In the pool.
Under Jiang Ning's control, the water serpent coiled and danced like a dragon.
After manipulating it for a while, Jiang Ning waved his hand, and the serpent dissolved back into the water.
"Indeed, the stronger I become, the more powerful this ability grows."
"Now, my control over water is about 10% stronger than it was a few days ago."
[Name]: Jiang Ning
[Source Energy]: 224.7
[Skills]:
Literacy (Second Breakthrough: 2877/3000) (Traits: Photographic Memory, Enhanced Senses)
Five Animals Fist (First Breakthrough: 381/2000) (Trait: Essence Stored in the Five Organs)
Firewood Chopping Saber Technique+ (Fourth Breakthrough: 5000/5000) (Traits: Versatility, Swift as the Wind, Mastery of the Saber, Unity of Man and Saber)
Inner Alchemy Cultivation Technique (Proficient: 1811/2000)
Surging Waves Saber Technique (Advanced: 67/1000)
Indestructible Vajra Body (Intermediate: 453/5000)
Water Affinity (Fourth Breakthrough: 4637/5000) (Traits: Underwater Breathing, Water Manipulation, Water Spirit Affinity, Cloud and Rain Control)
Jiang Ning glanced at his status panel, feeling quite satisfied.
After focusing on grinding experience over the past few days, his Literacy skill was on the verge of another breakthrough.
Once this skill broke through, his mental energy would receive a boost.
At that point, he could test whether the Sumeru Ring could be used.
It was impossible for Jiang Ning not to be excited about such a treasure.
The ability to store a universe within a mustard seed while it wouldn't directly enhance his combat strength, it would make his life infinitely more convenient.
No longer would he need to carry his weapons everywhere he went.
Additionally, after fully refining the Leopard Fetus Body Transformation Pill over the past few days, his Source Energy points had surged.
This allowed him to meet the requirements for the fifth breakthrough of his Firewood Chopping Saber Technique.
At the same time, his Water Affinity skill was also close to reaching its fifth breakthrough.
But what Jiang Ning looked forward to the most was the imminent breakthrough of his Inner Alchemy Cultivation Technique.
This technique was a peerless skill. Once it reached the intermediate level, he would gain access to the mystical power of internal breath.
At that point, his strength would undergo a significant transformation.
"Soon, in just a few days, my strength will take a major leap forward."
Jiang Ning muttered to himself.
Then, clenching his fist underwater, he felt his muscles instantly tense, and a surge of power filled his arm.
"Over four thousand jin!"
"Every muscle in my body has been refined to its limit. This is my current peak."
Just then, footsteps approached from behind.
"Sir!" Xie Xiaojiu's voice rang out.
"Xiaojiu, what is it?" Jiang Ning stood up.
Splash
The water rippled as he rose, droplets cascading down his lean, athletic frame.
Jiang Ning was only wearing a pair of shorts.
To him, this was normal after all, back in his previous life, this was standard beach attire.
But for Xie Xiaojiu, this was somewhat...
Xie Xiaojiu froze for a moment before snapping back to attention. "Sir, according to the mission assigned by headquarters, I've located a branch of the God Worship Cult."
"What about the City God Temple? Any activity there?" Jiang Ning asked.
Xie Xiaojiu shook her head. "A month before Director Hong arrived, the God Worship Cult secretly removed their deity statue from the City God Temple. It's long gone."
"Seems they got wind of the news. Cults that worship evil deities are always the primary targets of the Inspector's Office."
"Half of the rebellions in Great Xia have been linked to these evil deity cults."
As Jiang Ning dressed, he asked, "Xiaojiu, since the God Worship Cult was able to enshrine their deity in the City God Temple, do you know who they were connected to locally?"
Xie Xiaojiu shook her head slightly. "I'm not sure, but I suspect the Cao, Liu, and Xie families might all have ties to the God Worship Cult."
"You even mentioned the Xie family?" Jiang Ning chuckled.
Xie Xiaojiu replied, "The Cao, Liu, and Xie families are essentially one entity. But the most likely connection is with the county magistrate."
Jiang Ning asked, "If it's the magistrate, what would he stand to gain?"
Xie Xiaojiu thought for a moment. "I've considered that. Perhaps they're after military power."
