The aura of a contender for body possession is difficult for ordinary people to discern.
Especially for powerful contenders, who can perfectly blend with the strength of the body they possess, making it difficult for even high-level cultivators to detect.
However, for Su Yi, identifying a contender for body possession was an effortless task.
In the vast wilderness of Jiuzhou, almost every sect possessed secret techniques and treasures to identify contenders for body possession.
And as the Sword Master of Xuanjun, Su Yi naturally had access to such methods.
The moment he saw Hong Canshang earlier, Su Yi's "divine sense" sensed that Hong Canshang's aura was highly unusual.
Upon investigating with his secret arts, it was confirmed that Hong Canshang's soul had been usurped!
"In these years, has Hong Canshang been walking beside the current Zhou Emperor without being exposed? Or perhaps, the Zhou Emperor has long been aware of this matter?" Su Yi pondered in secret.
He had no ill intentions towards Hong Canshang, but if the other party dared to see him as an enemy, he wouldn't mind capturing their soul and conducting thorough research.
...
...
On that day, the disturbance in front of the Liushang Tower spread throughout Yujing City, attracting countless attention.
"I didn't expect the first one to step forward would be the 'Tianhong Sword Sovereign' from the Great Qin."
Many prominent figures were surprised and filled with astonishment.
"Suyue, the Fourth Madam of Su Hongli, and her legitimate son, Su Bonang, were forced to kneel in front of the Liushang Tower. Isn't this a direct blow to Su Hongli's face?"
Some trembled, shocked by Su Yi's actions.
"It is said that the Sixth Prince was also present. The situation is becoming more and more intriguing."
"This Su Yi didn't fall behind at all in the confrontation with You Tianhong, which is truly unexpected."
"Three days later, they will go to the summit of Mount Jiuzhi!"
... Various discussions eventually converged, focusing unanimously on the scheduled battle between You Tianhong and Su Yi.
Previously, there were numerous rumors about Su Yi's achievements, but very few people in Yujing City had personally witnessed his true strength.
And now, an opportunity had arrived!
Three days later, on the summit of Mount Jiuzhi, they would truly witness Su Yi's capabilities!
The Imperial Palace.
After hearing the report from Grand Preceptor Hong Canshang, Emperor Zhou couldn't help but ask with curiosity, "Grand Preceptor, do you know the cultivation level of You Tianhong?"
Without hesitation, Hong Canshang replied, "He has reached the peak of the Boundary Opening Realm, mastering the 'Yin Thunder Sword Intent' of the Heaven Tier middle-grade. Among those of the same cultivation level, he can be considered top-notch."
"His spiritual sword, named 'Silver Snow,' is said to be an 'ancient treasure' obtained from a deep place in the Chaotic Spirit Sea. Its power is unfathomable."
A glint flickered in Emperor Zhou's eyes as he spoke, "It is widely known that nine years ago, You Tianhong obtained a great opportunity in the depths of the Chaotic Spirit Sea. It is rumored to be related to an ancient lineage, but until now, no one knows the true nature of this opportunity."
At this point, he looked at Hong Canshang and asked, "Grand Preceptor, do you think you can get a glimpse of the truth during the battle on Mount Jiuzhi three days from now?"
Hong Canshang replied, "I will personally go and find out at that time."
Emperor Zhou nodded and said, "With you there, I can rest assured. If it weren't for my status, I would also like to witness the abilities of Su Yi. It's a pity..."
He sighed.
Hong Canshang suggested, "Your Majesty, would you like to reprimand the Sixth Prince a bit?"
Emperor Zhou fell silent immediately.
After a long time, he waved his hand dismissively, "Leave him be."
...
Su Family.
Qingwu Courtyard.
After hearing the news from Liushang Tower, Su Hongli remained calm as ever, showing no signs of disturbance.
Even when he learned that You Qingzhi and Su Bonang were forced to kneel, he didn't reveal the slightest hint of emotion, maintaining an eerie calmness.
"I thought You Tianhong had great opportunities and great ambitions, but now it seems I overestimated him," Su Hongli muttered disdainfully. "As a cultivator, when the soul and aura merge, one should be able to handle any situation. But he couldn't even detect that bastard's secret technique. It's truly pathetic."
The old man in Daoist robes on the side sighed lightly and said, "That can be understood. After all, who could have anticipated that a master like Su Yi would possess the power of 'divine sense'? It's unprecedented. Even in ancient texts, there are no such examples."
"Divine sense..." Su Hongli muttered to himself. "Indeed, how could a mere mundane martial cultivator cultivate such a power? It's truly unimaginable..."
The Daoist-robed old man asked, "Friend, do you intend to witness the battle on Mount Jiuzhi three days from now?"
Su Hongli waved his hand, without offering any explanation.
However, the old man in Daoist robes seemed to have anticipated this response and chuckled, saying, "In that case, I'll go on my own. I'm becoming more and more curious about the secrets that Su Yi holds."
Su Hongli calmly replied, "Brother, please refrain from getting involved."
The Daoist-robed old man squinted his eyes slightly and nodded.
"By the way, regarding today's events, are you really going to endure it like this?" the Daoist-robed old man asked.
Regardless, You Qingzhi was Su Hongli's wife, and Su Bonang was his legitimate son. They were being humiliated in such a manner, and it was likely that the entire city of Yujing was now laughing at the situation.
"Let that bastard jump around for a while longer," Su Hongli said calmly. Deep within his eyes, however, a fleeting glint of coldness flashed by, barely noticeable.
