Chapter 53: Completing The Iron Marrow Refinement and Reaching a Whole New Level of Physical Existence.

With the restaurant’s foundation laid and Master Chen overseeing kitchen design, Yu Liang found himself with little time he hadn’t had in after coming to jade city. Lin Meihua was occupied with finalizing supplier contracts and coordinating with her family’s trade networks. The renovation would take at least two months. Xiao Wen was still working at the Moonlight Inn, preparing for his new job.

Everything was set in motion, but none of it required Yu Liang’s immediate presence.

He stood in his room at the inn, looking at the materials stored in his system inventory. Thousands of pills, rare herbs, formation diagrams, technique manuals.

Wealth that most cultivators would never see in their lifetime.

The eyes of Yu Liang shone brightly. ’Finally...’

It is like a thirsty man who suddenly discovered a source of water that never dries up. ’I can now use it.’

Iron Marrow Refinement Technique was left unfinished, with six cycles complete and another six to go. Usually, each cycle took one week of preparation, a day of tempering, and several days of recovery after. At least twelve weeks would be necessary for the latter half, it will only increase if the body required more stabilization between cycles.

But Yu Liang wasn’t constrained by normal limitations.

He pulled up the technique manual from his inventory and reviewed the remaining cycles. The seventh through ninth focused on blood refinement, strengthening the body’s capacity to carry and circulate Qi. The tenth through twelfth integrated everything, harmonizing bone, marrow, and blood into a unified whole.

The materials required were exotic such as Heavenly Dragon marrow, Spirit Jade Root, elemental infused ores. He had purchased everything during his spending spree at the Mystic Pavilion. Enough to do several more cycles with some left over.

More importantly, he also acquired supplementary pills. Bone Strengthening Pills, Blood Purification Elixirs, Marrow Enhancement Pills. Items designed to accelerate body cultivation process when used correctly.

Most cultivators practiced the Iron Marrow Refinement Method one cycle at a time, resting between each cycle. Their bodies needed the time to recover, especially since they couldn’t afford the resources needed to support a faster pace. So, they couldn’t risk damaging their foundation because recovery materials were expensive.

He did not have those limitations.

He began the seventh cycle that evening.

The medicinal bath was prepared with Heavenly Dragon marrow instead of Crimson Eyes Bear, a material several grades higher. The water turned golden right away, emitting pressure that made the air feel heavy. When Yu Liang submerged himself, the difference was immediate.

The burning feeling experienced in earlier rounds had been replaced by something more profound; not painful, but rather, more challenging. The essence of the dragon did not enter the body gradually; it rushed in and flooded his meridians making him more focused on the process.

Yu Liang circulated his Qi rapidly, guiding the essence through his pathways, directing it towards his marrow. This was the key difference. With superior materials and active cultivation guidance, the absorption process accelerated dramatically.

After four hours, he consumed a Marrow Enhancement Pill mid session.

The pill dissolved nstantly, but the effect enhanced the fusion of the dragon essence. His bones were warming from the inside, the marrow reacting eagerly to the both process combined.

After he got out of the tub, his body felt different; it felt denser. The seventh cycle was finished.

Normally, he would rest for days. Instead, he consumed a recovery pill, another high grade supplement that most cultivators couldn’t afford and began preparing the eighth cycle’s materials.

The pattern repeated. Bath, circulation, supplementary pills, recovery, preparation.

Each cycle made the next one easier. With better materials and pills supporting him throughout the process, his body adapted far faster than it normally would.

By the third day, he had completed the ninth cycle. His blood had been refined, carrying Qi with noticeably improved efficiency. When he circulated energy now, it flowed like water through an open channel rather than pushing through resistance.

The tenth cycle brought integration. The medicinal bath required all previous materials combined, the dragon marrow, jade root, elemental ores, all mixed together in specific proportions. The end product of this was a liquid that shone in many colors, each of which reflected a certain stage of refining.

Yu Liang submerged himself and immediately understood why this cycle was called integration. The essence didn’t target his bones, marrow, or blood separately. It touched everything simultaneously, forging connections between systems that had been refined independently.

His bones resonated with his marrow. The energy in his blood was something his bones recognized. Everything was now functioning together instead of being a separate improvement.

The eleventh cycle deepened the integration. By the time Yu Liang emerged, his body moved with a fluidity he had never experienced.

Even the complex movements seemed easy.

The twelfth and final cycle came on the seventh day.

Yu Liang had spent a great deal of time preparing for this bath. It was all about to culminate at once. Either he would have an Iron Marrow Body or he wouldn’t and fail.

He added the final dragon marrow, jade root and final elemental ores. It was shining so brightly that it almost hurt to look at. Once he entered the water, the feeling became overpowering.

Not pain. Not heat. Just... pressure. His entire body felt heavy, as if every part of him was being pushed to its limit.

For 12 hours, he kept circulating his Qi endlessly, ensuring that essence flowed through each path, every channel, every strand. His consciousness became restricted to that one job, keeping the flow without interruption.

When he finally opened his eyes, the water around him had turned completely black though not because of any impurities, but from the spiritual essence had been exhausted completely.

Yu Liang rose to his feet slowly. He felt different now. His steps were still light and graceful, but something new had come to his body, an inner strength that he hadn’t known before.

Just like always, he threw a punch experimentally. This time, he stopped after striking out and looked at his fist. The change was not very obvious to see but he could definitely feel it. It was more controlled, and his strength was much more coordinated with his body.

It was not only a physical transformation; his Qi capacity had also expanded quite significantly. His meridians, strengthened by refined bones and purified blood, channeled energy without much resistance at all. His spiritual sense seemed heightened as well, as though his physical improvement had improved his perceptions of the world around him.

He could feel the energy flowing within him, giving him an invincibility that wasn’t there at all. It was not just about him having a refined body; it felt more like him reaching a whole new level of physical existence.

The Iron Marrow Refinement technique was done. All the 12 rounds were completed within seven days, instead of taking months to complete it like usually works.

This was what body cultivation was meant to accomplish, creating a vessel strong enough to support higher realms without crumbling under pressure.