Marrow Transformation Secret Method Perfected!

At the crack of dawn, Lu Changsheng and Li Hongzhuang changed into another disguise and departed Jubei City. "Let's stop here," Li Hongzhuang called out, reining in her horse of her own accord. "They won't be able to catch up." She looked directly at Lu Changsheng and said, "Brother Thirteen, let us part ways here. I won't be returning to Nanyang City either. I plan to find a quiet place to diligently cultivate the marrow transformation secret method, strive to complete my marrow transformation as soon as possible, and then attempt to break through the life-and-death gateway to push into the Divine Strength Realm!" Lu Changsheng saw the resolve burning in her eyes. Until she attained the Divine Strength Realm, she would probably never show herself in the jianghu again. "Very well. All feasts must come to an end," Lu Changsheng nodded. Regardless, he had achieved his goal and secured seven Marrow Transformation Pills—far exceeding his expectations. "Brother Thirteen, here are the manuals for the marrow transformation secret method and the Overlapping Peaks Divine Strength Art. In addition, I have written down the insights and techniques regarding disguises that I developed over my years wandering the jianghu. I hope Brother Thirteen achieves the Divine Strength Realm soon as well!" Lu Changsheng took the secret method and martial arts manuals from Li Hongzhuang. He flipped through them briefly and found no issues. "Then I wish Miss Li a swift breakthrough to the Divine Strength Realm to avenge your family!" "Brother Thirteen, should fate allow, we shall meet again in the jianghu." With that, Li Hongzhuang turned her horse without hesitation and galloped away in a cloud of dust. Lu Changsheng stowed the manuals away. In high spirits, he patted his horse's head and laughed heartily. "Come on, horse, we've reaped a rich harvest this time. Let's head back too." As if catching Lu Changsheng's cheerful mood, the horse gave a lively snort and charged toward Nanyang City with flying hooves. Lu Changsheng returned smoothly to Miaoshou Garden. Though covered in dust from the journey, he felt no exhaustion; instead, he was brimming with energy and enthusiasm. "The marrow transformation secret method, the Divine Strength Realm martial art, and the Marrow Transformation Pills are all in hand. Now, I will cultivate the marrow transformation secret method first. Once it reaches perfection, I can immediately ingest a Marrow Transformation Pill." Lu Changsheng took a deep breath. In his mind, he began organizing the complete marrow transformation secret method. This secret method was called the Li Clan Marrow Transformation Secret Method. Gaining entry was easy, but attaining mastery was difficult, let alone reaching Great Accomplishment or Perfection. With his comprehension exceeding five hundred points, getting started was naturally effortless. Half a shichen later, Lu Changsheng summoned his attribute panel. Host: Lu Changsheng Comprehension: 558 (Hidden Dragon in the Depths) Li Clan Marrow Transformation Secret Method: Entry Spring Breeze and Rain Organ Refining Art: Level Three Nine-Word Thunder Sound Secret Method: Perfection (Incomplete) "This secret method seems to vibrate the bones in a unique manner. "Only when it can vibrate bone into the marrow is it considered perfected. "Once the vibrations penetrate into the marrow, taking a Marrow Transformation Pill will allow its medicinal power to thoroughly fuse into the bone marrow, thereby initiating the marrow transformation. In essence, this secret method exists to aid the consumption and absorption of the Marrow Transformation Pill." Lu Changsheng understood. A marrow transformation secret method was essentially a continuation of top-tier bone-tempering martial arts. Top-tier bone-tempering martial arts could temper bone to the marrow, but once they barely touched the marrow, they offered no further means of progression. Subsequent tempering of the marrow relied entirely on this sort of marrow transformation secret method. Furthermore, purely tempering the bone marrow on its own was ill-advised. Bone marrow was exceedingly fragile; it required external aids to be strengthened, or even to undergo a complete rebirth. The Marrow Transformation Pill was precisely such an external aid. "Reaching the point of vibrating bone into the marrow shouldn't be difficult. "For the coming months, I won't go anywhere. I will simply treat patients and cultivate in Nanyang City." Lu Changsheng laid out his plan for the following months. Early the next morning, Lu Changsheng went to Miaoren Hall. Upon seeing Lu