In the world of martial arts, grind your skill level to become a saint.

The specific distribution of forces is roughly as follows: the three gangs are mainly located in the outer city area, while the two factions are located in the Yanshan Mountains outside the city.

As for the alliance and the fortress, the Martial Arts Alliance controls the entire inner city of Yanshan City, and its various industries are spread throughout the city.

Zhangjiabao is an independent earthen fortress outside the city, self-contained and not subject to the jurisdiction or constraints of any power, including government offices.

It is said that Zhang Tong, the fortress owner of Zhangjiabao, was originally the second best martial artist in Yanshan City. However, he was suppressed by the Martial Arts Alliance and had disagreements with the government, so he left the inner city area and built a fortress outside the city to establish himself.

Because of Zhang Tong's formidable strength, the government did not dare to interfere too much with his construction of the fortress.

Zhangjiabao, located outside Yanshan City, is a rather unique place, somewhat like an outer city.

Zhou Zhengtang's Zhou Family Pharmacy had extensive information channels because of its medicinal herb business, which involved transactions with gangs in these outer districts.

"However, it is too early for us to consider these things now. Even the most talented person will need at least a few years to break through the Bone Forging stage. For example, Zhang Xuantong, the young master of Zhangjiabao, was exceptionally talented from a young age. He was a genius that Yanshan City had only seen once in a hundred years. But even so, he did not truly break through the Bone Forging stage until he was twenty-five years old, and truly joined the ranks of the top experts in Yanshan City."

Zhou Zhengtang said with some emotion, "For people like us who have difficulty breaking through to the third level of the Copper Skin, if we want to forge our bones, it will probably be after we are forty or fifty years old, or we may never be able to break through. After the age of thirty, our blood and qi decline, and it is difficult to make any further progress. Generally speaking, the path of martial arts has come to an end at this point."

Su Hao nodded silently upon hearing this.

The path of martial arts has always been one where only those with talent can reach the end.

Many things don't necessarily yield good results just because you try hard.

If everyone can achieve success through hard work, then what is the point of having talent?

However, these limitations only apply to ordinary people.

For Su Hao, who has a proficiency panel, as long as he works hard, he will definitely get good results!

"No wonder Senior Brother Zhou went on a blind date the other day; it seems you've already seen through all this..."

Su Hao looked at Zhou Zhengtang and said somewhat seriously.

This week, Zheng Tang is only a few years older than him, but he had already prepared for an engagement some time ago.

It seems he has realized that his talent for martial arts is limited, so he might as well settle down and start a family as soon as possible to inherit his family's substantial wealth.

"Hey! You know what, that's really what I thought!"

Zhou Zhengtang smiled upon hearing this, "Anyway, we're not exactly geniuses. Learning a move or two to protect ourselves is enough. There's no need to pursue the ultimate martial arts and end up exhausting ourselves. It's actually a good thing to figure out early on whether you're cut out for it!"

Su Hao neither objected to nor agreed with Zhou Zhengtang's words, but simply nodded silently.

Everyone has their own choices. Some people prefer a peaceful and ordinary life, while others prefer excitement and adventure. This is all normal.

After chatting for a while, Zhou Zhengtang mentioned to Su Hao the so-called martial arts discussion they had been holding.

As for why Zhou Zhengtang brought this up with Su Hao, it was because Zhou Zhengtang also wanted Su Hao to join in the learning, since it was taught by several top-tier experts from different families.

Moreover, Zhou Zhengtang had also told several people in the group that each person could take on disciples who were not from the group.

Zhou Zhengtang immediately decided to select Su Hao to join the team.

Su Hao was initially somewhat interested, but when he heard Zhou Zhengtang say that he would have to go through an assessment, he lost interest.

Moreover, his background was not on the same level as Zhou Zhengtang and others, nor were they from the same circle.

Thinking about all this, he felt it was even more inappropriate for him to go.

"Are you sure you don't want to go? This is a great opportunity! Hands-on instruction from a three-blood martial artist is a rare chance! And their assessment shouldn't be too difficult, otherwise they wouldn't have agreed to let disciples at the Stone Skin level join."

When Zhou Zhengtang saw that Su Hao refused, he also tried to persuade him.

Because of his previous blind date, he wasn't very clear about the specifics of the martial arts competition assessment.

When he returned and heard about this, he asked several people for their opinions, and they all agreed that he could bring one disciple to participate.

He didn't want Su Hao to miss this opportunity either.

"No, thank you, Brother Zhou, but I prefer to think things through on my own, so I won't trouble you."

Su Hao still refused.

Although he had never been in contact with Zhou Zhengtang and his group, he could tell from the way they looked at ordinary disciples that ordinary people were probably what they thought of them.

Su Hao has no one to ask for help from now, nor does he want to contact anyone, lest he humiliate himself.

Sometimes, when relationships are unequal, it is very difficult to get along peacefully.

"Hey! You're so stubborn!"

Zhou Zhengtang was quite helpless. Knowing he couldn't persuade him, he didn't force the issue and shook his head, saying, "Then let's talk about it when you're ready to go. You'll understand the benefits of this martial arts tournament once you reach the Iron Skin level..."

Su Hao thanked him again.

Then, Zhou Zhengtang also got up, preparing to go back, but suddenly remembered something and turned to Su Hao, saying:

"Oh, by the way, in a few days the family guard team might be going to a medicinal herb gathering area outside Yanshan City to escort a batch of herbs. Would it be convenient for you to come? If not, I'll arrange for someone else."

"Are you transporting medicinal herbs?"

Su Hao was taken aback upon hearing this.

He's been with the Zhou family's guard team for about half a month now. Although you received a one-time benefit, you haven't contributed a single bit of effort.

This was naturally due to Zhou Zhengtang's help; otherwise, given the Zhou family's busy medicinal herb business, how could they not have a delivery mission for half a month?

"Sure, Zhou, you can arrange it as you see fit. Let me know when you've confirmed the time."

Su Hao nodded in agreement.

He wasn't the type to take a bribe and then leave without doing anything in return, and he also wanted to see for himself the situation outside Yanshan City.

"Okay! I'll let you know again tomorrow."

Zhou Zhengtang nodded and then left the training ground.

As Su Hao watched Zhou Zhengtang's departing figure, he was lost in thought.

I had heard that there was turmoil and chaos outside the city, with refugees and bandits causing trouble. Now that I was actually going to leave the city, I felt a little uneasy.

"It seems I need to prepare some things to take out of the city, just in case..."

Su Hao made up his mind.

He stopped thinking about it and got up to continue practicing martial arts.

……

Under the shade of a tree at the far end of the training ground.

As soon as Zhou Zhengtang returned to his seat, he saw that the small group of only a few people in the distance had now grown to several more.

Zhou Zhengtang recognized all of these people; they were all disciples of the Shipi level from the Yueshan Boxing School.

However, they were standing behind Junior Brother Mu Bai, listening to what he was saying.

"Junior Brother Zhou is back? Didn't you say you were bringing Su Hao along?"

At that moment, a deep voice rang out from behind.