Beginning with the Five Animals Fist to Become a Saint

Imperial Prefecture.

A figure suddenly appeared at the doorway.

The visitor was none other than Jiang Ning.

He looked up and glanced at the tall walls of the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion in front of him.

Previously, nothing seemed amiss, but now it's clear that invisible arrays are enveloping the Imperial Preceptor's residence in front of them.

The formations are intricately linked, making them quite mysterious.

A deep intuition told him that if these formations were fully activated, they could pose a significant threat to him.

"So many changes have occurred even before achieving the Nascent Soul stage. This step was definitely the right one!" he muttered to himself.

After leaving Yanghu Cave, he felt that he was different from before in every way.

Looking at the world, it seems to take on a different perspective, a completely new one.

Standing at a higher vantage point, I saw many more different places.

He knew that all of this was due to his soul entering the Dao embryo and completing the Nine Mysteries Transformation.

Moreover, this is before the soul has fully emerged and achieved the realm of the primordial spirit immortal.

Once successful, the changes it brings will be even greater.

next moment.

He climbed the steps in front of the Imperial Preceptor's residence and lightly tapped his fingers.

dong dong dong-

The sound of knocking reached the Imperial Preceptor's residence.

Although he can now enter the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion directly, just like when he first entered the capital.

He did not do so, but stood in front of the door, waiting for a response.

Because such behavior is neither polite nor respectful.

It only lasted a moment.

Hurried, clear footsteps could be heard from the doorway.

It was clearer than ever before.

Just by listening to the sound, he could feel the wind behind the door being disturbed by the hurried footsteps of the figure.

As the invisible wave of energy spread, the outline of a figure appeared in his mind.

She was petite and slender, with the delicate waist of a young girl.

"It's Qinghe!" Jiang Ning thought to himself.

Because of these two maids from the Imperial Preceptor's residence.

The red cotton trees are slightly taller and a few months older each year.

Qinghe is slightly shorter and has a more slender figure.

next moment.

"Who is it!" A clear voice came from the doorway.

The Imperial Preceptor's residence is mostly closed to visitors.

This was true even before Jiang Ning arrived.

Su Qingying can stay indoors for years and go without food or water for extended periods.

“It’s me!” Jiang Ning said.

"It's the Marquis!!" A voice filled with surprise and delight came from the doorway.

Then he heard the footsteps become more rapid.

Then, the doorbell rang.

The heavy gates of the Imperial Preceptor's residence slowly opened.

Through the slowly opening door, he saw a handsome face.

With a figure as graceful as a willow leaf and a nose like jade, it was an exquisite face, and her eyes held obvious joy—it was Qinghe.

"My lord, you're back!!" Qinghe pushed open the gate of the Imperial Preceptor's mansion and stepped aside to let him pass. "The mansion has been bustling with activity these past few days since you left."

"Oh?" Jiang Ning stepped inside and closed the door behind him. "What happened?"

“People from the palace came twice. Once, they sent invitations to the Lord and the Grand Preceptor’s residence to attend a royal banquet, but the Marquis was not there, and the Grand Preceptor ignored them. The other time was…” Qinghe paused, her expression becoming more serious, and continued, “they invited the Lord and the Grand Preceptor to attend a court assembly to discuss the matter of suppressing the Yellow Heaven Sect, but the Marquis was still not there, and the Grand Preceptor still ignored them.”

Jiang Ning nodded and stepped over the threshold.

"Besides these things, nothing else has happened?"

Qinghe shook her head: "No more!"

"During my absence from the capital, has anything significant happened?" Jiang Ning asked again.

Upon hearing this, Qinghe hesitated for a moment, then shook her head: "No, it's about the same as usual."

Jiang Ning nodded.

"Oh, right." Just then, Qinghe suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

Jiang Ning looked over, a look of doubt in his eyes.

“My lord, seven days ago, two men claiming to be your subordinates came to knock on the door to pay their respects. One was named Chen Canghai, and the other was named Jing Wuming,” Qinghe said.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning nodded, understanding dawning on him.

Black Dragon King Chen Canghai, and Carefree Marquis Jing Wuming.

The two have already arrived in the capital.

This also means that he has manpower available in the capital.

A titled second-grade grandmaster, and Chen Canghai, who fell from the first-grade Unity Realm.

Either of these two would be a true expert if placed in the capital.

A second-rank martial artist, if they pledge allegiance to the royal family, is a martial arts expert capable of being ennobled and granted a fiefdom.

"Where are they now?" Jiang Ning asked.

“My lord, they gave me an address and told me that when you return, I should send someone to inform them, and they will come to pay their respects!” Qinghe said.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning nodded, indicating that he understood.

