After lunch.
Jiang Ning continued reading.
As a deputy commander, he had a high degree of freedom and didn't need to clock in and out daily like the ordinary inspectors.
[Literacy Experience +1]
[Literacy Experience +1]
[Literacy Experience +1]
[...]
As time passed, the experience points for the Literacy skill continued to grow.
Watching the experience points increase day by day, Jiang Ning couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.
In the blink of an eye, noon had passed, and the sun began to set.
[Skill]: Literacy+ (Second Breakthrough: 3000/3000) (Traits: Photographic Memory, Enhanced Senses)
When the experience points reached the 3000-point threshold, the familiar plus sign appeared next to the Literacy skill on the status panel.
Seeing this change, Jiang Ning didn't hesitate. With a thought, he activated the breakthrough.
In an instant, his Source Energy points rapidly decreased.
Jiang Ning felt his consciousness become hazy as if he had entered a state of confusion.
In the next moment, clarity returned. Even with his eyes closed, Jiang Ning could see the colorful world around him.
With a thought, tiny particles of dust, invisible to the naked eye, began to swirl around him, controlled by his will.
Then, a blade of grass seemed to be cut by an invisible force, transforming into a sharp sword that danced around him.
Next, a small stone slowly rose into the air.
After a while, Jiang Ning opened his eyes and rubbed his temples.
After the brief experiment, he felt a slight dizziness, as his mental energy had been significantly depleted.
"Telekinesis, mental energy leaving the body, as if it were tangible!"
"With these three abilities, plus my innate spiritual wisdom, according to Feng Jiuge, I meet the conditions to use the Sumeru Ring."
Jiang Ning muttered to himself, his gaze sweeping over his status panel.
[Name]: Jiang Ning
[Source Energy]: 187.6
[Skill]: Literacy (Third Breakthrough: 0/4000) (Traits: Photographic Memory, Enhanced Senses, Quick Thinking)
[Quick Thinking]: Innately quick-witted, with a high comprehension and mental energy surpassing ordinary people.
Looking at the description on the panel, Jiang Ning's expression became thoughtful.
Then, his thoughts began to race.
In an instant, all the books and texts he had read today flashed through his mind at ten times the normal speed, as if he were replaying them in fast-forward.
"Is this the effect of Quick Thinking?" Jiang Ning murmured.
From this experiment, he drew a clear conclusion.
With the third breakthrough of the Literacy skill and the emergence of the Quick Thinking trait, the speed of his mental processing had increased several times over.
Now, his brain was like an old computer that had been upgraded with a new-generation processor, running at full speed.
After closing his eyes and sensing the increased speed of his thoughts, Jiang Ning nodded slightly.
"Choosing to break through the Literacy skill was indeed the right decision."
"This trait alone, with its ability to enhance comprehension, is already worth it. Not to mention, it also increases my mental energy, allowing me to briefly project my mental energy three inches from my body."
In the next moment, he pulled out a dark black ring from his pocket.
"I hope Feng Jiuge was right."
With that, his mental energy left his body and merged into the dark black ring in his hand.
Immediately, Jiang Ning frowned.
As soon as his mental energy touched the Sumeru Ring, he felt a strong repulsive force.
It was as if an invisible barrier was blocking his mental energy.
After trying for a while, Jiang Ning withdrew his mental energy and stared intently at the ring in his hand.
A moment later, he took out his spirit weapon and lightly cut his finger with its sharp blade.
A drop of blood formed at his fingertip and fell onto the ring.
In an instant, he felt a faint connection between himself and the ring.
Then, his tangible mental energy once again left his body and entered the Sumeru Ring.
This time, Jiang Ning felt the previously solid barrier vanish without a trace. Without any effort, his mental energy penetrated the ring.
Inside, he sensed an intricate array of runes and patterns.
As his mental energy flowed into the ring, the patterns began to light up, becoming vividly clear in his mind.
After a while, as his mental energy continued to pour into the ring, the entire array was fully activated.
At that moment, Jiang Ning's mind was filled with the image of a new space a vast area about ten feet in length, width, and height.
"It is a Sumeru Ring!!" Jiang Ning couldn't help but feel delighted.
Then, a faint glow flashed in his hand, and the spirit weapon he had been holding disappeared without a trace.
In the next moment, the glow flashed again, and the spirit weapon reappeared in his hand.
After a few more attempts, Jiang Ning quickly mastered the use of the Sumeru Ring, using it with ease.
"This is truly a fantastic item, so convenient!" After experimenting a few more times, Jiang Ning stored some silver notes in the ring and couldn't help but marvel.
With this item, he no longer had to worry about carrying miscellaneous items or weapons.
