Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint

Jiang Ning couldn't help but glance sideways.

"Begging your pardon!" Zhong Yue said to Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning immediately smiled.

...

A moment later.

The setting sun dyed the sky red and colored the lake water.

By the window of the tower boat, Jiang Ning and Zhong Yue clinked glasses, enjoying themselves thoroughly.

In the past two days of traveling, apart from brief rests, he hadn't eaten a proper meal.

To him, eating wasn't just about filling his stomach; it was an enjoyment, a habit formed over two lifetimes.

Even though currently, he could go without eating or drinking for three to five months without issue.

But living is not just about living for the sake of living.

Many things bring great meaning to life.

Enjoying good food is one of them.

Sleeping and resting is another.

Doing these things always gives him immense satisfaction, allowing him to truly feel the joy of being alive.

"Isn't the taste of this food and drink great?" Zhong Yue said, filled with a smile, as he watched Jiang Ning eat and drink heartily.

"Haven't eaten this satisfyingly in a long time!" Jiang Ning praised simply and directly.

"Then eat and drink to your heart's content! I might not have much else here, but there's plenty of good wine, and as for fine food, the fish from Yang Lake is incredibly fresh!" Zhong Yue said.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning nodded in agreement.

The fish from Yang Lake, he could taste the difference from those in other places—its meat was more delicious, seemingly more beneficial to the body, providing more energy!

This... perhaps has something to do with the Secret Realm Cave Heaven of Yang Lake!

A thought flashed through his mind.

He then stopped pondering these questions and indulged freely in the wine and food.

Beside him, Zhong Ling cradled a cup with both hands, sipping the wine slowly, her face flushed with redness.

As night fell on the boat mast, only then did the three stop eating.

They arrived on the deck, enjoying the cool evening lake breeze, Jiang Ning's slight drunkenness dissipated instantly.

At this moment, several tower boats were floating luxuriously above Yang Lake.

Jiang Ning looked at the sky not far away.

The void appeared like water with ripples spreading.

"The phenomenon is more apparent than during the day!" Jiang Ning thought to himself.

He glanced again at the moon in the night sky, which appeared slightly blurred due to the ripples in the void, yet still brightly illuminated the lake surface.

"Brother Jiang Ning!" A gentle footstep sounded behind him, followed by Zhong Ling's voice.

Jiang Ning turned his head, seeing Zhong Ling, her face red and slightly wobbly as she walked over.

"You're so drunk, why come here instead of sleeping?" Jiang Ning asked.

"To enjoy the evening breeze!" Zhong Ling replied cheerfully, then continued, "After our last parting, I thought I wouldn't see Brother Jiang Ning for a long time, but unexpectedly, it's been only three months and I've seen Brother Jiang Ning again!"

Looking at Zhong Ling's glistening eyes, like autumn waves, Jiang Ning couldn't help but smile.

Just as he was about to speak, Zhong Ling added, "Brother Jiang Ning, I've been missing you a bit!"

Hearing this, Jiang Ning was momentarily silent.

"It's nothing! It's all drunken talk!" Zhong Ling quickly raised her head with a smile as bright as a flower, seemingly using laughter to conceal something.

Seeing Zhong Ling now, Jiang Ning fell into silence once again.

After a while, he gently rubbed Zhong Ling's hair.

Zhong Ling also closed her eyes slightly.

Just then.

Thump, thump, thump—

Footsteps echoed from the wooden staircase in the cabin behind them.

"Zhong Ling! Zhong Ling!!"

Zhong Yue's voice sounded.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning retracted his right hand, and Zhong Ling composed herself, tucking her hair.

"What are you two doing here?" Zhong Yue climbed the stairs to the deck, seeing Jiang Ning and Zhong Ling.

"Just blowing the wind, sobering up!" Jiang Ning said.

"Me too!" Zhong Ling said softly.

"You too!" Zhong Yue glared at his great-granddaughter, "The wind and waves are dangerous at night, be careful lest one wave throws you into Yang Lake to feed the fish!"

"No way! With Grandpa Xuan and Brother Jiang Ning here!" Zhong Ling stuck out her tongue.

"Go back to sleep, it's late, I need to say a few words to Jiang Ning!" Zhong Yue said.

"Okay!" Zhong Ling obediently nodded.

