Swallowing the Stars: The Wind Sword Master.

Chapter 86 Jia Yi's Visit

Inside the villa.

Ning Ze stood up from the sofa and walked towards the door. "We have guests. I'll go greet them."

"A guest? Looking for you? You just got back, who would come looking for you?" Li Wan asked curiously.

Ning Ze didn't reply. He simply opened the door and greeted them with a smile, "Councilor Jia, welcome."

"Associate Ning, I hope this sudden visit hasn't disturbed you." Jia Yi's expression was more gentle than ever before.

Ning Hua quickly sat up from the sofa. He had thought it was just an ordinary guest, but he didn't expect it to be a councilor, and not just any councilor, but the well-known Jia Yi! This was a leader who had made great achievements since the Great Cataclysm, and he couldn't help but respect him.

Ning Qianqian also obediently stood up, no longer clamoring to ride in the fighter jet.

"I don't have anything to do right now, please come in." Ning Ze smiled and gestured for people to come inside.

He really has nothing going on. Ever since he became the number one in the training camp on the fourth day, his family has been prepared that he will become a big shot in the Extreme Martial Arts Academy in the future. Now it's just a few months ahead of schedule, which is why his sister keeps chattering.

Jia Yi asked with a kind expression, "Hello."

"Hello."

"Hello."

Ning Hua and the others quickly replied.

"Dad, you take Qianqian upstairs first. Councilor Jia might need to see me about something," Ning Ze said softly.

"Okay, you guys chat." Ning Hua waved his hand and left with his family.

Jia Yi smiled and nodded.

Ning Hua naturally returned the greeting immediately, feeling incredibly proud. Because of his son, even the top military official treated him with such respect, a feeling that was so exhilarating it made his bones tingle.

"Please sit down." Ning Ze gestured towards the sofa in front of him.

Jia Yi sat opposite him, smiling, and said, "To be honest, this is the first time we've met."

"This is the first time you've met me. I've seen you on TV countless times," Ning Ze said jokingly. With a thought, the teacup on the table flew to Jia Yi's front, and the teapot tilted slightly, pouring orange-yellow tea into the cup.

"Haha." Jia Yi laughed heartily, "If that counts, then I've seen you many times."

What this means is that I've been paying attention to you for a long time and I value you highly.

"Really? I didn't know that before, what a pity." Ning Ze replied calmly, beginning to politely decline Jia Yi's offer.

"I also want to thank you for protecting my family. If there is any trouble, I can help. As a fellow Chinese, and as a planetary-level martial artist, I would naturally do my duty if the base city is in danger."

The implication was that he was willing to help, but there was no need to ask for recruitment. They were all martial artists, and protecting the base city was their duty. He didn't want to get involved in anything else.

Jia Yi smiled and nodded, then began to ponder. As the tea on the table steamed, he chuckled twice and said, "There are some things I shouldn't say, but since I've come all this way, I still have to ask."

"Please!" Ning Ze's smile remained unchanged, and he uttered only one word.

Jia Yi's expression turned serious, and he said earnestly, "You are now a planetary-level rank, which a few years ago would have been equivalent to a nuclear weapon on the battlefield. Your status is self-evident. I am now extending a solemn invitation on behalf of the Chinese military to you, hoping you will join us. I guarantee that once you join our military, your rank will not be lower than mine!"

Ning Ze smiled slightly, picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and replied, "If you extend an invitation to me on behalf of China, then my answer is only one: agree! This is a question that every Chinese person can answer without hesitation."

"In that case, I'm sure Representative Jia understands what I mean."

Jia Yi frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "If there's a problem, then let's solve it. I don't think it's a difficult thing."

Ning Ze nodded slightly and said in a melodious voice, "Our Chinese civilization has a history of 5000 years. From eating raw meat and drinking blood to the emergence of tribes, there are leaders. Yanhuang, Yao, Shun, Yu, and later we went through many periods, and the cultural system also changed constantly."

"Congressman Jia, times have changed. When you need to extend an invitation to me, then neither of us is wrong. Even our goals, our enemies, and our future are the same."

"I don't like to comment on anything, but it's a fact that Master Hong and Thor fought for this sliver of hope for humanity. Looking back over five thousand years of history, no one has made such a contribution to saving the race. Even now, our peace is the result of negotiations between the two of them and the Beast King."

"To put it bluntly, Representative Jia's invitation is an insult. It's absurd that I'm not here to follow in the footsteps of heroes, but to solve your problems. Your vision is far too narrow!"

Jia Yi's expression changed drastically; this attitude was hardly friendly.

"This is a world for martial artists. Martial artists are the foundation of human survival. Past technologies were merely achievements in construction. Even laser cannons were only powerful for a certain period of time and are now obsolete. In this era, strength is the hope of our human race. Do you think I should deal with those trivial matters with you, or should I focus on cultivating as much as possible?"

