The person was dressed in a wide-sleeved robe, with long hair tied up in a bun. Their face was as noble as jade, appearing to be in their thirties or forties.
Su Hongli!
The master of the Su family in the Great Zhou Yujing City, a legendary figure who had entered the ranks of the top ten Innate Martial Masters many years ago. He was an overwhelming existence that was often mentioned together with the National Teacher, Hong Can, and referred to as the "Twin Pillars of the Great Zhou."
In that instant, despite Su Yi possessing the cultivation experience of a hundred thousand years in his previous life, at this moment, an uncontrollable sense of hatred and anger still surged deep within his heart.
This was an indelible obsession!
Even with great perseverance and wisdom, it was difficult to resolve.
However, Su Yi's eyes remained as calm as snow, as indifferent as ever.
Obsession was obsession, hatred was hatred. With his current state of mind, he would not lose control at this moment.
The heavy rain poured down, and the mountain wind was chilling. Although it was early morning, the sky was as dark as dusk. Occasionally, lightning flashed across, illuminating the mountains and rivers in a silver-white glow.
After many years, father and son met again!
However, the atmosphere was incredibly oppressive and filled with a sense of solemnity and killing intent.
"I knew that you would come here after hearing the news of your return to Yujing City yesterday. Therefore, I came to take a look," Su Hongli spoke, his tone casually calm. There was no imposing manner, no emotions. It was an extreme indifference and ruthlessness.
He did not hold an umbrella, yet when the pouring rain reached within three feet above his head, it seemed to encounter an invisible barrier and dispersed in all directions.
But in Su Yi's eyes, it was a different scene.
He saw that although Su Hongli had no visible fluctuations of aura, his figure seemed to merge with the mountains, rivers, and heaven and earth in this area.
It was as if he was the mountains, the rivers, everything in this world!
"Why don't you make your move?" Su Yi asked, "Back then, didn't you say that if I dared to step into Yujing City, I would be killed without mercy?"
Su Hongli's gaze remained calm, unaffected. He calmly said, "I also said that I would give you a chance to reform yourself before the fifth day of May. I will not break my word."
Su Yi smiled and said, "Then you can wait for me to pay a visit to the Su family on the fourth day of May."
After speaking, he held the oiled-paper umbrella and walked away into the distance.
Without casting another glance at Su Hongli.
This was his father, the person he hated the most in his life. However... as he had said in his letter, on the fourth day of May, he would personally put an end to this enmity.
Su Hongli seemed somewhat surprised, his eyebrows slightly furrowing as he watched Su Yi calmly leave.
In the end, he didn't say anything.
Only after Su Yi's tall figure completely disappeared into the boundless rain curtain did Su Hongli say, "Brother Dao, let's go back as well."
His expression remained unchanged as he walked away with his hands behind his back, heading towards the distance.
In the curtain of rain, an elderly man in Daoist robes quietly appeared.
He followed by Su Hongli's side and said, "I thought that when you and your son met, there would be intense conflict unfolding. However, it seems that you two parted ways like strangers who couldn't find a common ground. It truly surprised me."
Su Hongli casually replied, "I came here not to kill him but to verify a judgment."
The curious elderly man asked, "What judgment?"
Su Hongli's gaze deepened as he said, "This bastard... hasn't been possessed, which means your previous speculation was correct. He most likely inherited the legacy of a powerful figure."
The elderly man's eyes subtly changed, nodding as he said, "I have to admit, Su Yi has changed drastically. I once used the 'Insightful Eye of the Abyss' to observe the aura on him but couldn't discern any secrets..."
He paused for a moment and mused, "The feeling he gives me is like a mist-shrouded abyss, difficult to fathom and truly peculiar."
Su Hongli narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Is that so? It's becoming more and more interesting."
After a moment of silence, the elderly man suddenly suggested, "Friend, why don't I make a move and test Su Yi?"
Su Hongli waved his hand and said, "No need. This is my private matter, and there's no need for you to interfere."
...
In front of the north gate of Yujing City.
Su Yi sat in a horse-drawn carriage, heading back to the Song Feng Manor.
"He concealed his aura completely, using the power of heaven and earth. Is he afraid that I will discover the secrets on him?" Su Yi lay lazily in the carriage, recalling the scene of his encounter with Su Hongli earlier, with a thoughtful look in his eyes.
Su Hongli was formidable.
There was no doubt about that.
From the moment Su Yi saw Su Hongli, he deduced that the latter had not stepped onto the path of Yuan Dao. However, he could integrate his aura with the mountains, rivers, and the world.
Just this alone proved that Su Hongli had cultivated his innate qi to the pinnacle of the highest grade!
Furthermore, Su Hongli also wielded the power of Dao rhyme. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to truly merge his aura with the heavens and the earth.
"No wonder Ning Xier said that ten years ago, Su Hongli was the most mysterious and terrifying among the top ten Innate Martial Masters. With such a foundation, he could challenge figures like Li Changning, who are akin to land immortals..."
"However, what I saw is only the tip of the iceberg. Su Hongli's true strength and trump cards cannot be this simple."
