National Master Mansion.

In front of the bamboo house.

Jiang Ning held a long sword, the blade in his hand trembling slightly.

He could feel the sword in his hand seemed alive.

"Su Qingying’s Life Sword!" he murmured to himself.

In the next moment, he gripped the hilt, raised his arm, and the sword light suddenly cascaded like moonlight.

A seemingly ordinary "thrust" was made forward.

Yet where the sword edge passed, the air didn’t stir but the light suddenly flickered.

Within a yard of him, it suddenly felt like falling into a cold night, while at three inches from the sword tip, a point of intense white light burst forth, like sudden sunlight.

Light and darkness alternated, silent and soundless, not even the slightest sound of wind breaking at the sword tip.

This sword seemed to have achieved an extreme balance of speed and force, traces of Yin and Yang Qi faintly visible on the sword edge.

Su Qingying watched this scene, her eyes slightly brightened.

With her keen eyesight, she naturally saw that this sword was no longer simple swordsmanship.

It was mastery over Yin and Yang, and space, an interpretation of Sword Dao. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Is the Primordial Spirit about to form?" she murmured to herself.

"Buzz—"

At this moment, the sword blade trembled slightly, emitting a subtle resonance.

Jiang Ning withdrew the sword and stood, looking down at the sword blade.

From the moment he took hold of it, he felt this sword was incomparably sharp and indestructible.

With the sword thrust out just now, he was of one mind with the sword in hand, naturally in harmony with Sword Dao.

"A good sword." He held the sword horizontally in front of him, sincerely admiring: "Does this sword have a name?"

Su Qingying stood on the bamboo stairs, her skirt trailing the ground.

"My Life Sword is named after me, therefore, it is called Qingying."

Jiang Ning held Su Qingying’s Life Sword again, casually performing several sword moves, then tossed it back to her.

Su Qingying raised her hand to catch the sword, and the long sword in her hand immediately shrank and spun.

In just an instant, it transformed into sword light and escaped into her brow, leaving a noticeable sword mark at her brow.

"Master now has formed the Dao Embryo, and the Primordial Spirit is soon to break its shell. In the coming days, it would be best to retreat and recuperate in the mansion. With me here, nothing will happen." She continued, "As for Ji Xuan, if he dares to come and demand reckoning after exiting seclusion, I will block him."

Jiang Ning nodded: "Thank you!"

Afterwards, Jiang Ning departed.

Su Qingying stood barefoot on the bamboo steps, watching Jiang Ning’s departing figure.

A gust of breeze blew past, lifting the hem of her dress, revealing her bare feet, with veins faintly visible against the jade-white of her feet.

She glanced down again, then withdrew her gaze.

...

Elsewhere.

Jiang Ning walked out from Su Qingying’s residence and visited several other courtyards.

He comforted Zhong Ling and Ji Mingyue among others.

Especially Ji Mingyue, who had not left the National Master Mansion these days.

Quietly staying in her own courtyard.

Jiang Ning looked at her, clearly sensing Ji Mingyue’s low mood.

But in this matter, he was helpless.

Because he knew Ji Mingyue’s despondency was due to the Changning Emperor being in a complete coma.

And during these days, apart from the Changning Emperor, her only relative in the Imperial Family, the Eighth Prince Ji Minghao, had not visited her.

Only the Second Princess Ji Mingya had come to see her.

...

Moments later.

Jiang Ning returned to his own courtyard.

Looking at the budding greenery in the courtyard, at the verdant scene, he fell into contemplation.

Time reached March, and the area where the Royal Capital is located has already entered spring, the vegetation in the courtyard beginning to revive, bursting with life.

The weather was noticeably no longer as cold as in winter.

From this fact, he understood that in the southern Zeshan State, it was now the time when ice and snow would thoroughly melt.

The location of Zeshan State, adjoining the site of Yellow Heaven Sect’s uprising rebellion.

After spring begins, the ice and snow melt, it would be the time for Yellow Heaven Sect to advance into Zeshan State.

That time, he would directly face Yellow Heaven Sect’s insurgent army.

Looking at the greenery in the courtyard at this moment, he knew that day wouldn’t be too far off.

"There’s also Ji Xuan..." he murmured.

"Thankfully, Ji Xuan had a fierce battle with Yellow Heaven Taoist a few days ago. This battle led Ji Xuan to return to the Royal Capital to retreat in seclusion, Yellow Heaven Taoist might not have gained much, otherwise, both being ranked second under heaven, the gap would be too vast." Jiang Ning’s thoughts flickered again.

Feeling somewhat grateful, fortunate.

If Ji Xuan hadn’t had this incident with Yellow Heaven Taoist.

By now Ji Xuan would have surely come to seek him out, even with Su Qingying blocking, he would face immense pressure from Ji Xuan.

Now this battle occurred, causing Ji Xuan to fall into silence again.

This gave him some time.

And the clash between Ji Xuan and Yellow Heaven Taoist must have impacted Yellow Heaven Taoist, and Yellow Heaven Sect.

This gave him a rare opportunity to breathe.

"Next, just at home, digest what was obtained from Yang Lake Grotto Heaven, strive to further enhance strength. Moreover, after some period, if the Primordial Spirit breaks through the womb, achieving Nine Profound Immortal foundation, strength will certainly advance further." He silently spoke to himself.

Then, just as he was about to begin absorbing the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures previously taken from Yang Lake Grotto Heaven.

Several footsteps were heard outside the courtyard.

"They have come!" He understood immediately.

Looking towards the entrance of his courtyard.

He saw Qinghe leading Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming appearing in his view.

The two stepped into the courtyard.

Chen Canghai’s face was gaunt, with little flesh on his face, but his eyes were shockingly bright.

Jing Wuming carried a wine gourd at his waist, as he walked, a waft of wine smell accompanied him, clearly Jing Wuming had just been drinking.

"Greetings, Marquis!"

"Greetings, Marquis!"

The two saw Jiang Ning, together bowed and saluted.

Jiang Ning nodded, his gaze sweeping over the two, seeing their breathing steady, evidently acclimated to the Royal Capital’s environment, he directly asked: "How has the Royal Capital’s situation been these few days? Have you heard any rumors?"