Beginning with the Five Animals Fist to Become a Saint

Chapter 781 The Enduring Nature of Life, Jiang Ning Arrives!

That night.

The wind and snow intensified.

creak-

As the sound of the door hinges turning rang out, the main gate of the three-section house opened wide.

"Take care, gentlemen!" The child stood at the door to see them off.

Shen Wenyuan and Ye Zhengqi walked out of the gate, and the door behind them slowly closed.

The snowflakes fell like goose feathers, drifting and scattering, quickly obscuring the two figures.

"Your Excellency has keen insight; you found an opportunity to persuade Wang Wenzong even in the most impossible circumstances," Ye Zhengqi said with admiration.

At this moment, Shen Wenyuan looked at the three-courtyard house behind him.

In the wind and snow, the house was completely swallowed up, with only a faint, dim light shining through.

"The appearance of that child just now was crucial! Wang Wenzong is only keeping that child by his side now, which means he may regard that child as his successor! If so, that child is born with a virgin body, with excess yang energy, which has accumulated into the Three Yang Meridians. Without special methods, he will not live past fifteen. Therefore, this child's body is what Wang Wenzong cares about most. Since he has already used his personal connections and cannot act morally, he has no choice but to exchange him!"

"Only the Marquis saw this out and came up with a solution!" Ye Zhengqi said.

Upon hearing this, Shen Wenyuan breathed a sigh of relief, his expression becoming somewhat relaxed.

"We can only say that fate is on our side! Wang Wenzong is willing to lend a hand, so at least this crisis can be considered over!"

"Lord Marquis, shall we go to Zhuge Manor first thing tomorrow morning?" Ye Zhengqi asked.

Shen Wenyuan nodded.

Just then.

-

A crane's cry rang out in the sky, instantly spreading throughout the entire city of Guangning.

Shen Wenyuan immediately looked up.

As far as the eye could see, there was only snow falling like goose feathers.

But at this moment, his gaze narrowed slightly.

He murmured, “The cry of a crane.”

"My lord, was that Yun Yinghe's voice just now?!" Ye Zhengqi looked at the snow falling all around him with a solemn expression.

At this moment, Shen Wenyuan nodded.

"It's the voice of Cloud Shadow Crane!"

the other side.

The skies above Guangning Prefecture.

The snow was falling heavily, obscuring all visibility.

But amidst the wind and snow, a colossal creature appeared.

It was a crane, a crane with a wingspan of over three zhang (approximately 10 meters).

The wind and snow swirled around it for about ten feet, unable to get any closer, as if an invisible force was blocking the gale and blizzard.

Jiang Ning pointed in the direction.

The Cloud Shadow Crane immediately adjusted its position, then flapped its wings and instantly shot through the air like an arrow.

But the two people on the crane's back did not feel the strong wind blowing against their faces.

below.

Shen Wenyuan stared intently upwards.

next moment.

His expression changed, and two breaths later...

The swooping cloud-shadow crane came into view of the two of them.

"As expected, it is the royal Cloud Shadow Crane!!" Ye Zhengqi exclaimed.

Then, the Cloud Shadow Crane swooped down to a distance of about five zhang above it and suddenly spread its wings.

A strong wind swept through, and the snow on the ground spread in all directions in an instant.

Shen Wenyuan and Ye Zhengqi's robes fluttered wildly, and their long hair danced in the air.

Then.

Once the impact was neutralized, the crane flapped its wings a few times and slowly landed in front of Ye Zhengqi and Shen Wenyuan.

On the crane's back.

Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue jumped down.

Shen Wenyuan was not surprised to see the two of them.

Because just now, after hearing the cry of the Cloud Shadow Crane, he had a general idea in his mind.

At this moment, the cry of a cloud-shadow crane suddenly rang out over Guangning Prefecture. There was no other possibility but that someone from the capital had arrived.

The fact that Wang Neng could arrive at this time suggests that, apart from what happened in Guangning Prefecture, the probability of other possibilities is not high.

"Princess Mingyue! Marquis of Dongling!" Shen Wenyuan clasped his hands in a respectful greeting to Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue.

"Greetings, Princess Mingyue! Greetings, Marquis Dongling!" Ye Zhengqi clasped his hands in greeting.

Compared to Shen Wenyuan, who held the title of marquis, Ye Zhengqi appeared much more respectful.

The inspector of a prefecture is a very important figure in a local area.

However, his status was much lower than that of the royal princess and the governor of Zeshan Prefecture.

At this moment, Jiang Ning bowed in respect.

"Lord Wenyuan, Brother Ye!"

Then he asked, "Why are you two here at this particular time?"

"This is a long story!" Shen Wenyuan looked at Jiang Ning and shook his head with a wry smile.

Then he said, "Why don't you two come back to my residence with me first to avoid the wind and snow, and we can talk slowly on the way?"

"Okay!" Jiang Ning nodded.

Afterwards, the group headed towards Shen Wenyuan's residence.

