Golden Snake Molting

After Third Senior Brother Yan Jun left, Su Ti considered his words carefully.

"Master, will this cause you trouble?"

Long Yuanzheng chuckled, his meaning clear.

"Su Ti, are you someone who fears trouble?"

"No."

Even Su Ti himself would not have believed that. If he feared trouble, would he have killed Li Mingyuan?

"Then listen well. Your master is not someone who fears trouble either. Since I have taken you as my disciple, your affairs are my affairs. If you cause trouble, then as your master, I'll shoulder it for you."

Long Yuanzheng spoke openly. Although Su Ti had killed someone before taking him as his master, then caused trouble for him to handle as soon as he entered the school, Long Yuanzheng was not angry.

What did it matter if a martial artist killed one or two people?

If this were ancient times, what kind of martial arts could someone practice if they did not even dare kill?

After all, the body was trained, while superiority was fought for!

Besides, kung fu was a killing art. Under ordinary circumstances, it strengthened the body, but when faced with injustice and bullying, one also had to step forward and fight violence with violence!

The saying, "When an ordinary man flies into a rage, blood splatters five paces away," meant exactly that.

Unfortunately, after entering modern society and the age of law, there were fewer and fewer people like that. There were fewer capable people, and fewer people who dared fight. Among those who could fight, most lacked martial virtue, using their power to bully others and oppress the weak with strength.

Therefore, not only was Long Yuanzheng not angry that Su Ti had killed someone, he instead admired Su Ti for daring to fight violence with courage, then having the wit to seek refuge afterward. He had both courage and brains. It was just a pity about his physique.

Long Yuanzheng shook his head and stopped thinking about it.

"Su Ti, you do not need to worry about that matter. Let's talk about something else.

"Since you have entered my Dragon Gate and become my Direct Disciple, and since you have mastered the Dragon Shape Five Forms, the basic entry-level foundation of our school, reaching the Tongli Stage, then according to the rules of the school, today I will teach you the next level of our sect's martial arts!"

When a master passed down martial arts, even Direct Disciples had to avoid the scene. That was the rule.

Therefore, Yao Juan silently withdrew.

Knowing that he would be able to learn the later techniques, Su Ti was extremely excited.

He had mastered the Dragon Shape Five Forms several days ago. He still had 480% energy in reserve, yet had no martial art to train, which had been making him miserable.

Now that Long Yuanzheng was going to teach him the subsequent technique, how could he not be excited? How could he not look forward to it?

"Su Ti, since you were not originally part of the Ancient Martial Arts world and have only recently come into contact with it, I must first teach you some basic knowledge before passing on the art."

Long Yuanzheng said.

"Just as modern martial arts are divided into ranks, professional, and amateur levels, our Ancient Martial Arts also have our own standards for judging skill!"

"First comes entry. Entry-level martial arts are the same among all major sects: they all teach Power Circulation Martial Arts."

"Power Circulation Martial Arts?"

"That's right. The Dragon Shape Five Forms you practice are the Power Circulation Martial Arts of our Dragon Gate."

Long Yuanzheng explained.

"Although the Power Circulation Martial Arts of different sects have different moves and methods due to each sect's characteristics, their final result is the same: power circulation."

"So-called power circulation means twisting together the force of all the bones, joints, and muscles in the entire body into a single strand, like links in an iron chain. One punch mobilizes the strength of the entire body. Upon reaching this realm, a person's explosive force and destructive power will increase unimaginably. That is what power circulation means."

"At the same time, during the process of learning Power Circulation Martial Arts, a martial artist's strength, speed, explosiveness, physique, and so on will all increase greatly as their power gradually becomes connected and integrated. Therefore, Power Circulation Martial Arts are the foundation of foundations, the bedrock of all Ancient Martial Arts, and the most important method of training."

"Only after learning Power Circulation Martial Arts and cultivating them to mastery can one truly be considered part of the profession and become an Ancient Martial Artist."

Su Ti suddenly understood.

So the Integrated Strength trait he had gained after mastering the Dragon Shape Five Forms was actually power circulation.

Long Yuanzheng continued.

"However, the Tongli Stage is only the beginning of Ancient Martial Arts. The next stage after the Tongli Stage is what we call the Inner Refinement Stage."

