Grinding to Martial Emperor from the Border Army

Lu Yuan chose to advance without a moment’s hesitation.

Insights into saber skills flooded his mind, as if he had spent countless years honing the art of the blade.

The strength in his arms grew immensely, and his speed increased as well.

A moment later, a sense of sudden clarity washed over him.

At this point, the system panel finally updated.

[Cultivation Technique: Fifth-Grade Cultivation Skill, Earth Demon Saber Technique (172/1000, Minor Achievement)]

Even though it was only at Minor Achievement, Lu Yuan could clearly feel that due to the advancement of his saber skill, it was already far stronger than the Spring and Autumn Saber Skill at the Entering the Stance stage.

When using this saber skill in battle, he could actually absorb the Power of Earth Veins to grant himself boundless energy. For someone like him who fought and killed on the battlefield, it couldn’t be more suitable.

Furthermore, with the Earth Demon Saber Skill, his Sword Gang would be laced with a trace of Earth Demon Qi.

This would make his combat prowess even greater.

He was extremely satisfied with this Cultivation Technique.

However, just as Lu Yuan finished his breakthrough, a voice called out from outside his tent.

"Sir, are you in?" Zhou He asked softly.

Lu Yuan had thought it was men sent by the Marquis of Mucheng with his weapon. He hadn’t expected it to be Zhou He. "Come in," he called out.

A moment later, Zhou He walked in, a secretive look on his face.

Seeing his expression, Lu Yuan couldn’t help but say, "Why are you being so furtive? If you have something to say, just say it."

Zhou He then pulled a booklet from his tunic. "I found this on the Ten Thousand Men Commander you killed. His status in Xirong must have been quite high; I suspect he was from their royal family."

"To think he was carrying such an advanced Cultivation Technique."

Lu Yuan took it and saw that it was a Fourth-Grade Fist Skill manual: the *Heart Shattering Fist*.

"There were too many people around at the time, so I didn’t bring it out," Zhou He explained.

Unlike ordinary gold and silver, a Cultivation Technique like this, if seized on the battlefield, would most likely have to be turned over to their superiors.

Of course, most generals would keep it for themselves, and the average Warrior wouldn’t say a thing even if they saw.

They certainly wouldn’t actually report it.

But with something like this, it paid to be careful.

Besides, Zhou He was well aware of Lu Yuan’s current situation.

Zhang Zhe and Zhao Yu were just itching for a chance to get some dirt on him.

As for Zhao Wu and Sun Li, they seemed trustworthy for now, but they were newcomers. It was better to be safe.

After all, it would be a huge waste to turn in such a valuable Cultivation Technique.

Lu Yuan flipped through the Secret Manual, imprinted its contents into his system, and then tossed it to Zhou He. "It’s a pretty high grade. Take it, make a copy for yourself, and keep it as a trump card. It’s best if you don’t let anyone know about it."

Zhou He looked at the Secret Manual, first touched, then with a grimace. "I’ve looked through this Secret Manual, but I can’t practice it at all. To cultivate it, you need to have reached the Perfection realm in every preceding stage."

"I’ve only barely reached Great Success. If I try to learn this recklessly, I’ll damage my foundation."

Seeing this, Lu Yuan showed a helpless expression and said, "Alright, then. Forget it."

Then, Zhou He leaned in. "We should be able to get some proper rest for a while now. Who knows how long this war is going to drag on."

"I heard large numbers of Garrison Soldiers from all over are being formally incorporated into the Border Army."

"Let’s not worry about that. We just need to focus on our own duties. Is there any news from the Northern Lands?" Lu Yuan asked.

He had received quite a few letters from Zhou Hongling recently and had replied to several of them himself.

However, the letters mostly consisted of Zhou Hongling telling him to be careful; she didn’t mention anything else.

But Lu Yuan could sense that the Zhou Family seemed to be having a difficult time.

After all, with all the powerful figures in the imperial court now eyeing the Northern Border, the Zhou Family was naturally in an uncomfortable position.

