Chapter 393: The Grandmaster Calls Me Senior!

Chapter 393: The Grandmaster Calls Me Senior!

County Jail, Fourth Floor.

Jiang Ning stood by the mercury pool, his body encircled by flowing water like a nimble spiritual snake. "I'm curious, why did you agree so readily? As far as I know, Xiao Biechi has been using rather harsh methods to force a confession out of you these past few days!"

"Xiao Biechi?" Long Xingyun's face turned slightly disdainful. "If I hand it over, it's certain death! He won't spare my life, and I'll have no chance to seek revenge on him in the future!"

"Moreover, the rumors outside are wrong! If I tell him the truth, how could he possibly believe me?"

"Wrong?" Jiang Ning smiled faintly. "Tell me about it."

At this moment, Jiang Ning's Heavenly Eye opened, and he could clearly see the jade token, about an inch in size, hidden in Long Xingyun's heart.

But with such a gaze, Long Xingyun suddenly felt as if his entire being had been seen through.

Especially at his heart, he could clearly see where Jiang Ning's gaze was focused on him.

A chill ran down his spine, and he instinctively became more respectful.

He quickly replied, "I believe you are also aware that my surname is Long. My father was one of the eighteen Dragon Chiefs under Mi Wang."

"I know," Jiang Ning said calmly.

Long Xingyun continued, "The so-called Mi Wang's treasure that's been circulating outside is all nonsense! When Mi Wang was slain by Wu Sheng, how could he have had the chance to leave behind his treasure? Moreover, that Mi Wang was not like what was recorded in unofficial histories, finding something like the True Dragon Nest."

"Mi Wang obtained the opportunity of Zhenlong Hall back then!"

"I don't have the so-called Mi Wang's treasure on me, but I do have a family heirloom left by my father—the key to enter Zhenlong Hall!"

As he spoke, Long Xingyun looked at Jiang Ning, "I don't know if you'll believe me, but..."

"I believe you," Jiang Ning nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on Long Xingyun's chest. "That key... is it a jade token?"

Upon hearing this, Long Xingyun was slightly taken aback.

His heart suddenly felt a chill.

Jiang Ning's words had undoubtedly revealed the secret he held.

A bitter smile appeared on Long Xingyun's face.

"As expected, I can't hide it from you! If Xiao Biechi had your abilities, I would have died long ago!"

He nodded, "You're right, the key to Zhenlong Hall is indeed a jade token, and I've been keeping it hidden in my heart!"

"I can tell you the secret of this key, and I can also hand over this jade token to you, but I hope you'll spare my life!"

Hearing this, Jiang Ning nodded slightly.

"A fair exchange, I agree!"

"Thank you, sir!" Long Xingyun heaved a sigh of relief.

Although Jiang Ning had only given a verbal promise at this moment.

But in Long Xingyun's eyes, this assurance was enough.

This mysterious figure had already seen through his secret, and there was no need to deceive him.

After organizing his thoughts, Long Xingyun spoke again.

"As far as I know, Mi Wang obtained the key to Zhenlong Hall back then and entered it, gaining a portion of its succession, thus creating the legend a hundred years ago."

"Those eighteen Dragon Chiefs, including my father, all received tokens from him, which he brought out of Zhenlong Hall!"

"Those tokens are also the keys!"

"If one has an exceptionally outstanding Immortal Root, they can enter Zhenlong Hall with the key and have a chance to obtain the succession!"

"Unfortunately, my father didn't have an outstanding enough Immortal Root, and neither do I!"

"But there's no doubt about the importance of the key. It's an opportunity to change one's destiny!"

"As long as a descendant has an outstanding enough Immortal Root, they can enter Zhenlong Hall with this key and have the chance to replicate Mi Wang's achievements!"

"That's why I've been carrying it with me as a family heirloom all these years."

After finishing his story, Long Xingyun looked at Jiang Ning.

"Sir, I've told you everything I know. Please make your move! The key to Zhenlong Hall is in my chest!"

At this moment, Jiang Ning was pondering over the information implied in Long Xingyun's words.

Zhenlong Hall.

Undoubtedly, it was a product of a different era.

It must have been from the previous era, a product of the mythical period.

Regardless of whether the unofficial histories were true, one thing was certain.

Mi Wang had obtained the True Dragon's blood a hundred years ago.

Not only did it make him the second most powerful person in the world at that time.

But it also turned his eighteen Dragon Chiefs into Heaven Human Grandmasters.

From this, one could see that the effect of the True Dragon's blood was real, and it was the key to the divine realm.

Mi Wang had also obtained it.

As for the outstanding Immortal Root, it was necessary to enter Zhenlong Hall with the key.

What did it mean to be outstanding enough? He didn't know.

For now, he could only obtain the key to Zhenlong Hall and then try.

A fleeting thought crossed his mind, and his gaze returned to Long Xingyun.

"Are you ready?"

A white light flashed in his hand, and the Lingbing weapon appeared in his grasp.

