Chapter 494: Changes After a Few Days, Shen Wenyuan Injured!

Chapter 494: Changes After a Few Days, Shen Wenyuan Injured!

The next morning.

After Jiang Ning woke up, he once again saw the ice coffin by his pillow.

He sighed softly.

Picking up the ice coffin, he activated the Heavenly Eye to take another look.

Finding that the world inside the ice coffin had not changed, he breathed a sigh of relief.

His greatest fear was that the ice coffin would undergo some strange transformation.

The thought of one day seeing the ice coffin empty and the woman inside suddenly appearing before him was enough to send a shiver down his spine.

After washing up and having breakfast, he headed to the academy.

He had spent two days in the academy's library but hadn't finished his reading.

Jiang Ning knew that the path of martial arts was not just about practicing techniques.

It was a world of development and evolution, intertwined with life, the environment, and the passage of time.

In his previous life, the world had no place for the brilliance of martial arts.

The decline of traditional martial arts in that world was due to changes in the environment.

In ancient times, learning a single technique and honing the body for eight to ten years to master it was enough to earn a living and support a family.

Whether it was working for a security company, joining a gang, or becoming a guard for a noble household, the monthly pay was sufficient to sustain a family.

But why did it decline later? Because the environment had fundamentally changed.

In that peaceful era, spending ten years practicing traditional martial arts not only failed to provide a means of survival but also risked imprisonment.

Without the ability to use weapons or engage in lethal combat, how could it flourish?

Without the right soil and environment, it naturally declined.

In this world, martial arts flourished because of the changes in the environment during ancient times.

With the loss of the soil for immortal cultivation, the environment and conditions for martial arts emerged, leading to its prosperity.

In his view, to excel in martial arts, one couldn't rely solely on brute force and rote practice.

One needed to deeply understand the principles and the reasons behind them.

One must also comprehend the historical and cultural evolution of the world.

The origins and prosperity of martial arts stem from human culture, the environment, and history.

Many martial techniques emphasize the concept of "intention." Only by understanding this intention can one truly master them.

To Jiang Ning, martial arts were no different.

To progress far and smoothly, one must truly understand martial arts.

To gain this understanding, reading books was essential.

Books are the carriers of civilization's evolution and the crystallization of the wisdom of our ancestors.

Before he knew it, several days had passed.

During these days, Jiang Ning spent most of his time in the academy's library, reading. He also accompanied Bai Luoyu to see Zhao Yu Long off.

After the routine reports, he, Zhao Yu Long, and Bai Luoyu could return to Dongling City.

However, because he had to participate in the Martial Ascension Trial in early July, he had to stay in Guangning City.

Bai Luoyu was not in a hurry to return either, as the Inspector of Dongling County, he usually had little to do.

Zhao Yu Long, on the other hand, was different.

As the highest-ranking official in the Inspection Bureau of Dongling County, he had to oversee and make decisions on various matters.

The time spent on the journey and the days spent in Guangning Prefecture had already been considerable for him.

Now that he had finished visiting his old friend and with the accumulated affairs in Dongling County, he had to return.

The Inspection Bureau had only been established for a little over half a year and needed him as a leader to oversee and direct operations.

After seeing Zhao Yu Long off, Jiang Ning and Bai Luoyu had a few drinks, giving himself a half-day break.

The next day, he was back in the academy's library.

During these days, he also registered for the Martial Ascension Trial.

The trial was scheduled for early July, and it was now early June, leaving only one month until the event.

Although the title of Martial Scholar didn't offer much immediate benefit, winning the title of Martial Champion was a different story.

From his understanding, even within the Inspection Bureau's promotion system, the importance of such titles was significant.

The title of Martial Champion would greatly aid his advancement within the bureau.

It might even help him take a step further.

After completing the Ninefold Blood Change and reaching the peak of Grandmaster, he would need to seek the path to Second Rank Grandmaster.

The path to Second Rank Grandmaster is a top-secret in any faction.

In the Inspectorate system, he would need to establish significant merit.

Achieving a major feat, or having a sufficiently high position,

From any perspective, he needed to plan ahead and increase his capital.

Having relived this life and experienced such a vibrant world, and with such opportunities bestowed upon him,

How could he not want to see the view from the peak, or even seek immortality?

The fact that a Martial Saint could live for a thousand years clearly shows that this path not only leads to great power but also to longevity.

From ancient texts, he learned that in the ancient era, whether they were immortals, deities, or demons, they all had long lifespans.

While these long lifespans weren’t eternal, to him, they were as good as immortality.

In his previous life, the ancient civilization he belonged to only had a history of five thousand years.

Five thousand years could witness the evolution of a civilization.

And Divine Beasts had a lifespan of ten thousand years.

Ten thousand years, this meant that a Divine Beast could live for ten thousand years normally.

These records were all accurate.

