Canglang Martial Arts Hall.
After finishing his morning routine, Jiang Ning took advantage of the pre-dawn hours to continue practicing his martial arts in the courtyard.
Although his Qi and blood had already reached a state of perfection, allowing him to circulate energy throughout his entire body, this did not mean that further growth in his Qi and blood was meaningless. On the contrary, it held immense significance.
In the path of martial arts, Qi and blood are the foundation of everything. From what he knew, even legendary grandmasters relied on their Qi and blood to sustain their strength. In their later years, as their physical functions declined and their Qi and blood weakened, their power would inevitably diminish, far from their peak capabilities. This decline was irreversible. As one approached the end of their lifespan, their condition would only worsen, and their strength would continue to wane.
Take Wang Jin, for example. At just fifty years old, the strength he could now muster was no match for his prime. Of course, since Wang Jin had begun practicing the Inner Alchemy Cultivation technique, his physical functions had improved, and his condition had somewhat recovered. Whether Wang Jin could now unleash his peak strength was something Jiang Ning couldn't be sure of.
But Jiang Ning knew this: no matter what internal strengthening techniques one practiced, no matter how much one enhanced their organs and internal systems, as time passed and one's lifespan advanced, there would inevitably come a point where one reached their peak, after which they would begin to decline. Unless, of course, one became an immortal with an infinite lifespan and eternal life. But such beings existed only in legends.
[Five Animals Fist experience +1]
[Five Animals Fist experience +1]
[Five Animals Fist experience +1]
[...]
With each repetition of his fist techniques, Jiang Ning's experience points continued to grow, and his Qi and blood also steadily increased. He could feel that with every round of practice, he gained new insights into the Five Animals Fist. These insights, though small, accumulated over time, like grains of sand forming a tower or drops of water merging into a river. Eventually, they would reach a threshold of qualitative transformation.
Moreover, the continuous growth of his Qi and blood made Jiang Ning feel that his internal energy was still expanding, becoming more and more abundant.
Before long, the sky brightened.
The morning glow painted half the sky in red.
Then, a fiery red sun slowly rose in the east.
Under the sunlight, Jiang Ning practiced in the courtyard, his movements fierce and powerful. Sweat had already soaked the ground beneath him, leaving a dark patch.
Though the training was exhausting, seeing his fist technique experience points grow and his strength steadily improving filled Jiang Ning with a sense of satisfaction. Every effort he made translated into visible progress, providing him with immense positive reinforcement. This was why he had been able to train diligently day after day for over a month, steadily increasing his strength.
[Five Animals Fist experience +1]
Another round of fist techniques was completed.
Jiang Ning slowly retracted his fists.
[Skill]: Five Animals Fist (Proficient 597/1000)
He sat cross-legged on the ground.
Feeling the cool morning breeze brush against his skin, evaporating his sweat, he felt a wave of refreshing coolness wash over him, calming his heated heart.
Then, Jiang Ning took out a Protective Organ Pill.
Taking one pill daily allowed him to absorb solar essence more efficiently and accelerate the accumulation of experience points for his Inner Alchemy Cultivation technique.
As the pill dissolved in his stomach, a cooling sensation spread through his internal organs. After a short while, once the pill had fully taken effect, he faced the rising sun and began to inhale the solar essence.
[Inner Alchemy Cultivation experience +1]
[Inner Alchemy Cultivation experience +1]
[Inner Alchemy Cultivation experience +1]
[...]
With each breath, as he refined a strand of solar essence, he could feel his internal organs growing stronger. The stronger his organs became, the more resistant he was to internal injuries. Moreover, as his organ functions improved, ordinary poisons would have little effect on him. His stamina also increased, allowing him to maintain peak performance for longer periods.
Bit by bit, his experience points grew, bringing him closer to the 1,000 points needed for a breakthrough in his Inner Alchemy Cultivation.
[Skill]: Inner Alchemy Cultivation (Beginner 999/1000)
Glancing at his status panel, Jiang Ning thought to himself, "Just one more point."
He continued to face the sun, practicing his breathing technique.
Under his guidance, he could see a wisp of red, cloud-like energy forming in the air. Within this red mist was a faint golden glow. This energy flowed into his nostrils with each breath.
The solar essence entered his internal organs, and under the guidance of his cultivation technique and the effects of the Protective Organ Pill, it slowly tempered his organs.
