Chapter 433: Breaking Speed Limits, Approaching the Sound Barrier!

Chapter 433: Breaking Speed Limits, Approaching the Sound Barrier!

March 6th, 2025

Morning.

The dawn's light shone upon the ancient city walls.

Jiang Ning's figure stood tall at the city gate.

"Finally back!" Jiang Ning sighed as he saw the three large characters of Dong Ling Cheng carved above the main gate.

On his journey back, following the same route he had taken, although he was familiar with the way, he was also exhausted due to the time constraint.

Especially with the continuous use of water escape, which drained him over and over again, he felt like he was about to become ethereal.

However, returning smoothly without delaying any important matters made him feel that his efforts were worthwhile.

Moreover, although this trip did not yield the expected harvest, it was still a fruitful one.

More importantly, it allowed him to come into contact with some secrets from ancient times.

The records of ancient times were not fictional but authentic ancient history.

The Heaven Dragon Hall, the Hua Long Pool, and the alternate dimension where the Heaven Dragon Hall was located.

Furthermore, when he emerged from the Heaven Dragon Hall, the spatial transformation did not place him in the pond but in an unnamed valley basin.

The mysterious methods allowed him to glimpse the extraordinary aspects of that era.

This was enough to prove that the past era might have been even more exciting than the present.

Various thoughts flashed through Jiang Ning's mind as he raised his leg and walked towards the city gate.

"Young Master, you're back!!!"

Lv Yi pushed open the mansion's main door, and the moment she saw Jiang Ning, her eyes lit up, and joy returned to her eyes.

"Mm-hmm!" Jiang Ning nodded.

Then, Jiang Ning lifted his leg and stepped over the threshold.

Lv Yi quickly closed the door behind him and followed.

"Is there anything to eat? I'm starving!" Jiang Ning said.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!!!" Lv Yi nodded repeatedly, like a little chick pecking at rice.

"That's good!" Jiang Ning immediately smiled upon hearing this.

After days of traveling back and forth, he had been guided by the jade tablet to the Heaven Dragon Hall.

He had not rested or slept at all, nor had he eaten anything.

Although his stomach was empty, his body could withstand it, and there was no major issue.

However, after decades of having three meals a day, he had long grown accustomed to the joy of tasting food.

Eating was not just about survival but also about enjoying delicious meals.

In his previous life, he was born in a country where food was a priority, and his genes had long been activated to enjoy this pleasure.

A moment later.

Jiang Ning took a big bite of a meat bun and then ate a piece of braised duck, washing it down with a sip of wine.

His face immediately showed a look of delight.

"Oh, right!" Jiang Ning spoke up and then continued, "Have there been any news from Xie Xiaojiu, Zhou Xing, or Feng Jiuge?"

"Yes! A little!" Lv Yi nodded repeatedly, like a little chick pecking at rice.

"Zhou Xing arrived in Dong Ling Cheng yesterday afternoon and visited. He left a message for me, saying that if the young master returns, I should inform him. He's staying at an inn not far from here."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning nodded slightly.

Then he said, "Go and tell him! I'm back!"

"Yes, Young Master!" Lv Yi replied with a bow.

After that, she turned and left.

As Lv Yi departed, Jiang Ning sat alone at the dining table, eating and drinking.

A moment later.

There was movement at the door again.

Jiang Ning looked up and saw Liu Wanwan carrying a large bowl of noodles towards the house.

Steam rose in swirls, reaching the roof beams.

"Sister-in-law, what's this for?" Jiang Ning stood up.

Liu Wanwan smiled and said, "I just heard you return and knew you must be starving after being out, so I made a bowl of noodles for you!"

"Thank you, Sister-in-law!" Jiang Ning was touched, and then he nodded and took the bowl.

"Okay, Ning, you eat first! I'll go and get some more things!" Liu Wanwan said.

"Thank you, Sister-in-law!" Jiang Ning said.

Then, he watched Liu Wanwan's departing figure and looked down at the large bowl of noodles.

The noodles were topped with braised beef, and two fried dumplings were placed on top, with chopped scallions scattered over the white noodles, adding a touch of color.

Just the aroma alone made his appetite stir.

Liu Wanwan's cooking skills were excellent, and her noodles were exceptional.

He brought the bowl back to the table and started eating.

After a cup of tea.

Clop, clop, clop—

Footsteps approached from the direction of the door.

Could it be Sister-in-law again? Jiang Ning's thoughts raced.

At that moment, the large bowl of noodles in front of him had been completely devoured, leaving only some soup.

The large bowl of braised beef that Liu Wanwan had brought was also finished.

He looked towards the direction of the main door.

The next moment.

A familiar figure appeared in his eyes.

A man wearing a white crane robe walked into his line of sight.

It was the long-absent Zhou Xing.

"Zhou Xing, please take a seat!" Jiang Ning smiled.

Zhou Xing saw Jiang Ning and quickly took a few steps forward to stand before him.

"Greetings, sir!" He bowed.

"There's no need for such formality, Brother Zhou!" Jiang Ning said, and as he raised his hand, true energy condensed into reality, supporting Zhou Xing as he bowed.