Soon, he returned to his room and began storing all the items he needed in the Sumeru Ring.
When he picked up the wine jug that had been stored for several days, he glanced at his status panel and hesitated.
Inside the jug was the small black stone.
The black stone, when soaked in any liquid, secreted a mysterious substance.
This substance not only increased the experience points for his Water Affinity skill but also enhanced his innate physique.
Moreover, it also increased his Source Energy points.
The reason for his hesitation was the Source Energy points displayed on the panel.
[Source Energy]: 187.6
He was just under thirteen points away from reaching 200.
With 200 points, he could perform the fifth breakthrough for either the Firewood Chopping Saber Technique or the Water Affinity skill.
Based on previous breakthroughs, there was no doubt that the fifth breakthrough would bring significant improvements.
However, under normal circumstances, it would take him two or three more days to accumulate the remaining thirteen Source Energy points.
The closer he got to his goal, the more impatient he became.
He wanted to see what changes the fifth breakthrough, requiring 200 Source Energy points, would bring.
The fourth breakthrough of the Firewood Chopping Saber Technique allowed him to master the Saber Momentum.
Not to mention the additional benefits of the traits.
As for the Water Affinity skill, it was even more miraculous.
The fourth breakthrough had granted him a divine ability the power to summon clouds and rain.
Now, when he used this ability, he could summon rain clouds that covered most of Luoshui County.
The effects of this ability were undeniably powerful!
After a moment of thought, he quickly drank the chilled wine from the jug, refilled it with more wine, and then stored it in the Sumeru Ring.
Once everything was packed, Jiang Ning headed out.
Inspector's Office.
As soon as Jiang Ning stepped through the gate, he ran into Ruan Hongmei, who was walking hurriedly.
Seeing him, her eyes lit up.
"Sir, you've come at the perfect time! I was just about to go to your residence to find you!"
"What's the matter?" Jiang Ning stopped.
Ruan Hongmei said, "Commander Ye came looking for you earlier. He said the Director has important matters to discuss with you and needs you to meet him in person!"
"Understood!" Jiang Ning nodded.
He set aside his earlier plans.
Originally, he had come to the Inspector's Office in the late afternoon to visit the prison and see Xiao Tianhe.
According to Huang Dazheng, there were two Sumeru Rings in his family's heirloom treasures one in his possession and the other in Xiao Tianhe's.
Now that the Sumeru Ring had been proven genuine, he naturally wanted to get his hands on the one in Xiao Tianhe's possession.
After all, such a miraculous item must be extremely valuable.
But for now, he had to put this matter aside.
Hong Minghu wanted to see him, and that was the most pressing issue at the moment.
In the Inspector's Office, even as a deputy commander, he had to follow Hong Minghu's orders.
A short while later.
In a pavilion.
"Director!" Jiang Ning cupped his hands slightly.
Hong Minghu stopped his conversation with Ye Qiu and turned to Jiang Ning. "You've come at the right time!"
"May I ask why the Director has summoned me?" Jiang Ning asked.
Hong Minghu said, "Deputy Commander Jiang, do you remember what I told you a few days ago?"
"What are you referring to, Director?"
Seeing Jiang Ning's puzzled expression, Hong Minghu grabbed a few sheets of paper from his desk and threw them at Jiang Ning.
In an instant, the papers flew through the air like blades.
Jiang Ning caught them and glanced through them, his expression turning serious.
The papers listed a series of crimes committed by the Cao family.
These included smuggling salt and iron, trafficking people, and committing murder.
Most importantly, the Cao family was revealed to be a secret base for the God Worship Cult, with deep ties to the cult.
After reading, Jiang Ning looked at Hong Minghu.
Hong Minghu said, "I believe you know what I want you to do now. Tonight, you will lead a team to arrest all 385 members of the Cao family. Not a single one is to be spared. Those who resist are to be killed on the spot."
"Tonight is also the 50th birthday of the Cao family head, making it the perfect time to strike."
"This matter is well-suited for you, as a deputy commander born and raised in Luoshui County."
"Moreover, Deputy Commander Jiang, you have a personal grudge against the Cao family. This operation will allow you to settle your score."
"Deputy Commander Jiang, do you accept this order?"
Seeing Hong Minghu's serious expression, Jiang Ning cupped his hands. "I accept the order!"
"Good!" Hong Minghu grabbed a token from his waist and tossed it to Jiang Ning. "Take this token and go to the city guard outside the city. Have Commander Wang dispatch some troops to assist you. This matter must not go wrong!"
"Yes, sir!" Jiang Ning accepted the token and turned to leave.
At the same time, Ye Qiu stood up.
"Director, I'll go and give Deputy Commander Jiang a few more instructions."
