Outside the Xie Residence.
Xie Xiaojiu sat inside the carriage as the horse-drawn cart made its way toward the Inspection Bureau.
As they approached a corner in the alley.
"Big Yellow, stop!" Xie Xiaojiu called out.
The horse pulling the carriage immediately came to a halt.
"What a fine horse!" Jiang Ning, standing by the alley, couldn't help but praise.
Even though he had witnessed the horse's remarkable ability to understand human speech the day before, seeing it again still filled him with awe.
A horse that could understand human commands possessed a certain level of intelligence.
In his previous life, only a few animals were capable of such intelligence.
But considering the wonders of this world, Jiang Ning quickly dismissed his surprise.
"Sir, please board the carriage!" Xie Xiaojiu lifted the carriage curtain, revealing her delicate profile.
Hearing this, Jiang Ning leaped lightly onto the carriage and ducked inside.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, sir," Xie Xiaojiu said apologetically.
Jiang Ning shook his head and asked, "Any news about the Yellow Heaven Sect?"
"Yes!" Xie Xiaojiu nodded, then pulled out a folded piece of paper from her waist. "Sir, take a look!"
Jiang Ning took the paper and quickly scanned it.
In just a few moments, he had read through the several hundred characters.
"Someone entered the Yellow Heaven Sect's base last night?" Jiang Ning asked.
"That's right," Xie Xiaojiu nodded. "According to reports, around midnight, a mysterious figure wearing a hood entered the Yellow Heaven Sect's base through the main gate."
"Who do you think this person is? And why would they deliberately reveal themselves?" Jiang Ning pondered.
Based on his initial judgment, Jiang Ning felt that the mysterious figure was no ordinary person.
If they were powerful and wanted to remain hidden, why would they appear at the Yellow Heaven Sect's base at midnight?
Anyone with some skill and the intention to hide wouldn't be easily spotted by the watchers.
Just like him over the past few days, he had entered the Xie Residence without attracting any attention.
Moreover, those with exceptional abilities would have heightened senses, making it easy to detect unusual gazes or surveillance.
Hearing Jiang Ning's questions, Xie Xiaojiu thought for a moment and then replied.
"Sir, I really can't figure out the answers to your questions."
Jiang Ning smiled without comment.
Not only was Xie Xiaojiu unable to figure it out, but he couldn't either.
After some thought, Jiang Ning decided to set the matter aside for now.
If the opportunity arose in the future, he would investigate personally.
But not now. Approaching Liu Linmen, he had no confidence in avoiding detection.
Liu Linmen, a fifth-rank martial artist with enhanced senses, had already demonstrated his abilities during their encounter a few nights ago.
Even in pitch darkness and pouring rain, Liu Linmen had managed to sense Jiang Ning's arrow at the critical moment.
This alone was enough to show that Liu Linmen's senses were extraordinary.
He couldn't be surveilled without noticing.
If Jiang Ning went there recklessly, he would likely be discovered.
"No rush," Jiang Ning thought to himself. "I'm still safe for now. There's no need to take risks. Continuing to improve my strength is the way to go."
Half an Hour Later.
The carriage entered the Inspection Bureau.
As soon as they stepped out of the carriage.
Patter
Drops of rain began to fall on the carriage roof.
At this moment, Xie Xiaojiu, who had just exited the carriage, shivered slightly.
"Sir, it's raining."
Jiang Ning nodded.
Drops of autumn rain fell from the gray sky.
As they landed on his neck, a bone-chilling cold seeped into him.
This rain was the first real rain Jiang Ning had experienced since arriving in this world.
The previous rains had been summoned by his Cloud and Rain Control ability.
But this rain was a natural occurrence.
Feeling the raindrops moisten his skin, Jiang Ning felt his spirits lift.
"Let's go inside and take shelter from the rain," Jiang Ning said.
Several Hours Later.
By the Luoshui Lake.
"Hoo"
Looking at the vast lake before him, Jiang Ning felt a sense of relief.
After handling some important matters at the Inspection Bureau, he had left.
From the tasks he had dealt with, he had a rough idea of the movements of the Inspection Bureau's members.
According to Hong Minghu's instructions, the Inspection Bureau was to focus on eradicating the Worship Sect within Luoshui County.
But over the past few days, despite following Hong Minghu's orders, they had made little progress.
