Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint

Morning.

The dawn light illuminated the ancient city walls.

Jiang Ning's shadow stretched long at the city gate.

"Finally back!" Seeing the three large characters of 'Dongling City' inscribed on the main gate of the city wall, Jiang Ning sighed.

The journey back followed the path he had taken, though familiar, the rush made it exhausting for him.

Particularly, the repeated use of Water Escape drained him time and again, almost making him feel depleted.

However, returning successfully without delaying those important matters made his effort feel worthwhile.

Moreover, this trip, although not as fruitful as imagined, was still somewhat rewarding.

More importantly, it allowed him to touch upon some ancient secrets of the Ancient Era.

The records from the Ancient Times aren't fictional but are real ancient histories.

True Dragon Palace, Dragon Transformation Pond.

And the Different Space where the True Dragon Palace is located.

Additionally, upon exiting the True Dragon Palace, the spatial changes did not lead him to a pool but to an unknown mountain valley.

The miraculous means, though glimpsed through a partial perspective, could be seen clearly.

It let him witness the extraordinary aspects of that era.

This was enough to prove perhaps that era was more splendid than the current one.

As various thoughts flashed through Jiang Ning's mind, he moved forward towards the city gate.

...

"Young master, you're back!!!"

Lv Yi pushed open the mansion's doors, and the moment she saw Jiang Ning, her eyes instantly brightened, a renewed look of joy in them.

"Yes!" Jiang Ning nodded.

Afterward, Jiang Ning stepped over the threshold.

Lv Yi quickly closed the door behind them and followed.

"Is there food? I'm hungry!" Jiang Ning asked.

"There is! There is!! There is!!!" Lv Yi nodded quickly.

"That's good then!" Hearing this, Jiang Ning immediately smiled.

After journeying back and forth for several days based on the jade plaque's guidance to find the True Dragon Palace,

he hadn't rested or slept at all, nor eaten anything.

His stomach was empty, and while his body could withstand it without major issues,

decades of eating three meals a day made him accustomed to the pleasure of tasting food.

Eating was not just about survival, but enjoying the taste of delicious food.

Born in a country where food is the essence of daily life in a past life, his genes had long been enlightened to this enjoyment.

A moment later.

Jiang Ning took a big bite of a meat bun, then ate a piece of spiced duck and sipped some rice wine.

A look of pleasure immediately appeared on his face.

"Right!" Jiang Ning began, and continued, "Has there been any news about Xie Xiaojiu, Senior Zhou Xing, and Feng Jiuge?"

"Yes! There is news!" Lv Yi nodded repeatedly, like a chick pecking at rice.

"Zhou Xing arrived in Dongling City yesterday afternoon, and even visited here, leaving word that if the young master returns, I should notify him. He's staying at an inn nearby."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning nodded slightly.

He then said, "Then go tell him! I'm back!"

"Yes, young master!" Lv Yi responded with her head lowered.

After saying that, she turned and left.

With Lv Yi gone, Jiang Ning sat alone at the dining table, eating and drinking.

A moment later.

There was some noise at the door.

Jiang Ning looked up to see Liuu Wanwan carrying a large bowl of noodles walking into the room.

Steam rose in spirals, reaching the rafters.

"Sister-in-law, what's this about?" Jiang Ning rose to his feet.

Liuu Wanwan smiled, "I just heard the commotion of your return, knowing you must be hungry after your journey, so I quickly made a bowl of noodles for you!"

"Thank you, Sister-in-law!" Jiang Ning felt a bit moved and nodded to accept it.

"Alright, Ah Ning, eat first! I'll go prepare some more things!" Liuu Wanwan said.

"Then I'm troubling you, Sister-in-law!" Jiang Ning replied.

Afterward.

Watching Liuu Wanwan's departing figure, Jiang Ning looked down again at the large bowl of noodles.

The noodles were topped with braised beef and two fried eggs, with chopped green onions scattered over the white noodles as garnish.

Just smelling the aroma made his appetite surge.

Liuu Wanwan's culinary skills were excellent, and her noodles were a specialty.

He brought the noodles to the table and began eating right away.

...

One cup of tea later.

Step step step—

Footsteps came from the direction of the door.

Could Sister-in-law be coming again?

Such thoughts flashed through Jiang Ning's mind.

At this moment, the large bowl of noodles before him was already consumed thoroughly, with only some broth remaining.

The large bowl of braised beef that Liuu Wanwan had just brought over was also completely eaten by him.

He looked up towards the direction of the door.

The next moment.

A familiar figure appeared in his line of sight.

A man dressed in a white robe with a crane design entered his view.

The visitor was none other than the long-separated Zhou Xing.

"Senior Zhou Xing, please have a seat!" Jiang Ning greeted with a smile.

Zhou Xing, upon seeing Jiang Ning, quickly made his way over in a few quick steps.

"Greetings, Lord!" he cupped his hands.

"No need for such formality, Senior!" Jiang Ning said, raising his hand, letting True Yuan manifest as reality to support Zhou Xing from bowing in salute.

"Thank you, Lord!" Zhou Xing expressed his gratitude.

At this moment, he felt a mix of excitement and nervousness inside.

Upon receiving Jiang Ning's letter and reading it, he almost couldn't believe his eyes.

Sixth Grade Patrol Envoy — it was a position he never imagined for himself before.

The letter stated that Jiang Ning was about to take on this significant role.

And Jiang Ning needed his help, offering him a Seventh Grade official position.

It was like a pie had fallen from the sky, making it hard for him to believe at that moment.

But he also knew Jiang Ning had no reason to deceive him.

After a brief contemplation, he hastily made his way to Dongling City on horseback alone.