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

Blood Sword Technique.

The small scroll of animal hide contained only about fifty characters, but what it recorded was none other than the blood magic secret technique that Zhou An had been dreaming of.

"Using blood to generate power, using power to conceal strength, returning to the origin and uniting as one, endless life... As expected of the Blood Technique Secret Method, this secret method is far superior to any other technique I have obtained before."

Zhou An closed the small animal skin roll and hid it in the pocket of his inner shirt, a smile he couldn't suppress on his face.

This secret technique is very powerful.

Although he only skimmed through it, Zhou An keenly sensed that once he mastered this secret technique, it would greatly help his internal organ blood transfusion.

"Now that we have the secret technique, we must get back to the dock as soon as possible."

With this thought in mind, Zhou An channeled his energy and threw Feng Buping's longsword into the river not far away.

Then, without looking back, he disappeared into the mountains and forests.

Even though the longsword in Feng Buping's hand was an extremely precious sword, Zhou An felt no regret or lingering attachment.

Although his sect leader and the other two masters did not pursue him because of his sword strike, the events of tonight were of great importance.

Nothing that could potentially expose you can be left behind; not even the slightest trace is acceptable.

Soon, Zhou An arrived in front of a corpse.

These were none other than the Black Tiger Gang experts he had previously killed.

Judging from the way it died, no one had come looking for it during the time Zhou An was gone.

"But judging by the time, it should be soon."

Zhou An felt relieved and did not choose to continue on his way. Instead, he dragged the corpse and faked a battle scene nearby before leaning against a tree not far away and waiting.

Not long after, a series of hurried footsteps and shouts came from not far away.

"Zhou An!"

The voice was loud; it was Li Shanming's voice.

"Are you sure Zhou An is heading this way?"

"It's certain, absolutely certain. We personally witnessed that person and the Black Tiger Gang's experts come in this direction during their fierce battle."

"Zhou An!"

......

"It seems the problem at the dock has been resolved."

Hearing the shouts gradually drifting away in the distance, Zhou An felt a sense of relief. As his internal energy circulated, hot sweat immediately streamed down his forehead, making him look like he was greatly exhausted.

"Manager Li, I'm here."

A loud shout silenced the distant cries of someone searching for someone.

"Manager Li, I'm here. I've already killed the thief."

Zhou An spoke again, his breath coming in gasps, but with a hint of surprise in his voice.

Soon, a flurry of footsteps approached.

With a rustling sound from the grass, Li Shanming, Gong Jiang, and two constables appeared before him.

"Don't worry, Manager Li, I'm fine."

Seeing Li Shanming's relieved expression, Zhou Anxin was moved, but he grinned and stood up from the ground, leaning on his long sword.

"The steward is right. With my current strength, I can indeed kill a martial artist who has just entered the Bone Forging Realm, but it takes quite a bit of effort."

"Didn't I tell you to stay and guard the outer perimeter...? Wait, you killed a Bone Forging Warrior?"

Before Zhou An could finish speaking, Li Shanming began to complain, but after hearing Zhou An's words, he was shocked.

"I'll definitely do it next time."

Zhou An nodded.

"Good, good, good lad, but you won't have another chance."

After confirming that Zhou An had indeed killed a Bone Forging expert, Li Shanming was initially delighted. Then, he changed his tone and, after issuing a stern warning, addressed the crowd behind him.

"Thank you both for guiding me. My disciple has now been found. I will repay you handsomely once this matter is over."

"Manager Li, you're too kind. Now that your people have been found, we'll head back now."

Upon hearing this, the two constables bowed politely and exchanged a few words.

Both of them had smiles on their faces, and while thanking each other, their eyes kept wandering over Zhou An.

He killed a Bone Forging expert while only at the Skin Polishing Realm.

The Seven Mysteries Sect has produced yet another genius.

This matter is very important and must be reported to the head constable immediately.

"Zhou boy, is he really a Bone Forging Martial Artist?"

After the two constables left, Gong Jiang looked at Zhou An with a complicated expression.

His condition was very bad. Although he survived the attack by three Bone Forging Warriors, he was pale and had many marks left by swords and knives on his body.

The clothes that were neat when they arrived were now stained red with blood, only less noticeable because they were wearing dark clothes.

But compared to his physical injuries, Gong Jiang felt even worse emotionally.

Six months ago, this kid was just a Blood Cultivation Martial Artist. He didn't need to show his face; his disciples alone could scold and suppress him.

But now...

The skin was worn down and the bones were forged; there were no injuries on the body, only a weak breath... and it might not even be truly weak.

"After tonight, this person's status within the sect will inevitably rise sharply. He will be the next Mo Kai, and no one will be able to suppress him."

Having figured this out, Gong Jiang took a deep breath, forced a kind smile onto his face, and spoke directly without waiting for Zhou An's reply.

"You did well and did not disgrace my Seven Mysteries Sect. This is the spoils of war I obtained earlier, consider it a reward for you."

He emphasized the word "reward" very heavily.

Then, in front of Li Shanming, he handed over a long sword and a stack of silver notes.

"Thank you, Elder Gong."

Seeing Gong Jiang's actions, Zhou An was startled, but he still accepted it immediately and returned a respectful fist and palm salute.

"This kid really remembered me. But since he accepted my things, I guess we can let bygones be bygones."

Hearing the address "Elder Gong," Gong Jiang felt a mix of emotions, but also couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Before tonight, the elders of the sect might have hindered the sect leader for their own resources, but with the complete annihilation of the Black Tiger Gang tonight, they will most likely relinquish some of their resources.

"Work hard, our Seven Mysteries Sect needs energetic young people like you."

Gong Jiang nodded, then turned and left.

"No wonder Elder Huang was forced to leave; the elders of the Seven Mysteries Sect are all shrewd and capable."

Watching Gong Jiang's departing figure, Zhou An couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

Originally, he planned to cause Elder Gong some more trouble in the future.

But the other party paid too quickly and even added a sword far superior to the fine iron sword... Zhou An wasn't a stingy person, so he decided to cross that line out of his notebook for now.

"Let's go. Officer Zhao is tallying up and tallying the merits. Your killing of the 'Bone Forging Warrior' is a great achievement, so we can't miss it."

Li Shanming didn't say anything throughout, but at this moment he gave a timely reminder, and then carried the body of the Black Tiger Gang man back the way he came.

Whether this person truly forged their bones before death is no longer important, because no one would offend a martial artist who had comprehended sword energy at the Skin Polishing Realm for no reason.

"Manager Li, after tonight, will the sect allocate more resources to me?"

Zhou An followed behind and tentatively asked a question. He was still panting; if you're going to act, you have to go all the way.

"Yes, the Black Tiger Gang has been destroyed, and no one dares to question the leader's prestige anymore."

You've done a great service to the organization and demonstrated your talent; resources will definitely be allocated to you.

Li Shanming nodded, his words firm and without the hesitation he usually displayed.

"Can I exchange it for money?"

"Um?"

Li Shanming was slightly taken aback.

"This disciple feels that my foundation is not yet sufficient and wants to further enhance my qi and blood... Blood ginseng would be quite good."

Zhou An chuckled and chose to play dumb.

"You were faking your breathing just now, weren't you!"

Li Shanming turned his head, his words lingering.

"I'll try to get it for you."

……