The Zhou family, Forbidden Chamber.
When Zhou Yan arrived here, it still felt like a dream.
Earlier, his father had said that he found a way to cure his hidden physical ailment, but now, in less than two hours, he was already lying on the mat in the secret chamber.
Looking at the person covered in blood, watching the bright red blood flow all over the floor, Zhou Yan felt dazed, completely unable to accept it.
At this moment, the entire forbidden chamber was silent without any noise.
The person lying in the blood moved his head slightly. He laboriously turned his head and whispered hoarsely, "Is it Yan'er who's come?"
"Yes, Father."
Zhou Yan's eyes stung, but he concentrated and held his breath, holding back the tears about to fall, not daring to show his emotions for fear his father would sense it.
He silently walked over to the side of the blood-soaked middle-aged man and then knelt down.
The middle-aged man opened his bloodshot eyes, and at that moment, they were filled with a lingering killing intent and sharp Sword Intent.
When he opened his eyes, at the moment contact was made with Zhou Yan, the sharp gaze like that of a hawk suddenly became gentle and was filled with an indescribable paternal love.
It was the first time Zhou Yan truly experienced this kind of fatherly love, this familial affection, as deep as the sea, this favor of upbringing, as heavy as a mountain.
Zhou Yan knelt silently, gazing at his father, who was so tragic and shocking at this moment, his heart feeling like it was being cut by a knife.
Who did this to his father? Who did it at a time when his father had just found hope to stand up, damaging him so severely, cutting off all hope for the Zhou family?
Even if the Zhou family had fallen, why did the Great Zhou family treat them so inhumanely, with no action at all, nor any inquiry?
In that instant, his mindset became somewhat unbalanced.
"Yan'er, remember to rely on yourself in everything from now on. Do not ask others for help, understand?"
The man lying in the blood sighed forlornly, murmuring.
Zhou Yan said nothing, only sighed inwardly, "All these years, this child has seen plenty of cold and sarcastic remarks within the family. Asking for help, who is there to ask? ...
Since gaining an encounter and receiving a grandmaster's inheritance, I've already thought that I wouldn't ask for help in this life..."
After Zhou Wangchen finished speaking, he took out a statue and handed it to Zhou Yan with trembling hands. Zhou Yan accepted it without hesitation.
Taking the statue, Zhou Yan looked down at it and his face froze slightly.
Seeing his expression, Zhou Wangchen, lying in the blood, seemed to smile and said hoarsely, "You saw it, didn't you?"
"Yes." Zhou Yan nodded.
He always spoke straightforwardly, and this time was no exception.
"Even though I don't have much time left, I still have some value. Someone from the Great Zhou family will come to preserve my last breath.
If one day, you can achieve some accomplishments in the Great Zhou family, they can cure me."
Zhou Wangchen looked deeply at Zhou Yan, his eyes carrying a few traces of bitterness, "Some things, I cannot explain to you, but you must work hard.
Father is not afraid of death, but now, he truly cannot die. Father's hope is to see you reach the Sword Heart Realm.
Remember, do not disappoint Father. Before reaching the Sword Heart Realm, do not think of investigating this matter or seeking revenge for Father. This matter is now settled, and the Zhou family will have a period of stability."
Zhou Wangchen's words were filled with the vicissitudes of life, and his breath was extremely weak.
Zhou Yan felt bitter, his hands tightly clenched, already drawing blood.
From what he understood, such a powerful father, in this situation, still 'humbly' survived, not only due to some unresolved matters, but certainly also for a reason, making a certain choice.
This choice, from his father's words, wasn't hard to judge. It was a potential opportunity given as a charity that might allow him to succeed.
The Great Zhou family, ever since his father's fall, had always looked down on this branch of the Zhou family in Canglan City, always ignoring them. Why now was there entanglement?
Zhou Yan didn't know the reason, but he could generally guess.
He was no longer the naive boy who understood nothing. Besides himself, he possessed the lifelong memories of a grandmaster from "Earth"!
"Father, your words are etched in my heart. Rest well. When you wake, everything will be better!"
Zhou Yan spoke with determination, his voice resolute.
His demeanor showed no reluctance, no hint of sorrow, yet such a display most reassured Zhou Wangchen.
"Yan'er, you have matured, and it comforts Father greatly."
Zhou Wangchen gently spoke, then quietly closed his eyes.
Those once glorious eyes that had charmed countless young women lost their luster just before closing, never to shine again.
Zhou Yan's heart trembled, his soul shook, and his entire body bore the weight of a thousand pounds.
But he knelt firmly, not falling.
...
