By the Luo River.
Under the moonlight, Jiang Ning leaped a few times and returned from the rocky shore to his courtyard.
Entering the kitchen, he was immediately greeted by the aroma of food and the crackling sound of burning firewood.
Creak
The kitchen door opened as Jiang Ning pushed it.
"Big brother?" Seeing the man cooking in the kitchen, Jiang Ning was slightly surprised.
Jiang Li, who had been hunched over, suddenly jerked upright, clearly startled by Jiang Ning's voice.
He turned around and saw Jiang Ning standing at the kitchen door.
Jiang Li grinned. "Little brother!"
Then his expression changed slightly. "What happened to you?"
At this moment, Jiang Ning's clothes were soaked through, and water dripped continuously from his body. A puddle had formed at the kitchen door from the water dripping off him.
Hearing Jiang Li's question, Jiang Ning smiled faintly.
"Nothing much. I just went into the water to practice my blade techniques, so my clothes got wet."
Jiang Li breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, I see!"
Then he quickly stood up. "You must be hungry after practicing for so long. I kept the food warm for you. Eat it while it's hot!"
"Alright," Jiang Ning nodded calmly.
But deep down, he was moved.
At this moment, Jiang Li lifted the lid of the pot, and a wave of steam rose, filling the kitchen with the aroma of food.
Gurgle
The smell of food made Jiang Ning's stomach growl.
A moment later, as Jiang Ning began eating ravenously, Jiang Li felt reassured.
"Little brother, take your time. Just leave the dishes here when you're done. I'll wash them tomorrow morning. I need to go back to Wanwan now. She can't sleep without me."
Jiang Ning nodded repeatedly. "Alright, big brother, go ahead!"
Watching Jiang Li's retreating figure, Jiang Ning couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Having family feels so good! At least it's not cold and lonely like being alone.
Then his gaze fell on Jiang Li's slightly swaying right arm.
"Big brother's arm is completely ruined now. If it weren't for the extraordinary medical techniques of this world, he would have had to amputate that arm to save his life."
"Now, although his life is no longer in danger, his right arm is completely dead."
"I wonder if there's any chance for his arm to heal in the future."
As Jiang Li's figure disappeared, Jiang Ning thought to himself.
Then, he devoured the food Jiang Li had kept warm.
A moment later.
Burp
Jiang Ning patted his stomach and let out a satisfied burp. "I'm full!"
After cleaning up the mess on the table, he went to wash up and then returned to his room to sleep.
Two Days Later.
On a small, rocky island.
Whoosh
A man emerged from the water, gasping for air.
It was Jiang Ning.
This small island was one he had accidentally discovered two days ago while practicing his blade techniques in the Luo River.
It wasn't far from his residence, only about three to five kilometers away.
For Jiang Ning, even in the water, this distance didn't take much time less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea.
After discovering the island's unique terrain, Jiang Ning was thrilled.
On the southeastern side of the island, there was a cliff that had been eroded by years of crashing waves, creating a rugged, rocky landscape.
What made it even better was that this area was constantly battered by strong waves, and the underwater currents were fierce due to the terrain. This made it an ideal place for him to practice his blade techniques and improve his swimming skills.
Unlike the occasional stormy conditions on the Luo River, this place was perpetually turbulent, with waves crashing against the cliffs.
It was a natural and stable training ground.
Finding this island had been a stroke of luck for Jiang Ning.
After surfacing, Jiang Ning took a few moments to catch his breath before swimming toward the rocky shore.
A few minutes later, he climbed onto the shore.
Using his hands and feet, he scaled the cliff face with the agility of a white ape.
Soon, he reached the top of the cliff, about fifteen meters high.
Standing on the cliff, looking out at the vast expanse of the lake, Jiang Ning felt a sense of peace.
At the same time, thanks to his enhanced senses, his vision was now incredibly sharp.
Even from three to five kilometers away, he could see his residence by the lake, even making out the vines and flowers climbing the walls.
Then, he turned his attention to his system panel.
[Skills]:
Canglang Blade Technique (Small Success 477/500)
Water Affinity (Perfection 683/1000)
"In a few more hours, my Canglang Blade Technique will break through to Great Success, and my Water Affinity will complete its first breakthrough!"
"This is something to look forward to!"
Thinking this, a smile spread across Jiang Ning's face.
Then, he picked up a small white jade bottle from nearby. Inside was the Essence of Plants.
