In the martial arts hall courtyard.
After actively stimulating the latent potential within his body, Jiang Ning moved.
Boom
The muscles in his legs suddenly exerted force, and the soil beneath his feet exploded as if hit by a cannonball, scattering in all directions.
The wind whistled past his ears.
If someone had been watching, they would have seen Jiang Ning moving at an incredible speed within the small courtyard, seemingly defying inertia as he darted back and forth.
The gusts of wind generated by his movements occasionally swept up leaves and dust from the surroundings.
After a short while, Jiang Ning came to an abrupt stop.
The soil and gravel beneath his feet were kicked up into the air.
He clenched his fist again, feeling that his body was still in a state of immense vitality.
It was as if he had taken a large dose of stimulants, giving him an overwhelming urge to release this pent-up energy.
"Is this what it feels like to fully unlock the body's potential?" Jiang Ning murmured to himself.
He could feel that, in this state, he seemed tireless, with both his strength and speed significantly increased.
It was as if he had entered a state of frenzy.
This state even affected his mind, making him somewhat impulsive.
Jiang Ning fully understood this.
The human body is, after all, controlled by various hormones.
For example, the secretion of dopamine can bring immense pleasure.
The release of adrenaline can greatly enhance physical functions, making one fearless of pain and seemingly tireless.
By stimulating his body's potential, it was only natural that various substances would be secreted.
Then, with a slight thought, Jiang Ning's reddish skin gradually returned to normal, and his body temperature began to drop.
His dilated pupils also returned to their usual state.
Under the control of his spiritual energy, the potential he had activated within his body slowly deactivated, and his body gradually returned to normal.
After a short while, when everything had completely calmed down, he suddenly felt a sense of emptiness and weakness, and his legs felt slightly unsteady.
It was as if he had spent an entire night in a brothel.
Jiang Ning returned to his room and picked up a bottle of medicinal wine that had been given to him by a disciple of the martial arts hall.
Gulp
He took a large swig.
Instantly, he felt the fiery liquor burn its way down his throat and into his stomach.
The strong alcohol felt like fire as it spread through his body.
A layer of fine sweat broke out on his skin.
At the same time, Jiang Ning felt his strength gradually returning, and his depleted stamina slowly recovering.
"It seems that actively stimulating my potential can't be used too frequently. It has a significant negative impact on the body."
"After just a short period of activation, I already feel various discomforts in my body."
"One can only imagine the negative effects of prolonged activation of this potential."
Jiang Ning then thought it over and found it quite normal.
The law of conservation of energy governs all things.
Such a powerful burst of energy would naturally consume a large amount of the body's stored resources.
It was only natural that there would be some aftereffects after such an outburst.
Thinking back to the state of invincibility he had felt after activating his potential, Jiang Ning couldn't help but smile.
"The effect is indeed strong. This is a very practical technique!"
He glanced at his status panel again.
[Skill]: Inner Alchemy Cultivation (Proficient 0/2000)
"I still need 2,000 experience points to break through to the next level."
"At the next level, my Inner Alchemy Cultivation will further enhance the strength and function of my internal organs, and I will also master a special technique related to internal energy."
Jiang Ning thought to himself.
The thought of this made him even more eager for the day when his Inner Alchemy Cultivation would reach the next level.
By then, his strength would undoubtedly see a significant improvement.
After waiting for the medicinal wine to take effect, Jiang Ning took out the gifts given to him by the martial arts disciples the previous day and began to sort through them.
After a short while, he finished counting.
The silver and silver notes were piled together.
"Approximately 138 taels of silver in total!"
"Now that my Qi and blood have reached perfection, I should visit Wanhua Tower today."
"Before Shen Congyun left, he instructed me to visit Lin Qingyi, the master of Wanhua Tower, once my Qi and blood were perfected. He left something there for me."
"Now that my Qi and blood are perfected, it's time to visit Lin Qingyi!"
"After all, according to Wang Jin, the Inspectorate will open in less than two months."
"If I want to qualify to join the Inspectorate, I must reach the ninth rank of martial arts."
