Su Yu nonchalantly returned to the sidelines. Seeing Senior Sister Lin still standing there with her mouth agape, he said calmly, "Senior Sister, this result... it’s passable, right?"

Lin Wanzhu finally snapped out of it. Her peach blossom eyes went wide with a mixture of shock and delight, which then melted into a playful reproach.

"Why, you! Su Yu! How dare you lie to your Senior Sister?"

She reached out a slender finger and gave the soft flesh of Su Yu’s waist a hard, indignant pinch. "You always look so serious and composed. I never thought you were such a sly fox underneath it all! When did you break through?"

"Hiss..."

Su Yu sucked in a sharp breath.

His senior sister’s grip was no joke. As expected of a master in the Flesh Refining Realm, the pinch stung sharply, even though his skin was now as tough as iron.

"Just a few days ago," Su Yu said, rubbing his waist with a helpless, wry smile. "I got lucky. The Four Extremes Acupoints opened all at once."

"All at once?"

Lin Wanzhu’s beautiful eyes glittered, the brilliant light within them shining even more intensely.

’Although the Four Extremes Acupoints are only the first hurdle, opening them requires patient, grinding effort and a sufficient burst of Qi and Blood. To break through in a single attempt means this kid’s reserves of Qi and Blood are terrifyingly deep!’

’Looks like I’ve really found a treasure this time...’

She was secretly overjoyed.

’The First Acupoint realm, plus his Skilled Level Demon-subduing Saber... I bet Su Yu is going to give everyone a huge surprise in this Martial Examination!’

"Let’s go! We have to see Master!" Lin Wanzhu could hardly wait. She grabbed Su Yu’s hand and pulled him toward the restaurant.

...

In a private room on the second floor, the fragrance of tea wafted through the air.

Qin Fangqiong sat upright in the Grandmaster’s Chair, listening to Chen Fan’s report with a satisfied nod. "Not bad! Eight thousand jin, first place in Group D. But this is just the first trial. Tomorrow’s Iron Chain Cross River is the main event. It tests not only strength but also adaptability. You must not be careless!"

"I will remember, Master!" Chen Fan replied with a bow, his face full of self-satisfaction.

Just then, the door was pushed open.

Lin Wanzhu walked in, pulling Su Yu along, an unconcealable smile on her face.

When Chen Fan saw Lin Wanzhu and Su Yu, an idea struck him, and he immediately stepped forward. "Senior Sister, I was fortunate enough to succeed. I lifted the eight-thousand-jin stone block in the first trial and took first place in my group!"

Lin Wanzhu smiled and nodded. "Junior Brother Chen is truly the genius of our White Ape Martial Arts Hall. You’ve brought honor to our name!"

Chen Fan’s smile widened. He then adopted the patronizing tone of a senior looking out for his junior. "Senior Sister, how did Junior Su do? The five-thousand-jin stone block in the first trial shouldn’t have been a problem for him, right? Even if it was a bit of a struggle, it’s no big deal. The second trial tomorrow is what really counts."

Qin Fangqiong picked up his teacup and took a light sip, his gaze calm as he looked over.

A flicker of amusement crossed Lin Wanzhu’s eyes. ’I can’t wait to see how long Master can maintain that calm facade,’ she thought.

"Well, as for Junior Su, he naturally lifted the five-thousand-jin bluestone block."

"Mm, not bad." A trace of appreciation flashed in Qin Fangqiong’s eyes. ’To be able to lift five thousand jin means Su Yu’s Martial Arts realm has been steadily improving. He still has a lot of potential.’

"Yu’Er, give Su Yu a Nourishing Pill."

Qin Yu took a Jade Bottle from her robes and handed it over. "Junior Brother, this Nourishing Pill can relieve fatigue and restore your energy. Take it in a bit to make sure you’re in peak condition for tomorrow."

As Su Yu took it, he felt the weight was off. He gave his senior sister a surprised glance, and seeing her wink at him, he put it away.

"Alright, it’s noon. Let’s head to the Zhenxiu Building for lunch."

"Wait, Master, I wasn’t finished talking about Junior Su’s results," Lin Wanzhu spoke up again.

"Oh? What else is there?" Qin Fangqiong, who had just been about to rise, sat back down when his disciple spoke. He casually picked up his teacup and took another sip.

"Junior Su didn’t just lift the five-thousand-jin one. He lifted the eight-thousand-jin one, too."

"PFFT!"

Qin Fangqiong sprayed a mouthful of tea. He didn’t even bother wiping the droplets from his beard as he shot to his feet, staring wide-eyed at Lin Wanzhu’s mischievous face. "Really? Eight thousand jin?"

