At breakfast.
"Uncle, are they releasing the civil examination results later?" Jiang Yiming asked.
"Mhm." Jiang Ning nodded.
"Uncle, shall we go together later?" Jiang Yiming asked again.
Then he added, "I heard the results will be posted at the fourth quarter of the Hour of the Snake!"
"I won't be going." Jiang Ning shook his head. "Just come back and tell me."
"Alright, Uncle!" Jiang Yiming nodded.
Afterward.
After lunch, Jiang Ning returned to his courtyard and continued cultivating.
Black light and crimson glow churned around him, drawing the power of heaven and earth into his body to temper his marrow.
In the blink of an eye.
It was already noon.
Jiang Yiming entered the courtyard and saw that Jiang Ning's entire body resembled a blazing furnace, radiating terrifying heat waves.
The rolling heat distorted his vision.
Jiang Yiming immediately suppressed his excitement, slowed his movements, and quietly left the courtyard.
At the end of the Hour of the Horse.
The blazing sun spilled molten golden light across the courtyard.
[Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique Experience +1]
"Huuu—"
Jiang Ning slowly withdrew his cultivation and exhaled a breath of turbid air.
The crimson mist steaming from his body condensed into several rays of rosy light, flowing into his seven apertures with his breath.
He raised his eyes toward the half-real, half-illusory panel suspended in the air.
[Skill]: Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique (Mastery 2237/10000)
After glancing at his panel, he got up and closed it.
Every day's effort eventually turned into progress visible to the naked eye, and that left him deeply satisfied.
In life, one need not fear hardship or effort.
What one feared was effort without reward, and most of all, a future beyond sight.
That was the greatest despair.
Yet this panel allowed him