The Mirror Master

When Chen Tieshan taught him the Fierce Tiger Stance, he had only mentioned that the Pile Skill originated from a Celestial Tier Technique.

But now, looking at the display on the Ancient Mirror, a Celestial Tier Technique was clearly not the end of the line!

After all, Chen Tieshan was merely the master of a martial arts hall in Liuxi Town, an Inner Martial Artist; it wasn’t certain he truly understood the full details.

Lu Bai trusted the Ancient Mirror more.

The Celestial Tier Mountain Monarch Bone Forging Technique could already cultivate the three levels of sinew, bone, and skin. If it were to ascend another level and become an Ultimate Skill, what would he be able to cultivate then?

What kind of effects would it have?

Would it also give rise to some sort of Secret Technique?

With this thought, Lu Bai no longer hesitated. He controlled a ball of Soul Light and directed it toward [Mountain Monarch Bone Forging Technique - Heaven (Repairable)].

"Repair!"

Lu Bai commanded in his mind.

The mirror’s surface rippled slightly before returning to calm.

Lu Bai focused his gaze on it.

[Mountain Monarch Bone Forging Technique - Heaven (Repairable)]

There was no change at all.

’What’s going on?’

Lu Bai frowned slightly.

After a moment’s hesitation, he once again controlled a ball of Soul Light, sending it toward the line of text while observing intently.

As the Soul Light merged into the Mountain Monarch Bone Forging Technique, there was again a slight ripple, and then it returned to calm.

The text remained unchanged.

Lu Bai carefully compared this to the changes that had occurred when he repaired a Cultivation Technique before.

Previously, when Soul Light merged into a technique, the mirror’s surface would roil with waves.

It was like a stone being thrown into a lake.

But what just happened was like a single drop of water falling onto a vast lake, creating a ripple so small it was barely visible.

’It seems I need more Soul Light to upgrade a Celestial Tier Technique to an Ultimate Skill.’

Lu Bai mused to himself.

Gazing at the two remaining balls of Soul Light in the corner of the Ancient Mirror, he felt an impulse to pour both of them into the Mountain Monarch Bone Forging Technique.

But his reason told him that, based on what just happened, even throwing in two more balls of Soul Light would be far from enough.

Lu Bai took a deep breath, suppressing the impulse.

With his current means, he didn’t have many ways to collect Soul Light.

Besides, the process was quite dangerous.

Soul Light was too important to him; he had to use it cautiously.

For the Root Bone Stage, a Celestial Tier Technique was more than enough.

It wouldn’t be too late to repair it into an Ultimate Skill later if he had the chance to collect more Soul Light.

’If more Soul Light can completely repair the Mountain Monarch Bone Forging Technique, then perhaps stronger Soul Light could as well...’

A thought suddenly flashed through Lu Bai’s mind.

After a moment of contemplation, Lu Bai decided not to rush merging the Soul Light into a Martial Technique.

Both the Five-Step Fist and the Eight Sword Skills were merely the lowest Yellow Tier Martial Techniques.

If he had a chance to obtain a Profound Tier Martial Technique, using Soul Light to master it would provide a much greater boost to his combat prowess.

Besides, it wasn’t yet time for a showdown with Lu Ziyuan’s side of the family, so improving his Martial Techniques wasn’t an urgent matter.

With over thirty days left until the end of the mourning period, he had to raise his Cultivation as quickly as possible!

The night was already deep. Having eaten and drunk his fill and rested for a while, a good deal of his stamina had returned.

While he still had the energy, Lu Bai immediately began cultivating the Mountain Monarch Bone Forging Technique.

-----------------

「One month later.」

A figure holding a longsword flashed about the West Courtyard of the Lu Residence, executing a fluid chain of Sword Moves: thrusts, cleaves, points, intercepts, upward flicks, slashes, upward swings, and gliding cuts.

The movements were clean and decisive, the transitions between moves exceptionally fluid, with no sense of sluggishness.

After finishing his practice of the Eight Sword Skills, Lu Bai brought his sword to rest and focused his Heart and Spirit on the Ancient Mirror.

[Mirror Master: Lu Bai]

[Realm: Third Level of the Root Bone Stage—Bone Forging (Iron Bone)]

[Cultivation Technique: Bone Supreme Profound Scripture·Ultimate

Mountain Monarch Bone Forging Technique - Heaven (Repairable)]

[Martial Technique: Five-Step Fist: Yellow (Minor Success)

Eight Sword Skills: Yellow (Minor Success)]

[Secret Technique: Eye of Illusion]

In one month of relentless cultivation, he had used a large quantity of the Lu Family’s medicinal herbs to aid his training. By taking them internally and soaking in external baths, he tempered his sinews, bones, and skin, finally reaching the Third Level of the Root Bone Stage.

When his fists struck metal or stone, they would produce a ringing, metallic sound.

Whenever he stretched, his entire body would erupt in a series of sharp cracks and pops.

Upon reaching this Realm, he had far surpassed ordinary people.

His bones were as hard as iron. If an ordinary person were to strike him, he would be fine; in fact, the attacker would likely be the one to get hurt.

Lu Bai was also noticeably taller than he had been a month ago.

