Su Yu splayed his fingers, his great tendons snapping taut like bowstrings.

Dozens of Flying Locust Stones shot out like a torrential downpour, each one imbued with terrifying Spiral Force, letting out a piercing shriek as they cut through the air.

THWACK! THWACK! THWACK...

A rapid-fire series of impacts rang out, as cringe-inducing as a sudden squall tearing through banana leaves. Sun Shi, who had been charging like a wild bull, was brought to a dead stop by the furious storm of Flying Locust Stones. He was even forced back, step by painful step!

’Pain! A piercing, agonizing pain!’

Although the Nine-Turn Iron Armor Skill offered peerless defense, this rain of Flying Locust Stones was too dense and aimed too deviously!

Each stone struck a different spot—a joint, his face. The concussive force was so rapid his Qi and Blood couldn’t remount a defense in time, and bruises instantly blossomed all over his body.

"ARGH! This hurts like hell!"

Sun Shi couldn’t help but let out a pained cry, all traces of his earlier arrogance gone.

The crowd erupted in an uproar.

Everyone stared, dumbfounded. No one had expected Su Yu to have such a powerful move up his sleeve.

In the crowd, a Martial Artist wearing a Copper Coin Pattern Yellow Robe trembled with excitement. "It’s... it’s... Scattering Gold Everywhere!"

He was a Martial Artist from the Money Gang and had recognized the technique. Scattering Gold Everywhere was a powerful move that could only be unleashed by someone who had mastered the Golden Coin Toss skill to the Perfection Realm!

’Someone actually mastered the Golden Coin Toss to the point of Perfection! That’s terrifying!’

’You have to understand, even the most talented expert in our gang has only reached the Great Accomplishment stage after decades of practice!’

’Just who in the world is this Su Yu?!’

’No, no, I have to tell the Gang Leader. Anyone who practices the Golden Coin Toss is family!’

’Right now, the Water Snake Gang is crushing us. We’re on the verge of collapse and desperately need an expert like him!’

Lin Jing gazed at the figure standing with his hands clasped behind his back, who had suppressed Sun Shi with nothing more than a handful of stones. A dazzling light danced in her lovely eyes, and she couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle.

’This guy... is always so full of surprises.’

An inexplicable sense of security washed over her.

The other Martial Artists were even more shocked. ’This man’s projectile technique is just too powerful!’

’That Scattering Gold Everywhere technique... it was like a goddess scattering blossoms!’

’If I were facing that, I wouldn’t be able to dodge at all!’

The power of each Flying Locust Stone was also terrifying. Even with Sun Shi’s strength at the First Acupoint level, combined with the defense of his Nine-Turn Iron Armor Skill, he still couldn’t fully block the assault.

A Martial Artist below the First Acupoint realm would likely be injured after just a few hits.

But of everyone in the crowd, the most shocked and unsettled was none other than Chen Fan.

His eyes filled with disbelief. He watched as the powerful Sun Shi was completely pinned down by Su Yu, unable to even get close!

’How is this possible... His projectile technique is that powerful? Even Sun Shi can’t get near him?’

’Isn’t he supposed to be practicing the Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber, just like me? Since when did he have such an incredible projectile technique?!’

Though he found it unbelievable, the truth was laid bare before him, impossible to deny.

’No! That’s not it!’

Chen Fan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his shock as he desperately tried to rationalize what he was seeing.

’He must have realized he had no talent for the saber, so he abandoned it to specialize in these unorthodox tricks!’

’Hmph, Su Yu, you’re hopelessly stupid! The path of Martial Arts is ultimately decided by raw strength! Projectiles are nothing but cheap tricks, only good for a surprise attack!’

’Besides, you’ve shown your hand now. The final stage of the Martial Examination is arena combat. No one will give you the chance for a sneak attack!’

’Your projectiles will be useless then!’

At this thought, Chen Fan’s expression grew calm, and he shot a cold glance at Su Yu and Sun Shi.

’Just you wait. All of you. When I, Chen Fan, make it into the top ten, I’ll soar to greatness once again!’

CLANG! A gong rang out.

"Time’s up! The second stage, Iron Locks Cross the River, is over!"

A judge from the Flesh Refining Realm with a fluid Body Technique landed in the center of the high platform, his voice booming like a great bell.

Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief. They had finally advanced!

Although the match was over, Sun Shi’s gaze remained locked on Su Yu. Seeing the judge nearby, however, he made no sudden moves.

"Su Yu, is it? I’ll remember you." Sun Shi dropped the act and grinned, a chilling smile spreading across his face. "You better pray you don’t face me in the arena. Otherwise, I’ll crush your bones one by one!"

