After closing the panel,
Jiang Ning rose from his bed, put on his undergarment jacket, and then pushed open the room door.
The dawn's early light entered his vision, bringing with it a cool breeze tinged with the scent of flowers and grass, which Jiang Ning couldn't help but deeply inhale several times.
Hoo—
He then expelled all the impure energy that had accumulated in his abdomen overnight, instantly feeling a sense of lightness and pleasure throughout his body.
Next, Jiang Ning went to a corner of the courtyard to wash up.
The common people of this world typically did not have the habit of washing in the morning, but having lived in a civilized world in his previous life, Jiang Ning could not tolerate the taste in his mouth upon waking up.
Now without proper conditions, he could only resort to methods he had read about in books from his former life.
He took out willow twigs that had been soaked in water overnight, chewed them open with his teeth, and then used the soft, brush-like fibers to clean his teeth.
As he was becoming more skilled, the willows he bit became increasingly useful.
by the wall, Jiang Ning took crushed charcoal and rubbed it onto his teeth with his fingers, scrubbing them thoroughly before rinsing with water, after which he used the freshly bitten willow twig to clean his teeth once more.
After cleaning up, Jiang Ning huffed a breath and immediately nodded in satisfaction.
"Not bad at all!"
He then washed his face before standing naturally in the courtyard with his elbows relaxed at his sides.
Feeling the cool breeze mixed with the scent of flowers and grass against his face, Jiang Ning began to practice his boxing.
[Five Animals Fist Experience Value +1]
[Five Animals Fist Experience Value +1]
[Skill]: Five Animals Fist (Entry 90/100)
By the time he had finished practicing his boxing, the experience value of the Five Animals Fist had also reached 90 points.
At the same time, two streaks of Qi Blood Power were condensed and integrated into his body.
Hoo—
Hoo—
Jiang Ning took several breaths in quick succession, feeling his heart beating fiercely in his chest, and a smile unconsciously appeared on his face.
"Being able to practice the boxing sequence twice in one go, my physical strength has indeed reached a new level."
He clenched his fist again, feeling the freely circulating Qi Blood Power within his body.
By now, the Qi Blood Power accumulated through his physical strength had reached more than a hundred strands, and when pooled together, they could travel through parts of his arm.
Once the Qi Blood Power exploded, if channeled into his fists and arms, it could greatly increase the force he could muster in a short burst, and if channeled into his legs and feet, it could significantly boost his speed for a short duration.
The power of Qi-Blood is the most potent source of strength for a martial artist.
"I'll go test my own strength later!"
...
8:00 a.m.
After breakfast, Jiang Ning made his way to the front gate of the courtyard.
Boom—
As he unlocked and pushed open the massive doors of the Martial Arts Hall, the friction between the door and the ground transmitted a slight vibration beneath his feet.
"Brother Jiang is still as punctual as ever," commented a man donned in a white training outfit, gently waving a folding fan in his hand with a faint, playful smile on his lips.
"Brother Cheng Ran!" Jiang Ning replied with a smile.
Having arrived at the Canglang Martial Arts Hall more than two days earlier and consistently practicing in the front courtyard, he naturally got to know some people.
Of all these, Brother Cheng Ran was who he got along with best.
The others, who trained in the front courtyard, weren't openly hostile towards him but they didn't exactly welcome him either.
After all, those who had the resources to join the Canglang Martial Arts Hall were mostly young people from the Inner City.
They formed their own circle, familiar with each other.
And the few young men from the Outer City were eagerly trying to integrate into the Inner City disciples' circle.
Making connections with the wealthy scions of the Inner City represented a network and resource.
For Jiang Ning, naturally, he saw no point in engaging with them.
But Cheng Ran was different; although he was from the Inner City, he was quite fond of making friends and there were no ordinary disciples in the entire Canglang Martial Arts Hall he didn't know.
He had taken the initiative to make friends during Jiang Ning's previous days of training.
Faced with such a goodwill gesture, Jiang Ning naturally had no reason to refuse.
One more friend always meant one more opportunity.
Why then would he refuse?
...
Moments later,
In the front courtyard of the Martial Arts Hall.
"Silence!" Wang Jin came out from the back courtyard.
His short jacket outlined his muscular frame, giving him an exaggerated, dragon-like appearance.
Suddenly,
There was complete silence.
"Today, an opportunity is before you!"
Upon hearing the word "opportunity," everyone's eyes lit up.
Wang Jin scanned the crowd, like a king of beasts surveying his territory, then he nodded in satisfaction.
"Do you know what opportunity is?"
"I know!" someone spoke up.
"You do not know!" Wang Jin's tone was even yet forceful.
He continued, "Opportunity is what can change your fate, allow you to leap over the dragon gate, to step out of this world."
At these words, everyone's eyes shone even brighter with eagerness.
Seeing the fervent gazes of the crowd, Wang Jin nodded with even greater satisfaction.
He then said, "Are you aware of the recent upheavals in the world, with people's hearts unsettled, and natural and man-made disasters occurring incessantly? How frequently have apparitions like the God Worship Sect surfaced?"
