Chapter 299 - 292: Jade Dew Pill, Black Dragonfish
It would be absolutely impossible for the Water Snake Gang to continuously smuggle in large groups of Black Lotus Sect members without a faction from the Inner City providing cover.
However, as for which faction was colluding with those fiends, Su Yu currently had no interest in getting to the bottom of such a hot potato involving the Inner City’s powers.
’I’ll just let the big shots like Mansion Master Pang Xuan worry about it.’
"There are only three of these Elixirs in total." Su Yu wiped his mouth and gave his instructions, "Zhen’Er, later, take one to Ai’Er, and another to my third brother, Su Can. With the help of these Elixirs, their breakthroughs to become Martial Artists should be practically guaranteed. As for the last one, put it in the Inner Treasury for now as a spare."
"Alright, Brother Su, I’ll remember that."
After finishing breakfast, Su Yu felt some of his Qi and Blood recover and began to continue cultivating his next Martial Art.
"OM!"
"OM!"
Resounding Buddhist sound waves, like the tolling of great bells, boomed ceaselessly in the rear courtyard. Accompanied by the deep Sanskrit chant that seemed to pierce one’s very soul, the air above the entire courtyard seemed to vibrate with this Qi and Blood, tinged with a faint, ephemeral golden Buddhist light.
The huge lotus pond in the rear courtyard was shaken by the terrifying sound waves, sending water splashing everywhere. The precious koi in the pond were rattled into a daze, and from time to time, a few that couldn’t withstand the pressure would flip over, their white bellies floating to the surface.
However, the largest koi in the pond, a king whose scales shimmered like brilliant red-gold, seemed to have developed a resistance and even a resonance to the sound waves amidst this baptism of Buddhist sound.
As Su Yu uttered each Sanskrit sound, the koi king excitedly thrashed its powerful tail fin, leaping out of the water again and again.
It traced golden arcs through the air, as if moving in time with the rhythm of the Buddhist chant, faintly showing signs of a complete transformation, as if it were about to leap the dragon gate.
Deeper in the pond, the Little Crocodile Dragon swam about leisurely, seemingly completely unaffected by the terrifying baptism of Buddhist sound.
[Vajra Fearless True Sound Skill Level +5]
[Vajra Fearless True Sound Skill Level +5]
...
「Half an hour later.」
Vajra Fearless True Sound (Minor Achievement 460/1500)
’The Skill Level for this Sound Wave Cultivation Technique has been increasing faster and faster lately. It seems the general principles were right; this Martial Art is truly intertwined with Buddhist Zen philosophy. As my state of mind improves and my understanding of Buddhist principles deepens, my cultivation speed has risen accordingly.’
Su Yu untied his gourd and took another swig of the cold, clear lotus seed wine, soothing a throat that felt as dry and fiery as if it were burning.
His gaze drifted down to the last line of his status panel.
[Breakthrough Point]: 2 (Progress 92%)
’Excellent! The progress is nearing its limit. I’m about to accumulate my third Breakthrough Point!’
Seeing this, a look of excitement appeared in Su Yu’s eyes. ’My Realm can’t be advanced for now, so Breaking Limits is the fastest way to increase my strength!’
’However, the Treasure Medicines and precious fish stockpiled in the estate’s Inner Treasury are about to run out. I have to find a way to get more, higher-grade Treasures of Heaven and Earth as soon as possible!’
At this thought, Su Yu couldn’t help but rub the bridge of his nose, a headache forming.
Due to the Black Lotus Sect’s uprising, the trade route from Black Stone City heading directly north had been completely cut off.
Right now, to procure supplies on a large scale, the only options were to go south to Jian’an Prefecture, or take a detour to the northeast towards the harsh climate of the Snow State.
But both trade routes were not only long and distant, but also rampant with bandits and pirates. In these chaotic times, the cost and risk of transporting goods had already soared to an astonishing level.
This also meant that circulation of the Treasure Medicines Su Yu wanted was now extremely limited.
’If it really comes to it, I’ll have to travel a trade route myself! I have over ten thousand taels in silver notes on me right now. If I don’t convert them into real strength, I’ll be in trouble when the Black Lotus Sect’s main army arrives.’
Just as Su Yu was thinking, the voice of his steward, Li Da, came from the front courtyard.
"My lord, Miss Qian Qinghong of the Qian Family has arrived. She says she has something important to discuss with you."
’Qinghong?’
Su Yu’s expression flickered. A few days ago, he had entrusted Qinghong with finding a "Dragon Fish." ’Could it be about that?’
’My Senior Sister has been anxious to break through to the Muscle Forging Realm, but she was missing a "Dragon Tendon." I promised to help her find one, so I asked Qinghong.’
