But he didn’t care.

Ranked third among the Eighteen Dragon Heads, he had seen too many big figures and had too many people who hated him.

Now, he knew that although he had withdrawn from the ranks of the Eighteen Dragon Heads, the friendship of those days still remained.

With that Dragon Head stepping into First-grade, becoming one of the strongest in the world, he knew he could not have any issues.

"What a strong young man! If not for the curse killing force entering his five organs, give him a few more years, and he will surely enter the ranks of the top in the world!!" Wang Wenzong slowly returned to his senses, shaking his head at the distant Jiang Ning, sighing in his heart.

Then he continued, "What a pity the curse has entered his viscera, the divine might just now was ultimately driven by the Forbidden Technique! Such exploitation of the body will inevitably worsen, Martial Arts is ultimately struggling against Immortal Dao!"

"Wang Wenzong, please return for a statement!" Jiang Ning shouted loudly.

The clear sound instantly spread throughout Wolong Hill, throughout the surrounding mountains.

After saying this, Jiang Ning turned to look at Jing Wuming, who was waiting obediently on the side.

At the same time.

The people of Zhuge Manor watched this scene, looked at Jiang Ning, with emotions ranging from shock, disbelief, to intense inner turmoil...

But Jiang Ning had no leisure to consider these people’s emotions, he only focused on Jing Wuming.

"Greetings Marquis!!" Seeing Jiang Ning’s calm gaze, Jing Wuming braced himself as he stepped forward, saluting Jiang Ning.

Having seen Jiang Ning striking swiftly to kill several people in an instant, he now dared not entertain any other thoughts.

Jiang Ning could kill Ji Mingzhou, and with the same cost, he could kill him too.

In other words, his life and death were now just a thought away for Jiang Ning.

Having reached this point, his heart was already utterly clear.

"Do you know why I kept you?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Please instruct me, Marquis!" Jing Wuming replied respectfully.

"Serve me, ten years later you may choose to stay or leave!" Jiang Ning said.

"Agreed!" Jing Wuming immediately nodded.

At this moment.

Jiang Ning opened his palm, and a drop of golden Blood Pearl appeared in his hand.

"Swallow it, only then can I trust you!"

"Marquis!" Jing Wuming looked up, seeing Jiang Ning with a slightly changed expression, uncomfortable.

Jiang Ning quietly watched him.

After pondering for two or three breaths, Jing Wuming looked up, meeting Jiang Ning’s gaze.

"Marquis, life and death are important in this world, but life is even more important."

"Good!" Jiang Ning nodded, "As you wish!"

Thump—

As soon as the words fell, Jing Wuming immediately knelt on one knee, hands cupped forward.

"To be able to serve the Marquis, I couldn’t ask for anything more!"

Seeing the immediate shift in Jing Wuming, Jiang Ning was momentarily at a loss for words, then twitched his mouth, speechless.

Next moment.

He waved his hand, and the drop of golden Blood Pearl flew through the air.

Upon seeing this, Jing Wuming immediately reached out to catch it and directly stuffed it into his mouth.

As he swallowed, Jiang Ning felt the blood quickly melt into Jing Wuming’s body.

In less than two breaths, it was completely assimilated.

At this point, Jing Wuming also felt an indescribable power rising from within.

Cells reorganized, muscle fibers tore and reformed, changes swiftly and continuously occurring within.

At this moment.

Jiang Ning’s mind moved.

"Marquis!!" Jing Wuming groaned, struggling to speak, feeling the pain of flesh and blood separation surging through his body.

The next moment.

This feeling receded like a tide, instantly dissipating into invisibility.

Jing Wuming let out a long breath.

Recalling the metamorphosis of his body just now, his heart sank.

He suddenly understood that Jiang Ning now had a way to control him.

But thinking of just moments ago when Ji Mingzhou, seemingly descended upon the world, now dissipated into a mist of blood, his heart felt balanced.

Living is always better than dying. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

He was still young, with a long road ahead.

And he also knew Jiang Ning’s current physical condition was poor, afflicted by the Curse Killing Skill, doomed to follow the fate of the one on the dragon throne, likely within the next few months, potentially expedited by the recent use of a Forbidden Technique.

Realizing this, his thoughts instantly cleared.

"Thank you, Marquis!" He suppressed his emotions, cupping his hands in salute.

