The Seven Fiends Thunder Collapse Step consisted of three moves, all of which focused on achieving ultimate speed.

’If I combine this with my Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber, I can compensate for my weakness in speed and drastically increase my combat power!’

Su Yu felt a surge of anticipation and began to practice the cultivation technique.

’The core is the circulation of Qi and Blood... and how to exert force...’

Soon, after he completed a full cycle of Qi and Blood circulation and performed the stances, the familiar ink-wash text appeared before his eyes.

[Seven Fiends Thunder Collapse Step: Entry-Level]

[Martial Art]: Seven Fiends Thunder Collapse Step (Entry-Level 1/1000)

A stream of profound insight immediately flooded his mind, granting him instant comprehension of the force exertion techniques for circulating Qi and Blood and executing the Thunder Collapse Step.

’First move: Thunderous Shock Step!’

Su Yu held his breath and focused, mobilizing the Qi and Blood from his Dantian and forcefully channeling it into the Yongquan Acupoints in the soles of his feet. His major tendons instantly tensed like a fully drawn longbow.

BANG!

The bluestone slab beneath his feet let out a muffled BOOM, like thunder erupting from level ground.

Su Yu’s figure blurred, leaving an afterimage in his wake. When he reappeared, he was already five or six zhang away!

’So fast!’

Su Yu was ecstatic.

’This is more than fifty percent faster than I was before! And the explosive force is so overwhelming. Combined with the Demon-Slaying Saber Technique, the power will be even greater!’

’Second move: Thundering Zigzag Flash!’

Su Yu shot forward again. The major tendons in his ankles twisted, and his body weaved through a series of zigzagging flashes as his long saber flowed into one powerful technique after another.

’Third move: Seven Fiend Thunder Collapse!’

One step, two steps... seven steps!

With each step, the muffled thud from beneath his feet grew heavier, and his aura surged higher.

By the seventh step, it was like a tidal wave crashing down. His Qi and Blood peaked, his speed reached its absolute limit, and the long saber in his hand descended with thunderous, unstoppable momentum!

BOOM!

The hard bluestone ground instantly cracked. Shattered stone and dust flew into the air, revealing a saber gash an inch deep.

"What an incredible Body Technique!"

An older disciple from the Inner Courtyard watched with a burning gaze, unable to stop himself from exclaiming in admiration.

Not far away, Lin Wanzhu’s beautiful eyes shone with exceptional brilliance.

She had just come by on an inspection round today and hadn’t expected to witness such a stunning scene.

’That Body Technique is so ferocious and explosive. Paired with the Demon-subduing Saber, it’s a massive boost to his combat power! To think he’s only been a Martial Artist for such a short time and already possesses such astonishing strength!’

’Junior Su’s comprehension is truly astonishing!’

’A Body Technique like that must be incredibly difficult to master, yet he learned it just like that?’

’Junior Su seems to be growing faster and faster. It looks like I underestimated how much his comprehension helps his Martial Arts progress.’

’With the current turmoil in the Outer City and the frequent incidents on the trade routes, the Lin Family is in desperate need of a powerful Tributor like Junior Su. Perhaps I can recruit him to the Lin Family.’

...

「The Qian Family’s inner residence. The study.」

Qian Qinghong lounged in a Grandmaster’s Chair, one hand propping up her porcelain-white chin, the other holding a few thin sheets of intelligence reports.

She wore a sleek, form-fitting martial uniform. Her long, straight legs were stretched out casually, their musculature defined and powerful, exuding a heroic aura that would rival any man’s.

"Su Yu... from Qingxi Village... Net Casting Skill at the level of perfection... Suspected to have extremely poor aptitude, not favored by his family, yet broke through to become a Martial Artist... Repelled a ’weird,’ suspected of killing a vagrant Martial Artist..."

As she read through the details one by one, a calculating look flickered in Qian Qinghong’s eyes.

’A fisherman with no background whatsoever managed to get this far. Either his poor aptitude is a lie, his comprehension or some other quality is exceptionally strong, or he’s just incredibly good at hiding his true strength!’

She set the report down, a look of determination flashing in her eyes.

’In any case, this Su Yu is no ordinary person!’

’The Qian Family is in a precarious position right now. Ever since Father disappeared, Fourth Uncle has been colluding with outside Tributors like Zhao Gaolang to seize power.’

’My eldest brother is away on campaign with the Black Stone Army, and we don’t know if he’s alive or dead...’

’As a woman trying to hold up this massive family enterprise, I must have my own blade!’

