The next day.
Snow continued to fall heavily, covering the land in an endless white expanse.
[Source Points]: 313.77
Glancing at his status panel, Jiang Ning nodded in satisfaction.
After digesting the heavenly materials and earthly treasures from the previous day, his Source Points had increased by over two hundred, now surpassing the halfway mark toward five hundred.
However, after making a quick calculation, Jiang Ning realized that the Miao Yan Spirit Fruit he had consumed the day before had provided more Source Points than the batch of regular heavenly materials and earthly treasures he had eaten yesterday.
Not only did the Miao Yan Spirit Fruit yield more Source Points, but it also cost him less silver.
More importantly, its effects were significantly stronger.
The Miao Yan Spirit Fruit had greatly strengthened his Water-Fire True Energy, granting him an additional 1,637 experience points.
By comparison, the enhancement provided by yesterday's batch of treasures was barely noticeable.
For instance, the boost to his vitality and physical strength was nearly negligible given the current state of his powerful body and robust energy reserves.
As for the supplementary treasures meant to restore physical stamina and replenish bodily losses, they were even less useful to him.
After all, as long as he was nourished by water, all his losses would recover rapidly.
Between the two options, the Miao Yan Spirit Fruit had the better cost-effectiveness.
Jiang Ning closed his status panel, keeping this realization in mind.
As he flipped over and got out of bed, he focused inward.
Immediately, he observed that his 206 bones had once again changed compared to the previous day.
Now, ninety-nine percent of his bones had been tempered into a deep black color, resembling obsidian.
The silver threads that ran across his bones had also diminished significantly, now numbering only between ten and thirty in each section.
"Probably two or three more days," Jiang Ning murmured to himself, opening his eyes.
Then, he pushed open the door.
The wind and snow that had been blocked outside instantly rushed into his room, tousling his long, unbound hair.
"This weather is truly harsh," he muttered.
"If this is man-made, then they've gone overboard."
Shaking his head, Jiang Ning stepped out of the room.
He then turned back to shut the door, preventing the wind and snow from accumulating inside, which could melt and leave his room damp.
At that moment, Jiang Ning stood in the courtyard, wearing only two thin layers of clothing.
Despite the icy wind carrying snowflakes directly into his face, he felt no chill.
At his current level, his resistance to both extreme heat and cold had already begun manifesting tangibly.
Especially for someone like him.
After stretching his muscles and warming up a bit, he unleashed his internal energy, sweeping away the accumulated snow from the courtyard walls.
He also cleared the snow from the trees and rooftop if left unchecked, the growing weight of the snow could collapse the house and break the branches.
In such blizzard conditions, there wasn't much work to be done, but this was one of the daily chores for ordinary people.
Jiang Ning only cleared his eastern courtyard, leaving the rest for Jiang Li to handle.
Though the task was simple for him, he didn't want to do everything himself.
Leaving some responsibilities for Jiang Li would help prevent him from feeling a sense of uselessness or detachment.
After finishing his snow-clearing task, Jiang Ning was about to prepare his ideal training environment one infused with all five elemental spiritual essences when he noticed someone approaching.
It was Lü Yi, dressed in a white rabbit-fur cloak over a green long dress, carrying a food box as she walked toward him.
"Young Master!" Seeing Jiang Ning look in her direction, Lü Yi beamed brightly.
She was very content with her current life.
Having learned Jiang Ning's usual waking hours yesterday, she had gotten up early to prepare a pot of nourishing meat soup.
After all, Jiang Ning woke up long before breakfast at least three to four hours earlier.
"What's this?" Jiang Ning asked, glancing at the food box in Lü Yi's hands.
Lü Yi lifted the box slightly. "Young Master, this is fresh meat soup I just made. It'll help warm your stomach before training."
"Alright." Jiang Ning nodded. "Bring it inside."
Hearing this, Lü Yi took a few steps toward his room but then paused.
"Young Master, shall I help you comb your hair?" she asked softly.
Jiang Ning instinctively ran a hand through his hair. Though he bathed in water daily, he hadn't properly tended to his hair in days.
Now, it was indeed a little messy.
Normally, he didn't care much for grooming, usually just tying his hair up casually.
But upon hearing Lü Yi's suggestion, he hesitated briefly before nodding.
"Alright."
With that, the two of them entered his room.
Sitting down on a stool, Jiang Ning picked up a steaming bowl of meat soup and started drinking in large gulps.
