Chapter 1858 - 183: Power Up Again! (Part 2)

Immediately, his brows furrowed.

Because, compared to before, there was no difference in perception.

"Something’s off!"

At this moment, his Heart Spirit suddenly condensed.

Because he felt the tremors of that blurry shadow.

"I understand now!!"

"The spirit observes, while the flesh is the key to shaking the profound secrets of the human body!"

Feeling the various sensations within, he had a sudden realization deep in his heart.

Afterwards, he felt relaxed all over, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

Persistence is not about the word ’persevere’, but about persisting when you can’t see progress, when you can’t see the goal.

Previously, he had the Martial Saint to resolve his doubts.

Knew that the body is endlessly profound, the spirit is unbound, I touched upon the key to that realm.

Thus I truly understood, saw the direction, saw the goal.

...

Moments later.

He slowly opened his eyes, suppressing the waves of emotion in his heart.

Hoo——

He gently exhaled, made slight adjustments, then resumed his stance and continued cultivating the Vajra Immortal Body.

Currently, the Source Points are insufficient. Whether it is the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill, or further breakthroughs in the Spirit Platform Illuminates True Self Method, both require one thousand points.

In the short term, he knew he had no chance to accumulate that amount.

But the Vajra Immortal Body, the next breakthrough needs only five hundred Source Points.

And each breakthrough has an immediate effect on strengthening his power.

Various thoughts flashed through his mind.

At this moment, as the Qi-Blood circulated, dragon-like and elephant-like sounds faintly emerged from within his body.

On his skin, as the Cultivation Technique circulated, and the Qi-Blood washed over him, faint golden traces appeared.

These traces emerged and faded with his every breath.

[Vajra Immortal Body Experience Value +161]

[Vajra Immortal Body Experience Value +157]

"The efficiency has slightly decreased, but it’s still acceptable!" He glanced at the two Experience Value growth prompts and felt somewhat stirred.

Then, he wholeheartedly devoted himself to it.

...

Afternoon, the sunshine was at its peak.

The sound of hurried footsteps approached from outside the courtyard.

The silhouette of the Beicang King appeared at the entrance of the courtyard, with a hint of solemnity in his expression, but he did not hastily enter. Instead, he stood outside the door and respectfully said, "Prince, someone from the grassland has arrived."

Jiang Ning slowly withdrew his stance, exhaled a mouthful of impure energy, opened his eyes, and looked at the Beicang King at the courtyard entrance: "Who has come?"

"It’s Ashinaron, the Crown Prince, and first heir of the Northern Barbarian Royal Court. He has brought an entourage, currently waiting three miles outside the city, saying he’s here to ransom back eight thousand Great Snow Dragon Horses, as well as the leaders of the Golden Tribe and Princess Ashina." The Beicang King paused before adding, "According to the scouts at the front, the Crown Prince has brought numerous carriages, seemingly well-prepared with resources, but the exact number and quality are yet to be determined."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning closed his eyes slightly, then used his Heart Spirit to sweep over the surroundings.

In an instant, he saw the convoy outside the city, saw the tall silhouette of the Northern Barbarian man in front of the convoy.

He understood, this should be the first heir of the Northern Barbarian Royal Court, Ashinaron.

He then opened his eyes.

"I see him. Let him come over; I will wait for him here. Also, bring over the leaders of the eight thousand Great Snow Dragon Horses as well as Ashina and the Golden Tribe leaders. Since everyone is here, let’s talk face to face."

"Yes, Prince!"

The Beicang King accepted the command, then swiftly turned and left.

...

On the other side.

The Northern Gate of Celestial Palace City slowly opened.

Meanwhile.

A tall and handsome Northern Barbarian man stood in front of Celestial Palace City. This man was indeed the first heir of the Royal Court, Ashinaron.

He looked up at the towering walls of Celestial Palace City, feeling an indescribable complexity within.

Celestial Palace City had blocked the Northern Barbarians for hundreds of years.

He had imagined various ways to enter the city, but never thought it would be in such a manner.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the humiliation and discontent in his heart, adjusted the fur robe on his body, and strode towards the city gate.

He knew that the Royal Court was on the brink of danger, and this was the risk he needed to take.

To limit the impact on the grassland, only he, the first heir of the Royal Court, could step in.

If all eight thousand Great Snow Dragon Horses were lost to Great Xia’s hands, the grassland would see tumultuous changes.

