Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint

Chapter 43: Chapter 43 Mr. Zhang

After summarizing the experience from his recent fight, Jiang Ning continued to practice boxing in his own courtyard.

Since he took up residence at the martial arts hall and got his own small courtyard, he spent most of his time practicing boxing there.

Especially after he achieved proficiency in boxing, he hardly ever went to the front courtyard of the martial arts hall.

The difference between mastery and the entry-level of the Five Animals Fist wasn’t easy to detect for the average disciple.

But once the boxing reached a small success, each move was filled with fluidity, especially since his Qi-Blood became increasingly robust, making it easier to sense the powerful Qi-Blood while practicing.

Under such circumstances, disciples with decent strength like Xiao Peng could sense something was different.

He didn’t want to reveal his progress to the likes of Xiao Peng too soon, as that would only invite trouble.

Cheng Ran was different, though; after these days of interaction, he had developed a certain trust in Cheng Ran, knowing he was a decent person and worth befriending.

[Five Animals Fist Experience Value +1]

After completing a round of boxing, Jiang Ning opened his panel to take a look.

[Name]: Jiang Ning

[Source Energy]: 9.2

[Skill]:

Reading and Writing (One-time Break Limit 568/2000) (Trait: Unforgettable)

Five Animals Fist (Small Success 50/500)

Chopping Wood Blade Skill (Perfection 1000/1000)

Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill (Entry-Level 18/1000)

He had made a lot of progress today.

His Qi-Blood Power was now more than enough to flow through one arm, and he was more than halfway to extending it through the second arm.

The refining of Qi-Blood also brought about an increase in strength and physical constitution.

After entering the beginning levels, the Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill could only absorb the Great Sun Essence Qi from sunrise until the eighth quarter of the 5:00-7:00 period.

Thus today, he gained only 12 points of experience value from the Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill, although it was not as much as the growth in experience value from the Qi during the first day’s absorption.

Yet, he felt his progress was quite noticeable. Absorbing the more potent Sun Flower Realm Essence Qi had a more pronounced effect on enhancing the functions of his internal organs, making them stronger and his stamina considerably more durable.

Every day, Jiang Ning could feel himself improving.

Unlike others, whose pace of progress slowed or even stalled at later stages, his speed of improvement never diminished, whether in the early or later phases. He consistently took one steady step at a time, forging ahead.

“Two more days, and in two days, the energy I have accumulated will allow me to Break Limit my Chopping Wood Blade Skill!”

“Increasing the trait of the saber technique should help my strength! With that, my strength will advance further.”

“In addition, my accumulation in Reading and Writing has now passed one-quarter of the way! I cannot overlook the new trait that this skill will grant, as well as the strengthening of my spiritual power.”

Looking at his panel, Jiang Ning muttered to himself.

“If I could get another dose of valuable medicinal materials like Wild Ginseng, my progression speed would accelerate even more!”

At this thought, Jiang Ning was filled with anticipation.

Today, Zhou Xing was sure to make an appearance.

Once he met Zhou Xing, he could buy Wild Ginseng, which was highly beneficial to him.

A strand of ten-year-old Wild Ginseng, which would cost about fifteen silver taels outside, could be bought from Zhou Xing for just ten silver taels.

Given such a low price and high cost-effectiveness, he naturally chose to buy Wild Ginseng from Zhou Xing.

Although it seemed like he would owe a favor, Jiang Ning considered, what’s a favor compared to immediate benefits?

Securing current advantages was what truly mattered.

Capitalizing on every opportunity, ensuring rapid self-growth, maintaining sufficient self-protection ability.

The ability to protect oneself and those you care about is the ultimate truth.

He had gained a profound understanding of the saying “Pride comes before a fall” from his previous life!

Afterward.

Jiang Ning continued to repeatedly practice the Five Animals Fist in the courtyard.

Each round of practice increased his experience by one point, and the Five Animals Fist at the small success level allowed him to solidify three strands of Qi-Blood within his body.

Now, with the Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill allowing his internal organs to be enhanced, Jiang Ning could distinctly feel his body becoming able to support more rounds of boxing practice per day.

Stronger organ function meant more stamina and faster recovery.

Also, his appetite had increased significantly.

For a martial artist, a good appetite was a positive sign.

Only with a good appetite, with eating a lot, could one intake enough energy for personal growth.

Last night at dinner with Wang Jin, Jiang Ning noticed that Wang Jin had already observed his unusual appetite, yet Wang Jin didn’t say much at the time, simply encouraging him to eat freely and heartily without restraint.

…

At lunchtime.

Everyone gathered around a table, which was a long rectangle, with people seated on either side, and Wang Jin sat squarely at the end of the table.

On the table, there were several big white steamed buns, vegetables, and each person had a bowl of fatty pork in front of them; this was the daily lunch provided by the Canglang Martial Arts Hall.

The buns were plentiful, the vegetables were plentiful, but each person only had the one bowl of meat before them, ensuring that the disciples received their daily intake of meat and oil.

Only by doing so one could avoid training to the point of exhaustion.

