Huang Rong from The Return of the Condor Heroes: Brother Jing, let's get a divorce.

Bai Yulang stared intently at Yang Guo.

"Our ancestor has been missing for over a decade. Where did you learn the complete set of techniques from?"

"My master searched all over the Western Regions, but he couldn't complete this divine skill."

Bai Yulang's gaze fell on Yang Guo's steady abdomen.

The martial arts manual of White Camel Mountain Villa clearly records that when the Toad Stance is used, the Qi Sea must be activated, the abdomen swells like a ball, and the true Qi circulates through the eight extraordinary meridians, making the momentum fierce and unparalleled.

This was originally the most powerful and yang-like martial art in the world, comparable to the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms.

Its essence lies in being as still as a virgin and as swift as a rabbit.

When accumulating power, the body's true energy is compressed into the dantian (lower abdomen). Once it erupts, it is like a torrent, unstoppable.

The legendary butcher Qian Shou spent decades capturing countless martial arts masters to test his medicine and deduce the path to destiny, but he could only deduce an incomplete path to destiny.

This incomplete scroll forcibly reversed the meridians, mixing poisonous gas into the true qi.

After each practice session, a large amount of precious medicinal herbs are needed to regulate the meridians; otherwise, one will suffer the torment of countless poisons gnawing at the heart.

Bai Yulang has practiced this skill for many years, and whenever it is rainy, a fine coolness will seep out from between his bones.

In contrast, the young man before them had displayed a smooth and unobstructed aura, with his true energy flowing seamlessly from beginning to end.

That pure internal force even resonated with the surrounding天地元气 (heaven and earth energy), forming an imperceptible vortex of air around the boy.

This is a level that fragments could never achieve.

"I've already said it, Ouyang Feng is my godfather."

"Your master couldn't learn it because he was too incompetent, and your godfather didn't think much of him."

Yang Guo spoke casually, but his fingertips exerted a slight pressure.

Cheng Ying's waist went limp, and most of her weight leaned on his arm.

"An incomplete chapter is just an incomplete chapter. Forcibly reversing the meridians will only result in a vicious backlash."

"When you were practicing your internal energy just now, the flow of true energy between the Guanyuan and Qihai acupoints was blocked. Although your footwork was fast, your lower body felt weak and powerless. This is clear evidence of that."

Bai Yulang's noodles twitched, but he dared not utter a word of rebuttal.

That pure Toad Style internal energy cannot be faked.

He stood up, took two steps back cautiously, and raised his short sword defensively.

The martial arts world in the Western Regions is strictly hierarchical, and suppression in martial arts techniques is absolute suppression in terms of strength.

Once the incomplete Toad Stance of White Camel Mountain encounters the complete set of internal techniques, the internal energy within the body will uncontrollably submit.

Bai Yulang's wrist, gripping the sword, throbbed with a tingling numbness, the tip of the sword tracing a tiny arc in the air.

He specializes in poison techniques and is naturally afraid of this kind of upright and powerful internal force.

The aura that Yang Guo had just released had forced the poisonous miasma in his body back three inches.

If the fight continues, he will not only fail to obtain the Serpent King's inner core, but he will also lose his life here.

"Since we are the descendants of our ancestors, let's flood the Dragon King Temple."

Bai Yulang softened his tone and lowered his posture considerably.

"If you would be so kind as to allow me to take the Serpent King's inner core, my master will surely repay you handsomely."

"You may choose from the century-old snow lotus and Western Region refined gold in the White Camel Mountain Manor's warehouse."

"As long as you name your price, White Camel Mountain will not back down."

Yang Guo chuckled as if he had heard a joke.

"Are you out of your mind? What's in my hands now, why would I give it back?"

"Besides, someone else wants this inner core more than you do."

Yang Guo withdrew his hand and switched the Xuan Tie Heavy Sword to the other shoulder.

The sword slammed heavily against his shoulder, making a dull thud.

The purplish-red inner core of the snake king was in Cheng Ying's arms, radiating scorching heat.

Such a rare and precious treasure is something Bai Yulang can't possibly exchange for with just a few empty promises; that's simply wishful thinking.

Bai Yulang's expression changed. He looked around warily, making sure that no one else was hiding outside the snake pit.

"Who?"

"Your good senior brother, Shen Buyan," Yang Guo casually uttered the name.

Bai Yulang's expression changed drastically, and he blurted out, "That treacherous beast who betrayed his master and ancestors!"

"He stole the manor's secret medicine, then turned around and licked the soles of the Mongols' feet. He deserves to die!"

