From the house to the courtyard.
Jiang Ning looked up at the sky.
At this moment, the sky was slightly bright, shrouded in a gray haze, and the morning sun had yet to rise.
The air was filled with moisture from the lake.
Dewdrops had formed on the bamboo leaves in the courtyard.
In the next moment.
He leaped into the air and quickly scaled the wall.
With a few jumps, he arrived at a large rock on the rocky beach.
The lake was hazy, shrouded in mist, and visibility was poor.
Seeing this, Jiang Ning nodded in satisfaction.
"No one around, perfect timing!"
Then.
Jiang Ning stretched out his hand toward the lake.
"Clouds, rise!!"
Instantly.
The two words he uttered seemed like a divine decree.
Above the lake, the mist churned.
If anyone looked up at the sky, they would see clouds gathering from all directions at high speed.
The clouds condensed into gray, forming thick layers of gray clouds, which then piled up and turned into dark clouds.
After a while.
Crack
A bolt of lightning pierced the sky, startling roosters and dogs into barking.
With this thunderclap, many residents around Luoshui were jolted awake from their sleep.
Then.
Crack
The collision of clouds produced another thunderbolt that split the sky.
Some people, seeing the dark clouds in the distance, opened their mouths in shock.
Fishermen hurriedly stepped out of their houses, looking at the sky with both surprise and worry.
They were surprised because this was the first rainstorm in months, and it had chosen to descend over Luoshui Lake.
They were worried because thunderstorms were not suitable for fishing.
In such weather, a single large wave could sweep someone into the depths of the lake, leading to a watery grave.
In such bad weather, even the best swimmers would be helpless.
How could human strength contend with the forces of nature?
Meanwhile.
Jiang Ning knew that such a spectacle would inevitably draw attention.
After all, the thunderclaps were impossible to miss, and anyone would notice the strange phenomenon over the lake.
Looking at the rolling dark clouds above, Jiang Ning was inwardly amazed.
This first attempt made him view this divine ability in a new light.
Originally, he thought it would be difficult for him to use the Cloud and Rain Control ability.
But after testing it, he realized that Cloud and Rain Control felt like an innate talent, a natural ability.
Using Cloud and Rain Control only required a small amount of mental energy to manipulate the rules of nature, causing the clouds to gather.
From the state of his body, using this ability had only made him feel slightly mentally fatigued, his previously full spirit now somewhat muddled.
Other than that, there were no adverse effects.
At this moment.
The clouds above had fully formed.
As they collided, the sound of rolling thunder and flashes of lightning occasionally lit up the sky.
No one would have guessed that the impending storm over Luoshui Lake was the work of a mere eighth-grade Divine Strength martial artist.
Jiang Ning looked up at the sky.
The gathered clouds covered about half the area of Luoshui County.
"A bit small, but not bad!" Jiang Ning nodded.
His initial purpose for testing the Cloud and Rain Control ability was to create a favorable environment for himself.
In water, he could enjoy a full recovery boost to his physical condition.
So, in heavy rain, it should be the same.
Moreover, in water, his senses were further enhanced.
So, in heavy rain, it would be the same.
Rainwater would become his sensory organ.
On land, his Water Manipulation ability was difficult to use.
Even if he used it, it would be too conspicuous, far less effective than the surprise factor it had in water.
But in heavy rain, it was different.
The falling rain could also become a tool for him to kill.
In the next moment.
Splash
As Jiang Ning's mind shifted.
Torrential rain poured down from above, striking the lake's surface and creating ripples.
The previously calm lake surface began to churn with waves due to the sudden downpour.
As the rain fell on his body, Jiang Ning felt the nourishing effect of the rainwater.
"Not bad!"
"About 30% of the effect I get in water!"
Feeling the changes in his body, Jiang Ning nodded in satisfaction.
A 30% effect was still significant for him.
Moreover, in heavy rain, his Water Manipulation ability could be used freely.
With a thought, rainwater gathered around him, forming thin water needles.
The water needles circled him like agile fish.
Go
Jiang Ning waved his hand.
The dense water needles shot toward a nearby rock like a rainstorm.
Thud, thud, thud
Rock fragments flew, and the surface of the rock was soon riddled with holes.
Not bad!!
Jiang Ning nodded.
He was satisfied with the impact force of the water needles.
