Luoshui Lake.
On the deserted island.
"Huff"
Jiang Ning dragged Tian Buyi's corpse onto the reef.
Although he could now breathe underwater, his body's habits were hard to change immediately. He exhaled lightly and then took a deep breath of fresh air.
The next moment.
He looked down at Tian Buyi's body lying on the reef.
"Tian Buyi, an eighth-rank martial artist, has fallen by my hand. While I had the advantage of terrain, being able to kill such a strong opponent undoubtedly shows how much I've improved."
"And…" A faint smile appeared on Jiang Ning's lips as he thought to himself, "Killing Tian Buyi means I can claim the hundred taels of gold bounty on his head."
"With that hundred taels of gold, I won't have to worry about money for a long time."
"A hundred taels of gold is equivalent to a hundred thousand taels of silver. This is an astronomical fortune, enough to make me one of the wealthiest people in Luoshui County overnight. Even Cheng Ran's family wealth pales in comparison to a hundred taels of gold!"
At this thought, Jiang Ning felt no overwhelming excitement.
A hundred taels of gold was simply too extravagant!
Even with the backing of the Medicine King Valley, he instinctively felt that this matter wasn't so straightforward.
No matter how powerful Tian Buyi was, he was still just an eighth-rank martial artist and a notorious bandit.
How could he possibly be worth a hundred taels of gold to the Medicine King Valley?
This made Jiang Ning feel that something was off.
The next moment.
He crouched beside Tian Buyi and removed the black gloves from his hands.
He had noticed these gloves earlier.
Underwater, he had struck four times with his blade, each strike pushing him to his limit.
Yet, Tian Buyi had easily blocked all four strikes with just his right fist.
While Tian Buyi's strength played a role, these gloves were undoubtedly a key factor.
Without these gloves that could withstand blades, how could Tian Buyi's bare flesh have withstood his strikes?
So, when Jiang Ning saw the gloves on Tian Buyi's hands, he knew they must be incredibly valuable.
Gloves that could easily resist swords and blades were undoubtedly worth many times more than ordinary weapons.
After removing the gloves, Jiang Ning began to search Tian Buyi's body.
It was a given that a bandit like Tian Buyi, who lived life on the edge, would carry all his wealth on his person.
Such men trusted no one but themselves.
A short while later.
Jiang Ning laid out the items he had taken from Tian Buyi.
A small golden box, no larger than the palm of his hand.
A folded oil paper package.
A tied cloth pouch.
And two jade bottles.
Not many items.
Jiang Ning first opened the folded oil-paper package.
"Silver notes!" he murmured, as several folded banknotes appeared before him.
After a quick count, he felt slightly disappointed.
The amount wasn't much only a hundred and thirty taels.
This amount of wealth didn't match Tian Buyi's status as an eighth-rank martial artist.
Jiang Ning carefully wrapped the silver notes back in the oil paper, ensuring it was tightly sealed to prevent water damage.
After securing the silver notes, he picked up the cloth pouch and weighed it in his hand.
With just a slight shake, he knew it contained loose silver.
Money was essential for anyone traveling the world.
Untying the pouch, Jiang Ning saw the silver fragments glinting in the sunlight.
"About seven or eight taels," he muttered, weighing the pouch.
He then stored the silver away.
Next, he picked up the two jade bottles.
Opening them, he poured out two pills and examined them closely before shaking his head.
"The effects are unclear. I can't use them recklessly."
With that, he carefully placed the pills back into the bottles and sealed them.
"I'll keep them for now and have someone at Wanhua Pavilion appraise them later."
Finally.
He picked up the small golden box.
Just holding it, Jiang Ning could tell it was extraordinary. Up close, he detected a faint sandalwood fragrance emanating from it.
"This scent repels insects. It must be valuable."
As he spoke, he opened the box and saw two golden pills, each about the size of a pigeon egg, wrapped in a golden coating.
Beside the two pills was an indentation, clearly where a third pill had once been.
"These pills look extraordinary!" Jiang Ning murmured, then shook his head. "Too bad I don't recognize them. I can't just take them."
At that moment, his eyes narrowed.
He noticed faintly raised characters on the coating of the pills.
He picked one up and examined it closely.
The next moment.
Jiang Ning's pupils contracted sharply.
"Leopard Fetus Bone-Remolding Pill!"
He took a deep breath, his eyes shining with excitement as he muttered to himself.