He was no longer as gaunt as before; his muscles were now defined, and he had bulked up considerably.

It was just that, hidden beneath his drab gray clothes, the change wasn’t very obvious.

Moreover, without using any Soul Light, he had also cultivated both the Five-Step Fist and the Eight Sword Skills to the level of Minor Success.

Improving one’s Root Bone didn’t just increase physical strength; it also enhanced one’s comprehension and mastery of all Martial Arts and Martial Techniques!

Whenever he practiced his skills, the Black Dog would stand guard nearby.

During this time, the Black Dog’s wounds had fully healed. It had also put on some weight and was no longer the skinny, gaunt creature it had once been.

Seeing that it was noon, Lu Bai called out, "Ah Mo, let’s go get something to eat."

Uncle Fu had gone out early today and hadn’t returned by noon, though Lu Bai didn’t know where he had gone.

There was no one to cook.

Ever since the misfortune befell the Lu Residence, there had been no servants in the household.

Just as Lu Bai walked out of the West Courtyard, he saw his cousin, Lu Yao, walk in from the main gate. Poised and graceful, she smiled and waved in his direction.

"Ah Bai, I came to see you."

Lu Yao walked over with a smile, carrying a basket of fruits and pastries. She glanced around, seemingly at random, her eyes finally settling on the Black Dog before looking away.

"Cousin."

Lu Bai nodded.

"Wow, I haven’t seen you in over a month, and you seem to have gotten taller."

Lu Yao came to stand in front of Lu Bai and realized she was now a full head shorter. She held her hand flat, measuring the space between Lu Bai’s forehead and the top of her own head.

"How have you been? Has anything else happened at the Lu Residence?"

Lu Yao asked with concern.

"Everything’s fine."

Lu Bai smiled. "Maybe it’s because I’ve been eating and sleeping well that I’ve grown a bit."

"Here, have a taste. I brought your favorite pastries, the ones from the Drunken Fragrance Inn."

Lu Yao set down the pastries and gestured for Lu Bai to come over.

At the same time, she took out a piece and waved it toward the Black Dog a short distance away.

"Here, puppy!"

Lu Yao called out a few times.

The Black Dog sat where it was, watching Lu Yao without moving.

"Here, puppy! Come on, Little Blackie, I have something tasty."

Lu Yao called out again.

The Black Dog still didn’t budge.

"What’s wrong with him?"

Lu Yao asked.

"Maybe he’s not hungry."

Lu Bai said.

Lu Yao walked toward the Black Dog, holding the pastry in her hand.

Lu Bai watched Lu Yao’s retreating back, his gaze gradually turning cold.

The Black Dog didn’t flinch as she approached.

Lu Yao held out the pastry and said softly, "Go on, eat."

The Black Dog, which had been panting a moment ago to cool itself, suddenly closed its mouth.

"What’s the matter?"

Lu Yao was exasperated. She took a bite of the pastry herself and said while chewing, "You silly dog, are you afraid it’s poisoned?"

After taking a few bites, Lu Yao offered it again, but the Black Dog still refused to eat.

Lu Bai said, "He doesn’t take food from strangers."

Lu Bai had discovered a few of the Black Dog’s quirks during this time.

Even when Madam Wang or Uncle Fu tried to feed him the exact same food, the Black Dog wouldn’t eat.

He would only eat what Lu Bai gave him.

"What are you talking about? How am I a stranger?"

Lu Yao turned and shot Lu Bai a playful, reproachful glance.

Lu Bai’s expression remained calm, his heart unperturbed. He asked coolly, "Cousin, you must have come today for a reason."

"Oh, you."

Seeing that the Black Dog wasn’t going to react, Lu Yao got up and walked toward Lu Bai. "I don’t even know what to say about you," she said. "You’ve been eating well and sleeping well all this time. You probably don’t even realize the family’s money has run out, do you?"

Lu Bai considered this.

He had been so focused on cultivating the Martial Dao lately that he had indeed paid no attention to such matters.

Still, it was understandable if the family had run out of money.

The Lu Family had originally owned four pharmacies, which brought in a considerable income each year.

But after the tragedy, they had been forced to close one after another.

Dismissing the servants had been one expense.

Some time ago, hiring Daoists and Monks to perform exorcisms and ward off evil spirits had been another major expense.

On top of that were the funeral expenses for his father and older brother.

With their income cut off, the family’s savings had been quickly depleted by these expenses.

Furthermore, Lu Bai himself had consumed a large amount of medicinal herbs and bought a great deal of strong liquor for his medicinal baths recently.

Even his appetite had more than doubled.

"Uncle Fu went to see my father, hoping to borrow some silver to cover the household expenses."

Lu Yao continued, "My father didn’t mind, but you know my mother—she’s incredibly stingy."

"I saw them arguing back and forth, so I snuck out to bring you some spare silver."

Lu Yao took a coin pouch from her robes and pressed it into Lu Bai’s hand. "This is what I’ve painstakingly saved up. Even your brother-in-law doesn’t know about it. You take it and use it for now."

"Thank you, Cousin."

Lu Bai smiled faintly.

"Oh, right."

Lu Yao added, "You know how much I love dogs. Let this Black Dog keep me company for a couple of days."

"No."

Lu Bai said flatly.

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