Beginning with the Five Animals Fist to Become a Saint

Chapter 788 Another Breakthrough!

The Marquis of Wenyuan's residence.

"Lord Wenyuan!" Zhu Huaijin and Liu Teng saw Shen Wenyuan striding over and quickly stood up to greet him.

Shen Wenyuan returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his gaze sweeping over the two of them before finally settling on Jiang Ning, who was sitting calmly in the hall.

"How are you feeling, Brother Jiang?"

“It’s alright!” Jiang Ning said.

"The great kindness of Marquis Dongling will be forever remembered by the Zhuge family, and will never be forgotten in this lifetime!" Upon seeing Jiang Ning, Zhuge Qingsong led the other two to bow deeply and perform a grand salute.

Just now at Zhuge Manor, Jiang Ning's performance was so astonishing that they were momentarily stunned and did not have time to thank him.

Now that I've seen Jiang Ning again, I finally have the opportunity to express my gratitude.

Jiang Ning nodded slightly and accepted the greeting.

In fact, if he hadn't taken action, the Zhuge family would have been doomed today.

At this moment, everyone entered the hall, exchanged greetings, and took their seats.

The servants of the Marquis's residence quickly served new tea, fruit, and snacks.

At Shen Wenyuan's signal, the Lady of the Marquis's Mansion also left the hall.

After serving the tea, Shen Wenyuan began to speak.

"Brother Jiang, what are your plans for the next step?"

“We should completely annihilate the Yingtian Alliance and the Duxian Sect!” Jiang Ning said, continuing, “Since the Duxian Sect and the Yingtian Alliance are leaderless and at their weakest, we should eliminate them once and for all!”

"What does the Marquis need us to do?" Zhuge Qingsong immediately stood up, bowed to Jiang Ning, and looked like he was asking for a battle.

At this moment, Zhu Huaijin interjected, "I will immediately issue a document to all prefectures and counties, cutting off all financial and commercial exchanges with the Duxian Sect, and posting notices to announce their crimes and isolate them."

Liu Teng bowed to Jiang Ning, his eyes gleaming with fighting spirit: "Gentlemen Marquis, give me half a day, and I can mobilize three thousand elite soldiers, all of whom are experts who have reached the eighth rank!"

Shen Wenyuan said, "The Inspectorate can give its all, and I will send another message so that each prefecture and county can send 50% of their manpower to provide assistance."

“This power is enough!” Jiang Ning nodded.

After a brief discussion, Jiang Ning made a decision.

They split into two groups, with the main route leading to the Immortal Crossing Gate.

There have always been rumors that there are immortals behind the Immortal Crossing Sect.

This is also the reason why the Immortal Crossing Sect has thrived for hundreds of years.

Each generation of the Immortal Crossing Sect has had a powerful expert at the second rank or above, who is at the Grandmaster level. They even produced a figure at the Hunyuan level in one generation.

Therefore, even though both of the two second-rank Grandmasters of the Immortal Crossing Sect have perished, Jiang Ning still dares not underestimate them.

He also wanted to take this opportunity to see the truth behind those so-called immortals.

He had previously interacted with the younger generation of disciples from Qingyang Cave Heaven.

At that time, their strength was limited, and they were only at the level of grandmasters.

Now, he has already entered the first-grade Hunyuan Realm.

The accumulation is also much deeper than it was then.

He gained more confidence.

He understood that as he continued to grow, he would one day inevitably encounter those ancient monsters head-on.

Just like that Martial Saint from eight hundred years ago.

This is a fundamental conflict of interest between the two parties.

As long as he continues to grow, he will one day reach a level comparable to that Martial Saint, or even surpass him.

Now, with the Martial Saint's remaining power still intact, it is the perfect time to test his strength.

Moreover, he cursed his crippled body, which then invaded his internal organs.

In the eyes of the world, he is no longer a threat.

This also increases his security.

After a while.

Under the arrangement of the Lady of the Marquis's residence, everyone sat down at the table for a meal.

At the dinner table, Shen Wenyuan and others discussed the matter at length.

To resolve the root cause of all the chaos in Guangning Prefecture in one fell swoop is a major matter that they cannot afford to be careless about.

They also understood that Jiang Ning was in poor health, and that in order to kill Ji Mingzhou, he had used forbidden techniques, overdrawing his body and burning his life force.

It's unrealistic to expect more from Jiangning.

Therefore, in their eyes, the burden on their shoulders is heavy, not light at all.

Although the Du Xian Sect is the most powerful in Guangning Prefecture, there are also local forces under its command with second-rank Grandmasters.

They also knew that Wang Wenzong had left and was no longer in the city.

After a hearty meal and drinks.

After everyone finished discussing the matter, they went to make their own arrangements.

This also left Jiang Ning with some free time again.

Breaking through the Immortal Crossing Gate in one fell swoop is not something that can be done by one person alone.

That was a dominant force with tens of thousands of disciples.

The sheer number of people required necessitates the cooperation of a large army.

Allocating manpower in all aspects takes time.

The march of a large army also takes time.

