Grinding to the Martial Sage from the White Ape Fist

Su Yu and Chen Ling possessed astonishing hearing, naturally catching the chatter from the distant crowd.

However, Su Yu’s hand remained outstretched.

Chen Ling’s eyes had turned slightly red. She didn’t take back the bell, merely glaring at Su Yu.

Another few minutes of silence passed.

Finally, Chen Ling parted her lips, asking with a hint of resolution, "Are you sure you want to return this to me, Su Yu?"

Su Yu did not answer; he simply kept his hand raised, making his stance clear.

"Fine!"

Chen Ling snatched the bell back. Accompanied by a series of JINGLES, she spun on her heel and left without the slightest hesitation.

"Ling’Er, wait! We can talk this out!"

Furious, Liu Wu stomped her foot. Seeing Chen Ling walking away rapidly without looking back, she hurriedly gave chase.

But before leaving, she turned to Su Yu. "Brother Su, Ling’Er originally came to help you. You shouldn’t have brought up returning the bell the moment you met.

"She even brought a Dragon Tendon Pill, intending to give it to you!"

With that, Liu Wu sprang into motion, turning into a fragrant purple blur as she chased after Chen Ling.

Su Yu sighed helplessly in his heart. He had just missed out on a Dragon Tendon Pill.

However, he didn’t regret it. Initially, he genuinely hadn’t known the significance of the Chen Family’s bell. Once he found out, he had no desire to use it to become their prized son-in-law.

Especially regarding Chen Ling—though she was excellent in every aspect, the two of them hadn’t interacted much. He refused to cling to her purely for the sake of marrying into the Chen Family.

Today, his martial arts practice was complete. Without a Dragon Tendon Pill, he took a Jiao Tendon Pill instead.

[Martial Arts]: Cyan Wood Shadow Ape Fist (Great Success 1620/4000)

The next day, Su Yu once again arrived at the riverway in his jurisdiction.

Looking at the construction that was already mostly complete, he made a rough estimate in his mind. In about ten days, the riverway project would be finished.

Next, he needed to consider heading to Tiger Roar Mountain.

Going there wasn’t just about killing Black Lotus Sect Demons to earn points. It was also about acquiring Dragon Sinew Grass, which was crucial for concocting Dragon Tendon Pills.

Now that he had tasted the effects of the Dragon Tendon Pill, he found his current step-by-step progress to be moving at a snail’s pace.

"Brother Su, my riverway project will be completed in seven or eight days. Let’s go explore Tiger Roar Mountain together over the next few days!"

Li Jingfeng, wearing his signature black clothes, came up to Su Yu and extended the invitation.

Since Su Yu had proven his strength by defeating Cao Yanran, Li Jingfeng now treated him as a true friend.

"Jingfeng, your words are exactly what I was thinking!"

Su Yu gladly agreed. With only four Nomination Orders available, the canal project was not the deciding factor for securing one.

Tiger Roar Mountain was!

Especially concerning the Black Lotus Sect—after their failed attack last time, they had completely gone into hiding.

Perhaps it was because every jurisdiction of the riverway was now overseen by a Great Commander, leaving them with no opportunity to strike.

In short, the Black Lotus Sect had not appeared since.

Once the Hanging Mirror Gate opened and the river water connected the Inner and Outer Cities, they would lose their chance entirely.

"Commander Su, I am Pei Jiuxing. I have come today to challenge you for this riverway jurisdiction!"

Su Yu was in the middle of talking to Li Jingfeng and hadn’t expected someone to issue a challenge.

His mind stirred as he assessed the newcomer.

The man was tall and wore a grayish-white scholar’s robe, looking quite refined. However, he carried a black iron ruler on his back that was a foot wide and five feet long. A silver mystic rune ran along the ruler, making it look extraordinary.

At the same time, information regarding the various Great Commanders quickly flashed through his mind.

Pei Jiuxing, twenty-seven years old. An expert of the Middle Dragon Tendon Realm, only a step away from breaking through to the Great Dragon Tendon Realm. Skilled in wielding the Profound Iron Heavy Ruler.

Rumor had it that this ruler weighed over a hundred pounds and was incredibly fierce in battle. This formed a stark contrast with his slender, scholarly appearance, leading many to easily underestimate him.

"Commander Pei, if you wish to fight me, you’ll need to have your wager ready!" Su Yu stated bluntly.

