Chapter 463: Returning to Water Moon Sword Palace, Killing Xiao Qiushui!

Chapter 463: Returning to Water Moon Sword Palace, Killing Xiao Qiushui!

April 3rd, 2025, Author: Jiang Shangjing

In the forest path, Jiang Ning appeared with Zhong Ling before Zhong Yue and the old beggar.

Hearing Jiang Ning's respectful address, the old beggar nodded.

"Then, what is my title? What is my origin?"

Jiang Ning opened his mouth, speechless for a moment.

"I knew you were just trying to pacify me, young man!" The old beggar huffed and glared.

Jiang Ning smiled awkwardly.

Then he looked at Zhong Yue, his expression solemn.

"Zhong Fu Shi, I have successfully brought Zhong Ling back unharmed!"

As he spoke, Jiang Ning reached out and pulled Zhong Ling, who was hiding behind him, into view.

"Great-Grandfather!" Zhong Ling called out to Zhong Yue.

"Zhong Fu Shi, I've safely returned Zhong Ling to you! I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now!" Jiang Ning bowed.

"Good!" Zhong Yue nodded.

Then, looking at his great-granddaughter, he said, "Come here quickly!"

"Yes, Great-Grandfather!" Zhong Ling obediently stepped forward.

The next moment, Jiang Ning turned and left.

Li Sishang had made his choice, so Jiang Ning wouldn't let this grudge continue.

As he pondered, Jiang Ning quickly moved out of Zhong Yue's line of sight.

Along the way, he didn't rush.

His mind replayed the events that had just transpired, especially Li Sishang's brief display of power, which replayed in his mind repeatedly.

The overwhelming pressure was so powerful that it made him truly understand the vast difference between first-grade and second-grade martial artists.

Then, he thought of Ye Zhengqi.

It seemed likely that Ye Zhengqi was still recovering at the bottom of the lake.

After giving Ye Zhengqi his instructions before leaving, Jiang Ning didn't plan to return.

As for Zhao Yulong, he didn't need to worry about him.

A moment later, standing in a dense forest, Jiang Ning peered through the gaps in the leaves and saw the Water Moon Sword Palace towering on the island in the center of Mirror Moon Lake.

He looked up at the sky above.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting mottled shadows on his body.

Using the sun's position, he quickly made a judgment.

It wasn't even noon yet.

Although many things had happened just now, not much time had passed.

He quickly averted his gaze, planning to take action later in the evening.

The bright daylight wasn't the best time for his plan.

Then, he slowly adjusted his state.

Huff—

Exhaling the turbid energy from his abdomen, he glanced at his status panel.

[Yuan Neng]: 4533

[Skills]: Wu Qin Quan (Sixth Limit Break 5673/7000) (Attributes: Five Organs Store Essence, Five Elements, Martial Arts Master (First Limit Break), Bear-Tiger Physique, Five Elements Body)



Kinnara Vajra Body (One Limit Break 2/20000) (Attributes: Dragon Elephant Power)



Looking at his current status panel, Jiang Ning clenched his fists.

He quietly felt the terrifying power contained within his body.

The Dragon Elephant Power and the Kinnara Vajra Body, which had reached its limit break, gave him the confidence to deal with Xiao Qiushui.

He fully believed that with his current physical strength alone, he could completely suppress Xiao Qiushui.

At this moment, a torrent of qi and blood surged through his body, as if emitting a dragon's roar.

His mind flashed back to the scene that had just occurred.

Li Sishang's intervention.

Facing Ye Zhengqi, Li Sishang, from his superior position, had effortlessly crushed Ye Zhengqi with a single palm.

He had sent Ye Zhengqi plummeting into the ground. If Ye Zhengqi hadn't been a four-time Blood Replacement Master, with a body that had undergone four rebirths and was already incredibly strong, that single palm strike might have been enough to kill an ordinary second-grade martial artist.

Recalling that scene, Jiang Ning knew that he was definitely no match for Li Sishang, the second-grade Divine Realm Great Master.

He took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled.

After closing his status panel, he began practicing his martial arts in the dense forest.

In his hands, the Wu Qin Quan had returned to its purest form.

Even the Tiger Stance of the Wu Qin Quan wasn't overly aggressive.

But Jiang Ning could feel that as he practiced, his body was slowly changing, as if gradually transforming bit by bit.

This sensation wasn't intense and was difficult to perceive.

However, upon careful contemplation, he could genuinely feel it.

It was like a seed sprouting, invisible to the naked eye, but over time, the sprouting process became evident.

After a long while, he finished a set of the Wu Qin Quan.

[Wu Qin Quan Experience +1]



He closed his eyes.

A moment later, he opened them again, a hint of reminiscence in his eyes.

[Wu Qin Quan Experience +3]



Three points?

Seeing the change in the prompt, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.

