Translator: AnubisTL
The return of the crippled Martial Artists from Tianliang Mountain caused a sensation within the martial alliance!
"Gao Han, what did you say? Tianliang Mountain has been destroyed?!"
Whoosh!
All eyes snapped towards the bald man, their gazes fixed on him as if he were a madman.
Tianliang Mountain had been annihilated by a single person!
In their eyes, only a madman would utter such words.
Gao Han sighed wryly at his colleagues' expressions, having anticipated this reaction.
"That's right. That's why I'm so eager to see the alliance leader and report this matter!"
At that moment, many began to doubt the truth of his words. After all, Gao Han's account was too vivid, and he and his fellow disciples had indeed returned.
"Could it be true? Tianliang Mountain has fallen?"
"Impossible! Though I'd love to see every last one of them wiped out, those two mountain leaders are no pushovers. Even the alliance leader might not be confident of a sure victory against them."
"Yeah, Gao Han, have you been locked up for so many days that you're hallucinating?!"
"..."
Gao Han remained unruffled. He knew the truth of the matter and only needed to report the situation accurately to the alliance leader.
With the threat of Tianliang Mountain gone, their time was no longer so critical. The alliance leader could send people to investigate and verify the claims later.
Soon, a high-ranking official within the martial alliance who held considerable influence spoke up: "Don't worry, this matter has already been reported to the alliance leader. He'll be here personally soon."
Indeed, they didn't have to wait long. Miao Xi, the alliance leader, rushed over almost immediately after hearing the news of Gao Han and the others' return.
"You're actually alive? Excellent, excellent!" Miao Xi's face lit up with relief upon seeing Gao Han and the others. "Ever since I learned you might have been captured by those bandits from Tianliang Mountain, I've been racking my brains day and night, trying to figure out how to rescue you."
"It's my incompetence that delayed this for so long. I've only just barely reached the ninth transformation of qi blood, yet I still lack the confidence to subdue Tianliang Mountain."
It must be said that Miao Xi's ability to secure the position of alliance leader and his mastery of human psychology had reached their peak.
He didn't immediately ask whether Tianliang Mountain had truly been destroyed. Such a direct approach would have seemed too self-serving and could have alienated his followers.
Instead, he first inquired about the injuries of the returning disciples. His genuine concern and heartfelt greetings left Gao Han and the others feeling utterly fulfilled, convinced that serving under such an alliance leader was the greatest fortune of their lives.
Completely devoted to Miao Xi, Gao Han and the others began to recount in detail their days as blood slaves at Tianliang Mountain.
When they heard that these disciples were subjected to periodic bloodletting, every member of the martial alliance clenched their fists, their eyes blazing with righteous indignation.
"Those bastards! They turned our martial alliance into a breeding ground for blood slaves!" someone roared, clearly consumed by rage.
Gao Han and the others continued their account, detailing their ordeal until they reached the news of Li Qing's arrival to destroy Tianliang Mountain. At that point, everyone present froze in stunned silence.
"That's right. Our benefactor piloted a magical boat and brought us to the outskirts of Giant Rock City."
The story was told with such conviction and sincerity that many were completely convinced.
"Is there really such a person as the new martial arts protector daoist?"
"If this is true, calling him the martial alliance's dao guardian wouldn't be an exaggeration."
"He resolved a massive crisis! Who could this person possibly be?"
Some turned their gaze toward Miao Xi, wondering if this sudden benefactor of the martial alliance might be an old acquaintance of Alliance Leader Miao.
Miao Xi, however, remained deeply furrowed in thought. He cautiously asked, "Are you certain he asked about the Green Gang?"
Gao Han, his head completely shaved, nodded. "Yes, I'm certain."
At these words, Miao Xi's heart began to race.
"Could it be him?"
Deep within his memory, a hazy figure surfaced.
He had almost forgotten the person entirely, having only met him once in his entire life.
If it weren't for his father and Master's constant praise of that person before their deaths, Miao Xi's mind would never have retained any memory of him.
"Do you know where that person is now? I think I know who it is!" Miao Xi asked seriously.
Hearing this question, Gao Han and the others couldn't help but force bitter smiles.
"Our benefactor comes and goes like a ghost. He vanished without a trace after escorting us to the city gates. But he's likely still in Giant Rock City."
Miao Xi made an immediate decision. "Have all our brothers mobilize immediately. Discreetly search for his whereabouts, but under no circumstances offend him. Treat him with the same respect you would show me!"
"Notify me the moment you find him, but do not disturb this Senior Li!"
"Gao Han, you and the others stay here. I'll go retrieve a portrait for you to confirm."
With these orders issued, the entire martial alliance sprang into action with remarkable efficiency and decisiveness.
Meanwhile, Li Qing remained completely unaware of the martial alliance's activity.
After returning to Giant Rock City, he unexpectedly found himself enjoying a rare moment of leisure and relaxation.
"Xiao Jing, focus on your stance. The moment you slacken, all your efforts will be wasted."
Li Qing leaned back against a stone chair, engrossed in the martial alliance's "Vital Energy Martial Dao Explained." He flipped through the pages with earnest concentration, occasionally offering guidance to the children practicing their stances behind him.
