Chapter 360 344: New Divine Blood

「The next day.」

On the main road outside Linyuan City, seven or eight Cyan Armored Bulls, each as sturdy as a small mountain, huffed and puffed as they pulled carts laden with goods. The grand procession advanced toward Black Stone City.

At the head of the convoy, Lin Wanzhu rode a magnificent, tall steed. Today, she had changed into a practical, belted, cyan martial uniform that outlined her breathtaking, fiery curves. A gentle breeze brushed past her coldly beautiful face. The heavy burden she had carried upon her arrival was gone, replaced by a look of utter ease and contentment.

Behind her, Xu Feng, Jiang Liuchuan, and Yang Gang followed on horseback, chatting and laughing along the way.

"Tsk, tsk. When Senior Brother Su makes a move, there's truly nothing he can't handle. It's genuinely awe-inspiring."

Jiang Liuchuan rode a pure white horse, a white Feather Fan in his hand fluttering rapidly.

White robes, a white horse, a folding fan—he had the perfect look of a dashing, carefree young master.

He shook his head and sighed with feigned gravity, "Back in my day, I was also trusted and admired just like this, leaving behind countless inspiring tales and legends. A pity, but time waits for no man. Now, Senior Brother has stolen all the limelight..."

Riding his horse, Xu Feng said with a straight face, "Jiang Liuchuan, you brat, stop trying to flatter yourself. The 'inspiring tale' you left behind—are you talking about that time we were escorting a shipment in Liangzhou and got ambushed, and you were so scared you pissed your pants?"

"Hahahaha..."

Yang Gang, at their side, couldn't help but burst out laughing, nearly rolling off his horse. "Brother Jiang, that's certainly an 'inspiring tale'!"

Lin Wanzhu, riding ahead, also couldn't stifle her laughter. She covered her red lips and chuckled. "Alright, Junior Jiang, we've all witnessed your 'heroic exploits' from back in the day. Comparing yourself to Ah Yu? Aren't you just asking for humiliation?"

"Hey! Senior Sister, I don't like the sound of that!"

Jiang Liuchuan grew anxious. With a SWISH, he snapped his folding fan shut and pointed at the others. "I may be just a tiny bit behind Senior Brother Su in terms of martial strength for now, but when it comes to being dashing and suave, I'm definitely not inferior to him! What's more, in the grand matter of getting married, having children, and carrying on the family line, Senior Brother Su is still far behind me..."

At this, Jiang Liuchuan gave a sly grin and looked pointedly at his Senior Sister. "Senior Sister, when I was Senior Brother's age, I already had three chubby sons running all over the place! This matter... as his Senior Sister, you should hurry up and urge him on, too..."

How could Lin Wanzhu not understand his meaning? Her beautiful eyes flashed as she glared, flustered and annoyed. "Jiang Liuchuan! I think you're itching for a beating!"

Jiang Liuchuan just chuckled slyly. "Calm down, Senior Sister! Ah Yu and I are sworn brothers in private. You can't keep bullying me like this, or else I'll go and tell Ah Yu..."

"BANG—"

Before he could finish, Jiang Liuchuan let out a miserable cry and fell off his horse.

...

「Linyuan City, Lin's Snow Ginseng Hall.」

The inner hall of the rear courtyard.

"Brother Su, I've finished investigating the Yu family. The Leng family is behind them!" Xie Yong said, his expression turning grim.

Su Yu frowned upon hearing this.

The Leng family was one of the top families in Linyuan City, possessing immense power and a deep foundation.

One had to understand that Linyuan City wasn't like Black Stone City, which was divided into inner and outer sections. While its overall strength was far inferior to a military stronghold like Black Stone City, Linyuan City was a major trading hub, making it much stronger than an ordinary county seat.

Based on this, it was certain that the Leng family had Profound Bone Realm experts, if not those in the Divine Storage Realm.

Su Yu took a Token from his robes and flipped it over. On the back was a large, inscribed character for "Leng."

"Is this a Token from the Leng family?"

Xie Yong took it and examined it curiously before finally nodding. "It's theirs, no doubt about it. There's only one Leng family in Linyuan City!"

Su Yu nodded. 'It seems I really do have a feud with this Leng family,' he thought.

That Leng Fei he had schemed against and gotten killed during the fight for the Black Dragon Fish on the Gold Waterway was from this very family.

Leng Fei was no good person, and the Leng family's current methods were cut from the same cloth.

'In that case, it's even possible that the Leng family is backing Wind Evil Stronghold, using them specifically to plunder wealth.'

"Let's set the Leng family aside for now. The Yu family must be eliminated—torn out by the roots," Su Yu said, looking at Xie Yong.

Xie Yong's heart skipped a beat. 'Su Yu is not only powerful, but also decisive and ruthless in his actions. His future is truly limitless.'

"The Leng family is also behind the Yu family. This is their territory. Brother Su, even with your great strength, it wouldn't be wise to act directly," Xie Yong analyzed.

"However, we can spread the news that the Yu family colluded with Wind Evil Stronghold. Such an act is taboo, especially in a city like Linyuan that values trade so highly! With Yu Fujiu dead, I believe his enemies will quickly carve up the Yu family and leave nothing behind!"

Su Yu nodded slightly. 'This Xie Yong is certainly a man of means.'

"Brother Xie, let's do as you've said."

...

