Grinding to Become the Martial Saint of the Mortal World

After closing the panel, Jiang Ning got out of bed, put on his undershirt, and pushed open the door. 

The faint light of dawn greeted him, along with a cool breeze carrying the scent of flowers and grass. Jiang Ning couldn't help but take a few deep breaths of the fresh air. 

Exhale 

He expelled the stale air that had accumulated overnight, feeling a sense of lightness and joy throughout his body. 

Then, Jiang Ning went to the corner of the courtyard to wash up. 

Most people in this world didn't have the habit of washing up in the morning, but Jiang Ning, coming from a civilized world in his past life, couldn't stand the taste in his mouth after waking up. 

Without the proper tools, he had to resort to a method he had read about in books. 

He took a willow twig that had been soaking in water overnight, chewed it open with his teeth, and used the soft fibers to clean his teeth. 

Now that he had become more skilled, the willow twig worked even better. 

In the corner, Jiang Ning rubbed crushed charcoal on his teeth with his fingers, scrubbing them thoroughly. After rinsing with water, he used the chewed willow twig to clean his teeth again. 

Once done, he exhaled and nodded in satisfaction. 

"Not bad!" 

He then washed his face and stood in the courtyard, letting his arms hang naturally. 

Feeling the cool breeze carrying the scent of flowers and grass, Jiang Ning began practicing his fist techniques. 

[Five Animals Fist Experience +1] 

[Five Animals Fist Experience +1] 

[Skill]: Five Animals Fist (Beginner 90/100) 

After two rounds of practice, his Five Animals Fist experience had reached 90 points. 

At the same time, two more strands of vital energy had been refined and integrated into his body. 

Exhale 

Exhale 

Jiang Ning panted heavily, feeling his heart pounding in his chest. A smile spread across his face. 

"Being able to practice two rounds of fist techniques in one go shows that my stamina has reached a new level." 

He clenched his fist, feeling the vital energy flowing freely within him. 

By now, he had accumulated over a hundred strands of vital energy in his body. When gathered together, they could flow through parts of his arm. 

Once unleashed, this vital energy could significantly enhance the power of his fists and arms in a short burst. If channeled into his legs, it could greatly increase his speed. 

Vital energy was the foundation of a martial artist's strength. 

"I'll test my strength later." 

At around 8 a.m., after breakfast, Jiang Ning went to the front gate of the martial arts school. 

Rumble 

As he lifted the latch and pushed open the heavy gate, the friction between the gate and the ground sent a slight tremor through his feet. 

"Junior Brother Jiang, as punctual as ever!" A man in a white training uniform, gently fanning himself with a folding fan, spoke to Jiang Ning. His lips carried a faint smile, and his demeanor was somewhat frivolous. 

"Senior Brother Cheng Ran!" Jiang Ning smiled. 

Having been at the martial arts school for over two days and practicing in the front yard, Jiang Ning had naturally gotten to know some people. 

Among them, Senior Brother Cheng Ran was the one he got along with the best. 

The other disciples training in the front yard weren't exactly hostile toward him, but they weren't particularly welcoming either. 

After all, most of the disciples who could afford to join the Canglang Martial Arts School were young people from the inner city. 

They formed their circle and were quite familiar with each other. 

The few outer-city youths were also eager to integrate into this inner-city circle. 

Building connections with the wealthy inner-city youths was a form of social capital and resource. 

Jiang Ning, however, had no interest in mingling with them. 

Cheng Ran was different. Although he was from the inner city, he enjoyed making friends. There wasn't a single ordinary disciple in the Canglang Martial Arts School he didn't know. 

During Jiang Ning's first two days of training, Cheng Ran took the initiative to befriend him. 

Faced with such goodwill, Jiang Ning had no reason to refuse. 

Having one more friend always opened up more opportunities. 

Why would he refuse? 

A moment later, in the front yard of the martial arts school. 

"Silence!" Wang Jin emerged from the backyard. 

His muscular frame was accentuated by his tight undershirt, resembling coiled dragons. 

Instantly, the entire yard fell silent. 

"There is an opportunity before you now!" 

At the word "opportunity," everyone's eyes lit up. 

Wang Jin scanned the crowd like a king surveying his territory, then nodded in satisfaction. 

"Do you know what an opportunity is?" 

"Yes!" someone answered. 

"No, you don't," Wang Jin said calmly but firmly. 

He continued, "An opportunity is something that can change your fate, allow you to leap over the dragon gate, and take you beyond this small world." 

Hearing this, everyone's eyes shone even brighter. 

Seeing the eager looks in their eyes, Wang Jin nodded with even greater satisfaction. 

He then added, "Do you know that in recent years, the world has been in turmoil, with constant disasters and human-made calamities? Groups like the Worship God Cult have been appearing frequently." 

