Chapter 39: Chapter 39 Show me your training
"This time, it was only with the help of the Fuyang Qi Skill that I managed to bridge the three minor realm differences between Lan Ning and me," Shi Xiaole explained further.
"Lele, did you know that in the nearby martial world, possessing a second-tier low-grade internal cultivation technique is equivalent to having a peerless martial arts technique? If you cultivate diligently for a few years, set up your own sect, and gain fame in the Cloud Triangle, it wouldn’t be a difficult matter."
It has always been a custom in the martial world to pass martial arts techniques to sons, not wives.
That is, even if a husband comes across a good martial arts technique, he would only pass it on to his son and not his wife.
This showed the extent to which the martial world valued such manuscripts.
Of course, this refers to individuals.
If it came to the sect level, most of them would encourage their skilled martial artists to contribute their knowledge, in exchange for higher positions and resources.
There were even some emerging sects, such as the Huajian Sect, that required their disciples to submit any martial arts techniques they obtained from other sects due to a lack of library resources.
The Golden Phoenix Tower was an exception. Since its establishment, they hadn’t forced any martial artists to yield their techniques. This was one of the reasons why they could rapidly attract skilled practitioners and establish themselves within decades.
Seeing Shi Xiaole unhesitatingly hand over a second-tier, low-grade internal cultivation technique without batting an eye, Su Yanru couldn’t hide her shock. After her shock subsided, she was filled with indescribable gratitude and joy.
Lele, you truly consider others in everything you do.
"Lele, your auntie hasn’t loved you in vain."
Overcome with emotion, Su Yanru tightly embraced Shi Xiaole again.
Feeling the full press against his chest, Shi Xiaole’s back stiffened, and he couldn’t help but feel distracted. He immediately tried to break free.
Aside from the Fuyang Qi Skill, Shi Xiaole also orally passed on the Heaven and Earth Net Force to Su Yanru.
As the first-rate master of the Golden Phoenix Tower, Su Yanru possessed several third-tier medium-grade martial arts skills. With the addition of the Fuyang Qi Skill and the Heaven and Earth Net Force to her repertoire, her skills were likely to improve drastically.
At that point, she wouldn’t need to be wary of anyone, even within her own domain in Feiyan City.
The fact that Shi Xiaole was willing to impart his knowledge made Su Yanru so happy that she felt like her pores were opening up. Her beautiful eyes could practically overflow with tears, making Shi Xiaole lose his composure several times. In the end, he had no choice but to flee amidst her laughter.
The night was uneventful.
The next day, before the end of the morning, the Golden Phoenix Tower’s meeting hall was already filled with ten elders and three vice-leaders, save for the highest seat which remained vacant.
"Our leader’s arrogance is becoming unbearable. It’s as if we don’t even exist in her eyes."
The second leader huffed coldly, extremely disgruntled.
"It’s not surprising, after all, her nephew is set to become the next leader. She won’t have anything to worry about for decades."
The third leader chimed in.
Those who spoke had their intentions, as did those who listened.
A few of the elders frowned.
They suddenly realized that if the Golden Phoenix Tower fell into the hands of Su Yanru and her nephew for a long term, would it be entirely controlled by them and reduced to their family sect?
With Su Yanru’s cunning, it was entirely possible.
Amidst their varying thoughts, Su Yanru walked in, dressed in a red outfit with a charming sword on her waist. Everyone could clearly see the joy in her eyes, which made some even more displeased.
Su Yanru took her seat at the top, clapped her hands, and Meng Qi walked in. He began to read a report detailing all the major and minor adjustments Su Yanru had made to the Golden Phoenix Tower over the years.
This was so-called ’self-examination’ by the leader.
"Everyone, any thoughts?"
After Meng Qi finished reading, Su Yanru looked around with a faint smile.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Everyone had to admit that aside from the infamous incident of giving up a large territory to rescue Shi Xiaole, Su Yanru’s contributions to the Golden Phoenix Tower were monumental.
Under her leadership, the Golden Phoenix Tower had reached a new level, becoming one of the three major forces in Feiyan City.
Glancing at the second leader exchanging looks with others, Su Yanru knew they had discussed countermeasures to overthrow her.
With a cryptic smile on her lips, Su Yanru said, "I dislike wasting time. Since everyone remains quiet, let’s just proceed with the voting. If you are not satisfied with Yanru’s achievements, Yanru will willingly step down."
At these words, everyone was taken aback.
The second leader was even overjoyed.
Traditionally, the self-examination meeting was a mere formality. The so-called voting was a tactic used by the three vice-leaders to persuade the elders to oust Su Yanru.
If Su Yanru herself did not consent, their tactic would not hold ground.
Surprisingly, it was Su Yanru herself who proposed this.
"Given the Leader’s loyalty and dedication to the Golden Phoenix Tower, why the need for a vote?" the third leader asked tentatively, sensing something fishy.
Su Yanru laughed, "In that case, let’s adjourn this meeting."
Some were taken aback by this, caught off guard by her turning the tables.
The second leader hastily responded, "Since the Leader herself has proposed voting, we must comply. We will act as the Leader suggests."
Su Yanru remained noncommittal, her steadfast demeanor prompting sighs from some of the elders.
