Beginning with the Five Animals Fist to Become a Saint

Chapter 715 Dragon's Nest Elixir, Martial Arts Examination!
The next day.

Jiang Ning pushed open the door.

The gentle morning breeze brings a sense of comfort.

"The day of the martial arts examination has finally arrived. After today, we will return to Dongling City!"

"At my speed, going back and forth is convenient!"

Then he went to the courtyard, scooped up some cool well water, and quickly washed himself.

"That feels great!!" He shook the water droplets that were about to drip from his cheeks and nose, his expression filled with pleasure.

Recalling the batch of supplies that Ji Minghao had delivered yesterday, ostensibly as a dowry, his mood improved even more.

He briefly looked through it yesterday; it had all sorts of resources.

All things considered, the value exceeded his expectations.

If he can utilize this batch of resources, including the dowry belonging to Ji Mingyue, he won't need to worry about resources in the short term.

He's not in a hurry to use up these resources.

Each one can benefit his cultivation and replenish the energy he expends during his physical cultivation.

The most important of these are resources that are beneficial to the soul.

From this, he understood that Ji Minghao wanted to help him quickly become a second-grade grandmaster and shorten the cultivation time required to become a second-grade grandmaster.

"No matter what, I accept your favor!" Jiang Ning thought to himself as Ji Minghao's image appeared in his mind.

at this time.

A gentle breeze swept through the courtyard, and then a figure in light blue appeared in the courtyard.

Jiang Ning turned his head and saw Su Qingying standing in the morning mist.

"Why are you up so early today?" he asked with a smile.

"I haven't been sleeping well because the adults don't come to my room to sleep!" Su Qingying pouted slightly.

Noticing Su Qingying's little gesture, Jiang Ning couldn't help but chuckle.

Then he shook his head: "Sleeping together as a man and a woman won't be good for your reputation if word gets out!"

"It's because of the Seventeenth Princess, isn't it, sir?" Su Qingying said.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning smiled but did not reply.

That is indeed a reason.

But the main thing is the batch of resources called dowry that Ji Minghao sent yesterday.

With those resources available, he no longer cared about the effects of Su Qingying's Green Bamboo Jade Bed.

"You're up so early, are you preparing to participate in the martial arts examination?" Su Qingying changed the subject when Jiang Ning stopped talking.

"There's nothing to prepare!" Jiang Ning shook his head. "I'm just used to waking up early! Waking up a little earlier means I have more time to spend on cultivation each day. A little more time means I'm a little ahead of others! As the saying goes, little by little, great things are achieved; as the saying goes, 'many a little makes a mickle.'"

Upon hearing these words, Su Qingying's expression changed slightly.

"No wonder you were able to reach this point so quickly, even after severing your divine body!"

Seeing Su Qingying's expression, Jiang Ning couldn't help but smile again.

"Why is Your Excellency laughing?" Su Qingying asked again, her face full of doubt.

"You're quite funny!" Jiang Ning smiled again.

"Why do you say that, sir?" Su Qingying asked again, puzzled.

“If you believe everything I say without any guard up, you’ll be too easily fooled!” Jiang Ning said.

“Because I believe everything adults say!” Su Qingying said earnestly.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but give a wry smile.

After a while.

After Su Qingying left, a small ceramic bottle appeared in Jiang Ning's hand.

Dragon's Spirit Elixir.

Based on what he had learned from the book, this rare and precious material contained the aura of a dormant dragon vein, which would be of great help to his current cultivation.

Dragon's Nest Elixir was also the main resource that Ji Minghao delivered yesterday.

Thoughts flashed through my mind.

He opened the cap of the small ceramic bottle.

chant—

A deep dragon's roar suddenly came from the bottle.

He could see the spiritual liquid in the bottle turn into mist, and the mist transform into the shape of a dragon.

A dragon surges within the bottle.

"This item should be of great help to the Lingtai Cave Illumination of True Self Method!" he thought to himself.

