Chapter 474: Guangning Prefecture, Near-Perfection of the Inner Dan Cultivation Technique!

Chapter 474: Guangning Prefecture, Near-Perfection of the Inner Dan Cultivation Technique!



April 13, 2025 - Author: Jiang Shangjing

Early morning.

By the stream.

The water flowed gently, and the sun began to rise.

The fiery great sun gradually awakened the earth.

"Your birthday?" Zhao Yulong and Bai Luoyu were taken aback by Jiang Ning's words.

"So today is Brother Jiang's birthday!" Bai Luoyu recovered, a smile appearing on his face.

"Yes!" Jiang Ning nodded, sighing slightly. "Before I know it, I've grown another year older!"

Today was the first birthday he truly celebrated in this world, and for a moment, he felt a strange sense of nostalgia.

As for the past eighteen years, he still hadn't figured out whether it was a case of innate wisdom awakening, a heaven-swapping trick, or a rebirth through time travel.

Or perhaps, it was just two similar flowers from two different worlds.

The resemblance between his past and present life was too striking.

This was the biggest doubt in his heart.

At the same time.

Zhao Yulong: "..."

Bai Luoyu: "..."

Upon hearing Jiang Ning's sigh, the two were speechless.

They knew Jiang Ning well and were aware of his true age.

In their daily interactions, they might have overlooked the age difference.

But now that his birthday was mentioned, they were reminded of his actual age.

To them, Jiang Ning's sigh seemed purely like bragging.

Especially in contrast to what Zhao Yulong had just said.

"Brother Jiang, your words are really annoying!" Bai Luoyu said with a light scold.

Zhao Yulong also nodded. "I really want to beat you up when I hear that!"

"Ha ha!" Jiang Ning laughed.

A moment later.

The three of them drank together in Zhao Yulong's carriage for a while.

It wasn't until midday that the three carriages started moving again, heading toward Guangning Prefecture.

Jiang Ning returned to his carriage and continued reading the Dao Zhang Thirty-six Volumes to gain experience in text recognition and literacy.

On the journey, this was the most convenient way to practice.

At the same time.

While reading the Dao Zhang Thirty-six Volumes, he also kept an eye out for the ice coffin, wondering if it would reappear.

The next morning.

When he opened his eyes, he saw Lvyi still lying on the table, covered with a thin blanket. A faint smile appeared on his lips.

Over the past few days, he had repeatedly urged Lvyi to stop sleeping by his side and to lie down properly. He didn't mind, and there was no need for formality.

But each time, Lvyi would firmly shake her head without a word.

Eventually, seeing that she was determined, he let her be.

At that moment.

His expression suddenly changed, and his gaze fell on the ice coffin on the table.

His eyes locked onto it.

After a few breaths.

Heh.

He let out a long sigh.

"It's back again!"

Jiang Ning sighed inwardly, pushed aside the thin blanket Lvyi had covered him with the night before, and got up.

He had made up his mind; since he couldn't shake it off, he would have to face it.

The sound of him getting up instantly woke Lvyi from her light sleep.

"Master!" She looked up at Jiang Ning, who was getting up, and quickly wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth.

Jiang Ning smiled. "Go back to sleep! It's still early!"

"Master, how can that be?" Lvyi protested, about to get up.

Jiang Ning placed his hand on her head. "If you're tired, go back to sleep!"

Seeing Jiang Ning's firm tone, Lvyi relaxed.

"Yes, Master!"

Jiang Ning nodded in satisfaction.

Then, he reached out and picked up the ice coffin from the small table in front of Lvyi.

Only then did Lvyi notice the ice coffin on the table.

Her pupils contracted, and her drowsiness vanished.

"Master..." Lvyi swallowed, her face filled with fear.

Jiang Ning said, "Don't be too afraid! Everything is under control!"

As he spoke, the ice coffin settled steadily in his hand.

Looking at the palm-sized ice coffin in his hand, Jiang Ning's eyes flickered.

This object had been discarded by him twice, only to reappear by his side after a day or two.

Such a bizarre phenomenon clearly indicated that this strange ice coffin had latched onto him.

As for why it had latched onto him, he still had no clue.

After deep thought,

He extended his right index and middle fingers, then touched his forehead.

In an instant.

The Heavenly Eye opened, and a white vertical line appeared on his forehead.

A brilliant, mist-like radiance instantly emitted from his forehead, changing his aura.

In Lvyi's eyes, Jiang Ning now seemed like a god, a lofty and majestic deity.

