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"It was also because of this matter that in my lifetime, apart from admiring your father, Zhou Wangchen, I have admired him as well.
But he belongs to the Yang Family. Though he was expelled, he is still considered a part of the Yang Family! The Yang Family and the Gu Family have never been on good terms. With such a figure emerging from the Yang Family, I have had the urge to kill him many times, but I couldn't go through with it.
Because every time I was about to act, his eyes, filled with determination and defiance, would linger in my mind.
The saddest part of life is having certain memories that the more you want to forget, the deeper they become etched.
So, he grew up strong. But what is comforting is that he never troubled the Gu Family; several times, he even helped the Gu Family out of predicaments.
This time was the routine contest between the Gu Family and the Zhou Family. He struck and defeated me with one sword but didn't deal the killing blow. I was injured by someone else."
Gu Yan quietly spoke about many things and told a story similar to Zhou Yan's genius growth trajectory.
"This... Yang Qingtan was so silent and reticent, yet possessed such great perseverance; no wonder his Geng Metal Sword Dao was so fierce and swift! However, his experiences are much like Brother Zhou Yan's. Brother Zhou Yan also pushed his potential this way and unexpectedly awakened his talents."
Gu Xi sighed endlessly, and as she spoke, gazed at Zhou Yan with even deeper affection.
"Hmm? Yan'er, you... Are you also like this... Have you not been mistreated by the Zhou Family all these years?"
Hearing his daughter's words, Gu Yan's face suddenly turned a bit unpleasant.
He originally thought that Zhou Yan was just not well off, but he had no idea that the Zhou Family had actually pressured Zhou Yan to such an extent, even to the point of self-abuse!
This was an outcome he couldn't endure. In his heart, he couldn't help but generate a strong killing intent, even if the Zhou Family was Zhou Wangchen's family. Even if he was almost a cripple at this moment, he still wanted to take action to seek justice for Zhou Yan!
"Uncle Gu, I'll discuss this matter with you in detail later. Actually, strictly speaking, my situation isn't that bad.
For now, since we don't know who really acted this time, let's put it aside for now and not discuss it. As for your injury, I have a way to treat it. Uncle, please sit cross-legged, give up all resistance, and let my Sword Qi flow through your meridians."
After pondering for a moment, Zhou Yan finally made a decision.
He knew that Yang Qingtan had given Gu Yan a shock and trauma to his soul, which might haunt him for the rest of his life—unless he could free himself from the obsessions of that youth.
Presently, if Gu Yan harbored killing intent, it was clear to Zhou Yan as he noticed his brows furrowed tightly in an instant, and his face grew grave in seconds.
It was evident that if he pursued certain thoughts, the pain might trigger prematurely.
Initially, Zhou Yan planned to treat Gu Yan's injuries as soon as he arrived, but separated for many years, upon meeting, he felt many words wanting to be shared, joys, and sorrows to confide in his kin. He felt this way, as did Gu Yan, even sharing some secrets within his heart with Zhou Yan without concealing them.
At this moment, as Gu Yan's injury began to flare up, Zhou Yan stopped speaking further and started preparing to heal him.
"Okay, Uncle will entrust this life to you; I've lived a fulfilling life, destined to die sooner or later, so feel at ease without any scruples!" Gu Yan said boldly.
This was not unlike how Gu Xi entrusted herself completely to Zhou Yan in the past, believing in him completely!
Zhou Yan felt a bit emotional; indeed, like father, like daughter; Gu Xi wholly inherited her father's boldness.
...
Cold Moon, Qing Qiu.
Another night.
Zhou Yan, Gu Yan, and Gu Xi quietly sat in the pavilion in the courtyard, drinking wine while occasionally gazing at the twin moons in the sky, recounting some past and present matters, as well as the current situation.
This time, after healing for a full day and night, at last, having spent thirteen mid-grade Spirit Crystals, Zhou Yan completely healed Gu Yan's injury.
And after drinking two kettles of Fiery Flame Sword Heart Wine, Zhou Yan also felt his Realm had almost seamlessly approached the Sword Qi Realm.
Unfortunately, it seemed the energy was insufficient for a breakthrough.
Zhou Yan considered using the energy from a Spirit Crystal to breakthrough, but he halted himself when he thought about how a lower Realm would be advantageous for comprehending Sword Intent.
If he could comprehend Sword Intent at the Sword Beginning Realm, the benefits for the future were unimaginable!
This was an additional explanation found in the Bishui Sword Heart Method.
Besides the mental method itself, Zhou Yan saw more of a series of common knowledge, various kinds, such as the introduction of various supreme Sword Cultivation physiques like Extreme Cold Sword Body, Extreme Yang Sword Body, Geng Metal Sword Body, Tai Chu Sword Body, Chaos Sword Body, and so on, all thoroughly explained.
This was the basic knowledge for the disciples of Bixue Palace.
After treating Gu Yan, while recovering himself, Zhou Yan leisurely perused through it and happened upon these details.
Hence, he decided to hold back on the breakthrough.
At this moment, in this courtyard, facing the spirited Gu Yan, Zhou Yan could only smile wryly.
