Chapter 314: Stand Still and Don't Move

On the riverbank, willows swayed gently.

It was the scorching noon, with the blazing sun high in the sky.

Near the Longjin Ferry in the distance, boats filled the area, densely packed like a web. Passersby crossed the river like swarms of fish, creating a bustling scene.

Shortly after Su Yi arrived at the riverbank, a swift sparrow dove from the sky, clutching a sealed letter and a cloth bag in its talons.

Amidst the astonished gazes of Fu Qingyuan and Gu Caining, Su Yi reached out and took the sealed letter. Opening it, he read the contents:

"After the young master arrives in Yujing City, you may proceed to reside temporarily in the third courtyard of Rui'an Lane in the western part of the city. This courtyard is called 'Song Feng Manor,' a secret place established by our Ten-Fold Pavilion that has been idle for many years. I hope the young master will accept it."

"Yujing City is a crucial place in the imperial capital. Inside the city, there are 108 Observatories, each guarded by experts from the Imperial Palace's Shadow Dragon Guard. They monitor the activities within the city and guard against disasters. When the young master acts, he should be cautious of being monitored by the Shadow Dragon Guard."

"Within Yujing City, it is impossible to exchange messages with swift sparrows. If the young master needs assistance, crush the 'Golden Bridge Talisman' contained in the cloth bag, and our Ten-Fold Pavilion will send someone to meet the young master."

"Finally, I wish the young master a smooth journey in Yujing City."

Signature: Monk Hongji, respectfully.

After reading it, Su Yi casually destroyed the letter and opened the cloth bag, finding ten golden jade talismans inside.

These were the so-called "Golden Bridge Talismans."

After some consideration, Su Yi took out two Golden Bridge Talismans and handed them to Fu Qingyuan. "If the two of you encounter any trouble in the city because of me, you can crush these talismans to seek help."

Without any further explanation, he stuffed them into Fu Qingyuan's hand.

"Thank you, young master!"

Fu Qingyuan and Gu Caining exchanged glances, deeply moved and grateful in their hearts.

They never expected that at such a critical moment, Su Yi would still consider their safety and well-being.

Su Yi smiled inwardly, thinking to himself, I wonder what the Ten-Fold Pavilion would think if they knew I gave away these Golden Bridge Talismans...

However, Su Yi was certain that if Fu Qingyuan and Gu Caining ever needed help, the Ten-Fold Pavilion would definitely lend a hand.

"Well, let's part ways here. Farewell."

Su Yi spoke and turned to leave.

He had always been like this, never dragging things out during farewells.

Watching Su Yi's tall figure disappear into the distance, Fu Qingyuan and Gu Caining inexplicably sighed with relief, as if a weight had been lifted from their hearts.

Clearly, during the journey across the river with Su Yi, both Fu Qingyuan and Gu Caining were not at ease, feeling restrained and anxious.

However, when they finally bid farewell to Su Yi and felt relieved, an inexplicable sense of melancholy arose in their hearts.

If only that person could remain by their side like an immortal, but such a hope seemed distant and unattainable.

"Senior Brother, I never expected that someone like Su Yi would actually consider whether we would be implicated by him. It's truly surprising," Gu Caining said crisply.

Her bright eyes sparkled with delight.

"This is the true demeanor of a master. Perhaps only someone with such broad-mindedness can possess such profound and unfathomable attainments on the path of cultivation," Fu Qingyuan also exclaimed.

Not long after, they carefully put away the Golden Bridge Talismans and continued walking towards the distant Longjin Ferry.

While on their way, a voice suddenly came from the far side of the river:

"Qingyuan, Caining, you two little rascals are quite fast. You've reached Longjin Ferry ahead of us."

In the distance, a ferry boat approached, with a group of people standing on it.

At the forefront was a gray-haired man, dignified and spirited, wearing a wide-sleeved robe, exuding an aura of wisdom and grandeur.

This person was none other than Pu Yi, the Elder of Xingya Academy.

"Senior Uncle!" Fu Qingyuan and Gu Caining waved their hands simultaneously, showing an excited expression.

After experiencing the various events before, seeing Pu Yi at this moment was like finding a reliable support, filling their hearts with joy.

Soon, the ferry boat docked, and Pu Yi led the group towards them.

"Let's go. Judging by the time, we should arrive at Yujing City in the evening," Pu Yi said with a smile.

In this autumn martial competition, as the Elder of Xingya Academy, he took the initiative to lead the team and brought the disciples to Yujing City.

"Senior Uncle, I have something important to report to you. Can we... talk privately?" Fu Qingyuan hesitated for a moment and spoke in a low voice.

Pu Yi paused for a moment and nodded. "Follow me."

Saying that, he led Fu Qingyuan to a distant grove of willow trees and spoke gently, "What's the matter? Have you encountered any problems on this journey?"

Fu Qingyuan took a deep breath and nervously said, "Senior Uncle, it's highly possible that both Senior Sister and I... have caused trouble..."

He lowered his head, not daring to meet Pu Yi's gaze.

Pu Yi frowned slightly and said, "Don't be afraid, tell me the truth."

Fu Qingyuan dared not conceal anything and proceeded to explain how they met Su Yi and their journey across the river together.

When Fu Qingyuan mentioned the exposure of Su Yi's identity, he felt uneasy and failed to notice the subtle change in Pu Yi's eyes. Pu Yi, who he revered and relied on, had a strange expression.

It wasn't until Fu Qingyuan mentioned Su Yi's battle with the illusionary technique and soaring in the air above Qinglan River that Pu Yi couldn't help but gasp, and his face changed.

