Muscle Refining

[Name: Lu Yuan]

[Age: 16]

[Technique: Five-Tiger Array-Breaking Blade (25126/30000 Perfection)]

[Tiger-Subduing Stance Bone Forging (32012/30000 Perfection, break through?)]

[Iron-Bone Golden Bell Cover (31034/30000 Perfection, break through?)]

[Cloud-Piercing Crane-Wing Formation (27819/30000 Perfection) Additional Effects: Wind-Borrowing, Armor-Piercing]

Looking at the data appearing in his mind, a smile surfaced on Lu Yuan's face. He could finally break through. As long as he reached the Tendon-Refining realm, he could become a true Centurion.

"Break through."

Lu Yuan did not hesitate in the slightest to choose to advance further. The next moment, the bones within his body underwent a transformation; the bones that had previously emitted a faint golden light...

At this moment, they seemed to turn completely into jade.

Flashes of flowing light passed over them from time to time.

His tendons and bones collided, emitting a "crackle" sound.

Even his height increased by a margin.

Moreover, his frame grew larger, his physique becoming increasingly burly, faintly exuding a tiger-like aura.

When he clenched his fists tightly.

Surging power spread throughout his entire body.

At this moment, Lu Yuan could be certain that he had broken through.

Afterward, he took out the Tiger Bone Paste.

This item was for oral consumption; it didn't smell very good, but he wasn't going to fuss over the taste at a time like this.

Lu Yuan picked up the medicine jar and drank it down in one gulp.

As the viscous medicinal liquid flowed from his mouth into his stomach, a surging heat spread throughout his body.

His entire skeleton was enveloped by this heat.

Then, it gradually merged into them.

He pushed the Tiger-Subduing Stance to its limit.

With every breath, his chest and abdomen rumbled like thunder.

Faint tiger roars seemed to emanate from within his body.

This power felt endless, surging continuously within Lu Yuan's body.

Every time it overflowed, it pushed the strength of Lu Yuan's bones to a higher level.

Dense divine substances clung to the surface of his bones, tempering them incessantly.

Lu Yuan could clearly feel that his strength had risen to an unprecedented level.

"Hum!"

Following a trembling hum, Lu Yuan's tendons and bones vibrated, actually resonating with the surrounding air.

Afterward, he opened the system panel.

[Tiger-Subduing Stance Bone Forging (50000/50000 Perfection, break through?)]

"Break through."

At this moment, Lu Yuan's bones were completely set, while the large tendons throughout his body twisted like pythons, visibly tightening.

A moment later, they finally stabilized completely.

[Tiger-Subduing Stance Tendon-Refining (0/10000 Great Success)]

"Hoo!"

Lu Yuan exhaled a long breath.

The foundation he had laid in the past was too solid, and with the Iron-Bone Golden Bell Cover constantly tempering his body, Lu Yuan had leaped straight to the Great Success of Tendon-Refining the moment he broke through.

Logically speaking, upon reaching this realm, an ordinary person would have the qualifications to break through directly to the Organ Refining Realm, but Lu Yuan wanted to push past his limits.

Therefore, for him, this was only the beginning.

Afterward, Lu Yuan's Iron-Bone Golden Bell Cover also began to exert its power. This technique did not temper a single area but enhanced his physical strength in an all-encompassing manner.

Tendons, bones, skin, and internal organs were all included.

At this moment, following his breakthrough, the golden bell that had previously hovered outside his body actually merged completely with him.

A faint golden light flashed and vanished within the pores of his skin.

Lu Yuan's skin and bones were as if forged from gold and iron; ordinary weapons would find it difficult to harm him in the slightest.

Iron-Bone Golden Bell Cover, as the name suggested, focused primarily on tempering his own bones.

[Iron-Bone Golden Bell Cover (1934/50000 Momentum)]

At this moment, Lu Yuan stood still.

His skin, flesh, and bones had been tempered to perfection, and his body was brimming with immense strength.

On the battlefield, he could easily take on a hundred ordinary soldiers at once.

As for encountering elites, it would depend on his own performance and the specific strength of his opponents.

Lu Yuan then stood up.

