Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint

For the moment, he had no clue how to obtain the remaining hundred source points.

It’s important to realize that previously, after scavenging all the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in the Luoshui Lake, the accumulated source points were barely over a hundred.

According to the golden value theory, to increase a source point now would require over a thousand taels of gold.

A hundred source points would be a million taels of gold.

Thinking of this figure, he couldn’t help but shake his head secretly.

In Great Xia, the value of gold was tremendously high.

One tael of gold equaled a thousand taels of silver.

A hundred thousand taels of gold was an incredibly exaggerated number.

"Forget it, I’ll stop thinking about it for now. Tomorrow is the new emperor’s ceremony. Today, since I have obtained the Heart Sword, it’s the perfect time to consolidate and refine myself," Jiang Ning gathered his thoughts and closed his eyes again.

Subsequently, he activated the "Heart Sword" to meticulously reflect on his current state, from the martial arts physique to the Primordial Spirit of the Immortal Dao, from the cultivation techniques that had broken their limits to the skills yet to reach perfection, reviewing each aspect to identify gaps.

The light of the Heart Sword flowed like a clear spring, dispelling the mist in his cultivation, making the path ahead increasingly clear.

...

The next day.

The day of the new emperor’s ascension.

In the early morning, before the sky was fully bright, the Royal Capital was enveloped in a thin layer of bluish-gray fog.

Inside the Dongling Marquis Mansion, Jiang Ning had already risen.

He didn’t wear the intricate court attire but instead a simple black robe, with just the East Ling Seal, signifying his marquis status, hanging from his waist.

His long hair was tied with a black wood hairpin, accentuating his refined features and calm gaze, like an ancient well.

"Young Master, the carriage is prepared and waiting outside the mansion." Lv Yi reported softly, holding a black cloak embroidered with dark golden cloud patterns in her hands, "The morning is chilly, Young Master, you should wear a cloak."

Jiang Ning nodded, letting Lv Yi help him put it on.

Then he asked, "Where are Little Dumpling and Sister-in-law?"

"Madam said that the palace ceremony today would be crowded and chaotic, so she will wait with the young miss for the Young Master to return at the mansion," Lv Yi replied, adding, "Madam also said that the Young Master should be cautious in everything."

Jiang Ning nodded slightly.

He had always trusted this sister-in-law of his.

Today seemed like a grand celebration for the new emperor, joyous for the entire realm, but in reality, undercurrents were surging, and who knew how many eyes would be focused on him.

He had vaguely sensed yesterday that there were several obscure and powerful presences approaching from outside the city.

"Understood." He stepped outside steadily, his presence restrained, seemingly like an ordinary person.

Outside the mansion, the carriage from the palace had been waiting for quite some time.

It was a carriage drawn by four majestic black horses, entirely jet black, driven by an inner guard from the palace.

The coachman was silent, yet his body was full of vitality, indicating that his skin, flesh, and bones were refined to the extreme, showcasing extraordinary strength.

"Greetings, Marquis!" Upon seeing Jiang Ning, the man respectfully bowed.

Jiang Ning nodded slightly, "Let’s move!"

"Please, Marquis!" the man respectfully replied.

Subsequently, Jiang Ning boarded the carriage, which then slowly headed towards the Imperial Palace.

Inside the carriage, Jiang Ning closed his eyes and focused his mind.

Subsequently, the entire Royal Capital’s aura naturally reflected in his mind like a star map.

Most of the citizens were still asleep or had risen early for livelihood, their auras mixed and weak.

The direction of the Imperial Palace presented a different scene.

The Forbidden Army stood in ranks, their Qi-Blood gathered like a furnace.

The carriages of the civil and military officials converged towards the palace gates, their auras either heavy or anxious, or concealed with cunning.

Outside the Imperial Palace, there were two powerful presences that slightly condensed his mind and spirit.

One presence was steady as a mountain, exuding the weight of the Buddhist, as firm as a rock.

The other presence was ethereal and transcendent, lively and natural.

"It seems today they have come for me!" a thought flashed in Jiang Ning’s mind.

Yesterday, when these two presences entered the Royal Capital, he inevitably sensed them.

Their aura was too overwhelming, like two great suns, hard to ignore.

Yesterday, he wasn’t sure about their purpose in coming to the Royal Capital, but today, he became more certain.

"I fear this ascension ceremony will not be peaceful today."

...

Elsewhere.

Outside the Imperial Palace.

On a five-story high tower.

At this moment, four figures stood on one side of the balcony.

