Starting with The Eagle Shooting Heroes: I gain a year's worth of skill every day.

Senior Sister Yin?

Shen Mo's hand, which was gripping the man's neck, suddenly tightened.

The man's face instantly turned a deep purplish-red, his legs kicked haphazardly in the air, and a hissing sound came from his throat, like a broken bellows.

"Make it clear, which Senior Sister Yin are you referring to?"

Shen Mo's voice was flat and even, without the slightest ripple, as if he were asking about a trivial matter.

But the murderous intent emanating from him made the night wind on the cliff top smell like rust, and it stung my face like needles.

"It's...it's...it's Master Yu Xu's...Yin...Yin Zhiping's cousin...Yin...Yin Zhirou..."

In the extreme fear of suffocation, he used the last bit of air in his lungs to squeeze out the name intermittently.

Yin Zhiping?

That scoundrel from the Quanzhen Sect who defiled Xiaolongnu in the original story?

The thought flashed through Shen Mo's mind.

What he cared more about was when he had spoken to this female Taoist priest named Yin Zhirou.

For eighteen years, he was practically imprisoned in the small courtyard of the fire-working Taoist boy.

Life consists of chopping wood, starting a fire, and carrying water—a monotonous routine.

I've only ever seen a handful of female Taoist priests, let alone a cousin of a second-generation disciple.

He began searching through the dust of his memories.

Finally, a previously overlooked detail came to light.

About two weeks ago.

As he was carrying water, he passed by an apricot grove when a female Taoist priest dressed in white stopped him and asked for directions to the alchemy room.

He simply lowered his head and pointed in a direction.

He didn't even get a clear look at the other person's face, and he didn't say a single word.

Just because of this?

Just for this brief moment when they barely even crossed paths, Zhao Zhijing wanted his life?

absurd!

How absurd!

A cold, violent aura swirled and grew stronger in his chest.

Eighteen years of repression and humiliation found their outlet at this moment.

It turns out that, in those people's eyes, he wasn't even considered a "person".

It's just an ant blocking the way; it can be easily crushed underfoot.

Wang Tong, a lackey, would not hesitate to kill himself for a lucrative job in the kitchen.

Quanzhen Sect, a prestigious and orthodox sect?

Shit!

This place is a cannibalistic jungle!

Since it's a jungle, we should apply the laws of the jungle.

The murderous intent in Shen Mo's heart froze completely.

He tightened his grip with his five fingers, preparing to crush the throat of this last informant and bury everything that happened tonight forever on the top of the Cliff of Repentance.

Just then.

[On the second day, I gained a year's worth of internal energy!]

[Current cumulative skill level: Two years!]

boom!

A more powerful and refined heat surged forth from the depths of his dantian!

The combined power of two years instantly tore apart the originally fragile meridian barrier in his body, forcibly opening up a wider and more resilient rushing river!

Shen Mo's body trembled violently.

The torrent of internal energy surged and roared through his limbs and bones; he could even clearly hear the rushing sound of blood surging in his veins!

strength!

That's twice as much as yesterday!

The disciple, who was being held in his hand, felt the iron clamp on his neck tighten suddenly, and an irresistible force came over him. He couldn't even scream. His eyes bulged out and his tongue stretched out. He was about to die on the spot!

"stop!"

A clear, sharp shout, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, resounded from below the mountain road!

His voice was strong and carried an undeniable air of authority.

Before the words were even finished, a white figure had already leaped and appeared like a ghost on the cliff top platform.

The newcomer was dressed in the white Taoist robe of a second-generation disciple of the Quanzhen School, holding a whisk in his hand, with a handsome face; he was none other than Yin Zhiping.

He had come to the back mountain to practice his swordsmanship because he was feeling uneasy at night, but he heard Wang Tong's heart-wrenching scream from afar. Sensing something was wrong, he rushed over.

As soon as he stepped onto the cliff top, the sight before him made him freeze in place.

