Chapter 133: Blood Recognition, Blood Fusion Refinement!

Weapon Forging Shop.

Underground Armory.

“How does this saber feel?” Yang Kai suddenly asked.

Jiang Ning held the spiritual weapon in his hand and casually swung it a few times.

Then he said, “Just as Shopkeeper Yang said, this saber has survived since ancient times yet remains indestructible, so its material must be extraordinary! Although I cannot see anything supernatural about it for now, its mere indestructible characteristic already makes it a truly good saber!”

“Of course I like it!”

Yang Kai asked again, “Now I will give you a choice: Hanguang or this spiritual weapon, if you can only choose one, which will you pick?”

Jiang Ning smiled and answered without hesitation, “Naturally, I choose this spiritual weapon!”

“As expected!” Yang Kai nodded, not surprised at all.

Even he would make the same choice.

Although Hanguang is a fine saber and also his masterpiece,

compared with the Old Spirit Weapon, its value is not worth mentioning.

Jiang Ning said again, “I wonder if Shopkeeper Yang is willing to part with this spiritual weapon. If you are, what would the price be?”

Yang Kai said, “I told you, the things here are not measured by money. So what I need is not money!”

“Then what is it?” Jiang Ning asked again.

Yang Kai spoke seriously, “I only need a favor! A favor from your future!!”

Hearing this, Jiang Ning was slightly surprised.

“Shopkeeper Yang thinks so highly of me? You are just giving me a spiritual weapon for free like this?”

Yang Kai nodded. “Since Shen Congyun thinks so highly of you, our Weapon Forging Shop naturally trusts his judgment! This spiritual weapon has been eating dust in the Weapon Storage Room for decades, completely useless.”

“To us, it is like a chicken rib.”

“But in your hands, it can truly be put to use! In the future, it will definitely make your name famous.”

“To trade what we see as a chicken rib for a favor from your future, I find it very worthwhile!”

Jiang Ning heard this.

Swoosh—

He sheathed the saber.

“Since Shopkeeper Yang thinks so highly of me, then if the Weapon Forging Shop ever needs me in the future, just speak up. As long as it is within my power, I will do my best!”

“With your word, I am relieved!” Yang Kai chuckled.

Leaving the Weapon Forging Shop.

Jiang Ning looked at the spiritual weapon in his hand, in an extremely good mood.

Not only had this trip fulfilled his need to find a good saber, he had also gained an unexpected harvest.

A spiritual weapon, a spiritual weapon from ancient times, also the Old Spirit Weapon Yang Kai spoke of.

This gain was completely beyond his expectations and exceeded his predictions.

All he had paid was a verbal promise.

A future favor.

Yang Kai had basically drawn a pie for himself and then eaten it in one bite.

In Jiang Ning’s view, he had made a huge profit.

A spiritual weapon that he could actually use, if measured in value, would be immeasurable.

And now, he had obtained it with just a verbal promise.

No matter how Yang Kai thought about it, in Jiang Ning’s own eyes, this was a massive gain.

At this moment.

Even while holding only the saber scabbard, Jiang Ning could faintly sense the spirituality contained within the blade.

This trace of spirituality was extremely weak, yet he could perceive it with absolute clarity.

In the Underground Armory of the Weapon Forging Shop, it was precisely this spiritual call to him that allowed him to find this long-dusted spiritual weapon.

“I still do not know what exactly is the reason for this!!” Jiang Ning mused inwardly.

On the other side.

Yang Kai watched Jiang Ning’s gradually receding back, and the pitch-black, ink-like saber in Jiang Ning’s hand.

His eyes still revealed an uncontrollable look of heartache.

A spiritual weapon passed down from ancient times had been taken away by Jiang Ning.

Even if this spiritual weapon was like a chicken rib, it was still a spiritual weapon.

Even if taken to auction, such a so-called chicken-rib item could still fetch over a thousand taels of silver.

That is the value of a spiritual weapon left from ancient times.

Not to mention, once Jiang Ning drew the blade, the value of this spiritual weapon soared.

A spiritual weapon that can truly be used is immeasurably valuable, worth more than gold.

If anyone could use this spiritual weapon, then no matter how gifted Jiang Ning was, he would never choose to give it to him.

But from the test he had just personally conducted, he understood that was not the case.

A spiritual weapon has spirituality, and only Jiang Ning could draw this saber.

No matter how he exerted his strength, just like before, that spiritual weapon did not move in the slightest.

Thus, the value of this spiritual weapon naturally remained almost the same as before.

If not used by Jiang Ning, it would still only gather dust in the Weapon Storage Room.

Over the decades, countless people had tried to draw the saber, all with no result, just as he had experienced.

Only Jiang Ning had succeeded in drawing it.

