The next morning, the heavy snow finally let up.

The front courtyard of the Su Mansion was a world draped in silver.

In the center of the courtyard, the Iron Heart Copper Locust Tree had finally shed all its leaves, leaving only gnarled, vigorous black branches. They looked like countless iron halberds stabbing toward the heavens, hung with glistening icicles.

Beneath the tree, Su Yu was bare-chested. Billowing heat radiated from his body, instantly vaporizing the falling snowflakes and shrouding him in a cloud of steam.

’This should be the last snow of the season.’

Su Yu exhaled a puff of scorching white air. With a flick of his wrist, a Red Ginseng Jade Skin Pill fell into his palm, and he tilted his head back to swallow it.

The medicinal power spread, circulating throughout his body.

"Black Prison God-Locking Stake!"

Su Yu sank his center of gravity, formed a hand seal, and roared the words in his mind.

In that instant, every pore on his body seemed to slam shut!

The steam that had been rising from his body vanished. His skin’s temperature plummeted, taking on a dull, black-iron sheen. He was like a cold, iron prison, a cast-iron statue locking his rampaging Qi and Blood tightly within.

Then, his body began to move slowly, shifting into the "Black Prison Mountain-Pushing" posture.

He pushed his palms forward, his movements agonizingly slow, as if the air had become as thick and viscous as mercury. With every inch he advanced, his bones emitted a series of sharp CRACKS.

The medicinal power that had been rampaging through his system was crushed and ground down bit by bit under this immense pressure, forcibly absorbed into his body.

...

Once the medicinal power was fully absorbed, Su Yu gave his spine a sudden jolt.

"Profound Armor Heaven-Shaking Force!"

"HUMMM!"

His entire skin rippled and vibrated violently, like a wave, emitting a hum like a struck bell that shook the snow from the treetops, causing it to fall with a RUSTLE.

Su Yu slowly relaxed, sensing the tough, resilient quality of his skin. A sharp light glinted in his eyes.

’What a domineering technique, this Black Stone Body Forging Skill! This isn’t just martial arts; it’s using my body as a furnace to forge a golden physique with money!’

In just one morning, he had reached the entry-level of the Black Stone Body Forging Skill and digested a full day’s worth of medicinal power.

His physical strength had soared by a thousand catties, and the defense of his skin had risen to a new level.

’According to the Black Stone Body Forging Skill, this is only the beginning. My next step is to continue with "Qi Swallowing Hundred Herbs Melting Furnace Fire." With daily accumulation, I can eventually reach the so-called Profound Iron Skin stage within the Skin Tempering Realm!’

’This Profound Iron Skin not only makes one impervious to blades and spears and immune to water and fire, but it can also lock in Qi and Blood during combat and release it in an explosive burst, like steam, causing a massive surge in power!’

Anticipation flickered in Su Yu’s eyes. The Black Stone Body Forging Skill was truly worthy of being a Xuan-tier Technique; it was incredibly powerful.

With this technique, he could practice it alongside White Ape Fist. White Ape Fist was primarily for raising his realm, while the Black Stone Body Forging Skill enhanced his Qi and Blood and defense. When stacked, not only would he consume medicinal power faster, accelerating his White Ape Fist training, but it would also significantly boost his combat strength.

The only drawback was that it burned through money too quickly!

’After opening my First Acupoint, the Red Ginseng Jade Skin Pills were already becoming insufficient. I needed to switch to the Black Scale Blood Orifice Pills. Now, with the Black Stone Body Forging Skill accelerating my consumption, the rate has more than doubled!’

’But as long as I can quickly convert money into strength, it’s worth it!’

Su Yu summoned his panel to check his latest status.

[Martial Arts]: White Ape Fist (Layer 1) (Skilled 760/7,000)

[Martial Arts]: Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber (Layer 1) (Skilled 1,800/5,000)

[Martial Arts]: Black Stone Body Forging Skill (Layer 1) (entry-level 100/5,000)

[Martial Arts]: Seven Fiends Thunder Collapse Step (Skilled 410/2,000)

[Martial Arts]: Bibo Fish Dragon Skill (Layer 1) (entry-level 400/1,000)

[Martial Arts]: White Ape Six Changes (1 Breaking Limit) (Trait: Heart Monkey Clarity), Coin Toss (Perfection)

[Skills]: Casting Net (3 Breaking Limits) (Trait: Listening Wave Positioning)

[Breakthrough Points]: 0 (Progress 99%)

’The progress of all my Martial Arts is increasing steadily, but these Breakthrough Points are stuck!’ 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Looking at the 99% progress bar, Su Yu frowned slightly.