Then she looked at Jiang Ning, "Brother Jiang Ning, remember to sleep early!"

With that, Zhong Ling walked alone into the cabin, leaving the space to Jiang Ning and Zhong Yue.

A moment later.

After Zhong Ling left, Zhong Yue approached Jiang Ning.

"My great-granddaughter has a good character, don't you think?" Zhong Yue said.

"She's pretty nice!" Jiang Ning nodded.

"Then why not marry her? You're not young anymore, it's time to take a wife! As your strength continues to grow, having descendants will be increasingly challenging! When I was Fourth Grade, it took a lot of effort to have a son!" Zhong Yue said.

"Zhong Mansion Envoy, these things can't be forced, it must be sincere, not child's play!" Jiang Ning said.

"Alright then, up to you, I'll give you both time to cultivate affection! After you come out from Yang Lake Secret Realm Cave Heaven, take Zhong Ling away!" Zhong Yue said.

"How can that be possible!" Jiang Ning said, bracing himself.

"You mean to ruin my great-granddaughter's innocence and not take responsibility?" Zhong Yue stared at Jiang Ning.

"No!" Jiang Ning shook his head.

"Then it's settled, you'll take Zhong Ling, you two cultivate feelings well! I'll ask you again in a year!" Zhong Yue said decisively.

With that, not allowing Jiang Ning to speak, he turned and left.

As Zhong Yue turned, a trace of reluctance appeared on his face.

"Zhong Ling being by his side is better for safety than with me!!"

A thought flashed through his mind as he considered the Five Mountains Prefecture's exalted sect, far surpassing the existence of Cross Immortal Gate, bringing a deep sense of helplessness.

He could feel the current Thirty-Six Prefectures of the Great Xia were like a powder keg.

Once the Martial Saint is confirmed to have passed, the world will surely see huge waves.

Nine States, Thirty-Six Prefectures, most regions will struggle to escape unscathed.

And Five Mountains Prefecture would be among the worst.

Because the powerful force within Five Mountains Prefecture far exceeds its official strength.

Though Five Mountains Prefecture seems calm now, crises abound.

Upon meeting Jiang Ning, he made this decision.

"Hope this is the right choice!" Zhong Yue thought to himself.

Seeing Zhong Yue's disappearing back, Jiang Ning shook his head and withdrew his gaze.

From Zhong Yue's demeanor, he sensed Zhong Yue's firm stance.

"Such determination to entrust Zhong Ling to me, why is that?" He was slightly puzzled.

A moment later.

He no longer dwelled on the matter, his form swift as wind across the long planks, practicing Wind and Thunder Steps.

[Wind and Thunder Steps Experience Value +1]

[Wind and Thunder Steps Experience Value +1]

[Wind and Thunder Steps Experience Value +1]

[...]

With the moon hanging high, the experience value of Wind and Thunder Steps continued to grow.

[Skill]: Wind and Thunder Steps (Seven times limit-breaking 7873/8000) (Trait: Wind Breathing (Light Green)...)

Until the moon reached overhead, Jiang Ning glanced at the board, feeling a surge of excitement.

"Not much left, at most two hours to level up fully!"

Thinking of this, although it was late, the night deepened, he wasn't in a hurry to go back.

Elsewhere.

Zhong Yue looked towards the deck, clicking his tongue slightly.

"This boy is too relentless!"

"So late, yet not resting, still exhausting himself on the deck!"

"Such self-discipline, no wonder he's come this far!"

Reflecting on this, he couldn't help but sigh.

He was also a gifted individual, but upon scrutinizing himself, he realized his martial arts efforts were far less than Jiang Ning.

"Forget it! I'm old, why bother thinking about these things??"

"Better to rest well and sleep soundly!"

Zhong Yue murmured softly, comforting himself a few times before lying down completely.

Elsewhere, Jiang Ning continued to move on the deck, swift as the wind.

His rapid speed seemed to multiply his presence on the deck.

Under the moonlight, his elusive figure added a touch of elegance.

A long time later.

[Skill]: Wind and Thunder Steps+ (Seven times limit-breaking 8000/8000) (Trait: Wind Breathing (Light Green)...)

"Finally leveled up!"

Seeing the familiar plus sign appear on the board again, he broke into a satisfied smile.