This technique, although he wouldn't use it, he only looked at it once.

But just that one glance was enough for him to remember it thoroughly, etched in his mind.

It increased his knowledge foundation.

And also brought him a significant experience value boost.

The two blood exchange techniques, just in that short moment, brought his reading and writing skill's experience value an increase, equivalent to his previous improvement from browsing three days of the Daoist Collection and Buddhist Scripture.

...

Soon after.

The few people exchanged pleasantries for a while, then walked out from the Inspection Office, leaving only a few volumes of case files for their work report.

Now the time had reached the Sixth Quarter of the Hour of Si, not far from noon.

: Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill (Great Success 9833/10000)

Outside the Inspection Office, Jiang Ning glanced at his panel, and then cupped his hands to bid farewell to Bai Luoyu and Zhao Yulong.

Because the two were going to the best restaurant here to have a few cups and taste the flavors of Jiuxiao Building and Qionghua Dew.

On the way earlier, Bai Luoyu had repeatedly mentioned these two terms.

Jiuxiao Building, Qionghua Dew.

Jiuxiao Building is the best and most business-popular restaurant in Guangning City.

As for Qionghua Dew, it is the signature of Jiuxiao Building, where one tael of this drink costs one gold.

It is said that this wine was once the jadescent nectar of the world, which common people cannot afford to enjoy.

So the two longed for Qionghua Dew with all their heart.

But for Jiang Ning, this didn't have much appeal.

Although he enjoys good wine, it stops at a level of fondness, not obsession.

Compared to eating and drinking in pleasure, now nearing noon is the best time for him to practice Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill.

Just one step away from Perfection, and having attained the True Spirit Nine Transformations after nine blood transfusions, he had no mood to drink with Bai Luoyu and Zhao Yulong.

Meanwhile.

At the gates of the Inspection Office.

"I finally understand why Brother Jiang's martial arts can advance so quickly!" Bai Luoyu watched Jiang Ning's departing back with a shake of his head and a light sigh.

Zhao Yulong said, "It's precisely because of this that Lord Jiang can reach where he is today!"

"Indeed!" Bai Luoyu nodded, tone full of emotion.

Then he shook his head again, saying, "But such a dull life, what joy is there? If it were me, I couldn't persist!"

"Maybe that's the joy for Lord Jiang!" Zhao Yulong smiled.

...

On the other side.

After parting from the two, Jiang Ning quickly headed towards Tingzhu Pavilion under Chunfeng Lou.

At the end of the Hour of Si.

Jiang Ning had already returned to his residence.

A gust of wind blew, and the green bamboo rustled loudly.

Jiang Ning looked at the sundial in the courtyard.

Hu—

He exhaled a long breath, slowly adjusting his own state.

When the sundial's pointer shifted, as the time came to noon.

Jiang Ning inhaled towards the great sun overhead.

A streak of red clouds descended from the horizon, entering his viscera like a fiery snake through his nasal cavity.

In an instant.

His internal organs seemed to plunge into a boiling cauldron.

Rolling and bubbling, the blazing flames searing.

Inside his organs, every inch of flesh seemed to be screaming in the crimson clouds.

As time progressed, the experience value of the Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill continued to grow, getting closer to Perfection.

At the end of noon.

When the sundial's pointer shifted, about to point to the Hour of Wei.

Jiang Ning also refined the final wisp of red clouds.

Hu—

As he exhaled the impure energy from his abdomen, a boiling heat rolled in his expression, his vision distorted.

: Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill (Great Success 9967/10000)

He looked at his own panel.

Upon seeing the change in experience value, he nodded in satisfaction.

Nine thousand nine hundred sixty-seven points, only thirty-three points away from the ten thousand points needed for Perfection.

Exactly as he had anticipated.

Tomorrow, he would be able to take the final step, and the Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill would reach Perfection.

And tomorrow, would also be the moment he steps into Third Grade, achieving Heavenly Human Grandmaster.

Thinking of this.

He couldn't help clenching his fist, feeling slightly excited.

He had lingered at the Fourth Grade level for far too long.

Now, only the final true step remained to achieve his desires.

Then.

He recalled once again the memories of the True Spirit Nine Transformations, vividly remembering the scenes he saw earlier in the morning.

After repeatedly tasting it, he reconfirmed there were no mistakes.

The True Spirit Nine Transformations, this Blood Exchange Sect's technique, unlike most blood exchange techniques, did not require the external environment.

The Four Symbols Method of Four Seasons Return to Origin requires the four blood exchanges to be carried out in the four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—and four different environments.