There were a few other people in the chamber at this time.
The family head, Zhou Wuzhen, Preaching Elder Zhou Wuyan, Great Elder Zhou Wuwei, Second Elder Zhou Wuhen, the Zhou family's top prodigious girl Zhou Lingyi, and the Zhou family's third-generation strongest, second in talent, Zhou Lingyao.
These people were all silently watching from the side, not speaking.
At this time, when Zhou Wangchen was nearly "fallen," Family Head Zhou Wuzhen sighed, approached Zhou Yan, and lifted him.
"Grandfather..."
Zhou Yan choked up, vaguely guessing that this situation was not simple.
"Do not worry, your father is just temporarily asleep. One day, he will recover."
Zhou Wuzhen spoke with some reluctance, uttering such a sentence that sounded more like comfort and perfunctory talk.
Zhou Yan's body trembled. For the first time, he hated himself so much for not being strong enough.
If his actions could shatter heaven and earth, like that Xingyi Master, possessing the strength to break through the void, who in the world would dare to bully his father?!
His tightly clenched fists tightened again, the depth of his fingers pierced deeper into his palm, yet he felt no pain.
Zhou Wuzhen sighed deeply. From his palm, he took out a special thumb-sized Light Saber. As soon as this Light Saber appeared, an indescribable Sword Intent enveloped the entire Canglan City. For a moment, the entire city was silent.
At this moment, Zhou Lingyi and Zhou Lingyao's faces turned pale almost instantly, but Preaching Elder immediately enveloped them with an invisible energy, offering timely protection.
Simultaneously, the protective energies of both the Great Elder and the Second Elder also fell on Zhou Lingyi and Zhou Lingyao in quick succession.
However, Zhou Wuzhen, holding this spiritual Light Saber, felt no anomalies in himself.
Only Zhou Yan was collectively forgotten by the three elders here.
Such a powerful and domineering Sword Intent did not make Zhou Yan fall.
Even though his body trembled, like a small boat in the waves, tottering and seemingly about to capsize at any moment, his spine remained straight. He stood like a figure forged in steel; cruelty, hardship, sorrow, ruthlessness, despair, none could make him yield.
It seemed that nothing in the world could make him yield!
It was also at this moment that Preaching Elder noticed this stubborn boy had not been tended to.
His heart moved slightly, seeing the boy's calm expression, his eyes deep like a dark pool, showing no ripples inside! His face, pale, carried an abnormal sickly color, resembling Zhou Wangchen's image years ago!
His thin lips were pressed tight, turned into a line, with traces of scarlet blood staining that line a glaring red.
His nose was high and slightly raised, making his pale face appear even thinner.
Such a face easily reminded people of Zhou Wangchen's dramatic act years ago when he vowed in the family to shave his hair and create a storm! At that time, Zhou Wangchen seemed to have looked like this.
Whether then or now, undeniably, this was the most unforgettable and handsome face Zhou Wuyan had ever seen.
Perhaps the only difference was back then Zhou Wangchen was high-spirited, but now Zhou Yan was just a talentless soul depleted of potential.
He sighed internally, his gaze displaying a slight sadness and regret, and said to Zhou Yan, "Yan'er, come over, do not interfere with the family head performing the divine arts and sealing."
His words were simple, but that last sentence left Zhou Yan unable to refuse.
Zhou Yan silently nodded, trembling, moving his body that felt under the weight of a thousand pounds.
In an instant, a surge of energy swept away the heavy pressure, and Zhou Yan suddenly felt weightless, giving him a deep sensation as if his body were about to soar.
But he thought nothing more, instead silently standing aside, watching as the small Light Saber turned into a sun, enveloping his father.
His father's body was engulfed by this Light Saber, as if entering a black void.
Subsequently, the Light Saber shot through the chamber's top, breaking all obstacles, flying into the endless night sky like a shooting star, and disappeared.
The chamber remained tranquil and heavy with atmosphere.
"Cough, cough."
Family Head Zhou Wuzhen coughed, spitting out clots of blood that turned into a mist, rising in the space.
"Family Head—"
"Family Head, your situation…"
"Family Head, you—"
Preaching Elder, Great Elder, and Second Elder couldn't help but express their concerns.
"No problem, with the divine elixir provided by the Medicine Sword Practitioners of the Great Zhou family, I can soon recover fully, maybe even improve."
Zhou Wuzhen waved his hand to dismiss the elders' worry.
Hearing Zhou Wuzhen's words, Preaching Elder Zhou Wuyan, Great Elder Zhou Wuwei, and Second Elder Zhou Wuhen all sighed in relief.