Because both the Lingtai Cave Illumination True Self Method and the Dragon's Nest Spirit Liquid originated from Ji Minghao.

In this respect, he trusted Ji Minghao very much.

next moment.

He took a slight sniff of the small ceramic bottle in his hand.

In an instant.

A dragon-shaped creature formed from mist rose from the small ceramic bottle and entered his nasal cavity.

He immediately closed his eyes and entered the practice of the Lingtai Cave Illumination of True Self Method.

After a while.

[Lingtai Cave Illumination of True Self Dharma Experience Points +37]

[Lingtai Cave Illumination of True Self Dharma Experience Points +36]

Upon seeing the two notifications appear in succession, he felt a chill run down his spine.

"Nearly three times the increase!"

At that moment, he also saw a dragon-shaped mist moving around his soul within his spiritual platform.

After a brief observation, he entered a state of complete immersion in spiritual practice.

The first quarter of Chen Shi (7-9 AM).

At the gate of the Imperial Master’s Mansion.

"Qinghe, take good care of the adults!" Su Qingying instructed from the steps.

"I will!" The petite Qinghe stood beside Jiang Ning and nodded emphatically to Su Qingying.

"Ah Ning, remember to take good care of yourself!" Liu Wanwan also reminded her.

Hearing these two words, Jiang Ning felt helpless.

He could only nod and say, "I will!"

"Adi, we'll be waiting for you to come back wearing that crimson robe!" Jiang Li's smile revealed her white teeth.

"Don't worry, brother!" Jiang Ning smiled as well.

The military examinations were different from the civil examinations.

After the civil service examination, it would take a full three days for the results to be announced.

The military examination was different.

Once you reach the stage of the military examination, there is no longer a written examination, only a pure military examination.

In the martial arts examination, it was immediately clear who was stronger and who was weaker.

Therefore, the champion of martial arts will be determined on the spot after the event.

Chen hour and four quarters.

The drill grounds on Zhuque Avenue and Qinglong Avenue in the capital were already packed with people.

A post is set up every three steps, and a sentry post is set up every five steps.

Imperial guards stood solemnly around the drill ground decorated with red silk.

In the center of the training ground, five enormous cauldrons stood in neat rows.

The bronze-colored cauldron reflected specks of golden light.

On the east side of the drill ground, ten huge bronze arrow emplacements are neatly arranged, and the bronze mirrors on the emplacements reflect golden light in the sunlight.

thump -- thump -- thump --

The war drums sounded steadily, like spring thunder rolling across the capital.

The sound of the drums is the clarion call of the military examination, announcing the official start of this triennial grand event.

at the same time.

Jiang Ning also handed over his identity token and a sealed envelope from Guangning Prefecture on one side of the drill ground. The three inspectors in front of him took the identity token and verified its authenticity. One took out several portraits of Jiang Ning and compared them repeatedly. The third inspector checked the envelope and confirmed that it was intact and had no signs of being opened. Then, the other two inspected it repeatedly.

After confirming that everything was correct.

The three men stamped their red seals on the envelopes.

After completing this series of operations, the envelope was sealed in the metal box behind him and sent to the examiner for inspection.

at the same time.

A black and white outfit was handed to Jiang Ning by a servant.

"Thank you!" Jiang Ning said.

I took the clothes and headed towards the changing room.

He knew the process of the military examination.

Although the inspection was not as thorough as that of Wenju, uniform attire was still required.

He quickly changed his clothes and came out.

Her long hair on top of her head was also tied up with a black and white ribbon.

As soon as he stepped out of the changing room, he saw Wan Jianyi, who looked imposing, walking towards him.

His eyebrows were like swords, and his eyes were sharp.

The moment Wan Jian saw Jiang Ning, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"I look forward to our match later!" Wan Jianyi's lips curled up slightly.

“Me too!” Jiang Ning replied, and then walked towards the rest and waiting area.

