After leaving the martial arts school, Jiang Ning returned directly to his residence in the east of the city, near the Luo River.
Back in his courtyard, he glanced at his system panel.
[Skill]: Canglang Blade Technique (Proficient 1/200)
"My next plan is to focus on practicing the blade. Once the blade technique reaches Small Success, I can overlay three layers of force. At Great Success, I can overlay five layers of force."
"With my current efficiency in practicing the blade, I can temporarily set aside skin refinement and the Five Animals Fist to focus entirely on the blade. At most, it will take me a few days to break through to Small Success in the Canglang Blade Technique."
Having made up his mind, Jiang Ning drew his blade.
Whoosh
With a crisp sound, the longsword in his hand was unsheathed.
Just as he was about to start practicing, he stood on the small hill in his courtyard, gazing at the Luo River to the east, deep in thought.
The Canglang Blade Technique drew its inspiration from the relentless waves of rivers and seas. At this moment, the Luo River was turbulent, with strong winds and fierce waves. Even from his courtyard, Jiang Ning could feel the gusts of wind blowing from the lake.
"If this blade technique is inspired by the endless waves of rivers and seas, would practicing it in the water increase my efficiency?"
Thinking this, a glint of excitement flashed in Jiang Ning's eyes.
"It's worth a try!"
Having made his decision, Jiang Ning tossed the scabbard onto the grass nearby and leaped into action.
In a few bounds, he quickly left his courtyard, vaulted over the high wall, and arrived at a rocky shore.
Behind him was the large mansion he had recently purchased. In front of him was the turbulent Luo River.
Boom
Waves, driven by the strong wind, crashed toward him, splashing against the rocky shore and breaking into countless white foams.
Looking at the scene of fierce winds and raging waves, Jiang Ning took a deep breath.
In the next moment, he leaped forward.
Boom
With a terrifying burst of strength, the rocks beneath his feet shattered, and his body soared like a great bird, covering several meters in a single bound.
Landing on another rock, he pushed off again.
Boom
The rock beneath his feet cracked once more.
Repeating this several times, he plunged into the surging waters of the Luo River, holding his cold, gleaming blade.
As soon as he entered the water, Jiang Ning felt the waves rushing toward him, pushing him around like a washing machine.
"Such strong undercurrents!" Jiang Ning thought in amazement.
He struggled to adjust his posture and stabilize himself.
After about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, a sudden realization struck him.
Following the flow of the water, Jiang Ning quickly adjusted his posture.
At the same time, a notification appeared before him.
[Water Affinity experience +1]
[Skill]: Water Affinity (Beginner 1/100)
Seeing this on his panel, Jiang Ning suddenly understood.
"So that's it. I've inadvertently developed the Water Affinity skill. No wonder I feel more comfortable in the water now."
In the next moment, he began paddling vigorously, heading toward the deeper parts of the lake.
He needed to reach the deeper waters to practice his blade techniques freely. Near the shore, he risked being swept away by the waves and dashed against the rocks.
After a while, he had moved several dozen meters further into the lake.
"This should be enough."
Jiang Ning surfaced, glanced back at the shore, and muttered to himself.
Then he turned to look at the center of the lake, where the water stretched endlessly, like an ocean.
No one knew exactly how large the Luo River was, as it had never been fully measured. Some said it spanned over 70,000 square kilometers, others claimed it was 100,000 square kilometers, and some even said it was 200,000 to 300,000 square kilometers.
Which of these claims was true? No one knew for sure. But everyone living near the Luo River knew one thing: the lake was vast, unimaginably vast, seemingly without end.
Jiang Ning thought all these claims could be true or perhaps the Luo River was even larger than any of them suggested. In his previous life, he had visited the largest lake in the world, which covered over 300,000 square kilometers. And this was a world filled with wonders.
[Skill]: Water Affinity (Beginner 10/100)
Looking at his panel again, Jiang Ning thought to himself, "The experience points are growing so fast! At this rate, I should be able to reach Perfection and breakthrough in just a few days!"
In the next moment, he slowly trod water, allowing half of his body to rise above the surface.
Then he exhaled the stale air from his lungs.
Although he felt he could hold his breath for much longer after all, his lung capacity had become astonishingly large due to the refinement of his internal organs and the progress in his Internal Elixir Cultivation Art he decided to surface and take a few breaths to ensure he wouldn't be interrupted while practicing his blade techniques.
After three breaths, he had fully replenished his lungs with fresh air.
Then he dove back into the water.
