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

"Transforming blood into strength, concealing power within strength, returning to the origin and uniting as one, endlessly regenerating..."

In the courtyard, Zhou An slowly opened his eyes.

He stretched out his hand, and a drop of bright red blood emerged from the fingertip of his right hand, driven by the power within his body.

The blood was only the volume of a drop of water, seemingly insignificant.

But at this moment, the blood congealed at Zhou An's fingertip without dissipating, like a crimson pearl, swirling and moving in mid-air as his finger moved.

[Blood Sword Technique (Minor Success 35/500): Practice 100 times daily, can be mastered in five years]

Seven days.

In just seven days, Zhou An mastered this blood technique to a minor level.

"Not enough, not enough."

After a moment, Zhou An shook his head.

With a flick of his finger, the blood from his fingertip exploded into a fine mist in mid-air under the immense force, dissipating into the air.

"With my current mastery of the Blood Sword Technique, I can unleash the power of the Blood Fiend Sword that sealed Bu Ping that day. But if that's all, it's not as good as the many sword and saber techniques I've mastered."

Zhou An was not satisfied.

The training method of the Blood Sword Technique greatly inspired him, especially the concept of concealing one's strength in the blood.

If you can thoroughly understand it, it will be of great benefit.

Once a Bone Forging Warrior masters the art of neutralizing internal energy, and this energy permeates the entire body, they can reach a point where not even a feather can be added.

However, this blood technique is a step further.

By integrating one's own strength into one's blood and qi, one can transform one's essence and blood into sharp hidden weapons.

This blood, infused with vital energy, can be remotely controlled by a martial artist through their mastery of qi, blood, and vital energy as it circulates within the body.

This is why the drop of blood could linger and wander on Zhou An's fingertip earlier.

"The blood sword technique embodies the killing power of infusing one's strength into blood to kill enemies."

However, if I cultivate to perfection and grasp the concept of returning to the origin and achieving oneness, the essence and blood in my body will become more condensed and pure.

This will speed up the blood transfusion process.

Zhou An seemed to be deep in thought. He took out a piece of blood ginseng and chewed it in his mouth like he was eating a radish.

By combining internal energy with blood and using sword energy to kill enemies, one can certainly create a powerful killing move.

However, this move consumes too much energy and blood, resulting in a situation where one injures the enemy by a thousand while losing eight hundred of one's own energy.

Zhou An would not resort to such tactics unless it was absolutely necessary.

He felt that if he could cultivate this blood technique to a very high level, he would no longer be limited to blood; any liquid could be used as a manifestation of his power.

Several days passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Zhou An was cultivating in the courtyard when he saw Li Shanming walking in from outside the door.

"These are three blood ginseng roots."

Upon meeting, Li Shanming handed over a long mahogany box.

"You want money to buy blood ginseng. These are all twenty-year-old blood ginseng, each worth at least 1500 taels of silver."

"Um?"

Zhou An's eyes lit up, and he quickly thanked him and accepted the long rosewood box.

As soon as the box was opened, a faint, earthy smell wafted out. Inside, three dark red ginseng roots lay quietly, their rootlets far exceeding those he had obtained before.

"As expected of a twenty-year-old blood ginseng. With these three blood ginsengs... once I have mastered the Blood Sword Technique, I will be able to exchange blood at least five times."

Zhou An was overjoyed.

"The sect went to great lengths to obtain these blood ginsengs."

Seeing the uncontrollable smile on Zhou An's face, Li Shanming gave him a reminder.

If the Black Tiger Gang hadn't been destroyed, and if Zhou An hadn't killed a Bone Forging Warrior with his Skin Polishing Realm cultivation, the elders in the sect probably wouldn't have been willing to cut off such a large piece of flesh.

"This disciple will never forget the great kindness and virtue of the steward and the sect leader."

Zhou An solemnly promised.

"With these three blood ginsengs, I am 80% confident that I can break through to the Golden Skin level."

Cannibals are soft and short.

Zhou An knew exactly what the Seven Mysteries Sect wanted, and timely delivered his answer, indicating that this investment would definitely not be a loss.

"Gold skin?"

Sure enough, Li Shanming, who had just reminded Zhou An not to forget the Seven Mysteries Sect, had his attention instantly diverted when he heard the words "Golden Skin," and even his breathing became rapid.

"Are you really 80% sure? This is something even Mo Kai has never been able to do?"

"If everything goes smoothly, there shouldn't be any major problems."

Zhou An nodded, speaking very tactfully.

"Approximately how long will it take?"

Li Shanming noticed the confidence in Zhou An's eyes and tentatively asked.

"If you can truly condense the Golden Skin, the sect will definitely give you its full support in your attempt to reach the Golden Bone and help you secure a place in the top ten of the martial arts examination."

"About six months."

Zhou An thought for a moment and gave his answer.

Within a month, he was able to cultivate the Blood Sword Technique to perfection.

With the help of this blood technique and the Five Elements Form and Intent Skill, he is confident that he can achieve five blood transfusions within six months.

By then, he will have run out of resources.

When the time comes, show off the gold skin, and then get another batch of resources, that will be just right.

Zhou An was somewhat worried, however, because the Seven Mysteries Sect was ultimately too small. Even if he tried different methods to fleece them, he probably wouldn't be able to get much.

"If we really run out of money by then, we'll just have to change our identity and work as assassins again, or pretend to be the killer a few more times."

Zhou An thought to himself.

"Within six months, I'm 80% confident I can achieve the Gold skin."

Compared to Zhou An's worries about the future, Li Shanming was excited and paced back and forth in the courtyard after hearing the exact time.

"You should stop cultivating here and go to Yunxia Residence."

"Yunxia's base?"

Zhou An was slightly taken aback.

"Blood ginseng can only enhance your qi and blood, but there are various different herbs at Yunxia's residence. I will apply to the sect leader for the maximum permissions for you."

"I'll try to get you to the Golden Skin realm within six months. You've also been reading a lot of medical books lately, and being exposed to different herbs there will be quite helpful."

Li Shanming emphasized.

"Now that the Black Tiger Gang has been wiped out, the safety of Yunxia's base is no less than that of Ningshan City."

"That is indeed a good suggestion... In that case, I shall set off today."

After pondering for a moment, Zhou An nodded in agreement.

Having spent more than half a year in this city, he was indeed getting a little tired of it.

The courtyard in front of him was rather small. As his cultivation level increased, he felt constrained whenever he practiced martial arts, fearing that he might leave too many traces and attract the attention of others.

Yunxia's residence is close to the mountains, which can provide Zhou An with a larger stage.

I didn't want to go back before because I was afraid of being treated like cattle or horses.

But now, his status and position are different, and he has the power to leave whenever he wants.

"I wonder if, with my current cultivation level, I'm capable of gleaning anything new from that sword immortal's single strike?"

Thinking of Yunxia's residence, Zhou An couldn't help but recall the towering mountain standing amidst the sea of ​​clouds.

"So urgent?"

When Li Shanming heard Zhou An say that they would be setting off today, he was stunned.

He gave this suggestion for two reasons: first, he hoped that Zhou An could condense the Golden Skin; second, he also wanted to test whether Zhou An was willing to leave Ningshan City and whether he still cared about the sect.

"There's no time like the present, let's set off now!"

Zhou An was very decisive.

Thinking of the sword immortal's sword strike, he had a great obsession with the Wind and Cloud Sword Technique that he had not completed that day.

.......