Changsheng, Doctor Wang Ruhai smiled and said, "Doctor Lu, back so soon?" "My business is concluded. Doctor Wang, has Miaoren Hall had many patients lately?" "It's been manageable; I could barely cope on my own. However, there has been an influx of patients with external trauma and bone injuries recently, which aren't my strong suit. Now that you're back, Doctor Lu, it won't be an issue." Lu Changsheng nodded without saying more. He had studied under the renowned physician Wu Jing and was a comprehensive practitioner. Whether external trauma, internal injury, or illness, Lu Changsheng was adept at treating them all. Zhang Huan remained as attentive as ever, brewing hot tea before standing aside to assist. Lu Changsheng began seeing patients, most of whom suffered from chills and coughs. "Quick, Doctor, a broken leg!" "My hand is gone..." "Doctor, save us..." Just then, a commotion broke out outside. Zhang Huan and several other apprentices carried stretchers into the hall. A few men lay upon the stretchers, wailing in agony, drenched in blood. Lu Changsheng stepped forward immediately to administer emergency treatment to a man whose arm had been severed, arresting the bleeding, applying medicine, and administering acupuncture. Ultimately, he saved the patient's life. Afterward, he tended to several other patients with fractured bones or external wounds. "What on earth happened?" Lu Changsheng asked. One of the pale-faced patients whispered, "We are traveling merchants journeying together, heading to Nanyang City to buy and sell goods. But on the road, we ran into a band of outlaws claiming to serve under the Thirteen Desert Riders. Not only did they plunder our goods and coin, but they also attacked us. We didn't dare resist, which is how we survived. Though no one was killed, all of our companions were injured to varying degrees." Lu Changsheng frowned and looked at Zhang Huan. Anticipating Lu Changsheng's question, Zhang Huan explained in a hushed tone, "The Thirteen Desert Riders—it is said that thirteen martial artists emerged from the desert and rode south, running rampant without restraint. They gathered greenwood bandits and outlaws, and even took in some of the rogues who once served under the 'Blade-Trailing Heavenly King' Li Ji. Now this bandit scourge is entrenched along the trade routes of Nanyang Prefecture, extorting tolls from passing caravans. If anyone refuses, they slaughter them and plunder the cargo outright. They are utterly ruthless." Lu Changsheng's frown deepened. "Do the authorities do nothing? What about the army?" Wang Ruhai gave a bitter laugh. "Alas, Doctor Lu, in times like these, bandits rise on all sides and turmoil reigns everywhere. Mobilizing the army requires a vast amount of silver. I hear the prefect is currently summoning the various influential powers and gentry of Nanyang Prefecture to solicit donations, hoping to raise enough money and grain to deploy troops for bandit suppression. Otherwise, the army cannot march. But if you ask me, it will likely achieve little. In the end, the government will probably just levy more taxes on the common folk. As the saying goes, oppressive rule is fiercer than a tiger..." Wang Ruhai shook his head repeatedly. Evidently, he was deeply disheartened by the state of the world. Yet, being merely a humble physician, he was powerless and could only do his utmost to heal the sick and wounded. Hearing this, Lu Changsheng said nothing further. This was a matter for the authorities, and they would handle it. In the days that followed, Lu Changsheng spent each day seeing patients and cultivating. In the blink of an eye, two months slipped by. On this day, the spring sunlight was bright and the fragrance of flowers drifted through the air. Yet Lu Changsheng did not go out for a stroll; instead, he took a day off and stayed home. Suddenly, a line of small text appeared before his eyes: "Li Clan Marrow Transformation Secret Method perfected; comprehension +7." Lu Changsheng's eyes lit up. "The Li Clan Marrow Transformation Secret Method has finally reached perfection. It's time to take the Marrow Transformation Pill," Lu Changsheng murmured softly, an irrepressible excitement underlying his tone. After all, he had waited for this day for a very long time! Lu Changsheng retrieved a pure white porcelain bottle from a hidden compartment in the room. *Pop.* Lu Changsheng pulled out the stopper and tipped out a soybean-sized pill emitting an exotic fragrance. This was a Marrow Transformation Pill seized from the Cui clan! "Let's begin." Lu Changsheng took a deep breath and swallowed the Marrow Transformation Pill in a single gulp.