Inner energy spread out, picking up dust and scattering it across the military drill grounds.
Countless bluestone stabs already lay in pieces.
Without exception, everyone present stared at the young man in blue in utter astonishment. Waves coursed through their hearts.
How could this young man be so strong??Many of those present felt their scalps numb, and their hearts shook.
Before the battle began, none of them thought highly of Su Yi’s chances. They thought he was certain to lose; they just wanted to see if he made it through alive or not.
Mu Cangtu’s sword arts were practically all-powerful. His prestige shook all nineteen cities of Cloudriver Prefecture. How could a mere seventeen-year-old in the Qi Accumulation Realm oppose him?
But when they really fought, everyone discovered that from beginning to end, Mu Cangtu never once seized any advantage at all!?Neither his shocking sword arts nor his ultimate attack were at all effective against Su Yi.
“So Master Su was this strong…..” Yuan Luoyu muttered to himself. In the past, he’d found it hard to adjust to the title “Master”, so he always called Su Yi “Young Lord.”
But now, he instinctively changed Su Yi’s title.
“Have you finally opened your eyes?” Yuan Luoxi’s little face was red with excitement.
“He’s like a fallen immortal. He’s not of this world,” sighed Yuan Wutong.
He was stunned too. Despite his experience as the head of the Yuan Family, he couldn’t even imagine how a Qi Accumulation Realm youth managed to contend with a Martial Dao Grandmaster like Mu Cangtu!
“So this is the true source of his confidence….” Qin Wenyuan’s expression changed erratically. He’d always been shrewd, but now, he could no longer remain calm. His mask of perfect self control slipped, and an inexplicable chill arose within his heart.
All his time, he’d assumed that Su Yi’s confidence came from an external backer, like Yuan Wutong, or perhaps some unknown expert.
Who would have thought that Su Yi’s confidence came from his own strength?
“I said it, didn’t I? A young man of such graceful bearing is sure to compete on the same level as the Mountain-Subduing King one day.” Zhang Zhiyan sighed, but he looked out of sorts, and his expression was somewhat cloudy.
To his side, Zhang Yuanxing went rigid. He was dazed and distracted.
Just a few minutes ago, he even said that if Su Yi fell beneath Mu Cangtu’s sword, he could go to the next world with a smile on his face. Now, he felt as if reality were slapping him right in the face!
“How is this possible?” Qin Feng’s eyes widened in disbelief. He was so angry, he gnashed his teeth and almost spat.
“Right, how?is?this possible….?” The higher-ups of Blueriver Sword Manor looked dazed, and their expressions changed erratically.
Mu Cangtu stood in the center of the grounds for quite some time. Finally, he let out a long sigh and slumped in dejection. “I’ve never even heard of such attainments in the Dao of the Sword,” he said bitterly. “I might be unwilling, but I nevertheless have no choice but to concede your superiority!”
He’d spent years cultivating bitterly to improve his Dao of the Sword, only to suffer a crushing defeat!?To the sect master of Blueriver Sword Manor, this was no small emotional blow.
“You’ve admitted defeat, so take your people and leave,” said Su Yi.
Mu Cangtu froze. “Why spare me?”
“I cultivated at Blueriver Sword Manor for years. Regardless of what I experienced there, I am still indebted to you,” said Su Yi, his expression calm.
Mu Cangtu looked conflicted, but in the end, he clasped his fist in respect. “Many thanks!”
Su Yi was so young, yet so valiant. Many of the elders in attendance suddenly felt ashamed of their own inferiority.
“We’re leaving.” Mu Cangtu sheathed his sword and walked away, but in comparison to when he first arrived, his short frame looked frailer and more desolate.
He was a long-established heroic figure, but today, he’d become a mere stepping stone in a young man’s path to greatness. It was only natural he’d be devastated.
The higher-ups of Blueriver Sword Manor all followed him away. All of them were in low spirits.?It was obvious to all of them that when word of today’s battle spread, it would deal an enormous blow to the sect’s reputation!
