Chapter 529: An Era of Great Chaos and Strife

The medicinal efficacy of the Iron Wood Fruit continued to spread, further transforming the skin and membrane of Su Yu’s chest.

Soon, all three Iron Wood Fruits were completely consumed. The transformation of Su Yu’s arms, legs, and chest was complete.

He observed, “This Iron Wood Fruit is indeed extraordinary. No wonder Jingfeng insisted I ask for three of them. Even without cultivating a special Body Refining Technique, these three Iron Wood Fruits alone are enough to take one’s physical defense to the next level.”

Su Yu stood up, stretching his limbs and bones as he experienced the specific changes in his body.

As he raised his arm, with a mere thought, Formless Flowing Gold surged from beneath his skin, swiftly covering his fist and forearm. Enveloped by his Divine Sense, he acutely perceived the changes in the Formless Flowing Gold.

In the past, although the Formless Flowing Gold could flow at his will, change shape, and instantly condense and solidify to block an attack the moment it was struck, it was merely the pure hardness of transitioning from liquid to solid.

But now, things were different.

With the enhancement of the mysterious Iron Wood patterns, it clearly possessed newfound resilience! Beneath its flowing black gleam, a faintly visible network of interlocking, interwoven patterns emerged.

Su Yu casually grabbed an ordinary long saber and slashed it at the Formless Flowing Gold.

The moment the blade struck, the Formless Flowing Gold morphed into a small black shield. Dark Gold patterns faintly rippled across the shield in concentric circles, its surface undulating like flowing water.

Firm but not stiff, resilient but not slack!

This was precisely the transformative effect brought about by the Iron Wood patterns.

CLANG!

The long saber was effortlessly deflected.

Su Yu’s eyes lit up, and he increased the strength of his next strike. Soon, after a series of tests, he fully grasped the changes in the Formless Flowing Gold.

He thought, “With the enhancement of these Iron Wood patterns, the defense of the Formless Flowing Gold has significantly increased. Based on standard Dragon Tendon combat strength, it can now withstand at least one strike from a Middle Dragon Tendon expert.

“This Iron Wood Fruit is truly a good item!”

A sharp gleam flashed across Su Yu’s eyes. Having consumed three Iron Wood Fruits, he clearly hadn’t reached his physical limit. In other words, he could continue consuming more Iron Wood Fruits to enhance himself further!

He mused, “The Tiemu family certainly has some good items. However, our feud is now practically public. Getting more Iron Wood Fruits from them will be rather troublesome.”

Su Yu frowned, pondering for a moment. Unable to come up with a viable solution for the time being, he could only set the thought aside.

He concluded, “There’s no rush. My top priority right now is to elevate my Realm and strength. I’m not lacking in this kind of trump card anyway.”

Over the next two days, Su Yu declined all invitations to visit other families, choosing instead to focus peacefully on practicing his martial arts in the backyard of the Su Mansion.

After consuming his remaining two Dragon Tendon Pills, his Skill Level panel reached a new height.

[Martial Arts]: Cyan Wood Shadow Ape Fist (Minor Perfection 1720/2000)

Feeling the Qi and Blood in his body growing stronger once again, Su Yu gave a slight nod.

He murmured to himself, “My strength has increased again. I wonder if I can suppress those True Dragon Seed Candidates in an actual fight without relying on my trump cards.”

Currently, his Qi and Blood was approaching the level of the Middle Dragon Tendon. Combined with his Demon-Suppressing Power at Breaking Limit Level 3 and his astonishing Demon Ape Evil Qi, he had already surpassed the limits of the Muscle Forging Realm. With the addition of his Profound Tier Treasure Saber, Mo Yuan, and the enhancement of the Demon-Vibrating Stance, he was brimming with confidence.

He thought to himself, “But I can’t underestimate those guys, either. The Cultivation Techniques they practice are at least peak Profound Tier. I heard Zhao Qingyue even cultivates a Spirit Tier Cultivation Technique, the Qingyue Sword Manual, granting her a terrifying Sword Stance. Furthermore, none of them are likely short on trump cards.”

Su Yu was quite looking forward to the upcoming arena battles. He wanted to test his strength and see exactly what level he had reached.

As for trump cards, he didn’t panic in the slightest. After all, he had no weaknesses: the Celestial Thunder Step at Breaking Limit Level 3, the Heart Bell’s Long Ringing at Breaking Limit Level 2, along with the recently enhanced Formless Flowing Gold and Flesh Healing. Empowered by these numerous methods, he was confident in facing any enemy in the Muscle Forging Realm.

