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

Golden Robe Skill.

Beneath the big tree, withered yellow leaves drifted down in the wind, carrying the desolation unique to autumn.

But Zhou An's gaze grew brighter and brighter as he turned the pages of the book in his hand, as intensely hot as the height of summer.

"Wonderful, truly wonderful!"

"The person who can come up with this kind of technique is a true genius."

"Indeed, the accumulation of martial arts skills cannot be achieved by simply working behind closed doors with a single technique. Only by understanding more can one be more conducive to innovation."

Looking at the Golden Robe Technique in his hand, Zhou An felt a sudden flash of inspiration, and his mind began to open up.

Although Iron Pole Kung Fu can cultivate an iron skin, it is ultimately a method focused on cultivating qi, blood, and strength.

However, this Golden Robe Technique focuses on the skin membrane, and even thinks of using force to stimulate the major acupoints around the body, like forging iron to polish the skin membrane, thereby cultivating a golden skin.

The difficulty involved is not as high as climbing to the heavens, but it is certainly not something that ordinary people can master.

To cultivate this technique, two conditions must be met.

First, it requires a strong foundation of Qi and blood.

Secondly, it involves using internal force to open up the spine and connect the entire body.

Then, by precisely controlling the force and stimulating the major acupoints throughout the body, one can gradually condense the golden armor.

In this process, practitioners need to endure pain that ordinary people cannot bear. If any aspect of the process is not refined properly, the effort will be in vain.

"According to this technique, to condense the golden skin, one needs to use strength to stimulate 108 acupoints on the surface of the body with qi and blood."

From the Baihui acupoint on the top of the head, down to the spine, and down to the soles of the feet and joints of the limbs...

During cultivation, any mishap to any of these acupoints can cause irreparable harm to the body.

"However, there are also benefits. Once you successfully cultivate it, you can not only smoothly condense the Golden Skin Realm, the strongest of the Skin Polishing Realm."

Furthermore, when cultivating the third level of martial arts, the Bone Forging Realm, the process will become increasingly smooth, guaranteeing the formation of iron bones.

Zhou An closed the book on the Golden Robe Technique, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Now I owe someone a huge favor.

"Even Elder Huang has left in dejection. It seems that the Seven Mysteries Sect is not a place to stay for long."

Zhou An had never been interested in the Seven Mysteries Sect, and now, seeing Huang Huayuan's fate, he was even less inclined to get too involved with it.

Thus, decades of effort were wasted here on infighting and backstabbing.

However, one cannot simply leave.

"Before I have absolute strength, I can't fall out with the Seven Mysteries Sect too badly, otherwise those villagers who raised me might suffer."

The best option is to obtain official rank and title from the imperial court through the military examinations.

In this way, even if I embark on the path of cultivation, they can still receive protection and care.

Zhou An thought to himself.

As for eliminating the Seven Mysteries Sect...

Besides the Seven Mysteries Sect, there's another Black Tiger Gang.

Although the Great Li Dynasty was powerful, gangs still emerged one after another. This was an instinctive social formation among people that could not be changed.

Even if gangs disappear, there will be another form of gang.

Moreover, although the Seven Mysteries Sect may have wronged Huang Huayuan in terms of power, Huang Huayuan himself is unharmed and can still enjoy his old age.

Within its sphere of influence, there was no phenomenon of bullying or monopolizing local markets.

That alone makes them far superior to the Black Tiger Gang.

"My five-year blood pact isn't too harsh. After I pass the martial arts exam, it shouldn't be difficult to part ways peacefully."

With this in mind, Zhou An's gaze fell upon another cultivation manual.

Shadow Step.

Perhaps anticipating that the conflict between the Seven Mysteries Sect and the Black Tiger Gang would become increasingly serious, this footwork technique places great emphasis on escaping and running away.

It includes both long-distance running and short bursts of speed achieved by stimulating acupoints on the legs.

Although there is no indication of rank, judging from the description of the technique, it should be a footwork technique that has reached the Earth level.

"Golden Robe Skill is primarily for defense, Shadow Chasing Step is primarily for speed, and with the sword technique I have already condensed into sword intent, I currently have no weaknesses."

Thinking of this, Zhou An carefully put the two martial arts techniques into the inner lining of his clothes.

.......

The next day, just as dawn broke.

The group then left Yunxia's residence and headed towards the Seven Mysteries Sect.

"What a pity, it probably won't be so easy to get free blood-replenishing powder after leaving here."

Looking at the base behind him, which was gradually turning into a small black dot, Liu Shuqing sighed helplessly.

Although the trip to collect herbs was risky, there was blood-nourishing powder available every few days.

Although he didn't receive any extra rewards like Zhou An after picking flowers, he had also circulated his qi and blood throughout his body over the past month or so, enabling him to unleash a powerful, silent force.

Compared to those people still scrambling for medicinal cuisine in the training field, they are far superior.

Blood-replenishing powder really can increase cultivation speed.

"Didn't Senior Brother Sun say yesterday that you can come back here after you master the hidden strength?"

Zhou An yawned and looked at Huang Huayuan's carriage.

Since their meeting yesterday, he has had no chance to see Huang Huayuan again, and the other party seems to have no intention of showing his face again, only hearing his voice but never seeing him.

"You should have mastered the hidden strength by now, so why didn't you leave it behind?"

Liu Shuqing asked.

"You mean you're staying to face Elder Gong and Cai Jun?"

Zhou An raised an eyebrow.

He did want to stay, but even Sun Heng had reservations at this point.

"Let's forget about it then. We'll buy it after we get back and do other tasks."

Thinking about the behavior of that Senior Brother Cai these days, Liu Shuqing shook her head helplessly.

"Fortunately, we have all mastered the Blood Refinement Technique. Even if we go to the city to guard the homes of wealthy families, we can still earn a considerable amount of money in a month."

"So, Young Master Liu, you also want to look after people's homes?"

Zhou An looked surprised.

"Come on."

Liu Shuqing said irritably.

"It's only right for me to look after my own home. If I dared to ask for wages, my dad would break my legs."

"Why don't you come to my Sun Family Trading Company?"

As the two were talking, Sun Wenhao suddenly interrupted abruptly.

"Um?"

"Sun's Trading Company?"

Zhou An and Liu Shuqing exchanged a glance and looked at Sun Wenhao. Even Wang Yi and Qian Youde, who were following Huang Huayuan's carriage not far away, perked up their ears.

"My family's business is within the Seven Mysteries Sect's sphere of influence. Once we return, you can take on patrol missions."

In this way, not only can you receive the task subsidies from within the sect, but you can also accept commissions from within the merchant guild in your spare time.

After a month, three doses of blood-tonifying powder are no problem.

"I've long heard that your Sun Family Trading Company is a big business, but I didn't expect you to have such unconventional methods... By the way, since your father is willing to give you money, why don't you go to the Limitless Martial Arts Academy to train?"

Liu Shuqing felt a pang of sadness.

"Because I want to prove myself to someone."

Sun Wenhao clenched his fists subconsciously, but his face remained calm.

"So, are you guys coming or not?"

.......