Chapter 62: The Marrow Transformation Secret Technique Reached Perfection!

As dawn broke, Lu Changsheng and Li Hongzhuang changed into new sets of clothes and departed from Jubei City.

"Let's stop here. They're not catching up to us." Li Hongzhuang halted and turned to Lu Changsheng. "Brother Shisan, let us part ways here. I won't be returning to Nanyang City. I'll find a quiet place to cultivate the Marrow Transformation Secret Technique and strive to complete the transformation as soon as possible. Once I succeed, I'll attempt to open the Profound Gate of Life and Death and break through to the Divine Strength Realm!"

Lu Changsheng could see the unwavering resolve in her eyes. Unless she reached the Divine Strength Realm, she likely would not show herself in the jianghu again.

"Alright. All good things must come to an end," Lu Changsheng said as he nodded. After all, he had already achieved his goal. Seven Marrow Transformation Pills were far more than he had expected.

"Brother Shisan, this is the manual for the Marrow Transformation Secret Technique, along with the Layered Peaks Divine Strength Art. I've also prepared a set of notes on everything I've learnt about disguise and changing appearances. I hope you'll reach the Divine Strength Realm soon!"

Lu Changsheng took the manuals from her hand and flipped through them briefly. Everything seemed in order. "Very well. I wish you an early breakthrough to the Divine Strength Realm, so that you can avenge your family."

"Brother Shisan, until we meet again in the jianghu."

With that, Li Hongzhuang turned around and walked away unwaveringly. She was quickly out of sight.

Lu Changsheng put away the manuals, his heart light with satisfaction. He patted his horse on the neck and chuckled. "We've gained plenty this time. Let's head home, my friend."

The mare seemed to sense his cheerful mood and neighed excitedly before breaking into a gallop. Her hooves thundered down the road toward Nanyang City. In time, Lu Changsheng returned safely to Miaoshou Garden. Although the journey had been long and messy, he felt no weariness. Instead, he brimmed with vigor and exhilaration.

I've managed to secure the Marrow Transformation Secret Technique, the Divine Strength martial art, and the Marrow Transformation Pills. It's time to practice the Marrow Transformation Secret Technique. I'll take the pills as soon as I bring it to Perfection.

Lu Changsheng took a deep breath. He began to sort through the complete method of the Marrow Transformation Secret Technique in his mind.

This particular art was known as the Li Clan's Marrow Transformation Secret Technique. Although easy to activate, the technique was difficult to bring even to the level of Adept, let alone to Perfection.

In Lu Changsheng's case, given his astounding Perception level of 500 points, activating the technique would be effortless.

After practicing the technique for an hour, Lu Changsheng accessed his status panel.

[Status Panel]

Host: Lu Changsheng

Perception: 558 (Hidden Dragon in the Abyss)

[Skills]

Li Clan's Marrow Transformation Secret Technique: Active

Spring Wind Rain Transformation Organ Refinement: Third Layer

Nine-Character Thunder Chant: Perfection (Incomplete)

This secret technique seems to cause the bones to vibrate in a specific rhythm. Only when the vibrations penetrate deep into the marrow do you achieve Perfection. Reaching that stage allows the essence of the Marrow Transformation Pills to fully integrate into the bone marrow, thus initiating the transformation. In truth, this secret technique serves as an aid for the Marrow Transformation Pills.

Lu Changsheng understood that the Marrow Transformation Secret Technique was more or less an extension of the supreme-tier Bone Tempering arts. Those arts recorded methods that could temper the bones down to the marrow, but past that stage, they didn't help with any further refinement.

The Marrow Transformation Secret Technique was required to continue the process and refine the marrow itself. However, forcefully refining the marrow alone was unwise, for the marrow was exceedingly delicate. It could only be strengthened through certain external means, and some could even allow the marrow to undergo a complete transformation. The Marrow Transformation Pill was precisely for that.

It shouldn't be too difficult to reach the stage where the vibrations penetrate the marrow. For the next few months, I'll stay in Nanyang City to treat patients and train

, Lu Changsheng decided.

The next day, he headed to Miaoren Hall as soon as dawn broke.

