Supreme Martial Venerable: Starting with the White Ape Cloak Hammer skill point allocation

Chapter 92 The Black Tortoise (Please Subscribe)

Half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

The assassin who attempted to kill the county magistrate was ultimately not caught.

County Magistrate Dong Hailou was seriously injured, but the operation of Gaoshan County was not affected in the slightest; on the contrary, it was even smoother than before.

The Martial Alliance seemed to have become the new county government, handling almost everything perfectly for Dong Hailou.

Everyone, from top to bottom, held that Alliance Leader Wang in the highest esteem.

County Magistrate Dong Hailou had been recuperating in the county government office, but he did not die, so the imperial court did not appoint a new county magistrate.

Zhou Yuan visited Dong Hailou several times, and seeing that Dong Hailou had not woken up, he felt relieved.

This time, Zhou Yuan appeared in the Martial Alliance's hall with a long, rectangular wooden box tucked under his arm.

"Commander Zhou is a rare guest indeed. I've heard that you haven't left your camp these days, and I haven't had a chance to visit you."

As always, Wang Linglong was very composed and instructed her maid, "Brew that jar of tea in the study. Commander Zhou is a rare guest."

""

"Commander Zhou, I just got a tin of new tea from the south, worth a couple hundred taels of gold. You must try it."

Wang Linglong's gaze returned to Zhou Yuan, and she smiled, saying, "I ran into Sister Changyu on the street the other day. Were those jars of tiger bone wine not working well?"

Zhou Yuan pretended not to understand her sarcasm and placed the wooden box on the table.

"These are the weapons that Alliance Leader Wang ordered."

Zhou Yuan said to himself, "The money and goods are settled."

"I naturally trust Commander Zhou's credibility."

Wang Linglong took the wooden box, opened it casually, and took out a short knife inside.

She gripped the knife hilt and casually twirled it a few times.

Zhou Yuan's eyes flickered.

After arriving in Gaoshan County, Wang Linglong displayed only her shrewd and resourceful methods, never resorting to martial prowess.

But Zhou Yuan knew that she had the title of Wu Xiucai (a scholar who passed the imperial examination at the county level).

A true expert's skill is immediately apparent upon their first move.

From just a few flourishes of his sword, Zhou Yuan could tell that the alliance leader's swordsmanship was exquisite and his skill was profound.

"A fine knife."

Wang Linglong praised, "I heard that Commander Zhou, your weapon-forging skills were passed down from Li Lin, and Li Lin's weapon-forging skills were passed down from his father-in-law, Mr. Han. Mr. Han was once an outer disciple of the Divine Weapon Valley."

No wonder I could tell that the forging technique of this knife was from the orthodox Shenbing Valley lineage.

There is a book called "Collection of Weapons" in Shenbing Valley, which records the methods of forging divine weapons and sharp weapons in the world. With Commander Zhou's talent for forging weapons, if he could read "Collection of Weapons", he would probably be able to forge sharp weapons long ago.

I heard that not long ago, the "Collection of Military Manifesto" appeared in Gaoshan County —”

"Never seen it before."

A flicker of emotion flashed in Zhou Yuan's eyes, but he remained calm and composed.

"If there are no problems with the weapons, then our deal is over."

I've come today to discuss another business deal with Leader Wang.

Zhou Yuan changed the subject, saying, "I want to buy a few Qi and Blood Pills."

"Oh?"

Wang Linglong said, "To be honest, Commander Zhou, next year is the year of the martial arts examination, and right now, the Qi and Blood Pills are in short supply."

"Then forget it."

Zhou Yuan got up and walked outside.

"Commander Zhou, please wait a moment."

Wang Linglong said, "I certainly don't have any for others, but Commander Zhou, if you want them, I'll have to find a way to spare a few."

However, the price will definitely be higher, please forgive me, Commander.

My younger sister is just working for the family; she can't do business that loses money.

Price is not an issue.

Zhou Yuan stopped and turned around.

