Chapter 448: Divine Realm, the Martial Intent of a Grandmaster of the Celestial Human Master, Second

Chapter 448: Divine Realm, the Martial Intent of a Grandmaster of the Celestial Human Master, Second Grade

By Jiang Shangjing, March 19, 2025

Bai Sha County.

On the city wall.

The gale scattered the floating dust.

A middle-aged man in a green robe descended before Jiang Ning and the others.

His temples were slightly gray, and faint wrinkles adorned his forehead, indicating that he wasn't young.

Shen Wenyuan glanced at the group, his gaze settling on Zhao Yu Long.

"Brother Zhao, no need for such formality!"

Then, turning to Jiang Ning and the others, "You all needn't be so formal either!"

"Brother Zhao, tell me about the situation!" Shen Wenyuan spoke again.

"Yes!" Zhao Yu Long responded.

He then began to explain the whole story.

At this moment, Jiang Ning looked at Shen Wenyuan, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Seeing Shen Wenyuan, a master who was approachable, he saw a familiar figure in him.

The shadow of Shen Congyun.

Their auras were somewhat similar, both exuding a scholarly air, and even their appearances bore a three-part resemblance.

Shen Wenyuan. Shen Congyun. The Shen Family of Western Sichuan.

These thoughts flashed through Jiang Ning's mind in rapid succession.

At this moment, a possibility suddenly occurred to him.

Could Shen Congyun be from the Shen Family of Western Sichuan?

And was Shen Wenyuan a senior member of the Shen family?

The more he thought in this direction, the more he felt his guess might be the truth.

Because Shen Congyun's strength back then didn't seem strong in his current eyes.

But the things he left behind weren't simple.

The Inner Elixir Cultivation Technique, though only a partial manual for achieving Great Perfection, wasn't easily obtained.

Add to that the cultivation method for the Golden Body of Invincibility.

The rarity of these two cultivation techniques alone made them inaccessible to ordinary people.

Furthermore, Shen Congyun and Shen Wenyuan shared a three-part resemblance and the same surname, Shen.

Too many coincidences, and it was no longer a coincidence.

Beside them, Shen Wenyuan listened to Zhao Yu Long's brief explanation.

He glanced at Deng Fei, who stood by, and then slowly shook his head.

"County Magistrate Deng, the corruption by that divine being has gone too deep, and there's no turning back. You need to prepare yourself mentally!"

"Your humble servant understands!" Deng Fei's face remained calm.

Shen Wenyuan nodded slightly and then said, "Brother Zhao, take me to see the Blood Pool!"

"Yes!" Zhao Yu Long nodded emphatically.

Moments later, at the Blood Pool.

Shen Wenyuan gazed at the Blood Pool, his expression turning solemn.

He then scanned the blood troughs and patterns laid out on the ground.

"Brother Zhao, what you said earlier is correct! This is indeed a grand array, known as the Array of Ten Thousand Blood Souls."

"If this array is completed, all the people of Bai Sha County will be thoroughly transmuted, turning into blood water, and their Three Souls and Seven Spirits will be refined on the spot."

Hearing these words, Zhao Yu Long's eyes widened slightly, and a gleam appeared in his eyes.

"They're truly insane!"

Shen Wenyuan nodded slightly, but a killing intent flashed in his eyes.

The temperature in the basement suddenly dropped, and the crowd stood with their spines straight.

"The Bai Shen Jiao must be eradicated!"

He continued, "I will assume office soon, and my first decree will be to exterminate the Bai Shen Jiao. Brother Zhao, you can start taking action!"

"Yes! I accept the mission!" Zhao Yu Long suddenly clasped his hands, his expression solemn.

Seeing this, Shen Wenyuan smiled gently.

"Brother Zhao, there's no need to be so serious, but rest assured, after I assume office, I will not mistreat you."

As his words fell, Shen Wenyuan turned to Jiang Ning, who had been silent.

"Inspector Jiang!"

"Your humble servant is here!" Jiang Ning clasped his hands.

Facing the unknown power of the grandmaster Shen Wenyuan, Jiang Ning didn't dare to be presumptuous.

"Since I haven't assumed office yet, there's no need for such formalities!"

"You can call me Lord Shen!"