"It's the Leopard Fetus Bone-Remolding Pill!"
"Now I understand!"
"Now I understand why the Medicine King Valley offered a hundred taels of gold for Tian Buyi."
"Tian Buyi must have stolen three Leopard Fetus Bone-Remolding Pills from the Medicine King Valley. He took one, leaving these two behind."
At this moment, everything became clear to Jiang Ning.
The words "Leopard Fetus Bone-Remolding Pill" on the pill coating explained everything.
He had heard of this pill before.
Nearly every martial artist in Dongling County had heard of it.
This pill was one of the most famous divine pills from the Medicine King Valley.
Consuming and refining it could enhance one's physique, strengthen blood and bones, and increase physical strength. Most importantly, it could improve one's innate talent.
This effect made the Leopard Fetus Bone-Remolding Pill a dream pill for countless martial artists.
However, it was practically priceless and never circulated outside the Medicine King Valley.
It was either used internally or offered as tribute.
Now, Jiang Ning understood.
Tian Buyi must have robbed the Medicine King Valley's tribute, stealing these three pills, which led to the hundred taels of gold bounty on his head.
At this moment.
Looking at the remaining two Leopard Fetus Bone-Remolding Pills, Jiang Ning had only one thought.
A hundred taels of gold?
Compared to the Leopard Fetus Bone-Remolding Pills, it was nothing.
A single pill was worth far more than a hundred taels of gold.
After all, this was a renowned pill from the Medicine King Valley, capable of improving one's innate talent.
When he first joined the martial arts school, Wang Jin had assessed his bones and deemed him of average talent.
This meant his innate talent was ordinary, with no outstanding qualities.
In martial arts, innate talent was undeniably crucial.
Those who achieved great success in martial arts either had exceptional innate talent or extraordinary comprehension.
In short, everyone had their strengths and opportunities.
Without these, mere effort alone wouldn't lead to significant achievements.
The path of martial arts was a fiercely competitive and brutal one.
So Jiang Ning knew.
Even with his mysterious panel, improving his innate talent would accelerate his growth.
Compared to these pills that could enhance one's innate talent, money was truly an external concern, insignificant.
Such pills were priceless and nearly impossible to obtain, even with wealth.
Then.
Jiang Ning grabbed Tian Buyi's corpse and tossed it into the lake.
Splash
With the sound of water, Tian Buyi's body disappeared into the waves.
"Done!" Jiang Ning clapped his hands and continued, "Feeding his body to the fish ensures no one will find him, and no one will know Tian Buyi died by my hand."
"I don't need the hundred taels of gold anymore! With these two Leopard Fetus Bone-Remolding Pills, I'm satisfied!"
A look of satisfaction spread across Jiang Ning's face.
Then.
After one last glance at the spot where Tian Buyi had disappeared, he picked up the fifty-year-old blood lotus he had placed on the ground and quickly climbed up the cliff.
Soon.
He reached the top of the cliff and the spot where he had hidden his belongings.
During his days of training here, he had naturally brought essential supplies.
After all, spending so much time training underwater required medicinal support to sustain his body.
After packing up his supplies, Jiang Ning leaped down the cliff and plunged back into the lake.
He was eager to return home and digest his gains.
As for this deserted island, he planned to stay away for a long time.
Staying away from the scene of the incident was a wise choice.
The Medicine King Valley's elder was still hunting Tian Buyi.
If he discovered that Tian Buyi had died at Jiang Ning's hands, danger would immediately come knocking.
Even Wang Jin wouldn't be much help against the Medicine King Valley.
After all, the elder sent by the Medicine King Valley was a seventh-rank martial artist, showcasing the valley's formidable strength.
Not to mention, the Medicine King Valley was renowned for its alchemy and medical expertise.
Such a sect undoubtedly had extensive connections.
They were a force not to be trifled with.
In their eyes, the Cao family might just be a wealthy household, far from comparable.
So, after realizing why Tian Buyi was being hunted by the Medicine King Valley and deciding to keep the two Leopard Fetus Bone-Remolding Pills, Jiang Ning dared not linger on the island.
He feared running into someone from the Medicine King Valley.
If they saw him, they might suspect Tian Buyi's disappearance and, by extension, his involvement.
Even if the chances were slim, Jiang Ning wasn't willing to take the risk.
He chose to return home, quickly leaving the deserted island to avoid this danger.
After diving into the water, Jiang Ning swiftly swam toward the shore.
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