After some haggling, Zhou Yuan bought two Qi and Blood Pills for 500 taels of silver each.

"Not a drop leaks."

Watching Zhou Yuan's departing figure, Wang Linglong's smile vanished, replaced by a look of confusion.

"Where did these artisans learn such shrewdness?"

However, even though you hid it well, you eventually gave yourself away.

A cold smile appeared on Wang Linglong's lips, her eyes revealing the cunning of a cat catching a mouse.

"The art of weapon forging is like martial arts. Once you learn it, it will become an instinct of your body. Even if you try to hide it, it will inadvertently reveal clues."

Li Lin's father-in-law was mediocre and didn't learn any advanced weapon forging techniques in the Divine Weapon Valley. He was even inferior to Li Lin's father-in-law. How could he pass on the orthodox Divine Weapon Valley weapon forging techniques to you?

Luo Baiyan won't act without seeing the benefit, much less teach you weapon-forging techniques, so—"

"You've stolen the teachings of 'The Art of War'!"

A smug look flashed across Wang Linglong's face.

Using only a few Qi and Blood Pills, they managed to uncover Zhou Yuan's secret; this deal couldn't be more worthwhile.

The "Collection of Military Skills" is a closely guarded secret of the Divine Weapon Valley. Anyone who tries to learn it will be hunted down to the ends of the earth by the Divine Weapon Valley.

With this secret in hand, how could we not control Zhou Yuan?

"Zhou Yuan, you can't escape my grasp. In this Gaoshan County, only I can call the shots."

A smug look appeared on her face.

"Xiaoyu, don't stop giving Dong Hailou his medicine. Don't let him die, and don't let him wake up either."

Wang Linglong casually gave the instructions, while pondering how to use Zhou Yuan.

As Zhou Yuan left the Martial Alliance's hall and turned the corner, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"I was careless."

He thought to himself.

Wang Linglong's seemingly unintentional words served as a wake-up call for him.

"Although I deliberately held back when forging that weapon, it is difficult to control one's body's instincts with willpower."

In the process of forging weapons, techniques from the "Collection of Military Skills" were inadvertently used.

Zhou Yuan was also somewhat annoyed.

There's nothing that can be done about it. Just like it's hard for someone who has learned to read to pretend they can't read, the same applies to the art of forging weapons.

He was very careful, but he still slipped up.

This flaw is something that most people wouldn't notice unless the opponent is also skilled in weapon forging.

-

Wang Linglong comes from a family of herbal medicine practitioners, but who would have thought that she is also proficient in weapon forging?

"She's about my age, her martial arts skills are unfathomable, she's good at business, and she's also proficient in weapon forging. Is this what a genius is?"

As Zhou Yuan walked, he thought to himself.

Gaoshan County also has many geniuses, such as Gao Da and Wang Chao, who are once-in-a-century martial arts geniuses in the county and have already broken through their barriers three times at a young age.

But compared to Wang Linglong, she seems quite mediocre.

"The tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease."

Zhou Yuan thought to himself, and his pace quickened involuntarily.

Several days later.

The moonlight, like water, spilled into the workers' shed.

The flames in the forging furnace never went out, and the burning charcoal made a soft crackling sound.

Zhou Yuan adopted the stance of the White Ape Tongbei Fist, with his knees slightly bent, arms hanging naturally, and back slightly arched, like an upright ape.

-

His blood and qi surged, causing his muscles to ripple like waves.

"With the Qi and Blood Pill, the time is finally right."

Zhou Yuan's mind remained calm, and with a thought, a virtual panel appeared before his eyes.

Name: Zhou Yuan

[Free Points: 320]

[Realm: Blood Transformation Realm]

【功法：白猿披风锤圆满、白猿通臂拳大成（1100/3000）、断水刀法大成（600/3000）、八方雷音圆满（500/10000）、八步赶蝉圆满（600/3000）、兽王金身第三重（800/1000）】

[Skills: Advanced Blacksmithing, Basic Weapon Forging (600/3000)]

[Equipment: Plum Blossom Hidden Arrow]

"Although the physical constitution has not been completely improved, the Beast King Golden Body can take the lead."