On the ground, one disciple was clutching his twisted, broken leg and howling in agony, while another lay unconscious beside the boulder like a lump of mud.

And Shen Mo, the young woodcutter who usually chopped firewood in the kitchen and was so thin he looked like he could be blown away by a gust of wind...

At this moment, he actually grabbed another third-generation disciple by the neck with one hand and lifted him up like a chicken!

What made Yin Zhiping's heart pound the most was the faint yet extremely pure internal energy fluctuation emanating from Shen Mo!

This internal energy... is incredibly profound!

He is more than one level stronger than Wang Tong, a disciple who has been cultivating for two or three years!

It is even more profound than that of many fellow disciples who have practiced diligently for nearly ten years!

How is this possible?!

Where did this young Taoist disciple who works with fire get such internal strength?

Could it be... a martial arts prodigy, one in a million? Have I discovered a hidden gem?

Yin Zhiping's heart began to pound uncontrollably.

As a leading figure among the younger generation of the Quanzhen School, he was more eager than anyone else to discover outstanding talents for the school.

He looked at Shen Mo with the fervor of a hunter seeing a divine beast.

"Let him go."

Yin Zhiping spoke again, his voice unconsciously softening considerably, carrying a hint of cautious inquiry.

Shen Mo slowly turned his head.

He recognized the person who came.

Yin Zhiping, Qiu Chuji's eldest disciple, is one of the three designated successors to the Quanzhen Sect.

A true high-level executive.

trouble.

This was Shen Mo's first reaction.

He had countless ways to kill these three people without anyone noticing.

But now, things have become tricky because a second-generation core disciple has caught them out.

His thoughts raced.

Murder?

He glanced at Yin Zhiping.

The opponent's breathing was steady and deep, and his temples were slightly bulging, a sign that he had mastered internal martial arts.

He possessed two years' worth of internal energy, yet he didn't understand any techniques or methods.

A head-on clash could be unpredictable.

More importantly, killing Yin Zhiping would alarm the entire Quanzhen Sect.

He was just a novice Taoist priest, and he couldn't escape even if he had wings.

We must not kill them.

In a split second, Shen Mo made a decision.

He slowly released his grip on the disciple's hand.

The man fell to the ground with a thud, clutching his bruised neck and coughing violently, greedily inhaling the air. When he looked at Shen Mo again, his eyes were filled with nothing but deathly fear.

"Senior Brother Yin... Help! He's gone mad! He's going to kill us!" The man caught his breath and immediately pointed at Shen Mo, hoarsely complaining.

"Shut up!"

Yin Zhiping frowned, flicked his whisk, and a gentle breeze swept out, accurately sealing the man's speech acupoint.

He didn't care at all whether those few good-for-nothings lived or died.

What he cares about is silence!

It is this pyrotechnic boy who is full of contradictions and mysteries!

Yin Zhiping's gaze was fixed on Shen Mo. He slowly stepped forward and carefully examined him.

The more he looked, the more turbulent the emotions in his heart became.

His physical constitution is exceptional! His vital energy and blood are abundant!

Especially that internal force, although it had been contained within his body, he could still feel its power and purity.

This is absolutely not something that can be learned through the basic techniques of the Quanzhen School!

Could it be that they've had some extraordinary adventure?

Or perhaps the closed-door disciple of some reclusive master?

A love for talent burned brightly in Yin Zhiping's heart.

"Your name is Shen Mo, isn't it?" Yin Zhiping's voice was so gentle it could melt water, carrying a hint of seduction.

Shen Mo did not answer, but just looked at him quietly with deep eyes.

"You don't need to be nervous," Yin Zhiping said, thinking he was afraid. "I can pretend I didn't see what happened tonight. I only want to ask you, who is your master?"

Shen Mo remained silent.

How should I answer?

He claims to be a time traveler with a system?

Or is it that you are exceptionally gifted and self-taught?

Any explanation is riddled with flaws.

The best course of action is to remain silent.