Hearing this, Zhao Yu Long's eyes widened, and his face showed surprise.

Jiang Ning, upon hearing this, was also slightly startled.

He had heard before that if a Second Grade Grandmaster chose to join the Great Xia Court, they could be granted a title and enfeoffed.

Hearing these words from Shen Wenyuan's mouth today, it was clear that he had already been enfeoffed by the court.

"Paying respects to Lord Shen!" Jiang Ning clasped his hands.

"Zhao Yu Long, paying respects to Lord Shen!" Zhao Yu Long also clasped his hands.

"Paying respects to Lord Shen!" Bai Luoyu also hurriedly bowed.

"There's no need to be so polite," Shen Wenyuan said, raising his right hand, and an invisible force lifted the group.

"I tell you my identity not for any other reason but to let you know that with me here, you will have no worries. I will be your solid support."

"Within Dongling County, we must eliminate all hidden dangers!"

Zhao Yu Long immediately clasped his hands.

"Understood!"

Shen Wenyuan nodded.

He was about to assume office and wasn't familiar with the people below.

Without support, it would be difficult for him to start his work.

Today, when he came to Bai Sha County, he also intended to gather a team.

Zhao Yu Long and the others were a good choice for him.

Especially Jiang Ning.

Thinking of Jiang Ning, his gaze once again fell on Jiang Ning's body.

"Inspector Jiang, my nephew was right; you are indeed a once-in-a-century prodigy."

"Is the nephew Lord Shen speaks of Shen Congyun?" Jiang Ning's expression showed hesitation.

"Inspector Jiang, you've indeed guessed correctly!" Shen Wenyuan smiled and nodded.

"Shen Congyun is indeed my nephew! He once mentioned you to me, but I didn't believe that a small county like Luoshui could produce a once-in-a-century prodigy."

"It seems my nephew's judgment was indeed accurate."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning bowed and said, "Your Excellency, you are too kind! My success today is all thanks to the help of many noble people. Back then in Luoshui County, if it weren't for Shen Congyun's assistance, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Shen Wenyuan nodded.

He was pleased that Jiang Ning remembered Shen Congyun's contributions.

His nephew had previously broken the rules of the Mansion of Ten Thousand Flowers, and was originally supposed to be punished in the Governor's City.

However, at that time, Shen Wenyuan was just one step away from becoming a Great Master.

Facing his nephew, the Mansion of Ten Thousand Flowers had to treat the matter with caution, and thus the punishment was waived.

As this thought flashed through his mind, he turned to Jiang Ning and said, "This time in Baisha County, Inspector Jiang, you have made the greatest contribution. I record a Grade D Merit! I will fulfill this promise after I take office!"

"Thank you, Your Excellency!" Jiang Ning's eyes lit up, and he immediately bowed in gratitude.

Bai Luoyu, standing beside him, also revealed a hint of envy.

Grade D Merit.

It could be exchanged for a significant number of contribution points, which could be used to obtain many things that were otherwise unattainable.

Within the Inspection Office system, in addition to the contribution point system, there were also four types of merits categorized as A, B, C, and D.

Grade D Merit.

It could be exchanged for one million contribution points.

However, every person was only allowed one chance to make this exchange.

As for Grade C Merit, it was even more impressive.

To exchange it for contribution points, one would need ten million contribution points.

Moving up, Grades A and B merits were not something that could be exchanged for contribution points.

Only by establishing an extremely significant achievement could one be granted such an honor.

This was not only a reward but also a symbol of prestige.

According to internal information, establishing a Grade A Merit could even lead to an audience with the Martial Saint and receive personal guidance.

At this moment, Jiang Ning's heart was secretly filled with excitement.

Grade D Merit, which granted the qualification to exchange for treasures from the Heavenly Ranking.

This also meant that he would be able to obtain the Master Art he desired, a top-tier art that could exchange blood nine times.

Just at this moment—

"Break!" Shen Wenyuan suddenly uttered a blasting sound.

Boom—

The entire basement suddenly roared.

Blood churned, and the blood groove carved into the ground exploded.

Facing the splashing filthy water, Shen Wenyuan pointed upwards with a single finger.

Prowess surged, and sword energy soared into the sky.

