Golden Body Technique

After the Yan Family's destruction and the Righteous Gang taking power, the situation in Obsidian City quickly stabilized.

Li Qing, now a martial arts guest elder for the Righteous Gang, didn't involve himself in the gang's affairs, instead dedicating himself solely to the path of martial arts.

The Yan Family's former armory naturally became the property of the Righteous Gang, with many of the martial arts manuals stored within gathering thick layers of dust.

As one of the primary contributors to the Yan Family's downfall, Li Qing was granted access to this armory, with the freedom to choose any martial arts inheritances within.

Few of the martial arts inheritances in the armory were recorded in written form. Most were patterns imprinted by the martial arts powerhouses who created them, their martial intent and will fused together.

This method of inheritance made the initial stages of learning quite difficult, as the true meaning embedded within the martial arts was obscure for beginners.

However, once one reached the later stages, progress would accelerate. Observing the patterns of martial intent daily was almost as effective as having a master personally teach and guide them.

Li Qing entered the Yan Family's former armory. Many martial arts manuals lay scattered on the floor, and judging by the dust on the shelves, these items hadn't been touched in a long time.

"I'm currently practicing four martial arts. If I get greedy and try to learn more, I won't be able to keep up. However, I can still browse these Yan Family collections to broaden my horizons. If I find any martial arts that are particularly suitable, I might consider learning them."

As he spoke, Li Qing picked up an old scroll made of beast hide. He brushed off the dust and then unrolled it.

On it was a pattern of a palm. Just by observing it, Li Qing could feel the martial intent emanating from it.

"Stone Shattering Palm. Once mastered, one can shatter stubborn rocks with bare hands."

From its name, it was clearly a palm technique. The description of its power was also impressive, but Li Qing wasn't particularly interested.

With the four martial arts he was currently practicing, learning another palm technique wouldn't significantly improve his strength. So, he only glanced at it briefly before putting it back.

Afterward, Li Qing quickly flipped through the martial arts in the armory.

"Taiyi Sword Scripture," "Eight Desolations Fist," "Black Tiger Saber Technique," "Thunderous Finger."

It had to be said, the Yan Family's collection of martial arts was quite formidable. Many of them were high-level martial arts, which made Li Qing's heart flutter, even making him consider abandoning his current practices to switch to these superior techniques.

But the thought only arose before being dismissed. High-level martial arts were tempting, but they also demanded considerable comprehension and talent.

Take the "Taiyi Sword Scripture," for example. Its sword techniques were incredibly complex. For someone like Li Qing, who had barely touched a sword his entire life, it would be very difficult to even begin learning.

Compared to the flashy sword techniques, the straightforward and powerful hammer techniques were more suited to him. That's why many of his current martial arts focused on brute force.

After a quick browse, Li Qing sighed slightly, put down the martial arts manual he was holding, and prepared to leave.

But then, he noticed a half-unrolled, dark golden scroll at the bottom of a shelf, propping it up.

At first, Li Qing thought it was a piece of gold, which would be quite valuable in Feng Kingdom.

Only after he took out the dark golden scroll did he clearly see the text and information on it. It was actually a martial art recorded using written characters.

"Golden Body Technique!"

"I didn't expect the Yan Family to actually use a martial arts inheritance as a table leg. Just how looked down upon must this technique be?" Li Qing chuckled in amusement, then curiously began to read the textual information.

However, the very first sentence made Li Qing's expression change.

"Once this technique is mastered, one will be impervious to blades and spears, and sharp weapons will find it difficult to wound the body. The entire body will be like cast gold and forged iron."

The opening description was quite alluring. Li Qing was still puzzled: such a powerful martial art, why would the Yan Family look down on it and use it as a makeshift support?

After reading the rest of the content, Li Qing couldn't help but let out a wry smile.

This "Golden Body Technique" was incredibly difficult to master, exaggeratedly divided into seven layers!

Generally, martial arts were divided into three layers, corresponding to Outer Strength experts, Internal Energy experts, and Transforming Energy Grandmasters!

But in this "Golden Body Technique," the first layer was merely entry-level, the third layer was considered minor completion, and only the sixth layer represented the great completion stage. The seventh layer hadn't even been mastered by the founder of the technique himself, due to insufficient Lifespan!

Yes, insufficient Lifespan.

Because practicing this technique was extremely time-consuming, taking three years for entry-level and another ten years to reach minor completion.

As for great completion, it required thirty years. Li Qing strongly suspected that only the founder of this martial art had ever succeeded in practicing it to that level.

Furthermore, the scroll of "Golden Body Technique" had a special annotation at the end, which was likely the reason the Yan Family had completely abandoned this martial art.

