Canglan City, Zhou Family Arena.
The place was bustling with people.
The Zhou Family's reputation was at stake. Establishing connections with the Great Zhou Family would be naturally beneficial for the Zhou Family's development.
Based on this idea, invitations were issued for the Zhou Family's talent selection, inviting many renowned figures from Canglan City to attend.
Even the heads of some small families and talented individuals within their families were invited. The purpose was to showcase the Zhou Family's capabilities while giving the Great Zhou Family members a chance to display themselves in front of outsiders, thereby elevating the Zhou Family's status in Canglan City.
"Family Head, everything has been arranged, and there are no issues. As for that person, according to the information transmitted by the Xiao Family, he stayed in the Gu Family's Forbidden Area for about seven days, but he displayed no significant abilities.
However, it seems he possesses quite a few spiritual crystals."
An elder with a somewhat desolate appearance pondered aloud.
"Hmm, it's expected that his father left him something quietly. What I didn't expect was Ning'er's backing to arrive so swiftly! The power behind her is the only one capable of breaking the shackles of heaven and earth!
Those people acted recklessly against Ning'er, and it's only fitting they suffer for it. Now, they dare to reason with us. They must be courting death!"
"Once the City Lord of Canglan City is dead, we can take over this city, and then everything else can be dealt with slowly.
The Xiao Family submits to the Xie Family, and Xiao Zhan is already a cripple, living a fate worse than death; the Gu Family is now also scattered, and Gu Yan is struggling to survive, much like Xiao Zhan.
Therefore, these people indeed no longer matter."
Another elder had a deep gaze, his expression showing a hint of indifference.
"Family Head, why hasn't anyone from the Great Zhou Family arrived yet? They wouldn't—"
"Don't be rude! Preaching Elder, those people, their strength far exceeds the Third Level of Sword Intent Realm, and their sensing abilities are extremely far-reaching. If they find out you have such thoughts, it will surely displease them!
Our Zhou Family is a mere branch of the Great Zhou Family. Their willingness to send people is already something we should be immensely grateful for. We must not harbor any dissatisfaction."
The old man in black quickly said.
His expression was serious as he carefully observed the distant sky for a long time, finally feeling relieved after sensing no activity.
"Ah... yes, Family Head, I was wrong."
The Preaching Elder's old face showed a look of shame, and he also seemed to be looking at the distance with some uncertainty.
At this time, several people from major families also arrived one after another, and with the voices of the Zhou Family guards announcing the arrivals, Zhou Wuzhen, the family head, and others began to welcome them.
The family competition was a major event. Generally, if the intent was not to show off, it would be held solemnly within the family. But if it were to be more grandiose, the doors would be widely opened, inviting notable figures to watch.
The Zhou Family, thinking Zhou Yan was no longer a threat, naturally did not worry about him causing trouble. Even if he came, a worthless person would not garner any attention!
By publicizing his 'despicable' actions again at that time, they could further elevate the Zhou Family's status.
Thus, no one paid any mind to Zhou Yan's matters.
...
"Huang Family Master, I didn't expect you to come too. In the past half-year, your Sword Intent has grown even more formidable; truly worth admiration!"
"So it's Elder Lin from the Lin Family. Your current strength is now difficult for someone like me to sense! It looks like Elder Lin's strength has advanced again!"
"Haha, you flatter me, you flatter me... Wow, City Lord Qian Jue is here too! The Zhou Family certainly has quite an influence!"
"Hey, don't you know? The Zhou Family has visitors from major families above! You know, in terms of territory, above the city is the main city! Each main city governs one hundred and eight subordinate cities. Above the main cities is the domain.
The Great Zhou Family, ruling over our Canglan City's Carefree Main City, is considered a top elite family! One of the four noble families!
Even among the one hundred and eight main cities ruled by the Water Domain, within the Carefree Main City, they are quite reputable! Would the City Lord of Canglan City dare not come?"
"Hiss—The Zhou Family has such a powerful background?"
"Indeed. You know Zhou Wangchen, right? He once entered the Great Zhou Family and seemed to have created quite a reputation, although it's a pity his fame later became tarnished..."
…
Zhou Yan and Gu Yan stood not far from the two elders; at this moment, their appearances had changed slightly, and as they came incognito, they did not attract any attention.
This time, those without invitations could not enter. However, Zhou Yan casually killed a small family head who had a slight grudge against him and took the invitation, entering with Gu Yan.
For now, there were no unusual changes in the Zhou Family, nor did the defenses show any tight arrangements.
Zhou Yan and Gu Yan exchanged glances, understanding that without knowing their true abilities, the Zhou Family indeed did not regard them highly.
Thus, this might be much easier than imagined.
The two communicated with their eyes, preparing to adapt flexibly to the changing situation.
