In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 188 Golden Essence Body Refinement (Third Update, Seeking Monthly Tickets)
After rushing out of the woods, Gu Shaoan showed no intention of pausing.

With his true essence fully mobilized, Gu Shaoan's speed reached its peak.

After moving north for nearly half an hour, we climbed a large mountain.

He then continued up the mountain path until he reached a bamboo grove halfway up the mountain, where he slowed down.

He quickly found the bamboo he had marked that morning, following his memory.

Having found a good spot, he focused his strength into his foot and stomped down hard, a gentle force surging into the ground under the influence of his true energy.

After a muffled bang, a small mound in front of Gu Shaoan's feet exploded, revealing a layer of oil paper.

After peeling off the oil paper, a pit came into Gu Shaoan's view.

The Yitian Sword and the bundle were wrapped in oiled paper and cloth in the pit.

He took out a medicine bottle from the package, poured out one pill, and swallowed it.

A few breaths later, as a "crackling" sound, like bones cracking, rang out from Gu Shaoan's body, Gu Shaoan's figure seemed to be stretched out little by little, and soon returned to his original slender figure.

After changing his clothes into a black outfit, Gu Shaoan took out a disguise potion and applied it to his face.

A moment later, as the tingling and numb sensation spread through his face, Gu Shaoan's expression changed completely again.

He used his true essence and energy to shatter the clothes and shoes he had taken off and threw them back into the pit. After filling the pit back up, Gu Shaoan turned around and headed down the other side of the mountain path.

Then they headed towards Linshan City, which was a hundred miles away.

It wasn't until late in the evening, when it was almost completely dark, that Gu Shaoan finally climbed over the city wall and entered the city.

He then slowed down and walked towards the south of the city like a normal person.

During the process, Gu Shaoan controlled the circulation of true energy within his body to slowly restore the internal strength consumed during the continuous movement.

An incense stick later, inside the inn by the mountain.

Just as Gu Shaoan reached the counter, a voice quietly entered his ears.

"Aba Aba!"

Upon hearing the sound, Gu Shaoan quickly scanned the surroundings with his eyes.

Then his gaze settled on an elderly man on the first floor by the window, his face full of wrinkles and dressed in coarse black clothes.

A short while later, Gu Shaoan and Gu Santong entered the inn's room. As soon as Gu Shaoan closed the door, Gu Santong immediately grabbed Gu Shaoan's clothes with one hand and kept pointing to his mouth with the other.

Gu Shaoan rolled his eyes, then took out a medicine bottle and poured out a pill.

After swallowing the antidote, Gu Santong quickly felt the discomfort in his throat disappear.

He coughed lightly, then tried to make a sound. After confirming that his voice had returned, Gu Santong finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm so suffocating."

Immediately, Gu Santong looked at Gu Shaoan with resentment in his eyes: "Kid, because of you, I've lost face big time today."

The thought of how he had intended to declare in front of hundreds of people at the entrance of the prison, "I, Gu Santong, am back!" but instead ended up uttering "Aba aba" made Gu Santong's eyelids twitch with anger.

"In urgent situations, we must act expediently. The longer we delay, the more unpredictable things will become. When I left the Dragon Guard Manor earlier, there were already people arranged by Zhu Wushi lying in ambush outside. If we have delayed any longer, who knows what other arrangements Zhu Wushi might make."

"If we had found one or two experts who had condensed their Qi into Qi, then Senior Gu and I might not be here now."

Gu Santong knew that Gu Shaoan was right, and said helplessly, "That's true. Given Zhu Tiedan's character, the longer it drags on, the more dangerous it will be."

As he spoke, Gu Santong paused and looked at Gu Shaoan: "However, what surprised me was that you were actually able to lure Zhu Tiedan away and escape unscathed."

Gu Shaoan casually replied, "Without thorough preparation, how could I dare to venture alone into a den of dragons and tigers like the Dragon Guard Manor?"

As he spoke, Gu Shaoan walked to the table and poured two glasses of water.

I picked up one of the cups, paused slightly before bringing it to my lips, and only drank it after taking a light sniff to confirm that it was free of poison.

Gu Santong casually walked over and sat down in front of Gu Shaoan.

"By the way, how did you recognize me when we were on the first floor?"

Gu Santong shrugged and said, "Although the fluctuations of your true essence are subtle, at my level, they are as obvious as fireflies in the dark. What's so strange about me noticing them?"

After picking up his water glass and drinking it all in one gulp, Gu Santong changed the subject: "But speaking of which, how did you know that the 108 masters on the shores of Taihu Lake were killed by Zhu Tiedan?"

As if he had guessed that Gu Santong would ask this question, Gu Shaoan did not think too much about it: "There are no secrets in the world. If you want to investigate something, you can always find some clues."

Gu Santong nodded and said, "That's absolutely right."

