Impact!

Knock, knock, knock.

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

Chu Dachuan opened the gate.

An Outer Sect deacon stood outside.

"Is Zhang Su here?"

"Senior Brother is inside. Please come in, Deacon."

Before long, the deacon met 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 will receive ten Blood Qi Pills every month."

"Furthermore, everything at the Trading Hall will be twenty percent off! The Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples may apply each month to have an Internal Force elder personally teach them martial arts."

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.

Never mind the ten Blood Replenishing Pills; what truly mattered was the twenty percent discount on everything at the Trading Hall.

Inner Sect disciples received a twenty percent discount.

He was only a tiny bit behind Inner Sect disciples.

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

Those who received such treatment were no longer Outer Sect disciples raised like venomous insects in a jar.

They were disciples the Guiyuan Sect was focusing on nurturing.

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

Zhang Su then raised his head.

"Thank you, Deacon."

The deacon left.

Ten more Blood Replenishing Pills appeared in Zhang Su's hands.

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

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Thus, the three of them immediately headed for Luo Feng's mountain peak.

That mountain peak now belonged to Zhang Su.

Several hours later, the three returned to the courtyard, covered in dust from the journey.

"Senior Brother, the mountain peak has been cleaned up. You may move in whenever you wish."

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

Zhang Su immediately rose to his feet and headed toward the mountain peak.

Before long, Zhang Su arrived at the mountain peak.

The tenth mountain peak was called "Jinyu Peak."

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

Jinyu Peak was enormous.

There were many rooms.

Furthermore, according to the rules, the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples could each bring some Outer Sect disciples to live on their mountain peak.

Zhang Su looked at the faint longing in the eyes of Chu Dachuan and the other two, then nodded. "Are you three willing to live at Jinyu Peak?"

The three were overjoyed and hurriedly answered, "Yes, of course we are!"

"Good. Then you may stay at Jinyu Peak."

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

The three did not dare disturb Zhang Su.

Only Zhang Su remained in the room.

With three hundred strands of Blood Qi and the Light Shadow Killing Sword at the perfected realm, he had firmly secured a place among the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples.

Now, he had only one goal.

To give birth to Internal Force!

The Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples were ultimately still Outer Sect disciples.

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

Zhang Su understood this very clearly.

At most, the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples had only one foot across the threshold of the Inner Sect.

Fortunately, he now had ample Blood Replenishing Pills and could devote himself fully to cultivating Blood Qi.

Qingquan Prefecture, Gu Family.

The Gu Family, once wealthy enough to rival a region, had now fallen completely into decline.

Though Gu Ying worked tirelessly, as a woman, she had no choice but to show her face in public and endure the pointing and gossip of others.

Even after making such enormous sacrifices, the Gu Family's business continued to worsen with each passing day.

Recently, Gu Ying had been deeply troubled. The Gu Family's business had run into a major problem.

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

"The key issue is the Zhen Family in Baifeng Prefecture. They are holding up our goods and delaying them on all sorts of pretexts. If this continues, our business in Baifeng Prefecture will be completely finished..."

The steward spoke anxiously.

Gu Ying fell silent at his words.

She knew only too well how terrible the Gu Family's circumstances had become.

The Gu Family's foundation had once been Qingquan Prefecture.

But now, Qingquan Prefecture belonged to the Su Family.

In Qingquan Prefecture, the Gu Family could only continuously shrink its influence and did not dare confront the Su Family head-on in business.

The Gu Family could only exert itself in Baifeng Prefecture, doing everything possible to maintain its business there.

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

"Miss, Miss Du has arrived..."

A servant came to report.

"Du Xianxian? Let her in..."

Gu Ying rubbed her temples.

She felt exhausted in both body and mind.

Du Xianxian was one of her few close friends, and the two often kept in contact.

Soon, Du Xianxian arrived.

Though Du Xianxian's appearance was not as striking as Gu Ying's, her skin was fair and smooth.

"Xianxian, I don't have time to go out and enjoy the spring scenery today..."

Gu Ying said softly.

"Yingying, have you... run into trouble?"

Gu Ying nodded.

"What trouble? Tell me. Perhaps I can help."

Gu Ying shook her head and let out a long sigh. "What else could it be? Naturally, it is the Zhen Family of Baifeng Prefecture..."