The crane, which was taller than Jiang Ning, followed Ji Mingyue, hopping and leaping along, its outstretched wings like a giant futon, sheltering Ji Mingyue from the wind and snow.

Along the way, Shen Wenyuan kept explaining to Jiang Ning the ins and outs of what had happened during this period.

Wenyuan Mansion.

The group sat down in the hall.

The charcoal stoves scattered around the hall were burning brightly, dispelling the chill and letting warmth flow through the hall.

The wind and snow from the outside were kept out by the tightly closed doors and windows, leaving only two windows open for air circulation.

At this point, after listening to the events along the way, Jiang Ning also understood the various events, large and small, that had occurred in Guangning Prefecture during this period.

It is more detailed and clearer than the previous messages.

Some time ago, the Yingtian Alliance, which had been relatively quiet, suddenly started to move.

This movement was as aggressive as a flame.

Throughout Guangning Prefecture, any local sects that had not previously joined the Yingtian Alliance were subjected to pressure and intimidation by the Alliance under some pretext.

In less than half a month, two sects were broken up by the Yingtian Alliance, and three sects that originally intended to remain neutral also directly sided with the Yingtian Alliance.

These sects were either originally neutral or secretly aligned themselves with the Great Xia government.

Zhuge Manor and the Zhuge family are the most influential faction among the local powers in Guangning Prefecture.

For over a century, the Zhuge family resided in Wolonggang, and was considered a semi-official force, with members of the Zhuge family serving in the imperial court generation after generation.

The Zhuge family has flourished even more in this generation.

With four grandmasters in charge, including one top-tier grandmaster, its overall strength makes it one of the most powerful local forces in Guangning Prefecture.

With such strength and resources, the Zhuge family has consistently ignored the invitations from the Yingtian Alliance.

However, some time ago, a true disciple of the Duxian Sect was tragically killed by an elder of the Zhuge family.

For this reason, the Yingtian Alliance directly pressured the Zhuge family.

In the first conflict, the Zhuge family lost a grandmaster who died a violent death abroad.

Everyone knows what the Yingtian Alliance truly wants.

But now the Yingtian Alliance is extremely powerful.

Ji Mingzhou, the sect leader of the Duxian Sect, is also the leader of the Yingtian Alliance and possesses strength comparable to a first-grade Hunyuan Realm cultivator.

In addition to Li Sixiang, a Grandmaster from Guangning Prefecture, external aid from Taihua Mountain in Wuyue Prefecture, the Nine Witches Sect from Yunmeng Prefecture, and the Jingtao Gang from Baichuan Prefecture, the Yingtian Alliance now has at least four Grandmasters, and possibly as many as five or six, according to Shen Wenyuan.

Faced with this force, Shen Wenyuan was willing but unable to do anything, so he went to ask the Dragon King of Jiujiang, Wenzong, who was living in seclusion in Guangning City, for external assistance.

"Jiujiang Dragon King Wenzong!" Jiang Ning murmured.

He took the tea offered by the maid and asked, "Is this person really that powerful, capable of fighting against several Grandmasters by himself?"

Shen Wenyuan nodded: "Although I have never fought Wang Wenzong, he must be extremely strong! According to clear records, two Grandmasters died at the hands of Jiujiang Dragon King Wenzong, and the number of Grandmasters who died at his hands is more than two hands' worth! In his youth, he was a truly ruthless man!"

"Although Wang Wenzong has stopped being so violent over the past few decades, his strength hasn't declined much!"

Jiang Ning said, "As far as I know, the eighteen dragon capitals were all figures from a hundred years ago. Wang Wenzong should be three cycles of sixty years old by now!"

"Even a second-grade Grandmaster is old at 300 years old. His blood and qi are declining, his vitality is waning, and his strength is difficult to compare with his peak."

Shen Wenyuan shook his head.

"Lord Dongling, you may not know this, but the eighteen dragon heads, strictly speaking, are half-dragon and half-human. Their lifespans cannot be measured by ordinary standards! Although we do not know their true lifespans, three Jiazi (60 years) is certainly not the upper limit of their lifespans!"

"I see!" Jiang Ning nodded, his expression understanding.

"So what was the result just now?" Jiang Ning asked again.

"We've found a breakthrough, and Wang Wenzong has agreed! He'll make a move when we go to Zhuge Manor tomorrow!" Shen Wenyuan nodded.

Just then.

Jiang Ning's expression shifted slightly, then he covered his mouth and coughed lightly.

Shen Wenyuan's gaze immediately fell on Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning coughed more than a dozen times before gradually stopping.

"Lord Dongling, what about your health?" Shen Wenyuan asked.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning gave a bitter smile: "I believe Marquis Wenyuan has also heard that I am under a curse, and the power of the curse has now seeped into my internal organs."

"The Marquis of Dongling is unwell, so why doesn't he recuperate in the capital and instead travel all the way to Guangning City?" Shen Wenyuan said.

Jiang Ning shook his head: "Those in positions of power must bear their responsibilities! Guangning Prefecture has requested assistance, how can I, as the Inspector of Zeshan Prefecture, sit idly by?"