Then, Gu Santong changed the subject, saying, "But with Zhu Tiedan's current power and strength, if you leave immediately after obtaining the 'Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill' without helping me escape, given Zhu Tiedan's hypocrisy, he won't openly antagonize you."

"You risked so much to rescue me, your purpose must be more than just to have me guard your sect, right?"

Gu Shaoan did not hide anything.

"That's right. I saved Senior Gu not only because I wanted Senior Gu to look after my sect for the time being, but also because I wanted Senior Gu to help me when I deal with Zhu Wushi in the future."

This time, Gu Santong didn't rush to reply, but calmly looked at Gu Shaoan.

After a long pause, Gu Santong finally spoke and asked, "Do you have a grudge against Zhu Tiedan?"

Facing Gu Santong, Gu Shaoan did not hide anything and slowly peeled off the thin cloth covering the Yitian Sword on the table.

Without the thin cloth covering him, Gu Santong's face showed a look of surprise.

"The Heaven Sword, are you the current leader of the Emei Sect?"

Gu Shaoan shook his head and said, "The Emei Sect leader is still my master. It's just that my master passed on the Yitian Sword to me first."

Upon learning Gu Shaoan's identity, Gu Santong looked enlightened.

"No wonder you suddenly wanted to investigate Zhu Tiedan's affairs. It turns out you are a disciple of the Emei Sect. That makes sense."

“I remember that back then, the Emei Sect dispatched a total of ten Qi Condensation Realm experts. These ten experts died, leaving only your master, Abbess Fengling, as a Qi Condensation Realm martial artist in the Emei Sect. With such a deep grudge, it’s no wonder you wanted to investigate what happened on the shores of Taihu Lake.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Shaoan calmly replied, "My master is not Abbess Fengling, but Abbess Miejue."

Gu Santong frowned: "Extinction? Was there a master named Extinction in the Emei Sect back then? I don't remember."

Gu Shaoan said softly, "My master is a direct disciple of Abbess Fengling. When the incident occurred on the shore of Taihu Lake, my master was only in his early twenties. It is normal that you do not know this, senior."

Gu Santong tilted his head and said, "Eighteen years ago, you were only in your early twenties, which means you're at most in your early forties now. How could you be such an old disciple?"

Immediately afterward, Gu Santong seemed to realize something and said, "Hey, wait a minute, wasn't your appearance at the Dragon Guard Manor also disguised?"

Gu Shaoan said casually, "If we don't disguise him, are we just waiting for Zhu Wushi to issue bounties and warrants for his arrest all over the world afterward?"

"Too!"

Gu Santong nodded first, then asked, "So what's next? Should we go directly to Tianshan to find Suxin?"

When "Su Xin" was mentioned, Gu Santong's eyes flickered, as if there was expectation, but also guilt.

Gu Shaoan shook his head and said, "When I took your pulse today, I found that your internal deficiencies were quite severe, and your previous injuries had also affected your internal organs. Although you have some medicine to suppress them for now, it is not a long-term solution. Right now, the first priority is to deal with your health issues." "Tomorrow, I will go to some pharmacies in the city to get some medicine to give you some initial treatment and conditioning before we set off."

Before a martial artist reaches the Celestial Realm, maintaining their power and keeping their bodily functions active requires sufficient energy.

Gu Santong was ignored by Zhu and imprisoned in the nineteenth level of the Heavenly Prison.

Gu Santong even had difficulty eating, let alone maintaining his own bodily functions.

To have survived until now is already a testament to their profound skill.

In addition to Gu Santong's old injuries, Gu Shaoan could conclude that if left untreated, Gu Santong would be on his deathbed within three years at most.

"Alright! I've been locked up for so long, I know nothing about what's going on outside, so I'll do as you say."

As he spoke, Gu Santong slowly stood up.

"Alright, we've finished talking. You can rest now. I'm going out to find a restaurant to have a good meal first."

"After being starved in the prison for so many years, I'll make up for all the losses I've suffered in the future."

Seeing this, Gu Shaoan smiled and shook his head, without saying anything to stop him.

After Gu Santong left, Gu Shaoan, who had bolted the door, lay on the bed and recalled the events of the day.

What happened today seems to be nothing more than a month of preparation.

In fact, he had been thinking about and planning this ever since Gu Shaoan set off from Wudang Mountain.

The final plan was only reached after several months of research and secret investigation of the areas surrounding the capital and the Dragon Guard Manor.

Although there were some unexpected changes along the way, the result was still good.

Not only did they witness Zhu Wushi's strength today, but they also successfully rescued Gu Santong and obtained the "Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill".

After reviewing the day's events in his mind several times, Gu Shaoan got up and sat cross-legged.

The candlelight flickered gently in the breeze seeping through the window cracks, casting intermittent light and shadow on Gu Shaoan's calm face.

As he focused his mind, the only sound in the room was Gu Shaoan's long, drawn-out breathing.

The mental cultivation path of the "Invincible Vajra Divine Skill" flowed through Gu Shaoan's mind like a gentle stream.

