For John Bennett right now, his talent can only be described as average. As for his comprehension, that's still unknown. As for opportunities, John Bennett actually knows quite a few, but without strength, he can't seize them.

So at present, John Bennett can only work hard on his perseverance.

Thomas Brooks went to prepare the wooden stakes. Seeing that it was getting dark, he also had someone bring over dinner.

Although this Thomas Brooks's abilities are average, he is diligent in his work and quite meticulous.

Back in his own room, John Bennett took out all the pills he had received from the pharmacy. Among them, he got two packs of Qi Supplement Powder per month, which should be twenty-four packs a year, but the head steward at the pharmacy gave him thirty packs.

There were also Blood Coagulation Pills—three per year, but there were ten pills in this bottle, and all of them were of top quality.

The Qi Supplement Powder is relatively simple to make; it's just a matter of grinding certain herbs together in specific proportions. It can replenish Qi and strengthen the body, assisting in cultivation. However, a few of the ingredients are quite rare—even in Tongzhou Prefecture, you can't buy them.

As for the Blood Coagulation Pill, as the name suggests, it's used to help martial artists refine their internal Qi and blood, and to break through to the Blood Coagulation Realm. It requires a specialized alchemist to make, the process is complex, and there's a chance of failure. Even the Chu family only dares to make one batch per month.

He took out a pack of Qi Supplement Powder, mixed it with water, and swallowed it. Soon, John Bennett felt a warm current rising within his body, and he quickly began to circulate his Xiantian Technique, refining the medicinal power.

Chapter 10: Those Who Disobey Are All Dead!

Daoist techniques place the greatest emphasis on foundation, and although the Xiantian Technique, a secret classic of the Quanzhen lineage, doesn't have any combat moves, it can make John Bennett's foundation incomparably solid, even making up for the foundation he failed to build properly as a child.

The extraordinary meridians flow on their own, and all eight channels are connected.

The faint trace of true Qi from the Xiantian Technique coursed through John Bennett's meridians. High-level stuff really is different—John Bennett could clearly feel the true Qi moving and growing within him, tempering his body.

When John Bennett used to practice the Chu family's Vast Sea Heart Method, he basically felt nothing; the true Qi was just a faint warmth, very vague.

After cultivating all night, John Bennett sat cross-legged on his bed and fell asleep. When he woke up the next day, he didn't feel the slightest discomfort.

"Daoist techniques are upright and balanced. The more you practice, the more energetic you become. In this respect, they're far superior to other techniques."

John Bennett pushed open the door. There were already more than a dozen thick wooden stakes standing in the courtyard. Last night, Thomas Brooks had brought people to set them up.

He picked up his personal short blade and flicked it. The blade, radiating a sharp aura, let out a soft hum.

Martial arts have ranks, and so do weapons.

In the martial world, weapons are classified much like techniques, roughly divided into nine tiers.

The first three tiers are Mortal Weapons, the middle three are Treasure Weapons, and the last three are Divine Weapons. Above Divine Weapons are the legendary Peerless Divine Weapons.

Ordinary martial artists wield common Mortal Weapons, forged by regular blacksmiths. Only weapons personally crafted by renowned weapon forgers or swordsmiths in the martial world are considered Treasure Weapons, each with its own name.

The short blade in John Bennett's hand was forged from refined ore produced in the Chu family's Nanshan mining area. Its grade should be around the second tier, making it one of the sharper types among ordinary weapons.

Hiding the blade in his sleeve, John Bennett practiced the Sleeve-Hidden Azure Dragon technique, slashing again and again without using any true Qi.

No matter how simple or ordinary a move is, if you persistently practice it a hundred times, a thousand times, ten thousand times, or even a hundred thousand times, it will become extraordinary. Not to mention that Sleeve-Hidden Azure Dragon is already a fast blade technique that's far from simple. As John Bennett practiced, he also visualized the scene of the azure dragon emerging from the sea in his mind.

Right now, his blade only has form, not intent. Only when John Bennett can slash with blade intent will his Sleeve-Hidden Azure Dragon truly reach mastery.

John Bennett spent the entire day practicing his blade. He didn't know how many times he had slashed; whenever his arm could no longer bear it, he would cultivate the Xiantian Technique to restore his energy, then continue practicing.

Currently, John Bennett has no talent, his comprehension is unknown, and he can't seize opportunities. All he can do is work on his perseverance.

In the evening, Thomas Brooks came to bring John Bennett his meal. He hesitated for a moment and said, "Young master, I heard some news. Didn't the family head put you in charge of the caravan to Yan State? But all the stewards and leaders in that caravan are people of the Second Madam. They say that when the caravan returns, they're going to give you a hard time."

John Bennett raised his eyebrows. "They just spread this news so openly?"

Thomas Brooks said, "Not exactly openly. The news came from one of the Second Madam's maids, and that maid is also the Third Young Master's concubine."

A cold smile appeared on John Bennett's face. This mother and son really don't take him seriously. Maybe in their plan, even if he knows those stewards and leaders are their people, there's nothing he can do about it.

Unfortunately, this pair has underestimated how ruthless John Bennett can be. Those who don't obey are no different from the dead!

"Thomas Brooks, come with me out of the city tomorrow morning. We're going to Shangmang Mountain to find that bandit leader Ma Kuo you hired last time," John Bennett said.