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

The Free and Unfettered Wind-Riding Sword Technique.

Zhou An's eyes lit up.

Just by hearing the name, this Earth-rank sword technique is several levels higher in prestige than the Qingfeng Sword Technique.

However, since the emergence of the Sword Immortal 38 years ago, some sects and martial arts schools have been boasting about their own techniques in order to recruit disciples and expand their influence.

It was either about acquiring ethereal, otherworldly energy or getting closer to immortality, so Zhou An still harbored many doubts.

But coach Guo Tao's surprise completely dispelled his doubts.

"You're really lucky, kid. This Free and Easy Wind-Riding Sword Technique is one of the three top sword techniques of my Seven Mysteries Sect."

This is a top-tier technique whose full power can only be unleashed after one has cultivated inner strength or mastered sword energy.

"Is the instructor very knowledgeable about this technique?"

Zhou An quickly inquired.

"I wonder what the other two techniques are, and what's so special about this sword technique?"

"The other two sword techniques are Ten Steps One Kill and Luo Yan Sword Technique. The former focuses on ruthless bursts, while the latter is difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion."

However, the Free and Unfettered Wind-Riding Sword Technique, in a sense, combines both, making it a truly first-rate sword technique.

Guo Tao's words were full of longing and admiration.

When he first heard that his sect possessed this sword technique, he was once very fascinated by it.

Because this sword technique is so prestigious, in the eyes of those who don't know about it, it seems that only immortals are qualified to cultivate it.

Despite his arduous training over a decade, he remains at the level of blade aura, let alone mastering sword energy.

Is it difficult?

Zhou An pressed for answers, his eyes shining.

It wasn't that he didn't trust Instructor Guo; it was just that there were very few people in the entire Seven Mysteries Sect who had condensed their internal energy.

There don't seem to be any openly recognized experts in Ningshan City, and compared to the entire Dali Dynasty, it's hard to say how high their standards are.

Even within the prefectural city and the royal city, the people of Ningshan City might just be country bumpkins.

"It's difficult."

Coach Guo nodded, his expression solemn.

"As far as I know, it seems that no one in the entire Seven Mysteries Sect has cultivated this sword technique to perfection."

"I do know a little about this technique."

At this moment, Li Shanming spoke, attracting everyone's attention.

"Actually, this sword technique was not originally from our Seven Mysteries Sect. It was acquired by the former sect leader at an auction in the prefectural city more than ten years ago."

According to the auctioneer at the time, this technique was created by a master of innate cultivation and has the ability to control the wind and transform it into a sword.

It has traveled to many cities and has been auctioned more than 30 times in Anyang Prefecture, where it was highly sought after.

Because this sword technique includes body movement, footwork, and swordsmanship, it is extremely complex and difficult for ordinary people to master.

To master this sword technique, one must first cultivate inner strength by focusing one's inner energy or master sword energy.

"Why would the sect leader pass on this sword technique to Zhou An?"

Liu Shuqing couldn't help but ask.

Although Zhou An's performance in these two arena battles was quite remarkable, it even stunned him at one point.

No matter how you look at it, your friend who has been secretly making progress doesn't meet the strict requirements for practicing this technique.

"Difficult cultivation conditions only mean that one cannot master it."

Coach Guo smiled and explained.

"It must be that the sect leader saw that Zhou An had already mastered a remarkable footwork technique and was only a hair's breadth away from condensing sword light, so he specially taught him this sword technique."

Hopefully, he can apply this knowledge to other areas and thus make progress in both directions.

"If you feel that this sword technique is unlearnable, I can plead with the sect leader to change it to another sword technique."

Li Shanming also chimed in.

"Since it was the sect leader's meticulous arrangement, how could this disciple waste his efforts? It's just that this sword technique..."

At this point, Zhou An looked at Liu Shuqing, Sun Wenhao, and the others, whose eyes were filled with longing.

"This sword technique is one of the three great sword techniques of our sect. If others want to learn the whole technique, they need to accumulate merit points to exchange for or purchase it."

Instructor Guo said coldly, which made Liu Shuqing and the others instinctively shrink their necks in fright.

"May I ask, Instructor Guo, besides being auctioned in the prefectural city, is this sword technique also available on the black market?"

Zhou An then asked.

He enjoys challenges.

Since this sword technique has been auctioned multiple times, there might be other martial arts techniques of the same level appearing on the black market as well.

Such achievements are unlikely to be seen again for a long time to come.

If he could find a way to learn, wouldn't that mean he could learn multiple top-notch martial arts techniques in the future?

For mediocre people, once they have a good technique, they should naturally choose to specialize in it.

But he...

Zhou An is not talented, but he wants to see the limits of his talent.

"They might be available on the black market, or they might not; it depends on luck?"

