They watched as Pei Wenshan's figure disappeared.
Ning Yehua unexpectedly said, "It seems that the Su family is unaware of the feat Daoist Friend accomplished during the Tea Summit at Xishan."
Shen Jiushong pondered for a moment and realized, saying, "At that time, Tian Qiu and the others were all killed, and the details of the battle around the Sixth Prince were bound to be kept confidential."
"Moreover, the spectators at the foot of Xishan, who were three hundred zhang away, unless they were Yuan Dao cultivators, it would be impossible for them to see the details of the battle."
"They might doubt that Su Gongzi had something to do with all of this, but they would also doubt that Su Gongzi alone could accomplish all of this," Shen Jiushong continued. "After all, Su Gongzi only has the cultivation of the Qi Gathering Realm. If I hadn't personally witnessed everything back then, it would have been difficult for me to believe that Su Gongzi, with just the cultivation of the Qi Gathering Realm, killed Qin Changshan, a Master at the Fifth Stage of the Profound Martial Realm, at the peak of Xishan."
At this point, Shen Jiushong said, "The Su family in Yujing City definitely hasn't discovered the details of that battle. Even if they suspect that all of this is related to Su Gongzi, they are probably unable to believe that Su Gongzi alone could accomplish this with his own strength."
Tea Jin agreed, saying, "That's why Pei Wenshan just instinctively assumed that our young master's reliance was the Sixth Prince and issued such a warning. How ridiculous."
She couldn't help but smile.
"Do you really want to sever ties with the Su family in Yujing City?" Ning Yehua looked at Su Yi.
Su Yi casually replied, "There is a hurdle in my heart that must be crossed."
"As far as I know, among the ten Grand Masters of the Great Zhou Dynasty, although Master Guoshi Hong Canshang is revered, Su Hongli is the most unfathomable one," Ning Yehua said after thinking for a moment.
Ning Yehua continued, "When he was young, he once ventured into one of the Eight Great Demon Mountains, the 'Anluo Demon Mountain,' and fortuitously gained a great opportunity, soaring to the sky from then on."
"As early as when he was thirty years old, Su Hongli had already reached the ranks of an Innate Martial Ancestor. At that time, he was hailed as the leading figure of the young generation of the Great Zhou Dynasty, along with Guoshi Hong Canshang, and they were known as the 'Dual Pillars of the Great Zhou.'"
"However, since assisting the current Emperor of Zhou in ascending the throne twenty years ago, Su Hongli has paid little attention to worldly affairs."
"It is said that he has been focusing on self-cultivation and immersed himself in the path of cultivation. Judging from the great opportunity he obtained in the past and the foundation he once displayed, it should be easy for him to step onto the path of the Yuan Dao."
After listening, Tea Jin and Zheng Tianhe couldn't help but change their expressions slightly. It was their first time hearing about Su Hongli's tremendous strength.
"Su Hongli is even more formidable than that," Shen Jiushong said with emotion. "During his hidden years, three kings and five marquises from outside the Su family have emerged successively!"
"It is said that some of these kings and marquises were subdued by Su Hongli's broad-mindedness and methods, while others were personally guided by Su Hongli in their cultivation and growth."
"But no matter what, in the eyes of the martial arts masters in the world, Su Hongli's position is solid and definitely not inferior to Guoshi Hong Canshang."
"What Pei Wenshan said earlier was not wrong. If Su Hongli becomes truly angry, the current Emperor of Zhou would rather abandon the Sixth Prince than lose the support of Su Hongli, one of the 'Dual Pillars of the Great Zhou.'"
All of this made Tea Jin and Zheng Tianhe's hearts tremble.
Su Yi, with a nonchalant expression, seemed to dismiss the legendary experiences of his father, Su Hongli, that could shake the hearts of martial artists.
However, when everyone thought about Su Yi's achievements at the Tea Summit in Xishan, they understood.
At just seventeen years old, Su Yi, with only the cultivation of the Qi Gathering Realm, was able to slay a Martial Master at the Fifth Stage of the Profound Martial Realm. Such terrifying strength was already considered monstrous.
Given more time to grow, who could doubt that he would shine as brightly as Su Hongli? It was only a matter of time before he even surpassed Su Hongli's brilliance.
"You mentioned earlier that he obtained a fortuitous encounter in the 'Anluo Demon Mountain' and made great strides in his cultivation from then on?" Su Yi asked.
Ning Yehua nodded and said, "That's right, it's a well-known fact, but until now, nobody knows what kind of fortuitous encounter Su Hongli obtained."
Su Yi then asked, "What is special about the Anluo Demon Mountain?"
Shen Jiushong took over and said, "I have been there before. It is located in the Cangzhou region in the northeast of the Great Zhou Dynasty. The mountain covers an area of a thousand li and is constantly shrouded in black ice and snow. The chilling winds are like knives, and ferocious demonic beasts run rampant. The environment is extremely treacherous and harsh."
"Deep within the mountain, there are occasional strange black divine lights soaring into the sky, creating a terrifying scene akin to a dark night underworld. Hence, it is called the 'Anluo Aurora.'"
"Throughout history, no one below the Martial Master realm has been able to venture deep into it."
"Even Martial Masters dare not rashly enter the core area where the 'Anluo Aurora' appears."
"That place is considered forbidden, and it is said that several legendary cultivators who ventured there disappeared mysteriously and have not returned to this day."
After a pause, Shen Jiushong continued, "However, many people, including myself, speculate that when Su Hongli went to the Anluo Demon Mountain, he most likely obtained an opportunity in the forbidden core area where the 'Anluo Aurora' manifests. But of course, it's just speculation."
Su Yi nodded in understanding.