Though he could go without food for long periods even ten days or half a month if necessary starving was still an uncomfortable feeling.
On such a bitterly cold winter morning, drinking a bowl of steaming hot meat soup to fill an empty stomach was truly a comforting experience.
A short while later.
Under Lü Yi's meticulous care, Jiang Ning's messy hair was neatly combed, and his hairband was firmly tied at the back.
At the same time, he had finished two whole bowls of meat soup.
A warm sensation spread through his belly, filling him with a sense of comfort.
"Having someone to take care of me is a luxury!" Jiang Ning thought to himself as he rubbed his stomach.
Before, when had he ever experienced such treatment and indulgence?
"All done, Young Master!" Lü Yi clapped her hands, smiling with satisfaction.
"Go back and catch up on some sleep," Jiang Ning said as he stood up.
"Yes!" Lü Yi nodded immediately.
To ensure that Jiang Ning could warm his stomach with a bowl of meat soup as soon as he woke up, she had gotten up before dawn, braving the darkness and the cold wind to make her way to the kitchen, where she started a fire and carefully prepared the soup.
Now, she was naturally feeling drowsy.
Afterward.
Lü Yi walked over to Jiang Ning's bed.
Jiang Ning never had the habit of tidying his bed after getting up, so it was always left in a complete mess.
Now, Lü Yi knelt on the bed, smoothing out the disheveled sheets.
Jiang Ning glanced at her, watching as she skillfully straightened the covers.
"Not bad!" he chuckled.
Having Lü Yi take care of his daily affairs, he silently praised himself for his decision.
With all these trivial chores handled, he no longer had to worry about daily matters, making life much more comfortable.
It was a simple pleasure.
Moreover, this arrangement meant he could devote more time to his martial training each day.
Stepping into the courtyard, Jiang Ning quickly set up a training ground where all five elements were present.
The next moment
Whoosh
He exhaled a breath of stale air, focused his mind, adjusted his state, and began practicing his fist techniques.
At the same time, he activated his internal energy, tempering his bones through rigorous training.
Time passed steadily.
The continuous blizzard over the past few days had forced everyone indoors.
Even though the New Year was only a little over a week away, the townspeople were unable to go out and prepare for the festivities.
All they could do was wait for the blizzard to pass while occasionally clearing the snow off their rooftops.
If too much snow accumulates, the weight could collapse their homes.
In such harsh conditions, losing one's shelter was nearly a death sentence.
Freezing to death in the snow was a common tragedy.
During mealtime, Jiang Ning often heard Jiang Li talk about the frozen corpses on the streets.
As a stationed constable, Jiang Li was technically not required to patrol in such extreme weather.
However, to help out a few elderly and ailing colleagues, he took on the duty voluntarily.
While patrolling, he witnessed firsthand the grim reality of frozen corpses occasionally appearing along the streets.
Every time he spoke of these scenes, he could not help but sigh in sorrow.
Jiang Ning, listening silently, chose not to comment.
Against a natural disaster, even he was powerless.
Yet, on the bright side, due to the harsh weather, he had not been disturbed by anyone over the past few days.
His daily routine consisted solely of training day after day, without fail.
Even in the howling wind and snow, his training never ceased.
These days, he had not stepped out of his residence even once.
Each day was spent within the confines of his courtyard, dedicated to his practice.
At Cloud Coming Inn, Star Guardian had just arrived at an ordinary room, guided by the secret symbols left by the cult.
"You? Star Guardian?"
"Greetings, Wind Divine Envoy!" Star Guardian recognized the person before him and immediately cupped his hands in a respectful salute.
In the Worshipers Sect, the four great Divine Envoys were known as Wind, Fire, Mountain, and Forest.
But what exactly was a Divine Envoy?
Only those who had undergone the sacred blood baptism absorbing the divine blood and transforming into a divine body could claim this title.
Within the cult, these figures were solely referred to as Divine Envoys, for they carried the will of the deity.
Through the divine blood, they had become divine beings, their forms increasingly resembling that of the deity they worshiped. This transformation also brought them immense power.
Thus, within the cult's hierarchy, Divine Envoys were second only to the Deputy Cult Master and the Cult Master himself.
As for the deity, that being was exalted above all.
Even though Star Guardian's martial prowess was comparable to Wind Divine Envoy's, his status remained beneath him.
Seeing Star Guardian bow in respect, Wind Divine Envoy gave a slight nod.
"I left signs in multiple locations days ago," he said. "Why is it that only you have appeared today?"
