Boom!

The collapsing wall roared like a stone kicking up endless waves, causing disciples of the Iron Fist Martial Arts Hall, who were guarding Spring Breeze Street, to react as if facing a great enemy, thinking someone was attacking the courtyard.

"Enemy attack, enemy attack!"

Only Lie Stone, standing at the center of the main entrance, suddenly broke out in goosebumps, realizing that after the dust raised by the collapsing wall settled, he saw the figure under the locust tree slowly open his eyes.

Li Lishi looked again at the collapsed wall, feeling shocked in his heart, finally understanding that this was clearly not an enemy attack but rather the wall unable to withstand a breath from Elder Lin, resulting in its collapse.

A single breath causing a courtyard wall to collapse!

"Elder Lin truly is a Daoist Cultivator... this level of cultivation is increasingly unfathomable."

Li Lishi secretly swallowed a mouthful, not daring to be negligent even a bit, and waved his hand to dismiss the martial arts hall members.

"What’s all the fuss about, shut your mouths!"

With that said, Li Lishi respectfully bent over towards the silhouette in the courtyard.

"Greetings, Elder Lin!"

Su Mu was not surprised by Li Lishi and the others outside the courtyard, as he had already noticed these people when they blocked Spring Breeze Street, and he had observed all of Li Lishi and the others’ actions.

"Master Li, you are considerate." Su Mu nodded lightly, then turned and walked into the house to wield the brush.

Everyone was puzzled, only Li Lishi remained deeply respectful.

Soon, after Su Mu paused his pen, he flicked his finger lightly, causing the light paper on the table to instantly soar into the air. As it approached, Li Lishi, who was already in the Eighth Grade Bone Forging Realm, found his pupils contracting sharply, sensing an immense sense of danger.

But in the end, the paper just lightly fell into his hand.

Li Lishi equally puzzled pursued it, and when his eyes caught the first line with the iron hook and silver strokes "Muscle-Toning Soup," his heart beneath his chest was pounding. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

The Master of the first martial arts hall in Qingshui Town didn’t immediately read it but folded the formula multiple times with tangled hands, only relaxing when he saw no traces of words could be seen from the formula.

The Muscle Strengthening Formula is truly precious; if such an item were exposed, their Iron Fist Martial Arts Hall couldn’t protect it, becoming a calamity instead.

"This item is useless to me now, so I’ll gift it to you."

"This item... thank you, elder, for the gift!"

Li Lishi initially thought the item was too valuable, but he couldn’t voice it because he indeed needed it. If he possessed it, not only could he glimpse the Seventh Grade realm within his lifetime, but he could also nurture other Seventh-Grade Martial Artists for the martial arts hall.

Although this item might bring calamity to the martial arts hall, he couldn’t refuse the Muscle Strengthening Formula!

Seeing Li Lishi accept it, Su Mu nodded lightly and then stepped away from Spring Breeze Street.

As Su Mu’s silhouette disappeared at the end of the alley, Li Lishi’s hand, holding the formula, tightened slightly, realizing everything wasn’t a dream before he relaxed, then tucked the formula into his sleeve.

"Today’s events must not be spread, violators will be treated as traitors!"

"Yes!"

The Iron Fist Martial Arts Hall disciples present were surprised and uncertain, not knowing what Elder Lin had gifted that was so significant to warrant such attention from the master.

"That Muscle Strengthening Formula, altered by my hand, is not the same as the one obtained from Qingfeng Gang, so gifting it to others doesn’t count as spreading it."

"Li Lishi is cautious enough, the Iron Fist Martial Arts Hall should be able to keep it safe."

After leaving Qingshui Town, Su Mu thought to himself, as he always disliked owing favors. Favors may seem free but sometimes weigh as heavy as a mountain.

After last parting, Su Mu noticed today that Li Lishi had advanced from the first Bone Forging to the second Bone Forging. There’s a chance for Li Lishi to ascend to the Seventh Grade in his lifetime.

Having discovered this, Su Mu planned to gift some Muscle-Toning Powder, but it was coincidentally all used up last time, so Su Mu directly offered the improved formula as a gift to Li Lishi.

This should repay the favor and the previous incident involving Qinghe, and Su Mu won’t stay long in Qingyun Three Counties.

"Find a place to test Gang Force."

Now with favors clear, Su Mu decided on a good place for testing the power of Gang Force, heading south from Qingshui Town.

After walking several miles on the official road, he reached a muddy path, where at a fork he ventured onto a mountain trail.

Somewhere, Su Mu’s steps paused slightly.

He saw a lush green land, the scent of earth and wildflowers mixed and wafted into his nostrils; this seemingly unremarkable place was where Su Mu first killed someone after arriving in this world.

A scarred man died here, as did Sun Li.

"Sun Li?"

Thinking of this, a memory surfaced in the depths of Su Mu’s mind, causing him to leisurely walk deeper into the woods and dig out a sandalwood box from under a peculiar rock and shrub.

Su Mu casually brushed off the dust on it, opened the box, and found three items lying quietly inside: one was a fish-shaped White Jade Pendant, the other a book named "Simurgh Phoenix Painting," and a map without any place names.

The jade pendant was obtained after killing Sun Li, while the ancient texts and map were acquired after initially slaying Black Mountain Rebel Army.

Back then, these three items felt like hot potatoes to Su Mu, whose abilities were meager, so he had to bury them all.

Finally, after years had passed, the items in the box see the light of day again.

Su Mu’s gaze swept over the three items in the box; over the years, his strength, comprehension, and perspectives have transformed immensely.

"Hmm?"

Su Mu’s eyes twinkled, and a soft sound escaped his lips.

Back then, he took the "Simurgh Phoenix Painting" to be just an erotic painting, but now merely seeing those three characters on the cover gave him an extraordinary feeling.