After a short while...
[Inner Alchemy Cultivation experience +1]
As soon as this notification appeared, the status of his Inner Alchemy Cultivation changed on the panel.
[Skill]: Inner Alchemy Cultivation (Proficient 0/2000)
It had advanced from Beginner to Proficient.
In an instant, Jiang Ning felt as though his internal organs were placed in a furnace, with endless solar flames burning and tempering them.
An intense pain surged through his body, reaching deep into his heart.
He immediately felt an overwhelming agony.
Beads of sweat the size of soybeans formed on his forehead, rolling down his cheeks and gathering at his chin before dripping to the ground.
Under the immense pain, his brows furrowed tightly, and the corners of his mouth twitched.
Pain!
Excruciating pain!
The pain originated from his internal organs, far worse than the time in his previous life when he had swallowed a mouthful of freshly cooked rice, scalding his heart and lungs. This pain was several times more intense and unrelenting.
Yet Jiang Ning dared not move. He feared that any sudden movement might cause an accident during this critical process.
He could only clench his teeth, enduring the pain.
Sweat continued to pour down his face, dripping onto the ground.
In no time, the area where he sat was soaked with his sweat.
In this state of agony, time seemed to stretch endlessly. Every moment felt like an eternity.
After what felt like an eternity, the pain suddenly receded like a tide, disappearing completely in an instant.
Jiang Ning's furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and his clenched jaw loosened.
He let out a long exhale and then lay back on the ground, utterly spent.
The morning sun bathed his body, and a gentle breeze swept over him.
At the same time, he felt as though his internal organs were soaking in a warm spring, filling his entire body with a comforting warmth and an indescribable sense of relief.
In this state, his nearly exhausted body began to recover rapidly.
Jiang Ning closed his eyes, quietly experiencing the changes in his body.
In less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, he slapped the ground with one hand, propelling himself into the air.
Mid-air, he adjusted his posture and landed firmly on his feet.
[Skill]: Inner Alchemy Cultivation (Proficient 0/2000)
After glancing at his status panel, Jiang Ning closed it.
He took a deep breath.
Exhaling slowly, he felt an unparalleled sense of comfort.
He clenched his fist, feeling an overwhelming sense of vitality from within.
"This feeling... it's incredible!!!"
A smile spread across Jiang Ning's face.
At this moment, he felt better than ever before.
His entire body was brimming with energy.
It was as if a thousand-pound weight had been lifted from his body, giving him a sense of ease and lightness he had never experienced.
His body felt incredibly light, as though he could float away with the wind.
"Is this the effect of my organs transforming?" Jiang Ning murmured to himself.
He could feel that, with the breakthrough in his Inner Alchemy Cultivation and the intense tempering he had just endured, his internal organs had undergone a rebirth, like a phoenix rising from the ashes.
This transformation greatly enhanced the functions and strength of his organs.
He could sense that the resilience of his internal organs was now far beyond what it had been before.
For an ordinary person, a blow strong enough to cause internal injuries could displace or even rupture their organs, leading to death.
But for Jiang Ning, with his current organ strength, causing internal injuries was no longer so simple.
Let alone fatal injuries like organ rupture and internal bleeding!
"At the Proficient level of Inner Alchemy Cultivation, combined with the perception of spiritual energy, one can actively stimulate the latent potential within the body."
"I now meet these conditions. Let's give it a try."
With this thought, Jiang Ning didn't hesitate.
Under the guidance of his spiritual energy, he immediately sensed the presence of his internal organs.
In the next moment
Thud
His heart suddenly beat heavily.
If one were to look at his chest through his thin shirt, one would see a clear vibration where his heart was, like a stone dropping into a calm lake, creating ripples.
Thud
His heart beat heavily again.
Then
Thud
Thud
Thud
Each beat grew faster and more intense.
At the same time, Jiang Ning felt as though his heart had turned into a powerful engine.
The blood, which had been flowing slowly, now surged through his body like wild horses, rushing to his organs and limbs.
Jiang Ning raised his hand.
Instantly, he saw his skin turn red, veins bulging, and muscles contracting into dragon-like shapes.
Exhale
As he gently exhaled, he felt the air from his nostrils was much hotter than before, filled with a scorching heat.
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