The next day.
Heavy snow was falling.
Jiang Ning habitually rolled out of bed and immediately felt a biting cold seep into his body.
With a surge of vital energy, his body instantly became like a blazing furnace, radiating heat and dispelling all traces of the chill.
Then, he immediately opened his status panel.
[Source Energy]: 1089.33
"Source Energy has indeed broken a thousand!"
Looking at his panel, Jiang Ning nodded in satisfaction.
Although the Bai Ling Blood hadn't brought the explosive surge in Source Energy he had expected, the results were still far from disappointing.
Thanks to the Bai Ling Blood, not only had his vital energy broken through to the "Sea of Blood" level, but his Source Energy had also surpassed 1,000.
With this amount, he could now push both Woodchopper's Saber Technique and Water Affinity to their sixth breakthroughs.
Based on experience, either of these skills, upon reaching their sixth breakthrough, would provide a significant boost to his strength.
However, what he truly wanted was to break through Water-Fire True Force.
This was a pure offensive martial art and the only high-tier skill he currently possessed.
If it broke through, its power would undoubtedly skyrocket.
[Skill]: Water-Fire True Force (Great Achievement – 378/1000)
Glancing at his panel, he mused, "I should save some Source Energy for Water-Fire True Force."
"But based on experience, ranked martial arts whether low-tier like Five Beasts Fist or mid-tier like Wind-Thunder Archery only required ten times the usual Source Energy for their first breakthrough (i.e., 100 points)."
"Given that, I only need to reserve 400–500 Source Energy enough for one or two breakthroughs in Water-Fire True Force."
"The rest, I can use on another skill."
Having settled on this plan, Jiang Ning turned his attention to his skill list.
[Skills]:
Woodchopper's Saber Technique+ (5th Breakthrough – 6000/6000) (Traits: Versatility, Swift as Wind, Mastery of the Saber, Unity of Man and Saber, Natural Saber Talent)
Water Affinity+ (5th Breakthrough – 6000/6000) (Traits: Underwater Breathing, Water Manipulation, Water Spirit Affinity, Cloud and Rain Control, Water Spirit Body)
Without a doubt, the only skills he could choose from now were these two.
Woodchopper's Saber Technique and Water Affinity.
Staring at them, Jiang Ning fell into deep thought once more.
Even disregarding its traits, Woodchopper's Saber Technique at its fifth breakthrough had granted him Blade Intent a miraculous technique that fused spirit, energy, and will into a single strike, channeling the power of heaven and earth.
That peerless slash remained unforgettable.
Against a sixth-rank Mystic Bone expert one who had transformed into a monstrous state that single strike had instantly slain them.
Even now, Jiang Ning couldn't help but marvel at its brilliance.
Undoubtedly, further breakthroughs would only enhance his mastery of the blade.
However, after a moment's hesitation, Jiang Ning decided to prioritize Water Affinity.
Why?
Because Water Affinity was his most versatile survival skill.
No matter how strong his offensive abilities were, if his foundation wasn't solid enough, how far could he truly go?
Even if he could kill any Bone Forging expert, he would still struggle against a fifth-rank Internal Strengthening martial artist especially a peak expert with Qi-like tempered steel.
The description "a single sword strike slaying a thousand soldiers" alone made it hard to fathom just how terrifying such power was.
This level of lethality surpassed even modern missiles from his past life.
And these "thousand soldiers" weren't ordinary men they were armored, weapon-wielding martial artists.
In essence, they were practically walking fortresses, impervious to small-arms fire in his previous world.
Thus, Jiang Ning was acutely aware that, as a seventh-rank martial artist, no matter how advanced his techniques were, the raw power he could unleash was inherently limited.
He simply couldn't compete with fifth-rank experts.
And if the death of He Jinyun truly escalated into a crisis, the Qinghe Count's family would undoubtedly send at least a fifth-rank expert.
After all, He Jinyun was the direct descendant of the Qinghe Count's lineage the eldest grandson.