’Of course, I made the request under the pretense that I was the one needing it for my own breakthrough, since I am indeed preparing to break through to the Muscle Forging Realm myself.’
"Please show her to the Inner Courtyard."
Su Yu went to the well, washed the sweat from his body, and had just put on a shirt when Qian Qinghong entered.
"Brother Su, good news!"
Qian Qinghong strode over with a smile, her long legs carrying her forward. Today, she wore a red, form-fitting martial arts uniform.
The highly elastic fabric perfectly outlined her supple, willow-like waist and the proud, snowy peaks on her chest, accentuating them to the point they seemed ready to burst forth.
Her long, silky black hair was tied high in a neat ponytail, which bobbed and bounced slightly behind her head as she walked. She exuded a heroic and dashing aura unique to the people of the martial world.
Watching this delightful scene, Su Yu’s eyes couldn’t help but light up.
’When it came to wearing red martial arts attire, back at the White Ape Martial Arts Hall, it was always Junior Sister Qin Yu who wore it most often. Her feisty, fiery disposition was certainly in a class of its own.’
’But seeing this red outfit on Qian Qinghong today, she was clearly a cut above. Her charm was such that it was hard to look away.’
"Hey, hey, hey! Brother Su, where are your eyes wandering?"
Qian Qinghong noticed Su Yu’s appraising gaze. She raised her fair hand and, with a soft SMACK, playfully patted him on his sturdy shoulder.
Su Yu wasn’t embarrassed in the slightest, as he knew her personality. He smiled and said, "Qinghong, you look truly dashing and incredibly beautiful in this red outfit today. You truly live up to your reputation as one of the three beauties of Black Stone City! I couldn’t help myself. Even the most proper gentleman would have to spare a few extra glances upon seeing your graceful bearing."
"You... You’ve only been a Commander for a few days, how have you learned to be such a smooth-talker? I never knew you had such a silver tongue, Su Yu!" Qian Qinghong rolled her eyes at him and said with a playful pout.
"It’s just that, having not seen you for so long, I’m overjoyed at our reunion today."
The two chatted and laughed as they sat down in the main hall. After catching up briefly, they set aside the banter and got down to business.
"Brother Su, I came here today specifically about the ’Dragon Fish’ you asked me to find. I have a lead!"
Qian Qinghong leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice, her tone filled with an unconcealable excitement. "My Qian Family’s fleet heard a secret piece of news on the southern waterways. In a dangerous region, they’ve discovered traces of a rare Black Dragon Fish!"
"A Black Dragon Fish?"
"Yes! A Black Dragon Fish!"
Qian Qinghong nodded with certainty. "This mutated Black Dragon Fish is priceless, and it’s extremely fierce and difficult to deal with. The ’Dragon Tendon’ extracted from its body is several times more valuable than those from ordinary White or Green Dragon Fish! It’s not the least bit inferior to that Silver Dragon Shuttle we caught!"
"Brother Su, you’re already in the Late-stage of the Flesh Refining Realm. If you can catch this Black Dragon Fish and use its Dragon Tendon with secret elixirs to temper your meridians, your chances of successfully breaking through to the Muscle Forging Realm will increase by at least thirty percent!"
"Fantastic! I’ve been searching everywhere for something like this!"
Overjoyed, Su Yu immediately asked, "Where exactly does this Black Dragon Fish appear?"
"In the lower reaches of the Black Water River. You have to pass through that lawless Ten Islands Region and keep sailing south until you completely enter the territory of Jian’an Prefecture!"
Qian Qinghong unrolled a sheepskin hydrological map and pointed to a location circled in red. "There’s a section of the river the locals call the ’Golden Waterway.’ I’ve already had people scout out the specific location, and I’ve prepared everything we need to set sail, including a large treasure ship and dragon-trapping nets!"
Qian Qinghong looked up, her dashing eyes fixed on Su Yu. "Everything is ready; all we need is your word. As soon as you’re free, Brother Su, we can gather our people and set off!"
"Good!"
Su Yu couldn’t help but blurt out, his eyes turning sharp with anticipation.
’If I can get this Black Dragon Fish, Senior Sister Lin’s breakthrough to the Muscle Forging Realm will be a certainty.’
’Senior Sister will be so grateful, she won’t even know how to thank me!’
’Plus, the White Ape Martial Arts Hall’s strength would rise to a new level, allowing it to gain more resources and benefits within the four-family alliance!’
"Qinghong, give me two more days. Once I’ve made some preparations, we’ll set off immediately to capture this Black Dragon Fish!"