Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint-Chapter 1382 - 233: Simple Goal! (Part 2)

"The purpose of this Linyuan Small Gathering is friendly exchange of martial arts insights. I wonder if anyone is willing to step onto the stage to spar a couple of moves and show their skills to everyone present."

As the words fell.

Suddenly, someone spoke from Linyuan Pavilion on the first floor.

"Third Prince, this place is narrow. If we go all out, it might bring down Linyuan Pavilion."

"What this brother says is true!" The Third Prince, seated calmly, smiled faintly and continued, "So everyone should just take it easy; the main aim is mutual exchange, not truly determining victory!"

"Dividing winners and losers inevitably harms harmony."

"As for bringing down Linyuan Pavilion, everyone needn’t worry too much. Linyuan Pavilion is reinforced by arrays. Damaging some tables and chairs is simple, but to bring down Linyuan Pavilion—not to mention us—even if a Grandmaster strikes, it would be difficult to bring down Linyuan Pavilion in a short time."

With the Third Prince’s words falling.

A voice emerged again from Linyuan Pavilion on the first floor.

"With the Third Prince saying this, I’m relieved!"

Soon after, a man leaped up and landed on the central stage on the first floor.

"Everyone, I am skilled in staff techniques. In terms of the intricacies of staff techniques in my hometown, I am unmatched, rarely finding a battle that allows me to improve. Thus, I firstly take the lead here, hoping some peerless heroes will weigh my skill."

As the man spoke, his brows radiated confidence as he scanned the second floor.

He was clearly dissatisfied with being placed on the first floor of Linyuan Pavilion.

Just then.

Another man from the first floor flew onto the stage.

"Mr. Shen, I would like to learn your staff technique." As he spoke, his gaze fervently fixed on the first speaker.

"What weapon does this brother specialize in?"

The Third Prince inquired from the second floor.

"Blade!" The man responded curtly.

"Thanks to both brothers for lending me a touch of face!" The Third Prince spoke with a kind smile.

As he spoke, he approached the railing.

With one hand, he grabbed a long staff and with the other, a long sword, then tossed them down to the two below.

Whiz—

The sound of the air breaking instantly arose.

The two raised their hands to grasp the heavy long staff and the long sword, both landing steadily in their hands.

Whoosh—whoosh—

The staff-wielding man casually spun the staff twice, creating a whistling sound.

"What a fine long staff cast from mysterious iron!" He praised.

At the same time, the sword-wielding man also drew the long sword from his hand.

Clang—

Accompanied by a crisp sound of the sword, the shimmering cold light of the long sword was unveiled before everyone.

"A fine sword!!" As a sword enthusiast, he couldn’t help but praise the sight of a splendid sword.

"These sword and staff are gifts to the two of you!" The Third Prince announced and added, "For coming forward to showcase your talents, I have another gift."

As his words fell.

Everyone’s gaze unwittingly fell upon the Third Prince.

The next moment.

A golden light flickered in the Third Prince’s hand.

Two golden, pigeon-egg-sized pills appeared in his hand.

"Dragon and Tiger Strength Pill!" Someone exclaimed in surprise.

Jiang Ning also glanced at it, and knowledge related to it instantly surfaced in his mind.

The Dragon and Tiger Strength Pill is a kind of pill made by Dragon and Tiger Mountain.

Despite its high production, this pill is quite famous.

Because it suits martial artists of all stages.

No matter the level of martial artist, refining a Dragon and Tiger Pill allows them to feel an enhancement in tendons, Qi-blood, and strength.

And the value of a Dragon and Tiger Strength Pill is high.

One pill is worth a hundred taels of gold.

"The Dragon and Tiger Strength Pill is gifted to the two of you!" The Third Prince descended.

Then, two beams of golden light burst from his hands, breaking through the air.

The two on the stage below reached out, and the Dragon and Tiger Strength Pills settled steadily in their hands.

"Thank you, Third Prince!" The two, looking at the golden Dragon and Tiger Strength Pill in their hands, flashed a smile on their faces and immediately bowed in gratitude.

For them, even with some achievements, a pill worth a hundred gold is quite a rare gain.

Poor in literature, wealthy in martial arts.

Reaching this stage requires spending a lot of money.

At this moment, Jiang Ning slowed his eating pace and fixed his gaze on the two men on stage.

