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

The martial arts school held a tournament to make an example of someone.

Zhou An felt that the Seven Mysteries Sect's decision was fine, except that sending a disciple who had only recently mastered internal strength to the arena, especially such a crucial one..., was problematic.

This is somewhat inhumane.

Although Zhou An has now initially condensed the Golden Skin and has also mastered the power of Transformation through the practice of Tiger Roar Bone Forging Technique.

but.......

Letting him compete in the arena of the second level of martial arts, the Skin Polishing Realm, would... require extra money.

Because Zhou An had already reached the level of skin smoothing, he was practically invincible and didn't mind revealing some of his abilities to acquire more resources.

"Since you've guessed it, then I'll just say it directly."

Seeing that Zhou An quickly grasped his intentions for the day, Li Shanming, the manager of Heji Pharmacy, spoke directly.

"A few days ago, Mo Kai, a genius of my Seven Mysteries Sect, was assassinated."

That person possessed extremely high martial arts skills, and it was suspected that he had already stepped into the fourth level of martial arts and had begun to refine his internal organs.

Although Mo Kai narrowly escaped death, the sect leader had decided to no longer tolerate it.

"The genius Mo Kai has been assassinated; the assailant is suspected to be a martial arts expert at the Internal Organs Realm!"

Zhou An was startled.

Judging from Manager Li's serious expression, this rising genius seems to have narrowly escaped death.

"Besides Mo Kai, were there any other outstanding disciples in the sect who were assassinated?"

Zhou An asked tentatively.

"Any disciple who moves outside the gate has been targeted; two have died and one has been seriously injured."

Manager Li Shanming made no attempt to conceal anything.

Because the next plan requires Zhou An's cooperation.

"......"

Listening to Manager Li's words, Zhou An felt both complicated and relieved.

Fortunately, he was steady enough that even when he was in the sect, he did not directly display his extraordinary talent, but chose to follow closely behind the big shots and reap the benefits.

If one were to self-destruct without reservation from the very beginning, even if one managed to avoid the infighting between factions within the sect, one would not be able to escape assassinations from the shadows.

Crises always lurk beneath the seemingly calm surface, rather than appearing as pressure on the surface.

"If that's the case, why doesn't the sect leader just take direct action against the Black Tiger Gang?"

"Because we don't know how many forces in the city are colluding with the Black Tiger Gang."

Li Shanming shook his head, his brows furrowed with seriousness.

"Fortunately, you did a good job some time ago, leaving a bad name on Bajiquan Martial Arts School. With today's test, it's enough for us to pin this label on them."

However, this requires you to step forward and fight the first battle.

"Me, the first to fight?"

Zhou An hesitated for a moment, feigning fear, then gritted his teeth and said.

"At this critical moment, I am naturally willing to contribute to the sect. However, although I have a tiny bit of talent in swordsmanship, I have only just begun to grasp the hidden strength."

If we were to send our disciples to face those veteran, powerful cultivators, they might die before even beginning their training, which would jeopardize the sect's plans.

After speaking, Zhou An tentatively looked at Li Shanming.

"I wonder what level of arena the sect plans to have me fight in?"

"This challenge will consist of five rounds, and all rules will be in accordance with the martial arts curriculum. There will be two rounds for those aged 20 and two rounds for those aged 25."

These four matches are mainly to test the core fighting strength of the opponents, while the last match is scheduled for those under 50 years old.

According to the sect's assessment, the strength of those participating in the five matches should be between the Blood Refinement and Bone Forging stages.

If a powerful, unfamiliar expert at the Internal Organs Realm truly appears, the sect will handle it.

"It was Li Shanming, the steward, who spoke in a deep voice, but when he mentioned the word 'internal organs,' Zhou An keenly sensed a hint of murderous intent in his words."

Clearly, this arena competition served both as a warning and a way to secretly find the assassin.

"I heard Mo Shenggu say that you have remarkable skills in Tongbei Quan. Even Wu Tao, who has already reached the level of skin polishing and mastered the hidden strength, cannot defeat you."

"I think this first match should go smoothly."

"What if the disciple loses?"

"As long as it's not too ugly, it's a great achievement."