Had his elder brother died unexpectedly, He Jinyun would have been next in line to inherit the title.
With this in mind, Jiang Ning focused on his panel.
A thought flashed through his mind.
Instantly, his Source Energy began draining like water.
In the blink of an eye, the count settled at 589.33.
Then
Jiang Ning felt his consciousness expand endlessly.
The moisture in the air seemed to become his eyes.
His perception spread outward, merging with the Luoshui River and continuing to extend.
At this moment, Jiang Ning felt as if he had become a god, his will allowing him to observe any scene within his range.
In this divine perspective, his emotions grew detached, his mind serene like a deity looking down upon mortals.
Time became meaningless.
It might have been an hour, a day, or merely an instant.
Then, within his perception, a blue light suddenly appeared and fused into his body.
"That was ?!"
Jiang Ning's eyes snapped open, his face filled with astonishment.
In that fleeting glimpse, he had seen a mysterious symbol one that bore a striking resemblance to the ancient pictograph for "water."
Without delay, he checked his panel again.
[Skill]: Water Affinity (6th Breakthrough – 3173/7000) (Traits: Underwater Breathing, Water Manipulation+, Water Spirit Affinity, Cloud and Rain Control, Water Spirit Body)
His pupils contracted sharply.
Water Manipulation+
This was the first time he had seen such a change on his panel.
Recalling the blue symbol he had glimpsed, his gaze deepened with contemplation.
"Is this... authority?" he murmured inwardly.
His eyes shifted to the snowy sky outside.
"Could the breakthrough of Water Affinity involve seizing the divine authority over water?"
This thought crossed his mind.
The traits on his panel hinted at something greater.
Coupled with the blue water glyph he had seen
"Perhaps... it's possible."
He then examined his panel again.
[Water Manipulation+]: A form of authority, granting innate control over water.
The word "authority" stood out starkly.
This was a departure from the previous description, which had labeled it a "divine ability."
Now, it was "authority."
The implications of this term were immense.
It reinforced his earlier speculation.
Without hesitation, he strode to the door and pushed it open.
A gust of wind sent flurries of snow swirling into the room.
Before him lay a world of white dark, heavy clouds, faint daylight breaking through, and thick snow covering the ground in a half-foot layer.
As Jiang Ning stepped outside, snowflakes landed on his neck, melting instantly into droplets.
"So beautiful..."
As a child of the South in his past life, he had never witnessed such a scene firsthand.
The world was silent, save for the falling snow and the endless expanse of white.
After admiring the view for a moment, he moved.
Snow swirled behind him as his figure vanished from the courtyard, leaping over the high walls and landing on the rocky shore.
After two days of heavy snowfall, the lake's surface had begun to freeze over.
Though the ice was still too thin to support a person's weight, it was enough to still the lake's waves.
With the ice sealing the surface, the vast Luoshui Lake had transformed into an endless white plain.
"Fishing by the lake in this scenery would be quite poetic," Jiang Ning chuckled.
Then, his expression turned solemn as he focused on the frozen lake.
His purpose here was simple: to test the upgraded Water Manipulation.
The skill that had evolved from a "divine ability" to an "authority."
With a thought
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Spiderweb-like fissures spread across the ice.
A second later
BOOM!
The ice shattered, snow spraying everywhere.
Then, the water within a hundred-meter radius began to rise, as if the lakebed itself were lifting.
As the water climbed higher than the rocks, higher than the shore beads of sweat formed on Jiang Ning's forehead.
His expression grew strained.
A few more breaths passed.
The water had now risen several meters towering over Jiang Ning's head.
His face flushed red, veins bulging he had reached his limit.
BOOM!
With an exhale, the thousands of tons of water came crashing down, sending up geysers of snow and a deafening roar.
By the time the waves settled, Jiang Ning was already gone.
Back in his courtyard, he stared at his panel with barely contained excitement.
