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

"Senior Brother Wu, are you going to endure this any longer?"

In the camp, a senior disciple looked at Wu Tao, whose face was gloomy, pointed to Zhou An, who was receiving guidance from Huang Huayuan not far away, and said in a deep voice.

"It was fine a few days ago, but today this kid was able to collect six Blood Ganoderma flowers at once."

If he continues like this, Elder Huang will likely value him even more and might even take him as a disciple.

"Elder Huang doesn't accept disciples so easily."

Wu Tao's eyes flickered, and his hand, hidden under his robe, tightened unconsciously.

"That's not necessarily true."

"Senior Brother Wu, Junior Brother Fang is right."

At this point, another senior disciple added.

"When we went into the mountains to collect herbs in the past, did you ever see Elder Huang value anyone so much... He not only personally brewed the blood-nourishing powder, but also gave him guidance afterward."

Even when Senior Brother Sun Heng first accompanied Elder Huang into the mountains to gather herbs, he didn't receive this treatment.

Wu Tao's expression became visibly tense upon hearing the name Sun Heng.

They initially thought that Sun Heng would be accepted as a disciple by Elder Huang, and Elder Huang even praised Sun Heng in front of everyone on several occasions.

If Sun Heng hadn't been the person appointed by the steward Mo Shenggu, he probably would have already become Elder Huang's personal disciple.

just now……

"What do you want me to do? Do you expect me to deal with him at this critical juncture?"

Watching Huang Huayuan personally instructing Zhou An on the Snake-Tiger Wall-Walking Skill not far away, and occasionally demonstrating the exertion of force by reaching out with his claws, Wu Tao said angrily.

"If I really made a move, not only would I not gain Elder Huang's favor, but I'm afraid I would also be punished by Senior Brother Sun and Steward Mo afterwards."

Every time Elder Huang led a team into the mountains to collect medicinal herbs, it was a major event for the local community.

It's one thing for them to fight each other on ordinary days, but if they really cause trouble at this critical juncture... the consequences are no joke.

"Who said we were going to deal with him?"

Seeing that Wu Tao had been successfully provoked, Fang Feng said with a smile.

"So what do you mean?"

Wu Tao's tone was unfriendly, and his expression grew increasingly gloomy.

"I observe that this Junior Brother Zhou practices martial arts whenever he has time. His diligence and eagerness to learn make it no exaggeration to call him a martial arts fanatic."

Meeting Wu Tao's gaze, Fang Feng chuckled and immediately leaned close to Wu Tao's ear, whispering something.

"It is only natural for a senior brother to guide his junior brother in martial arts, and it is also a matter of kinship among fellow disciples."

Although we cannot defeat him, our senior brother can take the opportunity, while instructing him on martial arts, to give him a warning.

"Great idea, Senior Brother Wu."

"Junior Brother Fang is right. As long as Junior Brother Zhou gets your guidance, Senior Brother Wu, that will be fine."

If he were even a little smarter, he wouldn't have opposed you, senior brother, in the future.

"That's a good idea, but I need to choose the right time to do it."

Hearing their conversation, Wu Tao's eyes lit up, and he immediately began to make plans in his mind.

"Now is the best time."

Fang Feng smiled slightly.

"Junior Brother Zhou has only recently taken the blood-nourishing powder and is currently full of energy, while Elder Huang is used to going to bed early..."

At this point, Fang Feng glanced at Huang Huayuan, who was not far away.

......

"Skillful technique, skillful technique."

Outside the tent, Zhou An stepped out, his hands sometimes opening into palms and sometimes clenching into claws.

"As taut as a tiger, as loose as a snake, capturing a dragon in the interplay of movement and stillness..."

Thinking of Huang Huayuan's previous guidance, Zhou An's mind gradually went blank, and he subconsciously imitated Huang Huayuan's breathing and exhalation when performing the Snake-Tiger Wall-Walking Skill.

"Junior Brother Zhou, are you still practicing martial arts?"

Just as Zhou An was engrossed in his practice, a kind voice suddenly rang out.

"Um?"

Zhou An frowned, looked up, and saw Wu Tao leading two people over.

"What's going on, Senior Brother Wu?"

"Now that the Black Tiger Gang is facing a formidable enemy, we, as disciples of the Seven Mysteries Sect, should stand together and fight side by side."

Wu Tao clasped his hands together, bowed towards the direction of Yunxia's encampment, and said solemnly.

"Although Junior Brother Zhou has only recently joined the Seven Mysteries Sect, you practice martial arts whenever you have free time, which makes me very proud."

So, since I had some free time today, I wanted to come and give you some pointers, Junior Brother Zhou.