After witnessing this, the atmosphere throughout the military drill ground was heavy and stifled.
Blueriver Sword Manor was one of the Cloudriver Prefectural Capital’s four peak-level factions, yet they’d already retreated in defeat. Of those who remained, who was a match for Su Yi?
Overhead, the cloud cover was increasingly dense, like clusters of lead. The air was so heavy and stifled, it was hard to breathe.
Su Yi’s gaze swept across all four directions. “If anyone wants to get revenge, have at me. Let’s end this, here and now.”
It was just two sentences, but everyone instinctively glanced at the platform where Qin Wenyuan was currently seated.
But against all expectations, the prefectural governor sank into silence. An ashamed look rose on his face. “I finally understand just how stupid those six guards were to offend a peerless genius like you, Young Lord Su. They deserved their deaths!”
Then, he rose to his feet and solemnly cupped his fists. “Young Lord Su, earlier, I let my anger go to my head, resulting in errors in my judgment. I humbly request your forgiveness!”
Everyone present was stunned, even Qin Feng. His eyes widened, and he stared at his father in disbelief.
Old fox!?Yuan Wutong cursed to himself.?The moment he realized this wasn’t going to end well for him, he tried to foist the responsibility on someone else.
Zhang Zhiyan rose to his feet as well, then laughed. “Prefectural Governor Qin has taken the initiative to apologize despite his status. Since this was all one big misunderstanding, let’s end this here, shall we?”
“Yes, yes, let’s do that.” The other major powers in attendance all voiced their agreement, one after another.
All of them had witnessed Su Yi’s power. They were naturally well aware that if a young man capable of forcing Mu Cangtu to lower his head went on a rampage, the consequences would be dire!
Those old scoundrels. They sure know how to adapt!?Huang Qianjun laughed to himself.
“I trust Young Lord Su has no desire to push this incident past the point of no return either?” said Zhang Zhiyan with a smile.
Everyone’s gazes turned towards Su Yi. The way they saw it, this was undoubtedly the best possible opportunity to settle this.
But Su Yi merely looked up at the sky, then said offhandedly, “Do you people think I came all this way just to show off my power, force you to lower your heads, and smooth things over?”
Qin Wenyuan’s heart sank.
Zhang Zhiyan asked in confusion, “Young Lord Su, might I ask what you mean?”
“Do you plan to get involved?” asked Su Yi.
Zhang Zhiyan hurriedly shook his head. “I’m just here as a spectator.”
“Then shut your mouth,” said Su Yi coldly.
Zhang Zhiyan’s smile froze. A moment later, his chubby cheeks flushed red with anger.?He was the head of the Zhang Family, yet Su Yi had rebuked him so harshly in front of the crowd. This was a major affront to his dignity!
“Su Yi, what the hell was that about?” roared Zhang Yuanxing. “My father has never offended you. Don’t you think you’re being overly brazen?”
“Enough!” Before Su Yi could respond, Zhang Zhiyan rebuked his son. “We’re here as spectators. Don’t make trouble!”
He sat there, expression dark, and said no more.
Zhang Yuanxing looked uncertain, but he dared not say another word.
When they saw that even this illustrious father and son dared not speak up any further, the others in attendance fell silent. All of them wore different expressions.
This was the intimidation and prestige Su Yi had created by defeating Mu Cangtu!
The glorious leader of Blueriver Sword Manor, the Grandmaster they said could level half the city with a single swing of his sword, had lowered his head and admitted defeat. Now, who among the city’s older generation dared treat Su Yi as if he were an ordinary youth?
Up on the platform, Qin Wenyuan took a deep breath, then said solemnly, “Young Lord Su, if I’ve displeased you, please feel free to let me know. I, Qin Wenyuan, will be certain to make up for the mistakes I’ve made today.”
This was already an enormous concession!
But Su Yi said, “Your son is your reverse scale, but I have a reverse scale too. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten about that little visit the Blood Ax Gang?paid my residence?”