"Wind Divine Envoy, you may not be aware…" Star Guardian hesitated for a moment, organizing his words before speaking again. "All members of the cult in this area have been completely wiped out."
"They've all been exterminated?" Wind Divine Envoy's expression froze.
Over the past few months, although the establishment of the Inspection Bureau had greatly restricted the cult's activities, it was still rare for an entire stronghold in such a large county to be completely eradicated.
"What exactly happened? Tell me everything," Wind Divine Envoy demanded.
Hearing this, Star Guardian carefully recounted everything that had transpired, including the details of his current investigation.
An incense stick's worth of time later, their conversation concluded.
"So that's how it is," Wind Divine Envoy nodded slightly before continuing, "So you're saying that the Divine Embryo was destroyed by Jiang Ning, the deputy commander of the Inspection Bureau?"
"Divine Embryo?" Star Guardian's expression showed his surprise.
Wind Divine Envoy explained, "I came here carrying a divine decree."
He then revealed his full purpose for coming to this place.
Unfamiliar with the situation, he would have acted recklessly in the past, storming in without hesitation.
However, things were different now.
With the Inspection Bureau spread throughout the land, even he dared not act too brazenly.
If he attracted the attention of the Bureau's powerful figures, it would be a troublesome matter even for him.
After listening to Wind Divine Envoy's explanation, Star Guardian finally understood his intentions completely.
"What does the Divine Envoy plan to do now?"
"Do you know Jiang Ning's current whereabouts?" Wind Divine Envoy asked.
"I do!" Star Guardian nodded immediately.
He had personally witnessed Jiang Ning in action and had spent the past few days investigating him thoroughly in Luo Shui County.
Naturally, he knew exactly where Jiang Ning's residence was.
"Take me there!" Wind Divine Envoy commanded. "Once we arrive, the guidance of our god's finger will confirm whether he was the one who destroyed the Divine Embryo."
"Yes, Divine Envoy!" Star Guardian responded at once.
Elsewhere, Jiang Ning was drenched in sweat, his soaked clothes clinging to his body.
His fist movements had reached the final stance of Deer Form where his motions became calm and steady.
Yet, within his body, the process of tempering his bones had reached its peak.
He had completed one hundred and eight strikes, corresponding to the full cycle of the heavens, leaving only three final strikes remaining.
Clang!
With the first strike, his entire body trembled.
Clang!
With the second strike, the tremors intensified.
Clang!
With the final strike, he slowly exhaled a deep breath, steadied his stance in the snow, and closed his eyes.
At that moment
He could see the blood energy within his body surging like a mighty river.
He could see his tempered bones, now radiating a deep black luster.
Then
He opened his eyes and waved his hand.
A white jade bottle floated before him.
Inside the bottle were Nine Mystic Bone Pills.
As the pills entered his stomach and dissolved into his bones, a wave of satisfaction washed over him.
He watched as the black iron marrow fused into his bones, erasing the last traces of silver filaments within them.
One by one, his bones were purified, their surfaces gleaming with an untainted obsidian glow.
Looking at the 206 bones in his body, all radiating with that pure, dark light, Jiang Ning's eyes flashed with fascination.
These bones, glowing like precious gemstones, were now flawless.
If he had possessed such bones in his previous life, they would have been priceless treasures.
"The Mystic Bone Tempering is complete. I can finally relax a little."
He muttered to himself as he gazed inward at his body, now devoid of any imperfections.
Meanwhile, on the distant rooftop of a snow-covered high-building
"So, that's Jiang Ning?" Wind Divine Envoy spoke openly, unbothered by the distance between them.
At this moment, he was over a kilometer away from Jiang Ning.
With the howling winds and swirling snow, both he and Star Guardian were clad in camouflaging cloaks and hoods, blending seamlessly into their surroundings.
Even if someone were just a few dozen zhang away, they would struggle to notice them let alone over a kilometer.
Thus, Wind Divine Envoy spoke freely without any concerns.
Star Guardian nodded in confirmation. "That's him, Jiang Ning!"
Hearing this, Wind Divine Envoy also nodded.
Then, from within his robes, he retrieved an entirely black, grotesque-looking finger, writhing as if filled with squirming worms.
The moment the severed finger was exposed, it pointed directly at Jiang Ning.
"It's him!!" Wind Divine Envoy's eyes gleamed with a fierce light.
"He's the one who destroyed our cult's Divine Embryo!"
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