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

"Currently, our Seven Mysteries Sect and the Black Tiger Gang are locked in a stalemate, and no major changes are expected in the short term, so what's next..."

Inside the pharmacy, Li Shanming felt comforted as he looked at Liu Shuqing, Sun Wenhao, Wang Yi, Qian Youde, and others who had come to report on their work.

These young men in front of me have only been practicing martial arts for ten months, yet they have all mastered the hidden strength and entered the skin-grinding realm, which is already extremely outstanding.

With careful nurturing, they all have a chance to compete in the next martial arts competition.

Even if he fails once, he will surely become a pillar of the Seven Mysteries Sect in the future.

Once these people have grown up, the sect leader will face much less pressure from the older generation.

At that time, the entire Seven Mysteries Sect will be able to regain its vitality and will not have to worry about being threatened by the Black Tiger Gang, a rising force, for at least several decades.

"Zhou An, what brings you here?"

As they were talking, Li Shanming's gaze suddenly shifted, turning to Zhou An as he stepped into the pharmacy.

"But you've come at the right time. I plan to have you all return to the Yunxia residence for secluded cultivation."

"Brother Zhou, it seems we can start cultivating together from now on."

Upon hearing this, Liu Shuqing turned her head first and looked at Zhou An with a smile.

Their rapid progress was entirely due to Zhou An's frequent guidance.

Even though the guidance often lasted only about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, it was incredibly beneficial to them.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to master internal energy so easily and enter the skin-polishing realm.

"That is indeed good news, but I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you."

Facing the gazes of the crowd, Zhou An first greeted them familiarly, then looked at Li Shanming and bowed respectfully.

"Thanks to the guidance of Steward Li and the sect, I have now successfully tempered my skin and forged an iron skin."

Originally, Zhou An intended to say that he had already refined the copper skin.

However, considering that Liu Shuqing and others had already mastered the hidden strength, he realized that with only a copper coin, it would be difficult to secure more resources and freedom.

Therefore, he changed his mind at the last minute and decided to throw out the sheet metal.

After all, we've already entered the realm of internal organs, so we can be a bit more unrestrained and can't always be so petty.

"Iron sheet... wait, you forged iron sheet?"

Li Shanming was taken aback at first, then suddenly became startled and rushed to Zhou An's side like a gust of wind.

"You're saying you've forged yourself into a sheet of iron in just six months?"

His words were hurried and full of excitement; Zhou An could even clearly see the fire in Li Shanming's eyes.

"Not bad, I successfully forged the iron sheet a few days ago."

Zhou An nodded, and before Li Shanming could speak again, he quickly revealed the purpose of his visit.

"I have come here to inform Steward Li of my current cultivation progress."

Secondly, he intended to acquire the identity of a ghostwriter so he could travel and hone his skills.

"no."

Without even thinking, Li Shanming refused outright.

"You have successfully tempered your iron skin in just ten months of cultivation. Your talent is already no less than that of Mo Kai back then."

In fact, you surpass many others.

After all, he has the sect leader to guide him, while you are cultivating in seclusion all by yourself.

What you need to do now is return to the sect and continue your cultivation diligently.

I will inform the sect leader to apply for more resources for you. With your talent, you might be able to reach the Gold rank.

Gold skin.

I've already achieved jade-like bones, why would I bother trying to get some damn golden skin?

Zhou An had expected Li Shanming to get excited, but this was perhaps a bit too much of an overreaction; it was just a piece of metal.

He might be considered a genius in Ningshan City, but in the broader prefecture, he's at best just extraordinary.

"Furthermore, although you have tempered your iron skin, becoming a swordsman is too risky. Even if you want to travel, there is no need to use this method."

Li Shanming emphasized.

Young people are always prone to arrogance. Although Zhou An has always been extremely composed, he did not want this promising young man to die young.

"Indeed, merely forging the iron sheet carries some risk, but..."

At this point, Zhou An took a step back under Li Shanming's puzzled gaze.

"This disciple has also mastered sword energy."

As he spoke, Zhou An flicked his right hand, and a short sword slid out from his sleeve.

Everyone saw him flick his wrist, and the sword light on the short sword condensed into a single beam, which then shot through the air.

Although the sword energy disappeared into the air about a foot away from the sword, Liu Shuqing, Sun Wenhao and the others were dumbfounded.

"Pull your chin in; it's just a sword aura about a foot long."

Zhou An sheathed his sword, coughed twice, and gave a reminder.

He didn't come here to show off; he didn't want to see his friends being too hurt.

"......"

