```
"What are you? Arrogant, do you think you're worthy of comparing to Brother Yuntian? Ridiculous!
Your father? Your glory? The glory you believe in is nothing but garbage, no matter how powerful you think he is. With just one sword strike from Brother Yuntian, your father was forced to his knees, spitting blood!
Hmph, don't you know this is a disgrace to your branch family? What do you have to brag about? Or do you think your father's reputation is that effective?"
The young girl in the light green gauze dress stepped forward, coldly mocking to the extreme!
As she spoke, she suddenly pressed her Sword Intent upon Zhou Yan. Zhou Yan shuddered all over, his Qi Sea almost exploding, but he had already endured the pain of Soul shattering. This bit of pressure was not as significant as he had imagined.
He still stood there, eyes sharp, resolute, and unyielding.
This woman was ruthless. Had it not been for his body being tempered and refined by the energy of the Soul Giant Sword, he would likely have been coughing up blood and kneeling now, repeating his father's disgrace, utterly losing face!
This woman, unconsciously, had made a vicious move, still seeking to humiliate him further!
Bitch!
Zhou Yan's hands clenched as veins bulged out, his heart burning like fire. If he killed these two people here, Zhou Yan was not afraid!
But he knew that here, he had no chance to kill these two. The old man's formidable Realm was such that even if he used the Silver Snow Sword or the Sealing Sword Soul Illusion, it wouldn't work.
"Enough!"
The old man waved his hand, dispersing the oppressive aura from the young woman and protecting Zhou Yan, while his gaze turned to Zhou Wuzhen, his voice cold: "What he said earlier, comprehending Sword Qi and Sword Intent continuously within a month, is it true?"
"Yes... yes, Elder, it's true!"
Zhou Wuzhen's face showed some reluctance, some dismay, but in such a situation, he dared not deceive. For if investigated, it would be easy to verify!
If it were discovered he deceived the Elder, even if he were the Family Head, the other could kill him with one sword strike, without any complications!
Things had reached a result beyond his imagination, so he could only hope that in the final life-and-death battle stage in the arena, Zhou Yan would be killed!
He thought so in his heart, yet his expression carried a hint of fear as he nodded.
"If that's the case, this boy's talent is indeed extraordinary."
The old man said this, only then looking at Zhou Yan, his gaze a bit indifferent: "You have talent, and the family will naturally nurture you, but you mustn't overstep your bounds. This time, in consideration of your father's premature demise and your lack of upbringing, it will not be held against you. But there will be no next time!"
"Yes, Elder."
Zhou Yan's heart surged with anger, this elderly man who seemed decent before immediately tilted the balance in favor of the woman!
This woman was so malicious, yet he sided with her!
If he didn't have some ability, wouldn't he have died here for nothing?
"Don't be unwilling, no matter how good the talent, if you can't survive, it's useless. Strength is what matters most!"
"In the upcoming selection's final stage, it's a life-and-death battle. While you've comprehended Sword Qi, if someone kills you, you're dead, and of no use to the family."
"Without strength, don't be arrogant! A dead genius is no genius!"
"Take care of yourself!"
The old man's casual remarks left Zhou Yan feeling somewhat discomfited!
They seemed earnest, but Zhou Yan was not foolish, he understood. Ultimately, his father was just a laughingstock in the Great Zhou family. If he were selected, would it embarrass Zhou Yuntian?
This old man was afraid of Zhou Yuntian!
Even though the possibility was low, a bit of analysis had allowed Zhou Yan to understand the old man's concerns.
And this woman, speaking constantly of "Brother Yuntian," clearly had an extraordinary relationship with Zhou Yuntian.
"Yes, Elder!"
Zhou Yan bowed slightly, not saying much more.
His actions earlier were to assert his presence and thwart the schemes of Zhou Wuzhen and others!
He had achieved this goal. At least, now, even if being the son of Zhou Wangchen looked like a "disgrace" to others, Zhou Yan had already confirmed his identity to himself!
At least no one dared call him a bastard again!
A son honors his mother, and a dog its poor family! Even if Zhou Yan's father was ridiculed by the world, he would clear his father's name, making Zhou Wangchen remembered not as humiliated by Zhou Yuntian with one blow, but as the father of a son who crushed Zhou Yuntian with one move!
He had achieved his first goal, and paid no attention to other matters, ready for the second round of the arena's trials!
Only by participating could he face Zhou Lingyi! Only then could he slay those whom Zhou Wuzhen and the others truly cared about!
Wounding the ones close, pleasing the foes! Since they treated him this way, with torn faces, he would ruthlessly reciprocate by killing those they cared about to teach them the meaning of pain!
A murderous intent arose in Zhou Yan's heart!
But he did not show it, like meditating peacefully, ignoring the many gazes that were curious, uncertain, admiring, or awestruck.
In the mental methods of Nine Yin and Nine Yang, it said: Let him be strong, the breeze blows the hill; let him be fierce, the bright moon illuminates the river. No matter the cunning malice from the old man's companions that reached him, he appeared unbothered.
Beside him, Gu Yan stood silently, saying nothing, like a loyal servant.
