Rapid Progress

[Name: Lu Yuan]

[Age: 16]

[Cultivation Technique: Five-Tiger Array-Breaking Blade (12035/10000 Great Success, breakthrough available?)]

[Tiger-Subduing Stance Bone Forging (13291/10000 Great Success, breakthrough available?)]

[Iron-Bone Golden Bell Cover (11308/10000 Great Success, breakthrough available?)]

[Wolf-Chasing Archery (49109/50000 Momentum)]

[Cloud-Piercing Crane-Wing Formation (12510/10000 Great Success, breakthrough available?)]

Looking at the data panel above, Lu Yuan felt a sense of certainty.

Once he achieved his breakthrough, he would be able to handle anyone in the Tendon Refining Realm with ease after leaving the city.

As for the higher Organ Refining Realm, he wasn't sure, mainly because he hadn't encountered such an expert yet.

It was said that several Centurions in the city were at this level, and there was even a Centurion under the Commandant who had reached the Blood Moving Realm, possessing incredibly vigorous vitality.

With the strength of a single person, he dared to charge into a thousand armored cavalrymen.

Even among those at the same level, he was an exceptionally valiant existence.

If given the chance, he would certainly like to witness that for himself.

Lu Yuan did not choose to break through just yet; after all, he still had to see Zhou Hongling, and it wouldn't be too late to do so after he returned.

"Clack! Clack!"

Crisp footsteps rang out.

Lu Yuan looked up and saw the guard who had gone to report returning. The guard spoke to the two of them, "The Commandant requests your presence."

Zhou He took the lead, pulling Lu Yuan along as they walked inside.

After crossing the front courtyard drill ground, they arrived outside Zhou Hongling's study.

Zhou He had no intention of going in, instead saying to Lu Yuan, "You go in; I'll wait here."

The latter nodded, approached the study door, and said, "Lu Yuan requests an audience, my Lady."

"Come in," a crisp female voice came from within.

After entering, Lu Yuan saw Zhou Hongling just setting down the book in her hand; it appeared to be a secret manual recording military formations.

"You're in good spirits. Why haven't I heard of you leaving the city lately?"

Zhou Hongling asked with a smile.

She was wearing a water-red long dress today; she usually dressed quite casually when at the manor.

Because she was a martial artist and possessed a rather voluptuous figure, she was quite resistant to the cold and wore relatively thin clothing.

Even while sitting in her chair, her upper body's magnificence could not be concealed.

Especially that ivory-like skin.

It truly possessed a unique kind of beauty.

However, Lu Yuan did not look up to inspect her closely, instead saying, "Reporting to you, my Lady, my men have been busy familiarizing themselves with military formations, so I haven't left the city."

"I see, I have heard as much. There has been a batch of elite Northern Barbarian scouts outside the city recently, you know. To be honest, there is no one more suitable for this than you, Lu Yuan.

Leave the city tomorrow and bring back their heads. Aside from the imperial reward, I will personally grant you permission to select one item of cultivation resources from the Armory—any item you wish.

The merit points will be deducted from my account."

Hearing her say this, Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow.

He had been worrying about the spiritual medicine needed to nourish his spirit for the Bone Forging Realm. He had seen it in the Armory before, and it required a full three thousand merit points, which could not be purchased with silver.

With his current merit points, it would indeed take a long time to acquire it; this was definitely an opportunity.

"Yes, my Lady." Lu Yuan did not hesitate and accepted immediately.

Seeing him agree, Zhou Hongling curled her lips upward and then produced a box. "You have reached the Bone Forging Realm, haven't you? This box contains five bottles of Black Jade Bone-Tempering Pill. Once you finish them, you should be ready for a breakthrough.

I observe that your constitution differs from ordinary people; you should absorb them faster. You can continue your cultivation even after leaving the city. I hope that the next time I see you, you will have reached the Tendon Refining Realm.

By then, you will be an official Centurion under my command."

Now, when Zhou Hongling spoke to Lu Yuan, she was clearly much more polite than in the past.