After a while.

A member of the Imperial Guard, adorned with red silk and clad in armor, approached Jiang Ning.

"Sir, the examiner has completed the review. Here is your candidate token!"

"Thank you!" Jiang Ning said, taking the token from the soldier.

"You're too kind, sir!" Upon hearing Jiang Ning's thanks, the soldier became even more respectful.

He knew very well the status and bright future of the martial arts candidates who had made it this far.

Of the thirty-six prefectures in the Nine Provinces, those who have reached this point and appeared before him are all true prodigies from each prefecture.

Even if his performance is poor, he can easily become his superior after enlisting and be respectfully addressed as a general.

Moreover, he was very clear about the identity of the person in front of him, Jiang Ning.

He is one of the most dazzling prodigies in the Great Xia Dynasty in recent years, perhaps even the most outstanding.

He originally thought that such a proud and arrogant person was unruly and haughty.

Unexpectedly, the young man in front of him was so gentle that he thanked him, a mere imperial guard soldier.

Touched, he turned and left.

He has a very busy day ahead and cannot afford to waste any time.

"Inspector Jiang!" Just then, a voice rang out from behind.

Jiang Ning turned around and saw that the person who came was someone he knew, Yan Youjiao.

In the children's examination in Dongling County, apart from him, Yan Youjiao was the number one. His martial arts level of sixth grade was outstanding among the younger generation in Dongling County at that time.

Later, he participated in the provincial martial arts examination with him. Although Yan Youjiao did not enter the fifth rank, his strength was a step up from the children's examination. In the end, he also won the first-class score and became a martial arts candidate in the same year as him.

As fellow martial arts candidates, they naturally qualified to participate in the martial arts metropolitan examination.

Therefore, Jiang Ning was not surprised by Yan Youjiao's appearance.

"Oh, we're from the same hometown!" He smiled at Yan Youjiao.

"Inspector Jiang is truly magnanimous!" Yan Youjiao was touched by the smile on Jiang Ning's face, and respectfully said again, "I was young and impetuous before, and I have offended you greatly!"

As he spoke, Yan Youjiao cupped his hands in a respectful gesture toward Jiang Ning.

He participated in the provincial examination in Guangning Prefecture, and after many setbacks, he barely managed to be rated as a first-class candidate and thus barely obtained the title of Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination).

Looking at Dongling County as a whole, this achievement is something to be proud of.

In the past, he would have been proud of himself.

But after witnessing Jiangning's prowess at the time, and seeing how Jiangning had overwhelmingly won the top spot in the provincial examination in Guangning Prefecture, he realized that he and Jiangning were not even in the same league.

My achievements are nothing to be proud of in front of Jiang Ning.

"Don't just stand there, sit down! You'll be going on stage later!" Jiang Ning said.

"Yes!" Yan Youjiao nodded respectfully and then sat down next to Jiang Ning.

Then a faint excitement welled up inside me.

The fourth-ranked member of the Hidden Dragon List is now sitting right next to him.

As a martial artist, he was well aware of how extraordinary this achievement was.

Such a person was once like a star in the sky in his eyes.

Moreover, he was well aware that this was not the upper limit of Jiangning, but rather the starting point.

Because he knew that Jiang Ning was still young and had a lot of room for growth in the future.

In less than two years, he believed that Jiang Ning beside him would achieve the same success as Wan Jianyi, ranking first on the Heavenly Ranking and becoming the highest peak among the younger generation.

Thinking of this, he clenched his fist, suppressing his excitement and anticipation.

at this time.

With his striking eyebrows and bright eyes, and an imposing presence, Wan Jianyi walked in.

Like Jiang Ning, his upper body was dressed in pure white training clothes, while his lower body was dressed in loose, jet-black trousers.

Wan Jianyi's gaze swept across the room and landed on Jiang Ning.

At this moment, Yan Youjiao felt as if he were being pricked by needles, his hair stood on end, and his heart was filled with fear.

