Chapter 196: Chapter 196: 7-Sha Thunder Collapse Step Breakthrough

The next day, in the morning.

Su Yu had just finished his daily two-hour practice of the Mountain-Shaking Demonic Ape Fist when a clear, energetic young woman’s voice rang out from the entrance.

"Brother Su!"

Yang Ai had traded her usual elaborate silk dress for a set of extremely form-fitting, crimson, waist-cinching martial arts attire. Her high ponytail bounced lightly with her steps, giving her a heroic and valiant air.

Most eye-catching of all were the slits at the hem of her martial arts attire, revealing a pair of long, straight legs wrapped tightly in black leggings. The full, firm curves of her legs were faintly visible as she walked, and her entire being exuded an astonishing charm that was both wild and full of life.

The next moment, the young woman rushed over like a whirlwind. Before Su Yu could react, she dove headfirst into his arms, her full figure colliding solidly with his chest.

He was met with an armful of soft, warm, fragrant femininity. The astonishing fullness and gentle, supple warmth pressed tightly against his chest, accompanied by the young woman’s unique, subtle fragrance. This sent Su Yu’s Qi and Blood, already roiling from his fist practice, into a state of complete turmoil.

"Ahem, what brings you here today? Aren’t you supposed to be in seclusion to break through to the Martial Artist Realm? Have you prepared all the pills for your breakthrough?"

Yang Ai lifted her bright and lovely face and giggled. "They’ve been ready for a while! Master Qin gave me a Blood Boiling Pill, and my sister gave me a Water Spirit Pill... But I know in my heart that it’s all thanks to you, Brother Su, so I came especially to thank you."

As she spoke, a group of people followed her in, led by the young master of the Yang Family, Yang Gang.

"Lord Su, this young master... I, Yang Gang, have come to kowtow to you!"

Without another word, Yang Gang dropped to his knees with a THUD on the stone slabs and, BANG, BANG, BANG, knocked his head three times against the ground. It was a crisp, resounding kowtow, with no hesitation whatsoever.

Su Yu’s expression was calm; he said nothing.

Yang Ai was instantly confused. She walked up and kicked her brother in the butt. "You brat, what’s gotten into you? Don’t embarrass your big sister here."

Yang Gang didn’t get angry even after being kicked. He remained kneeling on the ground with a fawning expression, looking eagerly at Su Yu.

Su Yu nodded slightly and said coolly, "Get up."

"Thank you, my lord!" Yang Gang immediately scrambled up with a grin. He turned, took a bamboo cage from a servant behind him, and presented it as if it were a treasure.

"Lord Su, I heard you were looking for a Cyan-Scaled Sea-Exploring Swallow. I asked my contacts in the Black Stone City black market, and after much difficulty, I managed to acquire this one. It’s the purest breed, the largest specimen—an absolutely top-grade treasure!"

Su Yu nodded, his gaze sweeping over the cage.

Inside the cage was a strange bird with a slender body and remarkably fluid lines. It was no bigger than two fists, its entire body covered in fine, jade-like scaly feathers that shimmered under the daylight like faint ripples on water.

It had a rather handsome and agile appearance. Its eyes, like a pair of sapphires, were extremely bright and conveyed a high level of alertness. Trapped in the cage, it fluttered its thin but tough swallow-like wings restlessly, yet it still radiated an ethereal grace.

’This Sea-Exploring Swallow is indeed top-grade. It would be perfect for reconnaissance!’

At this moment, Yang Zhen also heard the commotion and came from the Inner Courtyard. Seeing her younger brother and sister, she was overjoyed and went forward to catch up.

"My lord, look here! There are also three treasured fish, which I also went to great lengths to snatch from the black market." Yang Gang pointed to a wooden bucket held by a servant, continuing to showcase his achievements.

"Brother Su, my little brother really put in a lot of effort this time. Treasured fish and Spirit Medicines are being snatched up like crazy on the market these days. You can’t find them even if you have the money; they’re becoming harder and harder to come by." Yang Zhen stepped forward and spoke softly on her brother’s behalf.

Su Yu nodded in approval and said to Yang Gang, "You did well. From now on, I’ll leave the task of collecting treasured fish and Spirit Medicines for the Yang Family to you. This will also let your second sister focus on her martial arts practice and strive to break through to the Martial Artist Realm sooner."

"You got it, big bro! You can rest completely assured. From now on, whatever you need, I, Yang Gang, will go through hell and high water to get it done perfectly!"

Yang Gang was beaming with joy, pounding his chest so hard it echoed.

’He was blooming with joy internally. Now that he had caught the eye of this prospective brother-in-law with a limitless future, wouldn’t he be able to do whatever he pleased in Black Stone City?’

...

In the backyard, by the Yin-Yang Lotus Pool.