"The Inner Refinement Stage means exactly what it says. Since the Tongli Stage develops the strength of the muscles and bones, martial artists at the Inner Refinement Stage begin training their internal organs, strengthening the inside to fortify the outside and further enhancing their physique."

"Training the internal organs? How do you train them?"

Su Ti could not help asking.

"That is what I am going to teach you."

Long Yuanzheng looked deeply at Su Ti. Su Ti's physique was too poor. Although his comprehension was the best Long Yuanzheng had ever seen, Long Yuanzheng did not believe Su Ti could go very far in the Inner Refinement Stage.

"Our Dragon Gate's internal training method is called Golden Snake Molting. It takes the meaning of a snake shedding its skin to become a dragon. To train the internal organs, you first need a boxing form. Follow me."

Long Yuanzheng was straightforward by nature and did not waste words. He immediately began demonstrating the form.

Compared with the bizarre movements of the Dragon Shape Five Forms, this boxing form was much more conventional. Its movements somewhat resembled the long fist martial arts from Su Ti's previous life, every move simple and direct.

Long Yuanzheng also taught very carefully, breaking down every movement for Su Ti while explaining the force-generating techniques behind each one.

The boxing form of Golden Snake Molting was not difficult. With the foundation of the Dragon Shape Five Forms and Long Yuanzheng's guidance, Su Ti learned it quickly.

"Besides the boxing form, the most important thing is the breathing method. Come, Su Ti, I'll teach you. When I tell you to exhale, exhale. When I tell you to breathe out, breathe out."

Compared with the boxing form, the breathing method of Golden Snake Molting was the truly difficult part.

It involved many unnatural methods of breathing, such as deliberately holding one's breath and making the pores breathe.

Su Ti knew a little about how pores could breathe. A person's pores accounted for roughly one one-hundred-sixtieth of total respiration. The proportion was tiny, yet indispensable. As for actively breathing through his pores, Su Ti had no idea how to do it.

Now the function of the boxing form became apparent. Driven by that seemingly useless set of movements, Su Ti felt a chill spread through his entire body, while the pain of holding his breath began to lessen. It seemed that he had truly begun breathing through his pores.

After finishing the final set, he felt as though the inside of his body was burning hot, as if he had swallowed a mouthful of flame. When the form ended, he opened his mouth and exhaled, actually breathing out a visible plume of white heat.

At the same time, a new martial art appeared on his panel.

Golden Snake Molting (Entry 1%)+

"How do you feel now?" Long Yuanzheng asked.

Su Ti sensed his condition and answered.

"My chest and abdomen feel warm, like there's a furnace inside."

"Mm."

Long Yuanzheng nodded slightly. Su Ti had reached power circulation in less than seven days, so he was not surprised that Su Ti had learned Golden Snake Molting quickly. This was originally a very "simple" internal training method, but—

Precisely because it was "simple," this internal training method placed extremely high demands on physique and talent.

"Our Dragon Gate's Golden Snake Molting internal training method is considered top-tier even within the entire Ancient Martial Arts world."

"Those with high comprehension progress very quickly in this Ancient Martial Art. Each shedding of skin counts as one round of internal refinement, and with every shedding, the martial artist's physique is enhanced once."

A person cultivating Ancient Martial Arts could actually shed skin like a snake!

But Su Ti, having already seen all kinds of wonders in Ancient Martial Arts, was no longer surprised by such things.

Long Yuanzheng said.

"Your Eldest Senior Sister Yao Juan has practiced this technique for three years and has already shed her skin three times."

"Your Third Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother are a little worse. They have each shed twice."

Hearing this, Su Ti's heart stirred. Since every shedding greatly enhanced one's physique, what realm had Long Yuanzheng reached?

So he asked tentatively.

"Then what about you, Master?"

Faced with Su Ti's probing, Long Yuanzheng laughed heartily and answered with great ease.

"As your master, I have cultivated this technique and shed my skin a total of six times."

Six times? Su Ti mulled it over. Although he did not know how much each shedding increased one's attributes, judging from Yao Juan's physique and Long Yuanzheng's strength, it must have been considerable.

The moment he thought of that, he immediately had the urge to spend his energy and push Golden Snake Molting directly to mastery!

However, learning it one second and shedding his skin the next would be far too exaggerated. It was utterly beyond ordinary understanding, not something that could be explained by the word genius. So Su Ti certainly could not do it in front of Long Yuanzheng.

Long Yuanzheng added.