Su Yu casually tossed a Flying Locust Stone in his hand, his expression unfazed. "The same goes for you."

’If that Sun Shi thinks this projectile technique is all I have, he’s sorely mistaken.’

’If we do meet in the arena, I won’t mind letting him have a taste of the Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber’s power!’

"Brother Su! Thank you for your help!" Lin Dong strode over and clasped his fist in a formal salute. If Su Yu hadn’t intervened, he and his sister would likely have been eliminated.

"Don’t mention it. We’re friends," Su Yu said with a wave of his hand.

Lin Dong said no more, but he silently committed this debt to memory, now considering Su Yu a true friend.

Lin Jing hung her long whip back on her belt and swaggered over, her usual feisty demeanor returning. "Su Yu! Alright, I owe you one. Let’s go! I’ll treat you to a great meal back in the city!"

Su Yu looked at her with a teasing smile. "So... is our match still on?"

"Match, my ass!"

Lin Jing smacked Su Yu on the back, flustered and annoyed. "You’re doing that on purpose, aren’t you? There’s no way I can beat a monster like you now!"

"What about the wager, then?" Su Yu asked, lowering his voice meaningfully.

The moment she heard "wager," the tips of Lin Jing’s ears turned scarlet. She glanced at the surrounding crowd, shot Su Yu a fierce glare, and said through a bitten lip, "I’ll deal with you when we get back!"

...

「At the Black River Crossing Pier, by the Lin Family’s carriage.」

When Lin Wanzhu saw the three of them return safely, the knot of anxiety in her chest finally loosened.

"You all made it through, right?"

"We did, Sister Lin," Lin Dong replied.

"Good. Lin Dong, you and your sister head back first. I’m taking Junior Su to the martial arts hall to see Master."

"Sister Lin, there’s one more thing."

"What is it?"

Lin Dong’s expression turned serious. He lowered his voice and said, "Sister Lin, we advanced, but we ran into some trouble. Sun Shi from the Iron Armor Martial Arts Hall... we made an enemy of him."

He recounted the conflict on the platform in detail.

After hearing his story, Lin Wanzhu’s delicate brows furrowed slightly before she let out a cold sneer. "The Iron Armor Martial Arts Hall may be strong, but our Lin Family and the White Ape Martial Arts Hall are no pushovers! They wouldn’t dare act recklessly."

"Especially with my master here, the two halls won’t start a major conflict over a simple dispute between disciples."

"However..." Her tone shifted, and her gaze sharpened. "The arena has its own rules. If you really do run into him, you must be extremely careful!"

"If you’re outmatched, just forfeit the match immediately!" Lin Wanzhu warned Lin Dong and his sister.

"As for you, Su Yu..." Lin Wanzhu turned to him, a flash of ruthlessness and anticipation in her eyes. "If you’re confident you can win, then I want you to give him a merciless beating!"

"And what if Sun Yan steps in for his brother?" Su Yu asked.

"Sun Shi may have his older brother, but you, Su Yu, have me as your senior sister! If he dares to use his higher cultivation realm to bully you, I will personally intervene!" Lin Wanzhu declared, her voice firm as steel.

Looking at his fiercely protective senior sister, Su Yu felt a warmth spread through his chest.

’It feels good to have someone in your corner.’

...

「White Ape Martial Arts Hall, Main Hall.」

"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!"

Hearing that both his disciples had advanced, Qin Fangqiong’s face flushed with delight.

"The final stage: the battle for the arena!"

His eyes burned with intensity as he looked at Chen Fan and Su Yu. "The rules are simple: one-on-one duels, with the winner advancing. Win two consecutive matches, and you’ll make it into the top ten!"

"Once you’re in the top ten, you’ll be made a squad leader in the Law Enforcement Team! You’ll wield real authority, earn a Monthly Allowance of two hundred taels, and your future will be boundless!"

"Both of you must give it your all!"

Master Qin’s words were like a fire, instantly igniting the ambition in Chen Fan’s eyes.

He trembled with excitement.

’Finally... I’ve finally made it this far!’

’Just two more wins tomorrow, and I’ll be in the top ten. I’ll marry the daughter of a prestigious family and reach the pinnacle of my life!’

"Rest assured, Master!" Chen Fan replied, his voice sharp with excitement. "I will definitely seize a spot in the top ten and live up to your high expectations!"

Su Yu stood to the side, his expression as calm as still water.

’The top ten?’

’That spot is as good as mine!’