[Water Affinity experience +1]
Another notification appeared before him, but Jiang Ning ignored it.
A moment later, after descending several meters, he gripped his blade and began recalling the movements of the Canglang Blade Technique.
In the next moment, he started practicing.
As his blade moved, cutting through the water, he felt the resistance of the currents and the undercurrents stirred by his movements.
At the same time, waves of undercurrents surged toward him.
Beneath the water, Jiang Ning's eyes gleamed with determination. He decided not to go with the flow but to fight against it.
With a surge of energy, he slashed through an undercurrent.
Then came another slash, and another.
Even as he battled the natural forces, he was also practicing the Canglang Blade Technique.
The undercurrents were endless, and so were his blade strikes, one after another, relentless and unyielding.
[Canglang Blade Technique experience +1]
[Water Affinity experience +1]
[Water Affinity experience +1]
[Canglang Blade Technique experience +1]
[Water Affinity experience +1]
[Water Affinity experience +1]
[Canglang Blade Technique experience +2]
[...]
[...]
Seeing the frequency of the notifications, Jiang Ning felt a surge of satisfaction.
Based on the rate of experience gained, he confirmed that practicing the blade in the lake was indeed effective.
Moreover, fighting against the undercurrents and natural forces gave him occasional insights and progress.
At the same time, while the Canglang Blade Technique experience was increasing, his Water Affinity experience was also growing rapidly.
With two skills improving simultaneously, he was reaping double the rewards, which naturally filled him with joy.
Half an Hour Later.
Jiang Ning emerged from the water.
Hah
Hah
He exhaled the stale air from his lungs and took deep, rapid breaths of fresh air.
After a few breaths, his rapid panting gradually subsided.
"Even while practicing the blade, I managed to hold my breath for half an hour. My lung capacity is truly extraordinary."
Jiang Ning murmured to himself, a look of satisfaction on his face.
This test of his lung capacity had left him extremely pleased.
Practicing the blade was an intense activity that consumed a lot of energy. Yet, even under such conditions, he had managed to hold his breath underwater for a full half-hour. How could he not be satisfied?
In a normal state, this meant he could hold his breath for at least two hours.
This had already surpassed the limits of ordinary humans.
In Jiang Ning's eyes, this was nothing short of supernatural.
[Skill]: Canglang Blade Technique (Proficient 11/100)
Looking at his panel again, Jiang Ning couldn't help but feel delighted.
"It's completely different!"
"Practicing the blade in the lake for just half an hour has already given me ten experience points in the Canglang Blade Technique!"
"At this rate, I can break through to Small Success in this blade technique today!"
"This efficiency is simply incredible!"
[Skill]: Firewood Chopping Technique (Third Breakthrough 4000/4000) (Traits: Versatility, Swift as the Wind, Mastery of the Blade)
[Mastery of the Blade]: Increases affinity with the blade and enhances talent in blade techniques.
"Perhaps this is also related to the new trait I gained after breaking through the Firewood Chopping Technique."
He glanced at the Firewood Chopping Technique entry on his panel and murmured to himself.
Then his gaze shifted slightly downward.
[Skill]: Water Affinity (Beginner 48/100)
"The growth rate of the Water Affinity skill is really fast. It's almost halfway there!"
"It seems practicing the blade in the lake is extremely beneficial for me!"
"I can simultaneously increase the experience of two skills, and I can look forward to the traits I'll gain after breaking through Water Affinity."
"After all, the first breakthrough only requires ten Source Energy points. With my current rate of Source Energy growth, I should have enough in three or four days!"
After fully replenishing his breath on the surface, Jiang Ning dove back into the lake to continue practicing his blade.
Another Half Hour Later.
[Skill]: Water Affinity (Proficient 0/200)
The moment Water Affinity broke through from Beginner to Proficient, Jiang Ning felt a significant change.
Amid the undercurrents, he could sense the changes in the water flow and easily adjust his posture.
Now, in the water, he felt as agile as a fish, completely at ease.
The unease he had felt earlier the sense of insecurity despite knowing the undercurrents couldn't harm him was gone.
With Water Affinity reaching the Proficient level, that unease had completely disappeared.
After testing his new abilities, Jiang Ning nodded in satisfaction.
The Water Affinity skill was, in his opinion, an extremely practical skill.
In the future, if he ever found himself in danger, his exceptional swimming skills would allow him to escape into the water like a fish returning to the sea. Who could catch him?
Thus, Jiang Ning placed great importance on this skill.
It was an incredibly practical ability, and the fact that it was so easy to level up made him even more satisfied.
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