Pei Jiuxing maintained his elegant demeanor. Taking a porcelain bottle from his robes, he politely replied, "I have already prepared the wager. If I win, I will take Commander Su’s jurisdiction. If I lose, I will give this Jiao Tendon Pill to Commander Su."

As Su Yu watched him uncork the porcelain bottle, the distinct, fragrant scent of a Jiao Tendon Pill instantly wafted into his nose.

"Alright! After you!"

Pei Jiuxing was certainly stronger than Cao Yanran, but he was still only in the Middle Dragon Tendon Realm. That was enough!

In the past day, Su Yu had used a Jiao Tendon Pill to increase his Skill Level by over a thousand points. His Jiao Tendons had undergone further tempering, and his Qi and Blood had grown a fraction stronger.

With his strength greater than before, he feared this Pei Jiuxing even less.

The two of them walked to the riverbank and assumed their stances.

Given the frequent duels over the past few days, the petty officials of the Riverway Department were already well-practiced, quickly clearing out a battlefield for them.

"Brother Su, be careful of this man. Don’t be fooled by his refined appearance; he fights quite ferociously. He’s even worthy of making me draw my seventh sword. Don’t you dare lose!"

Li Jingfeng was already standing on a bluestone by the shore, his solitary silhouette looking every bit the part of a lonely master.

However, just as the two were about to clash, a figure abruptly appeared before them.

So fast!

Su Yu narrowed his eyes and focused his gaze. A figure two and a half meters tall stood before him like a small mountain.

This man had a wide mouth, a square nose, thick eyebrows, and large eyes. His prominent ears were big and broad. Coupled with his burly physique and a staff as thick as an ancient log on his back, he hardly looked human.

"Commander Gu, I wonder why you are blocking our way." Pei Jiuxing’s gaze chilled slightly as he cupped his fists politely.

"Gu Changfeng, don’t come causing trouble. Shoo, shoo, shoo!" Li Jingfeng looked at him with utter disgust, waving his hand for him to scram.

Su Yu was somewhat surprised. This person was actually Gu Changfeng?

Gu Changfeng was the number one figure among the young Great Commanders of the Zhenwu Mansion, so Su Yu naturally knew his intelligence reports.

Twenty years old, True Dragon Tendon Realm, born as a hunter...

Taking any one of these traits, he was undeniably extraordinary.

Given his name, Su Yu originally assumed he would be a handsome youth like himself, but to think he had such an appearance.

"You’re Su Yu?"

Gu Changfeng ignored the others. Staring with large, bell-like eyes, he approached Su Yu and examined him curiously.

"We’re different. You and I are not the same. I didn’t expect you to be so handsome. I’m dying of envy.

"With your looks, are you really a fisherman by trade? I used to mainly hunt on Tiger Roar Mountain. I also went fishing at the Black Water River, but my swimming skills were poor, and I almost drowned, so I never dared to go again."

Su Yu maintained a serious expression, not looking down on Gu Changfeng for his words. His martial artist’s intuition was sounding alarms. The Gu Changfeng before him gave off an intense, oppressive aura—not just due to his massive frame, but because of his sheer strength.

This undoubtedly proved that Gu Changfeng’s reputation was fully deserved. If he didn’t use his trump cards, he absolutely wouldn’t be a match for this man.

"I am indeed Su Yu, and I really used to be a fisherman. If Commander Gu is interested, I can take you to the Black Water River someday to have a look."

"That’s great! I love eating fish, but my swimming is just too terrible. Whenever you have time, trade some fish with me, and I’ll give you some delicious beast meat in exchange."

"Gu Changfeng, hurry up and come watch the fight. Stop interrupting them!" Li Jingfeng waved at him again, looking utterly impatient.

Gu Changfeng gave a goofy smile. His towering figure vanished in the blink of an eye, instantly reappearing beside Li Jingfeng.

"BAM!"

He slapped Li Jingfeng on the shoulder, immediately forcing his body to sink lower. "Jingfeng, where has Ning Cai been recently? I haven’t seen her in a long time."

Li Jingfeng’s face twitched. This guy’s slap nearly caused his body to fall apart.

"You’re an absolute brute of a dragon. Let’s finish watching the match first."

On the field, with no one left to interrupt, the two finally began their duel.