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

"This is an attempt to seize power!"

Hearing the impassioned words behind him, Zhou An's dark eyes swept over the crimson campfire swaying in the evening breeze, a hint of relief in them.

This place is not a school.

The Seven Mysteries Sect is ultimately a gang that prioritizes martial prowess.

Even after leaving the training ground for new disciples, these sordid things still appeared before his eyes, just like in his previous life.

Zhou An was very fortunate.

I'm glad that even when I was a newcomer to the school, I always remained vigilant.

If he truly displayed extraordinary talent, he would likely not only become a target of the Black Tiger Gang's plots early on, but also a pawn in the power struggles within the Seven Mysteries Sect.

Just a moment ago they were being assassinated by the Black Tiger Gang, and now this has happened... It's even more outrageous than a story from a folk tale.

"Once this matter is settled, I must improve my cultivation as soon as possible."

Zhou An thought to himself as he strode toward his tent.

These days he gathers herbs during the day and cultivates at night, each cultivation session lasting less than two hours.

When divided among stance training, swordsmanship, and fist techniques, the amount is even more pitifully small.

Although after more than twenty days of accumulation, Zhou An's formidable talent had still managed to cultivate the Iron Stake Technique to the Great Perfection of the Copper Skin Realm, but this speed was still too slow.

If it were before, it wouldn't have been a big deal.

But now that this has happened, Zhou An feels a sense of urgency.

Having cultivated for less than three months, he could easily kill Cai Jun, who was also at the Skin Polishing Realm, with a single sword strike. Relying on the ferocity of his sword and saber energy, he could also kill Tian Shuang, who had just entered the Bone Forging Realm.

However, it is ultimately no match for a seasoned powerhouse like Huang Huayuan, who has cultivated for decades.

Above the elders, there is the sect leader.

Above Ningshan City, there are also the prefectural city and the capital city.

There are countless powerful figures in the world. A little fire... if there is an opportunity, one can kill; if not, it's fine to endure it for now.

"Since I have high talent and can cultivate my skills quickly, there's no need to be stubborn and fight for short-term gains."

When I'm strong enough to easily kill elders or even sect leaders, then I'll follow Han Tianzun's example and demand an explanation.

In this way, there's no need to worry about killing the young one only to have the old one appear, leading to an endless cycle.

Thinking of Cai Jun's previous arrogance and unreasonable behavior, and Elder Gong Jiang, who was like a smiling tiger, Zhou An slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air.

When navigating the world, one must ultimately consider background and influence.

Cai Jun was willing to be Elder Gong Jiang's dog, but why would Zhou An be a dog?

Now that the Black Tiger Gang has come to our doorstep, if we lose our autonomy, we might die an unexplained death.

"Junior Brother Zhou."

About the time it takes to brew a cup of tea has passed. As Zhou An was practicing his Iron Pole Kung Fu while pondering how to maintain his autonomy while striving for greater benefits, a familiar voice rang out.

Looking up, the person who came was none other than Sun Heng.

Unlike his previous high spirits, Sun Heng now showed obvious signs of fatigue, but when he looked at me, he still had a gentle smile on his face.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Sun."

Zhou An cupped his hands in greeting, his eyes filled with respect.

"Senior brother, are you here because of Senior Brother Cai?"

"Um."

Sun Heng nodded and said solemnly.

"I've already heard about what happened from Master Mo. Junior Brother Cai did go a bit too far earlier."

However, junior brother, there's no need to worry. Master Mo is still in charge of the Cloud Mist Garrison, and you'll receive all the rewards you're due.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Sun."

Zhou An looked grateful.

"You performed a meritorious service by covering the rear and protecting most of the disciples and herb gatherers from escaping. According to the rules of the Seven Mysteries Sect, you can be awarded 50 contribution points."

"Your senior brother is giving you two choices: one is to exchange it for five doses of Blood-Replenishing Powder after we return to the camp, and the other is to exchange it for 50 taels of silver."

"Could you please replace all of them with blood-nourishing powder for me, senior brother?"

Zhou An thought for a moment and then spoke.

"To be honest, senior brother, I barely touched the threshold of Dark Force this time I escaped from the jaws of death. Perhaps it won't be long before I can comprehend the power of Dark Force and thus step into the Skin Polishing Realm, the second stage of martial arts."

Is this really true?

Upon hearing this, Sun Heng's eyes lit up.

"really."

Seeing Sun Heng's delighted expression, Zhou An felt apologetic in his heart, after all, his internal energy was almost flowing through his entire body.

However, on the surface, he said it with a look of relief.

"To my shame, Elder Huang taught us Iron Stake Kung Fu when we were stationed at Yunxia, ​​and he even let us experience it firsthand."

But it wasn't until the moment of life and death that the junior brother barely managed to grasp something.

"The Ming Jin trains the blood, the An Jin polishes the skin, and the Hua Jin forges the bones and washes the marrow. The internal organs are transformed and the blood is replaced like a paste. Only in this way can there be a chance to gather the acquired internal strength by embracing the Dan with the Jin."

My junior brother has already reached the threshold of internal strength in just three months of cultivation, which makes him a genius.

This speed is only a month slower than that of Senior Brother Mo Kai, who is now recognized as the number one genius in the sect.

"Since you've reached a crucial moment in your cultivation, junior brother, don't exchange for the Blood-Replenishing Powder. Just exchange it for 50 taels of silver."

Sun Heng paced back and forth, striking the ground with his fist as he spoke.

"The exchange of contribution points is fixed, but it is much more flexible to buy with silver."

If you trust me, junior brother, I'll bring you six doses of blood-replenishing powder after we return to the camp, how about that?

"Junior brother can certainly trust senior brother."

Zhou An looked grateful.

Compared to Senior Brother Sun, the one surnamed Cai, who is also a fellow senior student, is simply inhuman.

only......

Mo Kai, the number one genius of the Seven Mysteries Sect.

He reached the threshold of Dark Force in just two months... I wonder if this Senior Brother Mo Kai is on the Black Tiger Gang's list, and how strong he is now.

"What are your plans now that you've mastered the hidden strength, Junior Brother?"

Seeing that Zhou An had entrusted him with the entire matter of the reward, Sun Heng's smile widened.

"Does Senior Brother hope that Junior Brother will work at Yunxia's base someday? But..."

Zhou An tentatively asked.

"I'm afraid I've offended Senior Brother Cai and Elder Gong Jiang today. If they come, it might have quite a impact."

"What's there to be afraid of...?"

Sun Heng was about to speak, but meeting Zhou An's gaze, he ultimately did not utter these words. Instead, his expression became visibly serious.

"Junior brother's concerns are valid. Even if you were to master the Dark Force by chance, it might not be as easy as it used to be."

The Black Tiger Gang's attack was extremely suspicious, and he and Mo Shenggu both felt that there might be a problem within the sect.

Although Elder Gong and his disciples came to the rescue in time, their real purpose was to take control of the Yunxia settlement.

Despite having the formidable Black Tiger Gang as a major enemy, the elders within the sect...

Sun Heng felt a headache whenever he thought about the open and covert struggles between the different factions.

"If you have any questions about cultivation in the future, junior brother, you can ask me privately."

"Thank you for your trouble, senior brother."

Zhou An cupped his hands in greeting and watched Sun Heng's departing figure, letting out a helpless sigh in his heart.

"It seems that the internal struggles within the Seven Mysteries Sect are more intense than I imagined, even making Senior Brother Sun, the successor of the garrison, hesitate when trying to win me over."

.......