"They arrived in the capital seven days ago. How many days have I been away from the Imperial Preceptor's residence and the capital?" Jiang Ning asked again.

Upon hearing this, Qinghe glanced at Jiang Ning in surprise.

He then said, "Your Excellency, it has been nine days since you left the Imperial Preceptor's residence."

"Nine days, that's so long!" Jiang Ning was somewhat surprised, then nodded.

“My lord, if there’s nothing else, then I’ll go out now to inform your two subordinates,” Qinghe said.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Miss Qinghe!" Jiang Ning said.

"You're too kind, Lord Marquis!" Qinghe said, then turned and walked towards the gate that had just been closed.

"My lord, the Imperial Advisor told me to tell you to go see her after you return," Qinghe added.

Jiang Ning nodded.

"Your Excellency can go find the Imperial Advisor now. He is currently in the bamboo house in the backyard," Qinghe pointed in the direction.

Jiang Ning nodded, then walked straight toward the bamboo house.

As he passed through the bamboo forest, before he even entered, he sensed a sharp sword standing upright inside the bamboo house.

Although he couldn't see it, he could sense the sword's unparalleled sharpness and chilling aura.

He knew that the aura came from Su Qingying.

He also recalled Su Qingying's identity.

The Immortal-Slaying Sword.

It is both the physical body and the sword spirit.

He wields the sword and the power of killing.

He also understood why Su Qingying's swordsmanship was so extraordinary.

He walked forward and went outside the bamboo house.

The next moment, the sharp edge within the bamboo house receded, and calm returned.

Then, without any wind blowing, the door of the bamboo house opened by itself.

He stood at the bottom of the bamboo steps and saw Su Qingying sitting cross-legged barefoot inside the house. Her plain white clothes were somewhat loose and thin, and one could vaguely see her jade-like body beneath them.

His gaze involuntarily fell on the longsword that was suspended in mid-air in front of Su Qingying.

It was a long sword that was entirely silver-white, with a slender blade that was more than three feet long.

The sword was ordinary, with nothing special about it.

The sword hilt is simple and unadorned.

It looks like a very ordinary longsword.

But Jiang Ning knew that the incredibly sharp sword intent just now came from the sword in front of Su Qingyuan.

Su Qingying slowly opened her eyes. The three-foot-long sword in front of her spun rapidly, shrank quickly, and flew into her brow.

The moment the longsword pierced her brow, a sword mark appeared on her smooth, jade-like brow.

Su Qingying's cool eyes were now looking at Jiang Ning: "You've come."

The words fell.

She then got up.

The tassel-like hem of her skirt slipped down, instantly concealing her bare feet, whose veins were clearly visible.

Jiang Ning then withdrew his gaze.

He responded to Su Qingying by nodding, then climbed the bamboo steps and entered the bamboo house.

"Qinghe said you wanted to talk to me?"

Su Qingying looked up and nodded calmly, "You've come back just in time. These past few days, the capital has seemed peaceful, but there's something that might be related to you and me."

Jiang Ning walked over to her and sat down casually on the ground: "Sit down and talk, what's the matter?"

Su Qingying nodded and sat down as well.

As she sat on the ground, her legs stretched out, revealing her thin feet with visible veins.

She stretched her arches and then said softly, "Pingjian Wang Jixuan went south not long after you left."

"Heading south?" Jiang Ning's brows twitched slightly.

“Yes.” Su Qingying nodded. “He went to Xisha County, where the Yellow Heaven Sect is located.”

A hint of surprise flashed across Jiang Ning's eyes: "He went to cause trouble for Huang Tian Daoist?"

"Yes." Su Qingying nodded and continued, "Ji Xuan is very confident. After convening the court meeting to discuss the Huangtian Sect, he went to Xisha County alone to cause trouble for Huangtian Daoist. I guess he must have made considerable progress in his seclusion over the years, otherwise, given his current status, he would not have taken such a risky step."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning frowned.

"So it is said that Ji Xuan single-handedly resolved the troubles caused by the Yellow Heaven Sect."

Su Qingying shook her head.

She pulled her outstretched bare feet back and then massaged the soles of her feet with both hands.

Jiang Ning couldn't help but glance at it slightly.

Su Qingying continued, "Many people were watching that battle. Ji Xuan and Huang Tian Dao Ren were already ranked as the second strongest in the world. The rematch between these two powerful figures after many years attracted countless eyes. But unfortunately, no one could see their battle clearly. At least I was thousands of miles away and couldn't see it clearly."

She paused, then continued, "But after that battle, Ji Xuan returned to the capital three days ago and has remained secluded ever since, with no court assemblies held. Based on my deduction, Ji Xuan probably suffered a considerable loss!"