He was not a heartless person.
How could he remain indifferent when his wife and son were subjected to such humiliation?
...
The Great Qin Embassy.
Inside a brightly lit hall.
"Why didn't you wait? You should know that in Yujing City, there are many who want to kill Su Yi. But they're all waiting, no one wants to be the first to make a move," Ji He said softly. "In other words, everyone is waiting for the head of the Su Family to take action and see if he has the heart to ruthlessly eliminate his own kin."
Ji He, the chief elder of the Luohan Hall in the Shanglin Monastery, had a slender figure and an old, dignified appearance. He exuded an aura of serenity, tranquility, and detachment.
"For others, they are wary of Su Yi's power displayed when he killed Li Changning. They won't easily take action. But for someone like me, a sword cultivator, how could I hesitate due to fear?" You Tianhong stood straight, his eyes cold and sharp as a sword. "It is easy to cultivate strength but difficult to cultivate the heart. If you harbor reservations, your momentum will undoubtedly weaken. This is a great taboo in cultivation."
Ji He smiled and said, "Friend, your unwavering determination is truly admirable. Three days later, I am willing to accompany you to Mount Jiuzhi."
You Tianhong frowned and said, "Observing the battle is fine, but please refrain from intervening."
Ji He smiled and replied, "If Friend can behead Su Yi, then naturally there will be no opportunity for me to take action."
...
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Soon, the time for the decisive battle arrived.
April 20th.
Early morning, at the peak of Jiuzhi Mountain, thirty miles away from Yujing City.
Here, there was a flat cliff platform where one could stand and witness the rolling sea of clouds, vast and magnificent.
Hence its name, "Guanghai Platform."
This place was originally a favored scenic spot for the literati and scholars of Yujing City, who had left behind numerous poems and verses.
But today, it was a gathering place for martial artists, where the strong converged!
As dawn broke, faint figures could be seen near Guanghai Platform.
There were grandmasters who shook the world, Martial Ancestors who commanded awe, and legendary transcendental beings who were as elusive as dragons.
It was not an exaggeration to say that Jiuzhi Mountain today was like an unprecedented grand event unfolding. Many elderly figures who usually secluded themselves from the world appeared one after another.
Those below the level of grandmasters had no qualifications to enter the fray and could only gather at the foot and waist of the mountain to watch the excitement.
"Look, the people from the Hidden Dragon Sword Sect have arrived, led by the esteemed Master Shifeng!"
When Master Shifeng, dressed in Daoist robes with an air of transcendence, appeared, it also caused a commotion in the crowd. Countless gazes turned to him.
But today, the limelight was destined not to be monopolized by the Hidden Dragon Sword Sect.
Soon, a cry of astonishment echoed, "Isn't that King Yuliu? This legendary figure from a thousand years ago has actually come?"
The crowd erupted, and the nearby area was captivated by the sight of a girl in white, carrying a sword on her back, who seemed like a celestial being.
After Yue Shichan arrived, she casually stood under a green pine tree on the cliff, tranquil and detached, becoming a beautiful sight in the crowd.
Following that, with the arrival of one prominent figure after another near Guanghai Platform, waves of discussions were stirred.
Someone roughly estimated that there were dozens of Martial Ancestors present in the field alone, creating a scene that made countless hearts tremble in shock.
This was normal since the news of You Tianhong challenging Su Yi had spread three days ago, causing a sensation throughout the Great Zhou Empire. Many influential figures scattered across the country immediately set off and rushed to Yujing City.
Their purpose was to witness this rare and extraordinary clash!
"The Lord National Teacher has also arrived!"
Soon, the atmosphere in the crowd surged once again. The reason was that Hong Canshang, the Palace Master of Fengqi Academy and the current Lord National Teacher, had also arrived on the scene!
"Hahaha, didn't expect you, Friend Hong, to be here too. It's quite a surprise for us."
A burst of laughter resounded.
In the distance, a group of people approached, led by an old man wearing a crimson robe with white hair. He held a Dao seal in one hand and a feather duster in the other, exuding a formidable aura.
"Elder Yunzhong Qi, the Grand Elder of the Great Wei Moon Sect!"
The crowd was stirred, their gazes all drawn to him.
Yunzhong Qi was said to be a renowned transcendental figure in the Great Wei Empire several decades ago. He wielded the ancestral treasure of the Moon Sect, the 'Zhenyue Seal,' and his cultivation was unfathomable, intimidating the world.
This time, he was the leader of the Great Wei envoy!
Hong Canshang glanced at Yunzhong Qi and nodded. "I wouldn't miss such a grand event."
Just as they were speaking, a commotion arose in the distance, followed by a loud shout:
"Lord Tianhong, the Sword Sovereign, has arrived!"
Immediately, all eyes in the crowd, whether from legendary transcendental beings or influential figures who could shake the world with a stomp of their feet, turned towards the source.
They saw a group of people coming from a path among the mountains.
Leading them were two individuals.
One was a man wearing a plain long robe, with a thin face and a crown on his head.
The other was a monk in monk's robes, with a kind and benevolent expression and an aura of age and wisdom.
They were You Tianhong and Silence River, the Chief Elder of the Luohan Hall in the Shanglin Monastery of Daqin!
Behind them were dignitaries from the Daqin envoy.
As they arrived, the atmosphere on Guanghai Platform reached an unprecedented level.
Especially You Tianhong, who became the center of attention for everyone.
Because it was the Sword Sovereign Tianhong from Daqin who had initiated this battle today!