If they could shatter the surface of the rock, it meant that the water needles controlled by his Water Manipulation ability were powerful enough to injure a martial artist who had mastered skin tempering.
This might seem insignificant.
After all, even a minor achievement in skin tempering only made the skin as tough as rock.
Beyond that, there was a major achievement in skin tempering, where the skin became as tough as bronze.
Not to mention eighth-grade and seventh-grade martial artists, whose physiques were even stronger.
However, the human body has many weak points.
No matter how strong the physique, it couldn't withstand attacks on the eyes, ears, and other vulnerable areas.
Being able to shatter rocks meant that attacking these weak points could have unexpected effects.
When Jiang Ning left the rocky beach.
The clouds and rain that had gathered above disappeared as quickly as they had come.
In the blink of an eye.
The clouds dispersed, and the sky cleared.
This left the surrounding residents marveling at the spectacle.
Returning to his courtyard.
Clink, clink, clink
Jiang Ning shook the wine flask.
He could hear the black stone inside hitting the walls of the flask.
Then.
He opened the flask and looked inside.
In the next moment.
His eyes lit up with joy.
Because in the wine, he saw specks of silver light.
It was as if dazzling starlight had fallen into the wine, making it look beautiful and mysterious.
"Could that black stone be the source of the treasure I refined yesterday?"
Thinking this.
Jiang Ning lifted the flask and took a big gulp of the wine.
Gulp
As the wine entered his stomach, he felt the burning sensation of the strong liquor, the coldness dissipating, and his entire body filled with warmth.
[Water Affinity Experience +1]
"So it's true! That black stone is the most precious find from yesterday!"
Seeing this prompt, Jiang Ning's face lit up with joy.
This prompt confirmed his earlier speculation.
Then.
Excited, he went to the ancient well in the courtyard.
He lifted the White Dragon Fish meat from the well.
With a single cut, he sliced off about ten pounds, then returned the remaining fish meat to the well.
Although the White Dragon Fish, as a spirit fish, wouldn't spoil even if left at room temperature.
The daytime temperatures outside were too high, and storing it in the well would undoubtedly keep it fresher.
Carrying the ten pounds of White Dragon Fish meat, Jiang Ning headed back to his room.
This ten pounds of fish meat would be his breakfast for the day.
[Water Affinity Experience +1]
[Water Affinity Experience +1]
[Water Affinity Experience +1]
[...]
As he devoured the White Dragon Fish meat and drank the strong wine, watching the Water Affinity experience points continuously increase.
"Amazing!!"
Jiang Ning felt more and more exhilarated.
The delicious fish meat paired with fine wine.
Especially since, while enjoying it, his strength was also improving.
The sun hung high in the sky.
[Inner Alchemy Cultivation Experience +1]
[Inner Alchemy Cultivation Experience +1]
[Inner Alchemy Cultivation Experience +1]
[...]
Jiang Ning continuously absorbed the essence of the sun, and the experience points for his Inner Alchemy Cultivation continued to rise.
After a long while.
Phew
He opened his eyes and slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air.
[Skill]: Inner Alchemy Cultivation (Proficient 1555/2000)
"Just over four hundred more experience points and my Inner Alchemy Cultivation will break through to the next level."
"At my current rate, it should take about ten more days!"
"In ten days, when my Inner Alchemy Cultivation breaks through, I'll master internal breathing!"
"Internal breathing is normally a hallmark of fifth-grade Internal Strengthening experts!"
Thinking this, Jiang Ning couldn't help but feel excited.
Mastering internal breathing would undoubtedly elevate his strength to a new level.
Internal breathing was a true supernatural power.
By noon.
Jiang Ning was ready to go out.
By now, his strength had reached three thousand pounds.
After finishing his sun-essence absorption in the morning, he took Strength-Boosting Pills and used the Furnace Alchemy Technique.
The effects of the ten pounds of White Dragon Fish meat, three Strength-Boosting Pills, and the Leopard Fetus Transformation Pill had increased his strength by over a hundred pounds.
His strength had now broken through the three-thousand-pound mark and was continuing to grow.
Half an hour later.
He arrived at the blacksmith's shop again.
Led by a servant, Jiang Ning entered the backyard of the blacksmith's shop.
Clang, clang, clang
The sound of hammers striking iron filled the air, rhythmic and constant.
