Chapter 373: The Martial Academy's Treasure, the Martial Refining Tower!

Chapter 373: The Martial Academy's Treasure, the Martial Refining Tower!

January 8th, 2025

Within the Martial Academy.

The trio strolled along a quiet path, where the morning sun shone through budding branches and dry twigs, casting a dappled light on them.

"Young Master Jiang, you must be quite young, right?" Wang Qingtan spoke, and Wang Qinghan immediately tilted her head to listen.

"Eternally eighteen!" Jiang Ning chuckled.

Wang Qingtan: "..."

Her lips twitched, "Young Master Jiang, you do have a youthful mindset!"

Jiang Ning's face lit up with a smile.

"My sister is also eighteen!" Wang Qinghan exclaimed, "And I'm already fifteen!"

"You two sisters are the young ones!" Jiang Ning sighed.

Calculating the time, he realized it had been almost a year since his birthday last year.

This also meant he was about to turn a year older.

Having lived two lives, this year's birthday would be his first in this world.

"You're getting a bit sentimental!"

Jiang Ning chuckled at himself.

In his previous life, after leaving his parents and living alone, he had never celebrated his birthday.

At most, he would treat himself to a delicious meal on that day.

Wang Qingtan, standing beside him, noticed the longing and the traces of time in Jiang Ning's eyes, and she immediately understood.

Fourth Rank!

His actual age was indeed much older than his appearance suggested.

An old man, hmph, I don't want him!

Before this, she had already guessed that Jiang Ning had reached the Fourth Rank.

Because upon entering the Fourth Rank, even if one had just begun Bone Marrow Refinement, the external signs were extremely obvious.

Bone Marrow Refinement, the true cleansing of sinews and bone marrow, a rebirth, and an elevation in the level of life.

The body would be free of any imperfections.

In such a state, anyone with some knowledge could discern their Martial Rank.

The Fourth Rank was also the level that countless women dreamed of, the level they yearned to reach.

No beauty or anti-aging product in the world could compare to the effects of Bone Marrow Refinement.

The body became smooth and fair, like jade.

On any woman, it would enhance their beauty and make them appear ageless.

Even she, despite constantly awakening her past life's wisdom, couldn't escape this worldly desire.

The fragments of her past life's memories were like a fleeting glimpse for her.

After that.

Wang Qingtan took Jiang Ning to the training grounds, the martial platform, the Dragon-Tiger Arena, and several other places that ordinary students often visited.

These places had nothing particularly special about them.

Only the Divine Armory Tower they visited later was extraordinary.

The Divine Armory Tower was an upside-down tower.

The first floor was on the ground, and the second floor was underground.

The deeper the level, the further it went underground.

At the very bottom was where the strongest blacksmith of Dongling City resided.

Using the earth's core fire for forging, the quality of the divine weapons produced was exceptionally high.

Seeing the Divine Armory Tower, Jiang Ning immediately thought of his current lack of a strong enough bow that could allow him to fully utilize his abilities.

Without a suitable bow, his originally exceptional archery skills seemed somewhat useless.

Compared to other weapons, archery relied more on the equipment.

For skills like swordsmanship and archery, if one's strength was sufficient, even an ordinary weapon could still unleash most of their power.

But archery was different.

An inferior bow couldn't bear his strength and archery skills.

He couldn't even unleash a tenth of his potential.

His current Wind and Thunder Archery, aside from the characteristic boost it provided, was almost useless.

However, he didn't want to give up archery.

No other long-range attack method could compare to archery.

As long as he had a suitable bow, his archery skills could still inflict astonishing damage.

But after visiting the Divine Armory Tower, he left disappointed.

In the tower, there were common swords and blades, as well as bizarre and exotic weapons like hooks and maces.

But there were no bows.

This instantly dampened his excitement, and he left in disappointment.

Without a suitable bow, his archery skills could only be temporarily abandoned.

Exiting the Divine Armory Tower.

"Young Master Jiang, you didn't find the weapon you wanted?" Wang Qingtan asked, noticing Jiang Ning's disappointed expression.

"Yes!" Jiang Ning nodded, "You guessed right, Miss Wang!"

"What kind of weapon are you looking for, Young Master Jiang?" Wang Qingtan inquired.

"A bow, a good bow that I can handle well!"

"A bow?" Wang Qingtan's eyes widened as she looked at Jiang Ning, "It seems you're also skilled in archery?"

"I can manage a bit!" Jiang Ning replied.

"Sister, our family has a good bow, one that our father used on the battlefield!" Wang Qinghan added from the side.

The next moment.

She received a head pat from Wang Qingtan.

"What, do you want to give away our father's bow?"

"I dare not!" Wang Qinghan covered her head, her eyes welling up with tears, looking aggrieved, "Sister, you hit me too hard!"

"Alright, alright! I was wrong! I was too rough!" Wang Qingtan rubbed her head and consoled her, "In front of others, be strong, and next time, I'll be gentler."

