In Su Yi's humble abode.
"Mr. Su, I have come here to express my gratitude and also to bring some treasures as compensation on behalf of many fellow cultivators in the city," said Yuan Wutong, the head of the Yuan family, who had come to visit with Yuan Luo Xi and Yuan Luo Yu late at night.
Accompanying them were several servants carrying two large treasure chests.
Yuan Wutong, elegant and refined, exuded an air of scholarly demeanor. When facing Su Yi, he was humble and polite, displaying remarkable eloquence that was as refreshing as a spring breeze.
Su Yi waved it off and said, "Saving your daughter was a simple act for me. There's no need for such courtesy."
With that, he invited Yuan Wutong and the others to take their seats in the courtyard.
"What is the meaning behind these compensations?" Su Yi asked, pointing to the two treasure chests.
Yuan Wutong smiled and said, "After the incident at the Qingding Training Grounds today, many clans in the city felt that they owed you something. So each of them has brought forth some treasures, hoping that Mr. Su won't hold it against them."
Su Yi chuckled and said, "It seems the effect of killing a chicken to warn the monkeys is quite good."
Seeing Su Yi's laughter, everyone joined in.
At first, Yuan Luo Xi was worried that her father's sudden visit might displease Su Yi, but now it seemed unnecessary.
Yuan Wutong took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to Su Yi. "This is the list of clans that have sent gifts to show their respect to Mr. Su. Please have a look."
Su Yi took the paper and couldn't help but be surprised.
The list was long, including not only the County Governor's Office and the Zhang family, the top powers, but also the Qinghe Sword Mansion, Qian family, Huo family, Liu family, and many other smaller clans.
The items listed were numerous and varied, including spiritual herbs, spiritual stones, and spiritual materials. It was a dazzling array.
From the list, one could see the gap between the top powers of Yunhe County City and the ordinary ones.
For example, even a general clan couldn't produce third-grade spiritual herbs, which were rare treasures. In terms of quantity, general clans were far inferior to the top powers in terms of second-grade spiritual herbs and second-grade spiritual stones.
Of course, Su Yi didn't care about these things.
He had never planned to gain any benefits in the first place, so receiving such "apology compensation" was already a pleasant surprise.
"Since reaching the Consolidation Realm, I no longer have a use for ordinary first-grade spiritual herbs, and the second-grade spiritual herbs I had on me have been depleted. With these treasures now, it seems my immediate needs have been taken care of," Su Yi thought to himself.
Not only were the spiritual herbs, but the spiritual materials on his body were also almost depleted.
One could say that if it weren't for Yuan Wutong bringing these compensations from the major powers in the city tonight, Su Yi would have had to consider how to "earn money."
Su Yi quickly put away the list and said, "Please inform them, Mr. Yuan, that I have no intention of holding grudges against anyone unless someone provokes me again."
Yuan Wutong nodded with a smile and said, "With these words from Mr. Su, I believe those fellow cultivators can rest assured."
With that, he suddenly stood up and took out a palm-sized jade box, presenting it with both hands. He said, "Mr. Su, this is a small token of appreciation from my Yuan family. I hope you accept it."
Yuan Luo Xi and Yuan Luo Yu also stood up quickly.
Su Yi frowned slightly, feeling somewhat displeased. He said, "Your daughter and I have some acquaintance. Why do you need to bring these external objects? Does Mr. Yuan think of me, Su Yi, as a greedy person?"
His words carried a hint of coldness.
Yuan Luo Xi's pretty face changed slightly, about to say something.
Yuan Wutong quickly explained, "Please don't misunderstand, Mr. Su. Our Yuan family didn't help in any way today, but because of our relationship with Mr. Su, our influence has reached a new level. Even Elder Zhang Zhiyan treated me with respect during our conversation."
"Yuan understands that all of this is thanks to Mr. Su's prestige, so we have brought these small gifts to express our gratitude."
After speaking, he bowed respectfully.
Seeing this, Su Yi looked at the somewhat anxious Yuan Luo Xi and finally nodded. He said, "I understand your intentions to some extent, but there are some things that must be made clear."
"Please enlighten me, Mr. Su," Yuan Wutong said solemnly.
Su Yi's expression remained calm as he said, "I appreciate the sentiment from the Yuan family, but in the future, you must not act in my name, Su Yi."
"Naturally," Yuan Wutong readily agreed without hesitation.
Su Yi picked up the tea and took a sip before continuing, "Mr. Yuan, you must understand that by associating with me, it means that you will also be implicated in the matters related to me."
Yuan Wutong's expression became even more solemn as he said, "I have already thought it through. My Yuan family is willing to share fortune and misfortune with you, to live and die together!"
Su Yi put down his teacup, nodded, and didn't say anything more.
Yuan Wutong secretly breathed a sigh of relief and carefully placed the jade box on the stone table next to Su Yi.
Although the jade box was palm-sized, it contained a fourth-grade spiritual herb!
Its value far surpassed that of several third-grade spiritual herbs combined!
Yuan Wutong was confident that when Su Yi saw the spiritual herb in the jade box, he would understand the sincerity of their Yuan family's intentions.
After chatting for a while, Yuan Wutong and his group took their leave.
On the way back home, Yuan Luo Xi expressed her worry, saying, "Father, that's just how Mr. Su is. Are you not angry?"
Yuan Wutong couldn't help but smile and replied, "I'm so happy that I can't possibly be angry. You, my dear, are still too young and don't understand the significance of this conversation."
Yuan Luo Xi looked puzzled and asked, "Father, can you please explain?"
