Outside Obsidian City, a figure and a tiger swiftly vanished into the distance, exuding an air of elegance and ease.
After a long while, Tian Long and the others slowly regained their senses, digesting everything they had just witnessed.
What had they seen? It was simply too exaggerated!
Zhao Kou, who had stepped into the realm of external strength cultivators, was like a child before Li Qing, utterly incapable of withstanding a single blow.
In fact, many people hadn’t even seen how Li Qing made his move; Zhao Kou's long knife was knocked from his hand, spinning rapidly in the air, tracing a perfect parabolic arc.
"Could this be internal strength?" Zhao Kou sat slumped on the ground, his face filled with disbelief and shock.
Beside him, half of the long knife was embedded in the ground, lodged in securely.
"Zhao Kou, what on earth happened? How did you lose so quickly?"
Someone nearby asked, unable to contain their curiosity.
Zhao Kou shook his head and replied, "I don’t know, it was too fast. In that instant, a tremendous force surged from the hilt, one that I simply couldn’t resist, and the weapon flew from my grasp."
As he spoke, he pulled the knife from the ground and examined the blade. The next moment, he gasped sharply.
"Hiss!"
On one side of the blade, there was an incredibly clear fingerprint, which protruded sharply on the other side.
It was important to note that this was definitely not Li Qing's full strength, as he had been so casual about it, as if it were as easy as eating or drinking.
Zhao Kou gazed intently in the direction Li Qing had departed, a surge of impulse rising within him, wanting to chase after him and become his disciple.
Unfortunately, Li Qing had already disappeared, no longer in sight.
At that moment, Tian Long stepped forward, having also seen the mark left on the blade, and couldn’t help but burst into laughter:
"Hahaha, my brother Li truly possesses remarkable talent in martial arts. No wonder he is so devoted to the path of martial arts."
"Perhaps it is precisely because of this mindset that he can achieve such accomplishments in martial arts."
"Truly admirable!"
Everyone present from the义帮 (Yibang) couldn’t help but feel a deep respect.
In this world where even food was scarce, there were still those willing to forsake easily attainable fame and status, resolutely pursuing the nearly hopeless path of martial arts.
After six years apart, he returned as a master of internal strength, all in such a desperate era.
When he returns again, to what heights will he have grown?
A Master of Transformation?
Tian Long dared not think further. In such a sunless world, achieving the realm of a martial arts master would undoubtedly be a legendary tale.
If it were in the era of sunlight, how exaggerated would Li Qing's achievements be?
"Ha!"
Thinking of this, Tian Long let out a long breath, releasing all the shock he had accumulated in his chest.
Born in the wrong time, a hero at the end of his road.
Unfortunately, his time was also limited; he would not be able to witness the heights Li Qing might reach in the future.
"Let’s head back. Remember, as long as the义帮 exists for a day, Li Qing will forever be another leader of the义帮!"
At this moment, Li Qing was making his way westward out of Obsidian City. There was nothing particularly special about the scenery; all that surrounded him was endless darkness.
Upon reaching the desolate wilderness, and confirming that it was highly unlikely anyone would pass through this area, Li Qing chose to return to Sheng Tian.
He carefully hid the priceless gold, silver, and jewels in the blacksmith shop, then changed identities several times, purchasing enough meat and dry rations.
Afterward, he returned to the Eternal Night World, continuing his journey towards Great Rock City.
The distance between Obsidian City and Great Rock City was not short; even if Li Qing traveled tirelessly, it would still take at least two to three days.
However, he was not in a hurry, moving leisurely as if on a journey. During this time, he practiced the newly acquired lightness skill while continuing to cultivate the Golden Body Technique and Turtle Breathing Skill.
Based on how often he felt hungry, Li Qing estimated that he spent about four to five days on this journey.
Finally, illuminated by the red moonlight, a somewhat majestic city wall appeared at the end of the earth.
On top of the city wall, there were nightlight mushrooms that emitted a faint glow.
Great Rock City had arrived!
This place was not as chaotic as Obsidian City; under the governance of the city lord's mansion, everything appeared orderly.
"On the surface, Great Rock City has two masters of internal strength, but whether there are other strong cultivators behind the scenes remains unknown."
"It’s best to keep a low profile on this trip and focus on understanding the situation within the city."
Li Qing gazed at the large city before him, murmuring softly to himself.
Within Great Rock City, the义帮 had also established a foothold to facilitate trade for passing merchant caravans.
Li Qing's purpose for entering the city this time was to avoid drawing attention from others as much as possible.
For instance, the Red Fish Merchant Association was vigorously acquiring various beasts from the era of sunlight. If he brazenly brought in a food bucket, it would surely attract the attention of the Red Fish Merchant Association.
Until he clarified whether there were other experts behind the city lord's mansion and the Red Fish Merchant Association, Li Qing did not want to prematurely enter the sights of these two forces.
Of course, if there were only internal strength cultivators, Li Qing believed he could face them without fear.
After waiting outside the city for nearly a day, the person Li Qing was waiting for finally appeared.
He saw a merchant caravan bearing the义帮 insignia on the road between Obsidian City and Great Rock City.
Upon recognizing the insignia, Li Qing moved and appeared in front of the caravan.
"Brother Li, this grain transport cart is empty; let your beast come in here."
The person who contacted Li Qing had clearly received instructions from Tian Long beforehand, and everything was arranged very well.
Li Qing said nothing more, directly guiding the somewhat unwilling food bucket into the transport cart, then covering it securely.
This vehicle transporting the tiger was naturally pulled by Li Qing himself; for him, the several hundred pounds of the food bucket posed no burden at all, just as easy as pulling other carts loaded with black rye mushrooms.
The caravan proceeded smoothly, and upon reaching the city gate, the guards merely glanced at the caravan's insignia before allowing them to pass.
However, Li Qing noticed that when entering the city, the caravan members paid the guards several black diamond-shaped crystal chips.
Using the caravan as cover, Li Qing entered Great Rock City without any hindrance.
At a glance, this place was quite different from Obsidian City. First of all, it was large; not only was the city itself big, but even the buildings within were significantly larger in a conventional sense.
The main roads were wide enough that even seven or eight horse-drawn carts could travel side by side without feeling crowded.
"Brother Li, these are for you from the leader."
After entering the city, the contact person took out a cloth bag and handed it directly to Li Qing.
Li Qing received it, weighing it slightly; it felt somewhat heavy. He casually asked, "What’s inside?"
"These are money crystals. In Great Rock City, everyone uses these for transactions. This amount should be enough to buy two armored pigs."
Hearing this, Li Qing nodded slightly, accepting the bag of money crystals without refusal, placing it into his bosom.
"Not bad. What’s your name?" Li Qing asked.
The contact person appeared somewhat shrewd, squinting his eyes, as if he calculated everything meticulously.
Upon hearing Li Qing's question, he immediately smiled and replied, "Brother Li, my name is Miao Qi."
(End of Chapter)