To wait for a second person, who knew how long it would take.

So Yang Kai knew that only in Jiang Ning’s hands would this spiritual weapon realize its true value.

In this way, he could make use of what was otherwise wasted, and in return gain a favor from Jiang Ning.

In Yang Kai’s view, this favor might not be worth much right now.

But judging from Jiang Ning’s changes during this period, and the things that had happened to him,

as well as the spiritual weapon acknowledging its master, allowing Jiang Ning to draw the blade,

these things made Yang Kai firmly believe that Jiang Ning’s future would be immeasurable.

This favor might shine with astonishing value on some future day.

This was what prompted him to make this decision.

On the other side.

Wanhua Tower Rooftop.

Inside a luxurious room.

“Jia’er, how do you feel about him?” Lin Qingyi lay sideways on the fox-fur-covered couch.

Lin Jia’er said, “Aunt, you were right before, he indeed looks quite good. The Martial Arts Academy disciples in Dongling City all come from the major noble families, with high backgrounds; in Dongling City they are all rich or noble.”

“But there are few who can match him in appearance and bearing.”

“What else?” Lin Qingyi propped her head up and asked.

Lin Jia’er said, “As for martial arts, he is also not bad. The one who fought him today should have just entered Martial Arts Nine Ranks Eighth Rank. In a small place like this, such a person should count as a genius.”

“He could defeat him so easily, so in this small place he can be considered a figure of note; no wonder Aunt thinks so highly of him.”

Hearing Lin Jia’er’s words, Lin Qingyi could not help but frown slightly.

Although Lin Jia’er’s remarks were all praising Jiang Ning,

there was still a tone in her words that made Lin Qingyi feel somewhat uncomfortable.

A small place. A person of note. No wonder. Think highly of him.

Then Lin Qingyi’s brows relaxed slightly as she thought inwardly.

Forget it!

This little girl, like me, comes from the Lin Family of Dongling City. Over the years, with my open and secret help, the Lin Family has become a top-tier noble family in Dongling City.”

It is inevitable that this little girl feels somewhat proud.

Thinking of this, her brows fully relaxed.

So Lin Qingyi spoke again, “Then I will arrange a time for you two to meet. How about it?”

Lin Jia’er hesitated slightly, then nodded.

“Jia’er is willing to follow Aunt’s arrangements.”

“Good!” Lin Qingyi smiled. “Then in the next few days, I will let you meet; have a good talk! If you are both interested, then we will choose a day for the wedding.”

“Mm, mm!” Lin Jia’er nodded, then seemed to think of something.

“Aunt, which great family in Luoshui County is that man named Jiang Ning from?”

Lin Qingyi shook her head. “His background is ordinary—no, it should be said very poor. His parents were refugees. Sixteen years ago, because of the Red Dragon’s upheaval they became refugees, then came to Luoshui County, but before they even entered the county town, they collapsed on the road.”

“So he was an orphan from childhood, brought up by his elder brother.”

Lin Qingyi then said, “I have all of Jiang Ning’s detailed information records here. Take a look later and you will understand. This boy has great potential in the future; from what I have observed recently, he is also a good match.”

By the Luoshui Riverside.

When Jiang Ning returned home, he saw Little Bean Bun rolling in a mud pit.

“Dudu—” Little Bean Bun saw Jiang Ning and immediately stood up from the mud pit.

“Dudu—”

“Hug—”

She opened her arms and ran toward Jiang Ning with little bouncing steps.

“Stop!” Jiang Ning quickly reached out and pressed a hand on her head.

“Does Dudu not like Bean Bun anymore?” Tears instantly streamed from Little Bean Bun’s eyes.

Jiang Ning: “.”

Then.

He sighed softly, picked Little Bean Bun up, and walked toward the Small Pond in the front courtyard.

In the front courtyard of this residence, there was a small bridge over flowing water, a rockery and boulders, and a rustling bamboo forest.

That was exactly what had attracted Jiang Ning to it before.

In his previous life, he could not afford such a luxurious manor; in this life, he would definitely satisfy this wish of his.

When he bought this luxurious residence, his heart had been incomparably satisfied.

With this residence, he had a home.

A home of his own.

Coming from that civilized ancient country in his previous life, deeply influenced by its thinking,

only having a home of his own could give him true security.

Arriving beside the Small Pond.

“No!”

“No!!”

Little Bean Bun immediately flailed about in Jiang Ning’s hands.

“I heard from Brother that little pigs roll in mud pits so they do not get bitten by mosquitoes. Bean Bun is a little pig now and also has to roll in the mud pit!!!”

Jiang Ning put her down in the shallow Pond; the trickling water flowed in from one side of the Small Pond and out from the other.

The bottom of the pond was paved with smooth pebbles.

