The large ship cut through the waves.

"Old Su, up ahead is the heart of the Ten Islands District, Black Crocodile Island."

Following the direction Jiang Liuchuan pointed, Su Yu looked up, a slight tremor in his heart.

The river here was as wide as a vast ocean, its banks invisible to the naked eye.

Amidst the misty waves, a massive island sat upon the water like a colossal beast. The island was covered in a dense patchwork of buildings, all brightly lit, resembling a bustling marketplace.

"This island used to be a truly dangerous place."

Jiang Liuchuan fanned himself, his tone laced with a hint of reverence. "They say a century ago, a Profound Bone Realm Black Crocodile Overlord ruled this place. It had tough skin and thick flesh, and it could spit black water that corroded everything. Later, the three great families joined forces and hired three Profound Bone Realm masters from the Inner City. They fought a fierce battle for three days and three nights before finally slaying it, giving rise to the Black Crocodile Island of today."

"Profound Bone Realm..."

Su Yu’s gaze sharpened.

He had heard his master mention that a Profound Bone Realm expert could easily kill a Muscle Forging Realm master. In the entire Outer City of Black Stone City, there wasn’t a single one!

’It seems the true powerhouses of Black Stone City are all in the Inner City. I wonder if the current turmoil in Black Stone City and the invasion of the Black Lotus Sect will force these experts to reveal themselves.’

...

「Black Crocodile Island, the Jiang Family’s station.」

Passing through the lively market, the two arrived at a private body of water on the island’s north side.

The area was enclosed by thick Ironwood Stakes, and the water’s surface was calm, with a faint treasure-like glow visible within. Moored by the shore were three strangely shaped boats.

"Old Su, this is the small treasure ship you wanted, a Cloud-Piercing Shuttle."

Su Yu’s eyes lit up as he followed Jiang Liuchuan aboard.

The ship was about thirty feet long and crafted entirely from a hard Spirit Wood called Iron Birch Wood, giving it a deep bronze color. Its hull was long and slender like a shuttle, with smooth, flowing lines. To adapt to the harsh environment of the Black Water River, the bottom was even fitted with a ram made from a layer of Black Water Profound Iron.

The two continued into the ship’s cabin.

Though the space wasn’t large, it had everything one could need. A fist-sized Fire Sun Stone was embedded in the center of the cabin, radiating heat and dispelling the damp chill from the water.

At the stern, there was even a small Thrust Furnace, also burning a Fire Sun Stone. It seemed to be driven by an Array; once activated, it could propel the ship at incredible speeds. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"What a fine ship!" Su Yu exclaimed in admiration.

Compared to the black-canopied boat he had rented before, this was a massive upgrade.

"Haha, of course! We got this treasure ship from Jian’an Prefecture. Most families don’t have one. This ship is free all month, so use it as you please." Jiang Liuchuan waved his hand magnanimously.

The two left the ship and returned to the shore. Jiang Liuchuan invited Su Yu to stay the night before setting out, and Su Yu readily agreed.

Just as they were speaking, a middle-aged man who looked like a Steward ran over, drenched in sweat, and dropped to his knees with a THUD.

"Young Master! You’re finally here!"

"The monster fish attacking the precious fish still hasn’t been caught! Last night... last night, it snatched another Red-tailed Carp! That’s more than a dozen this month!"

"What?"

The smile on Jiang Liuchuan’s face vanished instantly.

More than a dozen precious fish—that was a loss of at least thousands of taels! Losing that much in less than a month for nothing... even the Jiang Family couldn’t easily stomach it.

"Didn’t I offer a hefty reward? What about Tributor Wang Xue whom we hired? Why hasn’t she caught this monster fish yet?!"

As Jiang Liuchuan was speaking, a woman approached from a distance.

The woman wore tight-fitting black clothes that showed off her slender figure. She looked to be in her late twenties, with healthy, wheat-colored skin. On her back, she carried a bundle of custom-made, fine steel Fish Spears, and she exuded an air of wild competence.

This was none other than Wang Xue, a famous fishing expert from Black Stone City known as the "Flying Fork."

"Master Jiang, I have not been negligent. Before I arrived, this monster fish had appeared several times, and the five or six Tributors you have here couldn’t even touch a hair on its head, let alone stop it."

