"""
The qi channels within the human body were like a water column, fractured into three sections resembling bamboo joints; this was the pathway of meridians within the Sword Dao World.
Rivers converge into the sea, as walls rise a thousand feet high.
The pathway therein, compared to the Twelve Regular Meridians and Eight Extraordinary Meridians that Zhou Yan knew, though simplified, was somewhat complex on another level.
Zhou Yan had opened up various meridians in his body, with interconnected pathways giving him a feeling of unparalleled strength, yet the shackles of the Sword Cultivator's path weren't absent. On the contrary, the structure was like bamboo joints, akin to an abyss, unfathomably deep.
It seemed that the difficulty of clearing each meridian added to this, giving him an incredibly strong barrier in cultivation.
In his view, the First Layer of Sword Beginning was like an abyss that couldn't be filled, with no end in sight.
He originally thought he could break through this realm barrier, stepping into the second section of the Qi Column Body—namely the Second Level of Sword Beginning's realm—by relying on the energy of this Nine Yin Nine Yang True Qi and the Primordial Energy that swallowed the heavens and earth, as well as the residual strength of Breaking Void Internal Power in his body. Yet, despite gathering all his strength for a charge, the energy within him exploded like the screech of a sword.
However, such immense impact couldn't penetrate that barrier—after his body's transformation, it seemed the shackles of his realm had been magnified countless times.
A backlash struck, leaving Zhou Yan dizzy, his qi and blood surging, and even with his cold and determined nature, he almost cursed his fate.
"Young Master… are you… are you alright?"
Ping'er looked at Zhou Yan with worry, her spiritual eyes glimmering with deep anxiety.
The whole night of trekking through mountains and waters, perhaps not traveling far, but she was already covered in dust, and her pretty dress was already in tatters.
Zhou Yan could now see at night, with faint light allowing him to see nearby objects clearly, he saw all of it: Ping'er's messiness and fatigue, and Ning'er's tiredness as well.
His heart warmed as he looked at Ping'er, hiding nothing and pulling her into an embrace, gently saying, "It's all right now, Ping'er, don't worry."
As he spoke, he gently kissed her forehead.
This casual yet warm gesture momentarily froze Ping'er in place, her mind going blank.
Beside her, the girl in the white gauze dress also stared blankly, as if she didn't expect Zhou Yan to comfort a maid in this manner at such a moment.
Moreover, Zhou Yan seemed… completely to have shed his former aloof, stubborn, and arrogant demeanor, as if reborn.
Ning'er curiously watched Zhou Yan, her gaze filled with a mysterious thoughtfulness.
"Ning'er."
Zhou Yan spoke calmly, his eyes sincere as he looked at Ning'er.
"Hmm, Zhou Yan, it seems you're doing well. How's your body?" Ning'er didn't avoid Zhou Yan's gaze; she was inherently reserved, graceful, elegant, and as calm as water, always composed.
"I'll explain my situation to you later." Zhou Yan showed a gentle smile, his eyes filled with unspeakable sincerity as he looked at Ning'er.
After a moment of eye contact with Zhou Yan, Ning'er quietly looked away.
She wasn't willing to dwell too long on his deep, enigmatic gaze. At this moment, he needed resolve, not emotions or anything else.
But as she was just pondering, Zhou Yan had already walked over, catching her hand in his palm, pulling her into his arms with a dominant force.
She felt a hot, bloody aura and sensed a warmth and tranquility.
She wanted to struggle out of this embrace, but his hand tightened around her waist, preventing her departure.
Only then did she realize that the frail Zhou Yan wasn't as weak and helpless as she imagined. He was strong, no longer timid but assertive and powerful—truly an exceptionally charming man!
"Don't struggle; let me hold you. This time, you've all endured so much."
Zhou Yan softly spoke in the ears of the two girls, causing them to fall into a momentary daze.
His hands seemed to possess a peculiar magic, quieting both girls down.
