Chapter 41: Tendon Refining
[Name: Lu Yuan]
[Age: 16]
[Cultivation Technique: Five Tigers Array-Breaking Saber (25126/30000, Perfection)]
[Tiger Subduing Posture: Bone Forging (32012/30000, Perfection. Break through?)]
[Iron Bone Golden Bell Shield (31034/30000, Perfection. Break through?)]
[Cloud-Rushing Crane Wing Array (27819/30000, Perfection) | Additional Effects: Borrowing Wind, Armor-Piercing]
A smile spread across Lu Yuan’s face as he looked at the data in his mind. ’Can I finally break through? As long as I reach Tendon Refining, I can become a true Centurion.’
"Break through."
Without the slightest hesitation, Lu Yuan chose to advance. The next moment, the bones within his body underwent a metamorphosis. Those that had once emitted a faint golden glow now seemed to become as pure as jade.
Streams of light flashed across them from time to time.
The collision of his tendons and bones produced a series of CRACKLES.
He even grew a little taller.
Furthermore, his frame had grown larger, his physique becoming more formidable and faintly taking on a tiger-like appearance.
As he clenched his fists,
a surging power spread throughout his body.
Lu Yuan was now certain that he had broken through.
Afterward, he took out the Tiger Bone Ointment.
This stuff was to be taken orally. It didn’t smell very good, but this wasn’t the time to be picky about the taste.
Lu Yuan lifted the medicinal jar and drank it down in one go.
As the viscous medicinal liquid slid down his throat and into his stomach, a surging heat spread throughout his body.
A wave of heat enveloped all the bones in his body.
Then, it gradually seeped into them.
He circulated the Tiger Subduing Posture to its absolute limit.
With every breath, a sound like rolling thunder emanated from his chest and abdomen.
A faint tiger’s roar echoed from within his body.
This power seemed endless as it continuously surged within Lu Yuan’s body.
Each overflow would raise the strength of Lu Yuan’s bones to a new level.
A dense Divine Substance clung to his bones, continuously Refining them.
Lu Yuan could clearly feel his strength rising to an unprecedented level.
HUMMM!
Following a trembling hum, Lu Yuan’s tendons and bones vibrated, actually resonating with the surrounding air.
Afterward, he opened his system panel.
[Tiger Subduing Posture: Bone Forging (50000/50000, Divine Containment. Break through?)]
"Break through."
At that moment, Lu Yuan’s bones completely set, while the major tendons all over his body twisted like pythons, visibly tensing.
Only after a short while did they finally stabilize.
[Tiger Subduing Posture: Tendon Refining (0/10000, Great Success)]
Haaa!
Lu Yuan let out a long breath.
’The foundation I built in the past was too good. Plus, the Iron Bone Golden Bell Shield has been continuously Refining my body. That’s why as soon as I broke through, I leaped directly to Great Success in Tendon Refining.’
’Logically, upon reaching this realm, most people would already be qualified to break through directly to Organ Refining, but I want to break my limits.’
’So, for me, this is just the beginning.’
Afterward, Lu Yuan’s Iron Bone Golden Bell Shield also began to take effect. This Cultivation Technique didn’t just Refine a single area but enhanced his physical strength in every aspect.
Tendons, bones, skin, and even his internal organs were all included.
Now, following his breakthrough, the Golden Bell that had once floated outside his body completely merged with him.
From the pores of his skin, a faint golden light flashed and then vanished.
Lu Yuan’s skin and bones were now as if forged from metal; ordinary weapons could hardly harm him in the slightest.
The Iron Bone Golden Bell Shield, as its name implied, focused on Refining one’s own bones.
[Iron Bone Golden Bell Shield (1934/50000, Entering the Stance)]
At this moment, Lu Yuan’s
flesh and bones had been Refined to perfection, and his entire body pulsed with immense power.
On the battlefield, he could take on a hundred ordinary soldiers by himself.
As for facing elite troops, it would depend on his own performance and the specific strength of his opponents.
Then, Lu Yuan stood up.
When he looked outside, it was noon. Now that it was spring, the sunlight was much stronger than before.
