For creatures like the old turtle, the path of cultivation was undoubtedly extremely difficult and treacherous. It was also very easy to stray off course and perish in calamities.
Therefore, Su Yi understood very well why the old turtle held him in such high regard.
"Aren't you worried about being implicated in disasters?" Su Yi asked with a half-smile.
Although Wei Xian's previous words were filled with criticism, there was one thing he didn't get wrong. In the current Great Zhou Empire, there were many people who saw Su Yi as a disaster, fearing that they would be affected by him.
The old turtle fell silent for a moment before saying, "I won't hide it from you, after learning about your recent actions, I have become even more convinced that you, Lord, are an extraordinary cultivator! Today's battle with Shifeng has also proven that my opinion is not wrong."
As it spoke, the eyes of this monster that had lived for over three hundred years became fervent once again. "Moreover, even if I were to die for defending your honor, I would have no regrets!"
Its voice resounded with determination and strength.
Everyone on the ship couldn't help but be moved. They never expected that this terrifying old turtle would hold such admiration for Su Yi, a seventeen-year-old youth.
Su Yi nodded and suddenly looked towards Wei Xian on the ship. He asked, "What do you think I should do with this person?"
Wei Xian was already frightened and trembling uncontrollably. When he heard Su Yi's question, his soul almost left his body, and he fell to the ground with a thud, unable to utter a single word under the oppressive force of Su Yi's divine sense.
The old turtle's expression became solemn as it realized that Su Yi was testing it.
After a moment of silence, it said in a deep voice, "Reporting to Lord, in my opinion, such a person who speaks with inconsistency and fickleness is not worthy of receiving Lord's personal punishment! If Lord were to kill him, it would only tarnish your own reputation."
As it spoke, it suddenly swung its stone-like forelimb, grabbing Wei Xian from a distance. Like crushing an ant, it squeezed Wei Xian until he burst, and blood flowed down from its sharp claws.
The bloody scene shocked the people on the ship, causing them to scream and stir in panic.
Even Wen Yuchong was pale with fear!
"Lord, from now on, I will take care of punishing such disgraceful characters!" the old turtle devoutly spoke.
Even if Su Yi asked it to devour this entire ship, including Wei Xian, it wouldn't hesitate.
Su Yi sighed lightly. "You little turtle, you have some cleverness but lack great wisdom. How could you know that I, Su Yi, would care about carrying some infamy?"
The old turtle was taken aback, feeling a sense of panic. It thought it had failed Su Yi's "test" and quickly spoke, "Lord..."
Su Yi interrupted, "No need to say more. With your talent and courage, although a bit dull, it is rare that you have a strong loyalty towards me, which is commendable. Wait on the side for now."
Saying this, he took a step in the air and gracefully landed on the ship.
Seeing Su Yi's sudden appearance, Wen Yuchong instinctively stepped back, his whole body trembling in fear, thinking that Su Yi had come to kill him.
But Su Yi didn't even spare a glance for such a minor character and ignored him completely.
"Are you two willing to accompany me, led by this little turtle, to Yujing City?" Su Yi's gaze turned to Fu Qingyuan and Gu Caining.
Fu Qingyuan was stunned and stammered, "Before... it was because Sister Apprentice and I didn't recognize Brother Su's true identity, which led to many improper words and actions. Brother Su... do you not blame the two of us?"
Su Yi smiled and said, "You have taken care of me all the way, so where is there room for blame?"
Gu Caining couldn't help but ask, "Su... Su Young Master, you really don't blame us?"
"Of course not," Su Yi nodded. "So, would you like to continue accompanying me?"
Fu Qingyuan and Gu Caining exchanged glances and both nodded.
Both of them understood that if they stayed on the ship, once Su Yi left and Wen Yuchong and the others calmed down, they would surely be questioned about their relationship with Su Yi. At that time, they would likely be excluded and treated as enemies by others.
"Let's go."
Su Yi didn't delay. With a wave of his sleeve, an invisible force lifted the two of them, and they soared through the air, landing on the back of the distant old turtle.
Being trampled on the back by other martial artists would be seen as humiliation by the old turtle, causing it to fly into a rage. But when it was Su Yi, the old turtle couldn't be happier, feeling as if it had gained immense recognition and couldn't help but let out a long howl towards the sky.
"Let's go to Yujing City."
Su Yi casually sat down, and it must be said that the old turtle's back was as large as a mountain, much more stable than the ship.
"Very well!"
The old turtle swung its limbs and carried Su Yi and the other two through the wind and waves.
On the ship, everyone watched this scene from afar, feeling as if they were in a trance.
Traveling on the back of an old turtle along the Qinglan River?
This was truly a display of immortal elegance!
"This guy... actually didn't hold it against me..."
Wen Yuchong let out a sigh of relief but felt an indescribable sense of shame in his heart.
Being completely ignored felt like this.
...
Splash~
The old turtle swam in the Qinglan River, neither too fast nor too slow, as stable as a mountain.
