John Bennett had obtained this innate technique, which was a branch of the Daoist sect from ancient times—a legacy cultivation method of the Quanzhen Dao. It cultivated innate true qi, warded off all diseases, regulated deficiency and excess, nourished the foundation, and allowed true qi to flow endlessly.

Daoist techniques placed the greatest emphasis on foundation, and were also the most balanced and harmonious. Although at first glance this innate technique didn’t seem particularly special, in the original storyline’s evaluation of techniques, it was actually rated as a fourth-turn method.

Just as people have strengths and weaknesses, so do techniques. Although the strength of a technique is related to the person cultivating it—some with extraordinary talent can dominate the martial world even with low-level techniques—such people are rare. Therefore, techniques in the martial world are generally divided into several grades.

Normally, there are nine turns for techniques, with the first turn being the lowest and the ninth the highest.

Techniques of the first three turns can basically serve as the core inheritance of a small sect. Ordinary martial artists only practice basic fighting skills, which don’t even qualify as first-turn techniques.

Techniques of the middle three turns are considered treasures throughout the martial world; obtaining one could allow someone to establish a sect.

As for the last three turns, these techniques are basically held by the major sects of the martial world, and are rarely in the hands of individuals.

Above the nine turns, there are two more levels. One is the Supreme Technique—obtaining it allows one to dominate the martial world and become the supreme martial leader.

The other is the Peerless Technique, as the name suggests, unrivaled in its time and unique in the world—a legendary existence.

Besides these levels, there are also some unique techniques in the martial world that can’t be measured by grade. Some people become strong with them, while others remain weak; some have strange effects that can’t be judged by power alone.

This innate technique was rated as a fourth-turn method by later generations, suitable for founding a sect, and naturally for good reason.

The Daoist technique’s characteristic of nourishing the foundation was brought to the extreme by the innate technique. Ordinary martial artists need to lay a solid foundation from a young age—the older they get, the slower their progress. But the innate technique is different; it can quickly temper the body of a martial artist, allowing one to rebuild their foundation regardless of age.

In the original storyline, James Thompson obtained the innate technique, but he was already quite old and had missed the best age for martial arts. It was precisely because of the innate technique that he could rebuild his foundation, advancing by leaps and bounds, and even surpassing the foundation of those family disciples who had trained since childhood.

At present, John Bennett’s situation was similar to James Thompson’s back then. Although he was from the Chu family, he actually had no one to teach him as a child, and had almost no foundation-building elixirs, so his foundation was extremely poor.

But now, with this innate technique, John Bennett could make up for this shortcoming, and even start his martial path at a higher level than his peers.

Looking at the remaining secret casket in front of him, John Bennett opened it as well, unexpectedly discovering another technique. This technique hadn’t appeared in the original storyline—or perhaps it had, but John Bennett didn’t know about it.

This technique wasn’t an internal skill, but a strange saber technique called “Azure Dragon in the Sleeve.”

John Bennett was just a beginner in martial arts. Aside from those famous techniques from the original storyline, he couldn’t judge the quality of other techniques even if they were placed before him. However, from his current perspective, this Azure Dragon in the Sleeve was much better than the Chu family’s inherited first-turn saber techniques—at the very least, it should be a second-turn technique.

The Azure Dragon in the Sleeve saber technique emphasized the art of concealing the blade—the blade was hidden in the sleeve, the intent hidden within the body. When the blade was drawn, it was like an azure dragon emerging from the sea, its power immeasurable.

The blade was the azure dragon, and the sleeve was the vast sea hiding the dragon. The entire technique was extremely simple, with its essence being that one supreme strike when the azure dragon burst forth from the sea.

The Chu family’s main internal skill was the Vast Sea Heart Method. As for other martial techniques, none were particularly strong—they were all ordinary martial skills: fist, palm, saber, spear, staff, and so on, with the choice depending entirely on personal preference.

Although John Bennett couldn’t gauge the depth of this Azure Dragon in the Sleeve, it was certainly much better than the Chu family’s crude saber techniques.

Just as John Bennett was opening the secret casket, James Thompson, unwilling to let John Bennett snatch the goods, also went to another inn in Yuanbao Town to seek backing.

Chapter 3: Even When Given a Chance, You’re Useless!

The Li family was one of the three great families of Tongzhou Prefecture, with a vast business and wealth. Every year, several trade caravans would come and go, bringing along many martial artists to guard against bandits.

This time, they dared to take the remote path through Yuanbao Town precisely because they had many people and didn’t fear the bandits, who were mostly just a disorderly mob.

Although James Thompson was a servant of the Li family, he was favored by the third young master and transferred into the caravan. While not a manager, he was at least a minor leader.

At this moment, in another inn in Yuanbao Town, James Thompson walked up to the door of an upper room. Hearing the sounds of merriment inside, he knocked. A lazy voice called out, “Come in.”

Pushing open the door, he saw a man in his thirties wearing a brocade robe, holding a heavily made-up, flirtatious-looking woman in his arms and joking with her. There were some dishes and wine on the table, and two other caravan managers were also present, each accompanied by a woman of average appearance.