Courtyard.
Jiang Li spoke up, "Little brother, what do you think Cao Bin's sudden visit and his actions today were all about?"
Jiang Ning, holding the gold leaf Cao Bin had just gifted, pondered for a moment before replying, "He likely came to express goodwill and ease tensions between us."
"Ease tensions?" Jiang Li nodded, seeming to understand. Then he asked, "So, what do you plan to do?"
After a brief moment of thought, Jiang Ning said, "I'll go along with his intentions for now. After all, Cao Bin represents the Cao family, and it wouldn't be wise to make an enemy of them at this point."
Hearing this, Jiang Li nodded repeatedly. "I support whatever decision you make, little brother!"
Jiang Ning smiled at his brother's words.
Jiang Li then added, "Little brother, I'll head back inside to check on your sister-in-law. I'll let her know that I'll be going out later to arrange a proper burial for Xu Yunfeng's mother."
"Alright," Jiang Ning nodded.
As Jiang Li returned to the house, the courtyard was left with only Jiang Ning.
Looking at the gold leaf in his hand, he fell into deep thought.
From Cao Bin's behavior today, it seems he's convinced that I was the one who killed Hong Chengtao and Xu Yunfeng. However, his decision to come and ease tensions was somewhat unexpected. But then again, I'm now under the protection of Shen Congyun and Wang Jin, and in Cao Bin's eyes, I'm no longer an insignificant ant he can crush at will. Naturally, this would lead him to make a different choice.
In Cao Bin's view, we're both respectable figures, not reckless bandits with our lives on the line. There's no need for absolute life-and-death conflict.
"This must be how 'respectable people' handle things," Jiang Ning thought with a smile.
"In that case, it's fine. At the very least, whether Cao Bin is trying to lower my guard or genuinely seeking peace, it gives me more time to grow stronger. The stronger I become, the better I'll be able to handle any challenges that come my way."
With these thoughts, Jiang Ning felt more at ease.
Two Days Later.
Canglang Martial Arts School.
Jiang Ning stood under the rising sun, practicing the breathing techniques of the Internal Elixir Cultivation Art. Now that this technique had reached the proficient level, his internal organs had undergone a higher level of refinement. However, absorbing the solar energy during sunrise and the early morning no longer increased his experience points.
In other words, only the more intense solar energy closer to noon could further refine his internal organs. This meant he now had to practice during the Chen hour (7-9 AM), extending his daily training to two hours.
[Internal Elixir Cultivation Art experience +1]
[Internal Elixir Cultivation Art experience +1]
[Internal Elixir Cultivation Art experience +1]
As he repeatedly absorbed the solar energy during the Chen hour, his experience points for the Internal Elixir Cultivation Art continued to rise.
In Jiang Ning's view, this technique was a daily necessity. Although it required two hours of practice each day, its importance was undeniable. It allowed him to cultivate both internally and externally, ensuring he would go further than others and become stronger at the same level.
Moreover, once he broke through to the next level of the Internal Elixir Cultivation Art, he would be able to condense internal energy within his body, leading to a significant transformation in his strength.
Soon, it was almost the end of the Chen hour. Jiang Ning opened his eyes and stopped absorbing solar energy.
[Skill]: Internal Elixir Cultivation Art (Proficient 387/2000)
After glancing at his progress, he shifted his gaze downward.
[Skill]: Indestructible Golden Body (89/1000)
"Wang Jin was right. Using the energy derived from the Five Animals Fist to push my qi and blood to refine my skin and absorb the medicinal power has indeed improved efficiency."
"Yesterday, I gained 45 experience points in a single day. At this rate, I'll reach the Stone Skin level in just over twenty days."
Thinking this, Jiang Ning couldn't help but marvel. "This is incredible!"
He then sighed inwardly, Even a genius like Cao Rong, according to rumors, took nearly half a year to reach this stage. And he, as the prodigy of the Cao family, had access to far more martial resources than I do.
This realization made Jiang Ning even more aware of the miraculous nature of his system. Without its assistance, given his natural talent, he would never have been able to progress so quickly.
After all, he was practicing the Indestructible Golden Body, a top-tier martial art from the Diamond Temple, one of the Great Xia's most prestigious sects. This technique was one of the best for refining the skin, surpassing ordinary methods by 30-50% in effectiveness. Naturally, each step was far more challenging, and the efficiency was lower.
