Chapter 381: Perfection of Gale Thunder Step, A Step of Wind and Thunder Shock!

Chapter 381: Perfection of Gale Thunder Step, A Step of Wind and Thunder Shock!



January 15th, 2025

Water Moon Sword Palace.

Located in the center of the Moonlit Lake, on an island.

The palace buildings were connected, with blue glazed tiles covering the ground.

Under the sunlight, they shone with a deep blue glow.

The previous master of the Water Moon Sword Palace had reached the peak of the Fourth Rank, but he had also led the Water Moon Sword Palace to become one of the top powers in Dongling Prefecture.

After Xiao Qiushui succeeded as the Palace Master, she once again elevated the status of the Water Moon Sword Palace.

When she took over as the Palace Master, she was already at the peak of the Fourth Rank, and she defeated the elders who came seeking revenge, killing the Clearwater Sword at Moonlit Lake.

With this battle, she became known as the strongest under the Grandmasters in Dongling Prefecture.

Among the various powers in Dongling Prefecture without a Grandmaster, the Water Moon Sword Palace had become the top force under the Dongling Prefecture government.

This was not because Xiao Qiushui was obviously stronger than the previous Palace Master.

It was because Xiao Qiushui was young enough, succeeding as the Palace Master at the age of not yet forty.

At this age, being at the peak of the Fourth Rank was considered very young. It wouldn't be difficult for her to enter the Grandmaster realm, and with her powerful physical abilities, achieving the Human Grandmaster would be even easier.

There was even a certain possibility of her becoming the highest-ranked Grandmaster in the world—the Heaven Human Grandmaster.

It was precisely this possibility and potential that greatly enhanced Xiao Qiushui's status and prestige, and also made the future of the Water Moon Sword Palace look promising.

Over the years, even if Xiao Qiushui had not made any progress, no one dared to underestimate her.

Everyone could see that Xiao Qiushui's stagnation was only to achieve the Heaven Human Grandmaster, the Flawless Heaven Human Grandmaster.

Breaking through directly from the Fourth Rank to the Heaven Human Grandmaster, and drawing the essence of heaven and earth into the body, was the true Flawless Heaven Human Grandmaster.

It was even more pure than first entering the Human Grandmaster and then using the foundation of the Grandmaster to become the Heaven Human Grandmaster.

As long as she didn't experience a decline in physical abilities and a deterioration of her vitality before then, no one dared to say that Xiao Qiushui wouldn't take this step.

If she took this step, it would be like a carp jumping over the dragon gate, a leap to the heavens.

Looking at the Nine Provinces Thirty-Six Mansions, they would all be influential figures.

A banquet hosted by a Grandmaster who had reached this level would attract powerful individuals from all over the state, willing to travel thousands of miles to attend.

Breaking through from the Fourth Rank directly to the Heaven Human Grandmaster.

As long as there were no unexpected events along the way, there was a fifty percent chance of entering the Second Rank Great Grandmaster.

Once they reached the Second Rank Great Grandmaster, they would be among the strongest in the world, an existence that overshadowed all heroes.

In the Nine Provinces Thirty-Six Mansions, there were very few powerful individuals who could surpass the Second Rank Great Grandmaster, and most of them were mysterious figures who were rarely seen.

Two days later.

Autumn Moon Hall.

Xiao Emei knelt on the cold floor, beside her were Yu Man Yun's sword and the Bloodsoaked Night-Walking Clothes.

On the steps above.

A woman in palace attire looked down at Xiao Emei, her long skirt trailing on the floor.

This person was the master of this palace, Xiao Qiushui.

The strongest under the Grandmasters in Dongling Prefecture.

"Is Yu Man Yun dead?" Her voice was calm, like a tranquil pond without ripples.

"Yes, she's dead!" Xiao Emei lowered her head.

"According to the investigation results, was it a murder?"

"I don't know." Xiao Emei shook her head.

"Besides him, who else could kill Yu Man Yun, and who would dare to kill her? Don't you think so?" Xiao Qiushui said indifferently.

"Master's words are reasonable!" Xiao Emei nodded in agreement.

"Stand up! This is not your fault!" Xiao Qiushui's voice remained calm.

"Yes, Master!" Xiao Emei obediently stood up at her words.

"Go and invite my sister here!" Xiao Qiushui spoke again.

"Yes, Master!"

Xiao Emei respectfully replied and bowed to Xiao Qiushui on the steps before retreating and leaving the palace.

A moment later.

A middle-aged woman with a worried frown and a haggard face followed Xiao Emei into the hall.

"Emei, you may leave!"

"Yes, Master!"

Xiao Emei bowed and slowly retreated from the hall.

Soon, only two women remained in the spacious hall.

The two women shared a resemblance, with about three-fourths of their features being similar.

Xiao Qiushui stood on the steps, dressed in elegant attire, her complexion fair, and her skin plump, appearing very young, looking to be in her early thirties.

The woman below the steps was different, her face was sallow, her cheekbones sunken, her skin loose, and her eyes filled with crow's feet, making her look to be in her forties.