"I'm ready!" Long Xingyun's face flashed with a hint of reluctance.

"Nannan!"

"Wait for me, wait for me!"

Long Xingyun's expression remained fearless.

What a brave man!

A voice of admiration escaped his heart.

The next moment,

Without hesitation, he made his move.

The sword's blade flickered, its sharpness enhanced by the Lingbing weapon, instantly piercing Long Xingyun's defenseless chest and cleaving through his heart.

In an instant,

Long Xingyun's face turned slightly pale, his facial muscles twitching.

Jiang Ning glanced at him.

He tossed the Lingbing longsword from his right hand to his left and then swiftly extended his right hand.

When he retracted his right hand,

The jade token appeared in his grasp.

The jade token was entirely emerald green, without any impurities or flaws.

Both sides were engraved with dragon patterns.

Jiang Ning summoned the surrounding water currents to wash away the bloodstains, making the jade token even greener.

He then tried infusing it with Zhenyuan, Qi, and mental power, but all attempts were futile.

"How can one tell if their Immortal Root meets the requirements?" Jiang Ning raised his eyes to look at Long Xingyun, only to see the wound on his chest rapidly closing, and his flesh regenerating.

What an astonishing recovery speed! Was it because he was a Grandmaster, or was his physique even more extraordinary?

Jiang Ning couldn't help but feel a bit surprised.

Long Xingyun forced a smile, enduring the pain in his chest.

"Your Excellency, just a drop of your blood is needed. If it doesn't blend, it means the requirements aren't met. If the blood merges with the jade token, it satisfies the conditions, and it can be activated!"

"I see!" Jiang Ning nodded, understanding, and immediately retrieved the jade token.

His gaze returned to Long Xingyun.

At this moment, Long Xingyun was already locked in the mercury pool by six cold iron chains.

The wound on his chest was squeezed by his muscles, allowing only a few drops of blood to fall into the pool.

"Your Excellency!" Long Xingyun spoke, his face showing respect.

Without saying more, his meaning was clear.

"Rest assured! Since I've promised, I won't go back on my word!" Jiang Ning said.

He immediately gripped the Lingbing longsword with his right hand again.

In an instant,

The air shattered.

Knife Intent!!!

Long Xingyun's pupils suddenly contracted.

Clang!

Clang!

Two consecutive sounds of clashing gold and iron rang out, followed by a flash of fire. The cold iron chains binding Long Xingyun's hands snapped instantly.

So powerful!!!

No wonder this mysterious existence has mastered Knife Intent!!!

Feeling the restraints on his hands break, Long Xingyun was filled with astonishment.

Cold iron chains were difficult for even Grandmasters in their prime to break free from.

But in Jiang Ning's hands, two sword strikes were enough to shatter them.

This made Long Xingyun realize that this mysterious existence was definitely not a mere Fourth-Rank Martial Artist.

Whether it was the mysterious appearance or the mastery of Knife Intent, neither was something a Fourth-Rank Martial Artist could achieve.

The former, he couldn't comprehend.

He couldn't understand how Jiang Ning suddenly appeared before him when the Mystical Iron Gate remained tightly shut.

But Knife Intent, as a Grandmaster, he naturally understood.

This was one of the keys to becoming a Divine Human.

By mastering Knife Intent, one could initially grasp this key.

Then, by continuously strengthening the Knife Intent and reaching a certain level,

(Translators note: The original text contains a series of characters that don't form coherent words, possibly a typo or artistic choice. I've omitted them for clarity.)



One could naturally attract a portion of the world's spiritual essence, complete a thorough blood transformation, and thus step into the Divine Human Grandmaster realm.

After witnessing Jiang Ning's Knife Intent, Long Xingyun's heart naturally held even more reverence for him.

"Do you need my help with the remaining four cold iron chains?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Please, Your Excellency. My body is weak, and I have no sharp weapons on me. I can't break the remaining four chains!"

"Alright!" Jiang Ning nodded.

Long Xingyun exchanged the key to Zhenlong Hall fairly, handing it over.

In his opinion, he should also honor his verbal promise.

Moreover, in his heart, he held a trace of admiration for this burly man.

A man of such integrity deserved respect.

Jiang Ning drew his sword again, and the Knife Intent exploded.

Clang!

Clang!

The sound of clashing gold and iron rang out once more.

The cold iron chain binding Long Xingyun's scapula snapped with a flash of fire.

Jiang Ning struck again.

Zhenyuan pierced through the air, condensing into a powerful force, and the Knife Intent erupted.

The mercury pool was instantly split apart.

The knife's power plunged into the pool, landing on the two cold iron chains within.

Clang!

Clang!

The last two chains snapped in response.

"Thank you, Senior!!! Long Xingyun stood in the mercury pool, his hands clasped in gratitude.

Jiang Ning couldn't help but smile.

Senior!

At his age, this was the first time he had been addressed as such.

In the past, he had always been the one calling others 'Senior,' never expecting that today, he would be the one addressed as such.

