"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—"
Five Gray Dragon Illusions, carrying an earth-shattering aura, suddenly streamed into the bodies of the four black-clad elders and Xie Feng, who was similarly shocked and dumbfounded.
Then, the Gray Dragon Illusions vanished.
"Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom—"
Five explosions drowned out the screams in an instant, silencing them as if cutting off a voice midway, impeccably neat.
Flesh flew, and a rain of blood filled the air.
The four elders at the Sword Intent First Layer Heaven and the less powerful Xie Feng at the Second Level of Sword Qi were instantly and thoroughly annihilated!
This scene, just one move, was all it took.
On site, even Gu Xi, who was so familiar with Zhou Yan, was deeply shaken upon seeing him in action for the first time, completely stunned.
The Ninth Senior Sister, Little Junior Sister, and the four cold-faced, white-clad women riding Flying Pegasi were similarly awed.
Zhou Yan extended his hand, and with a hum, the Silver Snow Sword assembled in the void and returned to his hand. With a light swing, it made a crisp sound as it slid back into the Sword Scabbard on his back.
Zhou Yan reached out and grabbed, and the Qiankun Rings left by the fallen individuals appeared directly in his hand.
As he sensed the contents, he realized there were indeed some resources inside, but he was no longer very interested.
"Finders keepers; consider this a welcome gift for you all!"
As he spoke, Zhou Yan added another Qiankun Ring and then casually flicked six Qiankun Rings toward the six girls at the site, except Gu Xi.
At this moment, the Ninth Senior Sister, Little Junior Sister, and the four silent girls riding Flying Pegasi couldn't help but shiver slightly.
Zhou Yan's terrifying strength and generous style shocked them all!
As they instinctively took the Qiankun Rings, they still felt a dreamlike quality, as if the experience were not real.
"Ninth Senior Sister, Little Junior Sister, and fellow sisters of the inner sect, Brother Zhou Yan is giving these to you, so just accept them," Gu Xi gently said after a brief pause.
"Hm... I, Ruxue, thank Mr. Zhou."
"Willow Snow thanks Thirteenth Senior Sister's beloved brother! "
"Inner sect member Gu Qianqian thanks Mr. Zhou for his generous gift."
...
Several girls expressed their gratitude, but Zhou Yan just smiled lightly, warmly responding in kind, showing a demeanor that was in stark contrast to his earlier act of swiftly defeating five powerful foes.
He was like a first-class extraordinary man, with a first-class elegance in appearance, astonishing strength, and a generous demeanor, combined with a unique, captivating charm... Such traits made the girls who received the Qiankun Rings have shining eyes filled with admiration.
After responding, Zhou Yan approached Gu Xi's side. By this time, Gu Xi was gazing at him with admiration, almost completely swept away by emotion.
At that moment, her beloved had shown off before her sect sisters, and she felt proud, proud, and immensely happy.
"Xi Xi, this is especially for you; take it," Zhou Yan produced a relatively exquisite Qiankun Ring with abundant cultivation resources inside.
50 top-grade Spirit Crystals, 500 mid-grade Spirit Crystals, 5000 low-grade Spirit Crystals!
This amount was half of the fortune he gained at the beginning! But Zhou Yan did not feel pained, for now, with the Soul Energy from the Soul Giant Sword, using it in his cultivation made his body, realm, and soul flourish simultaneously. This energy far surpassed cultivating with Spirit Crystals for any single aspect.
Therefore, now, these elixirs and Spirit Crystals, aside from spending on shopping, were... quite dispensable for him.
Moreover, the women he cared about, Ning'er and Ping'er, were taken care of by the Palace Master of Bixue Palace, so he was at ease. But Gu Xi was in a Cold Ice Sword Sect, one not even privileged enough to possess so much as a Wind Spirit Cloak...
He naturally felt worried, concerned that she would toil and risk danger for cultivation resources.
Zhou Yan spoke softly, and Gu Xi happily received it, being looked at by her sect sisters made her feel endlessly happy.
Her beautiful eyes brimmed with a kind of soul-deep happiness and smile, then she obediently sensed the contents of the ring... and then... she simply froze.
Time and again it moved her, delighted, excited, shocked, amazed, and incredible...
Yet each time, it was just so real.
Like the resources inside this ring this time, they almost overloaded her spiritual senses.
"This... this is too... too..."
Gu Xi couldn't find the words to speak.
"These are all just external things, your happiness is what truly matters."
Zhou Yan spoke tenderly.
His words moved even the six white-clad girls nearby.
In this world, how many men can be so thoughtful toward a woman? Women, even immensely powerful female cultivators, didn't necessarily hold significant status...
As they witnessed this scene, their gazes were almost filled with mist, even some longing and envy.
...
"But Brother Zhou Yan, you need them more than I do..."
Gu Xi refused this immense resource.