So the water was crystal clear.

After setting Little Bean Bun down, Jiang Ning lightly tapped her head.

“What pig? You are not a little pig!”

“That hurts!!!” Little Bean Bun covered her head with both hands, looking as though she were about to cry, her lips pouting high. “I am a little pig!!”

A moment later.

After Jiang Ning simply washed the mud off Little Bean Bun, he brought her over to Liu Wanwan, who was tending the vegetable garden, and only then, reassured, walked toward his own East Courtyard.

After Jiang Ning walked out of the vegetable courtyard, Liu Wanwan took out from behind her back a piece of cucumber, one that had clearly already been half eaten.

Crunch—

She took another bite, her eyes narrowing slightly, her face full of happiness.

East Courtyard.

When Jiang Ning returned to his Room, he saw the Wooden Box placed on the table.

After opening the Wooden Box, he saw rows of neatly arranged White Jade Porcelain Bottles inside.

All these White Jade Porcelain Bottles were filled with Plant Essence, the Plant Essence he had bought from Wanhua Tower today.

Jiang Ning then quickly counted them and nodded slightly.

“Not bad!”

“Exactly forty bottles, not one more, not one less.”

“With these forty bottles, I do not need to go out for the next few days.”

“I can quietly wait for the establishment of the Patrol Office.”

“From Tian Buyi’s attack on me, it can be seen that the Cao Family’s attitude toward me has not changed; they have merely shifted from open means to hidden ones.”

“Which is reasonable. I have begun to show my face during this period; for a family like the Cao Family, since there is estrangement with me, it is only natural that they will not let me fully grow.”

“As I am now, I am not yet a match for the Cao Family. Whether it is the Cao Family of Luoshui County or Cao Rong, who is still in Dongling City, both can pose a deadly threat to me. Right now I badly need the official protection of an institution like the Patrol Office.”

Thinking of this, Jiang Ning did not regret his previous choice to display himself.

Indeed, if he chose to act cautiously and keep a low profile, he would arouse less jealousy.

But he would also gain far fewer benefits.

Through his conduct in this period, by choosing to reveal part of himself, he had undoubtedly gained many benefits.

Previously, he could get so much help from Wang Jin precisely because he had shown his value.

So Jiang Ning did not regret it in the slightest, even if it had provoked Tian Buyi’s assassination attempt.

Because of those benefits, he had grown extremely fast, and his current strength was no longer what it used to be.

This way of acting has its drawbacks, but also its advantages.

In Jiang Ning’s view, the advantages outweigh the drawbacks.

Moreover, he had not revealed everything about himself.

In others’ eyes, if his combat power is five,

then his actual strength is above ten.

This discrepancy is the leeway Jiang Ning has reserved for himself.

By always keeping something in reserve, he can avoid being calculated against by others.

Just like Tian Buyi’s attack on him.

Unless one saw it with their own eyes, who could imagine that he was the one who killed Tian Buyi?

This is the confidence in Jiang Ning’s heart.

The confidence that allows him to survive.

In Jiang Ning’s view, with his current strength, even if an ordinary Martial Arts Eighth Rank expert came to kill him, the outcome would be uncertain.

Even for a top-tier Martial Arts Eighth Rank expert, whose strength reaches three thousand jin and who can easily unleash tens of thousands of jin of explosive power, killing him would be almost impossible.

Especially once they are near water; let alone Martial Arts Eighth Rank.

Once he enters the water, he is like a fish returning to the sea; even Martial Arts Seventh Rank or even Sixth Rank experts would not be able to do anything to him.

It is precisely because of this confidence that, when Jiang Ning faced Xiao Peng’s sudden sneak attack today, he dared to display part of his strength to gain greater profit and importance in the eyes of those Important Figures.

He knew that as long as he showed his strength and demonstrated his value,

many people would be happy to show goodwill and willing to invest in him in order to gain future returns.

This way of behaving works in any world.

All the more so in This World, where great power belongs to oneself, and the transformation of personal strength brings even greater status and influence.

Thus the returns gained from such investment will be greater as well.

Just like Yang Kai’s attitude toward him at the Weapon Forging Shop, and this spiritual weapon in his hand.

Without his previous display, how could there be such a thing as getting for free a spiritual weapon originating from ancient times?

Looking at the spiritual weapon in his hand, a smile could not help but surface on Jiang Ning’s face, with a faint upward curl at the corner of his mouth.

Blood Recognition, Blood Sacrifice Refining.

Thinking of those eight words he received in the Underground Armory of the Weapon Forging Shop,

Jiang Ning said to himself, “Let’s give it a try for now!”

Having made up his mind.

He closed the opened Wooden Box, then took the saber in his hand and walked out of the Room.