I was told I'd be a late bloomer, but I was born with the potential to achieve great things!

"Iron Pole Kung Fu is a martial art that combines stillness and movement. It's easy to learn initially, but it gets slower as you progress..."

On the cliff, the mountain wind was fierce, and Zhou An's robes fluttered in the wind, but he remained as still as an iron stake.

But this is only a superficial phenomenon.

If someone were to tear open his clothes at this moment and look closely, they could see it clearly.

Zhou An appeared to be motionless, but his body was subtly adjusting with his breathing, and his skin was trembling like waves of wheat.

[Iron Pole Skill Mastery (15/300): 100 practices daily, achievable in six months.]

"Practicing this technique, one can master internal energy at the minor level, and at the major level, one's skin will be like copper. Only when one reaches the perfect level can one reach the level of iron."

However, to achieve this, one needs not only a more subtle control over internal energy, but also a strong foundation of qi and blood.

I have already mastered internal strength; the former is not difficult for me. The key is qi and blood.

Looking at the orange-red sunset clouds on the horizon, Zhou An sighed helplessly.

Make bricks without straw.

His progress in cultivating the technique is rapid, just as his comprehension is currently consistently above his destiny.

Unfortunately, his Mercedes didn't have much gas left.

No matter how high the engine's performance is, it can't make you fly.

"Cultivation techniques, resources, and talent are all indispensable if you want to cultivate further."

With a flick of his sleeve, Zhou An shifted his gaze from the sword immortal's sword strike on the sea of ​​clouds, then turned and walked down the mountain.

Fortunately, Iron Pole Kung Fu emphasizes endurance, and the energy consumption during the circulation of Qi and blood within the body is much less than that of Tongbei Quan.

Although it takes more mental effort, it's not like you'll go hungry so quickly.

After dinner, Zhou An accompanied Liu Shuqing to practice boxing. After explaining the power generation of Ming Jin to her, he also began to practice on his own.

"Brother Zhou, what do you think will happen when we go into the mountains tomorrow?"

At night, Zhou An lay in bed listening to the chirping of insects outside the window while Liu Shuqing's nervous yet expectant nagging continued.

"Although Senior Brother Sun said that some herb-gathering sites are patrolled regularly, I've heard from others that wild beasts also appear in the mountains from time to time..."

"I hope everything goes smoothly tomorrow and that I can gain Elder Huang's favor."

"Three years. There are less than three years until the imperial martial arts examination. I must pass the examination and then go to the Tianhe Immortal Sect, which is 80,000 miles away in the Far East, to have a good look at it."

"Immortal, fly on your sword!"

On the bed, Zhou An slowly closed his eyes, and the mental figure practicing the Qingfeng Sword Technique in his mind gradually dissipated.

Soon, even snoring sounds could be heard.

Liu Shuqing, who was sleeping on the next bed, smiled, closed her eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, in the cafeteria.

"Blood-nourishing powder!"

"Is this a blood-tonifying powder?"

Zhou An, who had just finished his cultivation on the mountaintop, and Liu Shuqing arrived at the entrance of the canteen, heard Wang Yi and Qian Youde's surprised voices.

The two of them quickened their pace immediately.

Blood-nourishing powder, that's equivalent to ten doses of medicinal supplements, worth 10 taels of silver.

"Damn, the food in the cafeteria is so good today."

Zhou An was very anxious.

As soon as I rushed into the cafeteria, I was greeted by a strong aroma of medicine, which immediately invigorated me.

"This is a rule set by Elder Huang. Every disciple who follows Elder Huang into the mountain for the first time can receive a blood-replenishing powder."

The cafeteria was crowded, but Zhou An's gaze quickly fell on Sun Heng, who was giving a speech.

"One serving for each person. Be on your best when you go into the mountains later, and don't let Elder Huang's important matter be delayed."

"This isn't some kind of money to buy your life... It's iron stake kung fu and blood-replenishing powder."

