Front Courtyard of the Martial Arts School.
Shen Congyun gazed at Jiang Ning, his expression calm on the surface, but his heart was anything but tranquil.
Two months ago, he handed the introductory chapter of the Internal Elixir Cultivation Technique to Wang Jin. Yet now, he sensed the aura of Solar Essence on someone other than Wang Jin a third person.
The residual traces of Solar Essence absorption were a clear sign of practicing the Internal Elixir Cultivation Technique.
Naturally, Shen Congyun realized that this young man had also been practicing the technique and had achieved remarkable progress.
Like Wang Jin, he had successfully mastered the foundational level of the Internal Elixir Cultivation Technique.
This realization stirred waves of emotion within Shen Congyun.
His unease wasn't due to Wang Jin sharing the technique with others.
Rather, it was because the conditions for cultivating the Internal Elixir Cultivation Technique were far from simple. Only those born with innate spiritual wisdom, combined with his secret medicinal formula, could sense the Solar Essence emitted at sunrise.
Only by sensing this energy could one absorb and refine it, tempering their internal organs and mastering this supreme martial art, which stood above even the most advanced techniques.
Shen Congyun was well aware that the amount of secret medicine he had provided Wang Jin was limited. Given Wang Jin's progress, two people couldn't reach the foundational level of the technique.
This left only one possibility: the young man before him didn't need the secret medicine to sense the Solar Essence at sunrise.
This extraordinary talent was what truly shocked Shen Congyun.
Only a top-tier innate spiritual genius could achieve such a feat.
If such talent had existed in ancient times, Shen Congyun believed this young man could have rivaled immortals and deities.
Shen Congyun's gaze subtly returned to Jiang Ning as he mused to himself:
"There's no such thing as coincidence in this world. Either this kid stole the Internal Elixir Cultivation Technique from Wang Jin, or Wang Jin secretly taught him.
"Regardless of the reason, it no longer matters.
"I gave the Internal Elixir Cultivation Technique to Wang Jin just two months ago. Yet this kid, without the aid of secret medicine, has already mastered the foundational level.
"This proves his exceptional comprehension and talent. He is undoubtedly a top-tier innate spiritual genius!
"With the Internal Elixir Cultivation Technique, he will undoubtedly reach the pinnacle of mastery, achieving the realm of 'Thunderous Organs' and 'Internal Breath like Steel.'
"He's still young. With his talent and my guidance, he will surely reach the fifth rank, and there's a high chance he'll even attain the fourth rank! His potential to become a grandmaster surpasses both mine and Wang Jin's!
"Such a genius is even more suited to practice the Internal Elixir Cultivation Technique than Wang Jin. I cannot let this opportunity slip away!
"However, it's a pity! While this young man is a top-tier innate spiritual genius with an unparalleled talent for the Internal Elixir Cultivation Technique, the technique itself is incomplete, lacking the method for achieving perfection.
"What a shame!
"If the complete method existed, even if I couldn't achieve perfection myself, given this kid's current performance
"He can sense Solar Essence without the secret medicine, master the foundational level of the Internal Elixir Cultivation Technique, and achieve all this in just two months.
"He might have been able to master the complete method, reaching the legendary realm of 'Body like a Furnace' and 'Condensing the Golden Elixir.'"
Shen Congyun sighed inwardly. He had already made up his mind.
He would invest his resources in Jiang Ning.
He believed that Jiang Ning's future achievements would bring him ample returns and benefits.
But before that, he needed to investigate further. How long had Jiang Ning been practicing martial arts? What was his true martial talent?
Only then could Shen Congyun decide how much to invest in Jiang Ning.
With this thought, Shen Congyun scanned the courtyard once more, hoping to uncover more clues.
A moment later, Wang Jin noticed Shen Congyun withdrawing his gaze and spoke up.
"Brother Shen, what do you think of my disciples?"
Shen Congyun nodded slightly. "Not bad."
Seeing Shen Congyun's indifferent expression, Wang Jin felt a pang of disappointment.
He understood all too well that Shen Congyun's "not bad" meant he hadn't found anyone worthy of his attention.
"So be it," Wang Jin sighed inwardly. "I've done my best to create opportunities. Success or failure is up to fate. After all, how easy is it to find a prodigy worthy of the Wanhua Tower's attention?"
Meanwhile, at the Moonlit Pavilion.
In a private room on the third floor, Xu Yunfeng stood before a middle-aged man with a square face, bushy eyebrows, and an imposing demeanor.
Xu Yunfeng slightly bowed his head, showing deference to the man in his thirties.
Tap Tap Tap
The square-faced man lightly tapped the Eight Immortals table with his index finger, the sound echoing ominously in the quiet room.
Feeling the oppressive atmosphere, Xu Yunfeng bent his body even lower, his expression tense.
"Still no progress?" the square-faced man asked in a low voice.
"Chief Cao, not yet," Xu Yunfeng replied, his head still lowered.
The man, addressed as Chief Cao, picked up the teacup in front of him. The lid scraped against the rim, producing a faint rustling sound, and some of the scalding tea spilled over.
He gently blew on the steaming tea, scattering the floating leaves and revealing the clear liquid beneath.
The room was deathly silent, save for the sound of Chief Cao blowing on his tea.
Xu Yunfeng grew even more nervous.
"Explain yourself. I'll give you one chance," Chief Cao said, breaking the silence. He then took a small sip of the hot tea.
Xu Yunfeng immediately responded, "Chief Cao, Jiang Li's greatest weakness is his younger brother, Jiang Ning. I originally planned to target Jiang Ning, cut off his fingers, and force Jiang Li to comply. But after that day, Jiang Li sent Jiang Ning to the Canglang Martial Arts School to train."
"Canglang Martial Arts School?" Chief Cao set down his teacup.
Clink
The cup collided with the table, producing a sharp sound.
"Wang Jin's Canglang Martial Arts School?" Chief Cao asked again.
"Yes," Xu Yunfeng replied, his head still bowed. "It's Wang Jin's Canglang Martial Arts School. After Jiang Ning became Wang Jin's disciple, he returned home once. Since then, he hasn't left the school. He must have received Wang Jin's permission to stay there long-term."
"Wang Jin!" Cao Bin tapped the Eight Immortals table lightly with his finger.
Tap Tap Tap
The rhythmic knocking echoed through the room.
The entire box fell silent once more.
After a moment, Cao Bin spoke. "Wang Jin is not someone we can afford to provoke directly."
"Should we target Jiang Li's children instead, or should we give up for now?" Xu Yunfeng asked cautiously.
Cao Bin shook his head slightly. "We can't give up. My elder brother wants to force the County Magistrate to take a stance or intervene personally. Jiang Li is a perfect target. Since my brother has entrusted this matter to me, I must see it through."
"What should I do, then?" Xu Yunfeng asked for instructions.
Tap Tap Tap
Cao Bin tapped the table with his middle finger, deep in thought.
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