It seemed as though the Worship Sect had vanished overnight.
Jiang Ning had briefly looked into the matter but didn't dwell on it.
He had known from the start that the Worship Sect was no simple organization.
If it were, how could their deity statue have been enshrined in the City God Temple, receiving offerings from the entire city?
In Jiang Ning's view, the Worship Sect was not only connected to the Cao family but also had deep ties with the Liu and Xie families, and possibly even the County Magistrate.
Although the County Magistrate seemed to have faded into the background, Jiang Ning had yet to meet him in person since arriving in this world.
But he felt that the County Magistrate might not remain silent for long.
Moreover, based on what he had seen a few nights ago, he suspected that the Worship Sect might have connections with the Yellow Heaven Sect.
After reviewing the reports from the past few days, Jiang Ning felt this possibility was even more likely.
If not for some form of assistance, how could the Worship Sect, which had been active in Luoshui County for so long and left so many traces, suddenly vanish without a trace?
Then.
He decided not to stay at the Inspection Bureau any longer.
Now that he had fully digested the Dragon-Tiger Tendon Refining Pill, his tendon refinement was just one step away from the flood dragon level. However, he didn't plan to waste any more time on it.
Without the Dragon-Tiger Tendon Refining Pill, further progress in tendon refinement wouldn't come quickly.
Jiang Ning urgently needed the sense of security that came with increased strength.
So, he turned his attention to the Wind and Thunder Archery.
The first limit break of Wind and Thunder Archery had granted him control over wind and thunder, significantly boosting his combat power.
Further breakthroughs would bring even greater improvements.
The only way to achieve a substantial increase in strength in a short time was through Wind and Thunder Archery.
And to practice archery, he needed a vast open space.
The Inspection Bureau was not an ideal place for that.
Where was the best place for him to practice archery?
Where else but Luoshui Lake?
Luoshui Lake was vast and sparsely populated.
No matter how much noise he made while practicing, it wouldn't attract any attention.
Standing by the shore of Luoshui Lake.
Jiang Ning leaped toward the lake's surface.
Boom
As his right foot touched the water, the surface exploded like a cannonball, and Jiang Ning's body shot upward, propelling him forward across the lake.
Boom
Boom
With each step on the water, the lake's surface erupted, sending sprays of water into the air like shattered pearls.
Jiang Ning's figure rose and fell as he effortlessly moved across the lake.
"No wonder they say seventh-rank martial artists can walk on water."
Feeling his current state, Jiang Ning sighed inwardly.
His speed wasn't particularly fast; he wasn't sprinting across the water.
Instead, he was relying on explosive power within a small range to achieve this feat.
Refining his tendons to the flood dragon level allowed him to easily mobilize the strength of his entire body, doubling his explosive power.
This was the most terrifying aspect of the seventh rank.
Although he hadn't quite reached the flood dragon level, he was just one step away, allowing him to perform this feat with ease.
With each step, the explosive power in that small range instantly solidified the water's surface, making it as firm as the ground.
The reaction force from stepping on the water allowed him to leap two or three zhang (about 6-9 meters) with each stride.
At this moment, Jiang Ning moved effortlessly across the lake.
He continued to feel the changes brought by his tendon refinement.
After a short while.
"The breakthrough in tendon refinement is a world of difference!" Jiang Ning sighed.
After spending some time carefully sensing his body, he had a thorough understanding of his current physical state.
The strength of his entire body flowed freely, allowing him to unleash his full power in an instant from any part of his body.
Normally, only martial artists who had reached this level could walk on water.
The ability to unleash full power within a small range was the secret to walking on water.
In the next moment.
Boom
He stomped hard, causing the water beneath him to explode and creating a vacuum that spread outward.
His body shot forward, his speed increasing dramatically.
In an instant.
He crossed a distance of over ten zhang (about 30 meters).
At this moment, he was like a gust of wind racing across the lake. The raindrops falling from above were swept away by the wind around him, unable to touch his body.
"Swift as the wind" was fully embodied in him.
On the vast lake.
If anyone were boating on the lake, they would see a figure darting across the water like the wind.
Behind this figure were afterimages.
This was a visual illusion caused by extreme speed.
After a while.
Boom
The water exploded as Jiang Ning leaped into the air.