Zhou An subconsciously took a deep breath. Although his heart was pounding, his body was honest, and his saliva involuntarily started to flow.

"It shouldn't be."

Zhou An glanced at Sun Heng, who remained composed, and then swept his gaze over to the senior disciples at Yunxia's residence.

The look in his eyes was disdainful, as if he were looking at a country bumpkin who had just arrived in the city and was always making a fuss.

Some people envy them and wish they could take their place.

As soon as Zhou An relaxed, his stomach started rumbling uncontrollably.

In just a short while, he brought today's medicinal meal and blood-nourishing soup to the dining table.

Unlike medicinal cuisine which contains meat, the Blood-Nourishing Powder is an extremely pure medicinal soup.

The decoction was scarlet in color, with unidentified herbal roots floating inside.

After taking a bite, it felt as if my body was set on fire, and a huge warm current surged out from my limbs and bones.

Zhou An's eyes lit up; the medicine was incredibly potent.

The fatigue from a morning of training was swept away, and his fist clenched so tightly that it felt like he could kill a bull with a single punch.

Zhou An dared not slack off. Amidst the laughter of those around him, he assumed a horse stance, finished the blood-nourishing powder in one gulp, and then began to eat heartily.

Cool.

So cool.

They ate six large bowls of meat, medicinal food, and blood-nourishing powder.

Zhou An ate until he was drenched in sweat and his belly was bulging, but his spirits were becoming more and more excited.

"Why is this kid acting like a reincarnated starving ghost?"

"It's one thing to eat so much when there's no blood-replenishing powder, but even with it, he's still eating this much. Isn't he afraid of bursting his stomach?"

Seeing Zhou An put down his chopsticks and hurriedly run out of the canteen, the disciples at Yunxia's residence were dumbfounded, and even Sun Hengye frowned as he watched.

After they drank the blood-nourishing powder, they couldn't even finish two bowls of rice.

Practicing boxing.

Back in the courtyard, Zhou An assumed a fist stance and unleashed a powerful punch.

"Clap clap clap!"

A surge of energy coursed through my body, accompanied by a continuous series of popping sounds, even more stimulating than firecrackers during the Lunar New Year.

Not tired.

Not tired at all, the more I play, the more energetic I get.

The potent medicinal power transformed wildly within the body, nourishing the physical form while simultaneously increasing the body's blood and qi at a visible rate.

From a distance, the space around Zhou An looked as if it were distorted by the high temperature, giving it a fiery feel.

"call!"

Zhou An exhaled, his breath shooting out three feet away like a white ray of light.

"hiss!"

After exhaling in one breath, Zhou An stood up and practiced Iron Pole Technique. The subtle, hidden power of his internal energy began to circulate through his body with each breath.

As his body rose and fell, he resembled a coiled serpent, seemingly loose and unsteady at first glance, but actually poised to strike.

When Zhou An first took the blood-nourishing powder, he dared not waste a single drop of its medicinal power.

After the crowd in the cafeteria gradually dispersed, Zhou An's swollen belly had subsided, and he walked in unhurriedly.

"We'll gather in about an incense stick's time."

Liu Shuqing's gaze was deep and unfathomable.

To avoid delaying things, he, like everyone else, only practiced a few times at the cafeteria entrance before choosing to rest and wait for the call.

"We still have time, let's have two more bowls."

Zhou An grinned, his bright white teeth dazzling Liu Shuqing, and placed the luggage he had brought from the dormitory in front of her.

"There's a reason why your blood and qi flowed through your body before mine."

Liu Shuqing shook her head, took the luggage, and walked towards the door.

"I'll wait for you outside."

In the blink of an eye, the time it takes for an incense stick to burn has passed.

"Set off."

Outside the camp, Sun Heng waved his hand.

Herb gatherers, escorting disciples, and others followed Huang Huayuan toward the seemingly endless mountains.

Zhou An narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping across the pale dawn beyond the mountains. When he looked at the still-lingering mountain mist, he subconsciously tightened his grip on the fine iron longsword in his hand.

......