Chapter 30: Overall Enhancement
First, all sorts of experience and insights regarding the *Breaking Blade Eight Techniques* flowed through his mind, as if he had been practicing it for countless years.
Then one day, a sudden epiphany struck, and he comprehended a higher-level Cultivation Technique. This Saber Skill was more powerful and easier to master.
The *Five Tigers Array-Breaking Saber* was the new Saber Skill Lu Yuan had comprehended.
It had only five forms, but they came with numerous variations, each one more ferocious and aggressive than the last.
The moment he comprehended the Saber Skill, Lu Yuan’s arms changed. They felt as if they had wielded a saber for decades, growing stronger and nimbler.
He could now effortlessly execute difficult maneuvers that had been impossible for him before.
[Cultivation Technique: Five Tigers Array-Breaking Saber (1209/10000, Great Success)]
Next came the changes to his body. His cultivation began to break through to the Bone Forging Realm.
Divine Substance pulsed around his entire body.
Even his bones began to transform, becoming tougher upon their original foundation.
If he could perform Introspection, he would discover his bones had become whiter.
They were transforming toward the color of jade.
His physical strength increased, and his qi and blood grew more formidable. As he sat there, his muscles and bones seemed to thrum with power.
[Tiger Subduing Posture: Bone Forging (192/1000, Minor Achievement)]
’As expected. With the boost from the *Golden Bell Shield*, my bones have been improving this whole time. I skipped straight to Minor Achievement right after breaking through,’ Lu Yuan calculated inwardly.
After that, the *Golden Bell Shield* began to change. It was as if he had practiced Body Refining Skills for countless years, until one day, he was struck by a sudden epiphany.
The *Golden Bell Shield* mutated at the same time.
The next moment, his body’s entire Defense Power soared. It became like steel, and the effect radiated not just to his skin, but to his bones and internal organs as well.
The *Iron Bone Golden Bell Shield* became the name of the upgraded Cultivation Technique.
CLANG!
When he slammed his arms together, they actually produced the sound of clashing metal.
A faint golden light flashed and vanished.
Lu Yuan was confident that with his current Defense Power, no one in the same realm could break through it. Perhaps only a Tendon Refining expert wielding a weapon might pose some threat.
[Iron Bone Golden Bell Shield (7190/10000, Great Success)]
With the foundation from the *Golden Bell Shield*, the *Iron Bone Golden Bell Shield* started directly at the Great Success level.
Then, insights into the *Wolf-Chasing Arrow Skill* surfaced in his mind. The strength in his arms, chest, and abdomen reached its peak.
The muscles of his upper body grew more compact, and thick calluses appeared on his fingers.
[Wolf-Chasing Arrow Skill (910/50000, Entering the Stance)]
The moment the numbers appeared in his mind, the phantom image of a giant wolf seemed to materialize behind Lu Yuan, vanishing in a flash.
From that moment on, his Arrow Skill had ascended to a new level.
Ever since Dayong developed the crossbow, very few people bothered to practice archery. Even when they did, it was usually for mass volley fire.
After all, compared to one’s own Cultivation Technique, the killing power of feathered arrows was quite limited.
Few people ever practiced it to Great Success, let alone to the level of Entering the Stance.
After his Arrow Skill comprehension reached Entering the Stance, the Inference of the *Arrowhead Array* began. Arrays were a required subject for every Commanding General.
A major reason so many people sought to become disciples was to learn Military Arrays.
This knowledge was almost completely monopolized by the great General’s Mansions. These arrays were developed over generations of Inference and were considered extremely precious.
They simply couldn’t be bought with silver.
To become a Renowned General, mastering Military Arrays was an essential step.
Especially advanced Military Arrays.
At this moment, Lu Yuan felt as if he had studied Military Arrays for countless years, achieving a very high level of attainment. Finally, on the battlefield, he had created his very own Array: the *Cloud-Rushing Crane Wing Array*.