Previously, he had made significant progress in his innate talent for martial arts, and after each practice session, he would digest and reflect on the insights gained from the process.

Each martial arts practice would only bring a slight increase in experience points.

But this time, it was three experience points.

His eyes flashed with determination.

He practiced again in the dense forest, this time with even more focus and dedication, immersing himself completely in the process.

His mind was free from distractions.

After a long while, he finished a set of martial arts and closed his eyes once more.

When he opened his eyes, the prompt appeared before him again.

[Wu Qin Quan Experience +3]



[Skill]: Wu Qin Quan (Sixth Limit Break 5689/7000) (Characteristics: Five Organs Store Essence, Five Elements Spirit, Martial Arts Grandmaster (First Break), Bear-Tiger Physique, Five Elements Body)



He scanned the panel and closed it.

"Two sets of martial arts, a total of 18 experience points!" Jiang Ning muttered to himself, clenching his fists.

At this moment, he also felt an abundance of energy within his body.

The consecutive practice sessions did not tire him out; instead, his physical condition improved, as if he had taken some sort of tonic.

Especially his five internal organs, which felt incredibly refreshed, as if a heavy shackle had been lifted.

His eyes shone brighter, and his spirit was invigorated.

"Wu Qin Quan is extraordinary!"

He continued to practice, waiting for time to pass.

In the blink of an eye, it was noon.

The sun hung high in the sky, and the temperature continued to rise.

Jiang Ning found an open area where the sun's rays could shine directly overhead.

Then he began to absorb the sun's essence.

[Inner Elixir Cultivation Experience +1]



[Inner Elixir Cultivation Experience +1]



[Inner Elixir Cultivation Experience +1]



[.]



With each breath, the sun's essence entered his body, refining his organs.

The breath exhaled from his nose was like a heat wave.

On the other side.

"Ye Fu Shi?" Zhao Yu Long was taken aback when he saw Ye Zhengqi falling from above.

"Where's Jiang Xunshi?" Zhao Yu Long asked, looking behind Ye Zhengqi and not seeing Jiang Ning.

"He sent Zhong Ling back and told me not to wait for him!" Ye Zhengqi replied.

"Ye Fu Shi, how's your injury?" Zhao Yu Long asked.

"It's just a superficial wound, nothing serious!" Ye Zhengqi said.

As they spoke, a hint of gravity flashed in Ye Zhengqi's eyes.

Thinking about this, he couldn't help but recall the moment he had just fought with Li Sishang.

In just one strike, he had been sent flying like a withered branch.

He was almost buried deep underground.

Even now, as he recalled it, his heart still trembled with fear.

He never imagined that Li Sishang's combat power could be so formidable.

With the foundation of four blood exchanges, he had just entered the second-rank Great Grandmaster level and could sweep Ye Zhengqi aside.

Ye Zhengqi was no match for Li Sishang.

Earth, Wind, Water, Fire!

Li Sishang's martial arts essence must be extraordinary!

The thought flashed through Ye Zhengqi's mind.

"Ye Fu Shi, should we wait for Jiang Xunshi, or should we leave now?" Zhao Yu Long asked.

"Let's go!" Ye Zhengqi said, "Jiang Xunshi probably has his plans. We won't wait for him; let's head back first!"

Then he added, "Now that Li Sishang, the deputy head of Du Xian Gate, has entered the second-rank Great Grandmaster level, this news is far more important than anything else."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yu Long's eyes immediately turned serious.

As the head of the Dongling City Inspection Bureau, he was the highest-ranking official in the Dongling County Inspection Bureau system.

He was also a Heavenly Human Grandmaster who had completed two blood exchanges.

He was well aware of the implications of another second-rank Great Grandmaster emerging from Du Xian Gate in Guangning Prefecture.

It would directly cause an imbalance in the high-end combat power between the imperial court and local sect forces.

This would significantly reduce the court's control over Guangning Prefecture.

People believed that the court had the most elite troops, capable of suppressing any unsubmissive local forces.

But at this level, they realized that this was true up to the third rank.

Or, to be precise, up to the third-rank Heavenly Human Grandmaster.

However, once one reached the third-rank Heavenly Human Grandmaster, it was a whole different story.

It was challenging to deal with such a high-level opponent solely based on numbers.

Even if the court had certain restrictive equipment that could threaten Heavenly Human Grandmasters, the equipment's effectiveness still depended on the user and the opponent.

Heavenly Human Grandmasters possessed the ability to fly, making it difficult to keep them in one place.

This was why Heavenly Human Grandmasters enjoyed considerable privileges.

These privileges were not openly displayed, but Zhao Yu Long, as the head of the Dongling City Inspection Bureau, was well aware of them.

And this was just a third-rank Heavenly Human Grandmaster; not to mention a second-rank Divine Realm Grandmaster.

That was the kind of existence that the court would offer titles and land to recruit.

