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"Sword Spirit? War Soul?"
Upon hearing these words, Zhou Yan felt as if the blood in his body was boiling and roaring!
He recalled the words his Master, that Grandmaster, had conveyed to him.
If one day, he could also derive the War Beast Sword Soul of the Xingyi Fist's twelve forms... Twelve War Beasts... attacking en masse...
This was a result worth anticipating, but the process would undoubtedly be extremely arduous.
With his comprehension, just understanding the Xingyi Dragon Form Swordsmanship was so difficult. It went without saying how hard other aspects would be.
But Zhou Yan also deeply understood that a cultivation technique capable of shattering the void was, for him, more about the difficulty of enlightenment. In other words, this cultivation technique touched upon some laws he simply did not understand.
And now, without understanding the laws, comprehending such a cultivation technique, and then moving on to others, this gap became apparent. It was like solving complex calculus exams in a place in China and then doing simple arithmetic operations in elementary school! Only with comparison could simpler things seem even simpler.
Zhou Yan was aware of this situation. He enjoyed this strong sense of contrast and realization. Only in this way could he deeply experience the intensifying feeling of his rapid progress.
...
"Ancillary branch, Zhou Family's Zhou Wuzhen, leads all elders, family hall masters, and third generation disciples of the ancillary branch in saluting Elder Zhou of the Great Zhou Family, as well as paying respects to Mr. Zhou and Miss Zhou."
At that moment, Zhou Wuzhen had already stepped forward.
Beside him were the Preaching Elder, Zhou Wuyan, the Great Elder, Zhou Wuwei, and the Second Elder, Zhou Wuyan, all present.
Moreover, Zhou Yan also saw individuals he somewhat hated, such as Zhou Lingyi, Zhou Lingyao, Zhou Xian, and others.
This time, as soon as soul sensing was revealed, he was shocked to discover that Zhou Lingyi's strength had also reached the peak of the Second Level of Sword Qi! Furthermore, her realm was extremely stable!
And that Zhou Lingyao's strength had reached the Second Layer Heaven of the Sword Origin Realm! And it seemed to have been some time!
What was going on?
Zhou Yan's soul sensing power detected this situation, and his expression couldn't help but become somewhat unpredictable.
This time, if it weren't for his own rapid improvement to an unimaginable level, if he remained in the Sword Beginning Three Heavens realm, coming here, not to mention facing Zhou Lingyao, even facing Zhou Lingyi, with her talent and strength, he might not be victorious!
He was capable of battling enemies across realms, but Zhou Lingyi was, after all, the Zhou Family's top genius. She had a certain ability to break through the shackles of her realm. With her peak strength at the Second Level of Sword Qi, she was enough to rival a typical great sword cultivator of the Sword Energy Three Realms!
In this case, if Zhou Yan remained in the Sword Beginning Three Heavens, the gap to the realm of Sword Energy Three Realms would be vast, making this battle very challenging.
Moreover, facing Zhou Lingyao again, he might very well be killed by her!
Zhou Yan felt somewhat emotional; indeed, hidden dangers were everywhere here!
No one had told him about Zhou Lingyi's realm, and the realm Zhou Lingyi and others displayed in his eyes was so drastically different from their actual realm!
Zhou Yan couldn't help but feel more wary of these deeply cunning individuals.
However, now fully understanding the real strength of these people, his own realm and Zhou Lingyi's realm were now completely the same, but his Qi Sea Pillar was not something Zhou Lingyi could compare to.
And Zhou Lingyao's strength was at the Second Layer Heaven of the Sword Origin Realm, three full realms higher than him!
This battle would likely be challenging! But if he defeated Zhou Lingyao, then his strength and reputation would resound throughout the entire Canglan City!
Defeating enemies three realms above was already considered an extremely remarkable True Man-level genius!
In Great Zhou Family, Zhou Yuntian, who defeated enemies two realms above, was already almost exalted to the heavens!
So, what about him?
Even though doing so might push him into the limelight, it was exactly what he needed!
Zhou Yan had already made a decision in his heart.
...
"Well, since we are all Zhou Family members, there's no need to worry about these rituals. You may all rise."
The elder waved a hand, and boundless primordial energy surged between Heaven and Earth. The disciples and elders who were kneeling earlier were lifted by this energy. Not a single person was left out, a miraculous gesture that astounded everyone present.
"Thank you, Elder."
Many Zhou Family disciples bowed again to show their respect.
At this moment, the head of the Zhou Family, Zhou Wuzhen, had already stepped forward and said, "Great Elder of the Zhou Family, Mr. Zhou, Miss Zhou, this time, our Zhou Family has a total of ten disciples participating in the grand competition.
Among these ten disciples, the one with the best talent is, of course, the child of Zhou Wangchen—"
"Zhou Yan!"
Zhou Yan shouted loudly and walked out defiantly.
His words promptly quieted the crowd.
At such a crucial moment, Zhou Yan did not hide. He took a few steps forward, then his whole body suddenly exuded Sword Intent.
"Buzz~"
A Sword Intent that seemed to seize Heaven and Earth suddenly manifested, capturing everyone's attention directly.
"I, Zhou Yan, am the only son of Zhou Wangchen of the Zhou Family! My father's Affectionate Sword Dao, Heartless Sword Dao, my father's Carving Skill, and my father's Fiery Flame Sword Heart Wine—these are irreplaceable!"
