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

"Golden skin, jade bones, and crystal-clear blood—can one achieve the body of an immortal?"

Watching Huang Huayuan's receding figure, Zhou An repeatedly pondered the words in his mind, and subconsciously looked at his hands.

"With my talent, if I could obtain the corresponding cultivation method, achieving this shouldn't be too difficult."

only......

Zhou An felt that his talent was still somewhat lacking.

After all, although he learns quickly, he doesn't have the proper techniques, so he's a bit lost right now.

"Compared to those who can create the Golden Skin Polishing Technique, I am still far behind. I cannot lose myself because of a few words of genius from others."

Thinking of this, Zhou An glanced at the sword immortal in the distance and then began practicing the Whirlwind Fist on the mountaintop.

As for becoming Huang Huayuan's nominal disciple?

Although we've spent some time together, Huang Huayuan has indeed treated his disciples well and is a person you can get along with.

But Zhou An refused to accept empty promises before he received any benefits.

Just be respectful in your words; throwing everything at someone indiscriminately might give the impression of being a lackey.

One month.

I went into the mountains again a month later.

Was it to gather herbs, or to eliminate the mastermind behind the previous attack?

Will there be another fierce battle a month from now?

Only family members know their own affairs.

Zhou An knew he could easily kill a Dark Force martial artist who had not yet condensed a Golden Skin.

But in reality, based on the strength he has shown so far, he is just someone who has just mastered the hidden strength. Does he really have the qualifications to participate in this matter, or to be cannon fodder?

Let's be rational and take a look at the results of this month's investigation. We can't just give it away based on a few words from others.

Zhou An is talented and destined for greatness, a late bloomer who grows stronger with age. There's no reason for him to risk his life like others when the situation is unclear.

You can be anxious because you don't have the right techniques, but you can't act recklessly just because you don't know the answer.

Most importantly, there are still three years until the martial arts examination of the Great Li Dynasty.

Compared to the entire Great Li Dynasty, the Seven Mysteries Sect is not even a gang force at the prefecture level.

Three years.

Zhou An has already developed an iron body, and he doesn't even dare to imagine how strong he will be in three years.

A mere gold-plated skin.

I refuse to believe that without the training method, I cannot reach the pinnacle of Iron Pole Kung Fu and cultivate a golden skin.

With this thought in mind, Zhou An threw a punch.

Seeing his whole body surging with energy, his fist slammed out like a heavy hammer.

"Bang!"

With a muffled thud, the oncoming gust of wind was smashed to pieces, vaguely forming a vortex.

【Whirlwind Fist (Earth-Rank Martial Skill): 398/500 (Mastery), 100 practices daily, can be mastered in five years】

Wu Tao's Whirlwind Fist can unleash three times the force in a short time, which is the result of his several years of training and has reached a minor level of mastery.

However, Zhou An, who had already mastered this boxing technique, could not only unleash five times the force in an instant, but also add a spiraling, powerful force to the punches.

A powerful spiral.

A punch to a person carries a hidden force that spirals out of control, constantly disrupting the person's internal organs, turning them into a puddle of mush, and sending them spinning through the air.

"First, master the Whirlwind Fist to perfection, then try to integrate it into the Gentle Breeze Sword Technique."

If I could break through the sword qi realm of the Qingfeng Sword Technique in one fell swoop, perhaps I could find a way to bring my perfected Iron Pole Technique to its peak and condense its golden skin.

Thinking of this, Zhou An twisted his waist and hips, and once again punched, causing the air to explode.

Practicing boxing, going down the mountain.

After finishing breakfast, Zhou An bid farewell to Liu Shuqing and the others, and then found Sun Heng.

"Junior Brother Zhou, is there something you need to see me about?"

Upon seeing Zhou An, Sun Heng's face showed a hint of familiarity.

"Junior brother came here this time to express his special gratitude to Senior Brother Sun."

Regardless of whether he succeeded in becoming Huang Huayuan's disciple, Zhou An still had to thank Sun Heng for his help in making it happen.

"They said so over there."

Upon hearing this, Sun Heng seemed to have thought of something. After glancing at the people around him, he pointed to a quiet spot in the courtyard.

"But Elder Huang has contacted you?"

"Yes, today my junior brother was practicing his boxing on the mountain. After Elder Huang told me about martial arts cultivation, he said that if I accompanied him into the mountains to collect herbs a month later, he would accept me as a disciple."

Zhou An nodded and told the truth.

"A month later, we'll go into the mountains to collect medicinal herbs..."

Upon hearing this, Sun Heng's eyes flickered, wanting to say that this was a good thing, but looking at the composed Junior Brother Zhou in front of him, he pondered for a moment before asking.

"So what are your thoughts?"

"For the people of the Seven Mysteries Sect, being able to become a disciple of an elder of the sect is a good thing, but Junior Brother still has some worries in his heart."

Therefore, besides expressing my gratitude, I also wanted to ask Senior Brother Sun for some advice.

Seeing that Sun Heng showed no sign of resistance, Zhou An continued.

"We were attacked by suspected Black Tiger Gang members a few days ago. I wonder how the sect handled this."

Are those thieves still lingering near Yunxia Mountain?

"The sect will never tolerate such an attack. As for whether to take action against the Black Tiger Gang because of this... Although I am handling matters on behalf of Master Mo, I have not heard any news."

As for whether that gang of thieves is entrenched here...

Sun Heng shook his head.

"Yunxia Mountain is just the name given to us by the Seven Mysteries Sect. In reality, the area of ​​this mountain is only a part of this mountain range."

To determine whether they will remain hidden in these vast mountains, perhaps only the methods of immortals could tell.

But with Elder Gong here now, and Junior Brother Cai also going out to search from time to time these days, they probably won't dare to make a move again.

Even if they did make a move... if it were only their previous strength, they wouldn't pose much of a threat.

Given their previous strength... does this mean that if the thieves become stronger, they could pose a threat?

As for whether a disciple who has just mastered internal energy would be in mortal danger if they encountered such an encounter, Zhou An did not ask any further questions.

In a battle, people will inevitably die... Even in turn-based combat, you'll lose health.

"I've heard that Elder Huang once wanted to take you as his disciple... Junior brother, if I may be so bold as to ask, why didn't you agree back then?"

Looking at Sun Heng in front of him, Zhou An asked about his true purpose.

"Junior brother is indeed cautious. No wonder you were able to escape from the bandits' pursuit when you covered the rear that day."

As he said this, Sun Heng looked closely into Zhou An's eyes, trying to discern his true thoughts from his young junior brother's gaze.

However, the latter's attitude was too sincere, and his eyes were extremely calm, which made him not only gain nothing, but also pay more attention to it.

"My answer from now on will only be acknowledged here. Once I leave this place, I will forget it completely. Do you understand, junior brother?"

"Don't worry, senior brother. Once I'm away from this tree, I'll forget about it."

Zhou An nodded, his expression solemn, and listened attentively.

......