A pang of hunger hit him. After grabbing something to eat, he walked out of his room.
’Now that I’ve reached Tendon Refining, I can become an official Centurion. More importantly, I can finally go out and clash with the Iron Kites.’
’Last time we fought, I was at a disadvantage in both numbers and cultivation. This time, I can fight them on equal footing.’
With that, he headed for the Captain’s Mansion.
Meanwhile, in her study, Zhou Hongling’s brows were tightly furrowed. Just a day ago, an elite unit she had dispatched was completely wiped out.
The Centurion leading this squad was a master at Great Success in Tendon Refining, commanding thirty fierce soldiers at the Entry Level. In terms of equipment and everything else, they were considered top-tier in Icefield City.
Yet they were still defeated. According to the report from the Scout who surveyed the battlefield, the fighting had not lasted more than thirty minutes.
The bodies were piled up less than fifty li from Icefield City.
This was undoubtedly a provocation from the Iron Kites.
She felt a headache coming on as she looked at the letter of reprimand sent by her father.
Just then, a Guard from outside the door came in.
"Captain, Lu Yuan requests an audience."
Zhou Hongling raised an eyebrow. ’This guy has been back for days. I really thought he’d given up on fighting, but he still came.’ Although she was unwilling to let Lu Yuan take the risk, she couldn’t damage his confidence either.
After all, the most important thing for a commander to maintain was that sharp edge of theirs.
Therefore, she could only say, "Let him in."
’When dealing with a capable subordinate, you have to appease them when necessary.’
A moment later, Lu Yuan walked in, cupped his fist to Zhou Hongling, and said, "Greetings, Captain."
"Have a seat. Is there something you need?"
she said softly.
Lu Yuan stood up straight and declared loudly, "I request to be sent into battle!"
Zhou Hongling seemed to have guessed his intentions and said with a sigh of resignation, "Lu Yuan, I know what you’re thinking, but just yesterday, an elite unit we sent out was completely annihilated by the Iron Kites in less than thirty minutes.
Yun Mo was nearly killed in the Wasteland, and that Centurion from Yellow Sand Fortress was also hit hard. Although he managed to escape, all his elite soldiers died out there.
You’re still in the Bone Forging Realm. You need to focus on your cultivation. As long as you’re on the Northern Border and under my command, I guarantee you’ll have plenty of opportunities to earn merit. Why be in such a hurry?"
She genuinely had Lu Yuan’s best interests at heart. In truth, the commanders of the three Sai Cities all wanted one of their own people to be the one to destroy the Iron Kites. Whoever achieved that would have their promotion to Three Cities Garrison General all but guaranteed.
Yet Zhou Hongling still chose not to let Lu Yuan take the risk, which showed how highly she valued him.
"Captain, does that mean I can go into battle once I reach Tendon Refining?"
"If you reach Tendon Refining, I certainly won’t stop you," Zhou Hongling said with conviction.
She was sure because, in her mind, there was no way Lu Yuan could break through so quickly. After all, it hadn’t been long since he had reached Bone Forging.
However, just as her words fell, Lu Yuan stood up and said, "Captain, I have already broken through to Tendon Refining. Please grant me permission to leave the city."
As he spoke, a crisp crackling sound came from his tendons and bones—a clear sign of having reached Tendon Refining.
Zhou Hongling’s eyes lit up. She was now certain she had struck gold. ’Such comprehension, such talent!’
At this moment, she felt a twinge of regret, now even more unwilling to let the young man before her go take such a risk.
But she had already given her word, and there was no taking it back now.
Lu Yuan, however, pressed on, "Captain, please approve my request to leave the city."
Zhou Hongling lowered her gaze, pondering for a moment before saying, "Alright, I approve your request to leave the city. But before that, there’s one more thing to take care of—your promotion to Centurion.
I will select some men for you. Come by tomorrow to meet them, and I will also officially appoint you as a Centurion."
’Since I can’t stop him, I can only do my best to give Lu Yuan more capable men under his command.’
"Yes, Captain."
Lu Yuan acknowledged the order and withdrew.