The next day, in the rear hall of the Su Mansion.

Morning light filtered through the window lattice, spilling onto the golden nanmu round table.

On the table sat an empty porcelain plate. The last precious fish, a steamed Red-tailed Golden Carp, had just entered Su Yu’s stomach.

As a gentle, rich warmth spread through his limbs, the long-awaited ink-wash text slowly materialized before Su Yu’s eyes:

[Breakthrough Point Progress +2%]

[Breakthrough Points]: 2 (Progress: 1%)

"Finally, two points!"

Su Yu put down his chopsticks, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

During this time, he had been devouring massive amounts of resources like a ravenous beast—the prime meat of the Black Rock Iron-Backed Crocodile and the precious fish sent by the Jiang Family. This nearly extravagant consumption had allowed him to quickly accumulate two Breakthrough Points.

He summoned his panel, his gaze shifting between several options.

’If I use a second Breakthrough on Reading and Money-Tossing, they would surely provide decent support abilities. But compared to White Ape Six Changes, their priority is still a bit lower.’

Su Yu’s gaze remained locked on the ’+’ sign next to White Ape Six Changes, and he tentatively tried to apply the Breakthrough.

[Breakthrough failed. The third Breakthrough for White Ape Six Changes requires 3 Breakthrough Points!]

’As I thought, the third Breakthrough requires a minimum of three Breakthrough Points!’

’I’ll just have to wait! I still have some Black Rock Iron-Backed Crocodile Meat left, along with three rare precious fish and the Iron-Backed Crocodile’s heart blood that I haven’t been willing to use. These three things will be a great help in accumulating the third Breakthrough Point and will definitely shorten the time needed!’

...

In the front courtyard’s Martial Arts Arena.

After eating and drinking his fill, it was time for arduous training.

In the Martial Arts Arena, fists whistled through the air, and his Qi and Blood surged like a dragon.

Su Yu was bare-chested, his sweat glistening in the sunlight. He practiced the White Ape Fist over and over, his movements as fast as lightning. Each punch was accompanied by a sonic boom.

[White Ape Fist Skill Level +15]

[White Ape Fist Skill Level +15]

...

Once, twice... ten times... twenty times!

It wasn’t until he finished the twenty-second repetition that Su Yu felt his muscles ache and his meridians throb with a dull pain—a sign that his body had reached its limit.

[Martial Arts]: White Ape Fist (First Layer) (Great Achievement 5330/12000)

"Hah..."

Su Yu drew back his stance and exhaled a plume of hot, white air. Looking at the progress on his panel, he felt very satisfied.

’The Skill Level is about to pass the halfway mark. With my abundant Qi and Blood, combined with the Profound Silver Flow Armor and the Great Achievement level Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber’s saber ki, my combat power should be terrifying!’

’Who else could possibly fight me?’

The image of Cui Wanhe’s stunning saber strike from the Martial Examination surfaced in his mind.

’Back then, Cui Wanhe’s Hongshan Saber Technique was likely at the Minor Success Realm, and he had just begun to grasp saber intent. But now, my saber technique is at Great Achievement, and I have the Profound Silver Flow Armor. The Cui Wanhe from back then would be no match for me at all!’

’In other words, my current combat power probably makes me the number one of Black Stone City’s younger generation!’

A flash of confidence appeared in Su Yu’s eyes. After practicing Martial Arts for so long, his foundation had grown stronger and stronger. He could finally be called a monstrous genius!

Just as Su Yu was basking in the thrill of his increased strength, a series of light footsteps approached.

"Brother Su."

The voice was gentle and soft, carrying a trace of unconcealable joy.

Su Yu spun around. His gaze froze, and an unconcealable look of astonishment flashed in his eyes.

Yang Zhen stood gracefully under the covered walkway. Today, she wore an aquamarine-colored, cloud-patterned silk dress. The fabric was light and clung to her form, perfectly outlining her tall and voluptuous figure.

