Chapter 56

For a long time, no one dared to step onto the stage to challenge again.

Su Yi did not wait any longer, placed his hands behind his back, and walked straight down from the stage.

The gazes of everyone at the banquet also fell on him, their expressions varied—some were shocked, some were dazed, some were stunned...

It vividly portrayed the myriad faces of humanity.

"Mr. Su, please take your seat!"

Fu Shan took the initiative to welcome him, with a respectful demeanor.

"It turns out that the empty seat beside Lord Fu was prepared for Su Yi."

A major figure seemed to suddenly realize, as if enlightened.

The others also understood, and their expressions became even more complex.

Though it was just a seat, it clearly showed how much Fu Shan valued Su Yi!

"No need, since the matter is resolved, I will leave first."

Su Yi shook his head in refusal.

He had never liked such noisy and bustling atmospheres.

Fu Shan did not dare to dissuade him and instructed, "Someone, escort Mr. Su back."

"Lord Fu, let me handle this."

Huang Qianjun, standing not far away, stood up and came over immediately.

Nie Teng hesitated for a moment and also walked over.

Seeing this, Nie Beihu felt greatly comforted.

He knew that his son, who had always been proud and arrogant, had been impressed by Su Yi's earlier performance.

Su Yi did not say anything more and walked straight toward the distance.

Huang Qianjun and Nie Teng followed closely behind.

This scene caused the hearts of the major figures present to surge with emotion.

Huang Qianjun was the son of the Huang family patriarch Huang Yunchong, and Nie Teng was the son of the city lord's guard commander Nie Beihu.

Now, the two of them were following Su Yi like attendants, which had a completely different meaning!

"Oh no!"

Seeing this, Li Tianhan suddenly remembered something, his heart skipped a beat, and his face changed.

At the Wen family matriarch's birthday banquet, Fu Shan, Nie Beihu, Huang Yunchong, and others had stood up to him, Li Tianhan, to prevent the annulment of Su Yi's marriage.

He and his son Li Moyun had believed that it was because of Wen Lingzhao, the "disciple of the grandmaster," that Fu Shan and the others had sided with the Wen family.

But now it seemed that it wasn't the case!

"What reason could make Fu Shan and the others value Su Yi so much?"

Li Tianhan's expression was uncertain, and his heart was heavy.

He knew very well that even if Su Yi had performed excellently tonight, he was still just a Blood Circulation realm youth, and it was impossible for Fu Shan and Huang Yunchong, these old foxes, to respect him so much.

This meant that there was another secret about Su Yi that no one knew!

And it was this secret that truly made Fu Shan and the others respect Su Yi!

Thinking of this, Li Tianhan did not dare to hesitate and quietly instructed the old servant beside him.

Soon, the old servant hurried away.

"Ah!"

Seeing Su Yi's figure gradually disappear into the distance, Zhou Huaiqiu hesitated for a long time, finally sighed inwardly, and did not chase after him.

He already had a premonition that even if he put aside his pride and begged Su Yi to return to the Qinghe Sword Mansion for cultivation, Su Yi would not agree.

However, he couldn't help but feel regret and disappointment.

"At that time, he fell from grace, and no one cared, even I distanced myself from him."

"Now that he has returned to the martial path and shown a brilliance even greater than before, how could he possibly return to the Qinghe Sword Mansion, a place that has caused him so much pain?"

"Fine, let it be."

Zhou Huaiqiu took a deep breath and suppressed the regret in his heart.

"Junior Sister Nanying, you seem very reluctant to see Su Yi leave."

At this moment, noticing that Nanying had been in a dazed state, Ni Hao could no longer contain his anger and spoke coldly.

Nanying was startled, her face changed, and then she sighed softly, saying with a sense of grievance:

"Senior Brother Ni Hao, you know that I once spent three years with Senior Brother Su Yi. I thought that in this life, I would have no more connection with him, but who would have thought that I would witness all this today."

The more she said this, the more Ni Hao's face darkened, and his chest swelled with jealousy.

Nanying clearly noticed this and subtly changed the subject: "But in my heart, you, Senior Brother, are irreplaceable. Moreover, if I still had feelings for him, would I have ignored him for the past year?"

As she spoke, she gently rested her head on Ni Hao's broad shoulder, her voice soft and tender, "Senior Brother Ni Hao, seeing you angry makes me happy, at least it shows that you care about me."

Ni Hao's expression immediately softened, and he inhaled the fragrance from the woman beside him, his tone becoming much gentler, "Junior Sister, I was a bit too excited just now."

Nanying extended her hand, held Ni Hao's arm, and said sweetly, "Senior Brother, no need to explain, I understand."

But in her heart, she was pondering something—

Should she see Su Yi before leaving Guangling City?

"Cousin, that Su Yi is simply too despicable, hiding his cultivation all along. We were all deceived by him for the past year!"

Wen Shaobei, indignant, only dared to complain in a low voice to Wen Jueyuan.

"He never deceived us; it was we who always overlooked him."

Wen Jueyuan's expression was grim.

Today, he was supposed to gain fame and glory, receiving all the attention.

But who would have thought that fate would be so unpredictable, and he would become the most laughable loser at this Dragon Gate Banquet.

He had become the stepping stone for Su Yi!