"Brother Jiang, is it your current health?" Ye Zhengqi finally spoke up.

"It's alright!" Jiang Ning smiled and shook his head. "I can still move around! Since that's the case, even a useless body should contribute something!"

"I admire you!!" Upon hearing this, Shen Wenyuan's face immediately showed admiration.

He was very close to Jiang Ning at this moment, and with the extremely strong perception of a second-grade Grandmaster, he could also sense the faint, hidden, and cold power emanating from Jiang Ning.

This is in conjunction with Jiang Ning's inability to hold back his cough just now.

He knew the rumors circulating outside were true; Jiang Ning was cursed with certain death and didn't have much time left.

This is a curse that even the current emperor cannot resist, let alone Jiang Ning, who has not yet grown up.

Just then.

Jiang Ning coughed softly a few more times.

During his two days of travel, he did not specifically suppress the spread and erosion of the curse's power, but let it develop unchecked.

Because that was the purpose of his trip out—to create the appearance of someone who was about to die.

Once the goal is achieved, a dying person will naturally no longer attract the attention of those people.

And he also has more time to grow.

Thinking of this, he couldn't suppress the urge to cough any longer.

He coughed a few times, then picked up the tea and drank half a cup in one gulp.

Ji Mingyue gently patted his back to help him regulate his breathing.

Ye Zhengqi's expression was complicated as he watched this scene.

In his memory, Jiangning was a place full of vigor and ambition.

As the saying goes, a hidden dragon is trapped in a deep abyss, but one day it will ride the wind and soar to the heavens.

Jiang Ning now appeared sickly to him, lacking the dazzling brilliance that once attracted his attention.

Just then.

A maid walked into the hall with light, quick steps.

She then gracefully bowed to Shen Wenyuan.

"Sir, dinner is ready!"

After dinner.

Under Shen Wenyuan's arrangement, Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue were placed in a courtyard measuring two square feet.

At this moment, Jiang Ning stood in the courtyard.

The wind and snow surrounded him.

Compared to a few hours ago, the snow is now lighter and the wind is calmer.

He stood in the wind and snow, his gaze slightly narrowed.

He saw that because he had let the power of the curse roam freely for the past two days, the corruption in his lungs had deepened.

The entire lungs were covered with faint purple traces.

Dark purple lights, as brilliant as stars, flickered within my lungs, rising and falling like a sky full of stars.

At this moment, the damage to the lungs and internal organs has already penetrated very deeply.

The same applies to the heart.

But apart from the heart and lungs.

The liver, spleen, and kidneys were filled with golden light, without any pollution whatsoever.

That was the area he was focusing his defense on.

It never allowed the power of the curse to erode it in the slightest.

After a moment, he looked away.

He then looked at his own control panel.

[Skill]: Springtime Manual (First Limit Break 102/20000) (Trait: Endless Life (Deep Blue))

Summer Treasure Trove (First Limit Break 10113/20000) (Trait: Sunfire (Light Purple))
Autumn Treasure Trove (Complete 883/10000)

Winter's Handbook (Complete 473/10000)

This is what he gained during his two-day journey.

The Springtime Manual was originally complete, but after he expanded it to perfection, he took it a step further and completed his first breakthrough.

This also gave him a new characteristic.

The effect of this characteristic is quite simple: it enhances all his recovery abilities.

Whether it's qi and blood, spirit, true essence, or physical strength.
All of these factors indicate that the recovery is more efficient than before.

Then, his gaze shifted downwards.

[Skill]: Visualization (Great Achievement 1077/10000)

In the process of improving the Springtime Treasure Book, the techniques of visualization have also been promoted.

This allows the art of visualization to reach its pinnacle.

Based on the experience points required for the breakthrough, he knew that the seemingly ordinary art of visualization was anything but ordinary.

To achieve perfection, one needs a full 10,000 experience points.

In terms of experience points required, it is equivalent to internal alchemy health cultivation techniques and the indestructible Vajra body.

This is sufficient proof of the extraordinary nature of the art of visualization.

The improvement in his visualization skills also increased his mental strength.

When the essence, energy, and spirit are in sync, true essence and blood are passively enhanced.

His gaze shifted downwards again.

[Skill]: Internal Alchemy Health Cultivation Exercise (Breaking Limits Four Times 5233/50000) (Characteristics: Longevity Seed (Dark Purple), Pure Yang Body (Dark Purple), Great Sun Furnace (Dark Purple))
Another method that offers significant improvement is the Neidan (internal alchemy) health cultivation exercise.

Cranes flew above the clouds, and the essence of the sun surged.

Each breath he takes brings a surge of vital energy from the sun into his body, refining his internal organs.

During the tempering process, he even discovered that under the tempering of the Great Sun's essence, his lungs, which had been deeply eroded by the power of the curse, were slowly returning to normal.

It was because of this discovery that he gave up the opportunity to continue absorbing the essence of the great sun.

If this continues, he will return to normal.

How will he then be able to dispel the world's suspicion of him?
(End of this chapter)