This was a cavalry Array. When deployed, it resembled a white crane spreading its wings. The cavalry on the flanks would follow, while the commander in the center broke through the enemy lines. The crane’s beak was unstoppable, its wings as sharp as blades.
It was perfectly suited for fierce battles in the wilderness.
[Cloud-Rushing Crane Wing Array (8101/10000, Great Success)]
With all his Cultivation Techniques having broken through, Lu Yuan’s combat power had increased dramatically.
It wasn’t just him. Now that he had a complete Military Array, his men would also perform even better on the battlefield than before.
Although this newly comprehended Military Array was only at Great Success, its power was far greater than the *Arrowhead Array*.
Using the power of the Array, the soldiers under his command could unleash twice their normal attack power and speed.
However, a mere dozen or so men were not nearly enough to use this Array.
CRACKLE! POP!
As Lu Yuan stood up, a series of sharp cracks echoed from his bones and tendons.
He then headed outside. The sky had already grown dark.
He planned to find Old Huang and tell him to have the others gather at his house tomorrow.
They needed to practice this new Military Array first.
He wasn’t worried about it being leaked. The Warriors were only practicing their own positions; he was the eye of the Array.
That was the most crucial part.
He wasn’t at all afraid of others trying to copy it.
The nights in the Northern Border were still very cold. Lu Yuan walked down the street wearing a black cotton-padded jacket. After turning a corner, he arrived at Old Huang’s residence.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Lu Yuan pounded hard on the main gate.
"Yes, coming!" a woman’s voice called out.
CREAK!
As the courtyard gate opened, a slightly plump, fair-skinned, middle-aged woman appeared.
"Is Old Huang in?" Lu Yuan asked after a moment’s surprise.
"Husband, someone’s looking for you!" the woman shouted at the top of her lungs.
"Yeah, I’m coming," Old Huang’s voice came from inside the house. He then ran out, tying his belt as he went.
When he saw it was Lu Yuan, he immediately said, "Woman! The commander is here. Quick, have him come in and sit."
Lu Yuan waved his hand. "I won’t come in. Tomorrow, have Wei Yong and the others come to my place."
"Yes, of course," Old Huang said quickly.
Ever since he started following Lu Yuan, he had earned a lot of silver, and his status had risen accordingly.
Naturally, women were now willing to be with him.
In any case, there was no shortage of widows in Icefield City.
Lu Yuan turned and left, heading back to his own home.
However, just after he rounded a corner, he saw a familiar back that made him pause.
’That looks like Wu Han. What’s he doing carrying a saber this late at night?’ Lu Yuan glanced over, then shook his head without giving it more thought and continued straight home.
After all, his relationship with the man wasn’t particularly close.
He then returned to his house.
He planned to rest early. He had made his breakthrough today, so he could consider it a day off.
However, not long after he walked through the door...
...a frantic pounding started on his door from the outside.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Lu Yuan frowned. ’Who could be here this late at night?’
When he opened the door, he saw Zhou He looking at him with a panicked expression.
"Something’s happened! Wu Han killed people! He killed his Centurion, and a Centurion as well! Now the Sun Family is hunting for him all over the city."
Lu Yuan was stunned. "Isn’t he just at Body Tempering? How could he kill a Centurion?"
"The guy broke through a couple of days ago. I’m telling you, his talent is truly incredible. He took heavy injuries but managed to kill a Centurion a realm above him. Now he’s in hiding somewhere. If the Sun Family finds him, he’s a dead man for sure."
Zhou He squeezed into Lu Yuan’s house, shut the door, and lowered his voice.
"So what do you want from me?"
"Help me. My old uncle and the Zhou Family won’t get involved in this. You’re the only one I could think of," Zhou He’s voice was tinged with desperation.
"Isn’t Wu Han usually a pretty reasonable guy? Why would he do something so crazy?" Lu Yuan didn’t answer directly, looking up to ask his own question.