First floor of the Fuxiang Inn.
Su Yi sat in a private room with Qiao Leng and Wen Lao, who had come to visit.
The room was filled with the fragrance of tea.
Qiao Leng had already revealed his identity and brought valuable gifts: ten top-grade spiritual medicines and one hundred pieces of intermediate-grade spiritual stones.
Su Yi sat leisurely, glancing at the pile of gift boxes on the table, and said, "Take these gifts back. I didn't save you for the sake of receiving them."
Qiao Leng quickly responded, "These are just some tokens of appreciation from my Yu family. I hope the young master won't refuse. Regardless, thanks to your assistance, we were able to survive in the gorge until tonight."
Su Yi said indifferently, "Is there something else?"
"Well..." Qiao Leng hesitated.
Wen Lao, who had been sitting silently all along, gently tapped the table with his hand and said with a calm expression, "Young man, since you have accepted the gifts, be mindful of your actions in the future. You were acting on orders this time, so we'll let it slide. But if there's a next time, don't blame our Yu family for being impolite."
His words were calm, but carried a warning tone.
Su Yi raised an eyebrow and glanced at the frail-looking old man, saying, "Explain to me what you mean by 'be mindful of your actions' and 'acting on orders'."
Qiao Leng inwardly cursed, but quickly said, "Please don't misunderstand, what Wen Lao means is..."
Su Yi calmly interrupted, "Let him explain."
His dominant posture made Wen Lao squint his eyes, and he couldn't help but let out a cold snort. "Young people nowadays really don't know their place. Well, let me give you a couple of pointers. Although the Sixth Prince holds a lofty status, he can't do as he pleases in Gunzhou City. And you, being young and possessing extraordinary cultivation, must not think that you can do as you please just because you have the backing of the Sixth Prince!"
It was like an elder reprimanding a junior, looking down from above.
After hearing this, Su Yi was slightly taken aback. "Do you all think I'm a person close to Zhou Zhi Li?"
"Don't pretend. With your background, you can't deceive us!" Wen Lao sneered, his eyes filled with disdain.
Only then did Su Yi vaguely understand. He looked at Qiao Leng and said, "So, regarding the recent incident where I saved you, it is also seen as... harboring ulterior motives?"
Qiao Leng forced a bitter smile and sighed, "Lord Su, although Wen Lao's words may sound unpleasant, they are also stating the truth. After all, you can't deny that you have a connection with the Sixth Prince, right?"
Su Yi couldn't help but laugh. How interesting.
Accidentally stumbling into a situation, Su Yi saved some people, only to be accused of having sinister motives and hidden intentions.
And the other party used the pretext of giving gifts to admonish and warn him...
"In any case, our visit this time is not intended to deliberately trouble you. But it would be best for you to refrain from doing foolish things from now on."
Wen Lao picked up his teacup, took a sip, and calmly said, "Otherwise, I can assure you that even the Sixth Prince won't be able to guarantee your safety."
After speaking, he put down the teacup and prepared to leave.
Su Yi sighed lightly and said, "If I had known earlier, I should have just watched you all be killed by those beasts. That way, perhaps there wouldn't be such trouble."
Wen Lao's face darkened and he asked, "What do you mean?"
Qiao Leng also felt uneasy. He had tried to advise him kindly, but this young man seemed unappreciative. Now he was even speaking such harsh words!
Su Yi sat there nonchalantly and said, "My meaning is simple. Since I saved their lives, I can also take them back. That way, the problem would be solved, wouldn't it?"
Qiao Leng's face suddenly changed.
Wen Lao grinned and said, "Young man, getting angry out of embarrassment can cost you your life. I advise you to go back and ask the Sixth Prince if he dares to play with the life of our young lady."
Qiao Leng suppressed his discomfort and said, "Master Su, bitter medicine is good for health, and sincere advice may sound unpleasant. I greatly admire your character, so please don't act impulsively and do something foolish. The fact that our Yu family has stood firm in Gunzhou City until now is not something even the Sixth Prince dares to disregard. You..."
"I saved your life. Are you grateful?" Su Yi interrupted.
"Naturally," Qiao Leng replied without hesitation.
"I'll give you a chance. Disappear from my sight now, and I won't hold it against you," Su Yi said calmly.
Qiao Leng was stunned, but before he could say anything, Wen Lao's expression turned indifferent. "Qiao Leng, wait outside. I want to see what this young man by the Sixth Prince's side intends to do."
A cold killing intent began to surge within his eyes.
Qiao Leng's heart trembled as he realized that Wen Lao was completely enraged. He said, "Wen Lao, our purpose for coming here is not..."
Before he could finish, Wen Lao coldly interrupted, "Leave."
Qiao Leng glanced at Wen Lao and then at Su Yi, sighed inwardly, and turned to leave the private room.
Wen Lao sat back in his chair, his gaze dark and chilling. He said, "No need for empty words. Tell me, will you bow your head or do you plan to play with me?"
Between his left hand's five fingers, a red snake raised its head, its forked tongue flickering as its crimson eyes stared coldly at Su Yi, gleaming with a bloodthirsty luster.