A hint of pride showed on Wang Xue’s face. "The very first time I confronted it after my arrival, I wounded the monster with a Fish Spear and drove it back without it harming a single precious fish!"

Jiang Liuchuan glanced at the Steward, who nodded, confirming that Wang Xue wasn’t lying.

"Then why do we keep losing the precious fish?"

At this, Wang Xue also sounded troubled. "This monster fish is intelligent and exceptionally cunning. Ever since I wounded it that one time, it only attacks at night. Vision is limited in the dark, and its power is immense. The reinforced Iron Wire Vine Net can’t withstand its charge for even a second..."

Jiang Liuchuan took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. "Tributor Wang, I just want results! If you can deal with that monster fish, I’ll add two hundred taels to your Monthly Allowance, plus three precious fish as a thank-you gift!"

Wang Xue’s heart burned with excitement. ’I’m currently at the Second Acupoint and desperately need resources to break through. If I can resolve this, I’ll have what I need!’

"Good! Master Jiang is a man of his word!"

She confidently slapped the Fish Spears on her back. "I’ll stand watch myself tonight and set a baited trap. If it dares to show up, I’ll definitely spear it!"

Just then, Su Yu also spoke up. "Junior Jiang, do you have any spare Fish Spears? Get me three. I’ll help out tonight as well."

’I’m now receiving a share of the profits from the Jiang Family’s trade routes, and Jiang Liuchuan invested in and helped me a great deal early on. It’s only right to lend him a hand.’

"You?"

Beside them, Wang Xue frowned, her gaze turning hostile. "And who are you? I don’t like others interfering when I’m working!"

’I don’t want anyone else involved. If the monster fish is killed, my credit will be divided. Besides, I already accepted the job. This Su Yu speaking up now feels like he’s trying to steal my business.’

Jiang Liuchuan quickly smoothed things over. "This is my senior brother from the martial arts hall, Su Yu. Don’t worry, Tributor Wang. Senior Brother Su is just helping out. If the monster fish is dealt with, your promised reward won’t be a single bit less."

Hearing this, Wang Xue’s expression softened slightly, but she still snorted coldly. "It’s not that I look down on others, but throwing a Fish Spear requires special techniques and years of experience. An amateur meddling will only spook the fish and be more of a hindrance than a help!"

Su Yu just smiled faintly and didn’t argue.

’I’ve always preferred to let my actions speak for themselves rather than engage in a war of words.’

...

The moon was hidden and the wind was strong; the surface of the water was as black as ink.

Several Jiang Family Tributors and a dozen or so guards patrolled the shore nervously, holding torches. Su Yu and Jiang Liuchuan sat in a nearby stilt house, drinking wine and observing the entire body of water.

SPLASH...

In the latter half of the night, an extremely faint sound of splashing water reached Su Yu’s ears.

The sound was very light, like a dry leaf falling into the water. If not for Su Yu’s freakishly sharp hearing, it would have been impossible to distinguish from the noisy wind and waves.

"It’s here," Su Yu said in a low voice, setting down his wine cup.

Jiang Liuchuan was taken aback. "What’s here?"

Before he could finish his sentence, a sudden roar came from the shore. "The monster fish is here!"

The water’s surface suddenly exploded as a black shadow, like a sharp arrow, burst through the Iron Wire Vine Net that the Jiang Family was so proud of. The vines, as tough as steel wire, were instantly shattered as if they were made of paper!

"So fast! And so powerful!" Jiang Liuchuan’s face paled as he watched from his high vantage point.

"Attack!"

The Tributors on the shore hurriedly threw their nets and javelins.

However, the monster fish was incredibly agile in the water. With a flick of its tail, it carved a strange arc through the water, effortlessly dodging all the attacks.

"A bunch of useless trash! Get out of the way!"

Wang Xue shouted sharply and leaped out from the shadows.

She had long been prepared. Holding three fine steel Fish Spears in a triangular formation, her Qi and Blood erupted as she hurled them forward.

SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

Three cold gleams shot out like meteors chasing the moon, sealing off all of the monster fish’s escape routes.