Jiang Ning's gaze narrowed slightly: "Judging from this, Huang Tian Daoist's strength may be above his."

Su Qingying nodded: "Most likely, and he probably suffered a great loss. Otherwise, given his temperament and style, he would never have suddenly chosen to remain silent for three days when he had just taken over the government and was at the height of his power, not even bothering to maintain appearances."

Jiang Ning nodded solemnly, his heart heavy.

He also had a general understanding of Ji Xuan's personality.

Indeed, as Su Qingying just said, if Ji Xuan hadn't made significant progress over the years, he wouldn't have chosen to risk his life.

Despite being the regent, he went to Xisha County alone to fight Huang Tian Dao Ren.

These individuals, despite making significant progress, suffered a loss in their confrontation with Huang Tian Dao Ren.
Moreover, judging from Su Qingying's description, this "loss" was probably not a minor setback, otherwise he wouldn't have been so unusual as to hide his whereabouts and even temporarily put aside state affairs.

"The Yellow Heaven Cult Master is actually this powerful?" Jiang Ning took a deep breath, his voice filled with astonishment.

Su Qingying nodded.

Huang Tian Dao Ren, Ji Xuan, and the Abbot of Qingxu Temple were once ranked second in the world.

Now that Ji Xuan and Huang Tian Dao Ren have finished their battle, perhaps the second place will have to be taken by someone else.

Thinking about this, he felt a little heavy-hearted.

Although he had no conflict with Huang Tian Dao Ren.

However, his current position is the Inspector of Zeshan Prefecture, one of the Inspectors of the Nine Provinces.

Zeshan Prefecture is adjacent to the area where the Yellow Heaven Sect caused chaos.

Once spring arrives and the ice and snow completely melt, the Yellow Heaven Sect will surely send a large army towards Zeshan Prefecture.

At that time, he will face the Yellow Heaven Cult head-on.

Then there is the possibility of facing Huang Tian Dao Ren.

Jiang Ning's mind raced, but his expression remained calm.

He looked up at Su Qingying and asked, "Has there been any other developments at the Prince's Mansion these past few days? For example, regarding Lin Qingyi, or regarding me?"

Su Qingying shook her head gently, stretched her bare feet out again, and stepped on Jiang Ning's trouser leg: "No. In the few days since you left, the Bingjian Prince's Mansion has been unusually quiet, and no one has come to visit. It must be because Ji Xuan was injured while traveling south and has no time to attend to other matters."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning nodded.

"The old servant from the Prince's mansion whom you met some time ago, who had been following me all this way, attacked me and was killed by me!"

"So what if he killed me, sir!" Su Qingying said calmly. "With me at the Imperial Preceptor's residence, even if Ji Xuan comes to us personally, he can't do anything to me."

As she spoke, her confidence shone through naturally.

Then, she paused, her clear, bright eyes looking at Jiang Ning: "You've returned now, your aura subtle and profound, quite different from when you left. Did this trip... succeed?"

Jiang Ning nodded slightly, without hiding anything: "It's done! Soon, I will be able to enter the Nascent Soul realm."

Upon hearing this, Su Qingying's brows immediately lit up with joy.

"If you had reached this level, you would have been a true immortal in ancient times."

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "After you become an immortal, that will be your domain."

Su Qingying shook her head: "My sword has long lost its power to slay immortals. It used to be the Immortal Slaying Sword, capable of easily destroying immortal bodies. Now it's just an ordinary natal sword!"

As they were talking.

Zheng—

A crisp sword rang out, and sword light burst forth from between her brows, landing in front of the two of them.

Then the three-foot-long sword reappeared in front of Jiang Ning.

"My lord, why don't you try this sword?" Su Qingying said.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning reached out and grabbed the hilt of the sword that was hovering in front of him.

hum-

As soon as the longsword was in hand, a powerful sword intent suddenly erupted, causing the void to tremble and an invisible wave to spread throughout the bamboo house.

Jiang Ning reached out and grabbed Su Qingying's bare feet, which were draped over his trouser leg, then removed them and stood up.

"It's a fine sword! I'm going outside to practice!"

"Okay!" Su Qingying also stood up, her plain white dress slipping down to cover her feet.

She watched Jiang Ning appear in the open space outside the house, then lifted the hem of her skirt and looked down at her bare feet.

Their bare feet were like jade, with clearly visible blue veins.

A smile unconsciously appeared on her lips at that moment.

Then, she also walked outside.

After stepping out of the bamboo house, she stood on the last bamboo step, looked at Jiang Ning standing in the open space outside, and stopped going forward.

Because one step forward leads to the muddy ground inside the bamboo forest.

She wasn't wearing shoes; she didn't want to step on the muddy ground. (End of Chapter)