The sun reached its zenith at noon and then began to move westward.

When the time came to the end of noon, Jiang Ning also stopped absorbing the sun's essence.

Hu—

He exhaled a turbid breath, and in an instant, a heat wave surged, withering the grass and trees, and distorting his vision.

[Technique]: Inner Elixir Health Cultivation (Great Accomplishment 8686/10000)



His gaze swept across the panel, and a glimmer of brilliance flashed in Jiang Ning's eyes.

8,686 experience points.

Only about 1,300 more experience points were needed to reach 10,000.

"In about half a month, I'll be able to enter the ranks of a Three-Tier Divine Human Grandmaster!"

As he thought of this, Jiang Ning couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

Today's experiences made him feel even more aware of his own weakness.

His desire to master his power became even more urgent.

Then,

He stood up and glanced at the WaterMoon Sword Palace once more.

Even from a distance of ten thousand meters, he could clearly see the WaterMoon Sword Palace shimmering with azure brilliance under the sun.

The next moment,

He extended his right hand, touching his middle and index fingers to his forehead.

In an instant,

The Heavenly Eye reappeared between his eyebrows.

With the power of the Heavenly Eye, his gaze pierced through the void, seeing through all obstacles in his line of sight.

Soon, he found Xiao Qiushui's figure in the WaterMoon Sword Palace.

"She's still there!"

"That's good!"

Jiang Ning nodded, then closed the Heavenly Eye on his forehead again.

Then,

He continued practicing the Five Animal Fist, increasing his experience points and refining his qi and blood, quietly awaiting the arrival of night.

That night,

The moonlight flowed like water,

Enveloping the peaceful mountain forest.

In the forest, aside from the occasional sounds of animals, there was a serene and harmonious atmosphere.

"Plop—"

In the tranquil night, a loud splash suddenly echoed from the lakeshore.

As the ripples dissipated, the lake surface returned to calm.

It seemed like the sudden entry of a heavy object into the water was just an illusion.

Underwater,

Jiang Ning swiftly headed towards the island in the center of Mirror Moon Lake.

Even in the lake water, he felt his physical body being nourished by the lake.

The previous loss of qi and blood from practicing the Five Animal Fist was quickly replenished.

A moment later,

Jiang Ning reappeared on the shore of the island in the lake.

Now, in the deep night, there was only his solitary figure on the shore of the island, with no other sounds or movements.

The surroundings were also quiet.

It seemed that the entire island in Mirror Moon Lake had fallen into slumber.

However, the flickering candlelight and occasional laughter and conversations carried by the evening breeze from the distant building complex indicated that not everyone had fallen asleep yet.

Many disciples of the WaterMoon Sword Palace were still active.

Jiang Ning looked up at the moon above once more.

At this moment, the moon appeared slightly incomplete, but its bright light hung high in the sky.

The next moment,

He extended his right hand, touching his middle and index fingers to his forehead.

In an instant,

A white vertical line appeared between his eyebrows again.

He had activated the Heavenly Eye.

As his gaze swept over the building complex above, he quickly located Xiao Qiushui in her palace.

Excellent!

Jiang Ning nodded, his heart whispering in agreement.

Xiao Qiushui's palace was unusually quiet.

The vast palace, spanning at least several thousand square meters at a glance, housed only Xiao Qiushui.

Then, he locked onto the secret treasury in Xiao Qiushui's palace.

With the power of the Heavenly Eye, he had already discovered the treasury long ago.

The next moment,

He set off, moving towards Xiao Qiushui's location.

On the other side,

In the room facing Mirror Moon Lake,

Xiao Emey carefully examined the silver longsword in her hand.

This sword was the symbol of the Palace Master of the WaterMoon Sword Palace.

She still couldn't understand why Xiao Qiushui had told her about her connection with Jiang Ning that morning but hadn't punished her.

Furthermore, Xiao Qiushui had entrusted her with the sword that represented the Palace Master's identity.

At the same time, it was also the first time Xiao Qiushui had acknowledged her as the next Palace Master of the WaterMoon Sword Palace.

Even after thinking about it for an entire evening, she still couldn't understand why.

Then,

She shifted her gaze from the longsword in her hand to the distant lake surface shimmering with ripples.

She sighed softly.

The events of the past two days had thoroughly confused her.

The next moment,

Zing—

She suddenly drew her sword from its sheath.

The sword's radiance was like a rainbow.

Under the bright moonlight, the sword's glow appeared even more chilling, illuminating the surrounding walls.

As the sword left its sheath, Xiao Emey's gaze intensified.

She noticed a letter hidden within the sword sheath.

On the other side,

In Xiao Qiushui's palace,

Jiang Ning entered this serene palace for the first time.

His gaze fixed straight ahead.

He could see Xiao Qiushui sitting cross-legged in meditation, her face as cold as ice.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end