Immortality begins with exchanging talent attributes.

Is it internal force or true qi?

But it could never be the power of qi and blood, since the power of qi and blood is mostly violent and cannot leave the body.

This was completely beyond Zhou Yan's comprehension.

Could it be—above the sixth level of training!

In just a few breaths, Lu Qingshuang withdrew her hand and looked at Zhou Yan calmly.

"Your skin is tough, and your qi and blood have reached a certain level of maturity. Have you ever practiced any external martial arts techniques?"

"Well... I come from a poor family and have only practiced the body tempering technique taught by the government office. I have not practiced any other martial arts."

Zhou Yan answered truthfully.

"Oh, you've mastered the Body Tempering Technique?"

Lu Qingshuang's tone rose slightly, revealing a hint of surprise.

  

If I remember correctly, the information says that this kid only started practicing the Body Tempering Technique three months ago, and he has already mastered it in three months, which is quite good in a small place like this.

Zhou Yan nodded and said modestly:

"Your insight is truly remarkable, while I was fortunate enough to break through a few days ago."

Talent stats are really awesome.

Upon realizing that his opponent might be testing his strength, he subconsciously used "Aura Transformation" to conceal his power.

Unexpectedly, even a master like Lu Qingshuang, who was suspected to be above the sixth level of cultivation, could not discover his true realm.

He deliberately displayed the fact that he had mastered body tempering.

After all, breaking through to the Body Tempering Technique's perfection in three months and achieving mastery in its first stage is still a bit too fast. It's not that no one can achieve it, but someone like him who can't even afford the medicine for refining shouldn't, and shouldn't, achieve it.

However, achieving the Great Perfection of Body Tempering shouldn't be a big problem. It would allow him to showcase his talent and obtain even better martial arts techniques from Lu Qingshuang.

"good."

Although the tone was still cold, it was clear that the other person's mood seemed to have improved slightly.

"Shen Heng, teach him the first three levels of the Bronze Body Technique later."

He turned his head and gave an order to Shen Heng, who had remained silent and had a dark expression throughout, then looked at Zhou Yan and said:

"The Three-Layer Bronze Body Technique is enough for you to reach the peak of the Third Stage."

After thinking for a moment, she took out a jade pendant from her waist and handed it over: "What happened today must not be revealed. Go back and wait for my notification. If anything happens, you can come to me with this jade pendant. No one will stop you."

After saying that, she waved her hand, indicating that Zhou Yan could leave.

"Thank you for your guidance, sir."

Zhou Yan breathed a long sigh of relief and bowed respectfully.

Shen Heng walked out of the hall.

The blinding sunlight outside made it hard for him to open his eyes.

He looked at the entry above the burly figure in front of him.

【Quick Knife (Green)】

This was the first time Zhou Yan had ever seen such a short entry.

This made him take a few more glances.

Based on his research and observation over the past few days, talent attributes are generally divided into two types.

One type, like the one in front of us, is linked to the martial arts skills he excels at.

Another type, like Zhu Asan's "public-spiritedness," is related to personal character.

He speculated that the appearance of the entry might be related to his most prominent personal qualities.

So some people are defined by their personality, while others are defined by their martial arts skills.

"What are you looking at?"

A slightly hoarse voice broke through Zhou Yan's thoughts.

"It's nothing. I wonder where Lord Shen intends to take me?"

Shen Heng glanced back at him and said disdainfully:

"Subordinate? You're just an outsider, not my subordinate."

Zhou Yan's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and his heart sank slightly.

What does Shen Heng mean? They have no past grudges or present conflicts, so why is he acting this way?

"It was my rudeness, please forgive me, Lord Shen."

"Oh."

Shen Heng gave a noncommittal laugh, stopped in his tracks, and turned to look at Zhou Yan:

"You wait here."

He then went into a nearby house, and after a short while, he came out again and casually tossed a booklet over.

