Late Stage Bone Refining, Iron Bones Begin to Form

### Chapter 19: Late Bone Refining, Initial Success of Iron Bone

The corpse crisis in Linshan County temporarily subsided with the Iron Corpse destroyed and the rogue cultivator fleeing. The Xuntian Guard experts who arrived later conducted a thorough search of the cave, finding no further clues beyond residual evil qi and some crude corpse-refining tools. The rogue cultivator had clearly been cautious, having already moved important items.

As the mission leader, Li Yifan reported the incident in detail. The mission evaluation came down quickly. Given that the Seventh Squad had successfully located and destroyed the source of the corpse crisis—the Iron Corpse and its nest—prevented greater casualties, and forced back a formidable rogue cultivator, their merits were significant.

According to Xuntian Guard mission tier classifications:

Grade C missions (Lower, Middle, Upper): Suitable for Body Tempering realm martial artists. Contribution point rewards generally range from 100 to 1,000 points.

Grade B missions (Lower, Middle, Upper): Suitable for Meridian Opening realm martial artists. Contribution point rewards generally range from 1,000 to 5,000 points.

Grade A missions (Lower, Middle, Upper): Suitable for Innate realm martial artists. Contribution point rewards generally start at 5,000 points.

(Note: Exceptions apply for special circumstances or emergency missions.)

For this Linshan corpse mission, because the rogue cultivator's strength exceeded expectations—reaching the peak of Bone Refining or higher—but his primary means of harm, the corpse puppets, and the event's scope of impact remained controllable, it was ultimately rated as Grade C Upper. This was the highest difficulty within Grade C missions, and contribution points were awarded at the maximum rate.

In the end, the Seventh Squad shared a reward of 1,000 contribution points. As the captain, main combatant, and decision-maker, Li Yifan had the greatest merit and received 500 points alone. Zhao Xiong and Qian Xiaoliu each got 120 points, Chen Feng and Zhang Tie each got 80 points, and the severely injured Sun Shi received 100 points as compensation. Compensation for the fallen militiamen was shared between the Xuntian Guard and the local authorities.

Adding the 70 points he had left over, Li Yifan's total contribution points reached 570—a substantial fortune!

Back at the Xuntian Guard headquarters in Qingzhou Prefecture, Commander Wang acknowledged Li Yifan's performance on this mission.

"Remaining calm in crisis, commanding with discipline, destroying the Iron Corpse at mid Bone Refining realm, and forcing back the rogue cultivator—that's already commendable. The rogue cultivator was cunning, and his strength exceeded the Grade C Upper mission expectations; letting him escape is not your fault alone. With this mission, you've proven your ability." Commander Wang's tone shifted, growing serious. "However, since that rogue cultivator holds a grudge against you, trouble may arise in the future. Your top priority is to improve your strength as quickly as possible."

Li Yifan agreed deeply. "Understood. I plan to use the contribution points from this mission to exchange for resources and accelerate my cultivation."

Leaving Commander Wang's office, Li Yifan went straight to the Martial Merit Hall. He carefully browsed the exchange list, already having a plan in mind.

First, he spent 150 points on three bottles of Bone Tempering Pills—50 points each. These pills could accelerate bone refinement, making them an excellent resource for Bone Refining realm cultivation. Then, he turned his attention to the technique section. Aware of his defensive shortcomings, he urgently needed a body-protection technique. After some comparison, he chose a Yellow Grade Lower body-protection technique called the Iron Bone Technique. This technique specialized in training tendons and bones; though its grade was low, it suited his current Bone Refining realm perfectly, steadily enhancing his bone and tendon strength. The exchange cost was 400 contribution points.

"The Iron Bone Technique may be low-grade, but it fits my current realm and can patch my defensive weakness the fastest. High-grade body-protection techniques cost thousands of points—far-off water can't quench present thirst." Li Yifan pondered briefly, then made up his mind. After paying 400 points, he had only 20 left, but he felt it was worth it.

With the exchange complete, Li Yifan immediately returned to his small courtyard and began a half-month of seclusion and intense cultivation.

Each day, he took a Bone Tempering Pill, assisted by the Nine Yang Burning Heaven Technique to refine the medicinal power. His supreme yang true qi nourished and tempered his entire skeleton, steadily advancing his cultivation. At the same time, he started practicing the Iron Bone Technique. This technique required special striking methods and medicinal baths—the herbs he bought with contribution points were already included in the technique exchange—to continuously hammer his tendons and bones. Progress was slow at first and extremely painful, but Li Yifan's will was tenacious, and he gritted his teeth and persisted.

[Taking Bone Tempering Pill, accelerating cultivation. Nine Yang Burning Heaven Technique proficiency increased!]

[Diligently training Iron Bone Technique, bone and tendon strength significantly enhanced. Proficiency steadily growing.]

Ten days later, the humming sounds from his bones grew denser and louder. His bone and tendon strength had greatly increased; the Iron Bone Technique had entered its initial stage. When he activated it, his skin faintly gleamed with a metallic luster, and his defensive power began to show.

Five more days passed. When he fully refined the medicinal power of the third bottle of Bone Tempering Pills, his blood and qi suddenly surged, and his entire skeleton erupted with a dense crackling like beans popping. A sense of power far stronger than the mid stage filled his body!

[Naturally breaking through the bottleneck! Realm advanced to: Body Tempering · Bone Refining (Late: 400/500)!]

[Iron Bone Technique, diligently cultivated without cease, bones and tendons like iron, defense greatly increased. Advanced to: Minor Success (50/1000)!]

Late Bone Refining realm, Iron Bone Technique at Minor Success! On the day he emerged from seclusion, a sharp light flickered in Li Yifan's eyes as he blinked. His aura was heavy and solid, every movement brimming with power, and his defense was incomparable to before. Li Yifan felt that even an ordinary Bone Refining Perfection cultivator would be no match for him. As for the Tendon Refining realm, he would have to fight to find out.

Commander Wang sensed his change, a glint of approval flashing in his eyes. "Not bad. Half a month of hard training, and such progress. It seems you're ready for a new challenge."

"Please give your orders, sir!"

"Three hundred li southwest of the prefectural city, at the edge of the Black Swamp, lies Fishery Salt Town. For the past half month, strong young men have been disappearing at night in succession. Residual evil qi remains at the scenes, suggesting rogue cultivator activity. The mission is rated Grade C Upper, and you'll lead the investigation. The reward is 800 to 1,000 contribution points. The Black Swamp is treacherous, filled with poisonous miasma, and the Swamp Witch Clan is active there. Be cautious."

"This subordinate accepts the order!"

Li Yifan immediately gathered the Seventh Squad. Seeing how much his aura had changed in just half a month, they were all invigorated. After preparations were complete, at dawn the next day, the Seventh Squad set out once more, heading straight for the Black Swamp to the southwest.