He also wanted to observe what kind of strength martial arts students capable of reaching the stage of Martial Arts Examination possessed.

The next moment.

After the two made polite gestures.

Clang—

The sword-wielding man raised a sword; the long sword in his hand slithered like a venomous snake, stabbing the staff, then skewing along the smooth staff.

Seeing that one sword was ineffective, the sword-wielder retracted the sword, stabbing again.

Hiss—

Accompanied by the air being split by the long sword, this stroke was slightly faster than the previous one.

Clang—

The sound of metal-iron collision rang out, a spark flashed, remaining ineffective.

But consecutive strikes followed, each sword faster than the last.

In the span of breath.

Several swords had already been stabbed.

Streams of air shot and spread sharply, clearly landing in Jiang Ning’s eyes.

Each sword was faster than the last, each sword stronger than the last.

But only watching for a moment, Jiang Ning lost interest.

The gap between this confrontation and his level was too vast, with nothing gained from watching.

Moreover, it delayed his enjoyment of gourmet food and wine.

He then withdrew his gaze, burying his head to eat heartily.

[Source Energy +10]

[Source Energy +12]

[Source Energy +8]

He silently counted to himself.

Though he knew this calculation was meaningless and inaccurate.

But this method fueled his motivation.

Noticing Jiang Ning’s movements, several gazes fell on Jiang Ning.

Among them were Ji Minghao’s gaze, also Ji Mingyuan, Wan Jianyi, and the gaze of a Princess.

"Shiqi, is your heart’s flame a starving ghost reborn? Since sitting down, his mouth hasn’t stopped."

Beside Ji Mingyuan, a seemingly young woman glanced at Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue, pursing her lips.

"Seventh sister, if you don’t speak, nobody would consider you mute!" Ji Mingyue sneered immediately, "When you speak, everyone knows your gossiping nature."

"Shiqi could really be sharp-tongued!" remarked the Seventh Princess.

"Knowing my sharp tongue, yet you stir my man—could it be Seventh Sister has tendencies of... masochism?" Ji Mingyue retorted with no good humor.

Hearing these words, Jiang Ning couldn’t help but smile.

"Lord Jiang’s taste is quite good!" At that moment, Wan Jianyi seated opposite also spoke.

"Martial practitioners naturally have good appetite!" Jiang Ning said lightly.

Then lifted the drinking cup and downed it.

Wan Jianyi nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the mound of fruit hulls and empty wine jars in front of Jiang Ning, calmly remarked, "Lord Jiang’s food intake is truly astounding."

Hearing these empty remarks, Jiang Ning simply couldn’t be bothered to reply, biting fiercely into a freshly roasted leg before him now.

Seeing Jiang Ning’s expression, Wan Jianyi’s eyes rippled instantly.

"Lord Jiang isn’t interested in the match below between the two brothers. How about you and I step onto the stage for a duel, to liven up the audience, and let the heroic geniuses here see Lord Jiang’s martial arts prowess?"

This suggestion silenced the Linyuan Pavilion.

One by one, gazes fixed on Jiang Ning and Wan Jianyi.

"Not interested!!"

Faced with Wan Jianyi’s verbal invitation, Jiang Ning casually replied.

"I’ve said it, Junior Sister Li Qing, this man would certainly be afraid of Brother Wan!!" The disciple of Sword Pavilion behind Wan Jianyi spoke loudly.

"Heavenly List Number One deserves it, Heavenly List Number One, Jiang Ning indeed shrinks!"

"Yes! After all, the gap between first and fourth is several ranks! Wan Jianyi surpassing He Shouchi and ranking first shows his immense strength!"

"Do you think Wan Jianyi might be the top in the Heavenly List of all times?"

"Even if not first, surely among the top three of all times! So it’s normal for this Lord Jiang to fear."

"..."

Voices of discussion erupted in Linyuan Pavilion’s upper and lower tiers.

The words subtly contained provocations; no one would resist seeing a match between the Heavenly List’s first and fourth.

Now, it was clear Wan Jianyi held this thought, whereas Jiang Ning did not.

Listening to the discussions on all sides, Jiang Ning’s heart didn’t stir.

His goal today was clear: to increase Source Energy.

As for dueling and sparring, it would only delay him from reaping as much benefit as possible.

The advantages aren’t much, but troubles could be plenty.

This meaningless battle, he was too lazy to engage.