Jiang Ning's gaze returned to the ice coffin in his hand, and he instantly saw the microscopic world within.

It was the same palace, with the same ice coffin inside, and the same woman in the ice coffin.

The woman, pale and lifeless, had skin as smooth as jade and snow, as if she were in a deep sleep.

There was no change from her previous state.

"Phew!!"

Seeing the woman still in the ice coffin, Jiang Ning secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

He was most afraid that, upon looking this time, the ice coffin would be empty.

If that were the case, it would be truly frightening.

After a moment's thought, the vertical crease between Jiang Ning's eyebrows slowly closed, and the Heavenly Eye shut down.

Then, he placed the ice coffin in a corner of the adjacent carriage.

As for throwing it out again, he didn't want to do that.

The ice coffin could be thrown out once, twice, and then quietly reappear beside him.

This indicated that this method was completely ineffective.

It might even anger her!

So he chose this gentle approach.

To buy time!

As long as he had time, he could continuously grow stronger.

The stronger he became, the more composed and confident he would be in the face of any changes.

In the blink of an eye, several days had passed.

Evening.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the ancient and magnificent city walls ahead, turning the walls a golden yellow.

Three carriages slowly stopped not far from the city.

"This is Guangning City!" Zhao Yu Long sighed and continued, "Even after coming here several times, I still feel somewhat awed."

Jiang Ning, standing on the wooden plank extended from the carriage, looked at the towering city walls ahead, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

The city walls of Guangning City were about twenty zhang high.

This height far exceeded any ancient city walls he had seen in his previous life.

As for the length, it extended almost beyond the horizon.

It was at least ten kilometers long, and its circumference clearly surpassed the length of any ancient city wall in his previous life.

He instantly recalled the general data of Guangning Prefecture City in his mind.

A population of over two million, covering an area of a million square kilometers.

This immediately reminded him of the ancient city data from his previous life.

In the five-thousand-year history of the ancient civilization he knew, the most prosperous and populous city was Bianjing of the Northern Song Dynasty.

Bianjing had a population of about 1.5 million and covered an area of about fifty to sixty square kilometers.

And that was the peak, the most prosperous and flourishing era in five thousand years of history, with the capital city's political status as a boost.

But Guangning Prefecture City was merely one of the thirty-six prefecture cities in the Nine Provinces, and it was even considered a less prosperous one.

The stark contrast made Jiang Ning realize the extraordinary nature of this world even more.

The power lies within oneself, and when an individual is strong enough, they can create many miracles.

Even just the Guangning Prefecture City in front of him would be considered one of the historical miracles of his previous life.

He immediately thought of the capital of the Great Xia.

If a mere ordinary prefecture city could be so prosperous, how magnificent would the capital be?

Just then, Bai Luoyu stood on the wooden plank outside the carriage, gazing at the undulating city walls ahead.

"Lord Prefect, if you ever visit the capital, you will really feel the awe from the depths of your heart!!"

"If there's an opportunity, I will go and see it!" Zhao Yu Long nodded.

"If I have the chance, I will also go and see it!" Jiang Ning also spoke up.

"Patrol Commissioner Jiang will definitely have the chance! You will have to go to the capital in October for the military examination," Zhao Yu Long said.

"Lord Prefect is right!" Bai Luoyu nodded and then added, "Brother Jiang, how about we go together then? I can visit my elder sister in the capital at the same time."

"Sure!" Jiang Ning nodded.

"Let's go! Enter the city!" Zhao Yu Long said.

A moment later, the three carriages slowly entered Guangning City with the large group.

Guangning City, located at the center of Guangning Prefecture, was surrounded by mountains and forests, with only the area around the city being a flat expanse, offering a broad view.

Therefore, the prefecture city of Guangning Prefecture was situated here.

After Jiang Ning and the others entered the city, the sky gradually grew dark.

The setting sun was swallowed by the undulating mountains in the distance, casting shadows over this grand and prosperous city.

Spring Wind Pavilion.

"Rest well tonight, we will report to Shen Wenyuan tomorrow!" Zhao Yu Long stood in the corridor and said to the two of them.

"Alright!" Jiang Ning nodded.

"See you tomorrow, Lord Prefect!" Bai Luoyu yawned, patting his mouth.

After several days of travel, he also felt somewhat fatigued.

Then, the three of them bid farewell and each headed to their respective courtyards.

A moment later, at the Bamboo Listening Pavilion, Jiang Ning looked at the plaque hanging above the gate and the bamboo grove extending from the wall, nodding slightly.

