Chapter 234: Chapter 232: Haha, It’s a Success

"Wenhao, you may leave."

"Yes, Young Miss."

Qian Wenhao respectfully withdrew, closing the door behind him.

Qian Qinghong pulled Su Yu to a guest seat and, with a smile, made the introduction. "Brother Su, let me introduce you. This is Dai Xin of the Dai Family. She’s at Flesh Refining Realm Perfection and my sworn sister."

Dai Xin languidly sat up from the soft couch, a charming smile playing on her lips. "Master Su, I imagine I look a little familiar, don’t I? I am Dai Xing’s older sister. We met once before, a few days ago at the Dinglong Association."

Su Yu nodded slightly. ’So it really is her,’ he thought.

"You are quite memorable, Miss Dai. Of course I remember."

"Oh? Memorable?" Dai Xin chuckled, extending a slender finger to lift a white porcelain teacup. Her red lips parted slightly as she blew across the surface of the tea.

Her rare, jade-green eyes shimmered with a peculiar charm. "I wonder, Master Su, what about me was so memorable?"

"Er..."

Su Yu was momentarily at a loss for words.

’This woman is stunningly beautiful, especially with those green eyes that seem to see right through a person. But this is our first formal meeting. If I play along with her, I’ll just come across as presumptuous and frivolous.’

’What I said was just a polite platitude. I never thought she’d actually run with it.’

"Oh, her? It’s those eyes of hers—they’re experts at hooking people. Who wouldn’t get captivated? Brother Su, pay her no mind. She’s just finding roundabout ways to fish for compliments."

Qian Qinghong laughed, breaking the awkward silence. She poured Su Yu a cup of hot tea and then shot Dai Xin an exasperated glare.

Seeing how protective Qian Qinghong was being, a flicker of even greater curiosity flashed in Dai Xin’s eyes.

She looked Su Yu up and down, teasing, "Brother Su, what exactly is your relationship with Qinghong? This girl usually has her nose in the air and won’t give any of the young masters from the city’s great families the time of day. Why is she so different with you?"

"Nonsense! Aren’t I like this with everyone? Stop spouting such rubbish." Qian Qinghong glared at her, signaling that she had gone far enough.

"Heh heh, whatever you say." Dai Xin covered her mouth with a delicate laugh, dropping the teasing.

After the three exchanged a few more pleasantries, the atmosphere in the room gradually relaxed.

Qian Qinghong’s smile vanished, her expression turning solemn. "Brother Su, to be frank, I invited you to the estate today because I need your help with something."

Su Yu set down his teacup and nodded slightly, indicating for her to continue.

"To make a long story short, a year ago, my father led the family’s treasure ship deep into the upper reaches of the Black Water River to explore a treasured land. He unfortunately met with disaster and went missing."

Qian Qinghong took a deep breath, her tone laced with a hint of coldness.

"Ever since, the Qian Family has been without its pillar, plagued by constant troubles both internal and external. Now, the Fourth Elder, Qian Hulv, has secretly colluded with the Tributor Zhao Gaolang. They’re trying to take advantage of our weakness to usurp the Patriarch’s seat from my main branch. Meanwhile, the First Elder, Qian Lusheng, who represents the Elder Council, is merely watching from the sidelines, helping neither side. If the situation develops, the authority of my main branch will inevitably be lost."

Hearing this, Su Yu understood the situation completely.

’This was the cruel reality of the great families. On the surface, they were glorious beyond measure, but behind the scenes, the power struggles and infighting between the main and branch lineages were often bloodier than gang warfare. Once the main branch showed any sign of weakness, their vast enterprise would be handed over on a silver platter.’

"So, your risky venture into the Black Water River to find treasure fish and your eagerness to break through to the next realm... it was all to deal with this crisis?"

Qian Qinghong nodded emphatically. A brilliant smile suddenly blossomed on her usually cold and beautiful face, a display of such breathtaking radiance that even Su Yu was momentarily stunned.