"Su Ti, besides the Power Circulation method, 'Dragon Shape Five Forms,' and the internal training method, 'Golden Snake Molting,' our Dragon Gate also has its own unique combat method afterward. That is the true art of life-and-death combat, a killing fist technique."

"However, I will not teach it to you until you complete your first shedding and officially enter the Inner Refinement Stage."

Long Yuanzheng explained.

"The reason I will not teach you now is not because your master is stingy or hiding his skills. Rather, the more advanced a sect is, the less likely it is to teach combat methods to disciples too early."

"First, we fear disciples will become eager to test their skills after learning them and seek people out to spar. Before their kung fu is fully developed, they may lose their lives prematurely."

"Second, combat methods damage the body and conflict with training methods. The more you fight, the more harm you suffer. Moreover, learning combat methods consumes energy in itself, and studying them too early hinders progress in training methods."

"Third, our Dragon Gate's combat method requires the support of one's training realm. The higher the realm, the greater its power. If your realm is insufficient, learning it is useless."

Long Yuanzheng had explained it so clearly that Su Ti naturally would not clamor to learn it. He bowed slightly.

"This disciple has learned much."

"Mm. If you have nothing to do these next few days, stay here. Later, I'll have someone prepare a room for you."

Seeing Su Ti's puzzled expression, Long Yuanzheng said.

"The matter of Li Mingyuan is far from over. His father, Li Zong, is the leader of the Death Fist Society, a gang that spans several surrounding cities. You killed his son. Even if he has no justification, he definitely will not let this go."

"But do not worry. With me here, he will never dare do anything to you or your family. I had your Second Senior Brother give him a call. He should send a formal notice in the next few days. Then we will personally pay him a visit and settle this matter completely."

"Master, I'm troubling you."

Although he had actively sought Long Yuanzheng's protection from disaster, Long Yuanzheng had supported him so completely. Su Ti's heart was not made of mud; naturally, he was grateful.

Long Yuanzheng said calmly.

"What trouble? You and I are master and disciple. Do not say such things in front of me again."

"Yes, Master."

Looking at the respectful Su Ti, Long Yuanzheng raised his head and sighed.

"Your master is old. If this had been back when I was young, there would have been no need to visit him in person. One phone call would have settled everything. Forget it. Train well here. I'm going upstairs to rest for a while."

As though recalling something, Long Yuanzheng's eyes carried a trace of sorrow. He waved his hand and walked into the villa.

Only after watching him leave did Su Ti assume his stance and begin practicing Golden Snake Molting.

Although Long Yuanzheng supported him, Su Ti was also a person of backbone. They might be master and disciple, and Long Yuanzheng might be willing to shoulder the burden for him, but that did not mean he could accept it with a clear conscience.

As he threw a punch, Su Ti recalled the name Long Yuanzheng had mentioned earlier, and killing intent flashed through his eyes.

"Death Fist Society. Li Zong."

Sooner or later, he would settle these humiliating matters himself!

Meanwhile, in Mingyuan City, neighboring Mingguang City, inside a luxurious villa.

A middle-aged to elderly man sat in the seat of honor. Both hands wore white boxing gloves, and a savage scar ran across his face.

Without displaying anger, he still inspired fear. His body carried the murderous aura of someone who had fought through countless battles.

If any major figure from the inner world were present, they would recognize him as Black Death Fist Li Zong, the man who had risen from nothing and built the Death Fist Society's vast foundation alone with his iron fists!

"Have you found the murderer who killed my son?!"

Upon hearing this, a middle-aged man waiting below began sweating profusely. His face turned pale as he forced himself to answer.

"Chairman, we're still investigating."

"Useless trash!"

Li Zong slapped the table, making the middle-aged man tremble.

Li Zong had a brutal temperament. No one knew how many people his iron fists had beaten to death. Although he had restrained himself these past few years, no one doubted whether he might smash someone's head apart when angered.

Even the middle-aged man, Li Zong's trusted confidant, could not be certain of that. Though he held a high position, he was merely someone dispensable, someone who could be replaced at any time.

As long as Li Zong remained, the Death Fist Society would remain the Death Fist Society.

Just then, the phone rang.

The middle-aged man answered it as though it were a lifeline. After listening for several moments, delight appeared on his face as he said to Li Zong.

"Chairman, there's news. Although it isn't one hundred percent certain, there's over an eighty percent chance it's him!"