The thick layer of soil above the blood pool seemed to melt like ice and snow at this moment.

In an instant, a well over ten feet wide appeared in everyone's line of sight.

The afternoon sunlight slanted down from above, illuminating the soil layer and making the originally dim basement extremely bright.

"Everyone, step back! I'm going to break this Blood Soul Array!" Shen Wenyuan said.

Upon hearing this, the group retreated and stopped only after reaching the passage leading to the outside world.

Standing beside the blood pool, Shen Wenyuan pointed upwards with a single finger.

Boom—

Suddenly, a startling thunderclap sounded from above.

The next moment—

That was it!!!

Jiang Ning's gaze focused.

He saw a bolt of thunder pouring down from the well above the blood pool.

The thunderous light was like a white dragon piercing through the sky, and its intense radiance illuminated the blood pool, revealing every detail.

Then, it heavily struck the blood pool.

Countless arcs of lightning splashed onto the walls and ground around the pool.

In an instant, the air was filled with the smell of ozone.

"Summer Thunder!!!" Zhao Yu Long muttered, his eyes filled with astonishment and envy.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning immediately understood.

Shen Wenyuan, when he was a Third Grade, was at least a Divine Human Master who had exchanged blood four times.

Summer Thunder was the summer meditative state within the Four Seasons Return to Origin.

Jiang Ning asked, "Is this the Divine Realm?"

"This is the Divine Realm!" Zhao Yu Long nodded slightly. "His Excellency Shen must be a master of the martial intent of the Four Symbols Return to Origin."

In an instant, the thunderous light dissipated.

The air no longer carried the smell of blood, only a faint scent of ozone remained.

The ground around them was charred black, and the blood in the pool no longer held that eerie aura.

"Let's go! Take me to the other blood pools!" Shen Wenyuan said.

"Okay!" Zhao Yu Long nodded.

After a short while, they stood at the location of the last blood pool.

Shen Wenyuan exhaled a long breath, and his eyes and brows were filled with a hint of fatigue.

Using the martial intent consecutively had been a significant burden even for him.

"Brother Zhao!" Shen Wenyuan spoke again, "I'll leave the follow-up matters in Baisha County entirely to you! As for the issue with the city's commoners, I will ask a Ground King from the Yellow Heaven Sect to come over!"

"With the ritual water of the Yellow Heaven Sect, we can dispel the corrosion of that divine statue and restore those commoners to normal!"

"As for those who are too deeply corrupted and cannot be saved, they will be dealt with according to the rules!"

Zhao Yu Long nodded in agreement.

"Understood!"

Shen Wenyuan turned to Jiang Ning.

"Inspector Jiang, I will fulfill the promise of the merit you've established today after I take office!"

"Thank you, Your Excellency!" Jiang Ning bowed.

"Alright, the matter here is concluded. I need to return to the Governor's City. In a few days, I will take over the heavy responsibility, and there's much work to be done!" Shen Wenyuan said.

"Then I'll see you off!" Zhao Yu Long said.

Shen Wenyuan nodded.

As they walked, Shen Wenyuan suddenly spoke, whispering a secret message to Zhao Yu Long.

"Handle Deng Fei according to the rules! Don't worry about him being from the military, and don't be concerned about him being a former subordinate of that Little Tyrant!"

Zhao Yu Long, upon hearing this, slightly nodded.

"Brother Zhao, take good care of Baisha County!" Shen Wenyuan instructed once more.

"Yes!" Zhao Yu Long bowed and accepted the order.

Shen Wenyuan turned to Jiang Ning.

"Inspector Jiang, if you have the chance, you should visit Governor's City. I believe my nephew will be very satisfied to see your achievements now!"

Jiang Ning replied, "I will definitely attend the Regimental Examination for the Military Examination this summer!"

"The Regimental Examination for the Military Examination!" Shen Wenyuan exclaimed, suddenly bursting into laughter, "Inspector Jiang participating in the Regimental Examination, that would be a huge blow to those so-called Heaven's Chosen in Governor's City."

He was about to assume the position of the Governor of a prefecture, and with Shen Congyun's connection, Jiang Ning had naturally caught his attention long ago.

Moreover, even without considering Shen Congyun, the status of a county inspector alone, within the entire inspection system, ranked among the top ten in the entire Guangning Prefecture.