As he walked out of the library,

The sun was at its most intense, and the air was filled with the buzzing of midsummer.

The stone tiles on the ground, under the sunlight, were blindingly white.

Huff—

Jiang Ning exhaled lightly.

Then he looked at his status panel.

【Source Energy】: 20113

【Skills】: Literacy (Eleven Limits Broken: 27334/30000) (Trait: Dao Follows Nature)

He then closed the panel.

The recent increase in Essence Points was due to the credits he had spent.

He had exchanged some helpful elixirs, which caused his Essence Points to surge by several thousand, bringing his total to twenty thousand points.

As for Literacy, the experience points had accumulated significantly from his constant reading over the past few days.

He was already close to the next limit break.

He only needed to read for two more days to accumulate enough experience points for the next limit break.

Initially, he planned to continue reading until his Literacy experience points reached thirty thousand.

But Bai Luoyu’s arrival forced him to step away from his books.

"Brother Bai, let’s go!" Jiang Ning said, looking at Bai Luoyu.

"Alright!" Bai Luoyu nodded and continued, "We can talk as we walk."

A moment later.

Halfway through their journey.

Jiang Ning stopped in his tracks as he listened to Bai Luoyu’s account.

"Lord Wenyuan is injured?!"

"Yes!" Bai Luoyu nodded emphatically.

"Let’s go!" Jiang Ning said, quickening his pace.

He was inwardly surprised.

Shen Wenyuan was a Second Rank Grandmaster.

Though a newly ascended Second Rank Grandmaster, his strength was not to be underestimated.

Shen Wenyuan had completed the Fourfold Seasonal Blood Change and advanced from a Heavenly Master.

Like Li Sishang of the Duxian Gate, both had completed four blood changes and thoroughly understood the true meaning of martial arts before choosing to advance to the Second Rank Grandmaster realm.

With such a solid foundation, Shen Wenyuan was no weakling among Second Rank Grandmasters.

A few days ago, Shen Wenyuan had only gone to the Luoshui River to deal with the Colossus Beast Pale Serpent, intending to personally resolve the issue.

In such a small place as Luoshui County and the Luoshui River, who could possibly injure a Second Rank Grandmaster like Shen Wenyuan?

As he hurried along, Jiang Ning asked Bai Luoyu about his concerns.

From Bai Luoyu, he learned the general situation of how Shen Wenyuan was injured.

It happened when Shen Wenyuan found the Colossus Beast Pale Serpent. Taking the Pale Serpent by surprise, he struck from a distance and injured the beast.

Even with the Colossus Beast Pale Serpent’s advantageous position in the waters, it couldn’t escape the grasp of Second Rank Grandmaster Shen Wenyuan.

However, just as the beast was cornered, Shen Wenyuan was suddenly ambushed by a mysterious attacker.

Listening to Bai Luoyu’s account, Jiang Ning’s doubts only grew.

For the mysterious attacker to ambush and severely injure a Second Rank Grandmaster was a testament to their own formidable strength. Second Rank Grandmasters were already dominant figures, and their status was evident from the fact that they could be granted a marquis title upon pledging allegiance to the royal family.

This exalted status was solely due to the overwhelming power of a Second Rank Grandmaster.

Yet, someone had managed to ambush and severely injure such a powerful figure.

This was enough to suggest that the attacker was also a Second Rank Grandmaster.

There weren’t many individuals with such strength in the world.

In most prefectures, including the thirty-six prefectures of the Nine Provinces, the number of such individuals rarely exceeded ten.

In other words, there were at most a few hundred people in the world who could match Shen Wenyuan’s strength.

Compared to the vast expanse of the Great Xia, this number was minuscule.

Who could it be?

Jiang Ning pondered this question throughout his journey.

He considered Li Sishang but found it unlikely.

On the other side.

A young man in a black robe looked at the blood-soaked Colossus Beast Pale Serpent, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

"Little one, do you really believe that toppling the Great Xia will make the people of this world better off?"

The response was a low, guttural roar.

The young man in the black robe looked at the beast and shook his head with a smile.

"Never mind, you’ve lost your mind, so asking you is pointless!"

He then took out a fist-sized pill, red as if made from congealed blood.

"Swallow this pill. It will heal your wounds, invigorate your bloodline, and elevate your strength. When you face that marquis again, you’ll have a fighting chance."

The response was another low, guttural roar.

The young man then tossed the pill, which was primarily crafted from bloodline fruit, into the air. Pale Serpent stretched its head and swallowed the pill in one gulp.

"Go back", the young man in the black robe patted Pale Serpent’s head and continued, "I’ll be away for a few days, but I’ve injured the marquis’s spirit, so he won’t be able to trouble you for a while. I doubt anyone else can touch you either."

At the Marquis’s residence.

