Starting from his vigorous old age, he began to conquer Liaozhai.

Cao Xiong trembled with excitement, if there hadn't been other people present.

He wanted to shout, "Do you know how I've survived these past sixty years?"

It turns out it wasn't all an illusion...

He still has a chance to prove his extraordinary abilities. So what if he's sixty? Sixty is the age to take risks!

Cao Xiong kept reminding himself, "No rush, no rush, I can't rush."

It is unclear whether this entry will exhibit any unusual phenomena.

Only in a solitary environment can one be absolutely certain of success!

Cao Xiong sent Wang Ping to the county government to report the incident, while Cao Xiong carried the dog demon's corpse back to the Hundred Household Office.

After receiving the reward money, Cao Xiong was preparing to go home.

Cao Xiong didn't pay much attention to the rest; his mind was focused on the control panel.

He had just stepped out of the gate of the Hundred Household Office when he ran into Fang Zheng, whom he did not get along with.

Cao Xiong sighed inwardly at his bad luck.

"Cao Xiaoqi, you're quite capable. You've taken care of the dog demons that Commander Jia couldn't eliminate."

Fang Zheng's voice was clear and bright, and his face was upright, but his eyes gave people a sinister feeling.

"So it's Fang Xiaoqi. What a coincidence to run into him here."

Cao Xiong didn't want to get entangled with Fang Zheng, so he gave a perfunctory reply and prepared to leave.

"Unfortunately, I was waiting for you."

"Cao Xiong, Jia Zongqi is dead. In seven days, the centurion's office will arrange a martial arts competition for the junior officers who rank first in military merit and strength. The winner will be promoted to general."

Cao Xiong was somewhat puzzled. He had only just learned about this himself, but he didn't understand why Fang Zheng was telling him.

"I'll ask you one last time: are you willing to hand over the land?"

"If you hand over the land, I will ensure you a peaceful old age once I become the commander-in-chief; otherwise..."

The meaning is self-evident.

A murderous glint flashed in Cao Xiong's eyes.

Fang Zheng was not a hereditary military household, so he had no land to inherit.

Cao Xiong was the only hereditary military household member among the ten junior officers of the entire Hundred Households Office who had no children and was of advanced age.

As long as Cao Xiong hands over the land to the Hundred Household Office, Fang Zheng will be the most qualified person to receive the allocation.

Three years ago, after Fang Zheng became a martial artist at the Skin Tempering Realm, everyone from the centurion down to the squad leader wanted him to hand over his land.

Cao Xiong was naturally unwilling; why should he hand over the hereditary title to the Hundred-Household Office?

This is why Founder Group has been working against itself in recent years.

"It seems Fang Xiaoqi is very confident about the position of commander-in-chief. Well then, I wish you success."

After saying that, Cao Xiong left without looking back.

Cao Xiong was also very interested in the position of commander-in-chief.

……

Cao Xiong's home is located in the outer city's eastern district, on Fushui Street.

A pair of stone lions stand in front of the gate, and the plaque above reads "Cao Mansion".

Although Cao Xiong was only a minor flag officer, his ancestors had served as centurions. However, the descendants of the Cao family were not ambitious, and by the time of Cao Xiong's father, he could only be a minor flag officer.

After his wife passed away, Cao Xiong dismissed his servants and has been living alone for many years.

After changing out of his lamellar armor, Cao Xiong put on a loose-fitting plain white robe.

The jujube tree in the yard has been there for who knows how many years; its trunk is thick and its branches and leaves are lush and green.

Cao Xiong sat down at the stone table under the jujube tree and opened the control panel.

Familiar handwriting appeared before my eyes.

Please select your term!

Let's begin!

The handwriting in front of me suddenly changed.

[Entry 1: Lustful Wolf (Gray): Weak-willed, unable to resist the temptation of beauty; concentration decreases by 10%, stamina increases by 5%.]

[Entry 2: Master of Underhanded Tactics (White): Proficient in using limestone for sneak attacks. Increases damage dealt to enemies by 20% when using non-direct methods.]

[Entry 3: Old but vigorous (White): A person with accumulated experience and a strong physique. When focusing on martial arts training, for every bit of effort put in, two parts are gained.]

The first option is definitely not to be chosen. Its only advantage is a 5% increase in stamina, but the drawbacks are too great. It's impossible to resist the temptation of beauty. What's most abundant in the world of Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio? Of course, it's female ghosts and fox spirits.

What's the use of stamina when facing them? Does it make them feel better when they're absorbing your yang energy?

"This one can't be selected, next one."

The entry for "Master of Underhanded Tactics" is much better than "Lustful Wolf," but it still doesn't satisfy Cao Xiong.

Spreading lime and launching sneak attacks are minor tricks. If he's strong enough, wouldn't it be much more satisfying to simply crush the enemy?