Great Snow Mountain would descend in fury, and the Royal Court would lose its grasp over the Great Grassland.

At this moment, behind Ashinaron were Ashina and the leaders of the Golden Tribe.

Trailing further behind were numerous carriages.

Carriage wheels rolled, making a heavy sound.

They carried the lives and futures of the eight thousand Great Snow Dragon Horses, as well as the lives of the Golden Tribe and Princess Ashina.

Contained within were the rare minerals and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures accumulated over years by the Northern Barbarian Royal Court and the Golden Tribe.

Then, Ashinaron passed through the long passage of the North City Gate and entered the city.

On both sides of the street were crowds of Celestial Palace City residents.

"That’s the Crown Prince of the Northern Barbarians? He does have some presence..."

"Hm, what good does that presence do? Didn’t he still have to obediently come for ransoming people and horses!"

"..."

Feeling the gazes of the people and hearing their discussions, deep in Ashinaron’s brown eyes lay hidden, unexpressable humiliation and discontent.

As the first heir of the Northern Barbarian Royal Court, he had been regarded as the future ruler of the grassland since youth. Never had he expected one day to enter this city, which he should have flattened, in such a manner.

To be scrutinized and discussed like a monkey by the ordinary people he viewed as mere livestock.

He clenched his fist, suppressed his emotions, took a deep breath, and continued following in the Beicang King’s footsteps.

...

Not long after.

The group arrived in front of the Zhenbei Prince Mansion.

After several days of repairs, the front of the Zhenbei Prince Mansion looked exactly as it did before.

"Everyone, leave the carriages here. Follow me inside!" Prince Zhenbei said, "The Prince is already in the mansion waiting."

"Please lead the way, Prince Zhenbei!" Ashinaron took a deep breath, emulating Great Xia’s manners, and made a respectful gesture towards Prince Zhenbei.

As the first heir of the Northern Barbarian Royal Court, he naturally recognized one of the Northern Dual Kings, Prince Zhenbei.

Then, he followed Prince Zhenbei’s steps, passed through the mansion buildings, and arrived at a quiet courtyard.

Passing through the circular archway, he saw the figure of a man standing in the courtyard, bare-chested, with scorching heat radiating from his body.

"First heir of the Northern Barbarian Royal Court, Ashinaron, greets Great Xia Luoshui King." He knelt on one knee, hand over his chest, performing a standard Northern Barbarian audience salute.

Upon seeing Jiang Ning, Ashinaron stepped forward without hesitation, saluting Jiang Ning to express his respect.

In front of Jiang Ning, the emotions felt at the city gate had long dissipated.

Jiang Ning turned to look at Ashinaron but did not immediately let him stand.

"My demands, the Crown Prince should already know them. Having traveled from afar, you must have brought sufficient sincerity."

Ashinaron felt a chill: "Replying to the Prince, the Royal Court has prepared the ransom, totaling fifty carriages of rare minerals, one hundred and thirty carriages of superior Spiritual Medicine, most of which are still outside the city, with only a dozen or so rare ones transported to the mansion. We ask for your generosity to let the eight thousand Great Snow Dragon Horses and tribal leaders return to the grassland."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning shook his head.

"Fifty carriages of minerals, one hundred thirty carriages of Spiritual Medicine, it does sound like a lot. But Crown Prince, do you understand what these eight thousand Great Snow Dragon Horses signify for the Northern Barbarian Royal Court?"

Ashinaron asked: "Please enlighten me, Prince."

"Without these eight thousand horses, the Royal Court cannot command the eighteen Golden Families on the grassland. What you’re purchasing is the realm of the grassland!" Jiang Ning stated.

Upon hearing this, Ashinaron’s body slightly trembled. He naturally understood the weight of Jiang Ning’s words. The eight thousand Great Snow Dragon Horses were the Northern Barbarian Royal Court’s foundation in deterring the eighteen Golden Families of the grassland. If lost, the Royal Court’s authority would plummet, possibly leading to internal chaos, even causing the deities of Great Snow Mountain to lose faith in the Royal Court.

Subsequently, he took a deep breath and raised his head sharply.

"Please grant me more time, Prince, so that I may lead the Great Snow Dragon Horses back to the Royal Court and then send a second batch of equivalent resources."

Just then.

Jiang Ning’s expression slightly shifted.

"Your offer is priced too low!"