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Zhou Yan was entirely in a state resembling sudden enlightenment.
In this state, he felt a great resistance while comprehending Xingyi Dragon Form Swordsmanship, yet once he found the direction of his insights, even the most difficult challenges yielded intense realizations with each attempt.
As a result, he felt incredibly at ease when comprehending other cultivation techniques.
This time was no exception.
After delving deeply into comprehension, Zhou Yan had a myriad of novel thoughts about insights. Then, instead of continuing to comprehend the Xingyi Dragon Form Swordsmanship, he turned his attention to the eighth and ninth Secret Techniques of Fall's Profound Meaning.
This time, everything fell into place naturally, without any obstacles. Not only did he complete the comprehension in one go, but even comprehended the nine-form cultivation technique contained within the jadeite.
In other words, Zhou Yan comprehended both the mental method and the corresponding method of executing the moves.
The entire comprehension didn't even take the time of a single incense stick.
However, sensing there was still time, Zhou Yan further delved into the overall comprehension of Fall's Profound Meaning's cultivation technique. This time took a very short period, but his gains were significant.
With this comprehensive insight, Zhou Yan directly reached the level of Great Success in this Autumn's Realm of swordsmanship.
This time, as he invested all his efforts into comprehending the swordsmanship contained within the jadeite, during his comprehension, he realized that this swordsmanship was much more profound than the Zhou Family's Bi Shui Lian Tian Swordsmanship, and seemed far more formidable in power.
...
"All right, time's up."
The Second Elder of the Zhou Family wore a grave expression, severe in demeanor. At this time, he also hoped that Zhou Yan wouldn't stand out too much—he didn't want Zhou Yan to gain too much attention from this opportunity.
However, he couldn't falsify the current evaluation, so he could only proceed honestly. But his face clearly showed some discontent because in terms of comprehension, Zhou Yan had displayed extraordinary talent from the beginning!
He was acutely aware of this situation, which was why he had a vague sense of worry. Zhou Yan couldn't be allowed to rise, or the Zhou Family would be in trouble!
As he thought this, a hint of murderous intent also began to seep through.
Obviously, if it weren't for the Great Zhou family elder overseeing, he would have probably wanted to kill Zhou Yan on the spot.
"Now, none of you should harbor any wishful thinking. First, recount how much you've comprehended. Then, the Great Zhou Elder will individually test each one of you in the sword array!
The large array will have shadow memory imprints, and later everyone's insights will be replayed together for comparison!"
"If you claim to have understood something but in fact haven't, or if you speak randomly, then upon being found out, your qualification for this selection will be revoked directly.
Additionally, once you report the level of cultivation technique you've comprehended, continued comprehension will not be counted afterward.
In other words, however much you comprehended earlier, that will be the amount counted!"
"Now, start with your overall reports, proceeding according to your previous comprehensive strength rankings, starting with Zhou Lingyao, you speak!"
"Yes, Second Elder."
Zhou Lingyao slightly bowed, casting a disdainful and challenging glance at Zhou Yan, her eyes filled with a sense of superiority and confidence!
"I have comprehended the Falling Leaves Know Autumn Swordsmanship! Four styles of the mental method were comprehended, and four styles of the corresponding move execution method were comprehended!"
Zhou Lingyao spoke calmly yet arrogantly with a resolute and formidable tone as she delivered her words!
As soon as she spoke, a commotion swept through the Zhou Family Arena!
Even the pair of young men and women from the Great Zhou family stole extra glances at Zhou Lingyao, their eyes clearly reflecting a hint of surprise!
This expression was noticed by many, evidencing Zhou Lingyao's extraordinary comprehension!
...
Outside the arena, inside the tavern.
"Four styles of the mental method equal four Secret Techniques. Ying'er, your comprehension isn't much beyond that, but you have one more style in the domain of moves than he does. I never thought the Zhou Family actually has some remarkable individuals."
The middle-aged man observed from afar, unable to resist commenting.
"Father, then what do you think Brother Zhou Yan will comprehend?" The young woman Ying'er asked with anticipation.