"I know!" another voice chimed in. "As far as I'm aware, just last year in Zeshan State there was a mid-sized rebellion and five smaller ones. The purges were relentless, endless, and nearly ten varieties of cults worshipping the Evil God emerged."
Wang Jin glanced at the speaker, then nodded slightly, "That's right!"
"Therefore, at the beginning of the year, the Emperor, together with the only Martial Saint of this era, issued an imperial edict. In every state, prefecture, and county throughout the realm, an Inspection Office must be established to patrol the Nine States and supervise the people."
"The Inspection Office is led by the only Martial Saint of our time, who has the authority to execute first and report later, regarding any cult worshipping the Evil God or culprit causing public unrest, regardless of their origins or status—even if they are of noble birth!"
"This edict will reach Luoshui County one month from now! By the end of the year, every state, prefecture, and county must have established their Inspection Offices."
"The personnel of the Inspection Offices are currently being selected from various martial arts halls and factions in Luoshui County—only those of clear background and outstanding talent and strength."
"This is a phenomenal opportunity for all of you! You must know that in martial arts cultivation, wealth, companions, methods, and location are indispensable for fierce and rapid progress!"
"Be aware that the owner of the title 'Inspector' is the only Martial Saint of our time, the Martial Saint who has dominated the world for over eight hundred years. Within the Inspection Office, cultivation techniques range from the foundational methods of building Qi-Blood for Martial Arts Entry all the way to the Supreme Secret Methods for masters seeking Blood Transmutation or Great Grandmasters cultivating their spirits."
"All kinds of treasures and foundational martial arts methods are available!"
"All this is completely beyond your reach here in Luoshui County."
"Joining the Inspection Office can even grant you personal guidance from the Martial Saint himself!"
At this last statement, the martial arts hall erupted.
Countless people's eyes blazed with intense desire.
The words "Martial Saint."
To anyone, they were as awe-inspiring as gods and immortals recorded in ancient texts.
Centenarians might live to see five generations under one roof.
But the Martial Saint—who dominated the world for eight hundred years—that's something incomparably more formidable.
Sweeping his gaze over the crowd once more, Wang Jin nodded with satisfaction.
"Those who enter the Inspection Office must be under thirty, come from a family of good standing, and possess at least the strength of Martial Arts Entry."
"Canglang Martial Arts Hall has been given five nomination quotas, four of which are already allocated for your three martial brothers and one martial sister!"
"Now there's one quota left for you to compete for."
"In three months, whoever achieves Great Success in two of the Five Animals Fists and Qi Blood Perfection, completing the Martial Arts Entry criteria, will be accepted as my Direct Disciple along with your fellow martial brothers. The Disciple Acceptance Ceremony will be announced throughout Luoshui County, and you will, representing my face, Wang Jin, enter the Inspection Office."
"Remember, the quota for entry is limited, and there will certainly be trials at the time of entering. You'll need to compete with other powers! This is a chance to leap over the dragon gate! No one will give up on it!"
"Entering the Inspection Office will inevitably involve extensive combat and struggle, which is a crisis for those not adept at fighting!"
At this moment.
Jiang Ning listened silently, his eyes burning with a fierce determination.
Direct Disciple, entering the Inspection Office.
This was a colossal opportunity.
What does "Direct Disciple" mean? It refers to the transmission of the mantle, a status not just below that of a blood-related child, but often even above it.
And the Inspection Office, with the authority to execute first and report later, from its description, it's known to be an enforcement agency of extremely high status.
If compared with government departments from history in previous lives, the power here is even greater and more profound than the infamous Jinyi Guard.
The Jinyi Guard, the name alone would strike fear into the heart of anyone with a bit of knowledge about history.
Not to mention that the Inspection Office holds a position even above that of the formidable Jinyi Guard, and the benefits it offers are far greater.
As the saying goes, 'It's good to shelter under a big tree.'
In this world of Great Xia, what bigger tree is there than that of the current only Martial Saint?
That is an existence terrifying enough to suppress the fate of Great Xia for over eight hundred years, a power likened to a one-man nation.
Once I can enter the Inspection Office, my status will be no longer what it is now.
Even if my strength is inadequate, with the backing of the Inspection Office, I can face the local major families without fear.
Supervising the world, patrolling the Nine States, the power to kill first and report later—that power is too great, immense!!!
The cultivation manuals, divine weapons, and treasures—the benefits are also too great, immense!!!
At this moment, Jiang Ning clenched his fists tightly.
Within three months, I must reach Qi Blood Perfection and Martial Arts Entry.
Only then can I become Wang Jin's Direct Disciple and have the credentials to enter the Inspection Office.
If I can't get into the Inspection Office, even with Martial Arts Entry, I wouldn't be afraid of Xu Yunfeng.
However, behind Xu Yunfeng stands Cao Bin and the Cao family.
In the face of the powerful Cao family, should conflict arise, Martial Arts Entry would at most allow me to protect myself.
But to become Wang Jin's Direct Disciple is another matter, enough to make him hesitate.
Not to mention entering the Inspection Office.