Yet, after a simple calculation, Jiang Ning realized that his speed in refining his skin was not only slower than those so-called geniuses but much faster.
Courtyard.
Jiang Ning closed the gate to his courtyard and began removing his clothes. Hearing the sounds of training from the front courtyard, he couldn't help but shake his head in frustration.
"Buying a bigger house is becoming urgent. Practicing skin refinement here is just too awkward. I hope Senior Brother Cheng Ran brings me good news in the next day or two about a suitable house in the inner city."
In a few moments, he had stripped down to his shorts.
Then, he opened a box of skin-refining sand and began vigorously rubbing it all over his body, striving to turn his skin red so that the medicinal power could penetrate deeper. This would significantly increase the efficiency of his skin refinement.
Yesterday, he tried practicing without the skin-refining sand and found that his efficiency was halved. The difference between using and not using the sand was like night and day.
Moreover, he noticed that using the sand also increased the number of source energy points he gained each day, indicating that the sand contributed to his growth. This highlighted the importance of medicinal aids in martial training.
Last night, Jiang Ning had also realized that the skin-refining sand Shen Congyun had left him was running out. Since reaching the Ninth Grade of martial arts and achieving the Ox Skin level, he could now practice skin refinement five or six times a day, compared to only twice before.
This was because, at the Ox Skin level, the sand could no longer injure his skin, only turning it red. While this meant less medicinal absorption, it also meant he could practice more frequently without suffering external injuries.
At this rate, the remaining sand would only last another nine to ten days. After that, he would have to rely on himself.
As for Wang Jin, although he was his master and had already helped him a great deal, Jiang Ning felt it would be unreasonable to keep asking for more.
Half an Hour Later.
Jiang Ning took a deep breath, having finally rubbed the skin-refining sand over his entire body. He then assumed the fourth, fifth, and sixth stances of the Indestructible Golden Body, circulating his energy to push his qi and blood to refine his skin.
Near Noon.
Knock, knock, knock
A knocking sound suddenly came from the gate.
"Brother Jiang, it's me, Cheng Ran!"
Hearing Cheng Ran's voice, Jiang Ning quickly finished rinsing off and called out, "Brother Cheng, wait a moment. I'll be right out."
Outside the courtyard, Cheng Ran heard the sound of splashing water and couldn't help but feel puzzled.
Strange! Why is Jiang Ning bathing again? Yesterday he was bathing, and today he's bathing again? Since when did he become so obsessed with cleanliness?
Cheng Ran's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
Within a few dozen breaths, Jiang Ning had dressed and opened the gate.
With a clang, the red wooden gate swung open.
"Brother Jiang, guess what good news I've brought you?" Cheng Ran said with a smile.
Jiang Ning's eyes lit up. "Is it about the house?"
Cheng Ran's gaze fell on Jiang Ning's exposed arms and legs, which were bright red.
Hearing Jiang Ning's question, Cheng Ran nodded. "You guessed right! It is about the house. There are two properties, both with courtyards, located in the inner city."
"One is smaller, and the other is larger. Both meet the conditions you mentioned earlier."
As he spoke, Cheng Ran couldn't help but think, Is his skin red from refining his skin?
Jiang Ning, now interested, said, "Tell me more!"
"Alright," Cheng Ran replied, shaking his head to dispel his earlier thought. It's probably not that. Refining the skin requires perfect qi and blood. Jiang Ning shouldn't be at that level yet.
Then, Cheng Ran continued, "The smaller property is about one mu in size and should meet your requirements. It's listed for six hundred and forty-eight taels of silver."
"That expensive?" Jiang Ning couldn't help but exclaim.
Cheng Ran nodded. "It is a bit pricey. It's located in the center of the inner city, so the price is higher."
Jiang Ning asked, "What about the other property?"
Cheng Ran replied, "The other one is even more expensive. It's listed for one thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight taels and covers about five mu."
"Five mu? That's huge!" Jiang Ning was slightly surprised.
From what he knew, one mu was about 666 square meters, so five mu would be over 3,000 square meters. For a residential property, that was enormous almost like a manor.
Cheng Ran explained, "It is quite large, but it's located on the outskirts of the inner city, closer to the outer city. It's also near the Luo River, so the feng shui and scenery are excellent."
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