It wasn't that he was truly wasting time. The "Qi Blood Nine Revolutions" method did hold some value for him. He had been staying here these past few days to study it.
Although he hadn't obtained a Second-Tier body refinement secret technique, Li Qing believed that with this Cultivation Method, his Body Arts cultivation could reach a level comparable to a foundation establishment realm body cultivator.
As for the children who had been following him to practice martial arts, he was merely teaching them a few things out of a whim, as a way to repay the favor of receiving the secret manuals.
Xiao Jing, the seven- or eight-year-old girl Li Qing had called out, puffed out her cheeks and grumbled, "Uncle Li, you didn't even turn around to look at me. How did you know I was slacking off?"
"Once you reach a certain level in Martial Art cultivation, both your hearing and eyesight improve significantly. I can tell you're slacking off just by listening to the sounds of your feet."
Li Qing smiled in response, but his mind was already racing, considering how to use the Red Moon Secret Power as a catalyst for the qi blood nine revolutions.
There was no doubt that his current Vital Energy reserves were sufficient to attempt this step at any moment, allowing his Vital Energy to undergo a profound transformation.
His only concern was whether a misstep during the process might cause some of the Red Moon Secret Power to merge with his body, ultimately leading to a mutation!
Xiao Jing, a lively and energetic girl, refused to believe him. Standing still for her was more torturous than anything else.
Beside her, several other children were diligently practicing their stances, their forms impeccable. They gritted their teeth, enduring the strain with unwavering determination.
After a long while, Li Qing finally closed the book, rose from the stone chair, and turned to face the children.
"Alright, let's end today's stance practice here. You're still young, and your bones haven't fully formed. Prolonged standing isn't good for you."
"Next, I'll pass down a unique Martial Arts technique to each of you. If you master it, I guarantee you'll become peerless experts!"
Li Qing smiled gently. He couldn't explain why, but he found himself becoming increasingly patient with these children.
Perhaps it was simply that he had lived too long, and his mindset had mellowed considerably. He was no longer so driven by immediate results.
"Yay! I want to learn the Martial Art that lets you climb walls and roofs!" Xiao Jing bounced excitedly in front of Li Qing. Her delicate hands were tipped with sharp claws, her ears were slightly pointed and covered in soft fur, making her look like a little catgirl.
The other three children also displayed various mutations. They all stared at Li Qing with genuine anticipation, their eyes filled with eager expectation.
"Xiao Shan, I will teach you the Limitless Golden Body Martial Art. Once you master it, you will become invulnerable to blades and spears!" Li Qing said with a smile, looking at the little boy whose body was covered in scales.
And so, he divided his Limitless Art into four parts: External Martial Arts, Internal Secret Techniques, Unique Body Techniques, and Weapon Mastery. He taught all four to the children.
All four children possessed considerable talent for martial arts. Receiving Li Qing's Martial Arts Legacy at such a young age would undoubtedly lay an incredibly solid foundation for their future cultivation.
Following the path of vital energy martial dao would be exceptionally smooth for them, and with the aid of Red Moon Secret Power to stimulate their own Vital Energy, their future achievements were bound to be remarkable.
How far they could go and how high they could climb on the path of the Martial Dao would ultimately depend on their own good fortune.
With Li Qing's inheritance, the four children became even more diligent in their training. Even the most energetic and restless among them, Xiao Jing, stood diligently in stance practice.
However, this period of carefree leisure didn't last long. After about five or six days, the martial alliance, using its influence in Giant Rock City, finally tracked down Li Qing, who had been hiding in the bustling marketplace.
That day, a steady footstep echoed outside Li Qing's courtyard.
They've finally found me, have they?
Li Qing, reclining on a stone chair, narrowed his eyes, a nostalgic expression crossing his face.
His old friends had all passed away. He had witnessed the end of an era in Giant Rock City and personally witnessed the dawn of a new one.
"Junior Miao Xi requests an audience with Senior Li!"
A deep, resonant voice echoed from outside the courtyard.
In Li Qing's memory, Miao Xi had always been a stubborn, hot-headed youth. But now, his tone held a newfound steadiness and maturity.
"Come in, nephew. I never expected to see you again," Li Qing said matter-of-factly.
At the courtyard entrance, Miao Xi, whose arms were thicker than an average person's thighs, strode forward step by step.
The children practicing martial arts in the courtyard froze in astonishment at the sight of him. Their eyes widened, and their mouths gaped open as if they could swallow a fist.
They all recognized Miao Xi—the very same Commander and martial alliance leader of Giant Rock City!
Miao Xi's fame had spread far and wide. Even these seven- or eight-year-old children could identify him instantly, and he was an idol to many of them.
Yet this renowned figure showed such profound respect for Uncle Li, who taught them martial arts.
Even at their young age, they understood the significance of this.
(End of the Chapter)
📖Read [IR] ahead on Pa.treon@AnubisTL upto c382. [+2].
🎁All [2] Novels can be accessed for just $6/mo.
🔥Translated [1k+] Chapters and [2.17M+] Words.