After wiping away the tears from Wang Qinghan's eyes, Jiang Ning casually glanced around, pretending to admire the scenery as he felt the gazes of the two girls on him.

Wang Qinghan's face turned slightly red, feeling a little embarrassed.

She pouted and rubbed her head.

It still hurt!

Her sister was really heavy-handed!

She grumbled inwardly, but under Wang Qingtan's control, she couldn't escape.

After a moment, the three of them arrived at a nine-story tower-like building.

The Martial Refining Tower.

Three large characters, "Martial Refining Tower," were engraved in black and gold above the entrance.

As Jiang Ning and Wang Qingtan approached, they saw the towering nine-story tower, each level standing fifteen feet tall, making the entire tower over a hundred feet high.

"Young Master Jiang, this is our Martial Academy's most precious treasure, the Martial Refining Tower. Its origins are mysterious, and it's an ancient artifact."

"Every Martial Academy, Xuefu College, and Daogong Palace across the land has one of these towers."

"It's said that all these towers are connected, and they were obtained by the Martial Sage who unified the world from an ancient immortal sect. They possess an extraordinary divine oddity that surpasses common understanding."

Hearing Wang Qingtan's explanation, Jiang Ning gazed at the nine-story tower before him.

"What benefits does this tower offer?"

Wang Qingtan replied, "Those who enter the tower receive a reward from it for each level they pass. As students of the Martial Academy, we also earn credit points for breaking our personal records and climbing to higher levels."

"Furthermore, this tower serves as a measure for graduation eligibility and the qualification to attend Xuefu College. If one can reach the top within ten years of enrollment, they can graduate and compete for the opportunity to go to Xuefu College. If one can reach the top within three years, they are specially enrolled and granted special treatment at Xuefu College. Each Martial Academy only offers this opportunity once a year."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning nodded as he looked at the Martial Refining Tower, now having a general understanding based on Wang Qingtan's explanation and his prior knowledge.

The Martial Refining Tower was likely an ancient treasure from an immortal sect, used to cultivate the younger generation.

Later, it was acquired by the Martial Sage and became a foundation for the Martial Academy, Xuefu College, and Daogong Palace, serving as a means to cultivate disciples.

"How many credit points are awarded for reaching the top?" Jiang Ning asked, his eyes shining with interest as he looked at the tower.

Credit points were the currency of the Martial Academy.

Earning credit points was akin to earning wealth, allowing him to exchange them for pills at the Dan Tower to increase his Source Energy points and strengthen himself.

"Quite a lot!" Wang Qingtan glanced at Jiang Ning. "Do you want to give it a try?"

"Of course, since we're here!" Jiang Ning nodded.

"Entering the tower requires ten credit points. Do you need me to lend you some?"

"That much?" Jiang Ning was slightly surprised.

Ten credit points, based on his contribution point exchange rate, were equivalent to ten taels of gold or ten thousand taels of silver.

Paying ten taels of gold for a single entry was indeed expensive!

"It's a bit pricey! Do you need it?" Wang Qingtan took out a golden token with her name, Wang Qingtan, engraved on it.

On the token, there was also a string of numbers.

Please...you...collect...6...9...books...!

13755

Jiang Ning's eyes scanned the token, and a four-digit number appeared before him.

His gaze returned to Wang Qingtan, who was dressed in an elegant long skirt.

"So, you're a rich lady! No wonder this skirt looks so expensive!"

He marveled inwardly.

Five-digit credit points were equivalent to over ten thousand taels of gold.

And this was gold, not silver.

With such wealth, Jiang Ning thought Wang Qingtan could be the richest person in Dongling City.

"Indeed, the daughter of the Prefect has the means!"

At the same time, Wang Qingtan noticed Jiang Ning's gaze, and a smile curved her lips.

"Do you need it? Nine out of ten returns, limited-time offer! The more you borrow, the more you get, but the offer won't last forever!"

"No need!" Jiang Ning smiled and took out his own Martial Academy pass.

His token was different from Wang Qingtan's; it was entirely crimson with the words 'Wusheng Mansion' engraved on it.

On it, a number appeared.

100.

The number on his token was a three-digit number, which paled in comparison to Wang Qingtan's five-digit number.

"One hundred credit points," Wang Qingtan murmured as she looked at the number on Jiang Ning's token.

She then put away her token, her expression slightly regretful.

After a moment, the three of them reached the Martial Refining Tower.

"Senior Sister Wang!"

"Senior Sister Qingtan!!"

"Senior Sister Qingtan!!!"

".

Several people at the tower greeted Wang Qingtan eagerly when they saw her.

"Is someone inside the tower?" Wang Qingtan asked, noticing the slightly swaying bronze bell at the top of the tower.

"Senior Sister Wang!" A young woman around twenty years old stepped forward and replied, "Senior Brother Lin He is attempting the ninth level of the tower."