Qin Wenyuan’s expression shifted. He finally understood why Su Yi had come.
It was because they’d crossed his bottom line and committed a taboo!
But Qin Wenyuan was far shrewder than the average man, and he kept his cool. “Young Lord Su, how do you wish to resolve this?”
“Simple. I plan to kill you as a warning to the others,” said Su Yi, his tone casual.
This was an earth-shattering declaration. Everyone present felt their hearts shake, and all of them looked on in disbelief.
Even Yuan Wutong looked solemn. He now saw a new side of Su Yi.?He won’t let anyone cross his bottom line. Those who do must die!
Qin Wenyuan’s expression gradually grew increasingly unsightly. “Young Lord Su, I’ve already?made?numerous concessions. Is there really no room left to turn this around?”
Su Yi looked down at Guiding Mysteries and said casually, “I can give you and your son a chance to atone through suicide, but if you haven’t finished within three breaths of time, I’ll help you.”
The onlookers suddenly found it hard to breathe. A chill coursed through their bodies.
Ruthless!
Who would have thought that Su Yi wouldn’t show the prefectural government any respect at all?
“Great! Wonderful!” Qin Wenyuan was so angry, he laughed, and he could no longer repress his rage. “I, Qin Wenyuan, have governed the Cloudriver Prefectural Capital for thirty years. This is the first time I’ve met someone so stubborn and unyielding!”
His expression was utterly murderous.
Qin Feng was agitated too. He yelled, “Father, I told you there was no need to give that scumbag any face! We have to just kill him!”
Clang!
Su Yi gently tapped his sword, and a clear hum rang out.
He looked up at the cloudy skies and whispered, “The heavens are about to rain, and men are about to throw their lives away. If anyone tries to intervene, I’m afraid I’ll have to ruin the scenery.”
As he spoke, he retracted his gaze and stepped forth.
His robes billowed in the wind, and although he was all alone, his presence was vast and imposing. He put a formless pressure on the hearts of everyone present.
“All soldiers in attendance, heed my command! Kill that fiend!” Qin Wenyuan bellowed, his voice booming like thunder and reverberating throughout the grounds.
“Kill!”
“Kill!”
“Kill!”
The guards stationed around the perimeter all voiced their assent, their voices like a massive wave.
Their vast, sweeping momentum alone left the onlookers unable to sit still. All of them rose and fled further away.
“Father, this…” Yuan Luoxi was a bit frantic, but before she could say anything, Yuan Wutong took her by the arm and dragged her further away.
“Lass, just calm down and watch the show. Should he truly need our help, I naturally won’t just sit back and watch.” Yuan Wutong’s gaze was profound and inscrutable, and his eyes seemed to crackle with electricity.
He could tell that Su Yi wasn’t the least bit afraid of making this incident even bigger. When he wanted to kill someone, he certainly didn’t care about their status or level of authority!
That he dared attack here, even now, meant that he had the confidence to back it up!
“Fire!” a voice boomed throughout the area.
A full hundred soldiers held crossbows. All of them pulled the trigger.
A series of fierce gales shrieked through the air as a dense volley of arrows rained down from above. They cut through the air, leaving streaks of black light in their weak. Their glinting edges were incomparable sharp.
And all of them were aimed for Su Yi.
This scene was enough to shake the hearts of even Grandmasters. They dared not meet that edge head-on!
Up on the distant platform, Qin Wenyuan’s eyes flashed like lightning. They’d already come to blows, so he was now calm, composed, and indifferent. He stared at Su Yi as if he were looking at a corpse.
He’d summoned Su Yi to the Qingding Military Drill Ground to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
There were three thousand elite troops stationed here, as well as the prefectural government’s experts!
Furthermore, he himself was a Martial Dao Grandmaster, an expert capable of looking down on the entire prefectural capital. He had long since prepared numerous trump cards!
He’d assumed he wouldn’t have to use any of them, but now, he was in no position to concern himself with all that now.