Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint

Zhao Yulong nodded: "He has delved deeply into both Confucian and Daoist studies and has quite an understanding of arrays. Not long ago, he stepped into the Great Grandmaster Realm. I estimate it won't be long before he becomes my superior!"

"He became a Great Grandmaster?" Bai Luoyu couldn't help but widen his eyes, a look of disbelief filling them.

"Yes!" Zhao Yulong nodded.

Speaking of Shen Wenyan, a slight ease appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Because Shen Wenyan stepping into the Great Grandmaster Realm made him a native Great Grandmaster of Guangning Prefecture.

With such a giant figure around, the entire Guangning Prefecture will have a pillar.

No matter what upheaval occurs within the territory, with such a native Great Grandmaster presiding, it is hard to stir up much of a storm.

And he happened to have a good relationship with Shen Wenyan.

This was a great boon for him.

With someone influential above him, he would become more relaxed.

Meanwhile.

Jiang Ning heard their conversation.

He was somewhat puzzled in his heart.

Xichuan Shen Family.

He wasn't familiar with them.

But with Xichuan County, he was familiar.

Xichuan County is a large county under the jurisdiction of Guangning Prefecture at its border.

The Xichuan Shen Family, he had only vaguely heard of them and had not deliberately learned about them.

Because Xichuan County is at the far west of Guangning Prefecture.

While Dongling County is at the far east of Guangning Prefecture.

The two are too far apart, completely disconnected, and have no dealings.

Before this, he had been too lazy to learn about them.

Now, upon hearing their conversation, he learned that there was such a prominent figure in Xichuan County.

"Shen Wenyan of the Shen Family, a figure of a century's prosperity."

Jiang Ning murmured in his heart.

He was also somewhat curious about Shen Wenyan.

He had seen the elegance of a Heavenly Human Grandmaster.

But the elegance of a Second Grade Grandmaster, he had never seen, only heard of.

His understanding of Great Grandmasters was only rudimentary.

A Second Grade Grandmaster joining the court could be ennobled and grant protection to descendants.

This was his deepest understanding.

But from this point, one could see the status of a Second Grade Grandmaster.

Just on martial arts strength alone, one can be ennobled by Great Xia.

How exaggerated is that?

One must know.

A marquis is above a marquisate.

The Qinghe Marquis, back in the founding days, was granted such a title due to war merit and was granted the fiefdom of two counties.

To this day, although the name Qinghe Marquis has become nominal, only a ceremonial title without real power, the fiefdom long gone.

Even with this honorary title, the Qinghe Marquis's descendants continue to bask in ancestral glory.

They continue to enjoy their forebear's radiance.

And this is just a marquisate, not a marquis.

Thinking of this, Jiang Ning suddenly spoke.

"Residence Master, I've heard that a Second Grade Grandmaster can be ennobled as a marquis. Is this true?"

Upon hearing Jiang Ning's words, Zhao Yulong looked at Jiang Ning and nodded.

"Lord Jiang speaks correctly, it is indeed true!"

"But perhaps it differs slightly from what you imagine!"

"This kind of marquis cannot be compared to one ennobled by war merits, and it cannot be hereditary!"

"Each time the descendants inherit, they automatically decrease in nobility."

"And even if the fiefdom is equivalent to a marquisate, they can obtain the fiefdom of a county."

In regards to this point.

Zhao Yulong still showed a look of envy.

"But even a county fiefdom is enough! It's sufficient to drastically increase a family's foundation, sustaining several generations, hundreds of years of prosperity!"

Jiang Ning nodded in agreement.

"The Residence Master speaks truth."

Bai Luoyu also looked yearningly.

The Great Grandmaster was also his lifelong goal.

At this moment, discussing this matter made his heart yearn involuntarily.

"No more talking!" Zhao Yulong snapped back to reality.

He continued, "I'm going out to contact Great Grandmaster Shen Wenyan. The matters here are significant and require Great Grandmaster Shen Wenyan's decision."

"He will also soon be the person in charge of the Inspection Office within Guangning Prefecture!"

As his words landed.

Zhao Yulong walked out.

"Brother Jiang, from Master Zhao's words, does it mean that shortly Great Grandmaster Shen Wenyan will come to Dongling County himself?"

Jiang Ning nodded: "It should be so!"

"If so, would we not be able to witness the elegance of a Great Grandmaster?" Bai Luoyu's eyes shone brightly, filled with anticipation.

