He came from inside the room into the courtyard.
Jiang Ning raised his head to look at the sky.
At this moment the natural light was faint, a gray haze everywhere, and the morning sun had yet to rise.
The air was filled with moisture coming from the lake surface.
On the bamboo leaves in the courtyard, dewdrops had now condensed.
The next moment.
His figure leaped as he quickly flipped over the wall.
In just a few bounds he arrived atop a huge rock at Luanshi Beach.
The lake surface was hazy, shrouded in mist, and visibility was not very good.
Seeing this scene, Jiang Ning instead nodded in satisfaction.
"There is no one around; it is a good time!"
Immediately.
Jiang Ning faced the lake surface and spread the five fingers of his hand.
"Clouds, rise!!"
In an instant.
The two words spoken from his mouth seemed as though heaven itself had issued a decree.
Above the lake surface, clouds and mist surged and churned.
If someone raised their head to look at the sky, they would see that in the higher sky.
Clouds and mist were rapidly converging from all directions.
The clouds condensed into gray and turned into a thick gray cloud layer, which then kept piling up and gradually turned into black clouds.
A moment later.
Crack—
A bolt of thunder split the sky, startling chickens and dogs into cries.
With this clap of thunder, many residents around Luoshui were jolted awake from their sleep.
Immediately.
Crack—
As the clouds collided, another bolt of lightning pierced through the sky.
Some people, seeing the black clouds in the distance, could not help but open their mouths wide.
Some fishermen also hurriedly walked out from indoors, looking at the distant sky with both surprise and deep worry.
What surprised them was that the first cloudburst in months was actually falling over Luoshui Lake.
What worried them was that thunderstorm weather was not suitable for going out on the lake to fish.
In such weather, if you went out on the lake, a single huge wave could sweep in and be enough to drag people to the lake bottom, burying them in the bellies of fish.
In such harsh weather, no matter how good your watermanship was, it would be useless.
How could human power contend against the great power of nature?
On the other side.
Jiang Ning knew that such a commotion would definitely draw the attention of some people.
After all, with thunder appearing, anyone would notice the abnormal phenomenon above the lake surface.
Looking at the rolling black clouds overhead, Jiang Ning was also secretly surprised.
Because on his first test, this divine ability made him look at it with newfound respect.
Originally he had thought it would be difficult for him to display this Cloud and Rain Manipulation divine ability.
But after testing, he realized that Cloud and Rain Manipulation seemed to have become an innate ability, a talent, for him.
To wield Cloud and Rain Manipulation merely required him to consume a little spiritual power to stir the heaven and earth rules and cause the clouds to gather.
Judging from the condition of his body, when he unleashed the Cloud and Rain Manipulation divine ability this time.
It only made him feel that, whereas he had just been full of spirit, he now felt his head a bit muddled and his state a bit listless.
Aside from that, there were no other ill effects.
At this moment.
The clouds overhead had completely converged into form.
As the clouds collided, peals of rolling thunder sounded from time to time, accompanied by bolts of lightning flashing across the sky.
No one would have thought that the looming storm scene above Luoshui Lake at this moment was merely caused by a minor Eighth-rank Divine Strength Realm junior.
Jiang Ning looked up at the sky above.
The converged cloud layer was completely within his view and only covered about half the area of Luoshui County Town.
"A bit small, but workable!" Jiang Ning nodded.
His original intention in testing the Cloud and Rain Manipulation divine ability was also to create a suitable geographical advantage for himself.
In the water, he could gain a comprehensive boost to the recovery of his physical condition.
Then in heavy rain, it would be the same.
Moreover, in the water, his five senses would be further enhanced.
Then in heavy rain, it would also be so.
Rainwater was his sensory organ.
Moreover, on land, his Water Control supernatural ability was difficult to use.
Even if he used it, it would be too conspicuous, and the effect would be far inferior to the unexpected advantage he had in the water.
But in heavy rain, it was different.
The falling rainwater could likewise become a weapon of killing in his hands.
The next moment.
Crash—
As Jiang Ning’s mind moved.
Torrential rain poured down from above, striking the lake surface and raising ripples in all directions.
The originally calm lake surface, because of this sudden heavy rain, began to grow choppy with waves.
As the rain fell on his body, he felt the nourishing effect of the rainwater on him.
"Not bad!"
"About thirty percent of the effect I get in the water!"
Feeling the changes in his body, Jiang Ning nodded in satisfaction.
Thirty percent of the effect was also extraordinarily significant for him.
Not to mention that in heavy rain, he could also use his Water Control supernatural ability at will.
As his thoughts moved, rainwater gathered around him, turning into slender water needles.
The water needles swam around his body like spiritual fish.
Go—
Jiang Ning waved his hand.
The dense water needles shot toward a nearby rock like a rainstorm.
Tap, tap, tap—
Crushed stone flew as the rock instantly became riddled with thousands of holes, covered in pits and craters.
Not bad!!
Jiang Ning nodded.
He was satisfied with the impact force of these water needles.