Su Yi smiled faintly and said seriously, "How do you want to die? I can fulfill all your wishes."
His tone was as if discussing a business deal.
Wen Lao's withered face gradually darkened, and the coldness in his eyes grew more intense, as if a chilling current was surging within.
"When people court death, they can't be stopped. My snake hasn't had a satisfying meal today, so I'll use your flesh and blood to replenish it."
In his indifferent and chilling voice, an eerie azure light suddenly burst forth from Wen Lao's eyes, resembling a pair of crazily swirling vortexes that seemed capable of engulfing one's soul.
The Soul-Quelling Law Eye!
It was a mysterious and domineering secret technique. Once the practitioner locked their gaze onto someone, even Martial Masters would suffer the impact of being imprisoned as if captured, losing their combat strength unless they struggled free. It was exceptionally sudden and caught people off guard, making it easy to fall victim to it.
Over the years, Wen Lao had been nearly invincible with this secret technique, hunting down numerous Martial Masters!
"You can be proud to die under my secret technique that I've kept hidden. Ordinary people wouldn't have the privilege of such treatment."
Wen Lao spoke leisurely, his gaze fixed on the red snake in his left hand, his eyes showing a hint of doting. "Go, this young man is at least at the Qi Gathering Realm. His flesh and blood must be delicious, allowing you to feast."
The tiny red snake, no thicker than a chopstick, hissed before transforming into a streak of fire, darting towards Su Yi's throat.
Wen Lao smiled faintly.
This red snake was a variant, carrying the bloodline of a Fire Teng Snake. Despite its small size, it was a natural assassin and capable of easily assassinating even a Qi Gathering Realm Peak expert!
But in the next moment, Wen Lao's smile froze, his pupils dilating suddenly, and astonishment appeared on his face.
The speed of the red snake was incredibly fast, comparable to lightning. However, before it reached its target, its head was gripped by two slender and fair fingers, regardless of its frantic struggles.
"By cultivating this wicked beast through blood sacrifice, it will only backfire. When it develops scales on its body and grows horns, the first thing it should kill is you. Only then can it break all restraints and attempt to become a Jiao."
Su Yi gazed at the red snake, casually remarking, "In other words, I won't kill you today, but you will become this wicked beast's meal in the future."
Wen Lao's complexion fluctuated, filled with suspicion. He asked, "You... don't feel anything at all?"
His heart churned, unable to remain calm.
Su Yi raised his eyes, looking at him, and said, "In terms of researching soul techniques, your methods are no different from children playing with mud. Using them on me is simply an insult and a laughingstock."
Wen Lao, still refusing to believe, snorted coldly. His pupils burst forth with that eerie azure light once again, attempting to capture souls and seize spirits.
"You were right earlier. When people court death, they can't be stopped."
In Su Yi's indifferent voice, deep within his profound eyes, there seemed to be an immense and boundless sword intent surging, flashing and disappearing in an instant.
Boom!
Wen Lao staggered and fell from his chair, landing on the ground. He groaned in pain, his lips emitting a muffled sound. He cried out, "My eyes!!!"
His eyes burst, blood streaming out, his face pale and transparent, and his whole body convulsing with intense pain.
More than the pain, he felt fear deep within his heart!
His entire cultivation was centered around the "Soul-Quelling Law Eye." Over the years, it had been unbeatable against any opponent.
But now, his most powerful technique had failed!
Furthermore, it was destroyed by a mere Qi Gathering Realm youth in a single encounter!
How terrifying was that?
Sitting there, Su Yi spoke calmly, "Earlier, I asked how you wanted to die, and now I've come up with a good idea."
Wen Lao struggled to his feet, hoarsely saying, "I was blind just now. Please..."
Before he could finish, he felt something slimy in his mouth. Without waiting for his reaction, the slimy thing slid down his throat and into his body.
It was the snake!
Wen Lao felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his body stiffening, and he went mad, frantically digging his fingers into his mouth.
But it was in vain.
Within moments, blood flowed from his seven apertures, and his internal organs felt like they were being devoured, causing him excruciating pain.
"No! No--!"
He crazily lunged towards Su Yi, as if he wanted to take Su Yi down with him using his final strength.
Ironically, his eyes were already shattered, so he lunged at empty space, crashing heavily into the nearby wall.
Then, his body collapsed on the ground, his hoarse voice saying, "You've offended the Yu family, and you will die too--!"
Before his words could finish, he breathed his last.
Su Yi remained seated, his gaze indifferent as he watched the scene unfold. He then lightly sipped his tea, furrowing his brows slightly at its lack of flavor.
Boom!
The elegant room door was kicked open, and Qiao Leng, who had been waiting outside, couldn't hold back anymore and rushed in.
Upon entering, he saw Su Yi sitting there, motionless, calm and composed.
On the other side, Wen Lao's body lay paralyzed on the ground, his eyes shattered, blood gushing out, and his flesh and blood disappearing piece by piece, as if being devoured by something. Soon, only a withered skin and bones remained.
This eerie and gruesome scene made Qiao Leng's scalp tingle, and he was so shocked that his soul almost fled his body.