And it was a Grandmaster who did this to him.

This thought brought a hint of amusement to his mind.

In the Mercury Pool.

After expressing his gratitude to Jiang Ning, Long Xingyun bit his teeth and forcefully pulled the Cold Iron Chain that was embedded in his flesh, tearing it out. Blood gushed from the wound on his shoulder.

He immediately controlled his muscles, and the blood flow stopped.

The next moment—

With a splash, Long Xingyun leaped out of the Mercury Pool, and the mercury on his body fell like silver beads, each drop distinct.

He jumped out of the pool, landing on the edge, and the mercury on his body dripped like pearls.

The drops of mercury that fell to the edge of the pool burst open, splashing into the pool and creating ripples.

At this moment, the water surrounding Jiang Ning still coiled like a spirit snake, one end connected to his body, and the other to the Mystical Iron Gate behind him, leading to the third floor of the County Jail.

In this situation, with a mere thought, he could use the Great Five Elements Water Escape Technique to instantly disappear from this place and reappear on the third floor of the County Jail behind the Mystical Iron Gate.

"Senior, do you have any wound-healing medicine? If I, Long Xingyun, can escape this predicament, I will do as you command, even if it means facing knives or leaping into fire. I, Long Xingyun, will not even frown and will definitely repay your life-saving grace!" Long Xingyun respectfully said to Jiang Ning.

Standing before Long Xingyun, Jiang Ning could also feel a faint pressure from him.

This pressure was far less intense than that of Zhao Yulong.

He didn't know if it was because Long Xingyun had been trapped for many days and was in poor condition, or because Long Xingyun's strength was far inferior to Zhao Yulong's.

But this also put Jiang Ning's mind at ease.

The lower the pressure, the less of a threat Long Xingyun posed to him at this moment.

Hearing Long Xingyun's words, Jiang Ning's heart stirred.

He nodded.

"My blood has extraordinary effects and may help you recover from your injuries and replenish your energy. Are you willing to swallow it?" Jiang Ning slowly spoke.

"How could I dare not?" Long Xingyun replied boldly.

"Good!" Jiang Ning nodded.

Looking at the wound on Long Xingyun's chest, he saw the flesh healing at a visible speed, mending together.

Then, holding a knife in his right hand, he slashed his left palm.

Under his control, blood flowed out.

"Catch!" He flicked his left hand, and over a dozen drops of blood flew towards Long Xingyun.

Long Xingyun opened his mouth and sucked them in.

The air, visible to the naked eye, transformed into a violent stream that he inhaled into his stomach, like a whale swallowing its prey, and the dozen drops of blood instantly entered Long Xingyun's mouth.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning's heart was filled with anticipation.

Long Xingyun closed his eyes.

After a few breaths—

He opened his eyes.

Jiang Ning instantly felt the aura around him become slightly more vigorous, and the wound on his chest healed noticeably faster.

"Senior, you truly are a divine being! Just a dozen drops of blood, and it has such an effect!" Long Xingyun nodded.

At this moment, Jiang Ning slightly furrowed his brows.

"What's wrong, Senior?" Long Xingyun asked.

"Nothing," Jiang Ning shook his head.

But in his heart, he felt a hint of disappointment.

Normally, after Long Xingyun swallowed his blood and refined it,

It would leave an imprint on him.

Just like Xiao Emei did at the beginning.

But at this moment, he could clearly sense that there was no such bond between him and Long Xingyun, the kind that existed between a divine being and their followers.

It seemed to have failed!

He didn't know if it was due to the uniqueness of Grandmasters or Long Xingyun's physical condition.

Jiang Ning's mind was filled with speculations.

Long Xingyun's physique was evidently too robust.

After being deprived of food for an unknown number of days and enduring the long confinement on the fourth floor of the County Jail, with the Cold Iron Chain piercing through his shoulder and submerging him in the Mercury Pool, his body accumulated toxins.

Yet, his physical vitality was still so high.

Although the speed of his wound healing was not as fast as that of the Baishen Sect martial artist he had seen in Luoshui County, it still had its merits.

Various distracting thoughts flashed through his mind, then dissipated.

"Senior, can you please bestow upon me some more items to recover my injuries and condition?" Long Xingyun, seeing that Jiang Ning was silent, thought he was displeased and spoke with a hint of anxiety.

After feeling the effect of Jiang Ning's blood, he knew his previous guess was correct.

Jiang Ning was not as simple as he appeared to be a Fourth Rank martial artist.

For a Fourth Rank martial artist, a dozen drops of blood would have no effect on him.

The stronger the strength and the higher the level of life, the more energy contained within the blood and flesh.

He was a Third Rank Grandmaster.

How could the energy contained in the blood and flesh of a Fourth Rank Refiner martial artist compare to his, a Third Rank Grandmaster?

If it were a true Fourth Rank martial artist, the energy from a dozen drops of blood entering his body would be like a drop in the ocean, causing no ripples.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end