"I only gave you half; I still have half myself. Besides, I don't need these for my cultivation. I want to forge my own Sword Dao, a path of no return—a path that doesn't need Crystal Stones."
Zhou Yan seriously looked at Gu Xi, his words having a grave sincerity.
Gu Xi gazed into Zhou Yan's eyes for a long time, then sighed softly and said, "Brother Zhou Yan, I will always, always belong to Brother Zhou Yan, in this life, the next life, and for all eternity!"
"Mm."
Zhou Yan held Gu Xi in his arms and fervently kissed her luscious lips in public. At this moment, Gu Xi had no shyness or modesty, only unparalleled passion.
...
"That kiss... is wonderful. I want to kiss my beloved brother too, he's so great!" the young, bashful Little Junior Sister Willow Snow blushed slightly, murmuring.
Beside her, the Ninth Senior Sister's pretty face was a shade of red in embarrassment, instinctively covering her mouth to stop her from speaking.
But her words were already said; the four inner sect girls also heard them.
Thus, when they looked at Zhou Yan, their eyes were filled with much admiration, love, and reverence...
...
Zhou Yan was not fond of the taste of farewell.
But in life, the more one dislikes something, the more it tends to occur incessantly, leaving no room for refusal.
Just like now, after sending off the very reluctant Gu Xi, his arms felt empty, and he was still a bit dazed.
Earlier, it wasn't that he had such strong power; instead, it was the Silver Snow Sword with its transforming ability!
In other words, the Silver Snow Sword was a Spirit Sword with a Sword Spirit; such a sword, even if held by someone with no cultivation, could kill a strong warrior at Sword Energy Three Realms just by throwing it!
Zhou Yan had a peak realm in the Second Level of Sword Qi; if fully counted in, with the Broken Worry Sword, he believed he could battle a strong warrior of Sword Origin Second Layer Heaven and not be at a disadvantage.
But to face a master of the Sword Intent Realm, he wasn't that strong yet!
Yet, as they parted, with foes precisely attacking, he had to demonstrate his strength to reassure Gu Xi, to let her know his might! Also, to let her sect sisters know that she was spoken for, and the man she belonged to was no ordinary, easily provoked person!
These considerations demonstrated his profound intention.
Moreover, he had long planned to kill Xie Feng and with the opportunity present, about to venture away, he naturally didn't care about killing this man.
The Xiao Family and Xie Family had already allied, and Xie Feng's death couldn't implicate the Xiao Family, so Zhou Yan needn't worry about anything.
Therefore, once he struck, it had to be with utmost thoroughness, killing every one of them!
Using the transforming ability of the Silver Snow Sword and his understanding of Sword Intent, Zhou Yan unleashed the Xingyi Dragon Form Swordsmanship for the first time, its power unparalleled, shaking Heaven and Earth with one swing!
One sword, five lives taken! Among the five, four were experienced masters at the Sword Intent First Layer Heaven realm, yet they vanished in the face of his sword! What kind of power was this?!
Recollecting the event, Zhou Yan himself felt somewhat overwhelmed.
Unknowingly, he, once a figure as insignificant as an ant, had grown to this extent!
Sailing under the sunset, Zhou Yan recapped his battle experience and shortfalls, reflecting on several fight processes before heading for the Gu family.
...
That night, Zhou Yan and Gu Yan visited the Xiao Family.
This time, Zhou Yan did not see Xiao Linlin and Xiao Chan'er; the two girls deliberately avoided him, seemingly disdainful of him as a wasted talent, and refused to meet him.
In a secret room, after some conversation with Xiao Zhan, Zhou Yan still used Spirit Crystals to help Xiao Zhan heal his wounds.
And Xiao Zhan appeared to have learned some things about the Xiao Family, originally planning to wait for death with closed eyes, now fully recovered, he no longer showed impulsiveness.
He lived as if his injury hadn't healed, choosing to continue a life as if he were better off dead.
But this time, Zhou Yan had understood his mind.
Like his own father, Xiao Zhan seemed to have realized that without strength, nothing could be changed.
So, unbeknownst to Zhou Yan, he kneeled down to express his unspoken gratitude...
He was gathering strength, prepping for the day he could provide Zhou Yan with the greatest assistance.
Zhou Yan sighed, seemingly understanding a bit of why—when he hadn't shown his potential—Xiao Linlin and Xiao Chan'er behaved so desirously of strength.
Though understanding, he couldn't accept such betrayal-like actions. Yet toward Xiao Zhan, he harbored respect and gratitude.
Tomorrow, he would embark for the Zhou Family in Bilan City, to secure his rightful position!
Tomorrow, he would no longer bear the label of "bastard" and would be able to stand pridefully as his father's son!
Tomorrow, he could finally stop hiding, using his talents to crush those who schemed and plotted against him!
He had been anticipating this day for a very long time!