Hearing his question, Zhou He grimaced. "You have no idea. The Marquis of Jiuse was transferred out, and a new Marquis of Zhenbian named Shang Yong came in. The first thing he did was reassign Yun Mo to train Garrison Soldiers, stripping him of any real authority."

"Then he installed one of his own men as the new Lying Tiger Captain. With someone powerful backing him, he barely listens to the General."

"I heard the Patriarch is also having a rough time. Shang Yong makes things difficult for him at every meeting."

Lu Yuan nodded but didn’t say anything.

’There was nothing he could do about the current situation. The only thing I can do is raise my own status as much as possible. Maybe then I can be of some help to the Zhou Family in the future.’

Just as silence fell over the tent...

TAK! TAK!

Footsteps sounded from outside.

Then, another voice called out from outside the tent, "Lord Captain, are you in?"

"I am. Come in."

As Lu Yuan spoke, a figure walked in.

Behind him followed three Strongmen, straining as they shouldered a large weapon crate.

Lu Yuan knew this must be the weapon sent by the Marquis of Mucheng.

Sure enough, the man in the lead said with a smile, "Lord Captain, this is the weapon the Marquis tasked us with delivering. He said it came from Marshal Xiao."

Hearing this, Lu Yuan stood up and walked over.

He then took the weapon crate from them.

The contents were heavy. Lu Yuan lifted it slightly, a satisfied look appearing on his face.

The man smiled and said, "Lord Captain, this Cyan Dragon Crescent Saber was obtained by Marshal Xiao after he slew a powerful enemy from Great Yu. It weighs three thousand six hundred jin and is forged entirely from North Sea Cyan Gold."

"It was refined with the blood of a Flood Dragon, making it incomparably sharp. While it cannot compare to a Spiritual Soldier, it is certainly a Divine Soldier-grade weapon."

Lu Yuan opened the crate and saw a great saber resting quietly inside.

The staff was about two meters long, with a blade that was a full half-meter. Its entire body was a cyan-gold color. The staff, in particular, was etched with intricate patterns, and its base was capped with a sharp Armor-Piercing Awl.

The edge of the blade was dazzlingly bright, gradually fading to cyan near the spine. Both sides of the blade were engraved with dragon motifs.

A faint, crimson sheen seemed to drift across its surface.

With just a gentle swing, it left a white scar in the air.

"Please thank the Marquis for me," Lu Yuan said softly.

The man nodded and retreated with a smile.

When only Lu Yuan and Zhou He remained in the tent, the latter clicked his tongue in amazement, admiring the Cyan Dragon Crescent Saber for a moment before taking his leave.

He had been exhausted lately, and his injuries still hadn’t fully healed.

Now that things had finally settled down, he was planning to get some proper rest.

Lu Yuan, on the other hand, had no intention of resting. He found a quiet spot and began cultivating the *Heart Shattering Fist*.

This Fist Skill was incredibly ferocious and its techniques were vicious.

Lu Yuan was quite satisfied with it.

He already had a set of saber skills, but he would inevitably have to fight on behalf of the Celestial King Stronghold in the future. To avoid trouble, he absolutely could not let the imperial court know.

Therefore, having another Cultivation Technique was essential.

And the *Heart Shattering Fist* was the perfect solution.

For a time, Lu Yuan and his men focused on recuperating. Meanwhile, the war between Dayong and Xirong raged on, with both sides locked in a complete stalemate.

Overall, Dayong was on the back foot, but they managed to hold Xirong at bay outside the pass.

Time flew by, and half a year passed in the blink of an eye.

During this period, Lu Yuan was never idle; when he wasn’t cultivating, he was leading his men into battle.

The following year, news of a truce finally arrived. The Xirong had accepted Dayong’s proposal for peace talks, and their delegation was already on its way to the Imperial City.

Upon hearing this news, rare smiles appeared on the faces of everyone in Lu Yuan’s camp.

For the Warriors under his command, no war was the best kind of war.

Even Xiao Heng gave a rare order to reward the entire army.

As for Lu Yuan, after a night of drinking with his men, he returned to his tent.

Just a moment ago, he had received a system notification: his *Heart Shattering Fist* was ready for a breakthrough.