Su Yu’s fingers gently caressed the cover of the Secret Manual as he weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

In the end, he spoke. "My apologies."

Su Yu looked up, his gaze clear, and slowly pushed the Secret Manual back. "I appreciate the generous offer, Miss Qian, but I am just a novice Martial Artist with little strength. The strangeness in the depths of the Black Water River... I dare not get involved."

’With my peerless talent, as long as I cultivate diligently, I’ll eventually make a name for myself.’

’The risks involved in this matter are simply too great.’

The light in Qian Qinghong’s eyes dimmed slightly.

’So he refused after all?’

’Well, it’s only human nature to seek advantages and avoid harm. In the current situation, who would dare to rashly enter the depths of the Black Water River?’

’This Su Yu is cautious and knows when to advance or retreat. Although I admire that kind of personality, it’s a little upsetting to be the one he’s refusing.’

"Master Su is as cautious as I thought. I understand your concerns." She sighed, showing no anger. "Fine, I won’t force you. However, I still need to prepare for half a year to minimize the risks. If you change your mind by then, Master Su, you can come see me anytime!"

Su Yu stood and clasped his fist. "In that case, I will take my leave."

He turned to leave without a moment’s hesitation.

"Wait!"

"Is there something else, Miss Qian?"

THWACK!

Qian Qinghong’s slender hand snatched the Martial Arts Secret Manual from the table and tossed it directly into Su Yu’s arms.

Su Yu stared at her, stunned, not understanding her intention.

"Take it, Master Su. This Martial Arts Secret Manual is a gift. I can’t have you leave empty-handed. From now on, though, we’re friends!"

Su Yu was even more baffled.

’She’s just giving me such a precious Martial Arts Secret Manual? Did the deal fail, so now she’s trying to trap me with friendship?’

’She’s overthinking it. I’ve always been the type to draw my sword without mercy!’

"Miss Qian, I’m not the kind of person who would risk life and limb for a friend," Su Yu explained again.

Qian Qinghong rolled her eyes at him. "Stop dawdling. Are you a man or not? I said we’ll just be friends. Whether you help or not when the time comes is up to you. Friends don’t force each other."

Since she put it that way—and Su Yu was, of course, a man—he gladly accepted it.

’It would be a waste not to take something free!’

’As for whether I’ll help her... we’ll see when the time comes.’

...

After Su Yu left, Qian Wenhao came in and asked, "Miss, how did it go?"

"He refused."

"Ah, what a pity. Brother Su’s Net Casting Skill is truly formidable. With him, our chances of obtaining that thing would have been much greater."

"But I saw Brother Su leaving with a grin on his face. Why?" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"I gave him the Fishbone Skill."

"Huh?" Qian Wenhao’s face was a mask of bewilderment. "You just gave the Fishbone Skill away for free?"

Qian Qinghong looked at his foolish expression and sighed. ’This subordinate of mine is loyal and capable enough, but he’s too straightforward. He never uses his head.’

"From what I’ve seen, Su Yu is the kind of person who hates owing favors. When I offered a normal transaction, he felt it was a bad deal and refused. So, I’ll give it to him for free and treat him with sincerity and kindness!"

"Besides, he cultivates the Fishbone Skill. If he wants to advance further, he’ll need the Fish Saliva Pills specially made by my Qian Family. By then, he’ll owe me more and more favors. If he has the ability, it’s highly likely he’ll help me!"

"Brilliant! Miss, you are truly brilliant!" Qian Wenhao exclaimed in sudden understanding.

"One more thing." Qian Qinghong set down her teacup, her voice turning icy.

"Deal with Chun’Er. Afterward, prepare ten taels of silver and send it to her mother."

"Yes!"

...

In the back courtyard, the servants’ quarters.

"L-Lord Qian... what is the meaning of this?"

The personal maid, Chun’Er, stared at the ten taels of Patterned Silver and a white silk sash on the table. She collapsed to the floor in terror, her face ashen.

"Chun’Er, you’ve been with the Miss for three years, haven’t you?"

Qian Wenhao stood blocking the doorway like an iron tower, his expression blank. "The Miss has not treated you poorly. Why did you betray her?"

"I... I didn’t! You’ve wronged me, my lord!" Chun’Er kowtowed frantically, her forehead starting to bleed.

"Wronged?" Qian Wenhao snorted coldly. "You know the Miss’s temperament. She wouldn’t have ordered me to act without proof."

"I will have someone deliver these ten taels of silver to your hometown, given to your mother in private. Will you do this with dignity, or will I have to help you?"

Chun’Er’s sobs came to an abrupt halt.

She looked at the white silk sash, her heart filled with endless regret.

She knew her mistress’s temper better than anyone; she was always clear in her rewards and punishments. If she hadn’t started serving the Miss three years ago and received her rewards, her family would never have crawled out of the mud.