Now, recovered Gu Yan insisted relentlessly on bringing Zhou Yan to this courtyard to drink and chat, even dragging Gu Xi along to accompany them, giving Zhou Yan the feeling that he was almost purposely encouraging a match between his daughter and him.
Of course, Zhou Yan would not refuse, but after drinking the Fiery Flame Sword Heart Wine, any other liquor felt like plain water, somewhat uninteresting.
...
"Yan'er, Uncle is not joking; although the Yang Family acted this time, there was no malicious intent. The Yang Family, which is now led by Yang Qingtan, is not made up of people who would do such things. And now that he holds immense power within the Yang Family, naturally, no one in the family would dare to act against him!
Therefore, if you have any thoughts of helping Uncle, don't make a move against the Yang Family."
Gu Yan seemed to understand Zhou Yan quite well, reminding him once again.
"Uncle, Yan'er understands; this is the third time you've mentioned it. Hearing Uncle speak like this makes Yan'er curious. Just what kind of extraordinary person is this Yang Qingtan that he garners such regard from you?"
Zhou Yan couldn't help but smile wryly.
"Well, if you two become friends, you'll likely admire each other greatly."
Gu Yan did not conceal his emotions.
"Hmm, I'm also looking forward to seeing what kind of an incredible genius this person who crossed the Four Great Realms and comprehended Sword Intent is."
Zhou Yan spoke casually.
The Sword Dao Realm consists of Swordman, Sword Beginning, Sword Qi, Sword Origin, and Sword Intent as the Five Great Realms!
Beyond Sword Intent, there is the supreme Sword Heart Realm! Breaking the barriers of the Four Great Realms to comprehend Sword Intent signifies that this Yang Qingtan could comprehend Sword Intent before reaching the Peak Realm of Swordman Triple Heaven!
Knowing even this, Zhou Yan realized he himself had reached the Sword Beginning Realm; thus, he believed he too could comprehend Sword Intent!
He was extremely confident in this! If others could do it, why couldn't he?
"This... Yan'er, you better be prepared, though your talent is remarkable now, comprehending Sword Intent is not something that can be done just by wanting to. Even your father found it exceptionally difficult back then. That Yang Qingtan could comprehend it; he absolutely is the first person ever in history!
Yan'er, if you can comprehend Sword Intent within five years, that would already be quite incredible!"
Gu Yan didn't mean to underestimate Zhou Yan; he knew that after Zhou Yan's talent awakening, he far surpassed his father, Zhou Wangchen. Thus, he spoke in such a manner now.
Those who haven't comprehended Sword Intent will never know the depth of its mysteries. Besides immense perseverance and will, it also requires a vast comprehension ability and a strong sensing power, along with having a grandmaster-level understanding of the Sword Dao, at least possessing a heart set on walking one's own Sword Dao!
However, aspiring to create one's own Sword Dao before the Sword Intent Realm is an act of abandoning the basics. Knowing this crucial point, Gu Yan did not express it.
Speaking of it would not only render no help but also have a 'counterproductive effect.'
For Sword Cultivators, with an unstable fundamental Realm, aspiring to create a personal Sword Dao is definitely a self-destructive act.
Gu Yan pondered this in his mind and said this. If an ordinary person within the Sword Beginning Three Realms aspired to comprehend Sword Intent, he would most likely have shrugged off and left directly!
If it were his own offspring with such thoughts, he might have already stood up, slapped them across the face with a few slaps.
But Zhou Yan was different, just like Yang Qingtan, an individual not to be judged by the common rationale, so he spoke words of potential hope within five years, which was his relatively straightforward judgment.
Yet, Gu Yan's words left Zhou Yan feeling quite resonant with emotion.
Gu Yan had keen insight, though still insufficient, as he didn't know many of Zhou Yan's secrets, nor his comprehension ability and boundless soul, even less about how his Qi Column had mutated, with a volume six times that of an ordinary genius!
If he knew all of these, he wouldn't have mentioned a lengthy five years.
Five years? Within one year, if he hadn't reached the Sword Intent Realm, everything would be doomed; what else would there be to discuss?
Does Gu Yan know about this?
Zhou Yan was puzzled, and just then, he heard Gu Xi remark in surprise," Father, what five years? My Master said, before sixteen years of age, one must do whatever it takes to reach the Sword Intent Realm; otherwise, the talent will be wasted.
The Sword Intent Realm is the threshold to High-level Sword Dao. If one doesn't pass through this door by sixteen, the Sword Dao Realm will forever be limited."
"Hmm? Is there... such a saying?"
Gu Yan's expression was also slightly dumbfounded.
"Yes, so I feel a bit pressured, but fortunately I've reached Sword Energy Three Realms. Once I advance further, Master will help me accumulate Sword Origin to bypass the obstacle of the Sword Origin Realm, but I must also comprehend Sword Intent."
Gu Xi continued.
"Sword Intent, comprehending Sword Intent... Alas, to think what seems extremely difficult to us is a stringent requirement in eminent sects. Previously, even after traveling widely in the north and south, I didn't know this; truly curious indeed."
Gu Yan was both curious and somewhat reflective.
...
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