In the afternoon, the sun, which had just peeked out, was blocked by dark clouds again, and the temperature dropped sharply, making it even colder.

Jiang Ning returned to his courtyard, sat cross-legged in the snow, and immersed his mind in his own world.

Just then, snowflakes began to fall from the sky.

[Skill]: Winter Treasure Trove (Perfect 7388/10000)

With a thought, the panel appeared before his eyes.

"It's time to complete the final training," he thought to himself as he glanced at the experience points section.

Then, he merged his mind with the heavens and earth, into this endless expanse of ice and snow.

In an instant, the chill of heaven and earth, the hibernation of all things, the sealing of ice and snow... all sorts of images appeared in his mind.

Subsequently, the imagery of the six solar terms—the contraction of Lidong, the initial chill of Xiaoxue, the blanketing of Daxue, the extreme yin of Dongzhi, the freezing of Xiaohan, and the deathly stillness of Dahan—revolved endlessly in his heart, constantly evolving.

He himself did not simply visualize, but rather completely merged his mind and spirit with the universe.

He could hear the faint heartbeat of the seeds deep in the soil.

You can see the slow, pulsating movements of fish downstream of the ice.

You can feel the desolate atmosphere of the world contained in the howling north wind, and the glimmer of life buried deep beneath it.

[Winter Handbook Experience Points +299]

[Winter Handbook Experience Points +299]

[Visualization Experience Points +9]

【.】

As time goes by, the experience points in front of you will jump every now and then.

The frequency of the jumps was also several degrees faster than before.

His aura grew increasingly dark, as if he had merged with the snow in the courtyard and the ice and snow in the sky.

Even breathing was barely audible, and body temperature dropped to freezing.

If it weren't for the occasional heartbeat in my chest, I would be almost indistinguishable from a block of ice.

Winter nights always seem to come sooner.

As the daylight faded and night fell, darkness descended.

As night deepened, the cold wind gradually picked up.

A gust of wind rushed into the courtyard, stirring up the snow that had not yet frozen.

As snowflakes rose, they seemed to be drawn by an invisible force around Jiang Ning, turning into a vortex that swirled around him.

At this moment, his mind had spread beyond Guangning City, covering the mountains and valleys.

He sensed the deeper, cold energy of the earth's veins and touched the even more chilling starlight above the sky.

Time slips away, bit by bit.

Suddenly, the image of extreme cold that I had been contemplating changed abruptly.

It was not simply a deathly stillness, but rather an indescribable resilience beneath the absolute ice and silence.

That kind of resilience is waiting, waiting for the will and vitality to flourish.

No matter how thick the ice layer is, it will eventually melt.

No matter how long the winter lasts, spring will surely come.

Sealing away is not for annihilation, but for accumulating strength, waiting for the moment when the ice breaks and new life is born.

"Death is not the end; life is born from death!"

Instinctively, a sudden realization flashed through his mind, like lightning striking his heart.

next moment.

The cold winter he had envisioned suddenly gave way to the revival of all things.

Spring is here, flowers are in bloom, and vegetation is lush.

[Winter Handbook Experience Points +299]

At this moment, a vibrant life force burst forth from his body.

The surrounding snow seemed to melt rapidly under the bright sun. Green shoots emerged from the cracks in the bricks, growing vigorously.

He felt a sense of peace, quietly sensing the changes in this vitality.

After a long while, he opened his eyes.

I immediately looked at the panel.

[Skill]: Winter's Treasure Trove (First Limit Break 203/20000) (Trait: Return (Dark Blue))

【Gui Cang (Deep Blue)】: The ultimate technique, all things are hidden within itself.

"All things are contained within themselves!"

Looking at the instructions on the panel, Jiang Ning muttered to himself.

Then, a thought struck him.

In an instant.

His own aura rapidly declined.

With just one breath, he stood like an ordinary person amidst the snow-covered landscape of winter.

A gust of cold wind blew by, and his instincts made him shiver involuntarily.

This was the first time I had felt a real chill since achieving mastery of martial arts.

"So this is winter!"

Standing in the snow and ice, he muttered to himself.

At this moment, all his own power fell silent.

It allowed him to experience the cold of winter once again, just like an ordinary person.

To outsiders, he no longer possessed the oppressive aura of a grandmaster, which stemmed from the instinct for survival; he appeared no different from an unarmed person.

At that moment, he instantly understood the effect of this characteristic.

It allows him to seal away his own vitality, blood, true essence, and soul.

Even physical strength can be concealed.

This is a method more powerful than any other breathing technique.

"This trait fits the Winter's Handbook perfectly, and it's just right for me right now!"

With just a thought, he realized that this trait was perfect for him now.

With this characteristic, it will be more difficult for others to see through his disguise.

He can hide even deeper.

His thoughts raced, and he slowly opened his eyes.

The icy coldness in his eyes gradually faded, and his eyes regained their clarity.

He exhaled softly, and the breath turned into a thin wisp of white mist as soon as it left his mouth, lingering for a long time.