Now... Su Yi, the young master, had become so powerful that even the illusionary technique practitioner was forced to flee?

Pu Yi's heart trembled.

This reaction, seen through Fu Qingyuan's eyes, made the latter even more uneasy, and he said with a face full of guilt, "Senior Uncle, I never expected that the young man I met on the road would be such a terrifying and unimaginable existence as Su Yi. If only I had known..."

Pu Yi couldn't help but laugh and interrupted, "Silly boy, this isn't causing trouble at all. It's obviously encountering an extraordinary opportunity!"

"Huh?" Fu Qingyuan became even more confused. He had thought that the Elder would scold him severely.

Who would have thought that instead of that happening, he would be praised!

"You, you're still too young," Pu Yi sighed. "In the eyes of true cultivators, if you can befriend Young Master Su, it's already an incredible stroke of luck that cannot be achieved even in three lifetimes or eight generations!"

"This..." Fu Qingyuan became even more perplexed, unable to comprehend. Wasn't the Elder worried about being implicated by befriending Su Yi?

It should be noted that many people in this world regarded Su Yi as a calamity.

"That's right, perhaps it's precisely because you and your Junior Sister are young and have shown a sense of righteousness that Young Master Su is willing to accompany you," Pu Yi pondered for a moment and roughly guessed Su Yi's thoughts. For a moment, he couldn't help but feel a bit envious of Fu Qingyuan and Gu Caining.

It should be noted that in the past, he had racked his brains and ultimately established an alliance with Su Yi with the guidance of the town's mountain king, Mu Xi, in order to establish a relationship with Su Yi.

But who would have thought that young disciples like Fu Qingyuan and Gu Caining could have the opportunity to travel together with Su Yi solely based on their genuine nature...

In such a comparison, how could Pu Yi not feel emotional?

"Senior Uncle, before leaving, Young Master Su also gave me and Junior Sister a jade talisman each. He said that if we were implicated by his affairs, we could crush the jade talisman to seek help," Fu Qingyuan said and took out the jade talisman he had received, about to hand it over.

Pu Yi quickly said, "Take it back! How can you casually display the treasures given by Young Master Su?"

Although he said this, he sighed inwardly. Did fools really have good luck? Su Yi seemed to be taking exceptionally good care of these two young disciples.

"By the way, where is Young Master Su?" Pu Yi suddenly realized an issue.

Fu Qingyuan hurriedly answered, "He left not long ago, probably... about the time it takes to brew a pot of tea?"

Pu Yi pondered for a moment and said, "Don't mention this matter to anyone else. Later, go and remind Cai Ning not to reveal the fact that Young Master Su gave you the jade talisman."

Fu Qingyuan solemnly agreed.

Pu Yi patted his shoulder with a gentle gaze and said, "Qingyuan, regardless of your performance in the martial competition of the Autumn Examination, I'm willing to accept you as a closed-door disciple. Are you willing?"

Fu Qingyuan immediately felt overjoyed and quickly responded, "Disciple is naturally willing!"

Pu Yi nodded in satisfaction and said, "Let's go, let's join the others and set off for Yujing City."

In his heart, Pu Yi contemplated that once they arrived in Yujing City, he would first contact the town's mountain king, Mu Xi, and then find an opportunity to pay a visit to Su Yi.

Regardless of the circumstances, the attention of the world was now focused on Yujing City. Everyone knew that when Su Yi arrived in Yujing City, a tremendous storm was bound to erupt.

At such a time, as a member of Su Yi's party, how could they stand idly by?

...

Longmen Pass.

One of the four major passes outside Yujing City, serving as a defensive line guarding the city.

This pass was a hundred zhang high, built entirely with giant stones and infused with the essence of spiritual materials. It was the hub of a large formation.

Legend had it that when the formation operated, Longmen Pass would transform into a terrifying killing formation, capable of threatening even immortal figures on land!

At this moment, outside Longmen Pass, a bustling crowd had already formed a long queue.

On both sides of Longmen Pass were stationed a group of powerful soldiers, emitting a formidable aura.

There was also a middle-aged man in a brown robe, carrying a long knife, standing on top of the hundred-zhang-high wall of Longmen Pass, scanning the nearby pedestrians with cold eyes.

Ten days ago, General Qi Lianjue, a renowned figure of the Great Zhou Dynasty stationed at Longmen Pass, had received an order from the current Emperor of Zhou. It stated that anyone entering or leaving the pass must undergo rigorous inspection.

It was said that this measure was taken because there had been numerous attempts by spies from the Great Wei and Great Qin to infiltrate Yujing City recently, necessitating heightened vigilance.

Su Yi was also in the queue.

He hadn't expected to encounter such a situation just by entering Yujing City.

"Next."

Soon, it was Su Yi's turn.

A heavily armored soldier stepped forward, holding a stack of portraits, observing Su Yi while comparing them.

Su Yi noticed that the portraits included both men and women, clearly depicting individuals considered by the Great Zhou Dynasty as foreign spies.

"Do you have any proof of identity or a guiding token?"

After a moment, the soldier put away the portraits and asked.

Su Yi shook his head slightly. He hadn't prepared such things.

"Without a guiding token, we need to further examine your identity."

The soldier furrowed his brow and took out a bronze plate, speaking in a stern tone, "Stand still and don't move."

With that, he raised the bronze plate and aimed it at Su Yi.

Suddenly, a burst of ethereal light mist emerged on the smooth and bright surface of the bronze plate.

But in just an instant—

Boom!

The bronze plate suddenly exploded.