Meanwhile, in the Conference Hall of the Zhenwu Mansion.

Mansion Master Qian Zhiyuan sat on the main seat like a towering mountain. Today, he was clad in golden armor, carrying a massive golden warhammer on his back, exuding immense pressure on everyone in the hall.

Flanking the main seat were several Grand Masters.

There was Gudu Zui, dressed in hemp garments with a wine gourd hanging from his waist; Mo Guhong, wearing a bamboo hat and carrying a long saber on his back; Jiang Wen, elegant and approachable in his spotless white clothes; Jin Fugui, with a chubby face resembling a wealthy patriarch; Liu Longyu, clad in red armor with a massive Horse-cutting Saber on her back, sitting in a bold, domineering posture; and Pang Xuan, dressed in a black robe with a face as calm as still water.

Qian Zhiyuan’s voice boomed like thunder, echoing in the ears of the Grand Masters.

“According to the latest military intelligence, the Black Lotus Sect has already commenced their covert operations. Over at Cangya Pass, small squads of Scouts have already engaged the enemy in skirmishes.

“After today’s Martial Examination, we will require every faction to deploy personnel as reinforcements. Unlike previous encounters, this is destined to be a brutal war of attrition.

“Our Zhenwu Mansion will lead by example. The first wave of reinforcements must be spearheaded by a Grand Master.

“Do any of you have any thoughts?”

A hush fell over the hall. None of the Grand Masters spoke.

Going to Cangya Pass meant walking into a ferocious battle. Even though the weakest among them was a peak Profound Bone Realm expert, none could guarantee their own safety. Moreover, this war involved too many factors and bore too heavy a responsibility for anyone to volunteer lightly.

Qian Zhiyuan continued, “This battle will determine the fate of Cangya Pass, Black Stone City, and even the entirety of Qing Province. The stakes and responsibilities are massive; everyone is aware of this.

“Grand General Tiansheng of Cangya Pass is fair in dispensing rewards and punishments. He has allocated numerous rewards for the reinforcing factions.

“Whoever leads the team there will be granted an Extreme Realm Pill. Should they achieve further merits, there are many items among the battle merit rewards that surpass the Extreme Realm Pill. Additionally, Black Stone City is currently in discussions and will soon establish new regulations. Based on the contributions in this war, the city’s interests for the next thirty years will be completely redistributed!”

GASP!

A look of shock crossed Jin Fugui’s chubby face, and he couldn’t help but suck in a breath of cold air.

A direct reward of an Extreme Realm Pill?

This was a Spirit Tier Treasure Pill! For a Profound Bone Realm cultivator breaking through to the Divine Storage Realm, this pill would single-handedly increase their success rate by thirty percent. And the redistribution of interests for the next thirty years? That was nothing short of an epoch-making upheaval. Black Stone City wasn’t just changing its skies; countless factions would be completely reshuffled in the crucible of this war.

The other Grand Masters were equally astounded. Even Gudu Zui—a lone wolf who seldom cared about worldly matters—lowered his wine gourd.

Holding the gourd suspended in mid-air, he fell into deep thought before revealing a rare smile.

“Are there any treasures rewarded for breaking through to Grandmaster?” he asked.

Looking at the intrigued Gudu Zui, Qian Zhiyuan replied calmly, “There are!”

“Hahahaha…”

Upon hearing the confirmation, Gudu Zui burst into roaring laughter and took a massive swig of wine. “Only in an era of great chaos and strife can one forge a path to the heavens! Good! Very good! This world is finally getting interesting!”

“Old Gu, will you lead the team, then?” Qian Zhiyuan inquired.

“Nope!”

With a heavy THUD, Gudu Zui slammed his wine gourd onto the table, surprisingly refusing the offer. However, noticing Qian Zhiyuan’s darkened expression and sheer urge to beat him to a pulp, he quickly explained, “Mansion Master, once I cultivate for a while longer, I’ll naturally take a trip to Cangya Pass myself!”

Hearing Gudu Zui’s words, the other Grand Masters’ eyes immediately flickered with contemplation and astonishment.

It had been a long time since anyone knew the true depths of Gudu Zui’s strength. The last time he acted, several years ago, he easily impaled a Divine Storage Realm Demon Cultivator from the Great Snow Mountain with a single spear thrust.

“Haha, very well. We’ll talk again once you’ve finished your cultivation,” Qian Zhiyuan said. “As for leading the team this time, the rest of you can think it over. If anyone wishes to go, come find me. If no one volunteers, we’ll draw lots to decide!”