Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint-Chapter 1381 - 233: The Goal Is Simple!

Linyuan Pavilion.

Second floor.

"Greetings, Third Prince!" Wan Jianyi ascended to the second floor and upon seeing the Third Prince holding a wine cup, he immediately cupped his hands, then accepted the wine cup handed over by the Third Prince.

"Come, a toast to Brother Wan, thank you for honoring my invitation!"

"You’re too kind, Third Prince! How could I refuse the invitation of the Third Prince!" Wan Jianyi smiled faintly, lacking the usual pride of a swordsman.

At this moment.

Li Qing, however, was staring straight at Jiang Ning.

"Senior Sister Li!" Jiang Ning met Li Qing’s gaze and smiled faintly.

Upon hearing this, Wan Jianyi finished the wine in his cup, giving Jiang Ning a casual glance.

Seeing Ji Mingyue seated beside Jiang Ning, a flash of peculiar emotion crossed his eyes. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Although he did not know Jiang Ning personally, he had long heard of Jiang Ning’s reputation, and had also heard that the Seventeenth Princess of the Imperial Family had been captivated by Jiang Ning, and had secretly pledged her heart to him.

Now seeing Ji Mingyue sitting close by with an intimate demeanor, he realized that the striking young man before him must be Jiang Ning, ranked fourth on the Heavenly List of the Hidden Dragon List.

He quietly scrutinized Jiang Ning for a moment, memorized his appearance, and then withdrew his gaze.

He knew that in the upcoming Martial Arts Examination, Jiang Ning would be his greatest rival, possibly his only one.

Though Master Mingxin ranked higher on the Heavenly List of the Hidden Dragon List than Jiang Ning, Wan Jianyi was well-acquainted with Master Mingxin’s true strength, knowing it was not up to par with his own.

But Jiang Ning’s rise had been too rapid, and he had been dormant for quite some time now.

No one knew what level of strength Jiang Ning now possessed.

As for the records on the Heavenly List, they often underestimated rather than overestimated.

As thoughts flitted through his mind, he stole another glance at Jiang Ning, his eyes flickering.

Just then.

Jiang Ning looked up, casually raising the filled cup of wine that Ji Mingyue had just poured him, and caught Wan Jianyi’s slightly averted gaze.

In that instant, his eyes seemed like sword glints, filled with a fierce aura.

Subsequently, Wan Jianyi took his seat, positioned opposite Jiang Ning.

As for Li Qing and her companions, they were seated in the second row behind Wan Jianyi.

Compared to the front row, the view from the second row was significantly poorer.

Even through the open railings, one could scarcely see any activity on the first floor.

As for the first-row seats, through the circular railings, every movement on the first floor was clearly visible.

Clap clap clap—

Suddenly, the Third Prince at the head of the table clapped his hands.

Although the sound wasn’t loud, its penetrating force was strong, instantly bringing silence to the entire first and second floors of Linyuan Pavilion.

At this moment, the Third Prince glanced at the two of them, then swept his gaze over the entire room, clapping his hands again.

"Welcome everyone to today’s Linyuan Small Gathering, a toast to you all!"

As he spoke, he stood up and raised the wine cup in his hand.

Simultaneously.

The large door on the first floor slowly closed under the push of four doormen.

"A toast to the Third Prince!"

"You’re too kind, Third Prince!"

"..."

Voices bright and clear, from both men and women, rose from both levels.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning also raised his wine cup, indicating towards the Third Prince.

In the next moment.

He drank heartily, the full-to-the-brim wine quickly disappearing.

"Refreshing!" Feeling the wine rapidly digest in his stomach, transforming into Essence Qi that merged into his body, his mood became more pleasant.

In just a short while, he felt the increase in his Source Energy Points was no less than a thousand.

And no matter how much he consumed, new fruit platters and roasted meats were swiftly served by the maids, the same was true for the wine.

"Third Prince, we also toast to the Third Prince, thank you all for your hospitality!"

After everyone had finished the Third Prince’s toast, someone else rose to return the gesture.

During this interval, Jiang Ning finished two more cups of wine.

Seeing Jiang Ning’s wine cup empty, Ji Mingyue picked up the wine pot and filled it for him.

"Brother Jiang Ning, is this wine really good?" she asked curiously, watching Jiang Ning gulp down roasted meat, and seeing his throat constantly move.

"It’s quite good!" Jiang Ning nodded.

"Can I try it?" Ji Mingyue asked.

"Of course!" Jiang Ning nodded, then looked at her puzzled: "Why do you even ask that?"

Hearing this, Ji Mingyue stuck out her tongue: "Someone once told me girls shouldn’t drink recklessly!"

After saying that, she picked up the wine cup in front of Jiang Ning with both hands and took a sip.

In the next moment.

A blush appeared on her face, and she stuck out her tongue.

"Spicy!!"

"This wine might be a bit too strong for you!" Jiang Ning chuckled.

Then he reached out, took the wine from Ji Mingyue’s hand, and swallowed it down along with the roasted Demon Beast Meat.

"Refreshing!!" He exclaimed in satisfaction once more.

"Watching you eat makes me hungry!" commented Ji Mingyue, propping her chin on her hand.

"Drinking heartily, eating heartily, this is the joy of life!" Jiang Ning laughed.

Then, in just two gulps, he finished the wine in his cup.

Seeing this, Ji Mingyue picked up the wine pot again and refilled Jiang Ning’s cup.

On the other side.

People continued to raise their cups in respect to the Princes and Princesses.

Aside from Ji Mingyue, two other Princesses were present.

As for Princes, there were six in total.

But in Jiang Ning’s view, these things had nothing to do with him.

He didn’t want too deep a connection with the Imperial Family.

Nor did he want to engage in excessive socializing.

He saw plainly that only with self-worth would others desire to know him, to associate with him.

To him, the time spent on pleasantries would be better spent enjoying more Spirit Fruits and Spiritual Wine.

"Everyone!" The Third Prince clapped his hands again.

Once more, Linyuan Pavilion’s upper and lower floors became quiet.

"All of you here today are the prodigies of the younger generation of our Great Xia, truly the cream of the crop."