Black Crocodile Island, Hong family estate.

"Patriarch. The information has been thoroughly verified."

Hong Li’s hoarse voice filtered through his cold, iron mask. He was on one knee, his posture reverent, not even daring to raise his head.

"Su Yu of the White Ape Martial Arts Hall single-handedly overturned all of Ghost Mist Island. The three leaders, Qin Bashan, Xia Lie, and Huang Chong, were all wiped out. We just received confirmation from the Chamber of Commerce Alliance. The bounty for Ghost Hand Asura has been collected by someone from the Jiang Clan Chamber of Commerce."

Behind the desk sat a middle-aged man who commanded respect without being angry. This was the Patriarch of the Hong family, Hong Qiaosong, a Muscle Forging Realm expert who had carved out a fearsome reputation in the Ten Islands Waters with his iron fists.

Hong Qiaosong did not speak immediately.

He toyed with two smooth jade baoding balls in his hand. The CLACK CLACK of them rubbing together sounded especially harsh in the dead silent study.

"What a peerless monster!"

After a long moment, Hong Qiaosong let out a long, heavy breath. His tone held little anger, but rather a complex mix of awe and apprehension.

"Since this Su Yu was able to kill Qin Bashan, it seems he was hiding his cultivation realm. To have such a realm and strength at his age... it’s truly admirable."

"I originally thought the White Ape Martial Arts Hall had yet to secure its footing, and that the shipping profits from these trade routes were destined to be justifiably taken by my Hong family. I never imagined that this Su Yu would shatter such a flawless, deadly trap."

Hong Qiaosong’s tone was filled with regret.

"Patriarch, should we still make some moves against the White Ape Martial Arts Hall’s trade routes?"

"Forget it. The Black Lotus Sect is growing powerful, and I fear the Ten Islands Region will soon be in turmoil. The priority right now is to support new powers to maintain balance. As for the White Ape Martial Arts Hall, you will make another trip. Lower your posture, and present them with a gift! With Su Yu’s potential, as long as he doesn’t fall, he is destined to become a master in his own right..."

"Yes, Patriarch!"

...

Ten Islands, Chamber of Commerce Alliance headquarters.

With the bounty for Qin Bashan collected, the news that Su Yu had killed him and annihilated Ghost Mist Island spread like wildfire.

"Did you see? Someone really claimed it! Three hundred taels of gold, and a top-grade treasure fish..."

"Is that Su Yu really only twenty? With such a terrifying combat record, what realm is he even in?"

"I’m not sure about that, but I’ve asked around. In the Outer City of Black Stone City, he’s known as the number one genius. For a monster like him, nothing he does is too outrageous."

"I’m sure Su Yu is a monster, but I doubt he took on Ghost Mist Island all by himself. The White Ape Martial Arts Hall must have sent others with him to intimidate the various powers."

"Sigh, regardless, it’s true that the White Ape Martial Arts Hall annihilated Ghost Mist Island. Their reputation is completely established now, and they’ve secured their foothold in the Ten Islands. From now on, it’s best to stay on their good side!"

The buzz of discussion among sailors and merchants rose and fell in teahouses and taverns.

Su Yu and Qin Yu walked side-by-side down the bustling bluestone street, taking in all the discussion filled with awe and apprehension. A smile appeared on Qin Yu’s face, and she finally relaxed.

After this battle, the White Ape Martial Arts Hall’s reputation along the Ten Islands waterways was firmly established, and the profits from the trade routes were now securely in their grasp.

"Junior Sister, since the threat to the trade routes is gone and all the trivial matters in the Ten Islands Waters have been handed over, let’s set off for the city," Su Yu said, looking at Qin Yu.

"Okay, Senior Brother. Father will be thrilled when he finds out you handled everything so quickly." Qin Yu nodded excitedly, eager to see her father’s reaction to the news.

...

「That afternoon, at Black Crocodile Wharf.」

Su Yu and Qin Yu had just stepped onto the Jiang Family’s medium-sized treasure ship, which was preparing for its return journey. He was about to order the ship’s captain to cast off and set sail.

"Commander Su! Brother Su! Please wait!"

A hoarse voice called out from behind.

Su Yu followed the sound and saw Hong Li, wearing his signature iron mask, hurrying along the pier toward them.

Unlike his arrogant demeanor from the day before, Hong Li’s posture was now extremely humble. He even respectfully clasped his fists from a great distance.

"Steward Hong, what can I do for you?" Su Yu asked, standing at the bow and looking down at him, his tone flat.

Hong Li quickly reached the bow and clasped his fists in another salute. "Brother Su, you are a peerless talent. To pacify Ghost Mist Island single-handedly... I am truly in awe. Yesterday, I was blind and failed to recognize your greatness, causing much offense. Today, on the orders of my Patriarch, I have come to offer a sincere apology."

As he spoke, he held up a brocade box made of fragrant rosewood with both hands and offered it.

"This is an ancient treasure, a Forget-Worry Drunken Immortal Fruit. This fruit can nourish the soul and clarify the mind. It is a rare sight. It is but a humble gift, but I hope Brother Su will accept it. In the future, in these Ten Islands Waters, my Hong family wishes to advance and retreat alongside the White Ape Martial Arts Hall!"