The monster fish was exceptionally cunning. It seemed to sense the Fish Spears flying down from above the water and whipped its tail fiercely.

In an instant, it shot forward several dozen feet to evade them!

But Wang Xue’s Fish Spear technique was indeed impressive. The first two spears missed, but the last one suddenly accelerated.

PUFF!

The Fish Spear grazed the monster fish’s side, drawing a spray of blood.

"It’s hit!" everyone cheered.

But in the next second, the monster fish let out a strange shriek from the water that made everyone’s eardrums throb. The water churned, and the dozens of precious fish in the water were startled, scattering in all directions.

As if enraged, the monster fish’s scales flared out, and its speed suddenly increased by another thirty percent as it charged toward the precious fish.

THWACK!

Instantly, one of the precious fish was killed and swallowed whole.

"Stop it!"

In the stilt house, Jiang Liuchuan was frantic. His usual playful expression was gone, replaced by a furious roar as he shouted commands.

"Dammit!"

Wang Xue’s face fell in shock. She hadn’t expected the monster fish to be able to get even faster. She quickly performed her triple Fish Spear technique again.

But the monster fish’s speed was now astonishing, making it impossible to hit.

The other Tributors couldn’t get involved at all. They could only watch helplessly as the monster fish zipped through the water, chasing the precious fish. It looked like another one was about to fall prey to it.

"It’s over... my entire pond of precious fish!"

Jiang Liuchuan felt a sharp pang in his heart. ’If all these precious fish die, the losses will be immense. My poor, darling wives at home will have to tighten their belts along with me.’

Just then, a dull, short hum of something slicing through the air suddenly rang out from the direction of the stilt house.

HUUUMMM—!

Jiang Liuchuan felt a strong gust of wind rush past his ear. He opened his eyes to see that Su Yu, who had been beside him, was now standing, holding a throwing posture, his gaze as cold and sharp as a blade.

A thousand feet away, over the surface of the water.

A common iron spear, like a bolt of black lightning, hit the water with a BANG, entering it like a vicious flood dragon!

The monster fish in the water was startled and tried to flee, but the black spear behind it carried a Spiral Force that easily tore through the current, catching up despite being thrown later.

SQUELCH!

A muffled sound of flesh being pierced.

The iron spear pierced the monster fish’s back and went straight through its spine. The immense kinetic energy sent its body tumbling several times in the water.

The next moment, Su Yu leaped directly from the stilt house.

While he was in mid-air, the air beneath his feet exploded.

BOOM!

With a deep sonic boom, Su Yu landed on the surface of the water.

But he didn’t sink. The water merely rippled slightly as he ran across its surface as if it were solid ground, leaving a trail of black afterimages. He was moving even faster than the monster fish!

Underwater, the monster fish was heavily wounded but not yet dead. It thrashed its tail wildly, trying to escape into the distance.

"Trying to run? Stay right there!"

Su Yu roared, releasing the second fine steel Fish Spear he already had in hand.

This time, a thumb-thick, specially made silk rope was tied to the spear’s tail.

WHOOSH—!

A cold gleam tore through the night, swift as a fleeting shadow.

Under the dual lock of Listening Wave Positioning and Five Senses Divine, the Fish Spear accurately pierced the monster fish’s thick skull, getting deeply lodged between its bones.

"GET... UP!!!"

The water’s surface beneath Su Yu’s feet exploded. His right arm turned a dark, bluish-black as his muscles bulged and veins popped, and he yanked back with tremendous force.

SPLASH!

The originally dark and calm surface of the Black Water River was ripped apart as if by a giant, invisible hand.

Amidst a sky-filling spray of water, the ferocious monster fish—over ten feet long and weighing several thousand pounds—was brutally dragged out of the water and flung into the air by Su Yu’s raw power!

In the night sky, a cold, round moon hung high overhead.

Bright moonlight poured down, illuminating the jaw-dropping scene:

Crystalline water droplets rolled off the monster fish’s black scales, refracting points of light in the moonlight. A monster fish with a head as large as a tiger’s twisted and struggled in agony, its massive, fang-filled maw opened in a bloodcurdling shriek.

And below it, set against the backdrop of the watery curtain, that incomparably handsome figure looked like a god!