The Western Mountain was approximately three hundred zhang high, with a steep slope.
In the early morning, before the sky brightened, there was a bustling crowd at the foot of the mountain. Figures were densely packed, whispering to each other with expectant eyes.
News of the Gunzhou Tea Gathering had been circulating for some time, attracting the attention of various forces, big and small, within Gunzhou's territory.
Everyone knew that the tea gathering would select the new Governor of Gunzhou's territory!
Moreover, in order to vie for this position, it had sparked a competition and confrontation between the Second Prince and the Sixth Prince of the Great Zhou Empire!
For all the forces occupying the six counties within Gunzhou's territory, it was impossible for them not to pay attention.
Because once a new Governor was selected, it would undoubtedly trigger a reshuffling of power within Gunzhou's territory.
At the entrance of the mountain path leading to the mountaintop, a group of elite soldiers from the Crimson Scale Army stood guard. They were clad in crimson armor, carrying crimson battle swords on their backs, their formation imposing and intimidating.
In charge of the defense was Yuan Luoyu, the youngest Centurion of the Crimson Scale Army.
"Hmm? Father and the others are here too..." Yuan Luoyu suddenly noticed his father, Yuan Wutong, and his sister, Yuan Luxi, approaching from not far away.
When family members met, Yuan Luoyu simply nodded his head.
At present, he was the Centurion of the Crimson Scale Army, requiring him to be stationed here at all times, fulfilling his duty diligently.
Yuan Wutong smiled faintly and said to his daughter, Yuan Luxi, who was by his side, "Your second brother is doing well now."
Yuan Luxi nodded absentmindedly, her clear eyes quickly scanning the people in the field, as if searching for something.
"Mr. Su would never appear in a place like this."
Yuan Wutong saw through Yuan Luxi's thoughts with a single glance and couldn't help but shake his head.
Yuan Luxi blushed slightly and said, "Father, for such a highly anticipated event, Mr. Su will definitely come."
Yuan Wutong nodded and said, "The Sixth Prince regards Mr. Su as an esteemed person. If he can invite Mr. Su for help this time, it will surely increase their chances of success."
He swept his gaze around and also noticed many prominent figures.
Some were powerful figures from the six counties of Gunzhou, possessing enough power to influence an entire county!
Some were leaders of major forces within Gunzhou City, either elderly veterans or dominant figures in their own right.
Now, they had all gathered at the foot of the Western Mountain, a gathering of giants and a collection of renowned figures.
The scene made Yuan Wutong's heart churn.
He was also considered a prominent figure in Yunhe County, but in this area, characters like him could be seen everywhere.
Yuan Wutong said with emotion, "Do you know why your elder brother insisted on going to the Yujing City to seek his own path?"
"It's because only by going out can one see the vastness of the world. If one keeps staying in a small place like Yunhe County, even with extraordinary talent and potential, they will be overshadowed!"
Yuan Luxi seemed to grasp the meaning.
Yuan Wutong didn't say much more.
Such is the world. There is always someone higher.
How prosperous was Yunhe County?
But in the territory of Gunzhou, it was just one of the six counties.
Similarly, compared to the entire Great Zhou Empire, Gunzhou City was nothing more than a regional territory, far from being able to compare with Yujing City.
If we look at the entire Cangqing Continent, the Great Zhou Empire is just one of hundreds of nations...
All of this is destined, the higher one's status, the more they can deeply understand the meaning of "there is always a higher mountain, and there are always people beyond people."
"Eagle Lord, today's tea gathering is truly rare."
At the foot of the Western Mountain, on the other side of the area, Hua Yanqiao, the person in charge of the Jingshi Pavilion in Gunzhou City, stood there gracefully.
Her makeup was light and elegant, and her temperament was dignified and gentle, exuding a charm of gracefulness.
The aged Eagle Lord sighed, "Looking at the situation, most of the major forces from the six counties of Gunzhou and the prominent figures of Gunzhou City have already arrived."
"I heard that the Second Prince is almost certain of winning this tea gathering, even the news from Shifang Pavilion indicates that the Sixth Prince is bound to lose."
Hua Yan whispered softly.
"Shifang Pavilion also thinks so?"
The Eagle Lord's expression changed.
Shifang Pavilion was renowned for its information network, and if this mysterious power dared to make such an inference, they must have already acquired many undisclosed information.
"Yes," Hua Yan's eyes flickered with a hint of brilliance. "Moreover, Shifang Pavilion has discovered the Sixth Prince's biggest trump card, a young man named Su Yi!"
"Su Yi?"
The Eagle Lord was somewhat puzzled.
Hua Yan shook her head and said, "I haven't seen him personally, but according to the information from Shifang Pavilion, this young man is extremely remarkable. Originally abandoned by the Qinghe Sword Mansion and lost his cultivation, he married into the Wen family of Guangling City, seemingly a worthless character. But a year later, he rose powerfully like a dark horse!"
"Over a month ago, he won first place in the Longmen Grand Competition in Guangling City with his cultivation at the Transfusion Realm. Since then, the events surrounding him have become increasingly unbelievable."
"Even Mu Cangtu, the formidable Lord of Qinghe Sword Mansion, could only bow down and admit defeat in front of him."
"Qin Wenyuan, the veteran tycoon of Yunhe County, was also killed by his sword."
"In addition, the three guardians of the Yinsha Sect, including Blood Balance True Person, all died at his hands."
"And all of this happened in just over a month!"
After listening, the Eagle Lord couldn't help but be astonished and said with emotion, "What has happened to this young man that made him become so powerful?"