[Skill]: Water Affinity (6th Breakthrough – 3173/7000) (Traits: Underwater Breathing, Water Manipulation+, Water Spirit Affinity, Cloud and Rain Control, Water Spirit Body)
Water Manipulation had been upgraded.
Its capabilities were now incomparable to before.
This wasn't a matter of multiples it was a qualitative leap.
The difference between earth and heaven.
It wasn't hard to imagine that, as his spirit, energy, and will grew stronger, he would eventually be able to summon floods even tsunamis.
This was no longer a human ability.
It was the wrath of nature itself.
"Those 500 Source Energies were well spent."
Nodding in satisfaction, Jiang Ning headed out for breakfast.
Morning – Inspection Bureau
After breakfast, Jiang Ning made his way to the Inspection Bureau.
Having been absent for several days, he needed to check in as the Deputy Commander.
He also wanted to gather information on how the Qinghe Count's family in Dongling City was reacting to He Jinyun's death, as well as the military's stance.
After all, he had killed Cao Rong with two arrows.
Though the evidence pointed to him, anyone with half a brain would know he was the culprit.
This was something even a fool could see.
Inspection Bureau – Main Hall
"Father? What are you doing here?"
Feng Jiuge stared at the middle-aged man before her, her face a mix of shock and confusion.
This man was none other than Feng Xiaochen a renowned figure in Dongling City, holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (6th grade).
A sixth-grade official was a major figure in Dongling City.
After all, even the Prefect of Dongling was only a fifth-grade official.
In other words, Feng Xiaochen was only half a rank below the Prefect.
But with military authority in his hands, his actual influence was no less than the Prefect's.
Facing his daughter's surprise, Feng Xiaochen smiled faintly.
"Cao Rong died in Yizhang Gorge. Colonel Yan sent me to investigate to find out who killed him."
"Colonel Yan?" Feng Jiuge's expression darkened.
"Mmm." Feng Xiaochen nodded. "Cao Rong's mission to Luoshui County was under Colonel Yan's orders. Before setting out, Colonel Yan even helped him break through to the sixth rank."
"To kill Cao Rong with archery his specialty the culprit must be quite remarkable."
His lips curled slightly as he studied his daughter.
"So, Jiuge, who do you think the killer is?"
"I don't know," Feng Jiuge replied flatly.
"Really? Or are you pretending not to know?"
"Why ask when you already know the answer?" Feng Jiuge met her father's gaze.
Feng Xiaochen chuckled but said nothing more.
Before coming to Luoshui County, he had already reviewed all relevant intelligence.
He knew exactly who had killed Cao Rong.
Who else but Commander Jiang, his daughter's superior?
Just then
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Footsteps approached from the hallway.
Soon, a figure appeared at the entrance.
"Captain Feng, who is this?"
Jiang Ning stepped into the hall, immediately noticing Feng Jiuge and the middle-aged man.
"Allow me to introduce myself Feng Xiaochen."
The name sent a jolt through Jiang Ning's mind.
Feng Xiaochen.
How could he not know this man?
Renowned for his Blazing Spear Technique, his dominance was fiery and unstoppable.
This was also Feng Jiuge's father the famed Lieutenant Colonel of Dongling City.
A Lieutenant Colonel commanded a battalion of a thousand soldiers all well-trained and heavily armed.
Though the Great Xia Dynasty seemed unstable with frequent rebellions, the imperial army remained elite and well-equipped.
This was why, despite numerous uprisings, the empire had largely remained peaceful.
These soldiers were too strong armored, armed, and perpetually ready for war.
In the barracks, with ample resources, the chances of becoming a ranked martial artist were far higher than for civilians.
"Greetings, Lieutenant Colonel Feng." Jiang Ning cupped his hands respectfully.
"No need for formalities, Commander Jiang." Feng Xiaochen smiled faintly. "I should be thanking you for taking care of my daughter all this time."
"It was nothing," Jiang Ning replied.
Feng Jiuge glanced between them.
"I'll prepare tea."
With that, she turned and left.
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