"The Sixth Hall is an extremely prestigious and special figure. But even he can only help Su Yi clean up the mess. Through this incident, you should understand what a remarkable fortune it is for our Yuan family to have formed a bond with Su Yi," Yuan Wutong explained, his gaze deep like an ocean. "I have a premonition that in the future, Su Yi will have an overwhelming influence over the entire Da Zhou. The stronger Su Yi becomes, the greater the help he will be to our Yuan family."
Yuan Luo Xi suddenly realized and said, "So this is called 'when one person achieves enlightenment, the chickens and dogs ascend to heaven'?"
"Xiao Xi, how can you compare us to chickens and dogs?" Yuan Luo Yu protested discontentedly.
"Hahaha, rough words, but not without reason. Xiao Xi's words are not wrong," Yuan Wutong laughed heartily.
Yuan Luo Yu couldn't help but say, "But if Su Yi encounters some danger, it will also implicate us. Father, aren't you worried?"
"This is called sharing fortune and misfortune, living and dying together! In this world, there is no gain without paying a price," Yuan Wutong took a deep breath and said. "In any case, now our Yuan family has already boarded Su Yi's ship. Whether we ride the wind and waves or sink with the boat, we'll see in the future!"
Those who do not plan for the overall situation are not enough to plan for a region.
Those who do not plan for eternity are not enough to plan for the present!
...
In the humble abode.
"Brother Su, everything has been organized according to your instructions," Huang Qianjun pointed to the various treasures neatly categorized on the ground. "Seven third-grade spiritual herbs, seventy-nine second-grade spiritual herbs, and four hundred and thirty first-grade spiritual herbs."
"There are five hundred and forty spiritual stones of the first-grade, and fifty-five spiritual stones of the second-grade."
"There are a total of sixty-four types of spiritual materials."
He was beaming with excitement in his eyes.
I apologize for any confusion. Here's a translation of the provided text into standard English:
Note that even if the entire fortune of their Huang family was combined, it wouldn't be worth a fraction of the treasures before them.
"Take the top-grade spirit stones and spirit medicines, divide them between you and Feng Shidi. Send the other treasures to my room," Su Yi instructed as he rose and began practicing the Songhe Body Refinement Technique in the courtyard.
With a serene and focused expression, he performed each movement meticulously.
Huang Qianjun stood there in a daze.
After a while, he took a deep breath, suppressing the overwhelming sense of gratitude and warmth in his heart. He silently started organizing the treasures on the ground.
When Su Yi returned to his room after completing the Songhe Body Refinement Technique, all the treasures had already been arranged there.
With a wave of his sleeve, Su Yi collected the treasures into his Mo Yu Pendant.
After a moment of thought, Su Yi suddenly spoke, "Qing Wan."
From within the Soul Nurturing Gourd, a wisp of white smoke emerged, followed by the appearance of Qing Wan, a charming and innocent girl dressed in a blood-colored dress.
She curtsied slightly, blinking her large eyes, and timidly asked, "Master, how may Qing Wan serve you?"
Su Yi scrutinized Qing Wan from head to toe, his gaze as discerning as an appraiser, leaving no detail unnoticed.
Feeling increasingly uncomfortable under his gaze, Qing Wan wanted to avoid his scrutiny, but dared not. She could only lower her head, almost burying it in her ample bosom, her eyelashes trembling slightly, her fair and delicate face flushed with a sensation akin to burning heat.
In Su Yi's eyes, Qing Wan had undergone a significant transformation.
Her once delicate soul body had solidified, her complexion resembling translucent and lustrous sheep-fat jade. On her slightly chubby and beautiful face, a pair of alluring and flirtatious phoenix eyes shimmered with natural charm.
Exuding both purity and allure, innocence and charm, her unique beauty was a visual feast.
After a while, Su Yi withdrew his gaze and nodded. "So, you have already transformed into a 'Ghost Sprite.' Not bad."
Yin spirits were the lowest form of ghostly creatures, and the next level was the 'Ghost Sprite,' where the soul body had solidified, appearing almost indistinguishable from a regular human.
In the previous form, Qing Wan had a pale and transparent face, with a phantom-like figure that made it clear to anyone that she was not human.
However, now ordinary mortals would certainly not be able to recognize her.
The transformation into a "Ghost Sprite" had also brought out a unique charm in Qing Wan.
Unfortunately, in Su Yi's eyes, this charm was far from captivating.
He remembered in his past life there was an unparalleled enchantress from the Qingqiu Fox Clan. Her allure was so great that even the resolute and steadfast Buddhist masters couldn't resist.
This unparalleled enchantress had once offered herself, attempting to seduce Su Yi, who was immersed in sword cultivation at that time.
The result was that Su Yi sliced off nine of her tails with a single sword strike, leaving her frightened and fleeing in panic.
Later, this enchantress went to every corner, spreading malicious rumors, cursing the Sword Master Xuanjun as not being a man but the first scum on the path of cultivation, deserving the contempt of all women...
In the wilderness of that era, it became a laughingstock.
Of course, Qing Wan's potential was not something that just anyone could compare to.
Hmm, that was also one of the many reasons why Su Yi chose Qing Wan as his partner for dual cultivation.
"Master, rest assured, Qing Wan never slacks off in her cultivation," Qing Wan's voice was soft, sweet, and moist. She still kept her head lowered, staring at her own pair of crystal-clear feet, too afraid to meet Su Yi's gaze.
Su Yi nodded and casually flipped his hand, taking out some second-grade spirit medicines suitable for ghostly creatures. "Take these and cultivate diligently."
Qing Wan was momentarily stunned but quickly accepted them, saying, "Thank you, Master."
Her voice clearly carried a hint of joy and closeness.
Su Yi smiled.
Qing Wan had indeed undergone significant changes.
Suddenly, Su Yi remembered something. The past grudges had been resolved, and the hidden dangers eliminated. It was time to go and meet Ling Xue, that little girl...