On the way, Fu Qingyuan and Gu Caining couldn't help but feel a dream-like sense of unreality. It was their first time crossing the river in this manner.
But when facing Su Yi, both of them no longer felt as relaxed as before. They had an inexplicable reverence.
Su Yi could naturally sense it.
Before his identity was revealed, whether it was Fu Qingyuan or Gu Caining, they treated him as a peer, speaking freely and without reservation.
But after learning about his identity, these two no longer dared to see him as an equal...
This situation was normal.
In the vast wilderness of the Nine Provinces, when some old folks traveled the world, unless necessary, they would never reveal their divine might in front of others.
Otherwise, it would startle countless creatures along the way and easily bring unnecessary disturbances and troubles.
Therefore, any influential figure who had achieved great cultivation and wanted to experience the mortal world or travel to various places would conceal their aura and even change their appearance.
The purpose was to avoid disturbing others and prevent themselves from being bothered.
The core of all this lies in the vast difference between a divine dragon in the sky and an ant on the ground.
Even though Su Yi tried to ease the relationship between the two, he couldn't dispel the reverence in their hearts.
It was destined that they would never be as carefree as before.
Time passed bit by bit.
After just half an hour, a narrow shoreline appeared in the distance. It seemed endless, with a bustling scene of docks and boats densely packed like a forest.
"We can stop here."
Su Yi spoke up, knowing that getting any closer with the massive turtle would surely startle the people on the shore.
"Sir, ahead is Longjin Ferry. After landing, if you follow the official road for about thirty miles, you will reach Longmen Pass."
The old turtle stopped in the water, revealing only its back, which was less than two feet above the river surface. It spoke respectfully, "Once you pass Longmen Pass, you will reach Yujing City."
Su Yi stood up, straightened his clothes, and said, "You are already a spiritual creature, just one step away from transformation. You can seek out Tao Qingshan to learn the technique of transformation. If within three months you successfully transform into a true demonic cultivator and set foot on the path of the Primordial Dao, come and see me again. At that time, I will teach you a cultivation technique that suits you."
The old turtle exclaimed excitedly, "Thank you, sir! I won't disappoint you!"
It knew that it had gained Su Yi's partial approval.
However, this was far from enough. Only by truly transforming within three months and stepping onto the path of the Primordial Dao would it earn Su Yi's true recognition.
Even so, the old turtle was already ecstatic, realizing that an opportunity to receive guidance from an immortal had presented itself. Now it was up to itself to seize it!
"By the way, do you have a name?"
Su Yi asked.
Is the sir planning to give me a name?
The old turtle suppressed its excitement and joy, saying, "Sir, in recent years, I have been called 'Clearwater River Lord' by ordinary people. If it's possible, I hope the sir can bestow a name upon me!"
Su Yi immediately laughed, swept his gaze around, and leisurely said, "You have been dwelling and cultivating beneath the Qinglan River. These years, you have struggled to transform and cross the shore. Although your talent is a bit dull, you do have some affinity with me, Su Yi. When you achieve transformation and prove your path, I wouldn't mind giving you a Daoist title."
Daoist title!
The old turtle was thrilled and exclaimed, "I will definitely live up to your expectations, sir!"
Fu Qingyuan and Gu Caining exchanged a puzzled look. Was a Daoist title worth such joy?
After all, they were not truly cultivators and didn't understand the significance behind bestowing a "Daoist title." It not only carried the expectations of the bestower but also represented recognition and protection!
Especially in the ancient top-tier sects, the granting of a "Daoist title" involved a specific ceremony and strict protocols. It required deliberation and decision-making by influential figures.
The Daoist title of a disciple, who bestowed it, and even the future prospects of the disciple could be influenced by it!
Of course, ordinary cultivators often bestowed themselves with Daoist titles to showcase their identities.
For Su Yi, deciding to grant a Daoist title to the old turtle in the future was not about taking on a disciple but about providing the other party with recognition and protection in terms of status.
It was simply a way to tell the outside world that the old turtle was under his Su Xuanjun's shelter, nothing more.
Fu Qingyuan and Gu Caining were unaware of these intricacies, so they naturally couldn't understand why the old turtle was so overjoyed.
"Let's go."
Su Yi waved his sleeve, using invisible force to lift Fu Qingyuan and Gu Caining, and with his robe billowing, he traversed the water and headed towards the distant shore.
"Take care, sir!"
The old turtle respectfully bid farewell.
It lingered until it saw Su Yi and the others reach the riverbank before reluctantly submerging its massive body completely into the water and swimming away.
It decided to set off immediately to find Tao Qingshan and prepare for its transformation!
On this day, Su Yi engaged in a fierce battle with Feng Liu, the deputy sect master of the Hidden Dragon Sword Sect, on the Qinglan River. In the end, Feng Liu's mount was slain, and he fled in a sorry state.
On the same day, Su Yi arrived at Longjin Ferry on the Qinglan River, stepping into the territory where the Great Zhou Imperial Capital, Yujing City, was located!
This day was the fifteenth of the fourth month.
Only nineteen days remained until the fourth day of the fifth month.