"Yes," someone replied. "From what I know, last year in Zeshan Prefecture alone, there was one medium-scale rebellion and five small-scale rebellions. These heretical cults are endless, and nearly ten different sects worshiping evil gods have emerged." 

Wang Jin glanced at the speaker and nodded slightly. "Correct." 

"Therefore, at the beginning of this year, the Emperor and the world's only Martial Saint jointly issued an edict. Every prefecture, county, and town must establish an Inspection Bureau to oversee the nine provinces and monitor the people." 

"The Inspection Bureau is under the authority of the world's only Martial Saint. Any cult worshiping evil gods, or anyone inciting rebellion, regardless of their background or status even if they are of royal blood can be executed without prior approval." 

"This edict will reach Luoshui County in a month. By the end of the year, Inspection Bureaus must be established in every prefecture, county, and town." 

"The personnel of the Inspection Bureau will be selected from martial arts schools and various local forces. They must be of clean background and possess outstanding talent and strength." 

"This is a heaven-sent opportunity for you! Do you know what it takes to advance rapidly in martial arts? Wealth, companionship, techniques, and resources are all indispensable!" 

"You must understand that the head of the Inspection Bureau is the world's only Martial Saint, who has dominated the world for over 800 years. Within the Inspection Bureau, you can find everything from foundational martial arts techniques for refining vital energy to supreme secret methods for achieving the levels of Blood Exchange Grandmaster and Spirit Nurturing Grandmaster!" 

"Precious medicines and fundamental martial arts techniques are all available!" 

"These are things you could never obtain in Luoshui County." 

"Joining the Inspection Bureau might even grant you the chance to receive personal guidance from the Martial Saint!" 

In the last sentence, the entire martial arts school erupted. 

Countless eyes burned with desire. 

The words "Martial Saint" were akin to gods and immortals from ancient legends. 

A centenarian could see five generations of their family. 

But the Martial Saint had dominated the world for over 800 years. Such a being was beyond imagination. 

Wang Jin scanned the crowd once more and nodded in satisfaction. 

"Those who join the Inspection Bureau must be under thirty, of clean background, and possess the strength of a martial artist who has reached the rank of 'Grade.'" 

"The Canglang Martial Arts School has five recommendation slots. Four of them have already been assigned to your three senior brothers and one senior sister." 

"One slot remains, and it's up to you to compete for it." 

"In three months, whoever masters two of the Five Animals Fist techniques, refines their vital energy to perfection, and achieves the rank of 'Grade' will be accepted as my disciple, alongside your four senior brothers. The ceremony will be announced throughout Luoshui County, and you will represent my face when entering the Inspection Bureau." 

"Remember, the slots are limited. Once you enter, there will be further tests and competition with other factions. This is a chance to leap over the dragon gate! No one will give it up easily." 

"Joining the Inspection Bureau will inevitably involve intense battles and conflicts. For those who are not skilled in combat, this is a crisis." 

At this moment, Jiang Ning listened quietly, his eyes burning with determination. 

Becoming a personal disciple and joining the Inspection Bureau. 

This was a heaven-sent opportunity. 

What did it mean to be a personal disciple? It meant inheriting the master's legacy, a status not inferior to, or even surpassing, that of blood relatives. 

As for the Inspection Bureau, with its authority to execute without prior approval, it was a high-status law enforcement agency. 

To draw a parallel from his past life, its power and influence surpassed even the infamous Imperial Guards. 

The Imperial Guards, to anyone familiar with history, were known for their fearsome reputation. 

And this Inspection Bureau was even more powerful, with benefits far exceeding those of the Imperial Guards. 

As the saying goes, it's easier to enjoy the shade under a big tree. 

In the Great Xia Empire, what tree could be bigger than the world's only Martial Saint? 

This was a being who had single-handedly suppressed the empire's fortunes for over 800 years. The term "Martial Saint" was synonymous with a force capable of rivaling an entire nation. 

If he could join the Inspection Bureau, his status would no longer be what it was now. 

Even if his strength was lacking, with the backing of the Inspection Bureau, he would no longer fear the local powerful families. 

Overseeing the empire, inspecting the nine provinces, and executing without prior approval this authority was immense!!! 

The access to martial arts techniques, divine weapons, and precious medicines the benefits were too great!!! 

At this moment, Jiang Ning clenched his fists. 

Within three months, I must refine my vital energy to perfection and achieve the rank of 'Grade.' 

Only then can I become Wang Jin's disciple and earn the qualification to join the Inspection Bureau. 

If I can't join the Inspection Bureau, even if I achieve the rank of 'Grade' and no longer fear Xu Yunfeng, Xu Yunfeng is backed by Cao Bin and the Cao family. 

Faced with the powerful Cao family, achieving the rank of 'Grade' would only allow me to protect myself at best. 

But becoming Wang Jin's disciple would be different. It would make them think twice before acting. 

And joining the Inspection Bureau would be even better.