His mind settled, he quickly closed the panel.

...

Moments later.

"Has she fainted again?" Led by Lv Yi, Jiang Ning quickly walked towards the room where Wang Qintan was.

"Yes, young master!" Lv Yi nodded as they walked: "I called Miss Wang several times just now, but she showed no sign of waking up!"

At these words, Jiang Ning pondered silently.

Could it be that she has some terrible illness?

Thinking of this, his pace involuntarily quickened.

Squeak—

After pushing open Wang Qintan's door, he saw Wang Qintan on the bed covered with a thin blanket.

It was now late June.

The scorching sun continued, the temperature had risen exceedingly high, reaching nearly the hottest time of the year.

So even at night, the most one would use is a thin blanket.

Like Jiang Ning himself, who habitually covered his belly.

A habit cultivated over many years, even though he is now immune to cold and heat, there's no need to do so, yet he was too lazy to change this habit.

A few swift steps brought him to Wang Qintan's bedside.

He first reached out to check her breathing.

Her breath was regular, no different from yesterday.

"Strange indeed! Could it really be as she said, having a nightmare?" Jiang Ning wondered in disbelief.

Then he reached out and touched Wang Qintan's forehead, and his divine sense extended outward.

Several breaths later.

Wang Qintan suddenly opened her eyes wide.

"Ha—"

"Ha—"

She gasped for air, with deep lingering fear in her eyes.

"Could it truly be a deep nightmare?" Jiang Ning observed Wang Qintan, noting her lingering fear, feeling puzzled once again.

Moments later.

Wang Qintan's expression gradually returned to calmness.

"Did you have another nightmare?" Jiang Ning asked.

Wang Qintan glanced at Jiang Ning, hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"Hmm!!" She hummed through her nose.

"Is there anything I can help with?" Jiang Ning asked.

Wang Qintan looked at Jiang Ning's eyes, slowly shook her head without speaking.

After several breaths of silence.

She suddenly asked, "Jiang Ning, if you knew you were going to die soon, what would you do?"

Jiang Ning lowered his head, gazing into Wang Qintan's clear eyes, then spoke: "Try not to leave any regrets!"

At his words, Wang Qintan nodded slightly.

"That's a great answer, I think the same!"

"If there's anything I can assist with, don't hesitate to say!" Jiang Ning felt a stir in his heart, looking at Wang Qintan and speaking earnestly once again.

Wang Qintan showed a slight smile, then shook her head.

"I need to change, get up, and wash up!"

"Then I'll leave first, call me if you need anything!" Jiang Ning instructed briefly, then led Lv Yi outside the room.

"No regrets?" Watching Jiang Ning's departing figure, Wang Qintan whispered to herself.

...

Morning.

After breakfast, Jiang Ning was ready to practice boxing, testing the changes in the Five Animals Fist after breaking the limit again.

He was visited by a friend he hadn't seen in several days, Bai Luoyu.

Under the bamboo grove.

The shade of the trees blocked the scorching sun, a gentle breeze bringing slight coolness.

"Brother Bai, what brings you here today?" Jiang Ning smiled, gesturing for Bai Luoyu to sit first.

"I have to head back to Dongling City, came specifically to bid you farewell!" Bai Luoyu accepted the drink Jiang Ning poured.

"Back to Dongling City?" Jiang Ning looked surprised: "Why?"

"Brother Jiang, take a look!" Bai Luoyu laid a letter before Jiang Ning.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Ning unfolded the letter.

As he finished reading the contents, he understood why Bai Luoyu needed to return to Dongling City.

In Dongling County, a force named Yingtian Alliance has emerged.

Yingtian Alliance is a newly rising force throughout Guangning Prefecture, led by the Cross Immortal Gate.

The sect leader of Cross Immortal Gate holds the position of Alliance Hierarch of Yingtian Alliance.

Dongling County is one of the counties under Guangning Prefecture.

Several major sects within Dongling County have also joined Yingtian Alliance.

Among them, there are two top-tier sects.

Moreover, they are first-grade forces with a Grandmaster.

One of these forces is Divine Sword Manor.

Renowned for casting divine weapons and blades, the manor visibly has a veteran Heavenly Human Grandmaster.

It's the largest sect force within Dongling County, unmatched.

The other force is Five Sword Sect.

Five Sword Sect also has a veteran Grandmaster overseeing.