Then he looked at the 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 Treasure Trove (First Limit Break 203/20000) (Trait: Return (Deep Blue))

"Spring, summer, and winter have all broken through their limits; the foundation for the cycle of the four seasons lies only in autumn. Next is the Autumn Manual. I wonder if, once the Autumn Manual breaks through its limits and the four elements reach equilibrium, it will help me comprehend the true cycle of the four seasons, the cycle of life and death, the flourishing and withering, and even the immense power of the changing of time!"

He muttered to himself.

Compared to the four seasons, he values ​​more whether the four seasons can converge and blend together to help him go further.

"It's still early. According to the agreement we made at noon, I need to set off tomorrow afternoon so that I can meet up with Shen Wenyuan!"

A thought flashed through his mind, then his mind returned to tranquility, all distracting thoughts vanished, and he closed his eyes once more.

The world within my heart is no longer a frozen, silent void, nor is it a vibrant place of spring's growth and summer's flourishing.

Instead, it shifts to the mood of autumn, a season of abundance and decay, maturity and desolation.

The six solar terms visualization diagrams of the Autumn Treasure Book slowly unfolded in his mind.

The lingering heat of the Autumnal Equinox gradually fades, the condensation of the White Dew begins to descend, day and night are equal at the Autumnal Equinox, the chill of the Cold Dew deepens, and all things are covered in white at the Frost's Descent, until the last withered leaf falls on the eve of the Beginning of Winter.

His mind seemed to dissolve into an endless wilderness.

The sky was high and clear, and the sunlight was no longer scorching, but rather carried a mellow golden hue.

On the plains, grains droop and fruits hang heavy, bending the branches. It is the harvest season, a display of the ultimate power of life.

However, amidst this abundance, he could clearly see that the sap of the plants was beginning to recede, the edges of the green leaves were quietly turning yellow, the cicadas were fading, and the chirping of insects was weakening.

An aura of desolation, decay, and return to dust, like an invisible mist, quietly spread.

[Autumn Treasure Trove Experience Points +199]

[Autumn Treasure Trove Experience Points +199]

[Visualization Experience Points +9]

【.】

As the experience points notification appeared, he immediately realized that the growth of experience points in the Autumn Treasure Book was much slower compared to that in the Winter Treasure Book.

He immediately realized that it was due to the different environment.

Now, in the dead of winter, with its freezing temperatures and withered landscapes, it is the perfect time for him to practice the Winter Treasure Manual.

Now, practicing the Autumn Treasure Manual relies even more on one's own visualization.

In just a moment, all the distracting thoughts in his mind vanished.

No longer distracted, but quietly feeling the changing seasons of autumn.

Each jump in experience points represents an increase in his understanding of the autumn season.

Jiang Ning was completely absorbed in it. He felt the fruit go from green and unripe to plump and then ripe and fall to the ground.

I heard the autumn wind sweeping through the treetops, carrying away the last trace of green from the leaves.

I have come to realize that after life reaches its peak, it inevitably declines.

As night deepens, the stars shift and the constellations move.

As dawn broke, the chill was at its deepest.

The morning light pierced through the clouds and spilled into the courtyard.

Jiang Ning remained seated as still as a stone, his aura blending perfectly with the surrounding environment.

If someone were to enter the courtyard at this moment, their presence would be almost unnoticed unless one looked closely.

This is not because he has merged with this world, nor is it a manifestation of returning to nature in winter, but rather it is the introspection and sedimentation brought about by the autumn atmosphere.

[Autumn Treasure Trove Experience Points +199]

[Autumn Treasure Trove Experience Points +199]

……

Time flies by in the visualization.

Ji Mingyue didn't bother him.

Even the crane didn't make a sound.

As for Shen Wenyuan, he had already set off.

Since Jiang Ning had sent him a message last night, he didn't bother him.

There was nothing in the manor to disturb Jiang Ning's cultivation.

As the sun rises higher, its rays change from slanting eastward to shining directly overhead.

It's almost noon.

In Jiang Ning's mind, the imagery of autumn has reached its peak.

He saw endless leaves falling rustling down.

I heard the last cry of a wild goose as it flew south.

The earth was covered in frost.

[Autumn Treasure Trove Experience Points +199]

[Autumn Treasure Trove Experience Points +199]

[Visualization Experience Points +9]

【.】

As he continued his cultivation, he slowly opened his eyes.

Because the time has come.

He looked up at the sky.

The sun hangs high in the sky, and the air is clear and bright.

The weather is much better today than yesterday.

[Craftsmanship]: Autumn Treasure Trove (Perfect 4631/10000)

He looked at the panel and nodded in satisfaction.

The progress is nearly halfway complete.

If given another day of practice, the Autumn Treasure Manual will surely advance further and break through its limits.

"Unfortunately, there's no time left!"

"However, this trip to the Immortal Crossing Gate is not a life-or-death battle! Rather, it is an opportunity to reveal ourselves and see if the immortals behind the Immortal Crossing Gate truly exist, and how powerful they are!"

He muttered to himself.

(End of this chapter)