Provocation

Su Family, Training Ground.

On the training ground in the early morning, dozens of Su Family disciples were sweating profusely, their fists and palms slicing through the air, sword shadows crisscrossing.

Su Yu stood at the edge of the field, his gaze sweeping over the moves practiced by the crowd, his heart stirring slightly.

Strange...

He muttered to himself.

In the past, when he watched others practice martial arts, the variations in their moves were complex. Although he could memorize them, he always found them obscure and difficult to understand.

But looking at them today, those sword moves and palm techniques had become incredibly clear in his eyes; he could even see through their flaws and the keys to their force exertion at a single glance.

Is it because of the soul fusion?

Su Yu pondered to himself.

His eyesight and comprehension seemed to have become several times stronger than before!

The Su Family's martial arts were primarily based on palm techniques and sword styles. Martial skills on the Nine Heavens Continent were divided into five grades: Heaven, Earth, Profound, Yellow, and Human, with Human-grade being the lowest.

Most of the disciples in the Su Family practiced Human-grade Low-tier martial skills, such as Mountain Splitting Palm and Gale Sword Style. Talented disciples who reached Qi Refining Level 7 could practice Human-grade Mid-tier martial skills, and only those who reached the Spirit Condensation Realm were qualified to practice Human-grade High-tier martial skills.

What Su Yu practiced was precisely the Gale Sword Style, but due to his lack of comprehension in the past, he had practiced diligently for five years only to reach the Lesser Accomplishment stage.

Yet, looking at this sword style again today, he felt a sudden sense of enlightenment!

For this move, Wind Sweeps Clouds, if the wrist is turned another thirty percent, the power would increase by at least thirty percent! He thought to himself, his fingers unconsciously gesturing slightly, as if the essence of the sword move had been branded into his mind.

Just then, a harsh voice came from behind—

"Yo, isn't this our Su Family's 'genius,' Su Yu? What's the matter? After five years without a breakthrough, have you finally remembered to practice martial arts?"

Su Yu turned around and saw a youth in fine clothes walking over with his arms crossed, a mocking expression on his face.

This person was Su Hao, the son of the Third Elder. He was sixteen years old, at Qi Refining Level 5, with mediocre aptitude, and his Mountain Splitting Palm had only reached the Lesser Accomplishment stage.

However, Su Hao loved to trouble Su Yu the most.

Perhaps it was because bullying a former genius gave him a twisted sense of achievement.

Su Yu glanced at him indifferently, too lazy to pay him any mind, and turned to leave.

Seeing this, a flash of annoyance crossed Su Hao's eyes. He stepped forward quickly, blocked his path, and sneered, "What, is the trash so scared he can't even speak? Do you really think you're still the genius you once were?"

On the training ground, many disciples stopped their practice, casting looks of anticipation to watch the show.

Su Yu frowned slightly. If it had been the original owner, he might have swallowed his pride.

But at this moment, he was already at Qi Refining Level 4. The spiritual energy within his body flowed smoothly, and with his greatly increased comprehension, he was no longer a pushover to be kneaded at will!

"Move," he said calmly.

Su Hao sneered, "And what if I don't? What can you do? A piece of trash who hasn't broken through in five years, and you think you have the right to throw your weight around in the Su family?"

As he spoke, he suddenly slammed a palm toward Su Yu's shoulder. The wind from his palm whistled—it was clearly the move of the Mountain Splitting Palm!

If this strike landed, given Su Hao's strength at Qi Refining Level 5, it would be enough to force Su Yu to his knees on the spot!

However, just as the palm wind was about to touch Su Yu—

"Stop!"

A clear, resonant shout rang out. Immediately after, a figure swept over like the wind, blocking horizontally with a palm and forcibly intercepting Su Hao's attack!

"Bang!"

The two palms collided. Su Hao was shaken back several steps, his expression changing slightly.

The newcomer stood firmly in place, his posture as upright as a pine tree.