In an instant, he crossed several zhang and landed on the edge of a cliff on a deserted island.
"I'm back!" Seeing the familiar scene, Jiang Ning smiled.
This deserted island was the perfect place for him to practice archery.
Here, he didn't have to worry about being discovered by anyone, let alone Liu Linmen.
Then.
A longbow appeared in his hand.
He drew the bowstring, easily pulling it to full draw.
Twang
[Wind and Thunder Archery Experience +1]
The arrow shot through the air, creating a shockwave.
The raindrops in the air were blown away by the force.
In mid-air, a visible trail was left by the arrow's passage.
The arrow flew several li (about 1.5 kilometers) before losing momentum and falling into the lake.
[Skill]: Wind and Thunder Archery (First Limit Break: 2/2000) (Trait: Wind and Thunder Breath)
Glancing at his status panel, Jiang Ning saw that his Wind and Thunder Archery experience had increased by one.
He drew the bowstring again.
Twang
Twang
Twang
Arrows shot through the air one after another.
The Wind and Thunder energy within him was continuously depleted.
At the same time, his Wind and Thunder Archery experience kept increasing.
Meanwhile.
At the Yellow Heaven Sect's base.
"Altar Master Sun, my apologies! I was in seclusion last night and couldn't receive you immediately," Liu Linmen entered the hall with a friendly expression.
Then he blinked his eyes.
Even after a night of recovery, his eyes still felt sore from briefly using his Heaven's Eye the previous day.
"It's fine," the visitor removed her hood, revealing the face of a middle-aged woman around forty years old.
Then she asked, "Altar Master Liu, are your eyes bothering you?"
Liu Linmen smiled. "I injured my eyes a few days ago. Using the Heaven's Eye yesterday has left them a bit sore."
Hearing about the Heaven's Eye, the middle-aged woman's expression turned respectful.
"So Altar Master Liu is also a Celestial Master!"
"I'm not quite a Celestial Master," Liu Linmen waved his hand modestly. "I've only barely mastered the Heaven's Eye."
Then he asked, "Altar Master Sun, did anyone notice your arrival last night?"
"Of course not."
"That's good," Liu Linmen nodded, then continued, "Has your sect leader made a decision? Is she willing to join our Yellow Heaven Sect?"
"If she agrees, our Hongdu Branch Leader can request the Heavenly King to completely remove the false divine energy from your members."
Hearing this, the middle-aged woman's expression remained unchanged.
They had known about this condition beforehand.
It was precisely because of this condition that the Worship Sect was considering joining the Yellow Heaven Sect.
After all, it was easier to thrive under the protection of a powerful organization. Moreover, due to their long-term worship of their deity, the higher-ups in the Worship Sect were increasingly affected by the deity's energy.
And there was another crucial matter.
But for now, they were in no hurry.
Then, she slowly said, "The sect leader is still considering."
"Still considering?" Liu Linmen's eyes narrowed.
"Yes," the middle-aged woman nodded. "This is a decision from above. I can't interfere."
Then she added, "Celestial Master Liu, do you know why the Worship Sect's incense master who came with you was attacked? Who was the attacker?"
"I haven't figured that out yet," Liu Linmen shook his head. "But I've narrowed down the suspects. Give me some time, and I'll find out."
Liu Linmen explained to the middle-aged woman.
Before coming to Luoshui County, he had been given the task of recruiting the Worship Sect into the Yellow Heaven Sect.
The higher-ups were very interested in the Worship Sect's methods.
Being able to truly worship something into existence was no simple feat.
In this world, very few sects had such potential.
This was why Liu Linmen was so accommodating toward the Worship Sect.
At the same time.
Hearing Liu Linmen's words, the middle-aged woman nodded. "I believe you, Celestial Master Liu. If you find out who did it, please let me know."
"Don't worry! It won't take long," Liu Linmen said calmly.
"With your assurance, I feel much better," the middle-aged woman nodded, then added, "Then I'll take my leave now."
"Alright," Liu Linmen nodded slightly, watching as the middle-aged woman left.
Only after she disappeared around the corner did Liu Linmen's expression turn thoughtful.
After losing two incense masters, the Worship Sect sent an altar master.
It seemed that the deity statue was still in Luoshui County. Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent such a high-ranking member to this small place.
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