Chapter 556: A Tribulation of Spiritual Manifestation

As this voice rang out, the formation turned still.

Mei Yanbai and the others inwardly sighed in relief, but their expressions were extraordinarily unsightly.

They’d come here to vie for good fortune. Who’d have thought that they’d fall into a whole chain of traps as soon as they entered the valley?

Even Mei Yanbai, who was proficient in the Dao of Talismans and Formations, had made a complete fool of himself. His reputation was in shambles.

By now, many of their trump cards had been stolen, and that wasn’t all. They were still trapped within the formation, unable to escape their predicament.

Who could possibly be in a good mood after so many setbacks? Especially since they were still trapped in a desperate situation!

“Su Yi, you’re famous throughout the nation by now, so why is it that you’ve hidden yourself all this time? Do you only dare to play tricks in the dark?” Mei Yanbai bellowed. “If you’ve got the guts, show yourself!”

“I’ve been here this whole time. You’re just too blind to have noticed me, that’s all,” said a calm voice. Su Yi then appeared before them as if emerging from the void.

One hand was behind his back, while the other was fiddling with a glittering golden rope. He looked at Feng Zidu and grinned. “Many thanks for your help. Without you, these ‘chives’ wouldn’t have come here for me to harvest. As thanks, you can keep your treasures.”

This declaration left Mei Yanbai and his companions stunned. A moment later, they were furious. They immediately looked at Feng Zidu, their gazes angry and full of suspicion.

Feng Zidu’s expression changed dramatically. Internally, he cried out,?This is bad!

Out loud, he bellowed, “Su Yi, don’t even think of spouting baseless accusations! You’re trying to frame me!”

He then turned to Mei Yanbai and company. “Everyone, I warned you more than once on our way here that Su Yi had occupied this place, but you thought the cards at your disposal were enough to seize this good fortune, so you came here anyway.”

Their expressions shifted?uncertainly. It was true; Feng Zidu really had warned them.

But how could they have guessed that they wouldn’t be a match for Su Yi even after using their trump cards?

“Brother Mei, earlier, you proclaimed that you towered above the crowd when it came to formations, and you led us into this valley to break the formation therein. How can you pin the blame for us getting trapped here on me?” Feng Zidu said coldly. “Besides, if I’d known in advance that Su Yi had placed such a terrifying sequence of formations here, why would I have come here with you?”

Mei Yanbai had nothing to say to that.

“Brother Feng, you really didn’t collude and deliberately lead us into a trap?” Qian Yun furrowed his brow.

The corners of Feng Zidu’s lips twitched, and he grimaced. “We’re already fallen into dire straits. What need would I have to trick you now?

“I’m not afraid to tell you that I was the first to discover the Yin-Yang Divine Fire Lotus in the pool, but because this extraordinary Grand Dao Elixir had yet to fully mature, I set up an ambush here. I wanted to stop others from seizing this stroke of good fortune. Who’d have thought…”

Feng Zidu’s expression was suddenly complicated, and he said somberly, “Su Yi easily cut through the traps I placed. He even cut down my friends, Dongguo Yun and Ran Chong!”

Mei Yanbai and company felt their hair stand on end.?Dongguo Yun and Ran Chong are dead!?

“Tell me, how could I possibly collude with Su Yi after?that?”?Feng Zidu gnashed his teeth, and his expression filled with grief and indignation.

The group’s expressions shifted erratically.

Su Yi said calmly, “There is no right and wrong in the struggle for good fortune. What matters is recognizing both victory and defeat and deciding what to do next. Now, the time has come for you to make your decision.”

Their hearts clenched.

They naturally understood Su Yi’s meaning. They’d either do as he said and trade their treasures for a path to survival, or else they’d… die!

“If we give you our treasures, will you… really let us leave?” Dou Kou was the first to speak up.

“Of course,” said Su Yi. “Your life and death are far less important to me than the treasures you’re carrying.”

“....”

These words stung their ears, but Mei Yanbai and company nonetheless relaxed.

Their treasures were more important to Su Yi, but to them, nothing mattered more than protecting their lives.

“Okay, I admit defeat!” Dou Kou was the first to agree.

She slipped the storage ring off her finger and placed it on the ground.

“Don’t forget your hairpin, belt, anklets, heart-protecting lock, and cufflinks,” said Su Yi casually.

Dou Kou’s delicate frame stiffened, and her expression shifted erratically, but in the end, she took those treasures off, one by one, and set them on the ground.

“Is that enough?” said Dou Kou, a look of undisguisable humiliation and pain on her face.

“It’s not enough.” Su Yi shook his head. “There’s still a treasure in your sea of consciousness. I can’t tell what it is, but I can sense its existence.”

“.....” Dou Kou didn’t know what to say.

The others gasped, inwardly stunned.?He can?even sense the treasure in her sea of consciousness?

How on earth did he do that?

Spiritual light flashed between Dou Kou’s eyes, and a purple jade pearl appeared.

She whispered, “This is a secret soul treasure my family refined just for me. It’s long since fused with my bloodline and soul. Even if I give it to you, it won’t be of any use. If possible, I’d appreciate your magnanimity.”

Su Yi glanced at the purple jade pearl. Then, he couldn’t help but re-evaluate Dou Kou, a strange look in his eyes. “Were you perhaps born with…”

The pupils of Dou Kou’s beautiful eyes suddenly constricted, and she immediately interjected, “Fellow Daoist Su, please, don’t expose me!”