"How do I get to the black market?"

"Although you won two matches by luck, you still haven't polished your skin membrane. If you want to go to the black market, you need to become a Bone Forging Warrior to barely escape unscathed."

Otherwise, even if you manage to buy the cultivation technique, you might not survive to leave.

As Li Shanming spoke, he immediately explained how to find the black market and how to enter it.

He knew very well that human curiosity was unstoppable.

If he doesn't say anything, these kids might dare to act recklessly and take dangerous risks.

But if the location is clearly stated, because it can be visited at any time, people will think about it repeatedly in their hearts.

"I see, thank you for the reminder, steward."

Zhou An nodded, memorized the method for finding the black market, and then helplessly shrugged at Liu Shuqing and the others.

Everyone sighed, but then they saw Zhou Anwei blink almost imperceptibly. Liu Shuqing, who was familiar with him, immediately understood what was going on and her eyes lit up with joy.

But after glancing at coaches Guo Tao and Li Shanming, he immediately became more reserved.

"clang!"

Soon, the bell rang for the third round of the competition.

As soon as he finished speaking, a man as tall as an iron tower walked out of the waiting area of ​​the Bajiquan Martial Arts Hall.

However, the appearance of this person did not elicit cheers from the Bajiquan martial arts school members; instead, the Black Tiger Gang members shouted in unison.

"They're from the Black Tiger Gang."

Zhou An's heart stirred, and then he saw a tall, slender, and imposing young man slowly walk out of the waiting area of ​​the Seven Mysteries Sect.

"Brother Zhou, this man's heroic bearing is no less than yours."

Liu Shuqing's eyes flickered, and she leaned closer to Zhou An, whispering something.

"This is Mo Kai."

Li Shanming's ears twitched, and he spoke up to remind him.

"The current sect leader's last disciple has already entered the Bone Forging Realm."

"Don't open the door, genius of the Seven Mysteries Sect!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou An's eyes lit up, and his gaze became fixed on the young man in the blue robe.

"In the third match, Mo Kai of the Seven Mysteries Sect will face Zhong Wei of the Eight Extremes Martial Arts School."

The two stepped onto the ring and looked at each other from a distance.

"The genius of the Seven Mysteries Sect, Mo Kai, has an extraordinary appearance. Today, I see that he is indeed pleasing to the eye... I just don't know if you want to run away like that rat before, or fight me head-on."

"If it comes to a direct confrontation... I'm a little worried that I might accidentally kill you with one punch."

Zhong Wei, a man as tall as an iron tower, grinned, his face full of cruel and savage expressions.

"So noisy!"

Mo Kai remained expressionless, treating the person opposite him as if he were nothing.

"clang!"

Just then, the bell tolled to signal the start of the martial arts competition.

In an instant, the two on the stage moved simultaneously, each transforming into a blur as they rushed toward the other.

"Bang!"

A muffled thud resounded between the fists.

There was no retreat whatsoever; it was like a needle against a wheat awn, a bayonet charge, a head-on clash.

fast.

It was so fast that afterimages appeared.

If the audience in the audience blinked even once, they would miss the barrage of punches.

"Bang, bang, bang..."

On the arena, bursts of energy erupted, like firecrackers going off one after another.

"Bang!"

Just then, the burly man, who was as tall as an iron tower, was sent flying by a punch.

Mo Kai, seizing the initiative, pressed his advantage relentlessly, giving his opponent no chance to catch their breath, and charged forward once more.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Zhong Wei covered his face with both hands and chose to take the hit head-on.

The next moment, the sound of a heavy hammer striking iron repeatedly could be heard.

This was an astonishing scene: a person who was clearly thinner was actually beating a much larger and stronger person so badly that the latter was forced to retreat repeatedly, as if the person were training on a sandbag or a wooden stake, completely powerless to fight back.

"Get down!"

A few breaths later, a loud shout rang out, and the towering man was blasted out of the arena by Mo Kai's punch.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible."

"I have honed my iron bones for many years and practiced three methods of external physical training. My physique has long since surpassed the limits of iron bones."

Amidst the billowing dust, the towering giant Zhong Wei, with disheveled hair, stood up from the sidelines, staring at Mo Kai with disbelief in his eyes.

"You are made of golden bones! You have condensed golden bones!"

These words shocked the entire audience, and many people stood up from the stage to look at Mo Kai, who remained calm and composed on the platform.

"Iron bones are ultimately just iron bones."

Facing the gazes of the crowd, Mo Kai snorted coldly, his icy eyes sweeping over the Black Tiger Gang's territory before turning and walking towards the Seven Mysteries Sect.

His posture was extremely arrogant, as if to say, "I am right here, and you are welcome to come and assassinate me again."

......