All martial arts techniques for body refinement are divided into external refinement methods that work from the outside in and internal refinement methods that work from the inside out.

The former often involves using methods such as pounding and medication to first strengthen the skin, muscles, and bones, and then the internal organs.

The method of working from the inside out focuses on internal cultivation, prioritizing the five internal organs or the body's meridians, allowing internal energy to temper the entire body.

The Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill is a typical example of internal cultivation martial arts.

Martial arts are divided into twelve levels, each corresponding to one of the twelve meridians of the human body.

Each layer requires the activation of a major meridian or a specific hidden meridian or side meridian closely connected to it as a foundation, coupled with a profound and complex method of circulating true energy.

This allows "golden essence" to condense within the body through the practice of mental techniques.

Once the "golden essence" is condensed, it is combined with the mental techniques and breathing methods within the "Invincible Vajra Divine Skill" to temper the body, strengthen the physique and internal organs, and then infiltrate and lie dormant throughout the body.

When needed, one can use true essence to activate it, combined with a unique mental technique, to condense a layer of golden, solidified qi around the body.

With each level completed, these golden essences will be completely integrated into the twelve meridians and the body surface.

As one's physical strength increases, the internal energy one can generate also becomes stronger.

By the time one reaches the sixth level, one will already possess the initial characteristics of being indestructible.

Even when activating true essence, it can allow the cultivator's own power, true essence, and body to reach a state of perfect harmony and immovability.

Neither the "Absorption Technique" nor the "Northern Darkness Divine Skill" can absorb Gu Shaoan's internal energy.

In addition, upon reaching the sixth level, the cultivator will also gain a well-rounded and auspicious energy.

With the support of this energy, the power of a cultivator's attack is also enhanced.

The path to its cultivation lies in delving deep beneath the twelve main meridians, into those special hidden channels that resemble a spiderweb maze deep within the bones, muscles, and fascia.

The method of cultivation is quite similar to the "Yi Jin Duan Gu Pian" (易筋锻骨篇).

However, the difficulty of cultivation is even greater.

As for Cheng Shifei using the "Invincible Vajra Divine Skill," it would be as if he were wearing golden armor, his whole body gleaming with gold.

When Gu Santong used the "Invincible Vajra Divine Skill," there was not much difference between his actions and his usual behavior.

The reason for this difference is that Cheng Shifei's "Invincible Vajra Divine Skill" was not something he cultivated little by little, but rather something he obtained after Gu Santong forcibly opened up his meridians by passing on his skills.

It was also because of the transmission of power that the gold energy that Gu Santong passed on to Cheng Shifei failed to merge with Cheng Shifei's body.

Furthermore, when Gu Santong imparted his skills to Cheng Shifei, he also fabricated the lie that "the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill can only be used five times in a lifetime."

Cheng Shifei never dared to actively cultivate the "Invincible Vajra Divine Skill," treating it entirely as a consumable.

How can one talk about refining oneself and integrating the gold essence with the body through actively cultivating the "Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill"?
After carefully comprehending the contents of the "Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill," Gu Shaoan stirred his thoughts, and strands of true essence in his dantian were drawn out, then began to slowly circulate within his body along a completely new route.

Half an hour later, as Gu Shaoan circulated his true essence, a wisp of special energy began to condense from Gu Shaoan's meridians.

The energy is pure and condensed. In the state of inner observation, it shines with golden light, like golden threads, yet it also carries a sense of ethereal movement.

It was gold and yuan.

After the first strand of golden energy condensed and he was certain that there were no problems, Gu Shaoan then fully activated the true energy within his body.

As the vast and powerful true essence circulated within his body according to the route of the first level of the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill, strands of golden essence were continuously condensed by Gu Shaoan.

An hour later, Gu Shaoan finally managed to return his true essence to his dantian, and instead allowed the golden essence within his body to circulate in place of the true essence.

With the coordination of breathing techniques, strands of golden energy began to slowly penetrate into Gu Shaoan's internal organs and bones, as if drawn by an invisible force.

Under the infusion and tempering of these gold elements, Gu Shaoan immediately felt as if the places in his body where the gold elements had penetrated were being torn apart and then re-divided.

Fortunately, this feeling wasn't too intense.

Moreover, because the quantity of these gold coins was not large, it was still manageable.

However, gold coins are just like money.

Earnings are slow, spending is fast.

The gold coins that took an hour to condense were completely consumed in less than a quarter of an hour.

If you want to continue cultivating the "Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill", you must first condense the golden essence again.

To improve efficiency, the only way is to improve one's mastery of the "Invincible Vajra Divine Skill" as soon as possible.

"I wonder what level of defense it will reach once the 'Indestructible Vajra Divine Art' reaches the sixth level, combined with the characteristics of the 'Indestructible Vajra' attribute?"

　The information about Cheng Shifei's age was incorrect earlier; she should now be around twenty-one or twenty-two. I will never bring up the age again! I simply cannot do it!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)