In the study.
Jiang Ning slowly walked along the bookshelf placed on the floor, his gaze swiftly sweeping over the titles of the books on the shelves.
One row, two rows, three rows.
After he had looked through the three rows of bookshelves, he had a general understanding of the collection in Wang Jin's study.
Among these three rows of bookshelves, there were books on governance, worldly affairs, various scriptures and examinations, medical and herbal studies, and a row dedicated to books on Martial Arts.
He had briefly glanced at those books on Martial Arts; most were subpar Martial Arts Skill books, with only the top shelf holding a few books on Lower Martial Arts Skills.
He had just briefly pulled one out and glanced through it, knowing that studying them would indeed be somewhat helpful.
However, Jiang Ning knew his own way of cultivation; he should specialize rather than be greedy.
For him, biting off more than he could chew was not an option.
In his hands, any Cultivation Technique could reach the Realm of Perfection, and it was only after Breaking Limits that the miraculous and mystifying aspects appeared.
Not only would the effects be greatly enhanced, but they would also acquire certain extraordinary traits.
Like the Reading and Writing Skill, breaking its limits not only made his thoughts move faster and increased his spiritual power but most importantly, granted him the unforgettable trait.
This trait was also of great help to him.
Thus, he would not forsake the Experience Value of the Reading and Writing Skill, and practicing this Skill didn't conflict at all with his Martial Arts practice.
After all, a person's physical endurance is limited!
If one practices excessively, no amount of tonic medicine will prevent a collapse.
Moreover, reading enlightens the mind and clarifies reason.
But most importantly, it clarifies the Divine Soul.
Divine refers to Essence, Qi, and Spirit, which also includes spiritual power and the Divine Soul.
Thoroughly studying scriptures and increasing knowledge can enhance spiritual power and strengthen the Divine Soul; these are the rules of this world.
Scholars of the Daoist path, whose Yin Gods can leave their bodies to wander the world, can travel from Kunlun in the morning to Mount Chang at dusk.
They can even use their Divine Souls to manipulate the forces of nature, and their strength should not be underestimated.
This is also what the court officials rely on.
At the same time, many books mention the importance of the Divine, which is an essential path for those pursuing advanced levels of Martial Arts.
However, very few Martial Arts Strongmen choose this path to strengthen their Divine Souls because academic achievement requires extremely high talent and decades of diligent study.
Jiang Ning knew that if it weren't for his powerful abilities, he wouldn't be able to manage both literature and Martial Arts.
Now that he could study literature, he would not give it up.
As long as he kept breaking the limits of the Reading and Writing Skill, he would eventually reach the Realm of the Yin God, which would greatly aid his growth in Martial Arts.
But for him, his time and energy in a day were limited; specializing in one or two Cultivation Techniques and Skills was his best choice.
Only in this way could he maximize the Experience Value, perfect his Skills quickly, and then Break Limits.
Every time a Cultivation Technique broke its limits, it brought significant changes, and traits were what Jiang Ning particularly valued.
Various thoughts fluttered through his mind, and suddenly, his gaze sharpened.
"Luoshui County Intelligence Compilation"
"Great Xia Rebellion Summary"
He also spotted an exceptionally eye-catching torn page next to these two volumes.
In the next moment,
He strode in three steps and reached the desk, his gaze directly landing on the torn page; his intuition told him this page was extraordinary.
"Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill"
Seeing the five characters on the torn page, his gaze swiftly moved down.
On the page, there were only a few hundred characters.
But Jiang Ning spent the time it takes to drink a cup of tea just reading those few hundred characters.
After a long while.
He sighed—
He exhaled lightly and set down the torn page in his hand.
A golden core swallowed into his belly, my fate controlled by no one but myself!
"What lofty intentions! Such a profound Inner Strength Method!"
"Unfortunately!"
"Unfortunately, it's just a torn page."
Jiang Ning silently shook his head.
Having read the torn page, he understood just how exceptional the Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill was.
According to his knowledge, in the Martial Arts system, there were realms involving skin, flesh, tendons, bones, and Inner Strength fostering the inner organs to produce Inner Breath.
And the Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill, it was an Inner Strength Method originating from the Daoist sects.
If practiced long term, this method could prolong one's life and slow aging.
If successful, it could even generate Inner Breath, providing enduring strength that continued incessantly.
If this skill reached Perfection, it would culminate in forming an inner core in the body's Dantian, achieving the stated goal of a golden core swallowed into the belly, my fate controlled by no one but myself.
Later, one could absorb the spiritual mechanism of Heaven and Earth, completing the transformation from physical body to Inner Strength in just a few months.
This was a practice method from certain branches of the Daoist sects, cultivating disposition before life.
"Unfortunately, the information recorded here only covers the breathing techniques, which can barely be considered introductory level. No wonder Wang Jin carelessly left this torn page on the table."
After memorizing the text on the torn page, Jiang Ning replaced it on Wang Jin's desk.
[Skill]: Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill (Not Initiated 0/100)
"One hundred points?"
Staring at his panel, Jiang Ning's gaze suddenly sharpened.
Just for an initiation, it required a hundred Experience Value points—was this Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill really so extraordinary?
His eyes showed a hint of surprise at this moment.
It must be due to being a high-level cultivation technique; thus, I must not overlook this method.
With the panel in place, perhaps the torn page wouldn't hinder advancing this cultivation technique.
After briefly pondering, Jiang Ning felt this speculation might very well be true.
Break Limit—that effect of breaking norms, creating something from nothing.
Not to mention the effect of completing the torn page.
The two compared, the difficulty of completing the torn page was not on the same level.
Wang Jin, in his pursuit of extending his life and maintaining his physical functions, had located this torn page, which indicated that somewhere in the world, a complete record of the Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill existed.
However, Break Limit was different; it shattered common cognition.
Immediately, his gaze returned to the two scrolls in front of him.
He picked up one of the scrolls and scanned it.
[Xia Rebellion Summary]
Xia Calendar 839 year, early January, rebellion erupted in Boshan County, insurgents breached the county town, sweeping through three counties, later suppressed by the belatedly arriving Xuan Armor Army.
Xia Calendar 839 year, early January, Baishan Village was annihilated by the insurgents, sweeping through two towns, later dispersed by the stationed army from Shishan County.
Xia Calendar 839 year, mid-January...
...
Jiang Ning read line by line, growing increasingly astonished as he read.
Because the records here included several uprisings that occurred in Zeshan State.
Zeshan State, rich in water and mountains, thus named.
After a long while, having finished the scroll, Jiang Ning slowly withdrew his gaze, his mind suddenly clear as to why Great Xia had the Martial Saint establish the Inspection Office.
Just last year, Zeshan State alone had witnessed a total of six uprisings, both large and small.
And that was just the occurrences within one state of Zeshan, while Great Xia contained Nine States, with Zeshan's frequency of rebellion ranking towards the middle-lower end.
One could only imagine how many uprisings occurred throughout the entirety of Great Xia last year.