Chapter 77: Another Breakthrough
In his tent, having just come from the battlefield, Lu Yuan let out a long, heavy breath.
Over the past ten days, both Dayong and King Yan’s forces had suffered their own losses.
Overall, the fighting between the two sides was evenly matched. It wouldn’t be easy for either to annihilate the other in a short amount of time.
As for Lu Yuan, his strength had improved considerably.
As dusk fell, Lu Yuan confirmed he had no other duties and opened his status panel.
[Name: Lu Yuan]
[Age: 17]
[Cultivation Technique: Third-Grade Cultivation Skill, Wind and Thunder General-Slaying Saber Technique (18437/10000 Great Success. Break through?)]
[Third-Grade Cultivation Skill: Tiger Subduing Posture, Refining the Liver (11932/10000 Great Success. Break through?)]
[Third-Grade Cultivation Skill: Mixed Element Golden Bell Shield (13928/10000 Perfection. Break through?)]
[Second-grade Array: One-Character Long Snake Formation (18312/10000 Perfection. Break through?) Additional Effects: Defense Enhancement, Chasing Kill]
[Second-Grade Cultivation Skill: Torrential Rain Arrow Skill (13827/10000 Great Success. Break through?)]
’Break through!’
Lu Yuan didn’t hesitate and chose to break through immediately.
In the next instant, his body began to change. His arm strength and flexibility increased, multiplying several times over.
[Cultivation Technique: Third-Grade Cultivation Skill, Wind and Thunder General-Slaying Saber Technique (8437/30000 Perfection)]
Next was his liver. A surge of Life Essence Qi erupted, expelling a large amount of impurities from his body as his physical strength continued to rise.
Lu Yuan could feel his power growing stronger and stronger.
He clenched his fist, feeling as if he could shatter a small mountain. Of course, this was just an illusion brought on by the sudden surge of power.
But there was no denying that his strength had now reached a terrifying level.
[Third-Grade Cultivation Skill: Tiger Subduing Posture, Refining the Liver (1932/30000 Perfection)]
As he completed the breakthrough for Refining the Liver, the Mixed Element Golden Bell Shield also began to activate. The Mixed Element Qi surrounding his five major organs grew even more robust, continuously nourishing them.
His physical strength continued to rise, and the vitality of his muscles surged to a frightening new level.
His skin took on a bright, glossy sheen.
Mysterious, lapis-colored patterns pulsed across the surface of his skin.
[Third-Grade Cultivation Skill: Mixed Element Golden Bell Shield (3928/30000 Perfection)]
Insight into the array formation followed. A wealth of experience with military arrays flooded Lu Yuan’s mind, making it seem as if he had trained on the battlefield for countless years.
[Second-grade Array: One-Character Long Snake Formation (8312/30000 Perfection) Additional Effects: Defense Enhancement, Chasing Kill]
Finally, his Arrow Skill improved.
The dexterity of his fingers and arms, as well as his Eye Power, all improved at a terrifying rate.
Lu Yuan now felt that even at night, he could effortlessly lock his gaze onto any distant object, and it would be impossible for it to escape his perception.
[Second-Grade Cultivation Skill: Torrential Rain Arrow Skill (3827/30000 Perfection)]
At this moment, Lu Yuan could clearly feel that his power had more than doubled.
As he stood up,
CRACKLE! POP!
a series of sharp cracks echoed from within his body.
Just as he was getting a feel for his body after the breakthrough,
a voice called from outside the tent. "Lord Lu, General Zhou requests your presence in her tent for dinner."
Lu Yuan’s eyebrow twitched. He glanced at the completely dark sky and realized it was indeed dinnertime.
Ever since the army had made camp, Zhou Hongling had continued to arrange his meals every day.
In fact, aside from breakfast, he now took nearly all his meals in her tent.
She provided a rotating menu of various medicinal meals that aided his cultivation.
His rapid cultivation progress was, in no small part, thanks to Zhou Hongling.