"Very well," Hong Minghu nodded.
Inspector's Office.
Ye Qiu quickly caught up with Jiang Ning.
"Brother Jiang!"
"Brother Ye!" Jiang Ning turned around.
Ye Qiu looked at Jiang Ning with a serious expression. "Brother Jiang, have you offended Director Hong in some way?"
Jiang Ning nodded slightly and explained what had happened a few days ago.
"I see!" Ye Qiu suddenly understood.
Then he continued, "This is a good thing! Why did you refuse?"
Jiang Ning shook his head. "The Director's daughter is too young. I can't bring myself to do it."
Ye Qiu sighed. "Brother Jiang, what's the big deal? Fourteen is already a marriageable age in Great Xia!"
"And if you think she's too young, you can just wait a year or two, can't you?"
Jiang Ning shook his head again. "No."
"Ah!" Ye Qiu sighed. "Brother Jiang, your stubbornness will cause you trouble in the future. Offending Director Hong means he'll likely make things difficult for you."
Jiang Ning shook his head and said, "Brother Ye, I'll stop here. I still need to gather my subordinates. Tonight's operation can't be delayed!"
"Alright," Ye Qiu nodded, then added, "Be careful! If the God Worship Cult has a base in the Cao family, prioritize your safety!"
"Thank you for your concern, Brother Ye!" Jiang Ning cupped his hands and left.
As he walked, Jiang Ning couldn't help but recall Ye Qiu's words.
After a few moments of thought, he smiled and shook his head.
He was the type who responded better to kindness than force.
If Hong Minghu had approached him gently, he might have seriously considered the proposal.
However since Hong Minghu had chosen to be forceful, Jiang Ning had completely dismissed the idea.
Now that he had reached the seventh grade of martial arts, mastered dozens of strands of internal breath, and possessed the divine abilities to control water and summon rain, along with his miraculous status panel, why should he submit to Hong Minghu?
Given some time, what was Hong Minghu to him?
Meanwhile.
In the pavilion.
Ye Qiu had just returned.
"How did it go?" Hong Minghu asked.
Ye Qiu shook his head slightly. "Deputy Commander Jiang is quite stubborn and unwilling to yield."
"Fine," Hong Minghu shook his head, then added, "My daughter is beautiful and charming. I don't believe she won't be able to marry a martial arts prodigy on par with Jiang Ning!"
Hearing this, Ye Qiu smiled slightly but didn't respond.
Then, Ye Qiu said, "Deputy Commander Jiang is a prodigy. With such strength and achievements at such a young age, it's normal for him to have some pride."
"If the Director truly wants him as a son-in-law, perhaps a softer approach would work?"
Hong Minghu fell silent for a moment.
After a few breaths, he snorted. "Why should I, the Director, lower myself to him?"
Outside Luoshui County.
In the military camp.
Inside a large tent.
"Commander Wang!" Jiang Ning greeted the burly man with a general's belly.
"I know you, Jiang Ning!" Commander Wang smiled at Jiang Ning, then added, "Wang Jin has praised you many times."
Jiang Ning smiled. "That's just Master's kindness."
Commander Wang shook his head. "This isn't just kindness. Among the prodigies I've seen in my life, you rank in the top three."
Jiang Ning smiled but didn't humble himself.
Then, Commander Wang asked, "Jiang Ning, what brings you to my camp today?"
Jiang Ning immediately showed the token Hong Minghu had given him and explained the task assigned to him.
After a while, the two finished their discussion.
Commander Wang nodded. "This matter is no problem!"
Then, he called out to the tent's entrance.
"Deputy Tong!"
"Here!" The tent flap was pushed aside, and a burly man entered.
"Deputy Tong, accompany Deputy Commander Jiang to the city guard. Have them dispatch some troops to fully assist Deputy Commander Jiang!"
"Yes, sir!" Deputy Tong cupped his hands and acknowledged the order.
After giving his instructions, Commander Wang looked seriously at Jiang Ning.
"If you're the one handling this matter, you must be careful of Cao Rong."
"Cao Rong, with his bow, poses a threat comparable to a sixth-grade expert."
"Moreover, no matter what charges the Inspector's Office brings against him, it won't matter."
"Because the military doesn't answer to the Inspector's Office! You can't convict Cao Rong!"
Hearing this, Jiang Ning cupped his hands.
"Thank you, Commander Wang, for informing me of this."
A short while later.
As Jiang Ning left the tent, Commander Wang sighed.
"Luoshui County is about to undergo a major upheaval."
"I hope the God Worship Cult doesn't get mixed up with the Yellow Sky Sect."
"Otherwise, Luoshui County will truly be in chaos!"
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