"Conspiracy cannot compare to true strength and bloodline! I am Zhou Yan, irreplaceable!"
Zhou Yan spoke continuously, exuding Sword Intent, not giving Zhou Wuzhen a chance to speak!
He could feel countless sinister gazes almost wishing to devour him alive, but he didn't care. If he didn't stand out now, there would be no chance to stand out!
As he spoke, his expression shifted dramatically, and he suddenly took out a flask and tilted his head back to drink!
With a shock of his arm, the Great Perfection of the Green Water Sword Technique's Nine Swords United condensed into one Sword Intent, the Sword Intent of the Affectionate Sword Dao and the Lifeless Sword Dao formed a Tai Chi-like harmonious existence, rotating continuously.
"Insolent little brat..."
Just as the Great Elder Zhou Wuwei of the Zhou Family was about to curse, Zhou Yan's words and actions overshadowed his.
He was left in sheer bewilderment.
He never expected that, at this moment, a suddenly emerging Zhou Yan would throw such a curveball.
This action thoroughly disrupted their plans!
"Hmm, not bad, indeed reminiscent of Zhou Wangchen's style! Steely pride, not bad. In the bloodline aspect, you are indeed direct lineage blood of our Great Zhou Family, and it's rare for you to have already comprehended Sword Intent at the peak of the Second Layer of Sword Qi. Then, if you return to the family Sword Origin Pool to gather your bloodline, at sixteen, you have a chance to reach the Sword Intent Realm, very impressive."
At this moment, the white-haired elder of the Great Zhou Family spoke with a trace of appreciation and gave Zhou Yan a bit of affirmation first.
Zhou Wuzhen's expression froze instantly.
In that instant, countless people present were dumbfounded.
The scene was once again silent, and everyone's gaze toward Zhou Wuzhen was incredibly peculiar.
But, right then, the handsome young man beside the elder arrogantly looked at Zhou Yan and coldly said, "Elder praises you, but don't think you're really all that. If it weren't for family nostalgia, selecting some barely decent ones every period, do you think you're anything?
If Elder praises you, you should kneel and thank him. Do you not understand this? Indeed from a small place! Don't even understand the basics!"
This young man seemed to find Zhou Yan's arrogance distasteful, or perhaps, Zhou Yan's display of Sword Intent had irked him. His gaze at Zhou Yan was already hostile.
"Though we share the same roots, why do you hurry to burn? Do you think you can replace the elder, speaking on his behalf? How do you know I'm not grateful to the elder in my heart?"
Zhou Yan said coldly!
His gaze was equally arrogant and insolent!
He was unafraid!
He knew that in a big family, if you weren't arrogant, you couldn't stand properly and would be bullied!
In this world, there are no timid geniuses because timid geniuses are dead!
"You dare to be presumptuous! In terms of qualification and status, how do you have the right to speak to me? Realm ability, I surpass you, I'm older than you, you're defying the hierarchy, looking for death! Even if the head of your ancillary Zhou Family is here, they couldn't save you!"
The youth finished, his eyes already filled with murderous intent.
His Sword Intent at the Third Level could easily kill Zhou Yan—if Zhou Yan didn't use the trump card Silver Snow Sword.
"Mr. Zhou, feel free to take action. This brat who hasn't been taught by parents, arrogantly—"
The Preaching Elder coldly spoke at this moment.
Zhou Yan gave this person a cold glance and looked directly at the young man: "You're the insolent one! A month ago, I was only at the Sword Beginning First Layer, but I already comprehended Sword Qi! Twenty days later, I was in the Sword Qi First Layer Heaven realm, having comprehended Sword Intent! Now, in one month, I have already reached the peak of the Second Level of Sword Qi, and my Sword Intent has taken some shape!
You've cultivated longer than I have, but in terms of talent, I'm ahead of you by eight blocks; how can you compare with me? In terms of worth, I am unquestionably equal to Zhou Yuntian. Are you bold enough to try touching me?!"
Zhou Yan was endlessly arrogant and boastful, but these words were intentionally so!
He didn't mention his combat power, only spoke of his cultivation and comprehension speed!
Yet just these words alone instantly ignited the entire scene!
No one knew how shocked Zhou Wuzhen and others were in their hearts following Zhou Yan's words!
No one knew how jealous Zhou Lingyi, Zhou Lingyao, Zhou Xian, and even Zhou Cheng were in their hearts!
And no one knew the astonishment and incredulity on the faces of the family heads and elders of Canglan City below upon hearing Zhou Yan's words!
This was another top genius! If what he said was true!
Various discussions erupted then and there!
Even though rumors had long suggested that 'Zhou Yan was actually a wild child abandoned,' many were half-skeptical, not believing the Zhou Family to be foolish enough to nurture an abandoned child they picked up.
Now, Zhou Yan's words seemed closer to the truth. But in one month, to go from the Sword Beginning First Layer to the Second Level of Sword Qi, that was almost beyond belief.
After the Sword Beginning Realm comes the Sword Qi Realm. One month to cross four realms isn't impossible, with elixirs and sword array assistance, it's not too hard. But to comprehend Sword Intent in such a short time seemed entirely like an improbable fantasy, utterly unbelievable.
...
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