「Linyuan City, Drunken Immortal Teahouse.」

Just as Su Yu had expected, the news of the Yu family's collusion with Wind Evil Stronghold spread like a storm. Fanned by interested parties, it swept through the city in just half a day!

"Hey! Have you guys heard? That old fox Yu Fujiu of the Yu family was secretly colluding with Wind Evil Stronghold to trap visiting merchant caravans. But he ended up kicking an iron plate and got killed instead!"

"I heard already! The Yu family's rise was so fast these past few years. There have long been rumors on the street that they were secretly involved in some dirty, no-cost business. I can't believe it's actually true!"

"Sigh, it's true what they say: when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. The moment news of Yu Fujiu's death got out, the Yu family's grand residence was raided by several mysterious enemies last night! Now the family has completely fallen apart. Their pharmacies, grain stores, and other properties have all been carved up and devoured by the city's other factions!"

In the main hall, around a glossy old locust wood table, several martial artists were discussing the matter with spittle flying.

"And it's not just the Yu family that's had bad luck! I heard that the arrogant Wind Evil Stronghold, holed up in Tiger's Leap Gorge, also suffered a massive, bloody loss this time! Two of their three Village Chiefs were killed in one go!"

"Hiss! For real? That Feng Da Kui was a notorious bandit at the Tiger Tendon Realm, famous for years! What kind of legendary figure was it who acted? To be so terrifying?!"

A man in the center of the group held his teacup, took a sip, and said slowly, "I happen to have some inside information... I heard that the one who handled this matter was a genius from out of town! With a Realm at the early stage of Muscle Forging, he fought above his level and reverse-killed Feng Da Kui of the Tiger Tendon Realm! Then, like autumn winds sweeping away fallen leaves, he easily killed Yu Fujiu and Feng Yuncheng!"

"Is that true?! Then this person is truly an incredible genius. What is his name?"

"Xie Yong! He is the Commander of the Golden Tiger Caravan from Wild Goose City in Jian'an Prefecture. His strength is unfathomable!"

Su Yu sat in a corner of the teahouse, wearing a conical bamboo hat. He lifted his teacup, sipping his tea slowly as he listened to the gossip.

He didn't want to be in the spotlight, so he had let Xie Yong take the credit for killing the three Muscle Forging Realm experts.

Now, confirming that the Yu family was completely finished, he could finally put his mind at ease.

'This trip to Linyuan City should be over now.'

Su Yu set down his teacup and casually tossed a piece of Broken Silver onto the table. He stood up, tugged on the brim of his bamboo hat, and without a backward glance, turned and disappeared into the bustling, noisy crowd.

...

「The Skywind Highway, the widest main road connecting Linyuan City and Black Stone City.」

"Giddy-up!"

A magnificent Dragon Scale Horse sped along the highway like a red whirlwind. The man on its back had sharp, sword-like eyebrows and star-bright eyes, his posture as straight as a pine tree. His clothes whipped about in the cold wind. It was none other than Su Yu, riding hard on his solo journey back.

"HIIISSS—"

After galloping for dozens of li, Su Yu gently pulled on the reins. The Dragon Scale Horse let out a high-pitched whinny and slowed to a trot—CLOP, CLOP, CLOP—finally coming to a steady stop in front of a simple, open-air tea stall by the side of the road.

Su Yu had been riding day and night, pushing his horse to its limits. He calculated his pace in his mind; by his estimate, he should be able to catch up with his Senior Sister and the others escorting the goods in another half a day.

"Aiyo! Honored customer, please, dismount! My little shop may be humble, but we have freshly brewed, high-quality hot meat broth and coarse tea to ward off the chill!"

The shop attendant, a rag draped over his shoulder, had a sharp eye. One look at the Dragon Scale Horse told him a distinguished guest had arrived, and he hurried over obsequiously.

Su Yu swung himself off the horse and casually tied the reins to a withered tree by the road. He walked over to a scarred wooden table, sat down, and tossed the attendant half a tael of Broken Silver.

"Feed the horse your best fodder. And bring me a bowl of hot tea and two catties of cooked meat."

"Right away, honored customer! One moment!"

"GLUG GLUG GLUG—"

The attendant skillfully lifted a large teapot with a bronze spout and filled the coarse porcelain bowl in front of Su Yu with scalding hot tea. The steam, mixed with the aroma of the tea, instantly chased away the surrounding chill.

"Please enjoy, honored customer!"

Su Yu picked up the coarse porcelain bowl, not at all disdainful of the low-quality tea. He drank it down in large gulps. The warm liquid flowed down his throat and into his stomach, washing away the fatigue from days of hard travel.

After quenching his thirst, Su Yu's thoughts stirred. With a flip of his palm, the shimmering golden, goose-egg-shaped stone he had extorted from Feng Han appeared in his hand.

However, this divine object, which had once endured a heavenly Thunder tribulation without being destroyed, seemed to be concealing its own divinity now. Its surface looked dull and lackluster, just like a common, broken rock you could find anywhere.

But under Su Yu's focused gaze, he could still discern faint, dark-gold patterns flowing beneath the dusty gray stone skin.

As Su Yu fiddled with the stone, familiar ink-wash characters materialized before his eyes.

[Divine Blood detected. Absorb?]

[Option 1: Absorb to continue increasing the unlock progress of the Divine Skill, Silent Extinction (Thunder).]

[Option 2: Absorb to unlock a new Divine Skill.]