At this moment, the sky, blue as a washed stone, suddenly revealed a massive shadow, blotting out the sun.
This enormous shadow carried a strange desolate aura, causing a sudden unease in people's hearts.
Everyone lifted their heads at this moment.
In the sky, a giant black eagle soared, seemingly tearing through the void. With a shrill "chirp," it appeared right above, over everyone's heads.
At this moment, the giant black eagle suddenly transformed with a "swish" into an ink-black sword, engraved with a pattern resembling an eagle, and flew into the void, disappearing from sight.
Then, shining rainbow light appeared, followed by something resembling a flying vessel emerging amidst the radiance, inscribed with strange runes like tadpoles.
As the flying vessel appeared, an elderly man with white hair appeared first, followed by a young couple stepping out from within.
The young man had light purple hair, dancing elegantly in the wind, giving off an extremely spiritual aura.
He was tall, his entire being like a sharpened sword, exuding an eerie and sinister aura.
Beside him was a woman dressed in a light green Ling Yi. Her hair was as ink-black and spiritual as the heavenly vault. Her hair draped over her shoulders, her shoulders cut like a knife, her waist as if bound by a thin thread, her hands soft as tender sprouts, her face as beautiful as blooming flowers.
Her skin was like congealed fat, her breath fragrant as orchids, her cheeks flushed as cherry pink, and her brows delicate and green.
She was truly a stunning beauty.
From a distance, Zhou Yan watched, slightly apprehensive. It seemed that after women surpassed the Sword Intent realm, their various spiritual lusters would appear, making them immensely captivating.
His soul-sensing power casually passed over the three, and Zhou Yan instantly grasped their realms.
This soul power seemed unique, as others had no apparent awareness of it.
In Zhou Yan's perception, the elder had reached the Sword Heart realm, although Zhou Yan could not precisely gauge his strength. He dared not overly probe the elder's Qi Column and Qi Jie.
The man and woman were both at the Third Level of Sword Intent Peak Realm!
Their ages were also less than twenty, but such realms entirely surpassed even Yang Qingtan, the sensation of Tianji City.
Such a realm required Zhou Yan, for the moment, to look up to them.
Zhou Yan sensed these three several times. The young couple remained oblivious, but suddenly, the elder's eyes focused as two beams of light swiftly scanned in Zhou Yan's general direction.
Zhou Yan remained undisturbed, quickly retracting his soul power while concealing his emotions.
The elder's gaze, radiant as the sun, shone over them, causing faces to change rapidly. Even the nearby City Lord Qian Jue hurriedly bowed in respect, expressing their fear and reverence.
The elder's gaze finally settled on Zhou Yan. Although Zhou Yan had hidden his energy using the Nine Yin Nine Yang mental method, he did not adopt a servile posture, calmly meeting the elder's eyes.
The elder's gaze rested thoughtfully upon the Silver Snow Sword, which concealed all its Sword Qi and Sword Intent, hanging at Zhou Yan's waist. His eyes briefly flashed with an indescribable brilliance.
When he looked at Zhou Yan again, he unexpectedly showed a faint expression of appreciation, nodding slightly at Zhou Yan.
An unusual feeling surged through Zhou Yan's heart but vanished quickly.
The Broken Worry Sword, he hadn't taken it out and had put it away.
The Silver Snow Sword, with Feng Lingqing in slumber, could not be stored in the Qiankun Ring. So, it remained slung at his side.
Although the Silver Snow Sword concealed everything, it seemed that the elder still perceived something.
Zhou Yan felt a slight unease, yet regardless of the outcome, he would fight here, even go berserk if needed, to win entry into the Great Zhou Family!
The Great Zhou Family carried many of his father's obsessions. Even with the inheritance and partial memories of that Earthly Grandmaster, his filial piety had not swerved.
His father's words—he would scale mountains of daggers and seas of flames, be shattered and broken, and yet strive to fulfill them!
This was his steadfast resolve.
Now, he did not know if the elder discerned his true form beneath the disguise or saw through the extraordinary nature of the Silver Snow Sword, but either way, the elder's display of appreciation meant the situation might not be as dire.
Zhou Yan calmed himself, steadied his emotions, and then noticed Gu Yan beside him, drenched in sweat.
"This person is truly formidable! At least at the realm of Sword Heart Clarity! Truly formidable!"
Gu Yan couldn't help but exclaim.
"This friend has keen eyes indeed. This elder surpasses even our Lin Family's ancestor by more than just a little, a truly unimaginable strength!"
The Lin Family head couldn't help but praise.
"Indeed. Wasn't that a Sword Spirit earlier? A Sword Spirit deriving into a War Soul, it seems this elder might even aspire to the Sword Soul Realm!"
City Lord Qian Jue couldn't help but frown, deeply sighing with emotion.