"Thank you, sir!" Zhou Xing expressed his gratitude.

His heart was secretly filled with excitement and nervousness.

He had received a letter from Jiang Ning, and after reading it, he had initially found it hard to believe his eyes.

Sixth-Grade Patrol Commissioner, a position he had never even dared to imagine before.

Yet, the letter stated that Jiang Ning was about to take on this significant role.

Jiang Ning needed his help and was offering him a Seventh-Grade position.

It was like a windfall from the heavens, and at that moment, he couldn't believe it.

But he also knew that Jiang Ning had no reason to deceive him.

After a brief moment of thought, he hurried to Dongling City on horseback alone.

This was the greatest opportunity for him to lead the Zhou family to prosperity, and regardless of the truth, he was determined to seize it with all his might.

"Brother Zhou Xing, do you know the whole story?" Jiang Ning asked.

"I do!" Zhou Xing clasped his hands, "Sir, if there's anything I can do, just say the word. No matter who the target is in the future, my loyalty will never waver."

Hearing Zhou Xing's words, Jiang Ning couldn't help but smile.

He liked Zhou Xing, a smart man.

He was about to establish his own commandery.

Naturally, the commandery would be led by his will, and he needed loyal subordinates who would follow his every command.

He wasn't used to outsiders, and since he couldn't see through people's hearts, he wasn't confident in his ability to do so.

In comparison, Zhou Xing, being from the same county as him, had more interactions, and he understood Zhou Xing well enough.

Zhou Xing was a good choice for him.

As for whether his strength was sufficient or not, it wasn't crucial.

There were other ways to enhance one's strength.

Various thoughts flashed through his mind.

Jiang Ning turned to Zhou Xing.

"Brother Zhou Xing, how strong are you now?"

"Eighth-Grade, with a strength of 2,500 jin!" Zhou Xing replied with some pride.

In Luo Shu County, this strength made him stand out.

Moreover, he was still very young, and his future potential was immense.

With some more effort, entering the Seventh-Grade was entirely possible, and even reaching the Sixth or Fifth-Grade in his lifetime wasn't out of the question.

Such an achievement would make him worthy of being recorded in the county annals.

But he also knew that his strength was due to his initial surrender and the help Jiang Ning had given him.

He was even more aware that if he had the chance to become a figure recorded in the county annals, then Jiang Ning would be a figure worthy of being recorded in the history books.

"Eighth-Grade?" Jiang Ning furrowed his brows, "Too weak!"

He casually expressed his thoughts.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xing's proud expression vanished, and he felt a bitter taste in his heart.

He could tell that this was Jiang Ning's genuine opinion.

The words "too weak" were a blow to him.

From the letter Jiang Ning had sent him, he knew that Jiang Ning intended to use him.

But now, hearing Jiang Ning's assessment that he was too weak, he suddenly felt a sense of unease and became more nervous.

"Brother Zhou Xing, drink this!" Jiang Ning lifted the teacup beside him.

The bottom of the teacup was covered with dark red blood.

This was the blood he had prepared for Zhou Xing earlier.

It was blood to enhance his strength.

After absorbing the authority of the flesh and blood deity, his flesh and blood also gained the ability to strengthen his physical body.

Moreover, as his strength increased, his physical body became more robust, and the effect of his blood became even more potent.

If he wanted to use Zhou Xing, he needed Zhou Xing to be stronger.

At the moment, Zhou Xing, merely an Eighth-Grade, was too weak in Dongling City.

Seeing the lifted teacup and hearing Jiang Ning's words, Zhou Xing didn't hesitate and immediately raised the teacup to his lips, drinking it in one gulp.

The next moment, Zhou Xing's face turned red, and a fine sweat began to form on his forehead.

"Brother, please improve your strength as soon as possible in the coming days! I need you to take your strength to the next level!"

"Yes!" Zhou Xing nodded repeatedly.

Then he said, "Sir, in that case, I'll take my leave!"

"Good!" Jiang Ning nodded.

He also knew that at this moment, as his blood took effect, Zhou Xing wouldn't feel very comfortable.

But this precisely indicated that his blood had become more potent.

As Zhou Xing left, Jiang Ning, holding his wine cup, fell into deep thought again.

Zhou Xing, Xie Xiaojiu, and Feng Jiuge were the three people he intended to use.

Enhancing their strength wasn't difficult for him.

He only needed to provide some of his blood.

What truly made him hesitate was Cheng Ran.

In Luo Shu County, Cheng Ran was his only close friend.

Now that he was rising rapidly, he didn't want to leave Cheng Ran behind.

However, he knew that if he helped Cheng Ran in this way, their friendship would change due to their vastly different statuses.

Just like how Zhou Xing had behaved towards him earlier.

He could sense Zhou Xing's nervousness and unease.

After pondering for a moment, he shook his head.

"I'll leave this choice to Cheng Ran! Let him decide his future!"

After making up his mind, Jiang Ning no longer hesitated.

He continued drinking his wine, waiting for Lv Yi's return.

A moment later,

"Young Master!"

"Did you see Brother Zhou Xing off?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Yes, Young Master!" Lv Yi replied.