These two forces joining the newly formed Yingtian Alliance has unsettled Zhao Yulong.

He sent a letter by carrier pigeon, summoning Bai Luoyu back.

Simultaneously, informing Bai Luoyu to let him know.

To quickly return after completing the Military Examination.

Not only has the newly established Yingtian Alliance emerged, but God Worship Sect is also causing new disturbances.

In Shishan County, there are strong signs of activities by God Worship Sect, and Yellow Heaven Sect people are converging on Shishan County as well.

The letter also mentioned this issue, stating a Yellow Heaven Sect Incense Master died violently in Shishan County.

Retracting his gaze, Jiang Ning understood why Bai Luoyu would return.

Dongling County Inspection Office currently has only Zhao Yulong, a Grandmaster, and with turmoil over there, manpower is urgently needed.

Bai Luoyu, though not a top-tier combatant, is a central force.

As for himself.

Zhao Yulong knows Jiang Ning is in Guangning City for another reason: to partake in the Military Examination, thus the letter specifically mentions to return soon after finishing the Military Exam.

Evidently, Zhao Yulong also needs his strength.

The government is very short-handed right now.

If considering just the Inspection Office, they are even more lacking in manpower.

Based on what he knows, the non-government Grandmasters in Dongling County approximately amount to double digits, far exceeding the government sect numbers.

Most of them so far remain ordinary Grandmasters, while the remaining half have entered the threshold of being Heavenly Persons.

Upon entering Grandmaster status, only one or two in ten become Heavenly Persons.

And all are genuinely veteran Grandmasters.

Now considered among the young generation of Heavenly Human Grandmasters.

They would be Xiao Qiushui, and himself.

Xiao Qiushui is dead, leaving truthfully only one young Heavenly Human Grandmaster, which is him.

Jiang Ning's thoughts raced through his mind.

He knows now the court officially is very short on manpower, lacking Martial Arts strongmen.

Hence they use noble titles to recruit top Martial Arts strongmen.

Like Shen Wenyan, a Second Grade Grandmaster who chose to join the court, receiving the title of Marquis, along with enjoying bestowed lands.

Like Prince Huaian, his First Grade Martial Arts Peak strength earned him a title in the court, given half a prefecture as domain, with fifty percent of a century's tax revenue taken by the Prince Mansion.

Currently in Guangning Prefecture, led by Cross Immortal Gate establishing Yingtian Alliance, as Zhao Yulong mentioned, various forces within the prefecture have joined Yingtian Alliance.

The intentions of Yingtian Alliance are unequivocal.

Thus Zhao Yulong requires Bai Luoyu to return.

He will return after completing the Military Exam provincial examination.

"Counting time, it's now late June, so just under ten days before the Military Exam provincial test is held!" Jiang Ning thought internally.

He then looked towards Bai Luoyu.

"Brother Bai, after returning to Dongling City, if you have any need, send me a message by carrier pigeon, I'll rush to Dongling City immediately."

"With Brother Jiang's word, I'm already satisfied! I regard Brother Jiang as a friend, how could I delay your future?" Bai Luoyu spoke.

He continued: "To you, being a Military Exam candidate is a breeze, with your current abilities, those capable of competing with you for the Martial Arts Champion title are few."

"Brother Jiang, if you truly manage to seize the Martial Arts Champion title at your age, you'll surely gain fame nationwide, and the path ahead will be smooth, you'll become a figure I look up to."

At the end of his speech.

Bai Luoyu stood up, holding his wine cup.

"Brother Jiang, I bid farewell!" He raised his cup, then drained it in one go.

"Wishing Brother Bai a safe journey!" Jiang Ning also raised his cup in toast, then drank it all at once.

Subsequently.

Bai Luoyu took his leave.

Cross Immortal Gate... Yingtian Alliance... Divine Sword Manor... Five Sword Sect... God Worship Sect... Yellow Heaven Sect...

These thoughts collided in Jiang Ning's mind, mulling over them.

"The situation seems increasingly chaotic!" He sighed inwardly.

His mind presented the prolonged drought lasting several months, last winter's snow disaster, the Great Demon Bai Chi in Luoshui River, and the situation where both Ye Zhengqi and Shen Wenyan returned injured from Luoshui.

Then, memories of the mysterious woman in the ice coffin floated in his mind.

The mysterious woman who has now departed.

And Xia Wanqin, glimpsed for an instant at the auction, along with the two fox girls.

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