Chapter 1339 - 212: The Wonders of the Inner World, the Fifth Prince Visits!

And all of this relies on the physical body.

In the Inner Realm, his body appears identical to the outside world, but it is merely a spirit body, not a real physical form.

Various thoughts flashed through his mind, and he practiced swordsmanship once more.

[Seven Star Demon Suppression Sword Experience Value +51]

[Seven Star Demon Suppression Sword Experience Value +48]

[Seven Star Demon Suppression Sword Experience Value +48]

[...]

As time passed, the swordsmanship of the Seven Star Demon Suppression Sword continuously improved.

But he also observed that with repeated practice, the increase in Experience Value became smaller.

After a long time.

[Seven Star Demon Suppression Sword Experience Value +46]

He stopped moving and stood with his sword withdrawn.

Moonlight reflected off the sword blade, casting several beams of Cold Light within the room.

He looked out the window once more.

The bright moon had sunk further below the horizon, drawing closer to daylight.

Then, he sat cross-legged on the spot, and his Heart Spirit stirred.

...

Inner Realm.

In a moment of daze, Jiang Ning returned to his Inner Realm.

He looked up at the sky above, where the radiant Divine Power still hung high, radiating light and warmth, making this world vibrant and lively.

He withdrew his gaze, closed his eyes slightly, and attempted visualization of the Great Sun Soaring Sky Realm once more.

The next moment.

He suddenly felt a connection with the Divine Power above, as waves of invisible energy spread from above, and the surrounding temperature rose.

After a long time.

He felt a bit disappointed in his heart.

Visualizing the Great Sun Soaring Sky Realm only moved the Divine Power overhead, without any other changes.

The realm didn’t grow, and no Experience Value notification appeared.

There was no extra change in the growth of spiritual power.

Just as he was about to abandon this attempt and open his eyes.

In that mysterious moment, he suddenly felt a distant Divine Power hanging high.

The radiance and warmth spread toward the boundless world.

"That is... the true sun!" his heart stirred with some realization.

He then tried his best once more, but no matter how hard he visualized, he still couldn’t evoke even a tiny ripple.

After a while.

He opened his eyes and looked up.

The Divine Power remained unchanged.

"It seems that in the Inner Realm, I cannot connect with the true sun, and therefore cannot enhance my Great Sun Soaring Sky Realm," he murmured, gaining insight.

Then, a flash of sword light appeared in his hand, and a long sword materialized from illusion to reality, held firmly in his grasp.

"Let’s try the Seven Star Demon Suppression Sword again!"

With a thought, his sword movement also began.

...

Time passed, without the feeling of months.

It could have been several months or perhaps half a year.

...

Outside Jiuxiao Building.

"Fifth Prince, I still don’t understand why a mere Dongling County Patrol Envoy deserves such attention, arriving at Jiuxiao Building’s entrance before the moon has set?"

At this moment, a swordsman with a long sword in hand stood behind the man in the robe, asking.

"Lu Qi, you should have seen this at the National Master Mansion’s entrance in recent days; every night Master Jiang comes out of the Tao Palace and stays at the National Master Mansion!"

"Of course I’ve seen it!" The swordsman with a long sword nodded, continuing, "I’ve observed at the entrance for several nights, and it’s been the same every night recently!"

"That’s why I underestimated him before! His strength now isn’t his own, but the State Preceptor supporting him." The man in the robe said, "He spends the night at the National Master Mansion, which explains a lot! Getting him equals gaining the support of the State Preceptor! With the State Preceptor’s support, the Observatory would reconsider that issue!"

Saying this, the man’s eyes became bright.

"Your Highness, you mean, the State Preceptor and he..."

"Exactly!" The man in the robe nodded.

"That’s impossible!" The swordsman with a long sword immediately doubted.

He then said, "How could someone like the State Preceptor be interested in others?"

"The State Preceptor is also a woman; a woman will always be moved!" The man in the robe looked ahead calmly and said, "With Jiang Ning’s outstanding appearance and progressing to this point at such a young age, he naturally has a strong attraction to women! It’s normal for the State Preceptor, a woman, to be moved by him!"

"Your Highness, I still have my doubts!" The swordsman with a long sword shook his head.

