Su Yu's heart pounded as he stared at the new Trait on his panel, which appeared after his Net Casting Skill had broken its limit for the third time.
Listening Wave Positioning!
This effect was simply incredible!
It seemed that breaking a skill's limit three times produced a qualitative change. The first two times had increased his chances of a good catch, but the third time directly granted a new effect.
'If I focus my thoughts on a treasure fish, does that mean I'll be able to sense its location?'
'Damn, this effect is way too useful!'
The effects from the previous two limit breaks had seemed powerful, but Su Yu's practical experiments showed that his catches were still mostly ordinary fish. The skill's usefulness had been limited.
But now, things were different. The Listening Wave Positioning Trait would allow him to target rare fish.
'No, it might not even be limited to fish. It could be Spirit Plants! Or treasures!'
'After all, those could all count as a "catch," right?'
The Black Water River was unfathomably deep and held countless secrets. With this ability, the ruins sunken at the river's bottom and the Spirit Plants growing in its undercurrents would have nowhere to hide!
Su Yu was eager to try it out. His next day off was in a few days, which would be the perfect time to head back to Qingxi Village and see what he could find.
Besides the Net Casting Skill, Su Yu checked all the information on his panel again.
[Su Yu]
[Martial Arts]: White Ape Six Transformations (Great Achievement 1/3000), Bibo Fishbone Skill (entry-level 60/100), Golden Coin Toss (Minor Achievement 100/500)
[Skill]: Casting Net (Limit broken 3 times)
[Traits]: Listening Wave Positioning. If a desired object you are thinking of is within the range of your net, a mysterious intuition will guide you, locking onto its location and greatly increasing the probability of capture.
[Breakthrough Points]: 0 (Progress 0%)
Looking at the Martial Arts and Skill on his panel, Su Yu felt a sense of accomplishment.
'I'm no longer as weak as when I first arrived in this world!'
Besides White Ape Six Transformations, the Bibo Fishbone Skill had increased his combat effectiveness in water. The Golden Coin Toss gave him a hidden weapon technique. All of these would boost his strength in a fight.
What's more, he was currently focusing almost all his energy on the White Ape Six Transformations. Once it reached the Perfection realm and he became a Martial Artist, he could learn even more Martial Arts and Combat Techniques!
'By then, my combat power will grow explosively!'
...
Waves of heat rolled across the Martial Arts Arena.
"Senior Brother Su~"
A sweet, soft voice called out.
Su Yu turned to see a female apprentice in a tight-fitting white uniform standing there prettily.
Ye Lu!
She had joined the school a few months ago. Despite being a newcomer, she had used her pretty face and decent figure to become quite popular in the Outer Courtyard.
Right now, her training uniform was soaked with sweat, clinging to her body and outlining her curves. A few strands of damp hair stuck to her fair neck, trembling slightly with each breath, giving her a girlish charm.
"Senior Brother Su, I just can't get this Long Arm Waist Pulling move right. Could you teach me?" she asked, her voice syrupy sweet. Her gaze was flirtatious, carrying just the right amount of admiration.
Su Yu's expression remained calm. "Perform it once. I'll watch."
Ye Lu's face lit up. "Thank you, Senior Brother Su."
She assumed the stance, stretching her body to accentuate her figure. The other apprentices couldn't help but steal envious glances.
Su Yu, however, frowned as he watched her pose.
'Is she practicing martial arts or dancing?'
'Her form is completely off. She can't stimulate her Qi and Blood at all like that. Does she even look like she's training?'
"Stop!"
"Your center of gravity is too high!"
"And what are you doing sticking your rear out so high? Contract your abdomen! Tuck your pelvis! Your spine should be erect, like a great dragon!"
Su Yu pointed out her mistakes without a shred of mercy.
Ye Lu was taken aback by his scolding, but then a sly glint flashed in her eyes.
She bit her lip and took two steps closer, looking aggrieved. "Senior Brother, you're so mean... Lu'Er is slow. Why don't you... guide me with your hands?"
As she spoke, her body went limp as she leaned against him.
"Senior Brother, is this posture right?"
They were so close that Su Yu immediately caught the scent of her perfume—a faint jasmine fragrance, fresh and mingled with her own unique girlish scent.
The proximity made his Qi and Blood stir uncomfortably. He quickly took a step back to create some distance.
"Junior Sister Ye, please focus on your training. And straighten your legs!"
One look from Su Yu's calm eyes was enough to dispel Ye Lu's little tricks. She dropped her flirtatious act and obediently adjusted her posture as he had instructed.
...