With such identity and status, he naturally had to give it importance.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is where we part ways, farewell!" Shen Wenyuan said.

His words had just fallen.

He soared into the sky, rising straight up into the blue.

Then, in mid-air, he transformed into an arc, instantly breaking through the air and disappearing.

The roaring sonic boom also reached the ears of the few people present.

"A Grandmaster of the Divine Humans, truly terrifying!" Zhao Yu Long exclaimed, watching the scene in the air.

Jiang Ning's heart was equally uncalm.

Even though this was the second time he had witnessed Shen Wenyuan breaking through the sound barrier with his physical body and creating a sonic boom, he still felt secretly startled.

Such power was truly terrifying.

Even in his previous life, a world with highly advanced technology, this kind of individual power was enough to make top-tier nations set aside their pride and engage in friendly conversations.

Not to mention in this world.

For ordinary martial artists, such an existence was no different from the legendary gods and immortals.

Traveling to the North Sea in the morning and returning to the dark forest at night, with the strength of a Grandmaster of the Divine Humans, without considering endurance, he could already achieve this.

"A Grandmaster of the Divine Humans, my lifelong pursuit!" Zhao Yu Long gazed at Shen Wenyuan, who had disappeared behind the mountain peak, slowly retracting his gaze, his emotions stirred.

"Looks like the Shen Clan of Xichuan will become one of the top families in Guangning Prefecture!" Bai Luoyu exclaimed.

"That's for sure! Since Shen Wenyuan has been granted a fiefdom, Xichuan Commandery will undoubtedly be his fief! I'm afraid that in a few decades, the number one family in Guangning Prefecture will be the Shen Clan."

Seven days later.

Baisha County's vegetable market.

All the citizens of the county, organized by the soldiers, formed lines to receive the distributed ritual water.

During these seven days.

On the third day after receiving the order, the stationed troops in Dongling City had already arrived in Baisha County and taken over the task of sealing off the county.

They surrounded Baisha County, setting up multiple checkpoints to prevent citizens deeply infected by the God of Flesh and Blood from fleeing to other towns or villages.

Until this day.

A local king of the Yellow Heaven Sect finally received Shen Wenyuan's invitation and came to Baisha County to burn the ritual water.

At the same time, he also brought some followers of the Yellow Heaven Sect to spread the sect's teachings in Baisha County, expanding its influence.

Jiang Ning stood on a high platform, watching as the citizens who had received the ritual water drank it, and the aura of the God of Flesh and Blood that had contaminated their bodies was quickly dispelled, allowing them to recover soon after.

A glimmer of surprise flashed through his eyes.

His heart suddenly understood why the Yellow Heaven Sect could become the number one sect among the common people.

No wonder it had over a million followers.

Just this magical ritual water was enough to win people's hearts.

He also recalled the year before, in Luoshui County, when the incense master of the Yellow Heaven Sect led people to burn the ritual water, providing warmth to the entire county's citizens and helping them through the harsh winter.

"The Yellow Heaven Sect is indeed extraordinary!" Jiang Ning muttered to himself.

On the other side.

Among the crowd.

"Miss, that's Jiang Xiu Cai!" a middle-aged man exclaimed as he saw Jiang Ning on the high platform, his face showing surprise.

"I know!" The legitimate daughter of the Su family nodded.

"How is Jiang Xiu Cai here?" the middle-aged man asked.

"Because he is Jiang Ning, the Inspector!" The legitimate daughter of the Su family slowly spoke.

Even though she had known early on that the man who had accompanied her into the city was later revealed to be a top-tier noble of Dongling County, the sixth-grade County Inspector, she still felt a surge of regret upon seeing Jiang Ning with her own eyes.

If she could have another chance, she would definitely lower her pride and befriend the unremarkable Jiang Ning who had followed her caravan.

If only they had some connection, her troubles and worries would no longer be problems.

But she knew that all this regret was too late.

Today, Jiang Ning was the esteemed County Inspector of Dongling County, while she was merely the legitimate daughter of the Su family in Baisha County.

Her only opportunity was on the road from Baisha County to Dongling County.

Having missed that chance, there was no longer any possibility of any interaction!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end