The forge was blazing, and even in the open-air workshop, Jiang Ning could feel waves of heat coming from the front.
At this moment.
Yang Kai walked toward Jiang Ning while wiping his hands with a blackened towel.
"Manager Yang, long time no see!" Jiang Ning clasped his hands in greeting.
Yang Kai quickly draped the towel over his shoulder and returned the gesture.
"Brother Jiang, long time no see!"
Then he asked, "Brother Jiang, what brings you to our blacksmith's shop today?"
Jiang Ning nodded. "I have a business proposal for Manager Yang. Would you be interested?"
"Brother Jiang's business? Of course, I'm interested!" Yang Kai nodded repeatedly.
Jiang Ning said, "Is Manager Yang's shop in need of iron ore?"
"Iron ore?" Yang Kai's eyes widened in surprise at these words.
Then he nodded repeatedly. "We need it! How could we not? Has Brother Jiang found an iron mine? If it's an iron mine, that's tricky!"
"Iron mines are normally controlled by the state. All mines within the Great Xia Empire are under imperial control."
"Normally, it wouldn't be a big deal, but now that the Inspector General has arrived in Luoshui County, this is a delicate matter!"
As he spoke the last sentence, Yang Kai couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.
Jiang Ning said, "It's not an iron mine."
"Not a mine?" Yang Kai looked surprised, and a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes.
If it wasn't a mine, how much iron ore could there be?
Thinking this, Yang Kai patted his chest and said, "Then, Brother Jiang, no matter how much more you have, I'll take it all at market price!"
"You said it!" Jiang Ning smiled.
"Of course!" Yang Kai didn't think much of it.
Over an hour later.
A small boat stopped on the lake.
"Brother Jiang, what a miraculous technique!" Yang Kai marveled as he rode the boat.
He felt that the boat under Jiang Ning's control seemed to have some magical power. With just a light push of the oar by Jiang Ning, the boat shot forward like an arrow.
It was utterly unreasonable!
Jiang Ning smiled at Yang Kai's amazement but didn't respond to the topic, instead changing the subject.
"Manager Yang, below us is the iron ore I mentioned earlier."
Then he asked, "Shall we go down and take a look?"
"Of course!" Yang Kai nodded. "With iron ore being so tightly controlled now, I've been worried about sourcing it. If Brother Jiang has found some, I'll naturally take it."
"Then let's go!" Jiang Ning said.
"Just like this?" Yang Kai looked surprised.
"Why not?"
"Without this, how can we go underwater?" Yang Kai pulled out a deflated fish bladder from his waist and waved it in front of Jiang Ning.
Phew
Phew
Phew
He blew into the fish bladder, and it quickly inflated to the size of a ball.
"Brother Jiang, did you... not prepare one?" Yang Kai asked, seeing Jiang Ning's lack of reaction.
Jiang Ning said, "I don't need that. My swimming skills are good, and I can hold my breath for a long time."
"Alright then!" Yang Kai looked somewhat skeptical.
"Let's go!" Jiang Ning said again.
Splash
With the sound of entering the water.
He disappeared into the lake in an instant.
Yang Kai, seeing this, also jumped into the water.
After a while.
The two continued to dive deeper.
Yang Kai, following Jiang Ning, grew more and more astonished.
Because they were diving to a considerable depth.
For safety, he had already used the fish bladder to breathe once.
But he noticed that Jiang Ning, without using any breathing aid, still seemed completely at ease.
Compared to him, Jiang Ning was more relaxed.
"What incredible lung capacity!!" Yang Kai marveled inwardly.
After a little longer.
"We're almost there," Jiang Ning said.
Even underwater, his voice was clear, transmitted through the water to Yang Kai's ears.
Hearing this, Yang Kai focused his gaze downward.
But by now, they had already entered the deep waters of Luoshui Lake, where the light was extremely dim. Even with his eyes wide open, he could only see darkness below.
"Is there a sunken ship here? And one filled with iron ore?" Yang Kai was somewhat skeptical.
But he didn't voice this thought, instead continuing to follow Jiang Ning silently.
After a few more breaths, they dove another few meters.
Only then did Yang Kai see the outline of the sunken ship, now close at hand.
Seeing the outline of the ship, he couldn't help but turn to look at Jiang Ning.
"What kind of eyesight does he have!!!"
Yang Kai was inwardly amazed.
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