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

"The immortal techniques of the demonic path?"

Zhao Ji looked at Zhou An with surprise, his expression full of amusement and amusement.

"If he truly possessed the methods of immortals, how could he only be at the Bone Forging Realm? How could he have carried out such a heinous act so openly?"

If it were you or me, we'd probably have kept it hidden for a long time, waiting until we'd mastered the technique before making a move.

After saying that, Officer Zhao laughed at himself.

He felt that Li Shanming's concerns were justified; this dazzling new star of the Seven Mysteries Sect was still too young.

"However, your concerns are not unfounded. At least it's not the time for you to go out and travel yet. You should focus on your cultivation at the Seven Mysteries Sect."

After saying this, Officer Zhao offered a few more words of comfort before turning and leaving.

"What if that unjust person's talent is too weak to cultivate proper immortal techniques, and they also have a deep-seated grudge to avenge, so they've gone astray?"

Watching Zhao the Constable's departing figure, Zhou An thought to himself.

If no immortal had appeared in the world, his worries would have seemed somewhat unnecessary, but now...

Remembering that Zhao Ji had said before he left that this unjust letter was very likely hiding in Ningshan City hunting martial artists, Zhou An decided that he could wait a few more days.

If Manager Li really brought resources from the Seven Mysteries Sect, he wouldn't be in a hurry to cause trouble for the Black Tiger Gang or to recoup the 300 taels of silver and interest.

"Let's wait a little longer. Although I have already cultivated the Free and Easy Wind-Riding Sword Technique to the level of sword intent, I am still a little short of the Thirteen Deadly Swords of the Limitless Martial Arts School and the Eight Extreme Mountain-Breaking Saber of the Eight Extreme Martial Arts School."

"Perfect timing, I also need to take this time to observe the Black Tiger Gang closely."

Various thoughts flashed through Zhou An's mind. After memorizing the names of the people on the list of sword-wielders, Zhou An turned and left.

Perhaps it was because he had refined his jade bones, or perhaps it was because he had completed a blood transfusion as soon as he entered the Visceral Realm, but Zhou An felt that his mentality had become a bit arrogant lately.

The absence of threats within Ningshan City does not mean the absence of threats outside the city.

Although he is currently short of silver and has no money to purchase resources for the Visceral Realm, his "Five Qi Form and Intention Boxing" has not yet reached the point where it cannot be practiced any further.

The next day, at noon.

Zhou An was practicing the Five Elements Form and Intention Boxing in the courtyard, using the Five Elements Boxing Technique to regulate his Qi and blood and slowly temper his internal organs when he heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

Pushing open the courtyard door, the person who entered was none other than the steward, Li Shanming.

Perhaps because the iron skin and sword aura he displayed were too astonishing, Li Shanming gave people the feeling of being travel-worn after only two days.

"The sect leader was delighted to learn of your progress in cultivation and has specially prepared 1000 taels of silver for your cultivation."

Upon meeting, Li Shanming went straight to the point, taking out 1000 taels of silver notes from his pocket and handing them to Zhou An.

"1000 taels."

Zhou An's eyes lit up as he looked at the silver notes in front of him, and he was quite surprised.

"This is the maximum amount of money we can squeeze out for you right now."

Li Shanming was very pleased with the surprise in Zhou An's eyes, but he did not forget to mention the sect and the sect leader Wang Xuan's good intentions.

"As for the matter of traveling with someone else, you don't need to rush. The sect leader has already begun to find suitable targets for you."

You just need to cultivate diligently here, and the sect will naturally help you pass the test.

This will ensure that you are qualified to carry real swords and blades even when you are walking around the city in the future.

Li Shanming explained everything in great detail and made arrangements for everything.

"Thank you for your guidance, Steward and Sect Master. I will always remember it."

Zhou An carefully put the silver notes into his pocket.

In Li Shanming's eyes, he had already reached the Iron Skin Realm, which was the limit of his cultivation. Next, he should start preparing for bone forging.