"Cousin, are we just going to let this go?"

Wen Shaobei said unwillingly.

"Want to go and challenge him?"

Wen Jueyuan's eyes were cold, looking at Wen Shaobei as if he were an idiot, "Don't you understand? Su Yi's cultivation is not only restored, but he is also highly favored by the city lord! From now on, he is no longer a pitiful worm that our Wen family can trample on at will!"

His voice was squeezed from his chest, filled with anger, frustration, and deep bitterness and melancholy.

Wen Shaobei was scolded to the point of being speechless, and he fell silent in dejection.

"Brother Li, is the first prize of the Dragon Gate Competition prepared?"

Fu Shan, with a smile, spoke loudly.

Winning first place would earn a thousand taels of gold, three spirit medicines, ten hu of pearls, and a top-tier Yellow Rank martial arts manual!

This was the most anticipated reward.

All eyes at the banquet turned to Li Jianyu.

Li Jianyu's expression froze, and he coldly snorted, "A small reward, why do you need to remind me, Fu Shan? I will send the reward to Guangling City early tomorrow morning."

Initially, he had thought that with Mo Tianling, victory was assured, so he hadn't prepared the reward.

But now, Su Yi's appearance had shattered his plans, not only losing Lingzhu Island but also forcing him to start preparing these valuables...

To say he wasn't angry would be a lie.

"Don't forget, there's also Lingzhu Island, which from now on will be controlled by the Guangling City Lord's Mansion. If anyone else approaches the island, they will be killed without mercy!"

Fu Shan smiled and said again, his words filled with menace.

"Hmph!"

Li Jianyu could no longer sit still, stood up, and left with a flick of his sleeve.

Staying any longer would only make him die of anger!

Following him, the other major figures from Luoyun City also gradually left.

On the Guangling City side, the atmosphere became lively, with guests chatting and toasting each other.

After all, Su Yi, representing Guangling City, had won first place in the Dragon Gate Competition, bringing glory to the major figures present.

As the saying goes, the defeated can only slink away early.

Under the night sky, the Dacang River was dotted with countless sails, and the lights stretched like a dragon.

The news of Su Yi winning first place in the Dragon Gate Competition spread rapidly along both banks of the Dacang River, reaching the ordinary people of the two cities.

For a moment, the sound of excitement and amazement echoed through the night.

...

At the city gate.

"You can go back, no need to see me off."

Su Yi stopped, looking at Huang Qianjun and Nie Teng.

Huang Qianjun was very considerate and nodded with a smile.

Nie Teng hesitated for a moment, then bowed to Su Yi, "Brother Su, thank you for your guidance earlier! I will never forget this kindness!"

During the Dragon Gate Competition, Su Yi had demonstrated the "Crane Catching Hand" while fighting Mo Tianling, allowing Nie Teng to finally grasp the essence and spirit of this martial art.

Now, facing Su Yi, he felt a deep sense of admiration and respect.

"Remember what you said earlier."

Su Yi nodded and turned to walk into the city gate alone.

"What you said earlier..."

Nie Teng was startled, then took a deep breath and bowed from a distance, "Brother Su, rest assured, Nie Teng will never forget!"

"What did he say?"

Huang Qianjun couldn't help but ask curiously.

"It's none of your business."

Nie Teng turned and walked away.

Huang Qianjun hurriedly followed, saying, "Brother Nie, wait for me. Since we're both part of Brother Su's group, let's get closer. How about we go to the pleasure quarters tonight? I know a famous courtesan named Miaoyu, who is skilled in music and dance, and is considered the best in Guangling..."

The two gradually moved further away.

Inside the city gate, Su Yi walked alone.

Most of the city's residents had gone to watch the excitement outside, making the usually bustling streets quiet and empty, with dim lights.

Occasionally, people returning from the excitement outside would pass by, discussing the events of the Dragon Gate Competition in groups of two or three.

But none of them recognized the youth who had just easily won first place in the Dragon Gate Competition as he passed by.

Until he reached the Apricot Yellow Medical Hall.

Su Yi turned and looked at the night sky.

The moon was bright, the stars sparse, and the clouds like cotton.

From the distance outside the city, the sounds of excitement could be faintly heard, making the quiet and cold night seem even more ethereal.

"When will the world's troubles cease, and only when the dust settles will the truth be revealed."

As he muttered to himself, Su Yi walked toward the Apricot Yellow Cottage, his tall figure standing out in the night.

This day was the 399th year of the Great Zhou calendar, the second month, the second day of the lunar month, the beginning of spring.

The earth was awakening, and all things were reviving.

According to the stars, on this day, the first of the seven stars of the Azure Dragon constellation appeared in the eastern sky, while the rest of the dragon's body was still hidden in the darkness.

Therefore, this day was also known as "Dragon Head Raising."

On this day, Su Yi, who had lost his cultivation and had been a赘婿 in the Wen family for a year, ascended the Dragon Gate stage, stunning the crowd with his skills, and stood alone in the limelight.

The world was in an uproar.

But almost no one knew—

This day was also Su Yi's birthday in this life.

In Su Yi's memory, his mother, Ye Yufei, had also passed away on this day due to a serious illness.

Leaving him, at the age of four, alone in the world.