Du Xianxian understood.

She was Gu Ying's friend, so she naturally knew the Gu Family's circumstances.

"Yingying, sometimes you are simply too stubborn. How about I speak to my cousin? You should know that he has always wanted a marriage alliance with you..."

Du Xianxian persuaded her.

But Gu Ying remained silent.

She knew exactly who the "cousin" Du Xianxian mentioned was.

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

He had displayed exceptional talent since childhood.

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

There was a great chance that he would give birth to Internal Force in the future and become an Internal Force martial artist.

The Bai Family indeed wielded considerable influence in Baifeng Prefecture.

If Bai Jingchuan stepped forward, even the Zhen Family would have to be somewhat wary.

"But..."

Gu Ying had many concerns.

In truth, she did not dislike Bai Jingchuan.

But she also knew the Bai Family's intentions.

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

That would allow the Bai Family to climb another step higher.

This was something Gu Ying could not accept.

"Yingying, at times like this, do not be so determined to carry everything alone. The Zhen Family is advancing step by step, constantly nibbling away at the Gu Family's assets. What other way do you have?"

Du Xianxian said.

"The Gu Family sponsors an Outer Sect disciple of the Guiyuan Sect. At worst, I can ask Zhang Su..."

Gu Ying gritted her teeth.

This was the Gu Family's last resort.

Du Xianxian shook her head upon hearing this. "Yingying, the Gu Family sponsors an Outer Sect disciple of the Guiyuan Sect, but do you think the Zhen Family does not? Besides, the Zhen Family is wealthy and powerful. They sponsor two Guiyuan Sect disciples. One of them, it is said, even has a strong chance of competing for a place among the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples."

"And that Zhang Su you sponsor is said to have some talent and to have defeated Jiang Cheng. But Jiang Cheng is merely a frog at the bottom of a well in Qingquan Prefecture. How could he know how powerful the Guiyuan Sect's true genius disciples are?"

"I told you before: if you wanted to sponsor someone, you should sponsor a true Outer Sect genius. That Zhang Su may have decent combat strength, but he is overage after all. His potential is limited, and it will be difficult for him even to advance into the Inner Sect in the future. Yet you gave Zhang Su a Level-One Sponsorship Contract. So much silver has nearly gone down the drain..."

Gu Ying furrowed her brows tightly.

Though Du Xianxian's words were unpleasant, they did make a certain amount of sense.

She could ask Zhang Su for help.

But the Zhen Family sponsored two Outer Sect disciples of the Guiyuan Sect.

One of them was even said to be capable of competing for a place among the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples.

What could Zhang Su use to contend against those two Outer Sect disciples of the Guiyuan Sect?

"Could it be that I really made the wrong choice?"

Gu Ying also sank into thought.

The Level-One Sponsorship had nearly drained the Gu Family's savings dry.

Now that the Gu Family had encountered trouble, if Zhang Su could not resolve it, the Gu Family would likely truly be finished.

"Yingying, stop hesitating. If you agree, I will write to my cousin immediately..."

Du Xianxian had barely finished speaking.

When suddenly, a burst of footsteps sounded outside.

Immediately afterward, a servant sprinted into the reception hall.

"Miss, good news! Tremendous news..."

The servant's face was filled with excitement.

"What good news?"

Gu Ying was also curious.

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

"News has arrived from the Guiyuan Sect. Outer Sect disciple Zhang Su challenged Luo Feng, one of the Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples, defeated Luo Feng, and ascended to the ranks of the Guiyuan Sect's Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples!"

"Luo Feng even died at Zhang Su's hands..."

Boom.

As soon as the servant finished speaking, everyone in the reception hall felt their minds roar.

Gu Ying's eyes widened.

As though she could not believe it.

"You are saying that Zhang Su has now become one of the Guiyuan Sect's Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples?"

Even Gu Ying's voice trembled.

"Yes, it is absolutely true!"

Gu Ying laughed.

She laughed with unrestrained joy.

She laughed so hard that tears even flowed from the corners of her eyes.

Meanwhile, Du Xianxian stood there blankly.

Zhang Su had defeated—and even killed—Luo Feng, ascending to the ranks of the Guiyuan Sect's Top Ten Outer Sect Disciples?

What kind of joke was this?