SWDnovel Chapter 97: Achievements in both fame and fortune! A new milestone!
Chapter 97: Achievements in both fame and fortune! A new milestone!
Chapter 97: Achievements in both fame and fortune! A new milestone!
Seemingly sensing Su Yu's thoughts, Jiang Liuchuan sighed and patted him on the shoulder: "Junior brother, don't think about it. This thing is priceless."
"Only the masters of the Pill Refining Pavilion in the inner city can refine this pill, and the success rate is extremely low. In previous years, the number that flowed out was pitifully small, sometimes not even one every three to five years."
"If it weren't for dealing with the chaos this year, the three major families would never have been willing to bring it out."
Upon hearing these words, the flames in Su Yu's eyes gradually subsided, returning to a deep, calm state.
"It's alright."
He was silent.
Since this medicine exists in the world, there will always be a day when we can get our hands on it.
Just because he can't afford it or can't get it now doesn't mean he won't be able to in the future.
"Inner City————"
Su Yu raised his head, his gaze passing over the layers of rooftops, and looked at the inner city that stood in the center of Blackstone City, locked by high walls.
That is the true core of Blackrock City, the pinnacle of resources and power.
"Senior Brother Jiang," Su Yu suddenly spoke, "what exactly is this inner city like? Is it only inhabited by the three major families?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Liuchuan closed his folding fan and smiled, "I knew you would ask. Outsiders only know that the inner city has three major families and the Black Stone Army, but in fact, it is not much smaller than the outer city."
He pointed towards the inner city, a hint of envy in his eyes: "Besides the three major families, the inner city also has the Dan Ding Pavilion I just mentioned, the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce and the Thousand Machine Pavilion also have branches in the inner city, and there's also the Five Alliance, which is second only to the three major families."
"That place is teeming with powerful families and countless experts; they actually look down on the outer city. Just like we look down on those outside the city—"
Jiang Liuchuan sighed and composed himself.
"Alright, don't be too ambitious. Once you break through to the Tendon Forging Realm, you might have a chance to enter the inner city. But before that, if there's an opportunity, I, your senior brother, can take you in for a look around beforehand, just to broaden your horizons!"
The Zhenxiulou restaurant was brightly lit.
Qin Fangqiong, beaming with pride, waved her hand and generously ordered two precious fish.
Although it was just a relatively common ironclad sturgeon, it still cost three or four hundred taels of silver.
Chen Fan was absent from the banquet because he was still receiving treatment at the clinic.
Throughout the entire banquet, Su Yu became the main character.
The senior students from the inner courtyard raised their glasses one after another, their words full of the desire to make friends. Some even took pride in being able to sit at the same table as Su Yu and boasted loudly.
Amidst the clinking of glasses and the exchange of toasts, people gathered for a lively gathering.
Su Yu accepted all offers and indulged himself for the first time in a long time.
As night deepened, the banquet came to an end.
Su Yu bid farewell to the crowd and returned to the White Ape Martial Arts School alone under the moonlight.
The noise was shut out from outside the walls; the backyard was deep and quiet, with only a few chirps of insects.
-
He walked to the familiar old well.
"Crunch—crunch—"
The sound of the well turning was exceptionally clear in the night.
A bucket of well water was drawn up, the surface of the water swaying and shattering the bucket of broken moonlight.
Once the ripples subsided, Su Yu looked down.
The reflection in the water showed a handsome, well-defined face. Where was even a trace of the sallow-faced, emaciated fisherman's boy who had once reeked of fish?
"It's been a year already —"
From a dilapidated thatched hut in Qingxi Village to a gourmet restaurant in Heishi City; from a lowly fisherman looked down upon by everyone to a newly rich martial arts candidate who passed the imperial examination with flying colors.
All of this feels like a distant memory.
"Whoosh!"
Su Yu lifted the wooden bucket with both hands and poured the entire bucket of icy, bone-chilling well water over his head!
Water splashed everywhere, wetting the blue bricks on the ground.
The icy touch instantly enveloped my entire body, carrying away the heat and alcohol within, and washing away the slight restlessness that had just risen in my heart.
Water droplets slid down his lean, muscular physique, rising in wisps of white steam.
After calming down, he walked shirtless into the training ground.
The moonlight, like quicksilver spilling onto the ground, stretched his shadow long.
"We have only just stepped onto a new stage. The path of martial arts is still long. We must stay true to our original aspirations and move forward step by step."
"White Ape Fist, Starting Stance!"
Su Yu moved with practiced ease and power, each move steady and forceful. His punches sent gusts of wind through the air, swirling up fallen leaves.
In the quiet of the night, he felt as if he had returned to that night when he desperately practiced boxing to survive.