These thoughts quickly flashed through Jiang Ning's mind, and he made up his decision.
He would visit Wanhua Tower later and also return home to give the 100-plus taels of silver to his elder brother, Jiang Li.
After all, since Jiang Li lost his right arm, he had been supporting the entire family. Additionally, he had borrowed a lot of money from Constable Feng to fund Jiang Ning's martial arts training.
Although Constable Feng had said there was no rush to repay the debt, given Shen Congyun's influence, Jiang Ning knew he couldn't take that for granted.
There was no need to owe such a small favor.
Moreover, for Jiang Ning now, this small amount of silver was of little use.
A hundred taels of silver would last him only a few days, but giving it to his elder brother and sister-in-law could significantly improve their living conditions.
Having made up his mind, Jiang Ning got up and left his room.
He stepped into the courtyard and looked up at the sun.
After glancing at the sundial in the courtyard, he knew the current time.
It was just past 7:30 in the morning.
Still early!
It was still within the optimal time for practicing his Inner Alchemy Cultivation after reaching the Proficient level.
But thinking about the changes his internal organs had undergone after the recent breakthrough, Jiang Ning shook his head.
"Forget it! I won't practice today."
"I'll take a day off to let my internal organs recover."
"After all, absorbing solar essence and the burning sensation it brings places a significant burden on my internal organs."
In the front courtyard of the martial arts hall.
Jiang Ning appeared here and then walked over to the corner where the stone locks were kept.
"Let's test my current strength differently."
Having made up his mind, he crouched slightly, bent his waist, and firmly grasped a 500-jin stone lock.
Then, with a burst of strength from his arms, the 500-jin stone lock was instantly lifted and raised above his head.
"Feels a bit too easy!" he said.
He then tossed the stone lock a few centimeters into the air and caught it again as it fell.
"Too easy!"
He sighed and then put the stone on lockdown.
Next, he grabbed the stone lock with one arm, and it lifted off the ground again.
When he raised it to shoulder height, he immediately felt significant pressure.
"Up!"
With a light shout, his right arm exerted force, and his muscles bulged.
The 500-jin stone lock was successfully lifted above his head.
After a few breaths, he slowly lowered the stone lock.
Thud
As soon as the stone lock touched the ground, it made a dull sound, and Jiang Ning felt a slight vibration.
After completing the test, Jiang Ning had a rough understanding of his current strength.
He thought to himself, "My current single-arm strength is around 800 to 900 jin. Ordinary martial artists who have perfected their Qi and blood, like Cheng Ran, usually have a strength of just over 500 jin, rarely exceeding 600 jin."
"Ordinary martial artists who have just reached the ninth rank and have tempered their skin usually have a strength of around 700 to 800 jin."
"This means that, in terms of pure strength, I'm already on par with ordinary ninth-rank martial artists."
"Among those who have perfected their Qi and blood, my strength is overwhelming. Only those born with extraordinary strength and who practice martial arts could match me at this level!"
Thinking this, Jiang Ning felt quite satisfied.
His efforts over the past few days had yielded excellent results.
This level of strength gave him a sense of security.
At the very least, he no longer had to fear Xu Yunfeng.
Even if he encountered someone like Cao Bin, who had fully tempered his skin, Jiang Ning was confident he could hold his own.
As for Cao Rong, he knew he was still far from matching him.
Cao Rong was a peak seventh-rank martial artist, not far from reaching the sixth rank, and his strength was slightly above Wang Jin's.
In terms of age, Cao Rong's strength placed him within the top ten in Luoshui County.
Cao Rong's ability to draw his bow and shoot arrows that created sonic booms was terrifying.
Jiang Ning knew he was no match for Cao Rong at this point.
However, Jiang Ning wasn't particularly worried about Cao Rong.
After all, Cao Rong had already left Luoshui County and returned to Dongling City, the capital of Dongling Prefecture. Jiang Ning had known this for a while.
Moreover, Cao Rong was a military man and would only return to Luoshui County during his next vacation, which was still far off.