"That last trip to the Black Water River... it was all thanks to your help, Brother Su. If it weren’t for you, I not only would have failed to break through, but I fear I would have lost my life."

At this, she turned to look at Dai Xin seriously. "Xin’Er, Brother Su saved my life. He is a dear friend to me, Qian Qinghong. You are not to tease him like that in the future."

Dai Xin was now utterly astonished. ’Qinghong broke through to the Muscle Forging Realm with Su Yu’s help? He even saved her life?’

Her beautiful, jade-green eyes sized up Su Yu once again, now filled with curiosity.

Seeing his calm and unruffled expression, she knew Qinghong was telling the truth. She knew Qinghong’s personality better than anyone; she would never make up something like this.

’But the cultivation Su Yu displayed at the Dinglong Association was clearly only at the mid-stage of the Flesh Refining Realm. What on earth did he do to help a master on the verge of breaking through to the Muscle Forging Realm?’

"Brother Su, you don’t mind if I call you that, as Qinghong does?" The unusual glint in Dai Xin’s eyes deepened, and her tone shed its laziness, replaced by genuine respect. "Since you have shown such great kindness to Qinghong, you are naturally a friend to me, Dai Xin, as well. I’ll be in your care here in Black Stone City."

"You’re too kind, Miss Dai. The feeling is mutual," Su Yu replied, going with the flow.

"We’re friends, so just call me Sister Dai from now on. By the way, my worthless little brother has had a complete change of attitude since losing to you in the ring. He’s been in seclusion training day and night, bottling up his energy and waiting for the day he can surpass you."

Su Yu gave a faint smile. "Brother Dai Xing’s talent with the Spear Technique is exceptional. I too look forward to sparring with him again one day."

"Heh heh, that’s good to hear. When you have the time, Brother Su, you’re always welcome at the Dai Family home. We should all get together more often."

Seeing the two of them getting along so well, Qian Qinghong nodded in satisfaction and brought the conversation back to the main topic.

"To get back to the matter at hand. I’ve asked you both here to lend me your support. In three days, the Fourth Elder, Qian Hulv, will officially initiate a contest for the Patriarch position. The First Elder, representing the Elder Council, will determine the next Patriarch based on the outcome of the competition."

"This contest isn’t just about the heir’s personal cultivation; it’s also about the backing and allies they can rally."

"There will be three matches. The first is a duel between those in the Muscle Forging Realm, and I will personally face the Fourth Elder. I will win this fight!" A murderous glint flashed in Qian Qinghong’s eyes, her tone as sharp as steel.

"The other two matches are for those in the Flesh Refining Realm. Xin’Er, you’ll fight the second match for me. You must win."

Dai Xin gave a confident, light laugh. "Don’t worry. Our title as the Three Beauties of Black Stone City wasn’t earned for nothing. If you’re going to win, I certainly won’t be the one to drag you down."

’The Three Beauties of Black Stone City?’

Su Yu’s interest was piqued; it was the first he’d ever heard the title. Judging by Dai Xin’s confident posture, both she and Qian Qinghong were obviously on that list.

’I just wonder... who is the third?’

"Qinghong, does that mean the third match is for me?" Su Yu asked.

Qian Qinghong shook her head. "There’s no need for you to fight in the third match, Brother Su. It’s best two out of three, so as long as Xin’Er and I fight, that will be enough. I actually invited you here to leverage your reputation. With your prestige as the number one genius of the Outer City, simply sitting in a seat of honor behind me will be enough to intimidate the wavering fence-sitters in the family."

Upon hearing this, Su Yu was rather speechless. ’So, I came all this way just to be a glorified decoration?’

"Who’s the opponent in that match, then?" Su Yu asked casually.

"The Fourth Elder’s only son, Qian Qingba." Qian Qinghong’s fine brows furrowed slightly. "He’s twenty-nine and already at the late-stage of the Flesh Refining Realm. That’s a full minor realm above you..."

She didn’t finish her sentence, but her implication was obvious.