Seeing Shen Mo's aloof and taciturn demeanor, Yin Zhiping was not angry at all; instead, he became even more certain of his guess.

Masterful demeanor!

This is definitely the demeanor of a disciple of a master!

When ordinary disciples saw him, which one wasn't trembling with fear, not daring to even breathe loudly?

Shen Mo was able to remain neither humble nor arrogant in front of him; this very composure was far beyond that of ordinary people!

In Yin Zhiping's mind, a complete story even automatically filled in: a reclusive master passed on his life's skills to this young man, but made a solemn vow not to let him reveal the origin of his sect!

That must be it!

"Good! Good! Good!"

Yin Zhiping said "good" three times in a row, his face almost overflowing with joy.

"If you don't want to talk about it, I won't force you. You possess the inner strength of my Taoist esoteric school, so you must also have some knowledge of the Quanzhen Sect's mental cultivation methods."

He was deliberately giving Shen Mo a way out.

As long as Shen Mo can recite a few lines of the Quanzhen Sect's mantra, he can rightfully take Shen Mo under his wing, report to his master, and promote him exceptionally!

A future martial arts master is about to shine in Yin Zhiping's hands!

Thinking of this, Yin Zhiping felt a surge of excitement.

He cleared his throat, a hint of testing in his eyes, and smiled, "Now, recite a section of the general outline of the 'Innate Skill' and let me hear it."

Innate Skill?

What is Wang Chongyang's unique skill?

Shen Mo's heart skipped a beat.

He wouldn't know how to do that.

Seeing that he didn't react, Yin Zhiping thought that he was asking too much. After all, the Innate Skill was the sect's most powerful skill and could not be taught to anyone other than a core disciple.

He immediately switched to another one.

"Then... what about the 'Golden Gate Jade Lock Technique'? You should know this method for strengthening the body's foundation and nourishing the vital energy, right?"

Shen Mo remained silent.

Yin Zhiping's smile became slightly stiff.

He took a deep breath, lowered his standards again, and said in an almost persuasive tone, "Alright, let's start with the simplest one, the 'Golden Lotus Heart Method' that all new disciples of the Quanzhen Sect must learn, right? 'Circulate Qi throughout the body, focus your mind on the Dan Yuan...' Go on to memorize it."

The wind at the top of the cliff stopped.

You could hear a pin drop.

Shen Mo stood there, expressionless.

He knows nothing.

He had never even heard of the name of this mental cultivation method before.

The smile on Yin Zhiping's face finally disappeared inch by inch.

He stared intently at Shen Mo, his gaze shifting from initial ecstasy to admiration, and then to confusion…

Now, his mind is filled with a huge, absurd blank.

A person possessing refined internal energy comparable to someone who has cultivated diligently for ten years...

A person who can casually cripple three generations of disciples...

They can't even recite the most basic "Golden Lotus Heart Sutra," which even a novice Taoist practitioner might have heard a few lines of?!

This……

How the hell is this possible?!

Yin Zhiping felt that his understanding had been shattered at this moment.

He felt like a fool who was deluding himself.

The stark contrast made him feel a tightness in his chest, almost as if he were about to vomit blood.

"you……"

Yin Zhiping pointed at Shen Mo and hesitated for a long time, but couldn't utter a complete sentence.

fraud?

Not like ah.

That undeniable inner strength was there for all to see, as powerful and majestic as a mountain.

Fool?

That's even less likely. How could someone who could subdue three people in an instant be a fool?

Yin Zhiping's mind was completely in a mess.

He stared intently at Shen Mo, his gaze sharp as if trying to see right through him.

Suddenly, he realized the only possibility that could explain all of this.

A possibility that only exists in Taoist classics and legends!

He took a sudden step forward, his expression becoming extremely solemn, even carrying a hint of pilgrimage-like piety.

"Don't move."

Yin Zhiping's voice trembled slightly.

He stretched out a hand, his movements slow and solemn, and reached towards Shen Mo's wrist.

"Let me see your meridians."