Being able to shatter the rock’s surface meant that the water needles controlled by his Water Control supernatural ability were powerful enough to injure martial artists with Great Accomplishment in Skin Tempering.
While this might seem useless.
After all, with Minor Accomplishment in Skin Tempering, the skin was only as tough as rock.
Above that was Great Accomplishment in Skin Tempering, with skin as tough as bronze.
Not to mention Eighth-grade Martial Artists and even Seventh Rank Martial Artists above Ninth Rank, whose physiques would only be stronger.
However, the human body had many weak points.
No matter how strong the physique, and no matter if one feared not swords and sabers.
The apertures such as the eyes and ears did not have such strength.
If it could shatter rock, attacking such weak points would have unexpected effects.
After Jiang Ning left Luanshi Beach.
The clouds and rain that had swiftly gathered overhead dispersed just as quickly.
In the blink of an eye.
The clouds cleared and the rain ceased, and the sky became clear.
This made the surrounding residents who saw this scene click their tongues in wonder.
Returning to his own courtyard.
Dong, dong, dong—
Jiang Ning shook his wine gourd.
He immediately heard the sound of the black stone inside striking against the wall of the gourd.
Then.
He opened the mouth of the wine gourd and let his gaze fall inside.
The next moment.
A trace of delight flashed in his eyes.
Because in the wine inside the gourd, he saw several specks of silver starlight.
It was as if brilliant starlight had fallen into the wine inside the gourd; it looked extremely beautiful and incomparably mysterious.
"Could that black stone really be the source of the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures I refined yesterday?"
Thinking of this.
Jiang Ning picked up the wine gourd and poured a large mouthful of wine into his mouth.
Gulp—
As the wine entered his stomach, he immediately felt the strong liquor scorch his heart, the chill disperse completely, and a warm current fill his whole body.
【Watermanship Experience Points +1】
"Just as expected! This black stone is my most precious gain from yesterday!"
Seeing this prompt before his eyes, Jiang Ning’s expression lit up with joy.
The appearance of this prompt corroborated his earlier speculation.
Immediately.
He excitedly came to the ancient well in the courtyard.
He lifted up the White Dragon Fish Meat that had been placed in the ancient well.
With a single cut, he sliced off a full ten catties, then put the remaining fish meat of the White Dragon Fish back into the ancient well.
Although due to the special nature of the White Dragon Fish as a spiritual fish, it would not rot or spoil if casually left indoors.
The outside temperature during the day was still too high after all; storing it in the ancient well would undoubtedly keep the taste at its best.
Holding the ten catties of White Dragon Fish Meat, Jiang Ning walked toward his room.
These ten catties of White Dragon Fish Meat were his breakfast for today.
【Watermanship Experience Points +1】
【Watermanship Experience Points +1】
【Watermanship Experience Points +1】
【.】
Taking big bites of the White Dragon Fish Meat, drinking the strong liquor in the gourd, and watching his Watermanship Experience Points continuously rise.
"Refreshing!!"
The more Jiang Ning ate, the more delighted he became.
The delicious fish meat paired with fine wine.
Especially because enjoying it at the same time also improved his strength.
The Great Sun hung high.
【Inner Elixir Health Cultivation Experience Points +1】
【Inner Elixir Health Cultivation Experience Points +1】
【Inner Elixir Health Cultivation Experience Points +1】
【.】
Jiang Ning continuously swallowed and spat out Great Sun Essence, and the Experience Points of Inner Elixir Health Cultivation kept increasing.
A long time later.
Huff—
He opened his eyes and slowly exhaled a breath of turbid qi.
【Skill】: Inner Elixir Health Cultivation （Proficient 1555/2000）
"Just over four hundred Experience Points more and Inner Elixir Health Cultivation can break through to Minor Accomplishment."
"At my current pace, it will take about ten more days!"
"After ten days, when Inner Elixir Health Cultivation breaks through to Minor Accomplishment, I will be able to grasp Internal Breath!"
"Internal Breath, under normal circumstances, is the mark of a Fifth Rank Internal Strengthening Realm strong practitioner!"
Thinking of this, Jiang Ning could not help feeling somewhat excited.
Once he mastered Internal Breath, his strength would surely rise by a whole level.
Internal Breath was truly an extraordinary power.
It was not until noon.
That Jiang Ning finally prepared to go out.
And at this moment, his strength had leaped to three thousand jin.
Because throughout the entire morning, after finishing the Breathing Exercise to Absorb Great Sun Essence, he began swallowing Strength Enhancing Pills and then used the Furnace Alchemy Secret Technique.
The effect of ten catties of White Dragon Fish Meat, three Strength Enhancing Pills, and the Leopard Fetus Form-Changing Body Tempering Pill allowed him to increase his strength by more than one hundred jin in one leap.
His strength thus broke through the three-thousand-jin threshold and continued to grow toward even greater power.
Half an hour later.
He once again arrived at the Weapon Forging Shop.
Led by the shop assistant, Jiang Ning came to the backyard of the Weapon Forging Shop.
