Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Tendon Tempering Technique
Just as Su Mu was getting into the groove of his saber practice, Luo Anning finally arrived.
"The Heavenly Dragon Eight Sounds Marrow Tempering Technique."
She got straight to the point, placing a manual in front of Su Mu.
"This is the best Tendon Tempering Technique I could find.
The extreme realm of Muscle Refining is known as ’Dragon Tendons,’ where the body’s major tendons become comparable to those of a true dragon among demonic beasts.
If you cultivate the Heavenly Dragon Eight Sounds Marrow Tempering Technique to Perfection, you will achieve the Extreme Tendon Tempering realm."
"It’s that amazing?"
Su Mu was a little surprised.
For the Extreme Skin Tempering Realm, he had cultivated three different Skin Tempering Techniques, and for the Extreme Flesh Tempering realm, he had cultivated two Flesh Tempering Techniques.
’This Heavenly Dragon Eight Sounds Marrow Tempering Technique can get me to the extreme realm all on its own?’
"Don’t get too excited just yet."
Luo Anning said seriously, "The more advanced a Cultivation Technique, the higher the aptitude it requires.
If you can cultivate this Heavenly Dragon Eight Sounds Marrow Tempering Technique to Perfection, you can indeed achieve the Extreme Tendon Tempering realm.
But it is extremely difficult to practice. If an ordinary person tries to force it, they might even damage their own major tendons. I wouldn’t have given you this Tendon Tempering Technique if I hadn’t seen that you’ve reached the extreme realms in both Skin and Flesh Tempering, and that your physique is far beyond that of an ordinary person."
"Even so, you might not be able to cultivate the Heavenly Dragon Eight Sounds Marrow Tempering Technique to the Realm of Perfection. If you feel it’s not a good fit, I can get you a different Tendon Tempering Technique."
"No need. This is the one."
Su Mu said with a smile, "I feel like it’s meant for me."
"Alright. If you notice anything wrong during your cultivation, you must stop immediately. Otherwise, damaging your tendons and bones will affect your future training."
Luo Anning reminded him.
Su Mu nodded. ’Luo Anning is a good person.’
’It’s a shame I’m destined to let her down. I can’t possibly become a Tributor for the Luo Family, because I’m going to become a Taiping Captain, and maybe even a Taiping Capital Captain.’
"I’d like to spar with you."
Just as Su Mu was eagerly flipping through the Heavenly Dragon Eight Sounds Marrow Tempering Technique, he suddenly heard Luo Anning’s polite voice.
"Is that really necessary?"
Su Mu looked up. Luo Anning was already at the Fourth Stage of Body Tempering, only a step away from the Blood Transformation Realm.
No matter how confident Su Mu was, he didn’t think he could beat her.
Su Mu had no interest in getting his ass kicked.
"I’ll suppress my power to the Second Stage of Body Tempering."
Luo Anning said seriously.
"At the Second Stage of Body Tempering, you’re no match for me."
Su Mu stated calmly.
Luo Anning thought about it seriously, then nodded. "You’ve reached the extreme realms in both Skin and Flesh Tempering. It’s true that you’re practically invincible at the Second Stage of Body Tempering.
In that case, I’ll suppress my power to the Third Stage of Body Tempering."
"Miss Luo, you don’t need to stroke your ego at my expense, do you? If you really want to spar, how about we do it again when I reach the Fourth Stage of Body Tempering?"
Su Mu shook his head, refusing.
"That’s not it."
Luo Anning’s expression was grave as she explained, "I’m not trying to bully you. I want to see your true strength. If you’re strong enough, I want you to come with me on a trip outside the city."
Seeing that Su Mu was still reluctant, she continued, "To cultivate the Martial Dao, you can’t just lock yourself away and practice. You also need enough real combat experience.
Do you know about Peng Li, who’s ranked ninety-fifth on the wanted list?
I want you to go kill him."
"Peng Li?"
Su Mu’s heart skipped a beat. ’Isn’t that the guy I’m using as a scapegoat?’
"Peng Li is a worthy opponent. If you have the strength to kill him, not only will it give you more real combat experience, but the Hu Family will also owe you a favor."
