Influence!

"Thump, thump, thump."

Zhang Su had only just returned to his courtyard when someone knocked on the door.

Chu Dachuan opened the gate.

Standing outside was an Outer Sect deacon.

"Is Zhang Su in?"

"The Senior Brother is inside, please come in, Deacon."

Soon, the deacon met with Zhang Su.

"Zhang Su, you defeated Luo Feng, one of the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples. According to sect rules, you may move into the tenth mountain peak. From now on, you are one of the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples and are entitled to ten Blood Qi Pills every month."

"Furthermore, all items at the Trading Hall will be ten percent off for you! Each of the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples may apply for one-on-one instruction in martial arts techniques from an Internal Force elder every month."

Zhang Su's eyes lit up.

The treatment afforded to the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples was worlds apart from that of ordinary Outer Sect disciples.

Not to mention the ten Blood Replenishing Pills, the truly important benefit was the ten percent discount at the Trading Hall.

One had to know that Inner Sect disciples received a twenty percent discount.

He was only a small step behind the Inner Sect disciples.

Moreover, he could apply for one-on-one martial arts instruction from an Internal Force elder.

Those who enjoyed such treatment were no longer treated like the insect-rearing fodder of the Outer Sect.

Instead, they were disciples being prioritized for cultivation by the Guiyuan Sect.

As expected, in a sense, the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples are not much different from Inner Sect disciples...

Zhang Su immediately looked up.

"Thank you, Deacon."

The deacon departed.

Zhang Su now had ten more Blood Replenishing Pills in his hand.

"Chu Dachuan, Zhao Feng, Du Tian, go and tidy up the mountain peak first."

"Yes, Senior Brother."

With that, the three of them immediately headed toward Luo Feng's mountain peak.

This mountain peak now belonged to Zhang Su.

Several hours later, the three returned to the courtyard, dusty and tired.

"Senior Brother, the mountain peak has been tidied up; you can move in at any time."

"Alright, let's move then..."

Zhang Su stood up immediately and headed toward the mountain peak.

Soon, Zhang Su arrived at the mountain.

This tenth mountain peak was called Jinyu Peak.

Now, Zhang Su had become the master of Jinyu Peak.

Jinyu Peak was very large.

It had many rooms.

Furthermore, according to the rules, each of the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples could bring a few Outer Sect disciples to reside on their mountain peak.

Zhang Su looked at Chu Dachuan and the other two, who had a hint of longing in their eyes, and nodded. "Are the three of you willing to come and live at Jinyu Peak?"

The three were overjoyed and hurriedly replied, "Willing, of course we are willing!"

"Good, then you shall stay at Jinyu Peak."

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

The three did not dare to disturb Zhang Su.

Inside the room, only Zhang Su remained.

With his three hundred wisps of blood qi and the Light Shadow Killing Sword at the perfection realm, he had firmly secured his position among the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples.

Now, he had only one goal.

That was to give birth to Internal Force!

The Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples were, after all, still just Outer Sect disciples.

Only by promoting to the Inner Sect and becoming an Inner Sect disciple could one be considered a true disciple of the Guiyuan Sect.

Zhang Su was very clear about this point.

The Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples were, at best, only one foot into the Inner Sect.

Fortunately, he now had an ample supply of Blood Replenishing Pills and could focus entirely on cultivating his blood energy.

Qingquan Prefecture, Gu Family.

The once wealthy Gu Family had now completely fallen into decline.

Although Gu Ying worked very hard, as a woman, she was forced to show her face in public and endure the pointing fingers of others.

Even with such great sacrifices on her part, the Gu Family's business continued to go from bad to worse.

Recently, Gu Ying had been suffering from a massive headache; the Gu Family's business had run into serious trouble.

"Miss, our overall business has dropped by thirty percent this month."

"The key issue is the Zhen Family over in Baifeng Prefecture. They are holding up our shipments and delaying us with all sorts of excuses. If this continues, our business in Baifeng Prefecture will be completely finished..."

The steward said anxiously.

Upon hearing this, Gu Ying remained silent.

She knew very well just how dire the Gu Family's situation was.

The Gu Family's original stronghold used to be Qingquan Prefecture.

But now, Qingquan Prefecture was the territory of the Su Family.

In Qingquan Prefecture, the Gu Family could only keep shrinking their influence, not daring to go head-to-head with the Su Family in business.

The Gu Family could only exert their efforts in Baifeng Prefecture, doing their best to maintain their business there.

Unfortunately, Baifeng Prefecture also had its own local tyrant: the Zhen Family.

"Miss, Miss Du is here..."

A servant came to report.

"Du Xianxian? Let her in..."

Gu Ying rubbed her temples.

She felt physically and mentally exhausted.

Du Xianxian was one of her few close friends, and the two of them visited each other often.

Soon, Du Xianxian arrived.

