He thought for a moment, once again gathering his soul and coming into contact with the Grandmaster Soul Giant Sword at his brow. As expected, another surge of cool and thrilling soul energy poured down, and both Zhou Yan's soul and body felt an indescribable and extremely pleasant sensation.
However, this time he did not immerse himself in this feeling; instead, he quietly experienced the changes in his body!
Sure enough, this time he sensed that his physical body had imperceptibly become more solidified, with several impurities feeling as if they were being compressed by his muscles, turning into nothingness and dissipating into the void.
"So that's how it is! This Soul Power can also enhance my physical body! With this, why should I worry about not being as talented as others?"
In this moment, Zhou Yan's heart was filled with immense joy!
After sensing the changes in his physical body, he next directed his senses toward his Qi Column. As he expected, this time, the Spiral Qi Column had directly transformed into a double-four-segmented Qi Column!
Within these double-four-segmented Qi Columns, there was stored an extremely pure Sword Energy, like a sleeping Sword Spirit, possessing an indescribable might.
With each segment holding four sections, this meant that while others have only one segment of a Qi Column, Zhou Yan had eight segments!
This, without accounting for any ability, in terms of energy accumulation alone meant that, at the same realm, he would be eight times stronger than others!
What an extraordinarily defiant thing this was!
Zhou Yan could hardly imagine breaking through what kind of barriers! In the future, if the Qi Columns continued to transform to unimaginable extents, and he also comprehended the War Beast Sword Soul, how many realm barriers could he possibly break through?
Zhou Yan suddenly became full of anticipation.
Although having more Qi Columns indicated a much more difficult cultivation process than others, Zhou Yan didn't mind at all!
To be stronger than others required greater effort, which was only natural!
...
The journey to the Zhou Family no longer worried Zhou Yan at all! His heart brimmed with confidence and pride!
At this time, without mentioning combat power and soul strength, the Silver Snow Sword alone had the ability to kill autonomously. His Broken Worry Sword still bore three sealed Sword Soul Illusions, and now, with the Zhou Family Grand Competition approaching, Zhou Yan no longer needed to lie low.
Therefore, he couldn't help but laugh heartily.
Upon hearing his laughter, Uncle Gu Yan and Gu Xi both rushed to the outside of the Forbidden Chamber where Zhou Yan was located.
"Yan'er, have you emerged from seclusion with significant gains once again?"
"Brother Zhou Yan, have you come out?"
Uncle Gu Yan's excited voice and Gu Xi's gentle, yet longing voice, reached him simultaneously.
Zhou Yan released part of his Soul Power, sensing outward directly.
The Soul Power instantly penetrated the walls, falling upon the two outside, who didn't feel a thing.
"Uncle Gu Yan is at the peak of the Sword Element Third Layer Heaven, slightly below Sword Intent First Layer Heaven. While Xi Xi is near perfection in the Sword Energy Three Realms..."
With a sweep of his senses, their realms were clearly displayed in Zhou Yan's perception, and at this moment, these notable individuals didn't sense a thing.
It seemed that they didn't even know that someone was spying on them using Soul Power.
They were oblivious to the cultivation of the soul and did not know how to utilize Soul Power, relying solely on sensory awareness.
Yet, the soul served as an upgraded and enhanced version of consciousness, extremely useful and even harder to detect by others.
For this Sword Dao World, no one cultivated the soul, allowing it to progress naturally, which was the best testimony.
Zhou Yan did not continue sensing but instead withdrew his Soul Power and responded, "Uncle Gu, Xi Xi, I'm out. You can come in now."
Saying this, Zhou Yan waved his hand casually, and a switch on a distant stone door was directly pressed down by a surge of Sword Qi.
This surge of Sword Qi was extremely swift, but when it reached the switch, there was no hint of killing intent or pressure.
At this moment, the benefits of Zhou Yan's powerful Soul Ability were evident.
Apart from his extraordinary comprehension, his control over Sword Qi was also remarkable.
Now, using Sword Qi for Sword Flight, the speed would be exceptionally fast!
"Zhi-ga—"
The door opened, and Uncle Gu Yan and Gu Xi looked at Zhou Yan with joy on their faces.
In any case, being able to calmly seclude oneself and make great progress at such a time was already an extraordinary feat.
After all, with the current situation of the Zhou Family being what it was, Zhou Yan could still focus peacefully on cultivation. Uncle Gu couldn't help but admire his state of mind.
"Uncle Gu, Xi Xi, I'm sorry for worrying you these past days."
Zhou Yan said gently.
"Yan'er, you're being too formal! This time in seclusion, it seems you've made considerable progress, your entire aura has undergone a significant transformation, like a rebirth. Your talent is simply...astonishing!"
Uncle Gu couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
"Brother Zhou Yan, have you reached the Sword Qi realm? I feel I've completely lost confidence in battling you now."
