Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint

"But I have already cultivated for a thousand years; I'm not young anymore!!" Linglong pouted.

"Though your cultivation is high, you are still young." Jiang Ning patted her hair gently.

Her hair was smooth like satin.

He then withdrew his hand.

"Later, tell my brother and sister-in-law that I have to go out for a while!"

After reminding her, he moved, and his figure disappeared from the courtyard.

"Young Master, today is September 15th."

He obtained the precise information from Lv Yi in the neighboring courtyard and then left.

...

Water Moon Sword Palace.

Since the upheaval in Dongling County, where the Five Sword Sect and Mitian Sect were annihilated in succession, and the Divine Sword Manor lay dormant, the development of the Water Moon Sword Palace had been extremely rapid.

Not only did they reclaim all the lost territories, but much of the territory that once belonged to the Five Sword Sect was also seized by the Water Moon Sword Palace.

Although there were no grandmaster-level experts in the current Water Moon Sword Palace, all forces understood very well who stood behind it.

It was the Dongling County Patrol Envoy who had long since become a grandmaster, achieving the status of Heavenly Person.

A figure of unrivaled renown among the younger generation.

As soon as Jiang Ning landed on the central island, he was instantly recognized by the patrolling disciples.

"Greetings, Lord Jiang!" The leading patrol female captain stepped forward, bowed, and her expression was respectful.

Jiang Ning glanced around and saw these patrolling female disciples looking vibrant and spirited, unlike their previous listlessness.

The difference between before and after was like the rising morning sun compared to the setting evening sun.

"Is Palace Master Xiao here?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Yes, she is!" The leading patrol female captain replied respectfully.

"Take me to see her!" Jiang Ning said.

"Certainly!" The female captain responded.

She then turned to instruct a deputy to continue leading the patrol, and afterward, she guided Jiang Ning toward the mountain at the center of the island.

The Water Moon Sword Palace was built into the mountainside of the central island of Yingyue Lake.

Constructed along the mountain, it was topped entirely with glazed tiles, shining brightly in the light of the full moon, constantly flashing with a dazzling glow.

The two proceeded along the path and soon arrived at the sleeping chambers traditionally occupied by successive Palace Masters of the Sword Palace.

From the room ahead came the sound of rushing water.

"Knock, knock, knock!" The female captain stepped forward and knocked on the door.

"What's the matter?" The sound of the water abruptly stopped, followed by the cool and authoritative voice of Xiao Emei.

"Palace Master, Lord Jiang has come to visit!" The female captain's voice was respectful.

Inside, there was a momentary silence.

Then Xiao Emei's voice came again.

"Please invite Mr. Jiang next door, I will be right out!"

Upon hearing this.

The female captain turned to Jiang Ning.

"Lead the way." Jiang Ning said.

"Yes!" The female captain said respectfully.

She then led Jiang Ning next door, lit the lamps inside, and offered a cup of tea.

"Lord Jiang, please wait a moment, the Palace Master will be finished with her bath shortly and will come out!"

Jiang Ning accepted the tea, nodding slightly.

A moment later.

The female captain appeared slightly startled and then said to Jiang Ning.

"Lord Jiang, I still have duties to attend to, so I'll take my leave first!"

"Very well!" Jiang Ning nodded slightly.

He glanced at the retreating figure of the female captain and then looked toward the brightly lit room next door.

The flickering candlelight cast numerous shadows upon the wooden walls of the room next door.

He had just felt a faint ripple in the air.

This was the ripple caused by the Sound Transmission into Secret Skill.

With his current level of power, he could detect even slight disturbances around him with great precision.

Sound Transmission into Secret Skill was not considered a profound technique.

"What did Xiao Emei just say to her?" he thought as he took a sip of tea.

Just then.

Drip!!

The sound of a water droplet hitting the floor tile was clearly audible.

He couldn't help but turn his head to take a look.

He saw the silhouette of a woman clearly defined by the candlelight.

He then turned back.

He was not exactly a noble gentleman, but he refrained from such voyeuristic acts.

After a moment.

Creak—

The door connecting to the room he was in was pushed open.

He turned to look.

Only to see Xiao Emei's hair falling freely, tiny droplets of water sliding slowly down the strands.

The upper body wears a chest wrap and white gauze, revealing a defined abdomen.