“Inspector Jiang, you disdained to fight me that day, but today you can no longer avoid it!” Wan Jianyi said.

Although the sound wasn't loud, it was clearly audible in the lounge.

As the aura shifted, gazes converged on Jiang Ning and Wan Jianyi.

Every martial arts student who appears here is a true martial arts prodigy, a shining example among the various prefectures.

But at this moment they all knew that in front of those two true geniuses, they could only become background figures.

To be able to meet these two people here is merely the threshold for Tianjiao to even see them.

One of these two is the number one on the current Heavenly Ranking, and the Sword Pavilion's peerless genius, a talent that appears only once every hundred years.

One person reached the fourth position on the Heavenly Ranking at the tender age of twenty.

Both of these individuals' achievements are something they look up to.

"I'm also curious. You're already number one on the Heavenly Ranking, so why are you keeping such a close eye on me?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Because you are very strong! You are the opponent I take most seriously! Your true strength is far more than just fourth on the Heavenly Ranking! Only by competing with the strong can you make continuous progress!" Wan Jian said.

at this time.

Jiang Ning saw the bald monk behind Wan Jianyi.

He couldn't help but smile: "And what about Master Mingxin?"

“Mingxin? He’s not as good as you!” Wan Jianyi said seriously.

"Amitabha!" Mingxin, standing behind Wan Jianyi, clasped his hands together in front of his chest.

"So it's Master Mingxin!" Wan Jianyi said, turning around.

“Why do you say that, benefactor? You clearly knew this when I entered!” Mingxin said calmly.

“Mingxin, you have succumbed to anger!” Wan Jianyi said calmly, then added, “You came here to participate in the martial arts examination, and you have also succumbed to greed!”

Mingxin clasped his hands together, his robes fluttering even without wind: "Benefactor Wan said this humble monk was angered because I chanted Buddhist mantras upon hearing 'not as good as Jiangning.' You said this humble monk was greedy because I stepped into the arena of fame and fortune for the martial arts examination. But benefactor Wan has not seen this."

He lightly tapped his heart with his fingertip: "When greed and anger arise, this humble monk observes them as if they were clouds gathering and dispersing. The martial arts examination is not for the sake of passing the imperial examination, but rather like a bronze mirror reflecting the myriad aspects of all beings. It is precisely the place for enlightenment and seeing one's true nature."

Wan Jianyi crossed his arms and sneered, "What a grand and righteous act! If you're not going to take office, why bother coming up on stage to compete?"

"Amitabha!" Mingxin said softly, a faint golden aura emanating from his body. "Bodhidharma's nine years of facing the wall was cultivation, as was Huike's cutting off his arm in the snow. What you see as a marketplace of fame and fortune, benefactor, is, in this humble monk's eyes..."

At this point, Mingxin paused, then pointed to the giant cauldron in the center of the training ground: "It is merely an image of five cauldrons suppressing mountains and rivers. When the cauldron moves, thoughts move; when the cauldron is still, the mind is still. Why should we be bound by whether or not we are on the stage?"

"That's just sophistry! If your heart were truly as still as a deep well, you should turn around and leave now," Wan Yi said.

Upon hearing this, sword intent burst forth from his body, causing all the martial artists in the room to hold their breath, and Yan Youjiao was drenched in cold sweat.

“Excellent!” Mingxin suddenly smiled, as if spring ice had just broken: “Benefactor Wan’s question is just like when the Second Patriarch asked Bodhidharma, ‘Where does the mind find peace?’”

He clasped his hands together and bowed, saying, "This humble monk replies: The martial arts arena is also a meditation cushion; the thoughts of victory and defeat all return to Prajna (wisdom)."

Wan Jianyi suddenly pressed his sword and laughed loudly: "Well done, Mingxin Monk! We'll meet at the training ground later, and see if your bronze mirror reflects your heart, or if my sword shatters illusions!"

(End of this chapter)