While Su Yu was undoubtedly a top-tier prodigy, in most people’s eyes, expecting him to overcome the chasm of a minor realm to defeat an opponent was still asking too much.

What’s more, there were no weaklings among those who reached the late-stage of the Flesh Refining Realm!

However, she was clearly unaware that just a few days ago, in his own courtyard, Su Yu had defeated Cui Wanhe—an expert at the Late-stage of the Flesh Refining Realm—in a single blow.

"Only the Late-stage of the Flesh Refining Realm." Su Yu picked up his teacup and moistened his throat, his tone perfectly calm. "Let me get on stage for a warm-up."

The moment he spoke, the room fell silent.

"Such bold words, Brother Su." Dai Xin glanced at Su Yu with her jade-green eyes, her expression unreadable.

Qian Qinghong didn’t dwell on the matter.

It was best two out of three, after all. As long as she and Dai Xin won the first two matches, the third wouldn’t even need to be held. There was no need to worry about Su Yu’s chances.

She changed the subject directly. "Brother Su, I recently managed to acquire three high-grade treasure fish. Take them with you when you leave."

"Alright. Thank you, Qinghong."

"There’s no need for such courtesy between us. If supplies weren’t so scarce in Black Stone City lately, I wouldn’t have taken this long to get them for you."

Qian Qinghong paused, then added, "Right, about your treasure ship. Once this turmoil over the Patriarch position settles, come back to the estate. You can pick out some capable sailors and assign them to your ship."

"Yes, we’ll talk then."

...

After leaving the Qian Family’s estate, Su Yu returned to the Su Mansion carrying a heavy fish basket.

Inside the basket were three high-grade treasure fish: a Phantom Ray, a Vajra Bonefish, and a Blood Jade Eel.

With prices skyrocketing and resources scarce in Black Stone City, these three fish were no easy find.

The Yang Family had mobilized all its connections and spent days just to procure two ordinary treasure fish, a testament to just how rare the high-grade ones were.

’Three high-grade and two ordinary treasure fish... That’s definitely enough to accumulate one Breakthrough Point, but not quite enough for two.’

’Should I use it to advance my Seven Fiends Thunder Collapse Step first?’

The thought had barely formed in Su Yu’s mind before he immediately dismissed it.

’My Thunder Collapse Step just reached the Perfection stage. The resulting speed boost is more than enough for my current battles. There’s no need to force it any higher for the time being.’

’On the other hand, if my White Ape Long Arm Fist could break its limit a second time, it might lead to a huge boost in my combat power.’

"Master, how should we handle these treasure fish?" The steward, Li Da, stepped forward to ask respectfully.

"For now, put them in the lotus pond in the rear courtyard to raise." Su Yu decided to save up a bit more first.

It was almost the beginning of the month. When the Monthly Allowances from the Jiang Family, the Cai Family, and the martial hall’s new trade route were all settled, he might be able to obtain more resources like treasured herbs and fish.

By then, he should have enough to accumulate two Breakthrough Points.

And then, he could break through the second limit of the White Ape Long Arm Fist in one go!

...

「Two days passed in the blink of an eye.」

Inside the storeroom, Su Yu took the emerald-green treasure gourd from a shelf. With a slight exertion of force from his fingertips, he pulled the tightly fitted cork stopper free with a POP.

He tilted the gourd slightly, pouring a small amount of the liquor into a white porcelain cup.

The liquor that flowed out had long since lost the blandness of the original green-millet wine. It had transformed into a crystal-clear, amber-colored liquid.

A potent fragrance, far richer than before, instantly filled the air. A single sniff was enough to make his pores open, his mouth water, and the Qi and Blood within his body stir restlessly.

But it wasn’t the enticing aroma that made Su Yu’s eyes flash with wild joy.

It was the crisp CRACKLE that came from the liquor itself!

A hair-thin arc of electricity crackled deep within the liquid, releasing a faint aura of lightning.

"It worked!"

"Haha, it worked!"

"Soaking a wondrous object in the treasure gourd really can produce a fine wine with special effects!"