Looking outside, it was midday. Since the arrival of spring, the sunlight had become much more abundant than before.

Feeling a hunger in his gut, he quickly grabbed something to eat before stepping out of the room.

Reaching the Tendon-Refining stage meant he could become an official Centurion, and more importantly, he could finally go out and clash with the Iron Sparrowhawks.

During their last engagement, he had been at a disadvantage in both numbers and cultivation, but this time, he could fight them on equal footing.

With that, he headed toward the Captain's Mansion.

Meanwhile, in her study, Zhou Hongling was frowning deeply. Just a day ago, an elite unit she had dispatched had been completely wiped out.

The unit had been led by a Centurion who was a master at the peak of Tendon-Refining, supported by thirty battle-hardened soldiers who had entered the realm. In terms of equipment and capability, they were among the very best in Ice Plain City.

Yet, they had still been defeated. According to the scouts who had surveyed the battlefield, the battle had lasted less than an hour.

The corpses were piled up less than fifty miles from Ice Plain City.

This was an absolute provocation from the Iron Sparrowhawks.

Looking at the letter of reprimand sent by her father, she couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

Just then, a guard from outside the door walked in.

"My Lady, Lu Yuan requests an audience."

Zhou Hongling raised an eyebrow. This fellow had been back for several days, and she had assumed he had given up on the idea of going to the front lines. She hadn't expected him to show up now.

Although she didn't want Lu Yuan to take risks, she didn't want to dampen his spirit either.

After all, the most important quality for a military commander was to maintain that sharp, indomitable edge.

Therefore, she could only say, "Let him in."

When dealing with capable subordinates, one must know how to appease them when necessary.

A moment later, Lu Yuan walked in, cupped his fists toward Zhou Hongling, and said, "Greetings, My Lady."

"Sit and speak. Is there something you need?"

She asked softly.

Lu Yuan stood straight and declared loudly, "This subordinate requests to join the battle!"

Zhou Hongling seemed to have already guessed his intentions and said helplessly, "Lu Yuan, I know what you're thinking, but just yesterday, an elite unit we sent out was wiped out by the Iron Sparrowhawks in less than an hour.

Yun Mo also nearly met his end in the wilderness, and the Centurion at the Yellow Sand Fortress suffered a similar blow. Although he managed to escape back, all the elites under his command died out there.

You are still in the Bone-Forging Realm; you need to focus on your cultivation. As long as you are in the Northern Frontier and under my command, I guarantee you will have plenty of opportunities to earn merit. Why be in such a hurry?"

She truly had Lu Yuan's best interests at heart. In truth, all three frontier cities were competing; whoever could wipe out the Iron Sparrowhawks would be a shoo-in for the position of commander of the three cities.

Yet, Zhou Hongling still chose not to let Lu Yuan take the risk, which showed how much she valued him.

"My Lady, does that mean if I reach the Tendon-Refining stage, I can go to battle?"

"If you reach the Tendon-Refining stage, I certainly won't stop you," Zhou Hongling said firmly.

In her heart, she believed it was impossible for Lu Yuan to break through so quickly, as it hadn't been long since he reached the Bone-Forging Realm.

However, the moment her words fell, Lu Yuan stood up and said, "My Lady, I have already broken through to the Tendon-Refining stage. Please grant me permission to leave the city."

As he spoke, his tendons and bones crackled—a clear sign of having reached the Tendon-Refining stage.

Zhou Hongling's eyes lit up. This time, she was certain she had found a treasure. Such comprehension, such talent.

Now, she felt a twinge of regret; she didn't want this young man before her to take such risks.

However, she had already given her word, and there was no way to go back on it now.

Lu Yuan continued, "My Lady, please approve my departure from the city."

Zhou Hongling lowered her gaze, pondered for a moment, and said, "Very well, I approve your departure. But before that, there is one more thing to handle: your promotion to Centurion.

I will select some men for you; come by tomorrow to meet them, and I will officially appoint you as a Centurion."

Since she couldn't stop him, she would do her best to ensure Lu Yuan had capable men under his command.

"Yes, My Lady."

Lu Yuan acknowledged the order and withdrew.