"He had entered the depths of the Dark Abyss Mountain and obtained great fortunes. If he isn't a possessor, then he must possess some unknown inheritance or treasures..."
Su Yi grew lazy in his thoughts and decided not to dwell on it further.
He would personally meet Su Hongli on the fourth day of May.
"As for the Daoist elder hidden beside Su Hongli... His cultivation should be at the Yuan Mansion realm, which is somewhat unexpected," Su Yi pondered.
The path of Yuan Dao had three major realms: Pigu, Yuan Mansion, and Juxing.
Previously, the characters Su Yi encountered, such as Li Changning and Shi Fengliu, were all cultivators at the Pigu realm.
In other words, the Daoist elder was the first Yuan Mansion realm cultivator Su Yi had encountered.
Earlier, the Daoist elder used a secret method to probe Su Yi. It seemed silent, but Su Yi had immediately concealed his own aura with the power of his divine sense, making it impossible for the other party to detect any clues.
Instead, Su Yi took this opportunity to directly see through the cultivation of the Daoist elder.
The Yuan Mansion realm was achieved by opening the "Yuan Mansion" in the dantian with the power of Lingyuan. With this foundation, one could contain the qi of the heavens and earth within oneself, undergo an inner transformation, and possess cultivation and power far superior to the Pigu realm.
Of course, even the strongest cultivators on the path of Yuan Dao were not enough to make Su Yi fearful or shrink back.
"Young Master, we have arrived at Taofu Alley."
The carriage stopped, and Su Yi awakened from his thoughts. He stood up and stepped down from the carriage.
The rain had stopped, and the sky was clear and bright.
Holding an oiled paper umbrella, Su Yi walked towards the Song Feng Manor.
From a distance, he could see a group of people standing in front of the manor's gate.
At the forefront was a handsome young man wearing a purple-gold crown and a brocade robe, exuding an aristocratic aura.
Beside him stood three individuals.
There was an old man with a black silk hat, wearing a red robe, and a clean-shaven face. He held a whisk and had a slightly hunched figure.
There was a man with messy hair, dark skin, and a knife in his arms.
There was a beautiful and charming woman dressed in splendid clothes.
When they spotted Su Yi's figure, the leader in the brocade robe took a deep breath and greeted him with a smile, saying, "Zhou Mou has come without prior notice. I hope Young Master Su won't mind."
The gazes of the old man in the red robe, the middle-aged man with the knife, and the woman in splendid attire all turned towards Su Yi.
"Who are you?" Su Yi asked.
"Young Master Su, this is the current Third Prince, Zhou Zhizhen. He has come specifically to visit you today," the old man in the red robe introduced with a soft and sharp voice.
Su Yi nodded and said, "So, you're the Third Prince. I remember on the way to Gunzhou, I helped eliminate several martial arts masters who seemed to be your subordinates. Are you here today seeking revenge?"
Zhou Zhizhen's expression faltered for a moment, but he quickly smiled and said, "Young Master Su, you have misunderstood. Those were all in the past, and besides, those subordinates were short-sighted. It's their own fault for falling into your hands. Let's not dwell on it."
After a pause, he pondered and said, "Young Master, could you allow us to enter Song Feng Manor to talk?"
However, Su Yi directly refused, saying, "If there's something to discuss, you can say it here."
This made the old man in the red robe and the others furrow their brows. What kind of attitude was this?
"Young Master Su, this is the Imperial Capital, and the person standing in front of you is the current Third Prince. We came here to help you, but your attitude seems a bit ungrateful, doesn't it?" the beautiful woman in splendid attire said in a cold tone.
"Help me? What do you mean?" Su Yi felt surprised.
Zhou Zhizhen cleared his throat and said, "Young Master Su, to be honest, I have come here today specifically for your matter."
Su Yi said, "Go on, I'm listening."
Zhou Zhizhen took a deep breath and said, "I believe Young Master Su is well aware of the dangerous situation you are in right now. It can be said that every step is filled with lethal danger. One careless move could lead to a fate worse than death."
At this point, he smiled slightly, full of confidence, and said ambitiously, "However, I have a way to turn the tables and save Young Master Su from these dangers!"
Su Yi raised an eyebrow, his expression half-smiling, and asked, "Just relying on you?"
This dismissive and condescending attitude made the old man in the red robe and the others frown even more. Their gazes towards Su Yi became displeased.
The Third Prince personally comes to offer help, to resolve your worries and difficulties, yet you show this kind of attitude?
Zhou Zhizhen also felt somewhat embarrassed inwardly, but he concealed it well and said with a smile, "No matter what, I am still a prince, and I carry some weight in this Imperial Capital."
"As long as Young Master Su agrees to one thing for me, I guarantee that even the Su family, the Hidden Dragon Sword Sect, and those who consider Young Master as an enemy will not dare to harm you even a bit!"
"What is it that you want me to agree to?" Su Yi asked, his eyes filled with amusement.
Zhou Zhizhen glanced around before speaking solemnly, "Agree to pledge allegiance to my father, and also... to me!"