Her waist was as slender as a willow, but the curve of her chest was all the more full and round, stretching the simple fabric of her dress into a breathtaking contour. It was as if her formerly just full figure had suddenly ripened, exuding the alluring charm of a mature peach.

Though she wore no makeup, her skin was even more delicate than the finest white jade, fair with a rosy blush. Under the morning light, it even seemed to hold a crystalline luster, so tender it looked as if water would spring forth from a gentle pinch.

What surprised Su Yu the most was the surge of Qi and Blood around her body, and the faint, cool fragrance of fresh grass and trees that lingered about her. The scent wasn’t strong, but it was refreshing to the soul. With his Five Senses Divine, Su Yu noticed it immediately.

Just smelling it from a distance was enough to invigorate his spirit; the fatigue in his body from training miraculously subsided a little.

"Zhen’Er, have you... broken through to become a Martial Artist?" Su Yu asked, wiping away his sweat, a little unsure.

Yang Zhen took a few steps closer. She wasn’t shy like she usually was. Instead, she lifted her head, her limpid, autumn-like eyes shimmering with excitement:

"Yes, Brother Su. I... I broke through to become a Martial Artist over ten days ago!"

"Congratulations!"

Su Yu congratulated her from the bottom of his heart.

"Brother Su, I came to find you today not just to tell you I became a Martial Artist. There’s actually something else..."

Yang Zhen bit her lower lip, seemingly having made some sort of resolution. She glanced around, and seeing no one nearby, she boldly took Su Yu’s hand and led him to the huge Iron Heart Locust Tree in the back courtyard.

"Brother Su, I’ve only told my little sister about this, not even my parents. But I don’t want to hide it from you."

Su Yu’s expression turned grave. He had never seen Yang Zhen be so serious, and he listened intently.

"When I broke through, I think... I awakened a strange ability!"

"An ability?" Su Yu was a little puzzled.

"Look."

Yang Zhen crouched down, extended a slender, jade-like finger, and gently touched a wilting, yellowed weed seedling that had just broken through the soil near the tree’s roots.

The next second, a miraculous scene unfolded.

A faint glimmer of lush, vibrant green appeared at Yang Zhen’s fingertip.

The light was filled with a dense life force, and it flowed from her fingertip into the withered grass.

RUSTLE...

The weed, which had been on the verge of death, began to turn green, grow taller, and sprout leaves at a speed visible to the naked eye! In just a few breaths, it had grown into a robust, thriving weed half a foot tall, with crystalline dewdrops even clinging to its leaves!

"This..."

Su Yu’s pupils shrank abruptly, and immense waves surged in his heart.

’Is this... plant maturation?’

His thoughts churned as he quickly recalled the many books he had read recently.

’Is this still purely Martial Arts?’

’No, no, this kind of ability is more like the various divine Martial Arts abilities mentioned from ancient times, or something similar to the abilities of the Immortal Path!’

’Ancient texts once mentioned that in ancient times, some people could awaken spiritual abilities and cultivate Immortal Daoist Skills. They were called spiritual people, and some with powerful spirituality could even awaken a Spirit Body!’

’In ancient times, such people were the chosen ones of major Sects!’

’Wait, maybe this spiritual ability is also a type of Breakthrough ability!’

His mind reeled. Perhaps he had never seriously considered it before, but his own Breakthrough Traits were also based on the rules of this world—they weren’t without a pattern!

"Zhen’Er, do you have any idea what this ability of yours is?"

"I don’t know what it is either. I awakened this ability right after I broke through to become a Martial Artist. When the breakthrough was complete, I suddenly noticed the flowers and plants in the quiet room growing wildly, filling the entire room with fragrance. Then, some information seemed to appear in my mind. I only know that this constitution of mine is called... a Wood Spirit Body!"

"And the special aura it produces is called Wood Spirit Qi!"

After she finished speaking, Yang Zhen looked at Su Yu apprehensively. "Brother Su, have I turned into a monster?"