After all, among so many people, only you, like us, successfully passed Elder Huang's test.

When Wu Tao mentioned the word "assessment," he emphasized it.

"You're probably not just offering guidance, are you?"

At this moment, Liu Shuqing, who was packing up the tent, heard the commotion outside and quickly came out, saying with a solemn expression.

"Junior Brother Liu, what are you saying? In front of so many people, are we here to offer guidance or to seek revenge?"

Fang Feng said with a smile.

"My two junior brothers should know that if you want to achieve something in martial arts, hard work alone is not enough. Only through constant sparring can you reach a state of mastery."

"Junior Brother Zhou, what do you think? This is a rare opportunity!"

Meeting their gazes, Wu Tao narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Of course, if Junior Brother Zhou feels tired... it wouldn't be unreasonable for me to come and give you guidance 'after some time'."

"Brother Zhou..."

Seeing that the three people opposite him were forming a circle around him, Liu Shuqing's expression tightened.

"And you still say you're not here to cause trouble."

Zhou An sneered inwardly, but outwardly remained calm as he extended his right hand to block Liu Shuqing.

"Junior Brother has just taken the Blood-Replenishing Powder and is worried about where to expend his energy. The arrival of the three senior brothers is just what we need to help him."

However, with the blood-replenishing powder added, my junior brother's punches might be a bit too heavy...

"It's alright. It's my responsibility as your senior brother to guide my junior brother. What does a mere punch matter?"

"Junior brother, go ahead and use your skills; your senior brother will cover for you."

Wu Tao waved his hand dismissively, his smile exceptionally broad.

Was the punch heavy?

He's taken blood-tonifying powder before, so how hard can a punch really be?

As a seasoned disciple who has honed his skills at the Yunxia residence for many years, how could Wu Tao possibly be no match for a newcomer who has only been cultivating for a few months?

Thinking of this, Wu Tao immediately went to an open space.

"Fellow disciples, please don't misunderstand. Senior Brother Wu came here specifically to guide Junior Brother Zhou in martial arts because he saw that Junior Brother Zhou was eager to learn. He had no other intentions."

At this moment, Fang Feng saw Wang Yi, Qian Youde, and Sun Wenhao from the next tent walking over with serious expressions, and quickly took the lead in explaining with a smile.

"Zhou An..."

Wang Yi sneered, refusing to believe such words, and immediately looked at Zhou An and said.

On weekdays, fights return to fights, and fights return to fights.

But the older generation has no chance of bullying the newcomers.

Even if we can't win, we have to fight. Otherwise, we'll be treated like pushovers, and who knows how much we'll be bullied in the future.

"Don't worry, it really is guidance."

Zhou An waved his hand, feeling a greater sense of approval for the three of them, and then spoke.

Wu Tao did come looking for trouble, but he also said one thing correctly.

Martial arts is not just about rigorous training; it also requires combat. Otherwise, it is difficult to accurately judge one's own strength.

Having cultivated for so long, Zhou An had only ever considered Guo Tao as an imaginary enemy in his mind, and had never actually fought him. Now was the perfect time to test his skills.

Zhou An did not make this decision on a whim.

Rather, he knew that even if he lost, Wu Tao and the other two wouldn't really beat him up, otherwise they wouldn't have come under the pretext of giving him pointers.

"Brother Zhou, do you really want to compete with him?"

Liu Shuqing was worried and looked very concerned.

Although Zhou An had mastered the Ming Jin technique and his Qi and blood flowed through his body before him, the three opponents were all seasoned martial artists who had cultivated for several years.

If a real fight breaks out, they definitely won't win; they'll all end up with bumps on their heads.

"Why not use a ready-made target?"

Zhou An didn't say these words, but gave Liu Shuqing a reassuring look before walking forward.

"What courage!"

Seeing Zhou An's stubbornness, Wu Tao snorted inwardly, but his smile became even gentler.

"Our Seven Mysteries Sect disciples establish their martial arts foundation with the Tongbei Long Fist. Since you're offering guidance, how about we use the Tongbei Long Fist as our instruction?"

"Just do as my senior brother instructs."

Zhou An felt a sense of relief.

He was genuinely worried that his senior brother Wu Tao might offer guidance in swordsmanship or knife techniques, in which case he wouldn't be able to keep it a secret.

"As the junior brother, you'll be the one to attack."

Wu Tao was unaware of Zhou An's thoughts, but that didn't stop him from easily adopting a boxing stance under the solemn gazes of the crowd.

"Senior brother, be careful... Junior brother's punches are really heavy."

Zhou An spoke up to remind him, his gaze deep and unfathomable. He took a sudden step forward, clenching his fists tightly, smashing the air like a heavy hammer.

……