"Not asking to live together but to die together! From the moment you decided to leave with me, I decided that I would never abandon you in this life.
I will cultivate diligently, protect you both for life, and never let you suffer any grievance!"
Zhou Yan spoke softly, as if uttering the most beautiful love words in the world.
In this world, there was no romance beneath the moonlight, only various types of Sword Dao, crystal stones, cultivation, famous swords, secret treasures, sword arrays, and cultivation techniques.
Because of this, words of love from the grandmaster's memory, as uttered sincerely by Zhou Yan, were unimaginably moving.
It felt like a soul-stirring declaration, akin to risking life and limb.
The two girls, Ping'er had been moved beyond words, and even the ever-serene Ning'er couldn't help but show a touch of bewilderment on her pretty face, almost losing her 'Tao heart.'
After a long time, she sighed with a trace of melancholy and sorrow.
"Zhou Yan, we've been together since childhood. You could cultivate, but I was born an abandoned waste… As a child, you would silently 'heal' me, even though your Sword Origin Power was weak and fragile at that time, you still enjoyed doing so.
When we grew up, I witnessed your care for me; yet, I was unable to help you and became a burden.
I have a few life-saving cards, but in that environment, I dared not reveal them, because I couldn't be sure if they would work.
…
I like you and am grateful to you, but don't let yourself suffer more for my sake.
Here is a Golden Core; it can save your life, take it—"
"Ning'er, you keep it. We're not destitute; I still have my father's inheritance. Besides, I have talent and ability. How could I be a waste? You won't have to wait long, one month, and in one month I'll return and take back everything that is mine!
That is my father's obsession, and also the chance for you two to have a new stable environment!"
Zhou Yan spoke sincerely, looking at the quiet girl in his arms.
His breath seemed to gently brush Ning'er's pretty face, making even the ever-calm Ning'er show a trace of blush, as if she had suddenly descended into the mortal world from being an ice mountain fairy.
As Zhou Yan gazed at her, he couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
This craftsmanship of creation allowed a woman to be so stunningly beautiful!
Being looked at like this by Zhou Yan, Ning'er felt a strange feeling she couldn't describe. She wanted to instinctively resist, but beside her, the obedient and docile Ping'er, like a kitten, evoked a sense of inexplicable compliance in her, making her neither struggle nor object, but letting Zhou Yan watch her like that.
"Zhou Yan… my situation is complex. Not even the family understands, let alone myself. I… am not a normal person.
It feels like there's always a voice saying something in my head, especially recently; it happens frequently…
Zhou Yan, no matter the future, please believe that since the time you helped me heal as a child and secretly kissed me, you've had a place in my young heart.
But I can't lose my purity for now… I vaguely feel this matters greatly to me.
However, I'll be solely yours; your talent is also, I feel, terrifying.
Initially, I thought it was my imagination but now it seems, Zhou Yan, you truly are a buried genius."
Ning'er was slightly moved, so the usually quiet her spoke a lot, and the words weren't cohesive, appearing scattered.
But Zhou Yan knew these were her heartfelt words, just disordered by care and turmoil.
"Yes, I understand everything about you. Any difficulties, I will bear with you!"
Zhou Yan spoke tenderly, quietly adding, "You too, Ping'er."
His words deeply moved the two girls, who had been childhood playmates, sharing joy and hardship, relying on each other. Despite feeling rushed, it was the inevitable course of events.
…
It was a rare peaceful atmosphere; the embrace lasted a long time, and only when released did Zhou Yan realize, unknowingly, dawn had broken again.
The breaking dawn brought exhaustion to both girls, adding a bit of earthly charm to them.
The morning dew dampened the skirts of the two girls.
One was charmingly naive, the other serene as water, each with their style, mesmerizing in its own way.
Zhou Yan found himself with a powerful urge, but at such a moment, he restrained himself, even though—his eyes were already igniting with flames.
"""