

In the distance, the courtyard was ablaze with firelight. With just a glance, Xiao Emei knew it was Jiang Ning's fist Formation.

Jiang Ning had mastered the third-level fist Formation, and she had known this for a long time.

She still remembered that night when she sneaked into Jiang Ning's room under the cover of darkness, and everything that happened.

Even now, she would sometimes wake up from her dreams, haunted by that night's events.

The pressure Jiang Ning's fist Formation had exerted on her mind and body had been too overwhelming.

"Senior Sister, what is this?" The woman in front suddenly spoke up.

"Formation! A Formation above the second level!" Xiao Emei replied calmly.

Yu Manyun: ". . ."

"Junior Sister, are you still unwilling to give up?" Xiao Emei said softly, "At his age, his strength far surpasses yours and mine. If he discovers us, you might not be able to leave!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Manyun fell silent again.

The rooftop became quiet.

Xiao Emei also stopped talking and quietly waited for Yu Manyun to make a choice.

She knew that with Jiang Ning's previous instructions, if she didn't keep an eye on Yu Manyun and allowed her to harm Jiang Ning's family, she wouldn't have a good outcome either.

This was why she had accompanied Yu Manyun tonight.

After a long silence, Yu Manyun's murmurs suddenly broke the tranquility.

"Before I left the Water Moon Sword Palace, I made a promise to my master. I can't break that promise!"

"Moreover, that Jiang Commander is currently cultivating. During cultivation, he won't be able to divide his attention!"

"His family members are ordinary people, especially that little girl. I can take her away without making any noise, and he won't discover me!"

Yu Manyun's words seemed to be both an explanation to Xiao Emei and an attempt to convince herself, finding sufficient reasons for her actions.

Hearing this, Xiao Emei said, "Since Junior Sister Yu is so determined, I won't persuade you further!"

Then, she looked at Yu Manyun in front of her and sighed.

"Junior Sister Yu, we are from the same sect. Since you are so determined, I'll help you once. I'll help you keep watch over that Jiang Commander."

Yu Manyun's eyes lit up as she looked deeply at Xiao Emei.

"Thank you, Senior Sister!"

Without another word, Yu Manyun's figure swiftly flew towards Jiang Ning's mansion.

Under the hazy night, Yu Manyun, dressed in black night-traveling attire, seemed like a ghost, almost imperceptible even when passing by ordinary people.

Xiao Emei quickly followed.

A moment later, they stopped outside the wall surrounding Jiang Ning's mansion.

Xiao Emei's eyes flashed, and she tugged at Yu Manyun's clothes.

Yu Manyun turned to look at Xiao Emei, her eyes still bright.

"Junior Sister Yu, I won't go in!" Xiao Emei said, using the technique of Sound Transmission.

Hearing this, Yu Manyun was taken aback and looked at Xiao Emei again. Then, she moved and leaped over the tall courtyard wall in front of her.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end