Gu Xi's pretty face showed a hint of surprise, speaking in delighted amazement.
Her sensing power was strong, but precisely because of its strength, Zhou Yan's enhanced soul variation gave her a sense of him being "vast and unfathomable like an abyss."
With a bit of thought, she considered the possible situation.
"Yes, I have reached the peak of the Sword Qi Second Level; my combat power is comparable to a Sword Origin Realm First Layer Heaven expert. Uncle Gu, Xi Xi, you can rest assured this time!"
Zhou Yan replied indifferently.
At this moment, his gaze was full of brilliance! This was not just mere confidence.
"What? Sword Qi Second Level! You...you were just at...Initial Sword Talent Realm, how could you so quickly..."
For a moment, Uncle Gu almost couldn't believe his own ears, but seeing Zhou Yan's entirely confident demeanor without a hint of jest, he took a deep breath and suppressed the immense shock rising in his heart.
This...this cultivation speed is simply, simply astonishing!
At this rate, wouldn't it be long before he reached the Sword Origin Realm, having comprehended Sword Intent, with no more barriers in Sword Intent Realm...
This means that the notion of Zhou Yan reaching the Sword Intent Realm at sixteen, previously thought to be a fantasy, has completely vanished.
If at this speed, reaching Sword Intent Realm within a year is entirely possible.
This isn't just a genius but a monster!
Once again, Uncle Gu realized that he had underestimated Zhou Yan, despite thinking he already held him in high regard.
However, his face then showed a trace of bitterness, comparing himself to Zhou Yan, feeling as if his realm had never progressed, or worse, regressed, leaving him somewhat embarrassed.
"Yes, really, really fast, Brother Zhou Yan, don't be too hasty. Cultivating in Sword Dao, building a solid foundation is very important..."
Gu Xi exclaimed with delight, though with a hint of worry.
"Yes, I understand this. In this cultivation session, I have actually comprehended some things. Let's put it this way: it's a sort of ascension in Sword Intent of the Sword Dao, so the realms naturally reached Great Perfection and progressed two realms.
Previously, to comprehend Sword Intent, I suppressed the realm breakthrough. Now, after the accumulation, I broke through two realm barriers all at once, which is normal.
So, you can rest easy completely."
Zhou Yan explained seriously.
Previously, due to his strong soul and keen six senses, he could sense other people's emotions. With his soul transformed, merely looking at the expressions of Uncle Gu Yan and Gu Xi, he knew that while both were happy for him, they were extremely worried as well.
So, he explained earnestly.
Not letting those who cared about him worry was a decision he had made long ago.
...
Upon coming out of seclusion, Zhou Yan learned that Gu Xi would be leaving too.
And he only had two days left before heading to the Great Zhou Family.
It was nighttime again.
The daytime clamor had passed, and the sounds of Tianji City had already quieted in the night.
Only the occasional sound of pine winds blowing through the courtyard could be heard.
"Brother Zhou Yan, I'll be leaving for the Cold Ice Sword Sect tomorrow, Brother Zhou Yan, can I stay with you tonight?"
Gu Xi nestled in Zhou Yan's embrace, whispering softly.
Listening to the somewhat monotonous sound of the wind, feeling that time was slipping away bit by bit.
She didn't want to be separated from Zhou Yan, but after tomorrow, Zhou Yan would go to the Great Zhou Family. With her strength, she would only cause Zhou Yan to worry and wouldn't be able to help.
Moreover... the time given by her sect had indeed run out, and if she didn't return, it would make it difficult for the master who had been good to her.
"Alright, just hold you like this, I'll tell you about the swordsmanship principles you don't understand."
Zhou Yan said gently.
Holding Gu Xi in his arms felt like holding the whole world; his heart was calm and fulfilled.
Gu Xi felt a surge of warmth in her heart, seemingly having made up her mind, abandoning all reserve, said, "Brother Zhou Yan, I think, I want tonight..."
"One Taoist principle I've learned states that before sixteen, it's best not to do so, as it would cause significant trouble for later Enlightenment.
You also understand, before sixteen, if one can't reach Sword Intent Realm, it becomes very serious, so, Xi Xi, after you're sixteen, I'll become Daoist couple with you, how does that sound?"
Zhou Yan's heart also heated, holding Gu Xi more tightly as if to push her into his body.
But he restrained that impulse, calming down instead, gently speaking.
"Alright... Brother Zhou Yan, then... Xi'er will wait for you."
Gu Xi's face flushed bright red, shy beyond words.
Even though the words she plucked up the courage to say didn't succeed, her heart was instead delighted.
She knew, for someone like Zhou Yan, with such a cultivation speed, he naturally wouldn't care about things like Heavenly Dao rules. At sixteen, entering Sword Intent Realm was nearly certain.
Therefore, even being with her wouldn't affect him much.
Thus, if not for her sake, how could he be so...