Grinding to Become the Martial Saint of the Mortal World

In the study. 

Jiang Ning walked over to one of the bookshelves and picked out two books related to the imperial examinations, as well as a book he had just seen on the fundamentals of martial arts. 

He was still lacking in basic knowledge about martial arts. 

For example, what were the nine ranks of martial arts? 

How vast was the gap between himself and the Martial Saint? 

Why was the Martial Saint so terrifying, leaving behind countless legends over the centuries? 

He wasn't very clear about any of this. 

In addition, he still had plans for next year's imperial examinations. 

Earning a scholarly title would grant him the protection of the Great Xia imperial court. 

With a scholarly title, he would also be more likely to be valued within the Inspection Bureau, an official institution. 

After all, the Inspection Bureau's responsibilities included monitoring the populace, suppressing cults that worshipped evil deities, and dealing with those who incited rebellion, with the authority to execute first and report later. 

Handling such matters wasn't just about fighting and killing. 

Naturally, those in power would value individuals who excelled in both literary and martial arts. 

"Moreover, with a scholarly title, I can enter the county's sacred temple to pay homage and receive the baptism of literary energy, which can strengthen my soul and mental power. This would be of great help to my martial arts journey." 

Jiang Ning held the three books in his hands and walked out of the study. 

"It's already midnight," he murmured, looking up at the bright, clear moonlight. 

"It's time to go back and sleep." 

The next morning. 

[Name]: Jiang Ning 

[Source Energy]: 6.0 

[Skills]: 

Literacy and Comprehension (First Breakthrough 196/2000) (Trait: Photographic Memory) 

Five Animal Forms (Proficient 17/200) 

Firewood Chopping Technique (Major Mastery 109/1000) 

Inner Elixir Nourishment Technique (Unlearned 0/100) 

Opening his status panel, Jiang Ning noticed that his Source Energy had increased again. 

"My Source Energy increased by 0.6 yesterday, which confirms my earlier speculation." 

Thinking about how he had consumed three-tenths of the wild ginseng yesterday, he felt even more certain of his previous conclusion. 

The increase in Source Energy was related to the energy he consumed. 

The more energy he consumed, and the higher its quality, the more noticeable the increase in Source Energy. 

For example, during the first two months after arriving in this world, while recovering from his injuries at home, his diet had been simple, with only occasional meat. As a result, his Source Energy had only increased by 0.1 to 0.2 per day. 

Most of the time, it was only a 0.1 increase. 

Only on days when his diet improved, and he could eat meat, did it increase by 0.2. 

Back then, he had already suspected this, but with insufficient data, he hadn't been sure. 

Now, with his increased training, larger appetite, improved diet, and the medicinal benefits of the wild ginseng, his Source Energy had increased by 0.5 points per day, except for the first day of training, when it only increased by 0.3. 

Yesterday, with his increased intake consuming a day and a half's worth of wild ginseng in a single day his Source Energy growth broke records, reaching a new high. 

An increase of 0.6 in one day! 

"Unfortunately, starting today, without the wild ginseng, my Source Energy growth will slow down. If I could maintain a 0.6 increase, within a week, I could accumulate over 10 points of Source Energy." 

"With 10 points, I could break through the limits of the Firewood Chopping Technique!" 

"Breaking through the limits of the blade technique would undoubtedly enhance my combat power. As Wang Jin said, joining the Inspection Bureau would involve tests and battles. It's not just about attaining a martial rank combat power is undoubtedly crucial." 

Jiang Ning fully understood the reasoning behind the Inspection Bureau's entrance tests. 

After all, the Inspection Bureau, based on its responsibilities, was a violent institution! 

So it was only natural that there would be battles and tests for entry. 

Simply attaining a martial rank didn't necessarily mean one had exceptional combat power! 

Some who had attained a martial rank had spent their entire lives training without ever engaging in combat, which wasn't uncommon. 

How could such people be qualified to join the Inspection Bureau? 

How could they be competent? 

After washing up. 

Jiang Ning sat quietly in the courtyard, waiting for the rising sun. 

According to the incomplete page, the Inner Elixir Nourishment Technique could only be practiced when the sun was just rising and shortly after. 

At this time, as the sun rose, a certain energy in the world became extremely active. Although it was intense, it was also gentle. Only during this time could this energy be absorbed and used to temper the internal organs. 

Once the sun had fully risen, this energy would become extremely dangerous. Inhaling even a wisp of it could cause the internal organs to burn. 

Only by advancing further in the technique could one begin to absorb this energy from sunrise to the hour of Mao (5-7 AM). 

To achieve perfection in the technique and forge the inner elixir, one needed to absorb the energy of midday, as the saying goes, "refining the golden elixir in the furnace fire." 

When Jiang Ning first read these descriptions, he felt it sounded almost like a cultivation technique from a fantasy novel. 

But recalling the many miscellaneous books he had read, which mentioned that in ancient times, immortals and deities roamed the earth, and great demons ran rampant, he realized that Great Xia was the first dynasty established after the end of that ancient era. 

Thinking of this, Jiang Ning felt that this world held many secrets. 

At that moment. 

Golden light illuminated the clouds, and the distant sky was covered in auspicious clouds of various colors. 

Jiang Ning immediately focused his mind, looking up and fixing his gaze on the fiery red sun that had just appeared on the horizon. 

He then began to practice the breathing technique described in the Inner Elixir Nourishment Technique. 

With each breath, Jiang Ning felt a warm current enter his abdomen through his nostrils. 

As the warmth spread through his internal organs, his entire body felt as if it were soaking in a hot spring. 

"On my first attempt at the breathing technique, I managed to capture this elusive energy. Is my talent this high, or is it the work of the status panel?" 

This thought flashed through Jiang Ning's mind. 

He then slowly exhaled the stale air that had circulated through his internal organs. 

[Inner Elixir Nourishment Technique Experience +1] 

He then took another breath, focusing intently on the rising sun. 

In an instant, he felt another warm current flow from his nostrils into his abdomen. 

[Inner Elixir Nourishment Technique Experience +1] 

[Inner Elixir Nourishment Technique Experience +1] 

[Inner Elixir Nourishment Technique Experience +2] 

[...] 

The time from when the sun first rose to when it fully emerged was only about forty breaths. 

Two breaths before the sun fully rose, Jiang Ning stopped practicing the breathing technique. 

At this moment, Jiang Ning felt as if his internal organs were soaking in a hot spring. The warmth spread from his organs to his entire body, and his Qi and Blood began to circulate spontaneously. 

His body temperature was now much higher than normal, and his skin felt slightly hot. 

Jiang Ning closed his eyes and quietly felt the changes in his body. 

After dozens of breaths, his body returned to normal. 

He then slowly opened his eyes. 

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