"In that case, this disciple is willing to die for the sect."

Zhou An spoke resolutely and loudly.

"To be honest, I am currently at the point of a breakthrough."

If luck is on my side, I might be able to reach the level of sword aura in the Qingfeng Sword Technique, but unfortunately, my foundation is weak from childhood, and my blood and qi are not strong enough...

At this point, Zhou An bowed respectfully to Li Shanming.

"If the sect is willing to provide blood-replenishing powder daily before the arena battles, this disciple will strive to win the first match."

"A sword's edge?"

Li Shanming's eyelids twitched, and he looked at Zhou An with a surprised expression.

"How long have you been practicing swordsmanship?"

"In reply to the steward, although I have been practicing swordsmanship for less than three months, I felt that I was born with a sword physique when I first held a sword."

Zhou An said loudly, his eyebrows raised.

"..."

"I still appreciate how cautious you were just now. Try to recover."

Looking at Zhou An, who was full of confidence and boasted without batting an eye, Li Shanming suddenly wondered if he had picked the wrong person.

Born with a sword-wielding physique.

This kid really dares to say that.

"If you are born with a sword physique, then I, Li, have the appearance of an immortal."

Thinking of Zhou An's worried and fearful expression just now, Li Shanming was speechless.

He guessed that Zhou An knew he couldn't avoid going to the arena, so he wanted to take the opportunity to obtain resources for cultivation, which was also reasonable.

"The arena competition is in ten days. During these ten days, you will receive a blood-replenishing powder every day for your cultivation."

After Li Shanming finished speaking, he saw Zhou An looking conflicted and hesitant.

"What do you mean it's not enough?"

"It's enough, but I'm at a crucial moment in my breakthrough."

Even a martial artist who has mastered the art of blood cultivation cannot completely refine three portions of blood-replenishing powder in a single day.

Never mind, if you really need it, you can get it from me anytime.

But if you go into the ring and lose, don't expect any rewards.

Li Shanming wasn't unwilling to give it, but he was worried that Zhou An would be insatiable and try to take it all.

"Don't worry, manager, this disciple will definitely not bring shame to the sect."

His initial arrogance followed by his later obsequiousness is laughable.

"We should still be careful. Come to me later to collect three doses of blood-replenishing powder."

After all, he was a disciple trained by the Seven Mysteries Sect, and he had also made contributions during his recent patrols. Not knowing how the Eight Extremes Martial Arts School and the Black Tiger Gang would react, Li Shanming gave him another reminder before shaking his head and leaving.

"Thank you, Steward Li."

Zhou An bowed respectfully, showing utmost respect to this God of Wealth who would appear within the next ten days.

"Brother Zhou, are you really planning to participate in the arena?"

After seeing Li Shanming off, Zhou An, who had just returned with his medicine, was immediately surrounded by the crowd.

"This competition is no small matter. Besides the Bajiquan Martial Arts School and the Black Tiger Gang, there will probably be people from other martial arts schools, and we..."

Liu Shuqing looked solemn. He was in danger of defeating Shen Qiu, who was just a martial artist who had been expelled from the Bajiquan Martial Arts School.

"You're too impulsive."

Wang Yi, who famously proclaimed "Thirty years of prosperity in the east," couldn't help but remark.

He was stubborn, but after Qian Youde's reminder, he realized that this martial arts competition couldn't be won by mere stubbornness.

Zhou An felt strange being comforted by Emperor Wang, but when his gaze fell on the silent and heavy-hearted Sun Wenhao, he seemed to realize something and spoke up.

"Brother Sun, if I win this battle, I wonder if you could help us keep our affiliation?"

"Um?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Wenhao suddenly looked at Zhou An.

"It seems we can save it... Gentlemen, wait for my good news."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou An carried three doses of blood-tonifying powder and strode towards the kitchen.

He's no longer hiding; he's going to start showing his talent and demonstrating to the world what it means to exchange one for one within hidden strength and to be invincible within manifest strength.

"With these blood-replenishing powders, the Skin Polishing Realm can be completely perfected, and the Bone Forging Realm can also achieve Iron Bones. It wouldn't hurt to show some strength."

……