"Belief or disbelief doesn’t matter! It’s heard that the National Master Mansion only has the State Preceptor and two maids all year round; for him to spend the night there shows his status in the State Preceptor’s heart! Whether my guess is correct or not, I must seize this crucial opportunity."

...

In the Inner Realm.

Time isn’t clearly felt here.

After an unknown interval, Jiang Ning stopped his movement.

He stood with his sword, his eyes became extraordinarily bright.

At this moment, he felt the comprehension of swordsmanship converge in his heart.

"It’s time to head out!" he thought.

After a moment.

Jiang Ning opened his eyes.

A bright red Divine Power glowed deep in his pupils.

Perceiving the changes in the sky, his gaze slightly shifted.

Compared to the time flow in Shangyang Inner View, time in his Inner Realm moved much faster.

He then noticed the two long breaths outside the room.

He couldn’t help but feel slightly surprised.

"Who could it be?" thoughts raced through his mind.

Then, he walked over and opened the door.

Upon seeing the attire of the man outside, his surprise deepened.

Dressed in a robe.

From what he knew, only a Prince or Prince could wear such attire.

At this moment, he roughly understood the visitor’s identity.

"Greetings, Your Highness!" Jiang Ning cupped his hands.

"Master Jiang, waited at the door for an hour, hope it hasn’t interrupted your cultivation!" The man in the robe smiled warmly.

"Your Highness is too gracious; you should have informed me earlier!" Jiang Ning replied.

"Visiting Master Jiang early in the morning, if I disturbed your cultivation by knocking, I’d be a major offender!" The man in the robe laughed.

"Master Jiang, this is the Fifth Prince, Ji Mingyuan!" The swordsman beside took the opportunity to introduce.

"So it’s the Fifth Prince!" Jiang Ning cupped his hands slightly in respect.

"Master Jiang, no need to be so polite!" Fifth Prince Ji Mingyuan smiled and then said, "May I come in and sit?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning felt a bit helpless.

He knew this was not something he could refuse.

Then he stepped half a step to the right.

"Please, Fifth Prince!"

Seeing Jiang Ning’s action, Ji Mingyuan stepped over the room’s threshold.

The well-tailored long robe moved with his form, making the robe’s dragon appear alive.

Inside the room.

The two sat down.

Jiang Ning pushed the freshly poured tea in front of Ji Mingyuan.

"Master Jiang, you’re too kind!" Ji Mingyuan maintained his gentle smile.

"May I know the reason for your early visit?" Jiang Ning chose to be direct, feeling an intense urge to practice swordsmanship.

"Master Jiang, you’re quite straightforward!" Ji Mingyuan laughed and then put down the tea cup he just picked up.

Looking at Jiang Ning’s face, he said seriously, "I wish for Master Jiang’s support. If I ascend to power, you could serve the Imperial Family as a Tributor, enjoying first-class treatment and being conferred as Duke Rong."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning shook his head.

"Fifth Prince overestimates me! I’m just a minor Sixth Rank official, unqualified for such matters! Now, I only wish to complete the Martial Examination and return to Dongling County to manage my own affairs."

Watching Jiang Ning’s expression, Ji Mingyuan said earnestly, "Master Jiang truly doesn’t want to be involved in the Crown Prince struggle?"

"I neither have the qualification nor the ability, nor the intention!" Jiang Ning shook his head.

"Since Master Jiang says so, I won’t force it!" Ji Mingyuan stood up.

Then he cupped his hands toward Jiang Ning, "I hope you remain neutral; always stay neutral!"

With these words, he took out a porcelain white bottle and placed it on the table.

"This is a gift for Master Jiang!"

"Farewell!!"

Leaving these last words, Ji Mingyuan chose to turn and leave.

...

After a while.

Outside Jiuxiao Building.

"Your Highness, we’ve waited for him so long, why not try a bit more!"

"It’s pointless!" The man in the robe shook his head, "For someone like him to get this far, he must have a resolute will. Since he said he has no intention, persisting would only cause resentment and turn a visit into a misdeed!"

"I just hope what he said today reflects his true intentions!"

"Otherwise, someday we’ll face him!"