Under the guidance of the steward, Jiang Ning and Bai Luoyu passed through several courtyards and corridors, crossed a bridge over a lake, and finally arrived at Shen Wenyuan’s chamber.

"Master, Inspector Jiang and Inspector Bai have come to visit you!"

"Let them in."

"Yes, sir!"

The door creaked open, and Jiang Ning saw the room filled with a faint blue smoke.

With the flow of air from outside, the smoke inside the room swirled like waves.

Restorative incense!

Jiang Ning thought to himself.

"Come in and close the door", Shen Wenyuan’s voice came from inside the room.

Jiang Ning and Bai Luoyu stepped over the threshold and entered the room, which the steward at the door promptly closed.

"Marquis, you—" Jiang Ning’s gaze sharpened as he looked at Shen Wenyuan, who was seated on a cushion.

Shen Wenyuan looked weary, lacking the vibrant energy he once exuded. The change in his demeanor and spirit made him appear at least ten years older.

Noticing Jiang Ning’s gaze, Shen Wenyuan smiled.

"How have you been, Inspector Jiang? Has your condition improved?"

"Thank you for your concern, Marquis. I’m doing well", Jiang Ning bowed.

"No need for such formality!" Shen Wenyuan waved his hand, his expression warm.

He knew that Jiang Ning, now a Third-Rank Heavenly Master, had caught the attention of a certain high-ranking official, who had even chosen to pass the True Spirit Nine Sheddings blood transformation technique to him.

From these points alone, he was well aware that Jiang Ning surpassing him in the future would be nothing out of the ordinary.

Thus, in front of Jiang Ning, he naturally didn’t put on any airs.

Then, Shen Wenyuan slowly rose to his feet. "I hear that Inspector Jiang has been spending these days in the academy’s library, reading?"

"Yes!" Jiang Ning nodded and explained his reasons.

"Excellent!" Shen Wenyuan immediately nodded, his expression full of praise. "Your thinking is quite insightful. To advance far in the path of martial arts, one must have a deep understanding and use their mind. If you can’t even read, and just bury yourself in practice, you won’t achieve much, and your potential will be greatly limited."

As he finished speaking, he gestured for Jiang Ning and Bai Luoyu to sit down.

He then picked up the teacup from the table.

"Marquis, let me!" Jiang Ning said, taking the teapot.

Shen Wenyuan smiled and didn’t argue with Jiang Ning.

As he poured the tea, Jiang Ning spoke again. "Marquis, there’s something I’d like to ask you."

"Go ahead!" Shen Wenyuan said.

"Marquis, with your strength as a Second-Rank Grandmaster, who could possibly harm you?"

Hearing this, Shen Wenyuan couldn’t help but shake his head with a smile.

At that moment, the incense on the table had burned halfway, the green smoke making his face appear somewhat ethereal.

"I knew you would ask this!"

"But you underestimate the powerhouses in this world. They are as numerous as fish crossing a river, and there are always more powerful ones out there. Many can surpass me!"

"Don’t just look at the surface; there are many more powerful figures hidden in the shadows."

"So it’s not strange that someone could injure me!"

"As for who injured me, I don’t know either!"

Hearing Shen Wenyuan’s words, Jiang Ning’s doubts only deepened.

"Marquis, was that person masked?" he asked.

Shen Wenyuan slowly shook his head. "The person wasn’t masked or hiding their face!"

He paused, a deep sense of confusion in his eyes. "But it’s strange. I saw the person’s face and remember it, but when I try to recall it, I can’t remember what they looked like at all!"

"The memory in my mind is as hazy as a flower seen through a mist."

"That person is not simple!" Shen Wenyuan remarked.

At this moment, Bai Luoyu suddenly spoke up. "Marquis, what should we do about the Colossus Beast Pale Serpent?"

Shen Wenyuan glanced at Bai Luoyu and warned, "Don’t get involved. There’s someone behind the Colossus Beast Pale Serpent!"

"I was attacked because if that person didn’t act, the Pale Serpent would have died at my hands."

"Your strength is far from enough. Acting rashly will only bring disaster."

"Especially you, Inspector Jiang!" Shen Wenyuan’s gaze fell on Jiang Ning.

"I understand!" Jiang Ning said.

"Don’t take such risks; your future is bright!" Shen Wenyuan reiterated.

"Yes!" Jiang Ning replied.

He knew Shen Wenyuan was right.

Even with Shen Wenyuan’s strength as a Second-Rank Grandmaster, he had been severely injured.

While Jiang Ning’s current strength was considerable, it still didn’t match Shen Wenyuan’s.

From the brief skirmish between Ye Zhengqi and Li Sishang, where Ye Zhengqi was overwhelmingly crushed, he knew the gap between a Second-Rank Grandmaster and a Heavenly Master was immense.

He had only completed his first blood transformation and hadn’t fully stabilized it yet.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end