Hua Yan's beautiful eyes shimmered with curiosity. "That's what I'm curious about too. It is said that Shifang Pavilion regards Su Yi as an 'important figure' and is actively investigating his background and origins. I believe it won't be long before we get some answers."
The Eagle Lord pondered for a moment and said, "Even if Su Yi is powerful, he is ultimately just one person. How could the Sixth Prince consider him as his greatest trump card?"
After a pause, he continued, "You should know that this tea gathering involves not only the top figures in Gunzhou City but also the forces represented by the Second Prince and the Third Prince. With just Su Yi alone, how could he possibly change everything?"
Hua Yan was stunned for a moment and said, "Yes, I'm also puzzled. That's why I personally came to see and find out the reasons."
She then added, "Of course, Shifang Pavilion has analyzed that the Sixth Prince is already in a situation of certain defeat. It is believed that even with the intervention of the mysterious Su Yi, it would be impossible to turn the tide."
Just as they were talking, there was a commotion in the distance.
"The Sixth Prince is here!"
"The bearded man beside him should be Chang Guoke, the master of the Hidden Dragon Sword Sect. His strength is extremely powerful."
"The heads of the Zheng and Xue families are also accompanying him."
"Muzhongting, the county governor of Yonghe County, is truly fortunate to have caught the attention of the Sixth Prince."
... Amidst the discussions, a procession of carriages and horses came to a halt in the distance, and Zhou Zhiyi and the others gradually got off, attracting the attention of the entire crowd.
Of course, Su Yi and his companion, Chajin, also caught the attention of many important figures, but only a handful of people recognized their identities.
"Father, it's Mr. Su!"
Yuan Luo Xi's eyes lit up, joyfully exclaimed.
Yuan Wutong grabbed her arm and whispered, "Girl, restrain yourself. This is not an ordinary occasion. We will pay our respects after the tea gathering."
He also felt a strange emotion surging within him. How much effort did the Sixth Prince spend to invite Mr. Su to assist him?
"Is he... is he Su Yi?"
At this moment, when Flower Yan saw Su Yi, who was accompanied by Zhou Zhiyi and dressed in a green robe, her beautiful eyes widened in astonishment.
A few days ago, she personally received this young man in the green robe and became greatly interested in him. But she never expected that this young man might very well be the mysterious Su Yi who exuded an air of mystery!
Eagle Lord was momentarily stunned and asked, "Miss, do you recognize him?"
Flower Yan whispered, "Eagle Lord, do you remember that matter I told you about some time ago? Someone came to our Jingshi Pavilion to sell the weapons of the three masters who were by the side of the Third Prince... At that time, we all thought that the other party was just a small-time fence. But now, it seems that we were all wrong!"
As she said this, a subtle emotion welled up within her.
Eagle Lord couldn't help but be astonished, his voice filled with a chill, "Are you saying that the person you mentioned is... Su Yi, who is now accompanying the Sixth Prince?"
"That's right, it's him."
Flower Yan's beautiful eyes shimmered with a strange light, as if she had discovered a shocking secret. Her voice carried a hint of excitement. "Based on this deduction, those three companions of the Third Prince are highly likely to have died at the hands of Su Yi!"
She had inquired about Su Yi's name with Chajin before, but Chajin had remained tight-lipped.
But now, everything became clear to her!
Eagle Lord also realized this at this moment, his gaze flickering. "This young man is truly fierce. He defeated Mu Cangtu, the Lord of Qinghe Sword Mansion, killed Qin Wenyuan, the county governor of Yunhe County, and eliminated the three guardians of the Yinsha Sect, including Blood Balance. And now, it is highly likely that even the three master companions by the side of the Third Prince have died at his hands. It's simply unbelievable!"
"This is getting interesting."
Flower Yan's beautiful eyes sparkled, and a hint of anticipation appeared on her face. She said, "I'm even more interested in today's tea gathering now."
Under the countless gazes, Su Yi and his group headed straight towards the foot of the mountain.
"Your Highness, Mr. Su, I pay my respects!"
Yuan Luoyu, who was stationed there, solemnly saluted with folded fists.
When he saw Su Yi, a hint of surprise also flashed across his face. He hadn't expected that this immensely talented and almost celestial-like figure would be present as well!
Su Yi glanced at Yuan Luoyu and said, "If you have the leisure, you can find me for a drink at the Shushi Residence in the city."
Yuan Luoyu quickly smiled and agreed.
This scene caught the attention of the other Red Scale soldiers around him, and they couldn't help but cast curious glances at Su Yi, wondering about his identity.
Among them, one soldier showed a complex expression, slightly lowering his head as an indescribable sense of bitterness and frustration welled up in his heart.
That soldier was Mo Tianling.
After being expelled from the Qinghe Sword Mansion all those years ago, he had served in the Red Scale Army.
During the "Dragon Gate Grand Competition" in Guangling City back then, Mo Tianling had been completely defeated by Su Yi in their decisive battle for the top spot!
Time had passed, barely more than a month.
Mo Tianling was still just a thousand-man commander, while Su Yi was now walking side by side with the Sixth Prince!
How could Mo Tianling not be aware that he had long been left far behind by Su Yi?
Only when your opponent becomes so strong that you are left far behind can you understand that bitter taste of defeat and disappointment!
However, no one noticed Mo Tianling's abnormality.
Su Yi also didn't pay any attention to this former subordinate who had once been defeated by him.
He had always been indifferent towards those insignificant characters.