And what good is increased damage output when facing truly powerful and cautious enemies?

It's pointless to launch a surprise attack if you can't catch the target.

"I don't want this one either."

After seeing the last entry, Cao Xiong clicked "OK" without hesitation.

Cao Xiong has practiced martial arts for decades, but why hasn't he been able to break through to the Bone Forging Realm? One reason is his poor physical constitution.

Secondly, since turning fifty, my body has started to decline, and I'm getting further and further away from the Bone Forging Realm.

In an instant, the entries for "Lustful Wolf" and "Master of Shady Tactics" disappeared.

【Old but vigorous】transformed into a golden light and entered Cao Xiong's body.

Cao Xiong initially felt as comfortable as basking in the warm winter sun.

Immediately following were noticeable changes in my body: my lower back no longer ached, and my back was no longer hunched. My heartbeat was strong, and the hidden injuries from martial arts training in my youth seemed to have never appeared.

He felt an unprecedented strength growing in his limbs, and he even felt that he could take down two cows with one hand.

Cao Xiong pinched his stomach; his six-pack abs were rock hard.

Cao Xiong got up, went back into the house, and found the bronze mirror.

The person in the bronze mirror looked six or seven years younger than before; much of their white hair had turned black again, and most of the wrinkles on their face had disappeared.

He looks to be in his early fifties.

"This entry is really good."

Cao Xiong's gloomy mood of the past few days was swept away, and the road ahead was no longer confusing, but clear and visible.

Kill anyone who stands in your way, slay demons and monsters, collect fragments, awaken attributes, and reach the pinnacle of martial arts.

One day, he might also be like Zuo Qianhu in the movie, standing shoulder to shoulder with the gods with a mortal body.

Facing all the demons and monsters in the world, I say one thing.

"Below the immortals, I am invincible; above the immortals, I am one for one."

That way, I won't have lived this life in vain.

Cao Xiong refocused his attention on the panel in front of him, which was no longer just a simple sentence, but had become a page.

Name: Cao Xiong

【Age】：60/80

[Cultivation Level]: Skin Tempering Realm (Late Stage)

【Entry 1】Old but vigorous (white): Having accumulated knowledge and experience, one can achieve great things with a strong physique. When focusing on martial arts training, one reaps twice the rewards for every bit of effort put in.

[Technique]: Fierce Tiger Stance - Skin Tempering Chapter (Mastery) 295/300

Eighteen Forms of Wind Slash (Perfect) 278/400

[Fragments]: 0~2

Both "Fierce Tiger Stance" and "Eighteen Forms of Wind Slash" are standard martial arts techniques issued by the imperial court.

Cao Xiong had diligently studied and practiced for most of his life, and his "Eighteen Forms of Wind Slash" had long since reached perfection. In terms of understanding and mastery of this sword technique alone, not to mention junior officers, even captains or centurions might not be as skilled as him.

Unfortunately, swordsmanship is ultimately like water without a source; only the realm of understanding is the most solid truth.

Following the trend, Cao Xiong began practicing the "Fierce Tiger Stance" in the courtyard.

As its name suggests, this method uses the posture of a fierce tiger to temper and strengthen the body.

The first posture of "Fierce Tiger Stance" is the Crouching Tiger Stance.

Sink your waist and assume a horse stance, with your feet shoulder-width apart. Shift your weight down, focus your energy in your dantian, slowly raise your hands, then lower them, and lean your upper body forward until your hands touch the ground.

This process requires adjusting your breathing according to the instructions.

Next up are the Tiger Charge and Tiger Roar stances...

More than an hour had passed by the time the set of stance training was completed.

He didn't feel tired at all; on the contrary, he seemed quite energetic.

"The entry for 'still going strong in old age' certainly did not disappoint me."

In the past, when practicing the "Fierce Tiger Stance," after completing one set, my back would ache, and I would need at least half a day to recover before I could continue practicing the second set.

Cao Xiong didn't want to waste time, so he continued.

With the perseverance of an ox or horse from his previous life, what is martial arts training?

The days that followed were uneventful, and Cao Xiong practiced the "Fierce Tiger Stance" four or five times a day.

Seven days later.

Name: Cao Xiong

【Age】：60/80

[Cultivation Level]: Skin Tempering Realm (Late Stage)

[Entry 1] Still vigorous despite old age (in white)

[Technique]: Fierce Tiger Stance - Skin Tempering Chapter (Mastery) 300/300

Eighteen Forms of Wind Slash (Perfect) 320/400

[Fragments]: 0~2

After Cao Xiong finished practicing "Tiger Stance" once again, he felt something and opened the panel, only to find that his proficiency in "Tiger Stance" was already at its maximum.

It's time to break through...