Su Yu glanced at the Nine-Revolving Green Lotus in the pool. Nourished day and night by Yang Zhen’s Wood Spirit Qi, the ancient Spirit Medicine had completely stabilized its roots and was growing more and more vigorously.

Even better, under the radiation of the pure Spiritual Qi it emitted, the ordinary lotuses around it also benefited. Coupled with the spring-like temperature of the Inner Courtyard, a large portion of the lotuses had bloomed despite the cold season, and schools of fish swam leisurely among them.

However, Su Yu’s target today was not the fish.

He placed the bamboo cage with the Sea-Exploring Swallow by the pool, forced out a drop of his own Qi and Blood, and mixed it into a handful of millet to feed the bird.

The little creature was rebellious at first, but it ultimately couldn’t resist the temptation and gobbled up every last bit. After eating its fill, and with Su Yu’s patient teasing, its alertness visibly decreased.

’Now’s the time!’ 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Su Yu’s gaze sharpened, and the Demonic Ape’s baleful aura erupted from him!

A wave of pressure, like that of an Ancient Fierce Ape, instantly swept over the bamboo cage.

"CHIRP..."

The Sea-Exploring Swallow let out a shrill cry of terror, instantly freezing stiff with fear and collapsing motionless at the bottom of the cage.

’Lingxi Seed Seal!’

Su Yu formed a sword-finger, and a dab of essence blood imbued with spiritual power instantly tapped the center of the bird’s brow!

"BUZZ!"

In the next instant, a wondrous connection was silently established between Su Yu and the little creature.

[Lingxi Beast Taming Technique Skill Level +80]

[Martial Arts]: Lingxi Beast Taming Technique (Skilled 45/200)

[Lingxi Beast Taming Technique has broken through to the Skillful Realm]

The moment he broke through, a flood of insights about Beast Taming poured into his mind: how to lower a target’s guard, how to use spiritual power to soothe a frenzied state...

At the same time, Su Yu’s spiritual power also grew a bit more solid.

’Go, patrol the Su Mansion for me, and find Yang Zhen.’

Su Yu formed an image in his mind—’woman, beautiful, red dress’—and sent the command to the little creature.

The Sea-Exploring Swallow affectionately rubbed its small head against Su Yu’s palm, then transformed into a streak of cyan lightning and shot into the sky.

’This little guy’s intelligence is clearly far superior to that blockheaded brocade carp!’

Su Yu was delighted by its performance!

Before long, the little creature flew back, chirping away as it led the way.

Su Yu followed it to the front courtyard and found it circling above the door of a room.

His ears twitched slightly, and he confirmed that Yang Zhen was indeed inside, whispering secrets with her little sister.

"Ai’Er, you have a good foundation. Breaking through to the Martial Artist Realm this time will surely be a natural success. Once you break through, you can move in with me."

"Sister... After I break through, what if I can’t awaken a Spirit Body like you? Will Brother Su look down on me?"

"What nonsense are you thinking? My sister is so exquisitely beautiful, her face so tender you could squeeze water from it. And look at those long legs of yours—what man wouldn’t want to take a second look? Brother Su is a red-blooded man, full of vigor; he’s no exception."

"Oh, Sister, you’re teasing me!"

"But... I’m more envious of Sister’s big bunnies. Hehe, they’re so full. Has Brother Su ever... you know, kneaded them for you in private...?"

Hearing the two sisters’ increasingly explicit whispers, Su Yu hastily deactivated his Five Senses Divine.

He waved to the air, and the Sea-Exploring Swallow immediately flew back obediently, landing steadily on his shoulder.

’This Beast Taming ability is quite good. If I can get it to Perfection and then Breaking Limit in the future, who knows what even more miraculous abilities will appear. I could contract a whole flock of birds and form a reconnaissance army, no problem.’

Su Yu was in a good mood. He turned and went back to the lotus pool, continuing to grind Skill Level with the brocade carp and the Sea-Exploring Swallow.

...

For the next few days, Su Yu continued his daily practice of the Mountain-Shaking Demonic Ape Fist. He spent the rest of his time cultivating his other Martial Arts and training the Sea-Exploring Swallow and the brocade carp.

On this day, his status panel lit up again. Another of his Martial Arts had achieved a breakthrough.

[Seven Fiends Thunder Collapse Step Skill Level +30]

[Seven Fiends Thunder Collapse Step has broken through to the Great Success Realm]

[Martial Arts]: Seven Fiends Thunder Collapse Step (Great Success 1/4000)

"Seven Fiend Thunder Collapse!"

Su Yu let out a low shout and suddenly pushed off with his feet. The bluestone ground didn’t crack in the slightest, yet his body had already transformed into a thunderous afterimage, vanishing from the spot in an instant.