He was stirred, passionately moved by Zhou Yan's actions, and filled with rage over how Zhou Yan was treated!
Yet, he was ultimately merely in a "servant" role, lacking the strength to act, that would be suicidal! He was unafraid of death, having long cast it aside, but intervening could only complicate matters for Zhou Yan.
Moreover, those people maintained decorum and did not attack him, leaving him no grounds to act.
He quietly stayed by Zhou Yan's side, facing that young man and woman's sneers without retreat.
...
"Alright, since Zhou Yan joined temporarily, there are now eleven participants in this arena competition."
"First, the tests of age and Realm. Then the comprehension test, followed by the Great Zhou family's Qi Column test! Lastly, the life-and-death battle in the arena!"
Zhou Wuzhen stood by the Great Zhou Elder, speaking respectfully. After finishing, he bowed, inviting the Great Zhou Elder and the couple to take charge.
This time, the Great Zhou Elder did not hesitate, nor refuse, and stepped onto the platform where Elders usually lectured in the arena.
Including Zhou Yan, eleven Zhou Family Disciples silently moved to the center of the arena.
...
"Who would've thought, Zhou Yan indeed has some talent. At least Zhou Wangchen still holds some hope." In a restaurant far outside the Zhou Family Arena, a middle-aged man remarked with a smile.
"Father, you say this time, if I enter the Great Zhou family, how would my talent compare to Brother Zhou Yan's?" Beside the middle-aged man, a girl as pure as water asked softly.
"Well, let's put it this way, you have Dual Qi Pillars and two Qi Jie. Two times two equals four, this means you possess four times the capacity of others! This also means, at this age, you have surpassed Zhou Yuntian."
The middle-aged man spoke quietly.
"At the time, Zhou Yuntian was your age and had only a single Qi Column and three Qi Jie! Dual Qi Pillars? Haha, Ying'er, your talent, even in a domain, is top-notch!
Geniuses with Dual Qi Pillars are rare throughout history! Judging by the aura, Zhou Yan is three Qi Jie. His greatest potential can break the three-Realm shackles. But you, you have Dual Qi Pillars, and each column has two Qi Jie!
If you undergo one more Transformation, regardless if it's any Qi Column growing just a bit, it equates to six Qi Jie! If both transform to three Qi Jie, that's three times three, nine Qi Jie!
Nine Qi Jie is referred to as 'Emperor Qi.' As someone with the potential for 'Emperor Qi,' how could Zhou Yan compare to you?
That is the greatest difference between a single Qi Column and Dual Qi Pillars!
Therefore, even a single Qi Column genius with seven Qi Jie is no match for your Dual Qi Pillars with two Qi Jie!
You only need one major Transformation to achieve nine Qi Jie, while a seven Qi Jie one needs two more transformations to reach nine Qi Jie.
But the higher the level of Qi Jie, the harder it becomes to transform, and stronger resources are required to facilitate these changes!
So now you understand the importance of Qi Jie and Qi Columns?
Zhou Yan is quite unfortunate! If he had Dual Qi Jie, the Elder would've probably taken him directly back to the family for protection; unfortunately, he only has three Qi Jie. However, even three Qi Jie is very remarkable.
You wonder why Zhou Yuan is likely upset? Perhaps he saw Zhou Yan's three Qi Jie and felt envy and jealousy!"
The middle-aged man spoke softly; the adorable girl cried out in astonishment upon hearing it, evidently learning this for the first time.
"So that's it! No wonder the Elder cherishes me so much, and Sister Zhou Ting envies me, realizing I have incredible talent!"
The girl exclaimed with delight.
"Yes indeed, otherwise why would others from branch Zhou families selected be whisked away, yet we get to travel and expand our horizons with the Sword Spirit? Isn't that special treatment? However, you should keep this knowledge to yourself, not spread it in the Great Zhou family. It's not as harmonious as it seems; be mindful."
The middle-aged man sipped his wine with a loving indulgence in his voice.
"Mm-hmm, I understand, Father! I didn't realize I was such an accomplished genius! No wonder the cultivation feels so simple. Previously, I didn't understand Sword Intent, but now that I do, Sword Cultivation feels delightful! Father, I feel I'm about to break through, almost to the Sword Origin Second Layer Heaven, oh!"
The girl chimed in cheerily.
"Breaking through again? Good, excellent, so fast! Zhou Yan went from Sword Beginning to the peak of the Second Level of Sword Qi in a month, thinking he was extremely fast, but my daughter also took a month, from comprehending Sword Qi to Sword Intent, then to the Sword Origin Second Layer Heaven. As he said, your talent leaves him trailing eight blocks behind! Hahaha, what a delightful expression!"
The middle-aged man was immensely pleased.
He liked his cherished daughter even more.
"Father, you're so bad, Brother Zhou Yan would be displeased if he hears this."
The girl said.
"I and his father were merely acquaintance, shared drinks, fought alongside. When you were young, we traversed our domain for a month together, Zhou Yan and you had a fleeting connection, but beyond that, it's just casual acquaintance! Yet, you didn't forget him!"
The middle-aged man laughed.
Upon hearing this, the girl's face turned slightly red.
```