’Su Yu has a clean background, values loyalty and honor, possesses an outstanding Net Casting Skill, and has more than enough martial power... He’s the perfect person to accompany me into the depths of the Black Water River!’

’If I can just get my hands on that thing, I can break through to the Muscle Forging Realm. Then, the Qian Family’s crisis will be resolved!’

"Go and bring Qian Wenhao to me."

Her maid, Chun’Er, immediately bowed her head in acknowledgement and turned to leave.

A short while later, Qian Wenhao followed Chun’Er into the room. "Miss!"

Qian Qinghong glanced at Chun’Er, who had followed him in, and a flicker of coldness crossed her eyes. "Chun’Er, you may wait outside."

The maid, Chun’Er, nodded at once and withdrew.

After leaving the room, Chun’Er bit her lip. Instead of waiting obediently in the courtyard, she hurried off in the direction of the Martial Arts Arena.

Inside the room, Qian Qinghong looked at Qian Wenhao. "Wenhao, what do you think of this Su Yu?"

Qian Wenhao paused, then said with a serious expression, "Miss, although some things in the report are questionable, I believe Brother Su is young and promising. He’s also a man who repays his debts and settles his scores. He’s trustworthy!"

"Oh? Why are you so certain about him? Are there other reasons?"

Qian Wenhao hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Miss, there’s a small detail I didn’t include in the report. Years ago, our Fishing Team had an Elder Jiang who mentored me for several years. He eventually left the Qian Family, but we’ve always stayed in touch."

"While investigating Su Yu, I discovered that Elder Jiang had also had dealings with him. So I made a special trip to visit him. Elder Jiang has a keen eye for character, and he spoke very highly of Su Yu."

After a moment of thought, Qian Qinghong spoke decisively, "Go and invite Su Yu here!"

"Yes!"

...

"Master Su, this is the complete Bibo Fishbone Skill. Please, take it." Without any hesitation, Qian Qinghong flicked her fair hand, pushing a secret manual across the table to Su Yu.

Though his eyes betrayed his confusion, Su Yu accepted the manual and flipped through a few pages. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

’It really is the complete Bibo Fishbone Skill, also known as the Fish Dragon Skill. This is an Upper-tier Martial Art, and a water-based one at that. Its value must be incredibly high.’

"Miss Qian, what are the Qian Family’s conditions for giving me this martial art so freely?"

Qian Qinghong’s red lips parted slightly, her gaze intent as she looked at Su Yu. "Master Su, you are young and full of promise. I hold you in high regard and wish to offer this Bibo Fishbone Skill as a gesture of friendship."

Su Yu immediately made a show of tucking the Fishbone Skill into his robes and said teasingly, "So, Miss Qian, does this mean I don’t need to become a Tributor for the Qian Family? No other strings attached? I’m not usually this generous to my friends, you know. I might just take this secret manual and run..."

Qian Qinghong let out a sudden laugh, as beautiful as a winter plum blossoming. "You have an interesting way with words, Master Su. But I trust your character, which is why I’m showing my sincerity upfront. However, the Qian Family does indeed have a favor to ask!"

Her expression turned serious. "As you know, Master Su, my Qian Family’s fleet recently encountered one of the ’weirds’ in the depths of the Black Water River. We suffered a crushing defeat and catastrophic losses. Now, the family has only a single treasure ship remaining."

"But I must go back. There is something there that I must have for my breakthrough! Your Net Casting Skill would be a great help in capturing it. Therefore, I implore you, Master Su, to help me by venturing into the depths of the Black Water River just one more time!"

Hearing this, Su Yu’s brow furrowed, and he tapped his fingers lightly on the cover of the secret manual.

’The depths of the Black Water River... It’s overrun with ’weirds’ now, practically the Black Water Forbidden Area.’

’Even the Qian Family’s well-equipped fleet of treasure ships was nearly annihilated. That shows just how terrifying the ’weirds’ in there are.’

’Is it worth risking my life for this secret manual?’

’But then again, I have the Net Casting Skill and the Listening Wave Positioning Trait. If I also master this complete Fishbone Skill, wouldn’t all the precious fish, medicinal herbs, and other treasures in the Black Water River be mine for the taking?’

’It would be a terrible waste to give up on this and never enter the Black Water River again.’

’Besides, going with the Qian Family’s treasure ship would actually be safer.’

’Still, the danger is immense. I’m just a Martial Artist who hasn’t even opened his First Acupoint. I’m not short on resources at the moment, so I can’t afford to be too reckless.’

Conflicting thoughts churned in Su Yu’s mind.

’Should I go?’