"Lin He?" Wang Qinghan, standing nearby, immediately asked, "Sister, is Lin He the one ranked above you in the Martial Academy?"

"Yes!" Wang Qingtan looked up at the top of the tower.

The ninth level of the tower had bronze bells hanging from each of its six corners, and now, in the sunlight, these bells swayed slightly, as if blown by the mountain breeze, emitting a crisp and pleasant sound.

But Wang Qingtan knew that even when strong winds swept through the mountains, the bells on the tower's corners would not make a sound.

The only reason for the bells to ring was if someone was attempting that particular level of the tower.

"Sister, if Lin He is ranked above you, is he stronger than you?" Wang Qinghan asked.

Wang Qingtan smiled and gently touched her younger sister's hair, "Before, he was indeed stronger than me!"

Then, she withdrew her gaze from the top of the tower and looked at the female students gathered below.

"How long has Lin He been inside?" Wang Qingtan asked again.

"He's been inside for half an incense stick's worth of time!" The young woman who had spoken earlier replied respectfully.

"Half an incense stick's time, it seems he's going to fail again!"

"Sister, if he fails, does that mean that as long as you pass the ninth level and reach the top, you'll get the special recruitment qualification for the Academy and enjoy special treatment?"

"There's still half a year left. Whether he succeeds or not doesn't affect me! Even if he passes the ninth level and reaches the top, he'll only have the qualification to compete with me."

"Senior Sister Wang is indeed as confident as ever! Lin He, with his Martial Bone and status as a Heavenly Talent, even resembling a young Grandmaster, is not in Senior Sister Wang's eyes." A voice came from behind the group.

Everyone turned to look, and they saw a robust man approaching, twisting the armguard on his wrist as he walked.

"Senior Brother Yan!"

"Senior Brother Yan!"

The Martial Academy students watching Lin He's attempt at the ninth level all greeted the robust man as he arrived.

Wang Qingtan gave him a fleeting glance.

"How can sparrows understand the aspirations of the swan goose, or sparrows comprehend the grace of the phoenix, or how can crawling insects fathom the might of the true dragon?"

Hearing Wang Qingtan's words, Yan Youhu's face slightly changed.

He mocked, "Senior Sister Wang, you're being too arrogant. Without even stepping out of the Martial Academy, how can you compare yourself to a phoenix or a true dragon?"

Wang Qingtan acted as if she hadn't heard him and completely ignored Yan Youhu.

Over the past few months, she had quickly absorbed many memories from her past life and no longer considered the so-called Heavenly Talents of the Martial Academy worth her attention.

The Heavenly Talents of the Martial Academy, when viewed in the context of the entire world, were like ants playing house.

Yan Youhu, the fourth son of Yan Youwei, was no exception.

After four years in the Martial Academy, he still hadn't passed the ninth level or reached the top.

This meant that the fourth son of Yan Youwei, a prominent figure in the Martial Academy, had lost his chance for special recruitment into the Academy.

Without even the qualification to compete for special recruitment, how could he possibly catch Wang Qingtan's eye?

For Martial Academy students to be specially recruited into the Academy and receive special treatment, they must complete the ninth level of the Martial Refining Tower and reach the top within three years to qualify for special recruitment.

Currently, there were not many in the entire Martial Academy who met this qualification.

She herself was one, and the other was Lin He, who was currently attempting the tower.

This person was also the one ranked above her in the Martial Academy.

With his Martial Bone and extraordinary innate talent, he had risen from a commoner.

She acknowledged his strength.

In just two years at the Martial Academy, he had gone from ignorance to surpassing her in strength.

He had truly stirred up the Martial Academy's elite.

Even Yan Youhu, the son of a Duke, acknowledged him as a superior and called him 'brother.'

As the students discussed, Jiang Ning was completely lost.

He had no idea about the people of the Martial Academy.

Before coming to Dongling City, he had also briefly familiarized himself with the notable figures of Dongling Prefecture.

But none of the people he needed to remember were from the Martial Academy.

These people were not even in the same league as those he had to remember.

The people he needed to remember were the Prefect of Dongling Prefecture, Wang Qingtan's father; Zhao Yulong, the Grandmaster and Chief Inspector of the Inspection Office; Su Zhi, the Fourth-Rank expert and Deputy Prefect of Dongling City; Bai Luoyu, the Inspector General and prominent figure in Dongling City; Qinghe Commander, the Martial Academy's Dean, and Xiao Qiushui.

As for Wang Qingtan, Lin He, and Yan Youhu, who the students were discussing, he hadn't even heard of them before coming here.

Looking at Wang Qingtan, Jiang Ning shook his head, too lazy to bother with such trivial matters.

"Commander Jiang!" Just then, a delighted voice called out from behind.

Jiang Ning turned, his eyes widening in surprise.

The person approaching was someone he knew.

Liu Sansheng, Liu Wanwan's younger brother, and the captain of the Luoshui County Inspection Office.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end