Three years later, she had betrayed her mistress for a mere few dozen taels of silver to pay off her gambling-addicted father’s debts, and now, the punishment she deserved had finally arrived.

"Lord Qian, please tell the Miss that Chun’Er... is sorry!"

Trembling, she picked up the white silk sash and hung it over a roof beam.

...

Back at the martial arts hall, Su Yu cleared his mind of distracting thoughts and opened the Bibo Fishbone Skill.

’So that’s how it is... The previous five forms were just fighting moves for use in water. The real Fishbone Skill is an Upper-grade Martial Arts, just like White Ape Fist. It combines Pile Skill and fighting techniques into one. This is the true path of cultivation!’

This was the meaning behind the saying: ’Practicing martial forms without cultivating the skill behind them leads to a lifetime of wasted effort!’

Following the Secret Manual’s instructions, Su Yu assumed the strange posture. His spine arched like a great dragon, and the Qi and Blood within his body circulated along a completely new path.

After completing the entire sequence once, new ink-wash characters appeared before his eyes.

[The Bibo Fishbone Skill has been upgraded to the Bibo Fish Dragon Skill]

[Martial Arts]: Bibo Fish Dragon Skill (First Layer) (entry-level 300/1000)

’Fish Dragon Skill? First Layer?’

A sharp glint flashed in Su Yu’s eyes.

’It seems the upper limit of this Cultivation Technique isn’t low!’

’So the Skilled realm has reverted to entry-level again. But just like last time, my actual proficiency probably hasn’t dropped. In fact, it might be even stronger!’

...

In the days that followed, Su Yu completely focused his mind.

Each day, he primarily cultivated White Ape Fist to enhance his Qi and Blood. The rest of his time was mainly spent grinding the Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber, with some time also allocated to the Seven Fiends Thunder Collapse Step and the Bibo Fish Dragon Skill.

Time passed slowly in this fulfilling routine.

One morning, as soon as Su Yu arrived at the Martial Arts Arena, he heard Master Qin’s booming laughter.

"Excellent! Yu’Er has broken through to the Flesh Refining Realm! Truly worthy of being the Qilin Girl of my Qin Family! We must hold a banquet to celebrate!"

Su Yu’s heart was as still as water; he simply continued practicing his White Ape Fist and Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber.

[White Ape Fist Skill Level +10]

[White Ape Fist Skill Level +10]

[Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber Skill Level +10]

[Martial Arts]: White Ape Fist (First Layer) (entry-level 2500/5000), Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber (First Layer) (entry-level 2500/3000)

Now, with the Heart Monkey Clarity Trait combined with the Red Ginseng Jade Skin Pills, both his Qi and Blood and his saber skill progress were increasing at an unprecedented rate.

’There’s no need to envy others. I just need to keep moving forward, step by step. Eventually, I’ll catch up.’

...

A few more days passed, and booming laughter once again erupted from Master Qin’s room.

"Excellent! Chen Fan, you have successfully opened your First Acupoint! Truly worthy of being my personal disciple! We must hold a banquet to celebrate!"

Hearing this, Su Yu’s heart remained as still as water, without a single ripple.

[White Ape Fist Skill Level +10]

[Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber Skill Level +10]

[Seven Fiends Thunder Collapse Step Skill Level +3]

[Bibo Fish Dragon Skill Skill Level +3]

...

Two months after Su Yu’s breakthrough to Martial Artist, one evening, he was the only one left in the Martial Arts Arena.

He stood in silence, his long saber held level, absorbing a flash of insight.

[Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber Skill Level +20]

[Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber has broken through to the Skillful Realm]

[Martial Arts]: Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber (First Layer) (Skilled 1/5000)

Suddenly, he moved.

"Demon-slaying Mountain Splitting."

With a soft murmur, and without any flourish, he simply brought his saber, Mo Yuan, down in a chop.

But in that instant, the Qi and Blood in his body seemed to merge with the long saber in his hand. Mo Yuan tore through the night air, heavy and domineering!

CRACK!

A crisp sound echoed.

The dedicated Ironwood Stake, which he had previously only been able to leave slash marks on, split cleanly down the middle, the cut surface as smooth as a mirror!

’So strong!’

Su Yu sheathed his saber, the divine light in his eyes receding.

’Is this the Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber at the Skillful Realm? I didn’t expect it to break through before White Ape Fist.’

’Its power is more than double what it was at the entry-level!’

’If I were to face trash like Cao Bin now, I could take his head in three moves!’

’Even against that vagrant Martial Artist, I could easily defeat him head-on without using hidden weapons!’

’At this rate, White Ape Fist should also break through before the Martial Examination next month. By then, with the realm of the First Acupoint and this Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber, placing in the top twenty won’t be a problem!’