Over the past few days, it was thanks to the Essence of Plants that he had been able to train tirelessly without collapsing from exhaustion.
Opening the bottle, he tilted his head back and poured the emerald-green liquid into his mouth.
As the cool liquid flowed down his throat, Jiang Ning felt a refreshing sensation, sharpening his mind.
Then, as the medicinal effects took hold, his drained body began to recover.
He sat on the cliff, feeling the slightly fishy breeze from the lake, quietly allowing his body to recuperate.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the island.
Spit
Tian Buyi, a man with a thick beard, crawled out of the water and spat out a mouthful of blood.
Seeing the blood mixed with his saliva, his expression turned grim.
"Damn it, Liu Qingsong is insane! Chasing me so relentlessly. Did I sleep with his wife or kill his descendants?"
Then.
Hiss
He sucked in a sharp breath, clutching his chest.
"That bastard's palm strike is so powerful. My chest hurts so much. I must have internal injuries."
"Thankfully, my swimming skills are top-notch. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to escape that old man's pursuit."
"Damn it! If I get the chance, I'll make him pay."
Tian Buyi cursed as he massaged his chest and looked around.
A moment later, he muttered to himself, "Looks like I've ended up on a deserted island in the Luo River. Not a bad hiding spot."
"With my swimming skills, even if Liu Qingsong finds me, I can just jump into the water. What can he do then?"
As he spoke, Tian Buyi pulled out a small porcelain bottle from his pocket and shook out a few pea-sized pills.
He slapped his palm against his mouth, sending the pills down his throat.
With a gulp, the pills entered his stomach.
He began circulating his qi and blood to quickly dissolve the pills and spread their medicinal effects.
After about the time it took to drink a cup of tea.
Whoosh
Tian Buyi exhaled slowly, and his complexion improved significantly.
Then, he pulled out a golden brocade box.
Opening it, he saw two golden, perfectly round pills nestled inside.
Each pill was about the size of a pigeon egg, gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight.
Looking at the remaining two pills, Tian Buyi's eyes gleamed with desire.
"The Leopard Fetus Transformation Body Tempering Pill is truly extraordinary!"
"After consuming just one pill, my strength has increased by over 300 pounds."
"If I had half a year to fully refine these three pills, I would far surpass the average Great Success level of the Divine Strength Realm. My strength could exceed 3,000 pounds."
"Moreover, as I refine the pill in my body, I can feel my bone structure improving. My future martial path will be even broader."
"The Leopard Fetus Transformation Body Tempering Pill is a divine elixir that can enhance one's bone structure."
Tian Buyi murmured to himself, his expression filled with awe. "This is truly a tribute from the Medicine King Valley to the Prince of Huai'an!"
He carefully sniffed the two remaining pills.
Even though the pills were sealed and emitted no scent, his expression was one of intoxication.
From these pills, he saw a brighter future for his martial arts.
After admiring his prized possession the very reason the Medicine King Valley was hunting him Tian Buyi carefully closed the box and put it away.
Then, he began pressing on several acupoints on his body, coordinating with his qi and blood circulation.
A moment later.
Cough
Tian Buyi spat out a mouthful of blackened blood, staining the rocks in front of him.
"Finally, I feel much better!"
His complexion regained some color.
Then, he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
Cough, cough
Suddenly, he coughed heavily a few times.
Opening his right hand, which had been covering his mouth, his expression changed slightly.
"Damn it, the internal injuries are this severe?"
"I underestimated Liu Qingsong!"
"As expected of a Medicine King Valley elder. Not only does he look young, but his qi and blood haven't declined much. Just one palm strike caused me such serious injuries."
He glanced at the distant shoreline and the outlines of buildings.
"This won't do. If I stay in Luoshui County, Liu Qingsong will eventually find me again."
"In my peak condition, I was no match for him. Now, I'm even less of a match."
"I need to find Jiang Ning as soon as possible, kill him, and fulfill my promise to Cao Rong. Only then can I leave Dongling County in peace."
"After a year or so, once I've refined the Leopard Fetus Transformation Body Tempering Pill in my body and the remaining two pills, I won't fear Liu Qingsong anymore!"
"From my earlier investigations, Jiang Ning lives near the Luo River. Once I recover from my injuries, I'll go find him!"
With this thought, Tian Buyi found a comfortable spot, took out another pill, and began circulating his qi and blood to heal his internal injuries.
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