"Old Sun, let me pinch you. I suspect I'm asleep and might be daydreaming."

Liu Shuqing took a deep breath and looked directly at Sun Wenhao.

"You're not dreaming; what just happened is real."

Sun Wenhao was also unsettled, but he was certain of what was happening before his eyes.

But after understanding it, his feelings were extremely complicated.

They all joined the Seven Mysteries Sect at the same time, and he was the first to emerge, almost becoming number one by a wide margin.

But now...

Even after the arena battle, Sun Wenhao guessed that Zhou An had already surpassed him and would definitely be far ahead of them after receiving resources from the sect.

But this step... is a bit too big.

"Sword energy, he actually mastered sword energy."

Wang Yi and Qian Youde exchanged a glance, their eyes blank, finding it all rather unbelievable.

It's so unfamiliar.

"Manager Li, I feel like I've hit a bottleneck."

Zhou An's expression was solemn, yet it revealed a firm resolve.

"Iron skin, sword energy, plus your Shadow Chasing Step... even if you encounter a Bone Forging expert, you have the ability to escape unscathed, but..."

Li Shanming's feelings were complicated.

Even though Zhou An had already demonstrated the qualifications to travel, he still didn't want him to get involved in the martial arts world too early.

After all, the world is a complex and dangerous place, and young people find it difficult to navigate.

"Therefore, in addition to the two mentioned above, I have come here today to request some poisons for those who travel the martial world."

Zhou An reiterated that he had no intention of concealing anything.

"If I still don't agree, will you just say you have an agreement with someone else?"

There was a hint of helplessness in Li Shanming's words.

"Manager, please be aware that I did indeed have an agreement with Elder Huang."

Zhou An did not relax at all and took out a secret manual from his bosom.

"Back when I was stationed at Yunxia, ​​Elder Huang not only taught me the Shadow Chasing Step, but also left me this Golden Robe Skill."

He explicitly told his disciples that with golden skin, jade bones, and crystalline liquid, one could attain the body of an immortal.

"Fine, I can't persuade you."

Seeing that Zhou An had given up on traveling, Li Shanming stopped trying to persuade him and instead resorted to stalling tactics.

"I will inform the sect leader about your situation and try to secure more resources for you. During this time, you don't need to take on any missions; you can focus on your cultivation in the city."

As for becoming a ghostwriter, you can ask Chief Constable Zhao of Zhao's Detective Agency to help you with that.

In addition, although the Black Tiger Gang has been much quieter recently, it's because they've gotten in touch with the An family in Fucheng and are secretly transporting resources for them.

Our people tried to probe them, but there were unfamiliar experts among them, and even a Bone Forging expert could not succeed.

If you intend to take the assessment for the "sword-wielding" role, you must be wary of the Black Tiger Gang. They will not miss any opportunity to eliminate elite disciples of my Seven Mysteries Sect.

"Thank you for the reminder, Steward. I will certainly keep it in mind. As for the sect's resources..."

"I'll help you apply for silver, that will make things easier for you... but you need to keep this human skin mask, it might save your life in a critical moment."

Li Shanming didn't try to persuade him any further, because he had already said everything he needed to say.

Therefore, he simply turned around silently, took out a brand-new human skin mask from the medicine pavilion, and handed it over.

"In that case, I will take my leave and return to my residence to continue my cultivation."

Zhou An took the box containing the human skin mask, greeted Liu Shuqing and the others, and then turned and left the pharmacy.

"From today onwards, we are from two different worlds."

Watching Zhou An's departing figure, Liu Shuqing and the others subconsciously exchanged glances, and the same thought suddenly arose in their hearts.

Outer city, western district.

The streets were bustling with people.

But Zhou An, wearing a human skin mask, looked toward an unremarkable tailor shop at the end of the street.

"Shopkeeper, do you have any blue-clad women here?"

As Zhou An crossed the threshold, he shifted his gaze from the servant soliciting customers to the middle-aged shopkeeper wearing a square hat.

Although the shopkeeper was of average appearance, he had a black mole near his right eyebrow.

"Of course there are."

"Please, a private room, I need to take your measurements."

While they were talking, Zhou An took advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention and tapped the counter five times in a special way, drawing a semicircle.

The shopkeeper's eyes flickered, and after calling out to the shop assistant, he led Zhou An toward the back.

"Any bounties from the Black Tiger Gang recently?"

As soon as he entered the room, Zhou An took out the token of the Hidden Affairs Pavilion from his pocket and said directly.

He's a very serious person.

Now that we have the capability, we've decided to enter the tape production phase ahead of schedule.

......