Ning Ze's lips curled into a sneer. "Or do you think that humanity has already won? That it's time to share the spoils of victory? You are a senior, and you should know this world better than I do. This world is vast, the sky is far away, and the universe is boundless. The monsters on Earth are merely whetstones for humanity."

Changing the subject, he said seriously, "Of course, I have great respect for Representative Jia! If everyone were like Representative Jia, this ridiculous conversation would never have happened."

Ning Ze hesitated for a moment, then continued, "Actually, I also want to solve some problems, but my approach is different from yours. When you invited me, I suppose you already recognized my talent and my methods."

Jia Yi fell silent, staring at the tea on the table. After a long while, he suddenly smiled. "You're right. The military has me, that's enough."

Ning Ze also laughed, but his smile was cold. He said in a low voice, "Then, I wonder if Councilor Jia could do me a favor?"

Jia Yi's expression darkened slightly, and he asked, "The Wang family?"

"The underground alliance has shrunk from nine major families to eight, and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has changed hands. I don't want to know how they did it. I just need one word. Could you do me this favor?"

"Which character?" Jia Yi asked.

Ning Ze sneered and uttered a heavy word, "Investigate!"

Jia Yi's expression changed, and he frowned, saying, "An investigation is fine, but you can't act recklessly. This matter... is very complicated! It involves too many people!"

Ning Ze smiled slightly, his expression melting like an iceberg. "Don't worry, I don't like trouble. I only like making trouble simple. I think it shouldn't take too long."

Jia Yi didn't continue the topic. "You killed a king-level monster?"

"Yes, its strength should be equivalent to a second-tier planetary-level being. It's a big guy that can run pretty fast," Ning Ze said with a light laugh.

Jia Yi's pupils suddenly contracted. Such relaxed words clearly indicated that his strength was far greater than that of a second-tier planetary-level being. His own strength was only at the second-tier planetary-level. "No wonder you're hailed as the most talented person in Earth's history. Your current strength is at the fourth-tier planetary-level?"

"Pretty much, but still far inferior to the two masters," Ning Ze replied bluntly.

Jia Yi nodded slightly, then suddenly smiled, "I look forward to the results of your cultivation."

"I hope I won't disappoint you." Ning Ze smiled brightly, his attitude completely different from his previous coldness. He was sticking to the facts and not discussing any of those messy issues. Of course, he wouldn't give a hero a cold shoulder.

"I believe you. This trip has been very fruitful. I still have some things to take care of, so I'll head back now," Jia Yi said, standing up.

"I'm planning to take a couple of days off," Ning Ze said with a shrug, standing up as well.

"You've been cultivating for so long, you should take a break. Don't overwork yourself."

"I should be saying that. You've been so busy, you should take a break."

"Hahaha! Then I'll be waiting for you! This concerns the lives of thousands of martial artists, so I dare not rest now." Jia Yi walked out the door with a very happy smile.

"I'll let you know in advance if there's anything important going on. I really hope to have a worthy opponent."

"Yes, it will!"

Ning Ze smiled as he watched Jia Yi's departing figure. Humanity is able to endure because of people like him who constantly dedicate themselves.

He turned around and went into the villa, going up to the second floor.

"You've finished discussing things? You sounded like you had a good chat?" Ning Hua asked with a broad smile, his head held high and his chest puffed out with pride.

"It's quite pleasant, Dad. I brought you something to enhance your strength!" Ning Ze said in a respectful manner.

Upon hearing this, Ning Hua's legs went weak. In a daze, he seemed to feel the same way he did when he used the dragon's blood. That excruciating pain was truly unforgettable!

"This time, the items are even more precious. Their power will more than double, and could even triple! They will definitely elevate you to the level of a War God!" Ning Ze assured him.

Ning Hua's head was buzzing. Double the improvement!

Another doubling!

Last time it also doubled!

This time it's even better! Doubled!

He forced a smile and said, looking somewhat guilty, "You can use the good stuff if you want. I don't leave the base city, so having too much strength is useless to me."

Ning Ze frowned slightly and said with dissatisfaction, "Dad, how can you think like that? The world isn't safe. How can we survive without strength? The God of War has an even longer lifespan. You've become complacent!"

Ning Hua's lips twitched violently twice. Would he not want to improve his strength?

He hadn't been slacking off; it was just that he hadn't been to the wilderness for a long time, and his will had been worn down considerably. Suddenly being baptized by the dragon's blood, he was truly somewhat vulnerable.

However, he has one redeeming quality: he cares about his reputation!

What kind of talk is it to be scolded by your son?

Ning Hua, forcing a smile, asked, "What is it this time?"

"The spirit of plants and trees," Ning Ze replied truthfully.

"Targeting the soul? I'm not a spiritualist." Ning Hua stubbornly accepted, but inwardly he was resistant.