After practicing boxing all morning, everyone was ravenously hungry.

Once at the table, they all grabbed the food and wolfed it down.

At the head of the table, Wang Jin sipped his after-meal tea, settling his stomach.

He looked at everyone devouring their meal calmly, but from time to time he nodded slightly, his face showing satisfaction.

Suddenly,

A disciple hurriedly entered the hall from outside.

He came before Wang Jin, bowed with hands clasped in front.

“Hall Master, there’s a visitor outside asking to see you, he says his name is Shen Congyun.”

“Shen Congyun?”

Wang Jin’s expression turned to surprise as he swiftly stood up.

The chair behind him shifted backward with a “bang bang” sound.

This commotion suddenly drew everyone’s gaze, naturally including Jiang Ning’s.

Shen Congyun?

Hearing these three words, Jiang Ning was also slightly surprised.

Shen Congyun was the Vice Building Owner of the Wanhua Building stationed in Luoshui County, both formally and informally.

Although he was the Vice Building Owner, the Wanhua Building was a super force that spread throughout the Nine States of Great Xia, with a Wanhua Building in almost every state city, prefecture city, and county city.

The business of Wanhua Building was simple, catering to those who practiced martial arts.

It included martial arts cultivation techniques, secret manuals, precious medicines, divine weapons, body-protecting armor, and various kinds of intelligence information could also be bought at Wanhua Building.

As long as one had enough silver, one could buy most of the materials needed for martial arts cultivation at Wanhua Building.

From the inconsequential secret manuals to the foundational methods that could lead to becoming a Grandmaster or Great Grandmaster.

As long as one had money, everything could be bought at Wanhua Building.

Such a colossal power, even if Shen Congyun was only the vice manager of a branch in Luoshui County, his status there was very high; in the eyes of all manner of local dignitaries, he was indeed a personage.

Both the Luoshui County Lord, an official of Seventh Grade, and the local three major families of Cao, Liu, and Xie had to give him some face.

And the reason why Wanhua Building could be established in every state, prefecture, and county was because they always adhered to a neutral commercial stance, preferring harmony to profit, never intervening in any struggles between powers.

Only absolute neutrality could earn the trust of all factions.

In Great Xia, no matter how strong the power, who could be stronger than the Great Xia Court?

“Strange, why would Shen Congyun come to visit my teacher?” Cheng Ran, sitting next to Jiang Ning, opened his mouth with a puzzled expression.

“Brother Jiang, do you know?” He then turned his head to ask Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning shook his head slightly: “How would I know?”

“Could it be because of that matter?” Cheng Ran said thoughtfully.

“What matter?” Jiang Ning asked.

Cheng Ran explained: “I heard that recently, because the Inspection Office is about to be established, many forces within the county are investing in those who might enter the office. After all, Brother Jiang knows, once we successfully enter the office, with the backing of Martial Saint guarding the Inspection Office and holding the power to execute first and report later, life and death in hand, it’s akin to a fish leaping through the dragon gate.”

“Investing before entering the office to enhance martial arts strength is like sending charcoal in the snow, it’s a favor; many people are happy to make such investments.”

Hearing this, Jiang Ning nodded in agreement. @@novelbin@@

“Indeed, it’s a smart investment with a high cost-performance ratio.”

Cheng Ran continued: “However, what’s strange is, with Shen Congyun’s status as the Vice Building Owner of Wanhua Building, even if Wanhua Building were to invest, why would he need to take the field personally?”

“And as far as I know, Wanhua Building doesn’t easily invest in geniuses; they only invest in true martial arts talents.”

“An Inspection Office in a county isn’t worth Wanhua Building’s major efforts to invest, nor is it worth Shen Congyun, such a major figure, to make an appearance. Wanhua Building wouldn’t likely care for such a minor return, even if successful.”

…

On the other side.

Wang Jin came out from the hall.

Shen Congyun.

Thinking of this person, Wang Jin couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement.

Having been stuck at the Peak of Seventh Grade for many years, with Shen Congyun’s help, he finally saw the opportunity to advance further.

He couldn’t help but quicken his pace, swiftly crossing through Qianyuan to the entrance of the Martial Arts Hall.

Stepping over the threshold, Wang Jin saw the middle-aged man outside dressed in a gray robe, with a scholarly appearance and slightly graying temples.

“Mr. Shen!”

Wang Jin walked toward Shen Congyun while clasping his hands.

“Brother Wang!” The middle-aged man, who appeared to be in his forties, also showed a genial smile, greeting Wang Jin with raised hands.

“Mr. Shen’s sudden visit, why didn’t you give a heads-up? I haven’t prepared wine and meat to welcome you!”

Shen Congyun revealed a smile: “My sudden visit is indeed presumptuous.”

“You’re being too formal. Since we call each other brothers, my home is your home, feel free to come whenever you want.”

Hearing this, Shen Congyun’s face lit up with a smile: “Brother Wang, won’t you invite me in to sit?”

“Please, please, please enter!” Wang Jin gestured with his hand and then the two men walked shoulder to shoulder into the Martial Arts Hall.