"It should be so!" Jiang Ning nodded again.

...

A moment later.

Zhao Yu reappeared before Jiang Ning and the others.

"Lord Jiang, Master Bai, come with me to the city wall to await the arrival of Great Grandmaster Shen Wenyan!"

"Going now?" Bai Luoyu looked puzzled.

Jiang Ning was equally puzzled.

Seeing the expressions of the two, Zhao Yulong immediately understood why the two were like this.

He couldn't help but laugh: "Currently, Shen Wenyan should be in the Guangning Prefecture city, which isn't far from Baisha County! In about thirty minutes, he will arrive in Baisha County. Let's go early to avoid being late."

In thirty minutes?

Jiang Ning's eyes instantly tightened, unable to help but click his tongue in wonder.

Such speed, somewhat terrifyingly fast.

He just learned from Bai Luoyu's mouth that when he set off, Zhao Yulong also set off.

But Zhao Yulong took over two hours to come here from Dongling City.

And the distance from Guangning Prefecture city to Baisha County is much farther than from Dongling City to Baisha County.

In thirty minutes?

If really so, the strength of a Great Grandmaster would be terrifyingly strong!

Jiang Ning murmured to himself internally.

He knew that his current speed, without relying on the Water Escape divine skill, could not possibly cover the distance from Guangning Prefecture to Baisha County in thirty minutes.

And speed was his strong suit.

From this point alone, he could glimpse just a corner of the Great Grandmaster's iceberg.

Then.

The three walked out of the basement.

"Greetings to Master Zhao!"

Seeing the appearance of Zhao Yulong along with Jiang Ning and the others, Deng Fei hurried to salute Zhao Yulong.

"County Magistrate Deng, do you confess your wrongdoing?" Zhao Yulong asked.

"I confess, as I neglected my duties, causing Baisha County to suffer such disaster, I am willing to admit guilt!" Deng Fei said.

"Come with me, your sentencing will be determined by Great Grandmaster Shen Wenyan."

"Great Grandmaster, Shen Wenyan?" Deng Fei murmured, stunned.

"Shen Wenyan will soon be my superior, succeeding the position of Residence Master of the Guangning Inspection Office. His personal arrival, clear now, do you understand the trouble you've caused?" Zhao Yulong said.

"How could it be?!" Deng Fei looked utterly shocked.

"Follow me, and you'll know!" Zhao Yulong said calmly.

He gave no evaluation of Deng Fei's current state.

Normally, in Deng Fei's current situation, only death awaited.

But since consulting Shen Wenyan, how to deal with Deng Fei would be determined by Shen Wenyan.

...

On the city wall.

The howling wind made their robes flutter loudly.

"He's here!" Zhao Yulong's gaze sharpened.

Beyond the mountains, a figure tore through the sky.

A shockwave exploded before the person, white mist spreading like waves, yet no sound emerged.

The body broke through the sound barrier!

Upon seeing this, Jiang Ning's gaze immediately sharpened.

He was amazed internally.

At this moment.

He understood why Zhao Yulong said that in about thirty minutes, Shen Wenyan would arrive in Baisha County.

Flight with the body.

Breaking through the sound barrier.

This terrifying flying speed could indeed achieve such a feat!

He then took a deep breath, suppressing the surging waves in his heart.

Just from this point alone, he could already see the strength of a Great Grandmaster.

He could also understand why a Second Grade Grandmaster would receive such a great honor.

Based on martial arts prowess alone, receiving a marquisate is a considerable treatment.

This kind of terrifying existence, without corresponding counterbalances, could slaughter entire armies by oneself.

Such strength was just a Second Grade Grandmaster.

What of one beyond the Second Grade Grandmaster, the First Grade?

And the Martial Saint who has dominated the world for over eight hundred years, how strong could he be?

Thoughts flashed rapidly in his mind.

The figure high in the air now began to slow.

Then flew directly toward where Jiang Ning and the others were.

In an instant.

The figure landed on the city wall.

The fierce wind that was raised roared over, causing them to squint slightly and feel the wind slashing like a knife across their cheeks.

Not until this moment did the explosive sonic boom from above slowly reach their ears.

"Greetings to Grandmaster Shen!" Zhao Yulong cupped his hands.

"Greetings to Grandmaster Shen!"

"Greetings to Grandmaster Shen!"

"..."

They all saluted in unison.