"Military power?" Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
Xie Xiaojiu continued, "Our Zeshan Prefecture is relatively peaceful because of its mountains and rivers."
"Especially in Luoshui County, where we're close to the Luo River. Even during the months-long drought, the farmland here hasn't suffered much."
"But outside Luoshui County, and especially outside Zeshan Prefecture, things have been getting increasingly chaotic. Rebellions are breaking out more frequently."
"In such turbulent times, the powerful families and clans are all pushing for more autonomy, particularly in military control."
"If military power is decentralized, these families and clans can recruit soldiers en masse, arming them to the teeth."
"With soldiers comes leverage the ability to protect themselves."
"After all, martial artists are strong, but they have their limits. Unless one reaches a certain level, human strength is finite."
"And the great families and top factions are more than happy to encourage this trend!"
"The imperial family of Great Xia was once one of the top families before they rose to power."
"If the empire falls into chaos, many families and clans would love to follow that same path!"
Hearing Xie Xiaojiu's clear and logical explanation, Jiang Ning couldn't help but feel impressed.
She might not seem particularly sharp on the surface, but as someone from a prominent family, she clearly understood a great deal.
After a moment, Jiang Ning composed himself and asked, "By the way, where did you say the God Worship Cult's branch is located?"
Xie Xiaojiu replied, "In a large estate in the eastern part of the city."
"Is the information reliable?" Jiang Ning asked.
"Very reliable," Xie Xiaojiu nodded.
"Good. Go notify Feng Jiuge and Ruan Hongmei. Gather the team and prepare to follow me."
"Yes, sir!" Xie Xiaojiu responded before turning to leave.
By now, Jiang Ning was fully dressed.
"The God Worship Cult," he murmured.
He hadn't forgotten that his previous self had fallen into a coma because of this cult.
The cultists had attacked him for a simple reason: he was a natural-born spiritual genius.
From Shi Xiaoyuan, Jiang Ning had learned just how attractive spiritual geniuses were to the God Worship Cult.
Sacrificing a spiritual genius to their deity would grant them immense blessings.
"Let's see what this God Worship Cult is capable of," Jiang Ning muttered to himself.
A few hours later.
In front of an estate in the eastern district.
Bang
At Jiang Ning's signal, Feng Jiuge kicked the gate, shattering it into pieces.
"No one's here?" Feng Jiuge was puzzled.
Jiang Ning said, "Follow me."
With that, he stepped through the broken gate.
Even before Feng Jiuge kicked the door, Jiang Ning had already sensed that the estate was empty.
His heightened senses allowed him to hear heartbeats through walls, but here, there was nothing no breathing, no heartbeats.
This meant the estate was deserted.
As they entered, it was clear the place had been abandoned.
A short while later.
"Sir, it's empty," Xie Xiaojiu reported.
Just then, Feng Jiuge's voice came from a nearby room. "Sir, I've found something!"
"Let's go," Jiang Ning said.
Xie Xiaojiu quickly followed.
Inside the room, Feng Jiuge had smashed a hole in the floor, revealing a dark underground entrance.
"Sir, should I go in first?" Feng Jiuge asked.
Jiang Ning shook his head. "No need."
He turned to the others. "Bring me a torch."
"Yes, Commander Jiang!" someone responded.
Moments later, a blazing torch was handed to Jiang Ning.
He tossed it into the hole.
Instantly, the flickering light illuminated a set of descending stairs.
"Bring another torch," Jiang Ning ordered.
"Yes, Commander Jiang!" The man quickly lit another torch and handed it to Jiang Ning.
Jiang Ning took it and addressed the group. "Stay behind me. Be careful."
"Sir, why take the lead? Let me go first!" Xie Xiaojiu stepped forward.
"You're not strong enough. Stay behind me."
As he spoke, Jiang Ning took a sip from the flask at his waist.
Then, with a puff, he sprayed a mist of alcohol into the air.
"Follow me."
Jiang Ning stepped onto the stairs.
Unseen by the others, the alcohol mist acted as his eyes, spreading through the underground chamber and revealing its secrets.
A short while later.
"Wait!" Jiang Ning raised his hand.
The group halted.
In the next moment, Jiang Ning struck the wall with his scabbard.