Lvyi instantly stepped forward with the key in hand.

With a crisp "click," the golden lock was opened.

Lvyi pushed open the vermilion door. "Young Master, this is it!"

Jiang Ning nodded.

He lifted his leg and stepped over the threshold.

Lvyi then flipped the sign hanging on the wall.

Do not disturb!

She then followed Jiang Ning into the courtyard, casually closing the gate behind her.

The two stepped into a courtyard that spanned roughly a hundred square meters, filled with bamboo groves.

There were green bamboo and purple bamboo.

A meandering stream circled the walls, with several ornamental koi swimming in it.

A gentle evening breeze blew at that moment.

The bamboo groves swayed, rustling softly.

"Sir, this courtyard is really nice!" Lvyi exclaimed, admiring the scene before her.

Jiang Ning replied, "A monthly fee of one tael of gold, of course it won't be bad!"

"Indeed!" Lvyi whistled, continuing, "One tael of gold, that's really expensive rent!"

When traveling, he never stinted on himself. In his previous life, though not wealthy, he never deprived himself of comfort. If he stayed home, he wouldn't go out to play; but if he did go out, he never chose to stay in a dirty, messy, or poor environment.

Then, he said, "Go and boil some water!"

"Yes, Sir!" Lvyi responded promptly.

As Lvyi walked away, Jiang Ning took a simple tour of the small courtyard he had rented, which covered about two hundred square meters in total.

He was very satisfied with the environment of the courtyard!

Then, he sat down in a wicker chair in the courtyard.

He opened his panel.

【Yuan Neng】: 26231

He hadn't used any of his Yuan Neng points except for breaking the limit of Text Recognition and Literacy. He still had over twenty thousand points left.

【Techniques】: Text Recognition and Literacy (Eleven Breakthroughs 7321/30000) (Traits: Photographic Memory, Knowledge and Action Unity, Mind Like a Mirror, Born Sacred, Dao Follows Nature)



Inner Great Success 9833/10000

His Text Recognition and Literacy had accumulated over seven thousand experience points in the past few days.

However, he had already finished reading the Dao Zhang Thirty-six Volumes. Now, he was reading Buddhist scriptures.

Compared to the Dao Zhang Thirty-six Volumes, he could feel that the efficiency of gaining experience points from Buddhist scriptures was slightly lower, about ten percent less efficient.

But compared to ordinary books, this was still a very suitable choice.

At his current rate, it would take another two days.

This timing was just right for him, as he would meet Shen Wenyuan tomorrow to report on his work and obtain the methods to become a Master.

The timing for both events aligned perfectly.

With that thought, he closed his panel.

Then he took out the ice coffin.

The ice coffin had been with him all these days without any abnormalities.

Looking at the ice coffin in his hand, a contemplative look flashed in his eyes.

Then he stood up and walked into the house. When he came out, the ice coffin was safely placed inside, with no intention of discarding it.

"I wonder if it will still suddenly appear next to me even if it's in a different room!" Jiang Ning muttered to himself.

Then, he began practicing his boxing.

After days of travel, he hadn't loosened his muscles in a long time.

In the next moment, his movements were like a tiger, a bear, and an ape.

The Wu Qin Quan moves flowed freely in his hands, without a fixed form.

He was merely stretching his muscles and invigorating his blood.

But in the next moment, his gaze sharpened.

【Wu Qin Quan Experience Points +1】

【Wu Qin Quan Experience Points +1】

【Wu Qin Quan Experience Points +1】

【...】

The notifications of increasing Wu Qin Quan experience points kept appearing before him.

A short while later, he stopped and stood still, feeling the surging Life Force in his body.

Sweat beaded on his forehead.

【This session of practicing Wu Qin Quan increased experience points by a total of 7.】

Seeing this notification, he couldn't help but smile wryly.

"Perhaps I was too narrow-minded before! My current boxing skills have reached the level of formless, and there's no need to strictly follow the Wu Qin Quan manual!"

He laughed and shook his head.

His previous self had clearly been limited by his thinking.

At that moment, a figure appeared.

"Sir, the water is ready!"

"I'll be right there!" Jiang Ning responded and moved to get up.

Although his body wasn't tired after the long journey, his mind was somewhat weary.

He needed a comfortable bath to adjust his state.

Tomorrow, he would meet the Great Master Shen Wenyuan, Lord of Wenyuan, and the Prefect of Guangning Prefecture!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end