In the study.
Jiang Ning
came to the side of the bookcase again, took out two books related to the imperial examination, and picked up a book about the basics of Martial Arts that he had just seen.
His knowledge of the basics of Martial Arts was still severely lacking.
Just as in the case of Martial Arts Nine Grade, what exactly was Martial Arts Nine Grade?
How big was the gap between him and the Martial Saint?
Why was the Martial Saint so formidable, leaving behind countless legends over hundreds of years?
He was not very clear about all of this.
Moreover, he still had plans for next year's imperial examination.
With a title added to his name, he could receive the protection of the Great Xia Court.
Having a title would make it easier to be reused in the Inspection Office, an official institution.
After all, the authority of the Inspection Office was to supervise the citizens, pursue the God Worship Sect, and have the power to execute before reporting in stirring and instigating rebellions.
These were not matters that could be resolved by mere fighting and killing.
Thus, naturally, people with both literary and martial talents would be reused above.
"Moreover, with titles, I can enter the County City Temple to worship, receive a baptism of literary aura to strengthen my Divine Soul and enhance my spiritual power, which is also of great help to my Martial Arts path."
Jiang Ning held those three books in his hand, then walked out of the study.
"It's already midnight, huh!"
He looked up at the bright moonlight overhead and muttered to himself.
"It's time to go back to sleep!"
...
The next morning.
[Name]: Jiang Ning
[Source Energy]: 6.0
[Skills]:
Reading and Writing (Break Limit once 196/2000) (Trait: unforgettable)
Five Animals Fist (Master 17/200)
Chopping Wood Blade Skill (Great Success 109/1000)
Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill (Not started 0/100)
Opening the panel, Jiang Ning saw that the Source Energy Points had changed again.
"The Source Energy increased by 0.6 yesterday, which undoubtedly confirms my previous hypothesis."
Remembering how he had eaten one-third of the Wild Ginseng yesterday, he once again affirmed his previous judgment.
The increase in Source Energy Points was related to the energy he consumed.
The more energy consumed, and the higher its quality, the more apparent the increase in Source Energy Points became.
Just as when he first arrived in this world and spent two months at home recuperating, he mainly had a simple diet before he could eat meat, so the daily increase in Source Energy Points fluctuated between 0.1 and 0.2.
In most cases, it was an increase of 0.1 Source Energy Point.
Only on days when the meals improved, and he could eat meat, did the increase become 0.2 Source Energy Points.
At that time, he had this hypothesis, but due to insufficient sample size, he was not yet certain.
Now, with the increase in martial practice, food intake, improvement in meals, and medicinal supplements like Wild Ginseng, apart from the first day of martial practice where he gained only 0.3 Source Energy Points, the subsequent days saw an increase of 0.5 points each.
And yesterday, his intake increased again. He ate an amount of Wild Ginseng that would have lasted him one and a half days before, thus his acquisition of Source Energy Points broke new ground, creating a new high.
An increase of 0.6 in a day!
"Unfortunately, starting today, without the supplement of Wild Ginseng, the speed of gaining Source Energy Points will begin to slow down! If the increase continues at 0.6 points, another week would allow my Source Energy Points to accumulate over 10 points."
"10 Source Energy Points would allow me to Break Limit on the Chopping Wood Blade Skill!"
"Breaking the Blade Skill's Limit, the added trait will undoubtedly enhance my combat power! Joining the Inspection Office, as Wang Jin said, will involve tests and skirmishes. Not only is the Martial Arts Entry important, but combat power is also undeniably crucial."
Jiang Ning fully understood the entrance test for the Inspection Office.
After all, considering its powers, the Inspection Office was clearly a violent institution!
Thus, it was very normal to have fighting and testing for entry!
Merely being at the Martial Arts Entry level couldn't represent one's outstanding combat strength!
Some at the Martial Arts Entry level existed merely by practicing all day long, spending their whole lives without ever fighting. This was not very rare.
How could such people qualify to join the Inspection Office?
And how could they be competent?
...
After washing up.
Jiang Ning sat quietly in the courtyard, waiting for the rising sun.
This was because the time for practicing the Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill was during the early sunrise and until it fully rose.
According to the records in that damaged page, before one could begin with the Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill, it could only be practiced specifically at this time and by following the Breathing and Exhaling Method mentioned in the records.
At this time, as the early sun rises, there would be a certain energy extremely active within the world, fiery yet gentle, and only during this time could this energy be cultivated into the belly to refine the internal organs.
Once the sun completely rose, that energy would instantly become terrifyingly intense, and any bit inhaled would cause the internal organs to burn.
Only when the cultivation technique progressed further could one try absorbing this natural energy from sunrise to 5:00-7:00.
And to reach Perfection in the cultivation technique and meld the inner core, one must absorb midday's earthly energies, thus embodying "refining the Golden Core with alchemical fire."
When Jiang Ning saw these explanations initially, it felt like a mystic Immortal cultivation technique.
But recalling various miscellaneous records seen before, in the Ancient Times, Immortals and Great Demons abounded.
Great Xia was the first dynasty after the end of the Ancient Times.
Thinking of this made Jiang Ning feel even more that there were countless secrets in this world.
Just then.
Golden light bathed a myriad of clouds, and the distant skies were shrouded in colorful auspicious clouds.
Jiang Ning instantly focused, looking up, his eyes firmly fixed on the bright, fiery sun that had just appeared.
He then began to practice the Breathing and Exhaling Method described in the Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill.
With each breath, Jiang Ning felt a stream of warmth enter his belly through his nostrils.
The warmth integrated within his organs, making his entire body feel as though it was soaking in a hot spring.
"Is it because I possess such high natural talent, or is it the merit of the panel, that I caught this subtle energy on my first attempt at practicing the Breathing and Exhaling Method?"
This fleeting thought passed through Jiang Ning's mind.
He then slowly exhaled the stale energy that had passed through his organs.
[Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill experience +1]
He then practiced the Breathing and Exhaling Method again, intently watching the continually rising bright sun and inhaled.
In a moment, he felt another stream of warmth flow into his belly along with the inhaled Pure Qi.
[Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill experience +1]
[Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill experience +1]
[Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill experience +2]
[...]
From its initial rise to full ascension, the sun took only a mere forty seconds.
In the last two seconds before the sun was fully risen, Jiang Ning stopped practicing the Breathing and Exhaling Method of the Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill.
At this moment, Jiang Ning felt as if his internal organs were immersed in a hot spring, the warmth spreading from his organs to his whole body, and his Qi-Blood also circulated spontaneously within him.
At this moment, his body temperature was much higher than that of an ordinary person, his skin somewhat hot.
Jiang Ning closed his eyes to quietly feel the changes in his body.
After tens of breaths, his body returned to normal.
He then slowly opened his eyes.