The Beast King's Golden Body doesn't require high physical attributes, but the cultivation process is difficult and painful, which actually makes it more suitable for me.

Zhou Yuan thought to himself, silently adding points.

A flash of golden light disappeared in an instant, and Zhou Yuan's body tensed up abruptly, unable to help but let out a painful growl.

In an instant, he was like an iron ingot thrown into a forge, his entire body turning bright red.

Hot air gushed out from every pore of his body, and the sweat was evaporated by the heat, turning into a thick white mist that enveloped Zhou Yuan.

A crackling sound emanated from the white mist, as if some terrifying change was taking place.

This process lasted for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

As the white mist gradually dissipated, Zhou Yuan collapsed onto the ground, utterly exhausted.

He looked as if he had just been pulled out of the water; his clothes were soaked and smelled of sweat.

There was a pool of grayish-black stain on the ground, which was the impurities expelled from his body.

[Beast King's Golden Body, Fourth Level (120/10000)]

The content on the system panel has quietly changed.

The Beast King's Golden Body broke through to the fourth level, the Xuan Turtle Realm. His blood and qi were released outwards, forming a hard shell like a tortoise shell between his chest and abdomen, which could resist most attacks.

It can also mimic the breathing of a tortoise, holding one's breath for a long time, which strengthens the internal organs and blood circulation.

"Although I have not yet achieved the Blood Qi Transformation Realm, my physique and strength are already comparable to those of a True Qi Realm martial artist."

"Once my blood qi transforms into essence, the defensive power of the Xuan Turtle Realm will only become more astonishing. At that time, ordinary True Essence Realm cultivators won't be able to harm me in the slightest."

Feeling the changes in his body, Zhou Yuan was overjoyed.

It was worth it for him to prioritize spending his free points on the Beast King's Golden Body.

After the Beast King's Golden Body broke through to the fourth level, his defensive power had reached an incredible level.

Within Gaoshan County, almost no force could threaten his life.

Even the Divine Arm Crossbow might not be able to penetrate his defenses if it were too far away.

"Although my realm hasn't changed, my current strength has almost reached its limit. This is a bit troublesome, and it's time to deal with it."

An hour later, Zhou Yuan gradually recovered. He drew water from the well and washed himself clean, a sharp glint flashing deep in his eyes.

Martial Arts Alliance Hall.

-

Although it was late at night, the place was still brightly lit and bustling with people.

Wang Linglong sat in the study, with more than a dozen people standing below her.

These people, if they were outside, would be big shots whose mere stomp of their feet would shake Gaoshan County for days.

But in front of Wang Linglong, they all stood there like elementary school students, hands clasped in fear.

Wang Linglong multitasked, flipping through the account books while issuing orders, managing to do both without neglecting either task.

The heads of those powerful families and the managers of those merchant guilds all received the order and left.

Wang Linglong closed the ledger just as the last person left.

"After all, it's just a small county town."

She said listlessly, "After using so many methods, the monthly surplus is only five thousand taels of silver more."

If it weren't for that legendary weapon, why would I bother to go through all this trouble?

However, Zhou Yuan is indeed a talented individual. Despite his inferior aptitude, he managed to break through the barrier four times.

That's not all; the main problem is his cunning and scheming.

He's meticulous in his work and ruthless, exactly the kind of person the organization needs. Although he lacks potential, he's more than capable of being the leader of the sect.

Wang Linglong thought to herself, "I've been so busy sorting out the trivial matters in Gaoshan County these past few days, it's time to let Zhou Yuan meet up with the brothers outside the city."

Those brothers outside the city harbor a deep resentment towards the city guards. It'll be a good time to see if Zhou Yuan can keep them in check.

Thinking to herself, Wang Linglong leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes and pretended to doze off, her mind still scheming about countless things.

suddenly.

The candlelight flickered violently, then went out with a "poof".