"I understand. You’re dismissed," Lu Yuan replied before heading out of his tent.
The main camp was a different place from when he had first arrived. Back then, the warriors had been full of spirit. Some of the more jovial ones would even sing folk songs from their hometowns while eating around the campfire.
But now, besides the warriors who had fallen, many of the survivors were wounded. Everyone ate their meals in silence.
When Lu Yuan arrived at Zhou Hongling’s tent, a meal was already laid out on the table.
While it couldn’t compare to the meals back home, the spread was still quite lavish. At the very least, the portions of medicinal herbs were generous.
Evidently, Zhou Hongling had brought a large supply with her.
Today, she wore a black battle skirt over dark Body Armor. Though she seemed a bit thinner than before, she was still quite buxom.
Her upper body was like a range of rolling hills.
Paired with her crystal-clear, snow-white skin, she looked especially beautiful.
She was a dazzling sight, even on the battlefield.
When she saw Lu Yuan arrive, the solemn expression on Zhou Hongling’s face receded like the tide, replaced by a warm smile.
"Sit down. Try today’s new dish."
As she spoke, she placed a piece of meat into his bowl.
"Thank you, My Lady."
"There’s no one else here. You don’t have to be so formal," Zhou Hongling said with a smile, adding more food to his bowl.
Then she continued, "I received news today. A few days ago, the main force of the Northern Barbarians clashed with the Marquis of Yundu. Both sides suffered heavy casualties.
They’re currently in a standoff."
Lu Yuan’s brow rose. "A standoff?"
"Yes, a standoff. I hear the Northern Barbarians have sent an envoy to the Imperial City to negotiate for peace. They’ve sent many gifts to the decorated nobles of the Imperial Court and to the royal family.
Now, the political winds in the Imperial Court have shifted. A faction has begun persuading His Majesty to negotiate with the Northern Barbarians.
Besides, the war hasn’t been as smooth as we’d hoped.
So, His Majesty is starting to waver."
Indignation flashed in Zhou Hongling’s eyes, but she was powerless to influence such major affairs of the Imperial Court. She was, after all, merely a Garrison General.
Even the Zhou Family was nothing more than an ant in the eyes of those truly powerful figures—no different from Lu Yuan himself.
All they could do was obey orders.
"After all this time, all this waste of life and resources... We’ve lost so many people..."
"We’re just blades in the hands of our superiors. Ultimately, the Imperial Court decides," Zhou Hongling said with a bitter smile.
She then added, "All we can do is our part."
Lu Yuan fell silent. He was thinking of Xiao Hua. If the war ended, she might be safer.
"Then what about us here? Do we keep fighting?"
"We fight. The ceasefire for the main forces is to prevent the war from escalating. But if the Imperial Court wants a better deal, it still depends on the army’s performance on the battlefield.
So we will continue. In fact, our success or failure here could very well determine whether the Imperial Court continues the war with the Northern Barbarians at all.
Therefore, the fighting against the Northern Barbarians will only grow more intense in the days to come.
King Yan might even leave the safety of his fortress."
Zhou Hongling stated with conviction.
Lu Yuan nodded, saying nothing more.
She continued slowly, "In any case, the family has taken notice of your performance on the battlefield this time. Don’t overthink things. For now, just focus on breaking through as quickly as you can.
The position of Captain in Icefield City is being held for you. When the time is right, the family will intervene, accompany you to the Zhang Family, and help you bring your mother here."
Clearly, Zhou Hongling had been keeping an eye on the Zhang Family’s affairs.
"Thank you, General." Lu Yuan was deeply moved. ’I’ve been worried about my mother this whole time,’ he thought, ’but in a place like the Northern Border, you can’t just leave whenever you want. Besides, the journey is too long.’
But now that Zhou Hongling had given her word, there would be no problem.
Once this battle was over, he would go to Yunzhou and bring his mother back to live with him.