By then, Jiang Ning would be a completely different person.
After all, he had only been practicing martial arts for a little over a month, not even a full month and a half.
After resting for a while, Jiang Ning continued practicing his fist techniques.
In the county government office.
"Greetings, Officer Cao!" Xu Yunfeng said respectfully.
Cao Bin spoke, "Do you know why I've come to see you today?"
Xu Yunfeng shook his head, "I do not, sir."
Cao Bin said, "Do you want to join the Inspectorate?"
"I do! If I can join the Inspectorate, I will serve you with all my heart and soul!" Xu Yunfeng's eyes lit up, filled with hope.
Cao Bin nodded slightly.
"Then I'll give you a chance, a chance that will require you to risk your life."
"Please speak, sir!" Xu Yunfeng said respectfully.
Cao Bin said, "I want you to resign from your position as a constable today. Then, take my identity token and go to the Green Snake Gang. Take over as the leader of the fourth hall. No matter what methods you use, deal with Jiang Ning and Jiang Li, and bring Liu Wanwan to me."
"If you can do this, I'll give you this opportunity."
"If you fail, I'll take your head to Canglang Martial Arts Hall and offer a belated apology to Jiang Ning and Wang Jin."
Xu Yunfeng listened quietly to these words, then looked up at Cao Bin.
"Sir, leave this matter to me. I will handle it properly."
"But..."
Before Xu Yunfeng could finish, Cao Bin said, "No buts! You don't need to worry about the consequences. What can Shen Congyun do? My elder brother is about to reach the sixth rank. Would he break Wanhua Tower's rules again and antagonize the Cao family over a dead man?"
"My arrangements are already giving him enough face on the surface."
"Shen Congyun is a smart man. Smart men know how to take the steps offered to them."
Xu Yunfeng stood respectfully to the side, listening to these words.
He then bowed and said, "Since you've thought this through thoroughly, I have no more concerns. Rest assured, sir, I will handle this matter properly."
Cao Bin, upon hearing this, sat calmly in his chair, sipping tea with an air of composure.
Then, he put down the teacup and took out a gold and jade token from his body.
The token was engraved with a large character: "Cao."
"Take this token to Shi Xiaoyuan, the leader of the Green Snake Gang, and deliver my message. He will fully cooperate with you."
"Yes, sir!" Xu Yunfeng took the token and bowed.
Cao Bin then picked up his teacup again, looking completely at ease.
"Dismissed!"
As he finished speaking, Cao Bin added, "Remember, when dealing with Jiang Ning, make sure no one sees you. It's best to leave no evidence."
"Yes, sir! I understand!" Xu Yunfeng bowed and left.
After exiting the room, Xu Yunfeng's eyes revealed a trace of disdain, a disdain for Cao Bin.
"What a fool!"
"That kid Jiang Ning is so highly regarded by Shen Congyun that he is willing to break Wanhua Tower's rules to help him. This shows that Jiang Ning must be extremely special, with extraordinary martial arts talent."
"To risk making enemies with a martial arts prodigy like Jiang Ning and a powerful figure like Shen Congyun for the sake of momentary pleasure is utterly foolish."
"He doesn't even know how to turn enemies into friends!"
"If I succeed, fine. But if I fail..."
Thinking of the consequences, Xu Yunfeng felt even more disdain for Cao Bin.
A man who can't even control his lower body is truly worthless.
In Xu Yunfeng's eyes, Cao Bin was only where he was because of his privileged birth as a member of the Cao family's main branch. Otherwise, a fool like Cao Bin would never have achieved his current status or strength.
As a direct descendant of the Cao family, Cao Bin had access to countless resources, yet he was still stuck at the ninth rank of martial arts, with fully tempered skin, in his thirties.
What a waste!
At the same time, Xu Yunfeng clenched his fists and swore to himself.
"I must change my fate!"
"I must climb up, step by step!"
"I must join the Inspectorate!"
"This is my chance to change my destiny!"
"Jiang Ning, I'm sorry! I need to borrow your head!"
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