The lower body is a skirt, somewhat transparent, reaching halfway down the calf.

Xiao Emei walked over with her ankles bare.

"Greetings, Mr. Jiang!" She made a graceful salute, her expression cool.

For a moment, Jiang Ning felt she bore a resemblance to the Moon Palace Goddess.

"Palace Master Xiao, no rush, you can dry your hair first!" Jiang Ning said.

Xiao Emei shook her head: "It will dry soon."

Then she sat next to Jiang Ning, flipped a teacup on the tea table, and poured herself a bowl of cold tea.

After drinking it in one gulp, she said to Jiang Ning: "Coming here at night, I wonder what urgent matter Mr. Jiang might have, is there any way I can assist?"

"Has Lin Qingyi been here?" Jiang Ning asked.

"She was, half a month ago, Sister Lin came to the Water Moon Sword Palace." Xiao Emei replied.

Then she added: "But afterwards Sister Lin disappeared in the main hall."

"The main hall of the Divine Woman Statue?" Jiang Ning was astonished.

"Yes!" Xiao Emei nodded.

"Take me there to see!" Jiang Ning said.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Emei stood up.

The long skirt fell, instantly covering the lower half of her calf, revealing only feet like jade stones.

"Please follow me, my lord!"

Jiang Ning nodded.

...

The two passed through the empty courtyard, across the corridor, and then arrived at the main hall.

Xiao Emei crossed the high threshold ahead, entering the main hall dedicated to the Divine Woman Statue.

Jiang Ning followed beside Xiao Emei, also crossing the tall threshold.

Next moment.

He saw the bright moonlight above falling, landing perfectly on the Divine Woman Statue in front.

Under the moonlight's embrace, the Divine Woman Statue immediately radiated a layer of pure white brilliance.

The jade-carved eyes seemed to possess an aura at this moment.

Xiao Emei walked forward, then stood beneath the Divine Woman Statue.

The reflected moonlight from the statue now fell precisely on her.

Set against the backdrop of gauzy white, it added a touch of chilly ethereal temperament to Xiao Emei.

"Sister Lin previously disappeared here."

Xiao Emei looked up at the towering statue and spoke.

Jiang Ning nodded.

He gazed at the sanctified Divine Woman Statue, then touched his forehead with the index and middle fingers of his right hand.

In an instant.

A white vertical line appeared on his forehead.

From within the vertical line, dazzling light continuously scattered, resembling smoke and clouds.

"Xiao Emei, step back!" Jiang Ning commanded.

At this moment, Xiao Emei shivered, feeling completely seen through.

She glanced at Jiang Ning and saw his eyes slightly closed, a heavenly eye dispersing smoky clouds on his forehead.

Immediately, she retreated to the side.

At this moment, Jiang Ning's gaze was fixed solely on the Divine Woman Statue, no longer noticing Xiao Emei.

The beauty of the bones could not affect him in the slightest.

Next moment.

He felt the world spin, heaven and earth inverted, time and space altered, and his consciousness became somewhat blurry.

When he regained awareness, a mirror-like smooth lake appeared before him.

The moonlight bathed the lake, the water tranquil, without a ripple.

By the lake stood a woman of unparalleled beauty.

The woman wore plain clothes and a simple skirt, flawless, with black hair streaming like a waterfall past her waist.

Though he couldn't see her face, just her silhouette was enough for anyone to believe she possessed stunning beauty.

"Greetings, Senior!" Jiang Ning expressed respectfully.

"You have come again!" The woman's cold ethereal voice sounded.

"Yes, I have come again!" Jiang Ning replied reverently.

At this moment, he was slightly surprised.

Not because of the woman by the lake, but because this place felt incredibly familiar.

It gave him a sensation similar to being in the Inner Realm of Shangyang Immortal Sect.

"Could it be... this is also an Inner World?"

Just then.

"Your Immortal Root has sprouted, and you've embarked on the celestial path?" The woman suddenly sounded surprised, turning to look at Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning immediately saw an incomparably beautiful face.

This beauty was not of this world, not a mundane thing.

Generally, when beauty reaches a certain level, there's no higher or lower, only differences in temperament.

But at this moment, the beauty of the woman in a white skirt far surpassed earthly splendor, exceeding Wang Qintan by three-fold.

It also surpassed all the female faces he had ever seen.