"That’s right," Lin Wanzhu affirmed.

"Eight thousand jin! Su Yu, you’ve broken through to the First Acupoint realm?"

Before Su Yu could answer, Qin Yu, who was behind him, reacted with incredible speed. Her figure blurred, and in an instant, she was at Su Yu’s side, her slender hand gripping his wrist tightly.

A powerful force surged through him. Su Yu’s skin and membranes, which had been tempered anew after opening the Four Extremities Acupoints, felt as if they were made of paper as her power pierced right through them.

"Hiss..."

"My apologies, Junior Su. I lost my composure for a moment."

After speaking, Qin Yu pulled a silver note from her robes and slapped it into Su Yu’s hand. "This is for my rudeness."

Then she turned to her father, her eyes filled with shock. "Father! It’s true! His Four Extremes Acupoints are open, his Qi and Blood are abundant, and his skin has been tempered a second time!"

As soon as she said this, the room fell silent.

Qin Fangqiong’s mind was racing. ’He broke through! He actually broke through!’

’It’s only been a few months since he became a Martial Artist. At this rate, isn’t he about to catch up to Chen Fan?’

’A Lower-Grade Root Bone? What kind of damned Lower-Grade Root Bone is this!’

’No, no, no, the diagnosis of a Lower-Grade Root Bone can’t be wrong. Su Yu is relying on his insight and temperament!’

’A genius! Another genius!’

"Hahaha! Heaven bless my White Ape Martial Arts Hall!" Qin Fangqiong burst into a hearty laugh. He strode forward, grabbed Su Yu’s shoulders, and clapped them firmly, his eyes fervent.

"Su Yu! From this day forward, you are my seventh Direct Disciple!"

A Direct Disciple!

’He accepted me, just like that?’

’Didn’t he say I had to place in the top twenty first?’

Su Yu had a sudden realization. ’This is how the world works!’

’When you display enough value, all barriers will be flattened for you.’

The other senior brothers all came forward to congratulate him, and the atmosphere grew lively.

Only Chen Fan’s smile was frozen on his face.

He stared intently at Su Yu, who was surrounded by the others, and jealousy gnawed at his heart like a venomous snake.

’On what grounds?!’

’He’s just a piece of trash with a Lower-Grade Root Bone! On what grounds does he get to break through repeatedly? On what grounds does he get to become a Direct Disciple?’

’Damn it! Even after Master Qin accepted him as a Direct Disciple, he still has that same unruffled expression.’

’I remember how excited I was... my hands were even shaking!’

’Calm down... calm down...’

Chen Fan took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the gloom in his eyes.

’So what if he broke through? He’s only just done it! He’s still far behind me.’

’I can’t let a fly like him affect my state of mind. The Martial Examination has just begun. I must place in the top ten, become the captain of the Law Enforcement Team, and marry a young lady from a prestigious family! That is my path to greatness, and mine alone!’

He put his fake smile back on and cupped his fist at Su Yu. "Congratulations, Junior Su! It seems we’ll be addressing each other as martial brothers from now on."

...

After the commotion died down, Qin Fangqiong dismissed the others, keeping only Su Yu behind.

"Sit."

Master Qin personally poured Su Yu a cup of tea, his expression complex. "Su Yu, do you find me opportunistic?"

"I wouldn’t dare, Master."

"Hmph. What’s not to dare?" Qin Fangqiong laughed self-deprecatingly. "In my life, I haven’t misjudged many people, but you’re one of them. To have come this far with a Lower-Grade Root Bone... your temperament, insight, and even your fortune far exceed those of an ordinary person."

He looked at Su Yu with a burning intensity. "Now that I’ve accepted you as a Direct Disciple, we are family. Let’s put the past behind us."

"From now on, I will do everything in my power to cultivate you. If you can even break through to the Flesh Refining Realm, my entire legacy will one day be passed down to you and your martial brothers to carry on!"

Su Yu was inwardly shaken. ’It seems Master Qin has truly, completely changed his opinion of me.’

’He even mentioned passing on his legacy.’

"I will do my utmost, Master."

"Good!" Qin Fangqiong took a Jade Bottle from his robes. "Here are the Nourishing Pills from before. Take them. One a day, don’t be frugal. As for tomorrow’s Iron Chain Cross River, let me tell you about the ins and outs..."

...

A quarter of an hour later, Su Yu walked out of the room.

He saw Chen Fan and said, "Senior Brother Chen, Master wants to see you."