"Many thanks, my Lady."

Lu Yuan did not stand on ceremony, stepping forward to take the box into his hands.

Zhou Hongling was very satisfied with this action; she preferred that he not be overly formal with her.

Then, as if remembering something, she added, "Do you need me to select some subordinates for you?"

Clearly, she was somewhat uneasy about Lu Yuan leaving the city with only his garrison troops.

"No need, my men are already familiar with the military formation; it would be too late to swap them out now."

Zhou Hongling nodded, then said with a beaming smile, "Fine, as long as you are confident, I won't keep you any longer. As for whom you want to take out of the city, I reckon you already have someone in mind."

"When you return, I will treat you to a drink—a strong one!"

Her expression carried a hint of solemnity as she spoke the final words.

In times without large-scale warfare, these fortress cities underwent an evaluation every three years. Whichever fortress—Ice Plain Fortress, Yellow Sand Fortress, or Crouching Tiger Fortress—received the highest rating would likely see its commanding captain promoted.

Zhou Hongling was currently in her third year of service. In the previous two years, her ratings had not held much of an advantage compared to the other two fortresses; in fact, she had even lagged slightly behind.

It was only after Lu Yuan defeated the Iron Sparrowhawks last time that she managed to catch up to the other two fortresses in one fell swoop, even showing signs of surpassing them.

Therefore, this operation against the elite scouts of the Manyan Tribe was extremely important for the captains of all three fortresses.

Whoever wiped out this elite unit would find their promotion to the next rank practically set in stone.

By then, they would become the primary authority over the three fortress cities, commanding the troops of all three and stepping firmly into the ranks of generals.

Thus, this opportunity was of vital importance to Zhou Hongling.

As long as Lu Yuan could wipe out this elite cavalry of the Manyan Tribe, her promotion would be secure.

That was why she was willing to invest heavily, though she did indeed have the intention of cultivating Lu Yuan.

After all, even if she did not provide these resources, Lu Yuan would still do what needed to be done.

"Yes, My Lady!"

Lu Yuan responded and then withdrew.

Stepping outside, he let out a long breath.

Success or failure hinged on this single move. If he could win this battle, the cultivation resources aside, once Zhou Hongling took that next step up, she would become his most solid backer. At the very least, within the scope of the three fortress cities, Lu Yuan's status would rise along with hers.

After all, once this matter was concluded, he would be considered completely her person.

"How did it go? She's letting you leave the city, right?" Seeing him come out, Zhou He stepped forward and grabbed Lu Yuan's arm.

"Yes, she wants me to leave the city tomorrow. The troops from the other two fortresses have already set out," the latter nodded.

"Are you confident?" Zhou He rubbed his hands together and pulled Lu Yuan out of the courtyard where the study was located.

Seeing this, the other did not hide anything: "It should be about right, it just depends on whether we can find them."

"Hey, then what else is there to say? How about you take me with you tomorrow?"

"You want to go too?" Lu Yuan was somewhat surprised.

"Who wouldn't want a chance to earn military merit? Besides, it's so safe following you. Don't worry, I definitely won't hold you back. I can look after the supplies when there's nothing going on, and when we actually face the enemy, I can fight too. Your brother here is in the Bone Forging Realm now." Zhou He patted his chest with a loud thud.

Lu Yuan glanced at him, then nodded and said, "Fine, then let's go together."

"Alright! I'll go prepare the provisions right now. Let me tell you, the higher-ups actually allow a dedicated supply team to follow in your situation; it's just that others don't know, and no one specifically reminds them. The squad I lead—one man with three horses—will guarantee your logistics. This time, it will definitely be worth more than the cost," Zhou He said with a grin.

Lu Yuan had not expected such a rule, but it worked out perfectly; he really wasn't used to eating dry rations anymore.

Moreover, having someone to manage logistics would indeed take a lot of pressure off him.

After the two agreed on the details, they walked out of the Captain's Mansion and parted ways, with Lu Yuan heading straight home.

He could hardly wait to make his breakthrough.