「East Black Stone City, the bustling district of the Outer City.」
Su Yu followed the address on the invitation, passing through Jin Yu Street and Hundred Herbs Street before finally arriving at Golden Scale Path.
The avenue was bustling with noise and traffic. The ground was paved with neat bluestone bricks, and bright shop banners lined both sides of the street.
It was even more prosperous than Jin Yu Street, where the Qian Family resided.
He continued down the street until he stood before a grand, three-courtyard mansion with ornately carved beams and painted pillars.
Two statues of Exotic Beasts flanked the mansion's entrance. They weren't the usual stone lions, but rather resembled lizards with fishtails, hinting at the deep heritage of a family tied to the waterways.
The huge, gilded plaque bore the two words "Jiang Mansion"—the residence of Senior Brother Jiang Liuchuan.
The doorman was a sharp fellow. Upon seeing Su Yu's invitation, his expression immediately shifted to a respectful smile.
"Ah, you're the Young Master's junior brother! Please, come in! The Young Master has instructed that esteemed guests from the school are to go directly to the Inner Courtyard!"
The front courtyard was already adorned with festive red decorations and filled with banquet tables, bustling with noise and activity.
A stage had been erected in the center, where an opera troupe was performing.
Su Yu passed through the clamorous front courtyard and stepped into the tranquil and elegant Inner Courtyard.
There were only a dozen or so tables here, occupied by the prominent figures of the Outer City.
Jiang Liuchuan, dressed in a festive red robe, was greeting guests at the entrance. Standing beside him was a charming and lovely new concubine.
Su Yu stepped forward and offered a fist and palm salute. "Senior Brother Jiang, congratulations!"
Jiang Liuchuan laughed and returned the gesture. "Go on in! Old Xu and the others are at the east table. No one's going home sober tonight!"
Su Yu nodded and headed toward the eastern side.
Everyone at that table was a familiar face.
Xu Feng, Lin Wanzhu, Chen Fan—who had already become a Direct Disciple—and Wang Hu, who had moved into the Inner Courtyard.
"Senior Brother Xu, Senior Sister Lin," Su Yu said, stepping forward to greet them.
Xu Feng wasn't surprised to see Su Yu. He stood, clapped him on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "I heard from Jiang Liuchuan that you've achieved three breakthroughs. That's wonderful news, congratulations!"
With that, Xu Feng turned to introduce him to the others at the table. "This is Su Yu from the Outer Courtyard. He's already had three breakthroughs and is preparing to push for the Martial Artist realm. He has a promising future!"
"I can't believe that besides Junior Brother Chen and Junior Brother Wang, the Outer Courtyard has produced another person with three breakthroughs. Our school is really brimming with talent this year!"
"Come, come, have a seat!"
The other senior brothers all welcomed him with smiles, treating him very politely. After all, with three breakthroughs, Su Yu now had the foundation to aim for the Martial Artist realm. The fact that Jiang Liuchuan had invited him also showed that he was optimistic about Su Yu's chances.
And once he broke through, his status would change, giving him the right to sit among them as an equal.
They were all shrewd people; no one would be foolish enough to openly question his presence.
Chen Fan's hand, holding his wine cup, stiffened slightly.
The other senior brothers might not have known, but he was well aware of Su Yu's poor innate talent. He had originally thought Su Yu would be lucky to manage even one breakthrough, yet now he had somehow achieved three!
His mind raced. 'He must have incredible comprehension,' he guessed. 'That's why Senior Brother Jiang is optimistic about him!'
'Still, Su Yu's progress is ultimately much slower than mine. Plus, breaking through the bottleneck to become a Martial Artist places an even greater demand on one's innate talent. Su Yu's chances are slim!'
At this thought, he relaxed, his smile returning to his face.
Su Yu sat down between Xu Feng and Wang Hu.
Since moving into the Inner Courtyard, Wang Hu had left the communal bunkhouse, so they hadn't seen much of each other.
Wang Hu scratched his head with a simple-minded grin and whispered, "Senior Brother Su, I didn't expect you to have three breakthroughs too! That's awesome!"
Seeing his genuine joy, Su Yu's heart warmed, and he clapped the honest kid on the shoulder.
After a short while, all the guests had arrived. Jiang Liuchuan stood and raised his cup. "Thank you all for gracing my wedding banquet today. I am deeply grateful. I have prepared fine wine and good food for everyone, so please, eat and drink to your heart's content. Let's also take this chance to catch up."
Someone immediately joked, "Young Master Jiang, this is my seventh time at one of your wedding banquets. Let's skip the pleasantries!"