"Su Yan!"

Su Hao gritted his teeth, a flicker of wariness flashing in his eyes.

The person who had arrived was the son of the Su family Patriarch—Su Yan. Only fourteen years old, he was already at Qi Refining Level 7, ranking in the top three for talent among the younger generation of the Su family!

More importantly, the Gale Sword Style he practiced had already reached the "Great Success" realm, far beyond what Su Hao could compare to.

Su Yu and Su Yan had been very close since childhood. Even though Su Yu had failed to break through to Qi Refining Level 4 for five years, Su Yan still affectionately called him "Brother Yu," and his attitude had never changed.

"Su Hao, are you bullying Brother Yu again?"

Su Yan said coldly.

Su Hao's face looked ugly, but in the end, he dared not clash head-on with Su Yan. He could only snort coldly, "Su Yan, don't meddle in other people's business! This trash has no ability himself, so why shouldn't people be allowed to talk about it?"

Su Yan's eyes turned cold, and just as he was about to speak, Su Yu suddenly reached out and pressed his hand onto his shoulder.

"Su Yan, let me handle this myself."

Su Yu said indifferently.

Su Yan was stunned. He turned his head to look at Su Yu, a flash of surprise appearing in his eyes.

In the past, whenever Su Yu was provoked, he mostly chose to endure it. But today, his gaze was exceptionally calm, even carrying a hint of... fighting spirit?

"Brother Yu, you..."

Su Yan hesitated.

Su Yu smiled slightly, turning his gaze toward Su Hao, and said indifferently, "Didn't you want to test my strength? Fine, I'll grant your wish."

The entire arena fell silent instantly.

Su Hao was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Just you? A piece of trash at the Qi Refining Third Layer dares to challenge me?"

Su Yu did not answer; he simply raised his hand slowly and gestured for him to come.

A ruthless glint flashed in Su Hao's eyes as he sneered, "Good! Since you're looking for death, I'll fulfill your wish!"

Before the words had even faded, he lunged forward. His right palm descended with the force of a mountain-cleaving strike, hacking fiercely toward Su Yu's chest!

"Mountain Splitting Palm—Stone Splitting!"

The wind whistled from his palm as spiritual energy surged. If this strike landed, it would be enough to make an ordinary Qi Refining Level 4 martial artist cough up blood and collapse!

However, Su Yu stood his ground, not moving an inch.

Just as the palm wind was about to strike—

"Swish!"

His figure suddenly flickered, shifting half a foot to the side like a gust of wind, precisely dodging the blow!

"What!"

Su Hao's pupils constricted. Before he could react, Su Yu countered with a hand blade, striking directly at his wrist joint!

Crack!

"Ah—!"

Su Hao let out a miserable shriek. His entire arm went numb and limp, the flow of his spiritual energy abruptly cut off!

But Su Yu's movements did not stop. He shifted his feet, his figure closing in on Su Hao like a ghost. He formed his right hand into a claw, locked onto the other's shoulder, and threw him with a violent heave—

"Bang!"

Su Hao was slammed heavily into the ground, sending dust flying into the air!

The entire arena was deathly silent.

Everyone stared with wide eyes, looking at the scene in disbelief.

Su Hao, at the Qi Refining Level 5, had been taken down by Su Yu... in a single move!

Su Yu slowly withdrew his hand. Looking down at Su Hao from above, he said indifferently, "Now, who is the trash?"

Su Hao's face turned deathly pale, his eyes filled with shock.

Just yesterday, he was nothing but a piece of trash at the Qi Refining Third Layer. How could he be this powerful today!

Su Yan was also stunned, taking a long moment to snap out of it before saying with pleasant surprise, "Brother Yu, you've broken through!"

Su Yu smiled slightly and nodded. "Mm, Qi Refining Level 4."

Su Yan was overjoyed. He threw an arm around Su Yu's shoulder and laughed, "That's great! I knew it—Brother Yu, you would never stay down forever!"