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

Deep within the forest, a large, brown tiger licks the blood-soaked cub, its ferocious eyes revealing a human-like sorrow.

Moments later, the angry roar of a tiger echoed through the mountains and forests.

"Tiger's Roar Bone Forging Technique".

Hearing the tiger's roar behind him, Zhou An closed the book in his hand, glanced once more at the corpses of Tian Shuang and the other Shadowless Thieves, and then quickly left.

The booklet I received from Tong Hu did indeed contain methods for controlling beasts.

However, it was not the supernatural power of immortals that Zhou An imagined, but a cultivation method for transforming internal energy, forging bones, and cleansing marrow.

This method involves vocalization and breathing exercises that vibrate the entire body, causing the muscles and bones to resonate in unison, reaching a state of thunderous sound reminiscent of tigers and leopards.

Then, through this method, one can strengthen their muscles and bones.

The book also contains techniques on how to communicate with and control tigers, but these skills require years of practice.

"Iron bones, gold bones, jade bones... three different levels of bone forging. Once you cultivate to the level of jade bones, you can cleanse your marrow and transform your body."

Zhou An wandered through the mountains and forests, his heart filled with joy.

This technique is clearly far superior to the Iron Pole Technique, and it can perfectly connect with his subsequent cultivation.

only......

There are only two levels of Iron Stake Kung Fu: Copper Skin and Iron Skin. But Guo Tao once said that the highest level of skin polishing is Gold Skin.

Once you cultivate the Golden Skin, you can not only resist internal force, but also withstand sword energy attacks.

Gold skin.

Judging from Guo Tao's words that day, it seems that the Seven Mysteries Sect does not have any techniques that focus on cultivating this level of skills, and only the Limitless Martial Arts Hall clearly possesses them.

He is a disciple of the Seven Mysteries Sect, so obtaining a cultivation technique of this level is probably not that easy.

black market.

Upon thinking of this, the two words immediately came to Zhou An's mind.

Guo Tao once said that as long as you have money, you can buy different martial arts techniques on the black market.

If one is truly unable to obtain the highest level of cultivation techniques for the Skin Polishing Realm within the Seven Mysteries Sect in the future, the black market could be a viable option.

"There is a clear location, which can be addressed gradually in the future. For now, it's best to leave this place as soon as possible."

Zhou An thought to himself.

This attack was clearly unusual. The Black Tiger Gang had been lurking so deep in Yunxia Mountain that they were definitely not just targeting this one group.

Perhaps their target is Elder Huang.

Zhou An's heart tightened at the thought of Huang Huayuan.

If this was a conspiracy specifically targeting Huang Huayuan, then perhaps other places besides his location were also attacked.

Thinking of this, Zhou An paused involuntarily and subconsciously looked in the direction of the planned rendezvous point at the campsite.

Just now, it seemed that there were also arrows exploding in the sky, but at that time he was focused on dodging Tong Hu's hidden arrows and did not pay much attention to them.

"Let's head to the camp from the outskirts first."

Thinking of Liu Shuqing and the others, Zhou An took a deep breath and ran towards the camp from the side.

If the people who come are just the same kind of people as before, they won't pose a threat to him.

"Besides the cultivation techniques for the Golden Skin Realm, I also need a footwork technique."

Tongbei Changquan is agile and domineering in close-quarters combat, but it is not good for long-distance attacks.

If the man riding the black tiger hadn't been terrified by the sword and saber energy, and if the two hadn't been so close yet he had repeatedly threatened and shouted at them, he probably would have had to chase after them for a while longer.

Even setting aside the possibility of being chased, having good footwork makes escaping much easier.

Soon after, Zhou An arrived near the former camp.

It was already quite dark, but from a high vantage point, one could still see what was happening inside the camp.

Disciples of the Seven Mysteries Sect patrolled the area. Although there were significantly fewer herb gatherers in the center of the camp, the entire camp had not been completely breached.

This put Zhou An at ease.

"Who's there?"

The patrolling disciples were very alert. Just as Zhou An approached, a loud shout was heard, accompanied by the sound of swords being drawn.

"It's me, Zhou An."

"Brother Zhou."

Seeing Zhou An emerge from the woods looking disheveled, Wang Yi and Sun Wenhao breathed a sigh of relief and greeted him with delight.

"Why are you the ones on patrol? Where is Brother Liu?"

Zhou An asked the question.

He looked around for a long time but couldn't see Liu Shuqing's figure, which made his heart feel heavy.

"Brother Liu is patrolling over there."

Sun Wenhao pointed to another place.

Following the direction of his finger and comparing it with the location where everyone had gathered herbs, Zhou An felt a warmth in his heart.

"This attack by the Black Tiger Gang was no ordinary one. In addition to the attack we suffered, we were attacked elsewhere. Even Elder Huang was almost seriously injured by a scarred man."

"If it weren't for Steward Mo arriving with his men at the crucial moment, this camp might not even be safe now."

At this moment, Wang Yi said with a solemn expression.

"You're back just in time. Senior Brother Sun is registering the number of people right now. Hurry up and go report for duty..."

At this point, Wang Yi looked around and whispered a reminder.

"Manager Mo said before that everyone who survives will receive a reward."

When we came back, we told Manager Mo that you were the one who covered our retreat. Don't let that slip.

"What's wrong?"

Zhou An raised an eyebrow.

"Besides Manager Mo, there is another elder surnamed Gong. I have seen this man, and he is not easy to get along with."

If he thinks you're fleeing in disarray, not only will you lose the credit for covering the rear, but you might also be punished.

Wang Yi said in a deep voice, his face showing dissatisfaction as if he had remembered something.

"Wang Yi is right, Brother Zhou, you need to be careful."

Sun Wenhao quickly reminded him as well.

Thank you.

Zhou An cupped his hands in greeting, his gaze softening.

"What are you thanking me for? We were all in the same batch. Besides, if you hadn't reminded us in time, we wouldn't have been able to escape back safely."

The other teams are in a much worse situation than us, otherwise we wouldn't be the ones on patrol.

Wang Yi waved his hand, signaling Zhou An to hurry over.

"Wang Yi, you take Brother Zhou there. I'll watch over things here for now."

Sun Wenhao thought for a moment and added.

"Senior Brother Sun is busy dealing with the camp and the herb gatherers. If Brother Zhou were to report for duty, he might not be able to find him."

"it is good."

Wang Yi nodded and immediately led Zhou An toward a certain location in the camp.

"Halt! Who gave you permission to leave your post...? Also, who is this person?"

However, before the two could find Sun Heng, a sharp shout suddenly rang out.

"Brother Cai, I did not desert my post. It's just that Zhou An, who was in charge of bringing up the rear in our team, has returned, and I was about to take him to see Brother Sun Heng."

Looking at the newcomer, Wang Yi felt indignant and spoke up.

"Isn't there a place in the camp responsible for registering returning people? Do you really need to lead a team to find it? If the thieves take advantage of the situation and attack again, can you take responsibility?"

The man was handsome, but his words were ruthless, like knives in his mouth, piercing Wang Yi's face until he blushed.

"As for you, come with me."

As soon as he finished speaking, the man stared intently at Zhou An, as if he would draw his sword if he dared to say no.

"Yes, Senior Brother Cai."

Zhou An took a deep breath, gave Wang Yi a reassuring look, and then clasped his hands in a salute and nodded.

......