"Let's go to the study again. I want to send another letter," Jiang Ning said.

"Yes, Young Master!" Lv Yi hurriedly responded.

She followed Jiang Ning with small, quick steps, staying close behind him.

"Oh, young master!" Green Ripples suddenly spoke up halfway through their journey.

"What is it?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Yesterday, Inspector Bai came looking for you. After learning that you weren't around, he asked me to pass on a message," Green Ripples explained.

"The Patrol Feast is already in preparation, and all the forces within the city have received invitations. But now, they want to know your preferences so they can send gifts according to your tastes."

Upon hearing these words, Jiang Ning halted his steps.

"Heavenly Treasures!"

"Pass this information on!" he said again.

"Yes, young master!" Green Ripples immediately responded, understanding Jiang Ning's intention.

Stepping out of the study, Green Ripples hurried out of the courtyard with a letter Jiang Ning had written to Cheng Ran.

The sun shone brightly in the cloudless sky, its blue expanse stretching as far as the eye could see.

"What a perfect day to take a nap," he said with a relaxed expression.

After days of traveling, returning home brought a sense of tranquility to his heart.

"There's no place like home!" he sighed softly.

His gaze fell upon his panel.

【Yuan Neng】: 3443

【Technique】: Gale Thunder Step + (3 Limit Breaks 4000/4000) (Characteristics: Wind's Breathing, Swift Gale and Thunder, Chase Wind and Lightning)



After days of back and forth travel, the experience points for Gale Thunder Step had already been maxed out.

With the accumulation of experience points in his movement technique, he could now choose to break the limit of this advanced martial art once again.

At this moment, a flash of Xiao Qiushui's departing figure from a few days ago crossed his mind.

Currently, Xiao Qiushui was the one he valued the most.

Considering the Celestial Master's unique ability to walk on air, he no longer had any hesitation.

Without exceptional movement skills, facing a Celestial Master who could walk on air would make him an easy target.

Moreover, the Yuan Neng points required for just three limit breaks of Gale Thunder Step were still relatively low.

After making his decision, a thought crossed his mind.

In an instant, the Yuan Neng points on his panel rapidly decreased.

【Yuan Neng】: 2443 (3443→2443)



The next moment, he slowly closed his eyes.

In his mind's eye, he saw a raging green wind.

He envisioned himself merging with this green gale.

He saw himself transform into the wind, born from the ocean, and then rushing towards the land.

He witnessed himself stirring up waves on the sea's surface, pushing a sailboat at high speed, skimming across the sandy beach, and plunging into the forest sea, causing a tumultuous surge. He saw himself leap over mountains and lakes.

Following the wind, he experienced its birth and eventual dissipation, ultimately transforming into a tiny cyclone that slowly settled into tranquility.

When everything settled, he slowly opened his eyes.

A flash of green light seemed to pass through his eyes.

【Technique】: Gale Thunder Step (4 Limit Breaks 4637/5000) (Characteristics: Wind's Breathing, Swift Gale and Thunder, Chase Wind and Lightning, Wind's Rhythm)



【Wind's Rhythm】: Able to sense the rhythm of the wind, moving without a trace, leaving no shadow.

"The rhythm of the wind?" he muttered to himself, glancing at the remaining experience points needed for Gale Thunder Step.

Then, he leaped forward, instantly rushing into the Dongling Mountains behind him.

As he executed his movement technique, he instantly felt a completely different sensation.

His movements became lighter and more agile, as if he had no weight at all.

With a single leap, he could effortlessly cover a distance of several dozen zhang, turning in mid-air with ease and grace, as if he were flying.

He even felt that his speed had increased significantly.

Normally, the faster one goes, the greater the resistance.

When the speed reaches a certain level, the wind resistance becomes almost tangible.

So, the faster one goes, the more challenging it becomes.

But for him, the wind resistance at this moment had decreased.

The wind even became a source of propulsion, aiding his movements and further enhancing his speed.

A moment later, he stopped at the top of a towering mountain.

Looking back at the path he had taken, his mansion was now hidden behind the towering mountains.

After a quick estimation of the distance and time, he drew a conclusion.

"The maximum speed has increased by about two-tenths!"

"The biggest change is that my aerial agility has greatly increased!" he muttered.

A hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

The higher the speed, the more challenging it became to increase it further.

A two-tenths increase in speed meant he was now a dozen zhang faster in a single breath.

With a little more improvement, he could reach the speed required to break the sound barrier.

Thinking of this, he looked at his panel again.

【Yuan Neng】: 2443

【Technique】: Gale Thunder Step (4 Limit Breaks 4688/5000) (Characteristics: Wind's Breathing, Swift Gale and Thunder, Chase Wind and Lightning, Wind's Rhythm)



"Just three hundred more experience points!"

For the next limit break, he would need two thousand Yuan Neng points, which was just enough.

If he could break through again, perhaps his speed would infinitely approach the speed of sound or even surpass it.

At this thought, a flash of determination appeared in Jiang Ning's eyes.

He could no longer contain his excitement.

Surpassing the speed of sound would make his movement technique incredibly formidable.

Once he reached this level, even a Celestial Master's speed would pale in comparison.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end