Crash
The wall shattered, and several green-glowing arrows shot out.
A poison arrow trap?!
Xie Xiaojiu, Feng Jiuge, and the others widened their eyes in shock.
"Sir, you're amazing! How did you spot that?" Xie Xiaojiu exclaimed.
"Indeed, impressive," Feng Jiuge nodded.
"How did you notice it, sir?" Ruan Hongmei asked, puzzled.
Jiang Ning replied, "Just pay close attention."
He continued forward, the alcohol mist guiding him and ensuring the path was safe.
After disabling two more traps, Jiang Ning finally reached the underground chamber.
He lit torches along the walls and disarmed the surrounding traps with ease.
"Sir, you're incredible!" Xie Xiaojiu marveled at Jiang Ning's skill.
"Truly remarkable," Feng Jiuge agreed.
If she didn't know better, she might have suspected Jiang Ning was a member of the God Worship Cult himself.
After all, how else would he know the layout and traps so well?
Soon, the entire chamber was illuminated.
"Nothing here?" Feng Jiuge frowned.
Jiang Ning nodded. "Indeed, nothing."
Even before lighting the torches, he had sensed the chamber was empty.
An hour later.
At the entrance of the Inspector's Office.
"Well, Commander Jiang, did you come back empty-handed?" He Jinyun, still pale and thin, spoke with his usual careless tone.
"Commander He, on the other hand, seems to have had quite the haul," Jiang Ning remarked, glancing at He Jinyun.
He Jinyun was drenched in blood, his twin purple-gold hammers also stained. Behind him, someone carried a sack full of heads.
Suddenly, Jiang Ning's eyes narrowed.
"Did you kill innocent people for merit?"
He Jinyun glanced back and immediately understood Jiang Ning's accusation. He smirked.
"Kill innocent people? These were all followers of the God Worship Cult."
Jiang Ning gave He Jinyun a deep look.
He Jinyun felt a chill run down his spine.
Before he could respond, Jiang Ning turned and walked away.
"Killing the innocent for merit I misjudged He Jinyun," Jiang Ning muttered to himself.
Originally, he had thought that despite being the son of a noble, He Jinyun wasn't a bad person.
But now, He Jinyun's actions had completely shattered that impression.
Killing innocent people for merit such an act was utterly unacceptable by Jiang Ning's moral standards.
"Sir, should we report this to the director?" Feng Jiuge asked softly.
Jiang Ning shook his head. "Whether we report it or not, the director will find out. If even I noticed, how could he not?"
Back at the Inspector's Office, Jiang Ning had just settled down when he received an invitation from Hong Minghu.
They were to meet at the Moonlit Pavilion at 7:45 PM that evening.
Night fell.
At the Moonlit Pavilion.
The soft glow of the moon bathed the pavilion.
"Director, is it just the two of us?" Jiang Ning asked as he arrived, seeing Hong Minghu waiting for him.
Hong Minghu nodded. "Yes, just the two of us. Consider it a private gathering."
As he spoke, Hong Minghu gestured for Jiang Ning to take a seat.
Jiang Ning cupped his hands in respect. "I'm honored by your invitation."
Hong Minghu laughed. "Nonsense! In the entire Inspector's Office, who would I dare to underestimate but you?"
"Do you know that you're now ranked 83rd on the Hidden Dragon Ranking?"
Jiang Ning was genuinely surprised.
"83rd on the Hidden Dragon Ranking?"
"Indeed," Hong Minghu nodded, handing Jiang Ning a golden scroll. "Take a look for yourself. This is the Hidden Dragon Ranking, the Human Ranking. You're now 83rd."
Jiang Ning took the scroll and unrolled it. His eyes quickly found his name near the bottom.
Then, he scanned the list, pausing midway.
He Jinyun, 76th.
Seeing this, Jiang Ning continued reading.
Soon, he had memorized all one hundred names.
"He Jinyun, 76th. It seems the compilers of this ranking don't know everything."
"Unless He Jinyun has been hiding his true strength, there's no way an eighth-grade martial artist like him should rank above me."
Jiang Ning was confident in his assessment.
No one knew just how much strength he had concealed.
He Jinyun might be known for his natural divine strength, but Jiang Ning himself possessed over four thousand jin of strength no less impressive.
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