Looking into the distance, from here, they could see a corner of the Imperial Palace, and see the carriages converging at the palace gates.

"Did the Qingxu Temple Master come for Dongling Marquis too?" The old monk, frail and thin, wearing a kasaya, addressed the newly arrived white-haired youthful-faced Daoist.

Behind the old monk stood two young monks.

One young monk wore a white monk’s robe, his lips red and teeth white, unstained by dust, with twelve scar marks on his head.

The other young monk was noticeably brawnier, with strong limbs and eleven scars on his head.

These two were Jin Chan and Fen Deng, whom the old monk had brought from the Vajra Temple.

"If not for Dongling Marquis, who would want to come to the Royal Capital now?" the Qingxu Temple Master replied.

Then he continued, "In the Royal Capital, every move we make is seen by that person."

The old monk nodded in agreement: "That one’s gaze is everywhere. However..." He paused slightly.

Then he looked towards the palace gates: "This time, we came to witness the demeanor of Dongling Marquis. At this age, second in the world. Having proven his Primordial Spirit based on Yin Yang, an upper-level Immortal Foundation, standing against Ji Xuan, such demeanor indeed sparks the old monk’s curiosity."

The Qingxu Temple Master brushed his sleeve, his gaze calm: "What the Jingang Temple Abbot said, is also what this poor Daoist thinks. We came today to witness the Dao. It’s just... I wonder if Dongling Marquis has sensed our presence."

The old monk said: "Dongling Marquis has achieved the Immortal state of the Primordial Spirit; his perception must be keen. Within the Royal Capital, with all this aura, he must know."

"I think so too, for I can sense his presence as well!" the Qingxu Temple Master said lightly.

His gaze at this moment was not on the palace gates, but in another direction.

In his pupils, one could see a carriage rushing along a bluestone-paved road.

At this moment.

Jin Chan listened to the conversation between the two in front, feeling extremely complex inside.

He had long had contact with Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning obtained the complete Vajra Immortal Body, also from his hands.

At that time, in his eyes, Jiang Ning was just like him, a young generation prodigy.

Now, only a little over a year’s time has passed, and Jiang Ning has reached a level beyond his reach, the world’s second-renowned among the six.

Now if they were to meet again, he no longer had the qualification to stand before Jiang Ning.

The gap between them, regardless of status or strength, was too vast.

After a brief conversation, the balcony returned to silence.

They quietly awaited Jiang Ning’s appearance and the commencement of the Great Xia’s new emperor’s ascension ceremony.

...

Moments later.

A carriage drawn by four black horses, entirely jet black, quickly approached the palace gates.

"He’s here." The Qingxu Temple Master’s eyes slightly focused.

The old monk also turned his gaze, a touch of seriousness appearing on his gaunt face.

The carriage passed through the palace gates without halting, heading straight towards the Chengtian Hall where the ascension ceremony was to be held.

The aura of the person within the carriage was exceptionally restrained; if not for the two’s profound cultivation, they would hardly have detected his presence.

"His aura is restrained to the level of an ordinary person, yet subtly in harmony with heaven and earth, this Primordial Spirit Immortal realm is indeed extraordinary," the Qingxu Temple Master commented.

The old monk said: "The Immortal Dao emphasizes insight and rules; being in harmony with heaven and earth is inevitable. But he hasn’t forsaken martial arts; his Qi-Blood is contained, blazing like a furnace, just hidden deep within. Dual cultivation of Immortal and Martial, yet managing both to such an extent, is truly an anomaly."

"Abbot, Temple Master, when should we go see him?" Jin Chan inquired softly.

The old monk slowly said: "The ascension ceremony, a national ritual, we should not interfere. After the ceremony, during the new emperor’s banquet, we shall meet him."

The Qingxu Temple Master agreed: "Indeed. Going now would be against etiquette and disrupt the ceremony. Moreover... that Martial Saint may also direct his gaze here today."

The two spoke no more, simply standing quietly on the high tower, looking towards the Imperial Palace.

Elsewhere.

The black carriage carrying Jiang Ning traversed the grand avenue of the Imperial Palace.

The officials they passed retreated to the side, showing respect.

They understood that within the palace, those who could ride in a carriage were the ones who, upon entering the court, were exempt from bowing, or rewarded with seats before the hall, figures beyond ordinary officials’ reach.

The carriage carrying Jiang Ning advanced steadily, heading straight for the Chengtian Hall.

Today, the ascension ceremony of Great Xia’s new emperor, as well as the Empress’s marriage ceremony, were both held in the Chengtian Hall.