Physician Wang Ruhai's face lit up with a smile when he saw him. "Physician Lu, you're back so soon?"

"The matter has been settled. Physician Wang, have there been many patients at Miaoren Hall lately?"

"Well, I've been managing, though barely. There have been quite a lot of patients with trauma and bone injuries. Not exactly my area of expertise. But now that you're back, there shouldn't be any problems."

Lu Changsheng merely nodded. He had studied under the renowned Wu Jing and was trained as a general physician. Whether tending to external wounds, internal injuries, or illnesses, he excelled in all.

Zhang Huan remained as diligent as ever. He was preparing hot tea before standing aside to assist. Lu Changsheng began receiving patients. Most were cases of colds and coughs.

"Physician, his leg's broken!"

"My hand's gone!"

"Physician, please save us!"

A commotion suddenly erupted outside. Zhang Huan and several apprentices hurried in carrying stretchers. Several men lay atop them. They were all drenched in blood, groaning and wailing in agony.

Lu Changsheng immediately stepped forward to treat a man whose arm had been severed. He stopped the bleeding, administered medication, and inserted acupuncture needles with swift precision.

After making sure the patient would live, Lu Changsheng moved on to several others with broken bones and other serious wounds.

"Just what on earth happened?" he asked.

"We're merchants..." whispered one of the injured men, his face ghastly pale. "We were on our way to Nanyang City to trade and purchase goods. All of a sudden, we were ambushed by a band of ruffians who claimed to serve the Thirteen Riders of the Great Desert. They robbed us of all our belongings. We didn't dare resist. That's the only reason we're still alive. Even so, not one of us was unscathed."

Lu Changsheng frowned and turned toward Zhang Huan, who understood the unspoken question at once.

Zhang Huan answered, "As the name suggests, the Thirteen Riders of the Great Desert are martial artists from the desert. They've been on a rampage in the south. They've been recruiting bandits from the forests and even absorbed remnants of that old brigand, the Saber-Dragging Heavenly King Li Ji. Now their forces have entrenched themselves along the trade routes of Nanyang Prefecture. They extort tolls from caravans, and anyone who refuses is to be robbed or killed. They're utterly ruthless."

Lu Changsheng's brow furrowed tighter. "And the officials are doing nothing? What about the army?"

Wang Ruhai sighed wearily. "

Ah

... Physician Lu, the world is in turmoil. Bandits are everywhere. Mobilizing troops requires vast amounts of silver, and few officials are willing to spend it. The prefect is supposed to call upon all wealthy households in Nanyang Prefecture to donate, hoping to raise enough funds to deploy the troops. Otherwise, they can't even afford to send them out. However, if you ask me, it's probably useless. In the end, the officials will only squeeze the citizens for more taxes. The harsh rule is crueller than a tiger..."

Wang Ruhai kept shaking his head. He was clearly dissatisfied with the state of the world, and as a humble physician, he was powerless to change it. He could only do his best to help people and save lives.

As for Lu Changsheng, there was nothing he could say. Matters of governance were for officials to handle, not for men like him. In the days that followed, he spent his time treating patients and training. Hence, two months had passed in the blink of an eye.

On one bright spring morning, the air was filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers. Yet instead of going out to enjoy the season, Lu Changsheng took a day off and remained at home. Suddenly, a small line of text appeared before his eyes.

Li Clan's Marrow Transformation Secret Technique: Perfection. Perception +7.

His eyes lit up. "I've finally pushed the Li Clan's Marrow Transformation Secret Technique to Perfection. Time to take the pills now."

Even as he murmured to himself, he couldn't conceal the excitement in his voice. After all, he had been waiting for this day for a very long time.

Lu Changsheng reached into a hidden compartment in his room and retrieved a small white porcelain bottle.

Pop.

He pulled out the cork and poured out a pill the size of a soybean. Its surface gleamed faintly, and it emanated a rich and exotic fragrance. There was no mistake about it: this was the Marrow Transformation Pill of the Cui Clan.

Here it goes.

Lu Changsheng took a deep breath and took the pill in one swift motion.