From the start of the day, the three deputy leaders were led by their noses by Su Yanru. The initiative had been completely seized by her; the contrast between the two sides clearly indicating their respective positions.
"Those who do not support me, raise your hands."
Su Yanru stated calmly, her gaze sweeping across the crowd.
The second leader suddenly felt a heavy pressure washing over him. But the arrow was already on the bowstring, so it had to be released. Besides, according to the prior agreement, they should hold the winning ticket in this scenario. It was not possible for there to be any surprises.
He clenched his teeth, and the second leader raised his hand.
However, when he looked around, the smiles on his face immediately froze. Because in the whole room, besides him, only the third leader and three elders raised their hands.
The four other elders who had been in good talks, even the fourth leader, looked indifferent, just like bystanders.
"You, you all..."
The second and third leaders started trembling. At this point, how could they not realize that they had been betrayed.
"Fourth leader, what do you mean?"
The second leader glared coldly at the fourth leader.
The fourth leader chuckled, "I really don’t understand what the second leader means. I’ve always been loyal to the Leader. I think she is fit for the role, so I didn’t raise my hand. Is there a problem?"
This remark completely silenced the rest of them.
Only at this moment did the second leader and the others start to feel terror creeping up on them. They couldn’t figure out whether the fourth leader and his cohorts had changed allegiance at the last minute, or had always been on Su Yanru’s side.
If it was the latter, then it meant that the control of Golden Phoenix Tower had been in Su Yanru’s hands all along. Their clandestine movements in the preceding days were nothing more than a complete joke!
The second leader went weak at the knees and slumped into his seat.
"Four votes... Hmm, it seems I may have unintentionally offended some people," Su Yanru stood up from her seat, her sensuous curves and smiling face sent a chill down the spine of those few who had just raised their hands.
No one understood better than them how ruthless this woman could be when exacting revenge.
Su Yanru left. From start to finish, she had only been in the council hall for less than a quarter of an hour. She made no response to the actions of the second leader and the others. It was this unfathomable behavior that made them all the more uneasy.
...
In the courtyard, Shi Xiaole’s figure was moving irregularly like he was practicing some kind of movement skill.
What he was practicing was the Flying Phoenix Skill.
For a long time, Shi Xiaole’s weakness had been his flying skill. After seeing the power of Flying Phoenix Skill yesterday, he naturally asked his aunt to teach him.
Shi Xiaole gently pushed with his feet, gathered his Qi at the Dantian, and then his body suddenly leaped a considerable distance into the air like a soaring Phoenix, lunging forward.
Women love beauty, so Su Yanru’s Flying Phoenix Skill was also elegant and graceful. Combined with Shi Xiaole’s tall and slender figure, it mesmerized the two maids who were sneakily watching.
Thanks to his experience and strong comprehension abilities, in just half a day, Shi Xiaole had grasped the essence of the Flying Phoenix Skill and reached the preliminary stage of Spirit Integration.
"With the preliminary Spirit Integration of the Flying Phoenix Skill, even if it’s not as good as the Floating Step in terms of mobility, I can still dodge broadly, which is enough for me to adapt to more combat scenarios," Shi Xiaole was elated.
In the past, when facing opponents, he’d often choose to directly confront them, not because he desired death, but because without superior flying skill, escape was futile.
Now that he’d learned the Flying Phoenix Skill, it had undoubtedly solved a significant problem for Shi Xiaole. In less flattering terms, even if he were to run away in the future, he’d now have a better chance of success.
"Lele, you’re so diligent. What are you practicing?"
A faint fragrance wafted into his nose as Su Yanru walked in with a smile.
She had just come out of the council hall and had inexplicably ended up here, wishing to see Shi Xiaole.
"I’m practicing Flying Phoenix Skill. Aunt, is the issue resolved?" Shi Xiaole asked.
Su Yanru nodded. She had already given Shi Xiaole a hint last night, suggesting that she held all the aces.
Hearing that Shi Xiaole was practicing the Flying Phoenix Skill, Su Yanru took interest and grinned, "You’ve been practicing all morning, have you reached the Shape Mimicry stage yet?"
That was merely a tease. For most people, achieving the Shape Mimicry stage of a third-tier martial art skill would usually take at least a month, if not longer. Even those with a little better talent also needed around half a month.
No matter how talented Shi Xiaole was, it was impossible for him to achieve this in half a day.
Seeing that Shi Xiaole looked a little awkward and was rubbing his nose, Su Yanru thought she had hit a nerve and immediately tried to comfort him, "Don’t worry, it took me a long time to get started too. If you don’t understand something, just ask me."
Shi Xiaole hesitated for a moment, in order to avoid further misunderstanding, he clarified, "Aunt, it’s not Shape Mimicry, I’ve barely reached the preliminary stage of Spirit Integration."
"That’s alright, we’ll practice slowly and...Wait,"
Su Yanru suddenly regained consciousness and stared dumbfounded at Shi Xiaole, "What did you just say, Spirit Integration?"
Seeing Shi Xiaole nod, Su Yanru got a bit angry. She could tolerate him failing to learn the skill but couldn’t bear his lies!
"In that case, show me."
Su Yanru stepped to one side, crossed her arms under her breasts, and decided internally that she must teach this lying boy a lesson.