If one achieves the status of Heavenly Human Grandmaster using the Four Seasons Return to Origin method, it would take at least a full year to complete the journey, even for him.

Perhaps also like the Seven Stars Destiny Grandmaster Method.

It requires different environments as well.

One such environment is selecting a period of time, during sunrise or noon, any time under the Sun Star to complete the blood exchange.

Then it's about completing the second blood exchange under the environment shrouded by the Taiyin Star.

Subsequently, complete the subsequent blood exchanges in five environments representing the Five Elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.

Totaling seven blood exchanges, this completes the cultivation method of Seven Stars Destiny.

The order of Taiyin, Sun, and Five Elements can be swapped.

However, for the True Spirit Nine Transformations, it is completely different from the above methods.

True Spirit Nine Transformations does not seek the external but rather the self.

No need for any environment, just seeking within oneself.

Each blood exchange is a process of defining the True Spirit and seeing the true self.

Not seeking the external, turning to seek the internal.

At the next moment.

He opened his eyes and slowly stood up.

"Master!" Seeing Jiang Ning's movement, Lv Yi, who had been silently under the tree, hurriedly got up.

"Let's go! I'll take you to Jiuxiao Building to taste something new!" Jiang Ning said.

At this moment, he was in high spirits.

The path to Third Grade was right before him, within reach.

But it was not something achieved in one day.

Having nothing to do, and coupled with the exhaustion of travel, not eating well.

He decided to go to Jiuxiao Building to taste some delicacies as a reward for himself.

Previously not traveling with Zhao Yulong and Bai Luoyu was to return to breathe and release the Essence of the Great Sun, enhancing the cultivation progress of the Inner Elixir Cultivation Skill.

But now it was different.

Having completed the breathing and releasing, he had no urgent matters to attend to today.

He didn't want to continue grinding other skills' experience.

Now he just had to wait for noon tomorrow to arrive, complete the Essence Qi breathing, and he could step into Third Grade, achieving Heavenly Human Grandmaster.

So he proposed the idea of going to Jiuxiao Building.

Meanwhile.

Upon hearing Jiang Ning mention Jiuxiao Building, Lv Yi's eyes instantly brightened.

Then he showed a conflicted expression: "Master, the meals are all prepared, just need to be heated up!"

"If not eaten, it'd all be wasted!"

Jiang Ning smiled.

"No problem, we can eat at night!"

"Besides, your master isn't the kind of person who worries about small change."

"Furthermore, now that we've come to Guangning City, how can we not take a look around?"

"I want to see what the famous Qionghua Dew truly tastes like!!"

Upon hearing this.

Lv Yi immediately nodded heavily, eyes full of brightness.

"Alright, I'll listen to Master!"

Then, the two of them simply tidied up and went out.

...

Jiuxiao Building.

Located in the East District of Guangning City.

Different from Dongling City and Luoshui County.

Guangning City, as the prefecture city of Guangning Prefecture.

Does not differentiate between inner and outer cities like Luoshui County, nor East and West Districts like Dongling City.

But divides Guangning City into four, forming four major districts—east, west, south, and north.

Jiuxiao Building is situated at the center of the East District.

Chunfeng Lou is the same.

Because the East District is the economic center of Guangning City.

Major restaurants, dining outlets, and inns are all located in the East District.

So Chunfeng Lou is not far from Jiuxiao Building.

Also including Wanhua Building and Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion, competing in the East District.

The newly established Inspection Office is also in the East District.

When Jiang Ning brought Lv Yi to Jiuxiao Building, it was already past the hour of 13:30 in the afternoon.

By this time, lunch hours had already passed.

But just arriving at the entrance, he witnessed the bustling business of Jiuxiao Building.

Not only did the noise come from the lobby on the first floor, but even the second and third floors had noticeable activity.

Obviously, the flow of customers was significant.

"This gentleman is unfamiliar, could it be your first time at Jiuxiao Building?"

As Jiang Ning stepped into Jiuxiao Building, a quick-eyed and nimble servant ran up to greet him.

Wearing a square turban, with a towel draped over his shoulder.

"First time!" Jiang Ning nodded.

"Would the guest prefer to taste our signature dishes on the first floor or go to the quieter second or third floor?"

Jiang Ning looked around, the first floor was quite noisy.

"Let's go to the third floor!" He said lightly.

"Alright, guest, follow me!" The servant nodded repeatedly.

Then led the way in front of Jiang Ning, while shouting: "Two guests, please proceed to the third floor!!"

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