[White Ape Fist Proficiency +10]
[White Ape Fist Proficiency +10]
Su Yu continued practicing until the moon was high in the sky before slowly stopping and summoning the control panel to check his movements.
[Su Yu]
[Martial Arts]: White Ape Fist (Level 1) (Proficiency 580/7000)
[Martial Arts]: Spirit Ape Demon-Subduing Blade (Level 1) (Proficiency 1560/5000)
[Martial Arts]: Seven Fiends Thunder Step (Proficiency 350/2000)
[Breakthrough Point]: 0 points (Progress 99%)
"Although I haven't had time to train these past few days, the proficiency I've gained from these intense battles far surpasses that from arduous training."
"Especially the Spirit Ape Demon-Subduing Blade and the Seven Fiends Thunder-Shattering Steps, they were much faster than I expected!"
"And this final 1% is all that's left to break the limit. After three months of accumulation, we're finally just 1% away."
The next morning, the sun rose.
Lists that looked like they were stamped with gold were posted in prominent places in the outer city.
The outer city of Blackrock City was once again abuzz with excitement. Everywhere, from the streets and alleys to the restaurants and teahouses, people were talking about yesterday's arena match.
Cui Wanhe killed the genius Sun Yan with three strikes, while Su Yu killed Sun Shi with a single strike. Compared to Cui Wanhe, who was already famous, Su Yu's name spread like wildfire, instantly reaching every street and alley.
His background and experiences were also revealed, from an unknown fisherman's son to a martial arts prodigy who surpassed all others and ranked fourth in the imperial examination.
He quickly became a role model for countless people from humble backgrounds, and suddenly, many more people signed up to learn martial arts at various martial arts schools.
White Ape Martial Arts School, backyard.
Despite the deafening noise outside, Su Yu still got up at the crack of dawn to practice his skills.
In the morning light, he walked bare-chested on the stakes, sweat dripping down his well-defined muscles, his eyes focused and calm, as if fame had nothing to do with him.
Upon seeing this, the other disciples who arrived gradually showed even greater admiration.
"Junior Brother Su's character is truly admirable."
One of the senior students from the inner court sighed, "If I had gotten into the top five in the martial arts exam, I probably would have been drunk and sleeping in a brothel, wanting the whole city to know."
"So they're like dragons emerging from the abyss, while you can only roll around in the mud," someone nearby joked, but their tone was full of admiration.
Just then, a commotion suddenly arose in the front yard, followed by an apprentice's excited shout: "Senior Brother Su! Come quick! The Black Stone Army's rewards have arrived!"
Su Yu finished his stance, calmed his qi and blood, and strode forward to meet the attacker.
At the entrance of the martial arts school, a line of black-armored warriors stood in formation, their long spears like a forest, exuding a menacing aura that drew awe and attention from passersby.
The leader, clad in heavy black iron armor and with a battle sword at his waist, was none other than Xue Ting, the centurion of the Black Stone Army.
Upon seeing Su Yu, Xue Ting's usually cold and hard face immediately broke into a bright smile, and he proactively clasped his hands in greeting: "Brother Su, congratulations! I am Xue Ting, and I have come to deliver the martial arts examination rewards."
"Commander Xue, you've worked hard. Please come in." Su Yu didn't dare to be negligent and returned the greeting respectfully.
"Official business is important, let's stay here, Brother Su."
Xue Ting's expression suddenly turned solemn. He took out a scroll of flying tiger tokens, gleaming with a bluish-gold luster, from the brocade box on his back and loudly proclaimed: "By order of the Black Stone Army Commander's Office: Su Yu, a disciple of the White Ape Martial Arts School, is a young prodigy with exceptional martial arts skills. In this chaotic world, evil spirits abound. Today, at the Black Stone Martial Arts Grand Ceremony, you have defeated all rivals, your skills astonishing everyone present—"
"In accordance with the system of military examinations, this special reward is hereby conferred:"
He was granted an official position, and Su Yu was promoted to the ninth rank, Jing'an Colonel. He was put in charge of the third law enforcement team of the outer city, responsible for patrolling, arresting, and...
The power to suppress riots and eliminate evil. They are permitted to establish their own clans and headquarters, recruit followers, be exempt from taxes and corvée labor, not bow to officials, and act expediently!
"Bestowed upon the army three volumes of the Black Stone Body Forging Technique, a secret, profound-level martial art!"
"A reward of one hundred taels of silver will be given for his diligence. A two-courtyard mansion in Anping Ward outside the city will be allocated to him to provide for his needs!"
"May you diligently fulfill your duties, your longsword never rusting, your heart burning with unwavering passion. Suppress the chaos and protect my Black Stone!"