Chapter 158 - 132: Substitution
Chapter 158: Chapter 132: Substitution
Meanwhile, in Icefield Fortress, Lu Yuan opened his system panel.
[Name: Lu Yuan]
[Age: 19]
[Cultivation Techniques: Fifth-Grade Cultivation Skill, *Earth Demon Saber Technique* (Entering the Stance, 60,352/50,000. Break through using 10,000 Skill Level?)]
[Fourth-Grade Cultivation Skill, *Mixed Element Qi Skill* (Void Manipulation, 20,181/30,000 to Perfection)]
[Fifth-Grade Cultivation Skill, *Refined Golden Bell Shield* (Entering the Stance, 60,242/50,000. Break through using 10,000 Skill Level?)]
[Third-Grade Array, *Shaking Mountain Copper Gate Formation* (38,217/50,000 to Entering the Stance). Additional Effects: Super Defense, Shaking Mountains and Earth]
[Third-Grade Cultivation Skill, *Breaking Gang Arrow Skill* (40,132/50,000 to Entering the Stance)]
[Fourth-Grade Cultivation Skill, *Heart Shattering Fist* (40,873/50,000 to Entering the Stance)]
These were the gains Lu Yuan had made over the past six months.
He had made progress in nearly every one of his cultivation techniques.
In particular, his *Earth Demon Saber Technique* and *Refined Golden Bell Shield* were ready for an immediate upgrade.
Upgrading them by another grade would increase his combat power once more.
Lu Yuan didn’t hesitate, choosing to break through immediately.
The next moment, memories of the Sword Skill flooded his mind.
At the same time, his body began to change. It felt as if every muscle was being tempered anew.
His power, compressed by the technique, became astonishingly great.
[Cultivation Technique: Sixth-Grade Cultivation Skill, *Celestial Spirit Fierce Sun Saber* (352/1,000 to Minor Achievement)]
[Sixth-Grade Cultivation Skill, *Formless Golden Bell* (242/1,000 to Minor Achievement)]
After upgrading the two techniques, Lu Yuan could clearly feel his skills had reached a much higher level.
The *Formless Golden Bell* was an especially profound Body Refining Skill.
The Golden Bell Energy Gang Qi he had previously condensed now fused completely with his body.
Lu Yuan was the Golden Bell, and the Golden Bell was Lu Yuan.
At this moment, his body had reached a terrifying state.
To put it simply, even the Cyan Dragon Crescent Saber in his hand could no longer injure him when he tested it against his own body.
HUFF!
After a long exhale of turbid air, Lu Yuan walked toward the neighboring General’s Mansion.
The sky had already darkened by the time Lu Yuan entered the front hall.
Zhou Hongling was already waiting for him. A full table of food was laid out, and her eyes were a little red. She glanced at Lu Yuan and said, "Sit down and eat."
As she spoke, she poured Lu Yuan a cup of wine.
"Your cooking still smells the best. I’ve been away for so long, and the food out there was terrible," Lu Yuan said, grinning as he sat down and stuffed a piece of meat into his mouth.
"Many powerful nobles in the Imperial Court are targeting you lately. Didn’t you know? Why did you come back?" Zhou Hongling asked in a low voice.
She was only a Garrison General in the Border Army and wasn’t privy to high-level discussions. In fact, even her father wasn’t entirely clear on the details.
However, she had heard whispers that many people were targeting Lu Yuan.
Because of this, Zhou Ren had summoned Zhou Hongling to Yan Province a while back. His intentions were clear: he wanted her to hint that Lu Yuan should leave, perhaps even go beyond the border passes.
After all, Zhou Ren came from a long line of generals and was quite sensitive to matters of the Imperial Court.
He had already sensed the danger Lu Yuan was in.
"There’s no point hiding it from you. I can’t leave. You know as well as I do that the Imperial Guard has taken over the city gates."
Lu Yuan said quietly, taking a sip of wine.
He kept his voice very low.
Zhou Hongling lowered her head, her voice trembling slightly. "I’ll take my men and overpower the Imperial Guard. I’ll get you out of the pass."
Lu Yuan was stunned. "If you do that, even if I escaped, I could never live with myself. The Zhou Family would be destroyed, and it would be my fault."
At that, Zhou Hongling looked as if she was about to break down.
CLACK CLACK!
As they spoke, footsteps echoed from the courtyard outside.
A thin, sallow-faced man walked in, clad in a black brocade robe with a golden eagle embroidered on the chest.
A large group of men dressed in black followed him.
They were none other than the Brocade Robe Envoys.
As soon as they appeared, the leader placed a hand on Lu Yuan’s shoulder.
Instantly, Lu Yuan felt an immense force pinning him down.
BANG!
Zhou Hongling shot to her feet, shouting angrily, "Who are you people? How dare you barge into my General’s Mansion!"
As she spoke, she drew her long saber.
Immediately, a large number of her Personal Guards swarmed in, facing off against the men in black.
Throughout this, Lu Yuan remained expressionless and did not move.
’The expert the Imperial Court sent this time is stronger than I anticipated.’
’I’m no match for him.’
’Forget me; even the entire force of Icefield Pass combined wouldn’t be a match for them.’
Therefore, he looked at Zhou Hongling and said, "Don’t be rash."
The Brocade Robe Envoy beside him spoke with a chilling voice, "I am Jiang He, Northern Deputy Governor of the Brocade Robe Envoys. Anyone who dares make a move will be shown no mercy!"
When he finished speaking, the imposing aura of the Personal Guards in the General’s Mansion faltered.
The Brocade Robe Envoys were the eyes, ears, and talons of the Yong Emperor.
Even the Imperial Guard wouldn’t dare to cross them, let alone soldiers of the Border Army.
Jiang He then turned to Lu Yuan. "General Lu, Marshal Xiao has asked me to ’invite’ you to the Imperial City."
Lu Yuan nodded, rose, and prepared to leave.
Zhou Hongling’s hand, gripping her saber, was trembling.
She pointed at Jiang He. "Even if you are a Brocade Robe Envoy, you can’t arrest a decorated hero of the Imperial Court without cause!"
"General Zhou, this is an ’invitation,’ not an arrest," Jiang He said, his gaze shifting to Lu Yuan. His meaning was obvious. ’You wouldn’t want to get your friends involved, would you?’
Lu Yuan naturally understood his intent. He looked squarely at Zhou Hongling and said, "Don’t say another word. Don’t ask any questions. Marshal Xiao won’t do anything to me."
"But..."
"Enough!" Lu Yuan’s voice rose sharply in a harsh rebuke.
It was the first time Zhou Hongling had ever seen Lu Yuan angry with her.
Her hand trembled involuntarily.
Her chest heaved violently.
She knew he was only doing this for her own good.