A thoughtful glint flashed in Su Yu’s eyes.

’This Hong family Patriarch is quite the character, able to adapt and let things go.’

As the saying goes, you don’t slap a smiling face. Since the other party had taken the initiative to yield and even presented a gift, Su Yu certainly wasn’t going to make a mortal enemy of a local power at such a critical juncture for no reason.

"Patriarch Hong is too kind. Since it was a misunderstanding, let’s consider it resolved. As for the gift, it would be rude of me to refuse."

Seeing Su Yu agree to accept it, Hong Li let out a long breath as if a heavy burden had been lifted. He repeatedly clasped his fists and bowed before tactfully retreating.

...

"WHOOO—!"

Amidst the long blast of a horn, the Jiang Family’s treasure ship slowly pulled away from the wharf, heading upstream and cutting through the waves toward Black Stone City.

Inside a spacious and luxurious cabin on the top deck.

Su Yu sat cross-legged on a soft couch and gently opened the rosewood box.

A clear, unique fragrance wafted out to greet him.

In the center of the brocade box lay a strange spirit fruit, about the size of a baby’s fist, with a translucent, jade-like luster.

’Forget-Worry Drunken Immortal Fruit...’

Su Yu pinched it between his fingers, examining it closely. The fruit was somewhat similar to the Yun Jin Spirit Fruit that Yu Linglong had given him before. Both were rare treasures left over from the ancient world of cultivation, specifically for nourishing the soul.

In the current world of Martial Arts, compared to treasures that increased Qi and Blood, it was certainly not as practical.

For Su Yu, however, it couldn’t be a better treasure!

Untying the emerald treasure gourd from his waist and pulling out the wooden stopper, Su Yu stuffed the precious Drunken Immortal Fruit inside, along with half a pot of top-grade Green Rice Wine.

The intricate cloud patterns on the treasure gourd’s surface shimmered faintly, and some kind of change seemed to be occurring within.

In just the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn.

Su Yu raised the gourd, tilted his head back, and downed a mouthful of the freshly brewed Spirit Wine.

"BOOM!"

As the liquid went down his throat, there was no spiciness at all. Instead, it transformed into a cool, sweet fluid that rushed straight to his head. Su Yu felt his mind tremble violently as the fatigue in his head was instantly swept away, replaced by an unprecedented clarity and lucidity.

In his vision, ink-wash characters jumped:

[Breakthrough Point Progress +2%]

[Breakthrough Point Progress +2%]

...

"What a treasure!"

Su Yu exhaled a breath of white mist tinged with a faint, fruity fragrance, his eyes filled with ecstasy.

That mouthful of Spirit Wine had not only instantly replenished the spiritual sense he had just consumed, but also gave him an unprecedented feeling of clarity. It was as if his long-dusty mind had been wiped clean in an instant, leaving him feeling refreshed and invigorated to the extreme.

’My comprehension... has been temporarily enhanced by the wine’s power!’

Su Yu’s heart jolted. He keenly sensed that the abstruse points of Martial Arts that had always been slightly stagnant and only half-understood during his past cultivation were now as clear as the lines on his palm. Countless new inspirations burst forth like a gushing spring.

’This opportunity can’t be missed!’

Su Yu was unwilling to waste such a rare and fleeting state of enlightenment.

He immediately took a stance in the center of the spacious cabin. The Qi and Blood in his body surged as he began to practice the Black Stone Body Forging Skill.

As his fists and feet moved, a layer of Profound Silver Flow Armor, resembling liquid mercury, quickly materialized on the surface of his body.

This time, Su Yu did not deliberately pursue fierce power. Instead, following the profound and mysterious enlightenment in his mind, he instinctively fine-tuned the flow of Qi and Blood through his limbs, flesh, and sinews.

He perceived every minuscule loss of Qi and Blood in his enlightened state, and the flow became even smoother!

He completed the entire set of the Body Forging Skill, his movements as smooth as flowing water, perfectly natural.

As Su Yu slowly brought his movements to a close, the familiar ink-wash characters jumped into his vision:

[Black Stone Body Forging Skill Level +50]

Looking at the number frozen on the panel, Su Yu took a deep breath, a hint of joy in his heart.

’Fifty points! That’s several dozen more Skill Level points than usual! This wine gourd is truly an amazing treasure!’

’Soaking different spiritual items in it seems to create Spirit Wines with different effects. The lightning bone from before could temper my legs, and this Forget-Worry Fruit can enhance my comprehension. The effect is truly a case of one plus one being greater than two!’

Su Yu caressed the emerald gourd in his hand, unable to put it down. Feeling its smooth, warm texture, the corners of his mouth curled into a satisfied smile.

’Since you can turn the rotten into the miraculous, from now on, I’ll call you the Azure Spirit Essence-Transformation Gourd.’

Hanging the treasure gourd back on his waist, Su Yu slowly closed his eyes. While the cool potency of the wine still lingered within him, he continued to immerse himself in the deduction and refinement of his Martial Arts.