Clang, clang, clang—
The heavy hammer was like thunder, the small hammer like rain.
The sound of hammering iron was unending, full of an extremely regular rhythm.
At this moment the furnace fire was blazing fiercely; even though it was an open-air iron shop, Jiang Ning could feel waves of heat surging toward him from the front.
Just then.
Yang Kai walked toward Jiang Ning while wiping his hands with a blackened towel.
"Shopkeeper Yang, I hope you have been well!" Jiang Ning said with a cupped hand salute.
Yang Kai hurriedly draped the towel over his own shoulder and returned the cupped hand salute.
"Brother Jiang, I hope you have been well!"
Then he added, "I wonder if Brother Jiang has important business in coming to my Weapon Forging Shop today?"
Jiang Ning nodded. "I have a deal I would like to discuss with Shopkeeper Yang. I wonder if Shopkeeper Yang is interested?"
"In Brother Jiang’s business, I am naturally interested," Yang Kai said, nodding repeatedly.
Jiang Ning said, "I wonder if Shopkeeper Yang’s shop is short on iron ore?"
"Iron ore?" When Yang Kai heard these words, a look of astonishment flashed across his face.
Then he nodded repeatedly. "Short! How could we not be! Has Brother Jiang perhaps found an iron mine? If it is an iron mine, that will not be easy!"
"Normally iron mines are not allowed to be privately owned; all mines within Great Xia belong under the control of the Imperial Court."
"If it were ordinary times it might still be manageable, but now that that important figure from the Patrol Office has arrived in Luoshui County, this matter is difficult!"
As he said this last part, Yang Kai could not help but shake his head and sigh repeatedly.
Jiang Ning said, "It is not an iron mine."
"Not a mine?" Yang Kai looked surprised, and could not help feeling somewhat disappointed.
If it was not a mine, how much iron ore could there be?
Thinking of this, Yang Kai patted his chest. "Then however much ore Brother Jiang has, I will take all of it at market price!"
"You said it!" Jiang Ning smiled.
"But of course!" Yang Kai said without the slightest concern.
A little more than an hour later.
A light boat was moored on the lake surface.
"Brother Jiang, what a miraculous method!" Yang Kai exclaimed again and again as he rode the light boat.
He felt that under Jiang Ning’s control, the light boat beneath his feet seemed to have some unique magic; with a gentle push of the oar by Jiang Ning, the boat shot out like an arrow leaving the bow.
It was utterly unreasonable!
Facing Yang Kai’s amazement, Jiang Ning only smiled and did not follow up on that topic, but instead changed the subject.
"Shopkeeper Yang, below us is the iron ore I just mentioned."
Then he asked, "How about going down with me to take a look?"
"Naturally, that is good!" Yang Kai nodded. "Iron ore is under strict control nowadays. I have been worrying about how to obtain iron ore; with Brother Jiang’s discovery, I will of course take it."
"Then let us go!" Jiang Ning said.
"Just like this?" Yang Kai looked surprised.
"Or what?"
"How can we go underwater without this?" Yang Kai took out a shriveled fish bladder from his waist and waved it in front of Jiang Ning.
Huff—
Huff—
Huff—
He blew into the fish bladder mouthful by mouthful.
In an instant, the once-small fish bladder had swelled to the size of a ball.
"Brother Jiang, did you... not prepare one?" Yang Kai asked when he saw that Jiang Ning remained completely unmoved.
Jiang Ning said, "I don’t need that. My watermanship is quite good, and I can hold my breath for a long time."
"W-well, all right then!" Seeing this, Yang Kai’s expression became one of half belief, half doubt.
"Let’s go!" Jiang Ning spoke again.
Splash—
With the sound of entering the water.
He disappeared from the lake surface in an instant.
Seeing this, Yang Kai also jumped into the lake water.
A moment later.
The two of them kept diving down.
Following behind Jiang Ning, Yang Kai grew more and more astonished.
Because they had dived to a great depth.
For safety’s sake, he had already used the fish bladder to change air once.
But he found that Jiang Ning, without changing air even once, was still at ease.
Compared to himself, Jiang Ning was clearly even more relaxed.
"What astonishing lung capacity!!" Yang Kai marveled inwardly.
After a short while longer.
"We are almost there," Jiang Ning said.
Even underwater, his voice was unusually clear, transmitted distinctly into Yang Kai’s ears through the medium of the water.
Hearing this, Yang Kai narrowed his eyes slightly and looked downward.
But by now the two had already entered the deep-water area of Luoshui Lake; the light was extremely dim, and even straining his eyes, he could only see darkness below.
"Is there really a sunken ship here? And one carrying iron ore?" Yang Kai felt somewhat skeptical.
But he did not voice this thought; instead he silently continued to follow behind Jiang Ning.
After several more breaths, the two of them dived several more zhang down.
Only then did Yang Kai see the outline of a sunken ship right before him.
The moment he saw the outline of the sunken ship, he could not help but turn his head to look at Jiang Ning.
"What kind of eyesight is that!!!"
Yang Kai exclaimed inwardly.
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