Chapter 455 - 437: Champion of the Martial Arts Hall Alliance

Su Yu knew what Pang Xuan meant, but his mind was already made up.

"Thank you for your generous offer, Mansion Master, but I already have a wife and do not wish to enter another marriage alliance."

After hearing this, Pang Xuan was silent for a moment before finally saying, "Fine! Then let’s leave things here for today."

"Your subordinate takes his leave!"

Neither servile nor overbearing, Su Yu stood up, turned, and left.

Pang Xuan quietly watched Su Yu’s departing figure, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.

’Su Yu, your talent is impressive, but you have too much youthful bravado. You haven’t learned when to bow your head and make compromises.’

’If you want to survive—and thrive—in the intricate and complex Black Stone City, talent alone isn’t enough.’

’Once you enter the Inner City and see all the peerless geniuses and the great figures of the Divine Storage Realm, you’ll know regret.’

「White Ape Martial Arts Hall, Inner Courtyard Teahouse.」

Qin Fangqiong had gathered several of her Direct Disciples to discuss matters.

"I’ve called you here today to announce two things. First, the Martial Arts Hall Alliance intends to nominate our White Ape Martial Arts Hall as the leader, to command all the Martial Arts Halls in the Outer City."

"Excellent!"

Jiang Liuchuan’s folding fan SNAPPED shut as he couldn’t help but blurt it out.

If the White Ape Martial Arts Hall became the leader, everyone present would reap enormous benefits.

To say nothing of other things, the number of apprentices seeking to join would increase by at least thirty percent!

"Master, what are the stances of the Hongshan, Chasing Wind, and Iron Armor Halls?" Lin Wanzhu asked.

"This proposal was initiated by the Hongshan and Chasing Wind Halls. Now that I have broken through to the Profound Bone Realm, the White Ape Martial Arts Hall’s power has soared, and our strength is far beyond what it once was. Hong Jingtian and Liu Cheng see this clearly, so they decided to go with the flow and do us this favor."

"I have also promised Hong Jingtian that I will guide him in his breakthrough to the Profound Bone Realm. As for Liu Cheng, he has some history with the Lin Family and me, so he can be considered an ally."

"And the Iron Armor Martial Arts Hall?"

Su Yu asked faintly.

Qin Fangqiong’s gaze turned icy. "The Iron Armor Martial Arts Hall is still cowering like a turtle in its shell! Now that our hall is so powerful, it’s time to discuss how to deal with them!"

After Master Qin finished speaking, she looked at Su Yu, awaiting his response.

The others all turned to look at him as well.

By now, Su Yu’s opinion was indispensable in the affairs of the White Ape Martial Arts Hall, a fact his senior brothers and sisters had long grown accustomed to.

Su Yu pondered for a moment before saying, "The Iron Armor Martial Arts Hall has long been our enemy. Their cowering now is only because we are growing stronger and are in the limelight. The moment we show any weakness, they will surely pounce on us. That being the case, we must eliminate this future threat early!"

"Master, let’s destroy the Iron Armor Martial Arts Hall!"

"Good!"

Qin Fangqiong had long harbored this intention. Now that Su Yu had spoken up, they instantly saw eye to eye.

"However, we must also be mindful of our reputation; we cannot move against them directly. I will handle this matter. You and Wanzhu should continue to focus on your duties with the Public Security Bureau. I will take care of things on the Martial Arts Hall’s side."

"If I need you, I will notify you both!"

"Yes, Master."

「...」

Leaving the Martial Arts Hall, Su Yu and his Senior Sister strolled side-by-side through the streets.

Looking back at the Martial Arts Hall, which had been expanded to more than double its original size, he couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional.

"Ah Yu, I never thought the Martial Arts Hall would become the leader of the alliance. It’s truly incredible."

A look of reminiscence flashed in Lin Wanzhu’s eyes. The old White Ape Martial Arts Hall had been just a third-rate establishment in the Outer City, barely managing to stay afloat.

’How did it become the leader of the Outer City’s Martial Arts world?’

The next moment, her gaze fell upon Su Yu, and she suddenly understood. Perhaps this was all thanks to Ah Yu.

From a mere apprentice to the Martial Arts genius he was today, Ah Yu’s influence was immense.

Everyone around him had basked in his light.

Not just in terms of reputation, but also their Master’s recovery and breakthrough, and her own breakthrough...

’This incomparably handsome young man brought all of this about.’

At this thought, she blissfully leaned against Su Yu, resting her head on his shoulder, her beautiful dark hair cascading down.

They walked side-by-side, enjoying this rare moment of peace.

「...」

For the next few days, Su Yu enjoyed a rare period of leisure.