Although this Du Xianxian was not as stunning as Gu Ying, she had the advantage of fair skin.

"Xianxian, I don't have time to go out for an excursion today..."

Gu Ying said softly.

"Yingying, are you... in some kind of trouble?"

Gu Ying nodded.

"What kind of trouble? Tell me about it; perhaps I can help."

Gu Ying shook her head and let out a long sigh. "What other trouble could it be? It's the Zhen Family in Baifeng Prefecture, of course..."

Du Xianxian understood.

As a close friend of Gu Ying, she was naturally aware of the Gu Family's situation.

"Yingying, sometimes you are just too headstrong. Why don't I go talk to my cousin? You should know that he has always wanted to enter into a marriage alliance with you..."

Du Xianxian persuaded.

Gu Ying remained silent.

She knew exactly who the "cousin" Du Xianxian was referring to.

Du Xianxian's cousin, Bai Jingchuan, came from a martial arts family in Baifeng Prefecture.

He had possessed extraordinary talent since he was a child.

He was hailed as a martial arts genius of Baifeng Prefecture.

There was a high probability that he would develop Internal Force in the future and become an Internal Force martial artist.

The Bai Family certainly held significant influence in Baifeng Prefecture.

If Bai Jingchuan stepped in, even the Zhen Family would have to show some restraint.

"But..."

Gu Ying had many concerns.

In truth, she did not dislike Bai Jingchuan.

However, she also knew the Bai Family's true intentions.

The Bai Family was eager for a marriage alliance for no other reason than to completely swallow up the Gu Family's assets.

This would allow the Bai Family to reach even greater heights.

This was something Gu Ying could not accept.

"Yingying, sometimes you shouldn't be so headstrong. The Zhen Family is advancing step by step, constantly encroaching on the Gu Family's businesses. What other options could you possibly have?"

Du Xianxian said.

"The Gu Family funds the Outer Sect disciples of the Guiyuan Sect; at worst, I can go and ask Zhang Su..."

Gu Ying gritted her teeth.

This was the Gu Family's last resort.

Hearing this, Du Xianxian shook her head and said, "Yingying, the Gu Family funds Outer Sect disciples of the Guiyuan Sect, but do you think the Zhen Family doesn't? Furthermore, the Zhen Family is wealthy and influential; they fund two disciples of the Guiyuan Sect. One of them, it is said, even has a strong chance of challenging for a spot among the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples."

"As for that Zhang Su you're funding, he is said to have some talent and even defeated Jiang Cheng. But Jiang Cheng is nothing more than a frog in a well in Qingquan Prefecture. How could he know how powerful the true genius disciples of the Guiyuan Sect are?"

"I told you before, if you were going to provide funding, you should have funded a true genius of the Outer Sect. Although that Zhang Su has decent combat power, he is ultimately overage and has limited potential. It will be difficult for him to promote to the Inner Sect in the future. And you gave Zhang Su a first-tier funding contract—so much silver, it's almost like throwing it into the water..."

Gu Ying frowned deeply.

Although what Du Xianxian said was unpleasant, it held a certain logic.

She could indeed move Zhang Su to act.

But the Zhen Family was funding two Outer Sect disciples of the Guiyuan Sect.

There was even one who was said to be capable of competing for a spot among the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples.

What did Zhang Su have to contend with those two Guiyuan Sect Outer Sect disciples?

"Could it be that I really made a mistake?"

Gu Ying also fell into deep thought.

The first-tier funding had almost drained the Gu Family's savings.

Now that the Gu Family had encountered trouble, if Zhang Su was unable to resolve it, then the Gu Family would likely be truly finished.

"Yingying, don't hesitate. If you agree, I will write a letter to my cousin immediately..."

Du Xianxian's voice had just faded.

Suddenly, a series of footsteps came from outside.

Immediately after, a servant sprinted into the living room.

"Miss, good news, wonderful news..."

The servant's face was full of excitement.

"What good news?"

Gu Ying was also curious.

At a time like this, what good news could there possibly be?

"News has come from the Guiyuan Sect: Outer Sect disciple Zhang Su challenged Luo Feng, one of the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples, successfully defeated Luo Feng, and ascended to the position of one of the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples of the Guiyuan Sect!"

"Furthermore, Luo Feng even died at the hands of Zhang Su..."

"Boom."

As soon as the servant's words fell, a roar echoed in the minds of everyone in the living room.

Gu Ying widened her eyes.

It was as if she couldn't believe it.

"Are you saying that Zhang Su has now become one of the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples of the Guiyuan Sect?"

Gu Ying's voice was trembling.

"Yes, it is absolutely true!"

Gu Ying laughed.

She laughed heartily.

She even laughed until tears streamed from the corners of her eyes.

Meanwhile, Du Xianxian was left in a daze.

Zhang Su defeated and even killed Luo Feng, ascending to the position of one of the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples of the Guiyuan Sect?

What kind of joke was this?