Bai Yulang's chest heaved violently, and his breathing became heavy.

The struggle for succession within White Camel Manor has always been brutal.

As the eldest disciple, Shen Buyan should have inherited the mantle, but he was punished by the Thousand-Handed Butcher for his poor performance, which led him to steal the secret medicine and defect.

The Thousand-Handed Butcher has issued a kill order; whoever brings back Shen Buyan's head will become the next manor lord.

"Have you seen him?"

Bai Yulang stared intently at Yang Guo, urgently asking, "Where is he?"

"He accepted bribes from the Mongols and set up spies outside Xiangyang City to ambush and kill martial arts practitioners from the Central Plains."

"This kind of traitor who forgets his ancestors deserves to be punished by everyone!"

Yang Guo touched his chin.

Instead of taking action, he began to plan, following Bai Yulang's words.

Shen Buyan said he was ordered by the Mongolian National Preceptor to find the snake king's gall and inner elixir.

Bai Yulang, however, claimed that he was acting on orders from the Thousand-Handed Butcher, the master of White Camel Mountain Manor.

Two groups of people were actually targeting the same object.

Yang Guo looked at Bai Yulang and asked coldly, "Shen Buyan has sided with the Mongols, but your White Camel Mountain has not submitted?"

Bai Yulang sneered, "White Camel Manor has been established in the Western Regions for a century. Why should it serve as a dog for the Mongols?"

"The Great Khan sent someone to offer amnesty, but my master has been dragging his feet and hasn't agreed."

"That traitor Shen Buyan wants to use the snake king's inner core to exchange for a reward from the Mongolian national teacher, so as to oust my master from his position as the head of the manor."

Bai Yulang spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, his expression filled with resentment.

"The Mongol army's iron hooves trampled through the kingdoms of the Western Regions, and many sects surrendered. The Great Khan promised to bestow the title of National Preceptor upon those who submitted."

"My master defended White Camel Mountain with the help of a poison array. That bald monk, Golden Wheel Monk, once came to visit us personally. The two fought for three hundred rounds without a clear winner."

"The Golden Wheel Monk's Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill is incomparably powerful. If my master hadn't suffered hidden injuries from practicing the incomplete Toad Skill in his early years, how could that bald monk have been allowed to run rampant!"

"That beast Shen Buyan knew my master's weakness, which is why he set his sights on the snake king's inner core."

"He wanted to use his inner alchemy to cure the cold poison of the Golden Wheel Monk's disciple in exchange for the strong support of the Mongolian National Preceptor."

"If he succeeds and returns to the mountain with his Mongol cavalry, the century-old foundation of White Camel Mountain Manor will be destroyed in an instant."

"Since you are a descendant of our ancestor, and thus half a member of White Camel Mountain, can you really bear to watch the legacy left by our ancestor fall into the hands of the Mongol Tartars?"

After hearing these words, Yang Guo stopped moving his fingers on Cheng Ying's waist.

Cheng Ying finally had a chance to catch her breath, but found that her legs were a little weak after the support around her waist was removed.

She secretly tried to steady herself, but then she heard Yang Guo's very low voice:

"Steward Cheng, your Falling Petal True Qi is still too weak. You can't even stand steadily. How can you be my man?"

Cheng Ying's ears were burning hot.

She was always dignified and had never been teased with such frivolous words before.

Unfortunately, this man was nominally her fiancé, and he had also planted an indelible mark on her body.

She bit her lip and stubbornly said, "Brother Yang, please have some self-respect. With a formidable enemy at hand, don't make such jokes."

Yang Guo chuckled lightly, ignoring her insincerity.

He quickly pieced together these fragmented pieces of information in his mind.

Guo Jing was stationed in Xiangyang to defend against the regular Mongol army.

However, if those unorthodox sects from the Western Regions also get involved, Xiangyang's defenses will be riddled with holes.

The Golden Wheel Monk was not only extremely skilled in martial arts, but also extremely meticulous in his thinking.

He recruited Shen Buyan not only to deal with White Camel Mountain, but also to lay a poisonous net around Xiangyang.

Most martial arts practitioners in the Central Plains are unfamiliar with poisons, so if they encounter the poison array of White Camel Mountain, they will surely suffer heavy casualties.

This Serpent King's inner core is not only the opportunity for Thousand-Handed Butcher to break through, but also the key to breaking the deadlock.

With the inner elixir in hand, the Golden Wheel Monk's plan would fall through, and the White Camel Manor would not dare to act rashly.