"I've given you the first three levels of the Bronze Body Technique. You can leave now."

The booklet whistled through the air and shot straight at Zhou Yan's face.

Zhou Yan's expression remained unchanged as he took the item, his eyes narrowing slightly as he spoke:

"Lord Shen, just now Lu..."

"I told you to get lost!"

Shen Heng's voice suddenly rose, and his eyes turned dangerous, with the aura of a high-level martial artist subtly pressing down on them.

Didn't you hear me?

The patrolling guards in black robes looked over when they heard the sound, but when they saw it was Shen Heng, they pretended not to see him and continued their patrol.

The atmosphere in the air froze instantly, leaving only Shen Heng's heavy breathing.

Zhou Yan was silent for a moment, then looked up and calmly met the other person's bloodshot, oppressive eyes, without the slightest fear on his face.

"In that case, I'll take my leave."

After saying that, without waiting for the other party's reply, he turned around and walked steadily toward the door.

Watching the departing youth, Shen Heng's face darkened, and the veins on his hand resting on the hilt of his sword bulged.

"Learn martial arts? Hmph..."

……

After leaving the compound, Zhou Yan quickly headed home, having identified the direction.

I never expected that I would be figuring out where to get the second martial arts manual one moment and then have it the next, and even become an outer member of the Black-Clad Guard.

Life is full of ups and downs, it's really quite exciting.

Zhou Yan returned home in silence, closed the courtyard gate, and eagerly took out the Bronze Body Kung Fu manual.

The booklet was not thick, and the paper was somewhat yellowed. In addition to the text, there were some diagrams of the circulation of Qi and blood. However, the booklet only contained the cultivation methods for the first three layers, and the later parts were obviously torn out.

Zhou Yan focused his mind and carefully read the general outline on the first page.

Based on his current experience of perfecting the Body Tempering Technique and nearing its peak, the Bronze Body Technique is indeed far more profound than the Body Tempering Technique.

Both involve tempering the body, but the Perfect Body Tempering Technique focuses more on refining qi and blood, while the Copper Body Technique is a true external martial art.

From skin and muscles to tendons and bones, and finally to viscera training, it is a complete set of external training techniques. Unfortunately, this booklet only contains the first three levels, which is only enough for him to practice up to the third level.

That's enough for now.

As he continued flipping through the pages, Zhou Yan was able to understand the general principles of the methods for circulating qi and blood, thanks to his foundation in the Body Tempering Technique.

However, the methods of tempering the body and the medicine used after cultivation are explained vaguely. The tempering methods are not mentioned in detail, and the medicine is only said to be the best "nourishing the essence and solidifying the body" medicinal bath, but the specific medicine is not specified.

And these things often require a guide to lead the way.

Zhou Yan closed the manual, gently rubbed his chin, and pondered for a moment.

"Given Shen Heng's attitude towards me, it's probably hopeless to get him to tell me. However, my talent 'Copper Skin and Iron Bones' is highly compatible with the Copper Body Technique, so the training shouldn't be slow."

With my current skin strength, cultivating the first level shouldn't be difficult, and I can even try out the general tempering method. The main problem is the medicine... I still need to find time to go back to Qingmang Village."

Yes, he was going to find the medicine-selling girl, Mo Qingyan. Although he had vowed not to go to Qingmang Mountain before the third training, there shouldn't be any danger in the village, right?

"Let's practice first and see."

Without hesitation, Zhou Yan stood up and began practicing according to the method described in the booklet.

The method of circulating qi and blood in the Bronze Body Kung Fu is not a fist technique, but rather seven strange postures.

As soon as he assumed his first posture, he felt a clear difference from the Body Tempering Technique.

The Qi and blood in the limbs and bones seemed to spread out, becoming more and more refined, and gradually merging into the skin and flesh.

Zhou Yan closed his eyes, maintaining the first posture, and wholeheartedly felt the changes brought about by the new martial arts.

……