Jiang Ning nodded.

He looked up into the distance.

Wang Wenzong had vanished, not following his instruction to find him.

He then shook his head.

Looking at Zhuge Qingsong and others.

At that moment, the snow had stopped, the sky cleared, and even sunlight pierced the haze, spilling onto a corner of the mountain peak, the day began to clear.

"Thank you, Marquis!" Zhuge Qingsong now stepped forward, saluting Jiang Ning.

"Thank you, Marquis!!" All the clan elders and Manor’s people followed family head Zhuge Qingsong, cupping their hands in thanks to Jiang Ning.

"Today, Marquis’s benevolence, Zhuge Qingsong shall remember always!!" Zhuge Qingsong bowed to Jiang Ning once again.

"Today, Marquis’s benevolence, I, Zhuge Hongjing..."

"Today, Marquis’s benevolence, I, Zhuge Hongyi..."

"..."

Facing the gratitude of the Zhuge family, Jiang Ning remained natural and accepted it calmly.

No matter what, his act of saving Zhuge Manor was a solid kindness.

A moment later.

Jiang Ning waved his hand, declining Zhuge Qingsong’s invitation to host him.

Coming to Guangning Prefecture was not for enjoying fine wine and food, not for indulging in culinary delights.

Having simply explained a few things, Jiang Ning left Zhuge Manor.

Beside him, Ji Mingyue followed quietly.

The Immortal Crane accompanying Ji Mingyue hovered overhead.

Jing Wuming followed on the side of Shen Wenyan and others, since Jiang Ning was flanked by Shen Wenyan on one side, Ji Mingyue on the other.

Just past one li from Zhuge Manor.

Shen Wenyan suddenly spoke, "Brother Jiang was indeed like a Heavenly God descending, swiftly resolving the chaos in Guangning Prefecture. Who would have thought, Brother Jiang so young, yet possessing such strength."

Jiang Ning shook his head, "It’s merely burning life, relying on the power of forbidden arts, at present I am not suited for prolonged battles, only capable of such acts!"

Upon hearing these words, a fleeting regret appeared in Shen Wenyan’s eyes.

Jiang Ning’s words confirmed what he had just observed.

Jiang Ning’s strength was formidable, yet it didn’t reach such an overwhelming level.

His ability to kill Ji Mingzhou in three moves relied on a profound and mysterious Forbidden Technique.

A special method that burned life in an instant to unleash extraordinary power.

Such methods often require a price of life, or foundational sacrifice.

He could see that Jiang Ning’s physical condition was currently not well.

Using the taboo power of a forbidden technique when physically unfit had undoubtedly severely taxed his body.

This is also the reason for Shen Wenyan’s regret.

Such a prodigy, yet destroyed halfway.

"What does Brother Jiang plan to do next?" Shen Wenyan asked about Jiang Ning’s thoughts.

"Level Cross Immortal Gate, capture those who should be captured, kill those who should be... cough cough!" Mid-sentence, Jiang Ning couldn’t suppress his coughing.

Seeing this, Shen Wenyan immediately waved his hand, causing a teapot and tea to appear in the air.

Then he promptly offered a cup of tea to Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning took the tea bowl, drank two sips, calming the air within his chest.

Only then did he continue, "I came to Guangning Prefecture thinking of a once-and-for-all solution."

"What excuse should be used?" Shen Wenyan asked, "If names are not justified, words are not smooth."

"Why concern over this!" Jiang Ning smiled, "I’m a dying man, indifferent to such vanity! Besides, Yingtian Alliance attempted to kill this Marquis, which is a crime worthy of joint punishment, should be dealt with altogether!"

Jiang Ning spoke indifferently.

The strength he possessed now allowed him to disregard many things.

Plots, tricks, ghosts, in the face of absolute power, are ultimately void.

This had always been his principle.

And now, burdened with a badly damaged body, seen by the outside world as having limited time, life nearing its end.

It is precisely because of this veil that he can act more boldly, with fewer apprehensions.

Cross Immortal Gate’s main and secondary Sect Leaders had both fallen, marking its weakest moment, and the best time to strike.

Resolving Cross Immortal Gate, leaving Jing Wuming, Guangning Prefecture would be completely secure.

And he could use this to make the world lower its guard and attention on him!