In his view, characters like Su Hongli in this spiritually depleted Great Zhou Dynasty were destined to have some kind of "fortuitous encounter" to a certain extent.
Otherwise, even if their talents were astonishing, it would be impossible to achieve their current accomplishments through diligent cultivation alone.
Like himself, despite having the experience of a hundred thousand years in his past life and possessing the Nine Abyss Sword, he still had to face the challenge of "spiritual depletion" during his cultivation.
In such times, seeking out available "fortuitous encounters" could undoubtedly accelerate the pace of cultivation and even allow a person to undergo a rebirth, changing the trajectory of their life.
soon,Zheng Tianhe took his leave, while Su Yi and the others rode on the Azure Scale Eagle and flew towards the Bloodthorn Demon Mountain.
On the way, Su Yi watched as the Tianyuan Academy quickly disappeared behind them. Suddenly, he asked, "How is Lingxue doing now?"
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Ning Yehua's lips, as if she had expected Su Yi to ask, and she replied, "It has only been a little over ten days, and you already miss her?"
Su Yi calmly said, "Naturally. If there is anyone in this world who can make me, Su Yi, care about them, Lingxue would undoubtedly occupy that place."
His words were so matter-of-fact that Ning Yehua was slightly taken aback, and a subtle emotion stirred within her. This guy... he's not as heartless as he seems to be...
Immediately, she took out a paper crane made of light blue paper from her sleeve and handed it to Su Yi. "Here, it's from that girl, Lingxue."
Su Yi furrowed his brows slightly and looked at Ning Yehua. He asked, "Why didn't you give it to me earlier?"
Meeting Su Yi's gaze, Ning Yehua smiled teasingly and said, "I just wanted to see if you would think of her when you go to the Bloodthorn Demon Mountain. But I didn't expect that you couldn't resist thinking about her just when we passed by Tianyuan Academy."
Her voice carried a hint of mockery.
Su Yi couldn't help but retort, "Women truly are women. They can't help but be concerned about other people's feelings. Don't you know that it can be annoying?"
Ning Yehua remained silent.
Su Yi then took the paper crane from her hand and gently unfolded it. On the paper, there were no words, only a drawing of a little person.
The figure was crouching on the ground, with a big head tilted upward, and tiny hands crossed in front, giving a pitiful appearance.
Although the drawing was simple, the pitiful expression was vividly portrayed.
It was something like this: (,,??.??,,)
Su Yi was momentarily stunned and speechless.
Indeed, this was the style of Wen Lingxue. When she couldn't express her emotions in words, she would often vividly convey them through her facial expressions.
Like that day when she left Sushui Residence, her eyes were red with sadness, tears streaming down her face...
Now, seeing this little person, Su Yi could vaguely grasp Wen Lingxue's current state of mind.
Of course, the emotions of girls, or women in general, were the most difficult to fathom.
Moreover, a girl's feelings were always like poetry, and poetry was the most ethereal and subtle thing, with each person having a different interpretation.
But one thing Su Yi could be certain of was that Wen Lingxue was not angry with him at the moment.
And that was enough.
He folded the paper crane back neatly and put it away. As he looked into the distant sea of clouds, feeling the biting and fierce wind, he suddenly felt a sense of openness in his heart.
"What does it say on it?" Ning Yehua asked curiously, noticing that Su Yi's mood seemed to have improved.
"It's a secret," Su Yi replied dismissively.
Ning Yehua couldn't help but smile when she realized that Su Yi didn't want to discuss Wen Lingxue with her. She immediately stopped dwelling on the topic.
...
On the day Su Yi set off for the Bloodthorn Demon Mountain, at the Su Family in Yujing City...
Su Hongli, sitting by the lake fishing, received a letter from Pei Wenshan, the Marquis of Yushan. The letter detailed the meeting and conversation between Pei Wenshan and Su Yi.
When Su Hongli read that Su Yi intended to come to the Su Family in Yujing City before the fifth day of the fifth month to collect some offerings, he narrowed his eyes.
After a moment, Su Hongli put away the letter and said to the old man in Daoist robes sitting beside him, "Friend, if I were to uphold justice and kill that wretched child, how would you view me?"
The Daoist-robed old man remained silent.
After a long time, he sighed, "It seems that even with the Marquis of Yushan intervening, Su Yi has not bowed his head."
"It's good to have integrity, but if he's foolish enough to become my enemy as his father, that would be an act of great defiance against the natural order, which is intolerable by heavenly principles and common ethics!"
Su Hongli's expression was indifferent as he said, "The reason I spared his life back then was simply because his veins carried a trace of my Su Hongli's blood. I couldn't bear to commit the heinous act of killing my own flesh and blood, lest I be branded as a parricide by the world."
"But I didn't expect that over the years, he would still harbor resentment in his heart and attempt to avenge his mother. How laughable!"
With that, a hint of cold and murderous intent emerged between his brows.
The Daoist-robed old man sighed lightly and said, "In my opinion, it might be better to employ some means to discipline Su Yi. He is seventeen years old this year, and I believe that after going through some discipline, he will understand the severe consequences of his actions."
Pausing for a moment, he continued, "The act of killing one's own heir is ultimately too shocking and outrageous. It would be extremely detrimental to the reputation and prestige of our friend. It should only be done as a last resort."
Su Hongli remained silent for a long time, then nodded and said, "Very well, I will let this wretched child experience the consequences. The Su Family only needs to exert a fraction of its power, and he will lose everything he currently possesses!"
"If he still refuses to bow down and repent after that..."
Before he could finish his sentence, the fishing line in the lake suddenly trembled.
Su Hongli trembled and quickly reeled in, revealing a plump golden fish breaking through the water's surface.
The Daoist-robed old man laughed and clapped his hands, saying, "A golden carp is hooked, a good omen!"