However, since the sect could not directly provide resources for bone forging, this is why there were 1000 taels of silver.

Perhaps this amount of silver is much less than what Mo Kai received that day, but Zhou An is still satisfied that the Seven Mysteries Sect has done this much.

"In fact, after my trip to the Sword-Catching Bureau with Constable Zhao yesterday, I've thought a lot about it and realized that going out to travel now is indeed a bit reckless."

Not to mention the Black Tiger Gang's presence, the mere presence of the Blood Fiend Sword Feng Buping and the Asura Hand Yan Tai, both listed on the Sword-Hunting Ranking and fond of hunting martial artists, already filled this disciple with dread.

After a moment of contemplation, Zhou An asked.

"I've heard that Feng Buping, the Blood Fiend Sword Master, can enhance his strength by feeding his sword with blood. I wonder what kind of method this is?"

"You should know that as a martial artist's strength increases, their control over their physical body will also continuously improve."

For example, the Transformation Realm of Bone Forging is already capable of sealing wounds and controlling blood flow.

Martial artists at the Visceral Realm are able to temper their five internal organs and six viscera, thereby generating martial arts essence blood within their bodies.

Through repeated transformations and renewals, it bursts forth with even richer vitality, thereby acquiring a more powerful physique, enabling it to cultivate extraordinary internal energy through the process of absorbing the elixir.

After briefly explaining, Li Shanming directly pointed out the reason for feeding the sword with blood.

"That Feng Buping must have mastered some kind of blood technique, which allows him to enhance his strength by activating his internal blood and qi."

As for his bloodthirsty sword... either it's a disguise for blood magic, or the sword itself is quite extraordinary.

"The secret method of blood magic?"

Zhou An's eyes flickered, filled with surprise and inquiry.

"Just as there are three types of strength, namely, light and dark, this blood technique is a method of mobilizing qi and blood after mastering the transformation of strength."

However, this secret method can only be used after one has entered the realm of internal organs.

Any martial artist below the Visceral Realm who uses this secret technique will suffer damage to their martial arts foundation at best, and a significant reduction in lifespan at worst.

Ultimately, the foundation of a martial artist lies in their vital energy and blood.

Instead of delving into such unorthodox and secret methods, it would be better to accumulate essence and blood to achieve the elixir of immortality as soon as possible.

When Li Shanming spoke of Baodan, his eyes were filled with longing.

"I once heard the old sect leader say that once a martial artist has condensed internal energy, he can cultivate all sorts of incredible skills."

Walking on water, crossing rivers on a single reed, icy inner strength, fiery inner strength...

If one could bridge the gap between heaven and earth, and achieve innate enlightenment through acquired means, one could transcend the mundane world.

Although he is not like the immortal who flew to the heavens 38 years ago, he is similar in some ways.

For example, the Free and Unfettered Wind-Riding Sword Technique you practice will produce completely different effects if it is executed with internal energy.

"If that's the case, why do blood techniques still exist...? Could some blood techniques be able to accelerate the cultivation of the internal organs realm?"

Although Zhou An was fascinated by all sorts of magical internal forces, the secret techniques of blood magic were closer to him.

"Yes, there is."

As he spoke, Li Shanming's expression suddenly turned serious.

"You only know that 62 sword immortals, including Ouyang Ming, left behind legends 38 years ago, but you don't know that even earlier, a demonic sect called Xuan Yin Sect once wreaked havoc on a country."

Even our Great Li Dynasty was nearly overthrown because of this.

"The Xuan Yin Demonic Sect?"

Zhou An was taken aback; he had indeed never heard of this matter.

"I've only heard about this from the old sect leader. It's said that this demonic sect originated in the Great Yuan Dynasty, outside of the Great Li Dynasty."

This sect emphasizes refining blood with blood, and their methods are extremely ruthless and vicious.

Anyone with exceptional martial arts talent who cannot be used by this sect will have their flesh and blood plundered and their martial bones extracted to refine the legendary spiritual root that can grant immortality and cultivation.

......