"Autumn Moon, the death of your son has aged you so much?" Xiao Qiushui looked at her sister's current appearance, her expression filled with emotion.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Qiushui sighed sadly.

"It seems that being locked up has killed your spirit!"

The Xiao Qiushui below the steps remained silent.

With the death of her only son, her soul had also been taken away.

After that.

Xiao Qiuyue slowly descended the stairs.

"Qiuyue, if I let you go back, what do you plan to do?"

"Let me go back?" Xiao Qiuyue looked up at her sister, the Palace Master, "Don't you worry that I'll offend the Inspection Office?"

"That Jiang Commander, the likelihood of him killing your son is only eighty percent!"

"Eighty percent is enough!" Xiao Qiuyue clenched her teeth.

"Qiuyue, it seems your thoughts won't change!" Xiao Qiushui sighed lightly.

Then she said, "I'll let you go back!"

"Let me go back?" Xiao Qiuyue was taken aback, looking at her sister.

Suddenly, she burst into laughter.

"So you want to sever all emotions and desires, completely cutting off the seven emotions and six desires, reaching the state of Supreme Emotional Detachment, and thus entering the realm of Heaven's Human Transcendence and Unity with Heaven."

At this moment, Xiao Qiuyue finally understood.

She understood her sister's intentions.

Xiao Qiushui stood before her, saying nothing, not refuting.

Then,

Xiao Qiuyue turned and left.

"Sister, I'll fulfill your wish! I hope you'll fulfill mine too!!"

"Jin Yun is also your nephew!!"

Her voice echoed in the vast hall, and Xiao Qiuyue's slender figure gradually walked out of the palace gates.

Dongling City.

East Courtyard.

"Young Master, these are the entry credentials for the Military Examination and the Imperial Examination!"

"So early?" Jiang Ning looked at the envelope in Lu Yi's hand, feeling a bit surprised.

"Yes!" Lu Yi nodded, "The messenger said he started delivering the messages right after the morning hours."

"Did you send him off?" Jiang Ning glanced at the signature on the envelope, which was his own, and then spoke.

"I did, and gave him a tael as a delivery fee!" Lu Yi replied.

"That's fine!" Jiang Ning nodded slightly and then tore open the envelope in his hand.

Soon, he flipped through the household registration certificate and looked through all the contents of the oiled paper envelope, instantly understanding the situation.

"There are still twenty days for the Imperial Examination and twenty-one days for the Military Examination!" Jiang Ning muttered to himself.

"Young Master, I've noted it down!" Lu Yi immediately nodded repeatedly.

"What did you note down?" Jiang Ning shook his head with a smile.

Lu Yi explained, "I noted down the exam dates. You're so busy, I carefully recorded them so we won't miss the timing."

"You're very thoughtful!" Jiang Ning smiled.

Then he put the contents back into the oiled paper envelope and handed it over to Lu Yi.

"Keep these safe, they're easy to lose if left with me!"

"Yes!" Lu Yi nodded repeatedly and then kept the envelope close to her body.

She then looked up at Jiang Ning, "Are you heading to the Martial Academy now?"

"Mhm!" Jiang Ning nodded, "It's not too late."

"Young Master, should I bring you some food? It's not good for your stomach to go hungry all day and only eat late at night!" Lu Yi had been holding back these words for a long time, finally speaking them at this moment.

Hearing this, Jiang Ning couldn't help but smile.

"With my martial cultivation, there's no such thing as food being bad for my stomach. Even if I eat copper pellets or iron balls, my stomach can digest them!"

As he finished speaking, Jiang Ning gently pinched her slightly thin cheeks.

"Just practice martial arts at home, I'll be back soon!"

"By the way, have you started sinew training?" he asked.

"Not yet!" Lu Yi shook her head, "I'm almost there!"

Please...You....Collect_6191Book_Bar(Six\Nine\Book\Bar!)



The next moment,

Jiang Ning separated a few drops of blood from his veins.

"Swallow these drops of blood and refine them, and you should be able to reach the Seventh Rank!"

"Yes!" Lu Yi's eyes lit up with excitement, "Thank you, Young Master!"

After being by Jiang Ning's side for so long, she naturally knew the extraordinary effects of his blood, which could greatly enhance one's physical strength.

She was once an ordinary maid at the Wan Hua Tower, and in just a few months, she had achieved such martial prowess solely due to the remarkable properties of Jiang Ning's blood.

The drops of blood flew into Lu Yi's mouth, and Jiang Ning also set off, leaving the house and heading towards the Martial Academy.

【Essence Energy】: 15155

【Skills】: Literacy (Seven Limit Breaks 7677/8000) (Characteristics: Photographic Memory, Extraordinary Senses, Quick Thinking, Exceptional Comprehension, Heavenly Eye (First Break), Enhanced Senses)



Water and Fire True Essence (Four Limit Breaks 1233/4000) (Characteristics: Water and Fire Immortal Garment, Control Over Water and Fire, Stone Melting, Water and Fire Harmony)



Thunderwind Step (Great Success 921/1000)



In just two days, he made tremendous progress.