Before Su Mu could ask, Luo Anning earnestly explained the reason. "That favor isn’t very useful right now, but if you get eliminated from the Taiping Bureau in the future, it will give you more freedom to operate in Wuling City."
Su Mu understood. Luo Anning was paving the way for his future.
By making the Hu Family owe him a favor, when Su Mu eventually became a Tributor for the Luo Family, the Hu Family would have to repay that debt. Whether Su Mu simply remained a Tributor or became an official in Wuling City, it would bring him many benefits.
Luo Anning really was a good person.
"What’s Peng Li’s strength level?"
Su Mu asked after a moment of thought.
’Favors aren’t important. The main thing is I have to tie up this loose end.’
’I need to make He Yuxing’s death stick to Peng Li for good.’
"Third Stage of Body Tempering."
Luo Anning said, "However, his foundation is far inferior to yours. Even though he’s one stage higher than you, you might not necessarily lose to him.
That’s why I need to test your strength."
Peng Li was a dangerous criminal on the wanted list. Going after him without sufficient strength was a death wish.
Although Su Mu had cultivated both Skin and Flesh Tempering to their extreme realms, and even an average Tendon Tempering practitioner might not be his match, it was still necessary to test him.
Su Mu pondered for a moment before nodding slowly. "Then please, Miss Luo, I’m ready for your instruction."
He stepped forward to stand opposite Luo Anning, drew his long saber, and unleashed a casual slash.
A light rain suddenly began to fall from the sky.
Su Mu’s seemingly gentle slash instantly swept up the curtains of rain, transforming them into a tidal wave that surged forward.
CLANG!
The longsword at Luo Anning’s waist leaped into her hand. Points of sword light blossomed like a sky full of stars.
In an instant, saber and sword clashed countless times in mid-air. The sounds of metal striking metal overlapped, merging into a single, long ring.
"I’m going to imitate Peng Li’s Wind-Breaking Sword Momentum. Be careful."
Luo Anning called out as her Sword Technique abruptly changed, becoming nimble and swift.
The corners of Su Mu’s mouth lifted slightly as he unleashed the power of his Extreme Flesh Tempering realm.
Submerging Wave Saber Momentum, Nine Waves.
The violent force was so strong it even blasted the falling rain apart.
"Your strength is immense, already surpassing Peng Li’s, but your speed is lacking.
Peng Li specializes in Wind-Breaking Swordsmanship, which emphasizes flexibility and unpredictability.
You won’t be able to defeat him like this."
Luo Anning said, speaking even as she attacked.
"What about this?"
Hearing this, Su Mu just smiled, and the momentum of the longsaber in his hand suddenly shifted.
His incomparably fierce saber technique instantly became soft and flowing.
The lingering, entangling saber momentum immediately ensnared Luo Anning’s longsword.
Luo Anning felt as if she had been caught in a whirlpool; the more she struggled, the deeper she sank.
Or like a mosquito caught in a spider’s web, the more she struggled, the more entangled she became.
"Huh?"
Surprise filled Luo Anning’s large eyes.
’It’s the Second Layer of Momentum!’
She knew Su Mu had mastered the Submerging Wave Saber Momentum, but she never expected him to also know a Second Layer of Momentum.
TING!
In her moment of surprise, the edge of his saber had already coiled around her wrist, gliding towards her neck.
She subconsciously swung her sword. Saber and sword rang out, and Su Mu retreated two steps.
"Miss Luo, your strength is formidable. I am no match for you."
Su Mu stood his ground and did not press the attack, instead speaking with a smile.
Luo Anning glanced at the longsword in her hand. "I lost."
"I said I would only use the power of the Third Stage of Body Tempering, but just now, I used my full strength. Otherwise, I would have died by your saber."
Luo Anning said seriously, "Therefore, I lost. With your strength, you can kill Peng Li."
She looked at Su Mu, her eyes filled with amazement. ’Two layers of momentum!’
Su Mu had actually mastered two layers of momentum! Even she had only just touched the threshold of the Second Layer of Momentum.
’What kind of talent is this?’
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