The work-for-relief program at the Public Security Bureau had not yet begun, and the time to go to the Inner City had not yet arrived, so he was able to devote all his time to his Martial Arts.

"Brother Su, face my sword!"

Zhen’Er’s Realm had advanced, so the two of them often sparred to test and improve their Martial Arts against each other.

Zhen’Er’s sword strike came, the gleam of the blade as brilliant as a rainbow. In Su Yu’s eyes, it was as if a cyan lotus was blooming—resplendent, holy, yet carrying an ultimate sword edge, threatening to slice through everything before it with a single slash.

’So this is the aura of the Cyan Lotus Sword?’

’It’s truly astonishing. Such killing power is worthy of a Sword Cultivator!’

Su Yu swept his saber out horizontally. Like a white ape scooping the moon from the water or plucking a star from the sky, the brilliant flash of his saber intercepted the sword light, shattering its momentum completely.

The two continued to exchange blows, and in a flash, dozens of moves had passed!

[Demon Ape Demon-Vibrating Saber Skill Level +5]

「...」

Watching the continuous increase in his Skill Level appear before his eyes, Su Yu felt a pleasant surprise.

’It seems sparring with different experts can also increase my Skill Level by a fair amount.’

’After all, the Demon-Vibrating Saber isn’t a Cultivation Technique for advancing Realms; it’s purely a Skill of slaughter, and comprehension is more easily gained in battle.’

After their bout, both of them had gained some new insights.

Zhen’Er flashed a brilliant smile, like a flower blooming in summer, and ran over to hug Su Yu’s arm.

"Brother Su, you’re so strong. My Cyan Lotus Sword is an ancient Swordsmanship technique, yet you neutralized it so easily."

Being flattered by such a great beauty, Su Yu felt a little smug.

He gently pinched her delicate, flawless cheek and chuckled. "Your Brother Su has plenty more skills where that came from. You’ll discover them slowly."

"Hee hee, then I’ll have to spar with Brother Su every day."

The two chatted and laughed, flirting and teasing, and the fatigue from their training lessened a bit.

In the distance, Ai’Er, who had just walked in, saw this scene and immediately pouted, her cheeks puffed up in a huff.

’If you’re going to train, then train! Why are you flirting?!’

Grumbling to herself, Ai’Er strode over to them on her long, fair legs.

"Sister, the various families sent their silver at the beginning of the month. There are some new powers on the west side of the city that I don’t recognize. You should go take a look."

Zhen’Er, being perceptive, had of course noticed her pouting little sister. She smiled sweetly, took her hand, and said, "I’ll go right away. Thank you for all your hard work, my dear sister. Haven’t you been feeling some changes in your body lately? Let Brother Su check on you again and give you some pointers on your Martial Arts."

With that, she blinked her big eyes at Su Yu and headed toward the front courtyard.

"Brother Su, I want to try breaking through to become a Martial Artist!"

Yang Ai sat down with Su Yu at a nearby stone table, a hint of anxiety in her eyes.

Now that these chaotic times were upon them, if she didn’t become a Martial Artist, she could only rely on others for protection.

Especially since her sister was now an expert at the Muscle Forging Realm and had even helped Brother Su fight off enemies during the attack on the Su Mansion a few days ago.

This made Yang Ai, who had been patient until now, completely unable to sit still any longer.

"Lately, it feels like a ball of fire is burning inside my body. At night when I sleep, I even dream of fireballs like the sun falling constantly."

"Brother Su, can I still become a Martial Artist?"

Seeing Ai’Er’s somewhat dejected expression, Su Yu smiled comfortingly. "Don’t worry, it’s a good thing. Your body’s foundation is growing stronger and stronger. When the time comes for you to break through to a Martial Artist, you might even cross several realms at once."

Hearing Su Yu’s words, Yang Ai’s expression instantly relaxed. She giggled and threw herself at him, hugging his neck and pressing her two long, snow-white, slender legs against him.

"Brother Su, I’m relieved then! Tell me about cultivation after becoming a Martial Artist."

Su Yu nodded and began to carefully explain the cultivation of a Martial Artist to her.

Looking at her sweet, giggling face, Su Yu felt a pang of guilt.

’I’ve been neglecting Ai’Er’s feelings and haven’t done my best to help find a solution.’

’What I just said was mostly to comfort her.’

’Whether the abnormality in her body is truly a good thing... in truth, that was just a guess based on my experience.’

’I only spoke with such certainty to comfort Ai’Er and keep her from overthinking.’

’Ultimately, my knowledge here in the Outer City is too limited. I might have to ask around in the Inner City. Perhaps I’ll find something there!’