"Note: This martial art can only be practiced after the age of sixteen. Otherwise, the bones and body will become fixed and will never grow any further!"

Seeing this sentence, Li Qing's mouth twitched involuntarily.

"This is a scam! You can only start practicing at sixteen, meaning you'll be nineteen by the time you enter. To reach great completion... fifty-nine years old!"

Reaching great completion of the Golden Body Technique at fifty-nine years old would indeed make one a formidable presence among Internal Energy experts. However, at that age, one's Blood Essence would be declining, and fighting others would put them at a significant disadvantage.

"No wonder the Yan Family used it as a table leg. It's just too impractical."

Li Qing grumbled for a while, but he still decided to take this technique.

This technique, which was as slow as a turtle, was ultimately quite suitable for him. It was rare for a technique to enhance the entire body.

As for time...

With over a hundred years left to live, Li Qing feared the passage of time the least. He didn't mind taking his time.

If he could truly master this technique, then below the Grandmaster level, very few people would be able to threaten his life.

Over the next few days, Li Qing began to pack his belongings.

He carefully packed the jade stones he had bought in the marketplace earlier, as well as some gold and silver he had confiscated from the Yan Family. He slung the packed items over his shoulder and found Tian Long.

"Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader, as you know, I still can't forget about those two wine recipes. Therefore, I plan to embark on a long journey for a while. I'm not sure when I'll return," Li Qing said, cupping his fists.

Tian Long, who had been incredibly busy these past few days, suddenly froze. He quickly said, "Brother Li Qing, you've been living quite well in Obsidian City. Why are you leaving so suddenly? If you're looking for brewing ingredients, I can have the gang help you search. There's no need for you to leave yourself!"

After all, they had conquered the world together, and Tian Long was naturally reluctant to see Li Qing go.

Of course, the most crucial factor was the Guest Elder Mo Nan of the gang. He worried that after Li Qing left, he wouldn't be able to control the old man who practiced internal martial arts.

"Hahaha, esteemed Gang Leader, please don't try to persuade me further. I'm not leaving forever; I will return eventually," Li Qing said with a hearty laugh.

Tian Long sighed repeatedly. After thinking for a long time, he truly couldn't think of any conditions that would make Li Qing stay, especially since Li Qing didn't even care about the second-in-command position of the Righteous Gang.

"Since your mind is made up, I can't say much more," Tian Long said regretfully.

Li Qing smiled and continued, "However, before I leave, there's one more thing I need to trouble you with, Gang Leader."

"Just say it. As long as I can do it, I will spare no effort!" Tian Long declared, patting his chest earnestly.

"It's not a difficult matter. The family surnamed An, who lived opposite me on Zhengming Street, took good care of me before. I hope that after I leave, you can help look after this grandfather and granddaughter. It would be a way for me to repay that kindness."

Upon hearing Li Qing's words, Tian Long immediately thought of the old man and the young girl who had dared to stand in front of him and plead for Li Qing that day.

"Hahahaha, this is a trivial matter. Don't worry, as long as my Righteous Gang still exists, no one in Obsidian City will dare to bully them!" Tian Long readily agreed.

"Then Li Qing thanks you in advance, Gang Leader!" Li Qing said sincerely. Before turning to leave, he reminded him, "Gang Leader, before I go, I still want to offer a word of advice. Please don't blame me for being meddlesome."

"The Seven Kill Squad played an indispensable role in our destruction of the Yan Family. Now that the Righteous Gang is in power in Obsidian City, I hope you won't forget the origins of those people from the Seven Kill Squad!"

Having fought together, Li Qing didn't want Tian Long to repeat the mistakes of the Yan Family. He offered his sincere advice, hoping Tian Long would treat the people of Obsidian City well.

Hearing this, Tian Long understood Li Qing's meaning. He realized Li Qing truly considered him a brother, otherwise, he wouldn't have offered such advice.

Tian Long said solemnly, "Good brother, I will remember your words. I also rose from humble beginnings and understand the suffering of the common people better than anyone. Rest assured."

Only then did Li Qing nod and turn around.

"No need to see me off. Farewell!"

In front of the luxurious and imposing mansion, Li Qing, with his luggage packed, walked onto the dark street, his figure gradually receding under the blood-red moonlight.

Tian Long stood beneath the Righteous Gang's plaque, watching Li Qing's departing back intently.

After Li Qing was no longer visible, Tian Long roared in a deep voice, "Find a skilled painter and have my brother Li's likeness drawn and enshrined in the gang. Even if I'm no longer here, if Brother Li returns to the Righteous Gang, the entire gang will have to follow his lead!"

"Also, there's a family surnamed An on Zhengming Street. Bring that grandfather and granddaughter to the gang and treat them well from now on!"