Seeing his expression, Li Wan couldn't help but chuckle. While the rest of the family might not know what Ning Hua was thinking, she knew perfectly well. Ning Hua had complained a lot when they were in bed together. He'd even been having nightmares for several days in a row.

Ning Ze raised an eyebrow. "Soul? Spiritual power, I guess? This isn't a plant spirit that's geared towards increasing spiritual power, but it can still boost spiritual power a bit. However, it mainly enhances genetic energy."

Unlike the dragon blood that catalyzes the autonomous alteration of genes, the life energy of plant spirits optimizes gene essence. This situation has a certain boost to mental power. Ning Ze can absorb life energy and transform it into gene essence and mental power, but others cannot cultivate in the same way as him.

Ning Hua felt a sharp toothache, and his face contorted as he reluctantly said, "Give it to me!"

Ning Ze controlled the spirit of plants and trees to fly over from his bedroom and handed it to Ning Hua. "You must read the instructions carefully this time, and you must use it quickly, otherwise you will waste the medicinal properties."

Upon seeing the box, which was exactly the same as the one from last time, Ning Hua's face turned as pale as paper, and he shakily reached out to take it.

Li Wan burst out laughing. This wasn't the way she used to show off; instead, it looked like she was being tortured!

Ning Hua clutched the box to his chest, trying not to look at it. He glared at Li Wan and shouted, "What are you laughing at? I'll be the God of War soon!"

"Dad, go use it quickly, this can't be kept," Ning Ze urged.

Ning Hua's lips trembled slightly. "Use it now? Or should I prepare it?"

"What's there to prepare? Just use it directly. It'll be ready in a few hours. We'll wait for you to come out for dinner," Ning Ze said casually.

A few hours?

Ning Hua nodded stiffly, turned around, and left in a daze.

Ning Ze frowned. His father's expression was strange, even after improving his strength. He realized his father had truly changed. "Dad, read the instructions carefully. Use it quickly! Otherwise, you'll waste this one, and I'll have to give you another one."

Ning Hua froze upon hearing this. He mechanically turned his head and asked blankly, "How much have you prepared?"

"About thirty. We've used about half of them," Ning Ze replied truthfully.

Ning Hua swallowed hard and asked in a low voice, "If I use this to reach the God of War realm, will I need to use it again?"

Ning Ze pondered for a moment and said, "You are a mid-level warrior, one herb is enough for you. You can only use it again after your body has fully digested it, which will take many years."

"Many years?" Ning Hua breathed a sigh of relief, nodded, and continued walking towards the cultivation room, muttering to himself, "Just this once, and it'll take many more years. Many more years is good!"

Ning Ze shook his head and sighed, "Dad has really changed. It seems I need to find time to take him to the wilderness."

Li Wan suppressed a smile, "It's good to take him out for some practice. All he does all day is go out drinking."

Ning Ze's lips twitched slightly. He hated drinking more than anything. He waved his hand, and another wooden box flew over. He smiled and said, "That was Dad's. This is for you. Mom, you'll soon be a War General, and so will Xiao Guai. Qian Qian might be a little short, but she can still become a high-level warrior."

Ning Qianqian cheered immediately, "Brother! You're amazing! I got one too! I'm about to become a martial artist!" She excitedly gave Ning Ze a bear hug, then turned around, took Shu Yi's hand, and spun around skipping along, "Sister-in-law, I'm going to become a martial artist!"

Shu Yi smiled gently, "Okay, let's become martial artists together."

Li Wan's smile froze, and goosebumps rose all over her body. She whispered, "We have them too? I feel like my strength as a beginner warrior is enough."

Ning Ze asked in surprise, "Mom, high-level martial artists have increased lifespans, can slow down aging, and even restore their youthful appearance. How can you not use them?"

"It can make you younger?" Li Wan's eyes lit up immediately, but she was still a little hesitant. "This thing will hurt a lot, won't it?"

"Pain?" Ning Ze shook his head with a smile. "How could the spirits of plants hurt? This is the essence of life, the life energy that promotes gene evolution. It's like absorbing gene energy for the first time; it feels very comfortable to use. With the spirits of plants, we don't need to use dragon blood on you anymore."

"It's comfortable?" Li Wan looked strangely towards the stairs, then turned back and asked, "What about the one your dad uses? Doesn't that hurt either?"

Ning Ze shook his head. "The spirits of plants are all the essence of life. At most, their medicinal properties are different, but they are all very comfortable to use."

"Actually, the three of you don't need a whole plant. This time, I'm only giving you less than one-fifth of it. I'm letting you absorb it based on your condition. I'll soak the rest in the Nether Spring water to ensure its medicinal properties. After you've absorbed this and trained for a while, I'll give you the other one."

Upon hearing this, Li Wan immediately understood, "Okay, how do I use it?"

"Yes, give it to us quickly!" Ning Qianqian was very excited. She was about to become a martial artist! Having an inspector as her brother was simply amazing!

(End of this chapter)