Not only was he about to reach the experience required for the eighth limit break in Literacy,

but he was also just a step away from perfecting the Thunderwind Step.

This was after he had taken half a day off yesterday to register for the examinations.

If he hadn't taken that half-day break, he would have already met the experience requirement for the eighth limit break in Literacy.

This efficiency made Jiang Ning deeply realize a truth.

The experience gained from reading ordinary books pales in comparison to the efficiency of advanced martial art technique books.

Even if it weren't for the short time frame of just two days, but even half a month wouldn't be enough to accumulate such experience from ordinary books.

Glancing at the experience required for the Gale Thunder Step, his figure seemed slow yet swift, and with a single step, he covered a distance of several zhang as if shrinking the ground into inches.

Although his speed was fast, his movement didn't stir up any disturbance.

Unlike ordinary martial artists, whose speed would create a gust of wind upon bursting forth.

This was the most profound aspect of the Gale Thunder Step.

The higher one's cultivation, the deeper their understanding of wind, and the more they could merge with it.

Upon reaching a certain level, one could even ride the wind, soaring over mountains and valleys as if walking on flat ground.

By mastering this, one could harness the power of the wind, naturally increasing their speed and reducing energy consumption, making it a top-notch technique for traveling.

And this was just the meaning of the 'wind' in Gale Thunder Step.

Jiang Ning had not yet utilized the 'thunder' aspect.

The 'thunder' in Gale Thunder Step was more combat-oriented.

'One Step, Thunder Shock' was a description of its power.

He believed that such an advanced martial art would not disappoint him.

Moments later, he entered the Martial Academy, and in the distance, the Library Tower came into view.

[Skill] Gale Thunder Step (Great Mastery 999/1000)



"Just one step away from perfection!" he muttered to himself.

With a swift movement, he crossed several zhang in an instant.

"Senior Brother, wait!" a female voice called out from behind, but Jiang Ning didn't stop.

In recent days, his extraordinary movements, consistently appearing in the morning and evening, had caused quite a stir in the Martial Academy.

It wasn't just today; someone had shouted out yesterday as well.

At first, he thought it was something important, but later realized it was a ridiculous matter.

So, when he heard a similar call today, he didn't bother to stop.

His sole purpose for coming to the Martial Academy was to enrich his understanding of martial arts.

Martial knowledge was the foundation.

Understanding the history, culture, and extraordinary tales of this world was essential.

The deeper one's knowledge, the deeper their insights.

Just like the Taoist and Buddhist scriptures from his previous life, without understanding their cultural context, it would be more challenging for foreigners to comprehend their meanings than ascending to heaven.

The same applied to martial arts.

Without knowledge of history, culture, and ancient and modern changes, how could one grasp the essence of martial arts?

Many martial arts emphasized intention.

Without insight into this intention, attempting to forcibly apply the techniques would make understanding their essence an impossible task.

Therefore, after finishing his task on the second floor, he planned to spend some time on the first floor.

The Library Tower of the Martial Academy was the place with the most books in Dongling Prefecture.

Moments later, when he was about a hundred zhang away from the Library Tower, a prompt suddenly appeared before his eyes.

[Gale Thunder Step Experience +1]



[Skill] Gale Thunder Step (Perfection 0/1000)



The next moment, a thunderous roar shook the heavens and earth.

The small path paved with blue bricks exploded, and the shattered stones scattered like a heavenly fairy scattering flowers.

Jiang Ning's figure suddenly surged forward, breaking through the air barrier.

Water vapor condensed and solidified into tiny droplets, instantly forming a white mist.

As the mist spread, it created a distinct passage.

Jiang Ning stopped and turned back, his heart filled with astonishment.

In the next instant, he moved, instantly leaving the crime scene.

With just one step, he had destroyed the small path in the Martial Academy.

Where he had taken the Gale Thunder Step, a visible deep pit appeared.

His path was like a trail of destruction left by a raging storm.

Countless branches on both sides snapped and fell chaotically to the ground in his wake.

If he didn't leave now, he would be caught by the Martial Academy's people, and he didn't have the money to pay for the public property damage.

At the same time, on the first floor of the Library Tower.

The librarian suddenly opened his slightly cloudy eye and looked towards the direction of the roar.

"One Step, Thunder Shock!" he exclaimed.

"This is the Perfection level of Gale Thunder Step!"

"Who is it?!"

His eyes were filled with shock and disbelief.

As the librarian of this place, he was well aware of the Gale Thunder Step, an advanced movement technique.

The Gale Thunder Step was incredibly profound, and even the entry requirements were extremely challenging.

Not to mention achieving perfection.

Reaching perfection in an advanced martial art was beyond the capabilities of ordinary grandmasters, let alone within the small Martial Academy.

In the entire Dongling City, there were only a handful of grandmasters, both known and unknown.

His mind raced, but he couldn't fathom who, besides himself, could have mastered the Perfection level of Gale Thunder Step within the Martial Academy.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end