The charming young woman was uncharacteristically tense.

Su Yi smiled. “You can hold onto that treasure.”

Dou Kou felt as if an enormous weight had lifted from her shoulders. She immediately put the purple jade pearl away and sat gratefully, “Many thanks for granting my request, Fellow Daoist Su.”

The others were a bit alarmed and bewildered.?Don’t tell me Su Yi deduced one of Dou Kou’s secrets?

However, neither Su Yi nor Dou Kou discussed the matter any further.

“It’s your turn to make a decision,” said Su Yi, sweeping his gaze across the others.

After a moment’s silence, Mei Yanbai sighed. “Fellow Daoist Su, your attainments in the Dao of Talismans and Formations are far beyond mine. I admit defeat.”

His tone was despondent and melancholy.

As he spoke, he took off his storage treasure. After Dou Kou’s example, he dared not hide anything; he offered up everything he had.

Qian Yun and Nie Li did the same.

Qian Yun’s expression was grim; he’d brought numerous hidden cards with him, and all of them were precious. Furthermore, his clan had merely lent them to him; they didn’t belong to him.

Now, Su Yi had stolen them all. He could already anticipate the brutal lesson those temperamental old-timers would teach him when he returned…

Nie Li was comparatively relaxed. Su Yi didn’t make it hard on him; he took the Netherworld Chant Blood Saber, but he had no interest in the Spiritual Integration Realm primordial spirit hidden within it…

As for Feng Zidu, although Su Yi agreed not to take his treasures, watching this only left him increasingly grave and despondent.

This was because he realized that he had little hope of avenging his friends and reclaiming his lost dignity.

Su Yi was too strong!

He didn’t just have heaven-defying combat strength; the power of his formations left even Mei Yanbai, a descendant of the Mei Family, utterly helpless.

With Feng Zidu’s current power, any talk of defeating Su Yi was nothing more than the ravings of a madman.

“You can go now.” Su Yi waved his sleeves, and a path appeared in the formation, leading all the way outside.

When they saw this, Mei Yanbai and the others finally relaxed. None of them wanted to linger, so they immediately turned and left.

After exiting the bounds of the formation, Feng Zidu paused, turned, and asked, “Su Yi, aren’t you afraid that we’ll come back for revenge after breaking into the Spiritual Manifestation Realm?”

Mei Yanbai and the others hadn’t yet gotten far. When they heard this, they stiffened, and they inwardly cursed Feng Zidu for his stupidity.?We only just escaped. Why would you ask such a stupid question?

What if Su Yi changes his mind about letting us escape alive?

However, Su Yi only laughed, not the least bit concerned. “To tell the truth, I’d be downright eager for you to return courageously after breaking into the Spirit Dao.”

Feng Zidu’s eyelids twitched. “What do you mean by that?”

Su Yi thought for a moment, then said, “I need opponents who can give me a real fight.”

“.....”

How could they miss that Su Yi saw them as “unable to give him a real fight”?

Feng Zidu took a deep breath and said, “Then we’ll be eager to see whether you’re a match for Huan Shaoyou, Mo Xingzhe, and the others after they step into the Spiritual Manifestation Realm!”

With that, he turned and left.

Mei Yanbai and his friends dared not?linger?either. They, too, scurried off.

However, Feng Zidu’s words served as a reminder. Huan Shaoyou, Mo Xingzhe, and several other top monsters of the ancient era were currently in Sumeru Immortal Island, and they viewed Su Yi with enmity!

It was already clear. With their talent, foundations, and trump cards, when Huan Shaoyou, Mo Xingzhe, and the others stepped into the Spiritual Manifestation Realm, there was no way they’d let Su Yi off!

Su Yi watched the defeated monsters of the ancient era fade from view, then looked over the spoils.?Alas. Judging by their behavior, I’m afraid they won’t send any more ‘chives’ my way…

This really was an awful pity.

However, Su Yi was already satisfied. When it came to chives, it was best to just harvest them when they were available.

Besides, he’d only just begun this trip to Sumeru Immortal Island. In the days to follow, he’d have ample opportunities to continue his harvest…

Today was the second day of the tenth lunar month, as well as Su Yi’s second day on Sumeru Immortal Island.

He’d defeated Mei Yanbai and his companions, all monsters of the ancient era, on the shore of the Dao-Gazing Lotus Pond. He’d also obtained trophies worth as much as several cities.

That very day, Su Yi?divvied?the treasures up. Wen Xinzhao, Yue Shichan, and Ge Qian each got a share.

Of course, he didn’t forget to prepare some treasures for Wen Lingxue and Cha Jin. When he returned to the Great Zhou, he’d give them as gifts.

The fourth day of the tenth lunar month.

The Yin-Yang Divine Fire Lotus fully blossomed.

Su Yi plucked this Grand Dao Elixir personally, taking the flower that contained the Dao Charm of Yang for his own use.

He gave the other flower, which contained the Dao Charm of Yin, to Yue Shichan.

The stem, which contained the Dao Charm of Fire, went to Wen Xinzhao.

As for Ge Qian, all he got were the remaining root hairs and leaves.

However, he was already satisfied.

He’d already received numerous trophies just by following Su Yi; he was getting a piece of the pie without putting in any work. It almost didn’t feel real; he felt like he was dreaming. How could he possibly be dissatisfied?

It was on that same day that a Tribulation of Spiritual Manifestation formed over an icy tundra on Sumeru Immortal Island.