’It seems that as I practice the Black Stone Body Forging Skill, my body’s energy absorption has evolved again, so less is overflowing to generate Breakthrough Points.’

Su Yu pondered. His observations over this period had allowed him to gradually figure out the accumulation mechanism for Breakthrough Points.

It had taken about three months to accumulate nearly one point, which seemed similar to before. However, during this time, he had consumed far more precious things like treasure fish.

Ultimately, it was because his body had grown stronger and was absorbing more energy during his training.

Energy couldn’t come from nowhere. If he wanted to speed up the accumulation of Breakthrough Points now, his only option was to eat more high-quality food that would increase his Qi and Blood!

’Good thing I’ve accumulated a lot of wealth. From now on, treasure fish, Exotic Beast Meat... I’ll eat as much as I can!’

Having made up his mind, Su Yu walked to the backyard and found the two treasure fish being raised in the lotus pond.

The Red Oil Fish King was currently swimming about. The high, fleshy crest on its back was a vibrant, dripping red, as if it sealed a flowing flame. As it moved, it trailed a crimson streak of light through the water, like lava entering a stream—a truly beautiful sight.

The Blackfin Pompano, however, was completely different. Its body was as black as ink, and it lay dormant in the shadow of a large lotus leaf, only the single horn on its head glinting with a cold, metallic light. The ferocious aura of a predator emanating from it had scared all the pond’s original koi into huddling in the farthest corner, trembling, not even daring to wag their tails.

The Red Oil Fish King was a gift from Senior Brother Jiang, while the Blackfin Pompano was from the Qian Family.

He wasn’t surprised by Senior Brother Jiang’s gift. His senior brother had always been generous, and the Jiang Family had their own water trade routes. Although they could no longer go deep into the Black Water River, their trade routes upstream to Jian’an Prefecture were still open, so there were plenty of opportunities to acquire treasure fish.

But the Blackfin Pompano being a gift from the Qian Family was somewhat surprising.

’Qian Qinghong sure is generous!’

Su Yu thought to himself. The Qian Family’s fleet had suffered devastating losses, yet they could still part with a treasure fish whose value was still rising. Qian Qinghong was truly a good friend, worth getting to know better.

’But cooking a treasure fish is a hassle. The mansion is short a chef right now, and I can’t just go and ask Yang Zhen and her sister again.’

Su Yu was in a bit of a bind.

Treasure fish are extremely difficult to prepare. If not cooked properly, their medicinal power will be lost. He hadn’t known this before and was lucky to have asked Aunt Liu to cook for him.

As he was worrying about this, a commotion erupted at the mansion’s entrance.

A thought struck Su Yu, and he strode quickly toward the gate.

The main gate was open, and a squad of Black Stone Army soldiers was escorting a group of people to the entrance.

The arrivals were none other than the members of the Su Family, as well as the village chief and a few others.

"Lord Su!"

The leading Black Stone Army Decurion saw Su Yu and immediately stepped forward, saluting respectfully. "This humble one is Sun Xin, in charge of the eastern city patrol. These people were carrying a token from your mansion and claimed to be your family, so I took the liberty of escorting them here."

"Thank you, Brother Sun. It must have been a long trip." He took out a tael of Broken Silver from his clothes and offered it.

Sun Xin hastily refused, his face wreathed in smiles. "Lord Su, you flatter me! It is my honor to be of service to you. You’re a Captain who passed the Martial Examination! All the brothers admire you greatly!"

"In that case, thank you. Let’s look out for each other in the future." Su Yu didn’t insist, cupping his fist in farewell.

After the Black Stone Army left, the members of the Su Family finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"This is... Yu’s mansion?" Eldest Aunt looked up at the tall lintel and the gilded "Su Mansion" plaque, completely at a loss, not even daring to step inside.

"Eldest Brother, Third Uncle, Uncle Wang, let’s go inside first."

The group stepped into the front courtyard.

The spacious Martial Arts Arena, the towering Iron Heart Copper Locust Tree, the exquisite spirit screen... for people accustomed to the dilapidated mud houses of Qingxi Village, all of this was a bit too extravagant. They were like Granny Liu stepping into the Grand View Garden.

"Oh, Yu, this is even bigger than Landlord Liu’s house in town! Can we really live here?" Eldest Aunt cautiously touched a corridor pillar, her heart filled with apprehension.

"Eldest Aunt, we’re all family. Of course you can live here. Let’s go to the backyard and put your things down first."

Su Yu led the group into the backyard and let them choose a few rooms in the eastern wing to live in.

He then went to the courtyard, where Wang Yuechi was standing respectfully to the side. Kneeling on the ground were two anxious young men and a child with sharp, intelligent eyes.