"This, it's hard to predict; however, judging by his confident and calm demeanor, if his talent is on par with his father's, at least three Secret Techniques and three move forms. Whether he can surpass Zhou Lingyao remains unknown."
The middle-aged man pondered this for a moment but couldn't reach a definitive conclusion.
"Father, aren't you extremely skilled in the art of discerning people? How come you can't see through Brother Zhou Yan?" Ying'er seemed a bit displeased.
"My dear daughter, your father is not like that Great Zhou Elder with such profound cultivation! After all, your father is only at the Sword Intent Second Layer Heaven realm, quite far from the realm of Sword Heart Clarity.
Without reaching the realm of Sword Heart Clarity, having a Heavenly Spirit Sword Body constitution with mere spiritual aptitude is worthless!
Moreover, this Zhou Yan, there's something... how to put it, he is quite a peculiar person. It might be due to his mother's unique background and bloodline that everything about him is inscrutable to your father!
The only judgment I could make is that his Qi Column is three-sectioned.
This was vaguely deduced, the information rather obscure."
The middle-aged man smiled bitterly, a bit helpless regarding his daughter's dissatisfied expression.
He also felt rather helpless himself, fully aware of Zhou Wangchen's charisma back in the day that countless women were drawn to; otherwise, how would that miraculous woman have ended up with Zhou Wangchen? Now, Zhou Yan seemed even more impressive, and his own daughter was already like this... What was to be done!
He had no choice but to worry about the matter.
"Never mind, let it be. What's meant to be will inevitably come."
The middle-aged man thought for a moment and finally let it go.
He considered himself a broad-minded person and didn't want to act too opportunistically. His reason for teaching his daughter to climb up was actually for her well-being.
But seeing his daughter constantly so concerned about Zhou Yan, he was completely out of ideas.
...
"Zhou Lingyi, you speak!"
"I have comprehended the Autumn Frost Sword Technique, comprehending four kinds of the mental method and three styles of moves!"
...
"What, another four styles of the mental method, equivalent to four Secret Techniques! Doesn't that mean the Zhou siblings are both geniuses with extraordinary comprehension?"
"The Zhou Family is producing talent!"
"Zhou Lingyao and Zhou Lingyi are indeed deserving of the title 'Dual Spirit Genius,' truly extraordinary!"
"The foundation of the Zhou Family, even among side branches, is unimaginable!"
Voices of debate from the audience continuously echoed.
Zhou Yan remained calm inwardly and outwardly, showing no expression, his face as serene as a tranquil pond, unchanged.
For now, let them continue to joyfully prance about. Their current merriment will lead to future misery!
He thought to himself without paying attention to them, but rather, spreading his Soul Power outward to sense the comments and evaluations of those with notable status.
He also wanted to see how these people evaluated the comprehension talent of him and the likes of Zhou Lingyi and Zhou Lingyao.
His soul sensing reached out, and just as it expanded near City Lord Qian Jue and the Lin family ancestor, he heard the Lin family ancestor exclaim, "As for Zhou Yan, I deduced earlier that his Qi Column should be a single Qi Column, between three to four sections.
If a single Qi Column with three sections, it would be on par with Zhou Yuntian back in the day! If it's four sections, that would be quite impressive!
However, even with four sections, he still can't compare to those with Dual Qi Columns! Those with Dual Qi Columns, like the Heaven's Chosen Girl Ying'er from this time, possess Dual Qi Columns with two sections, totaling four. If she undergoes a major transformation, she can aspire to become a Dual Qi Pillars with three sections, totaling nine sections, an 'Emperor Qi Sword Body.' Dual Qi Columns with three sections represent nine-layered Qi Sea, nine times the strength of others at the same level! Such standing allows breaking free of the law's shackles, bearing immense fortune and opportunity, truly becoming Heaven's favored offspring."
"I also sensed that Zhou Yan has three sections, though strangely, his Qi Column is twisted, resembling an earthworm, truly bizarre.
However, I didn't dare to observe more closely; while they were visualizing earlier, I didn't want to disturb them. That Great Zhou Elder is a formidable character."
City Lord Qian Jue muttered.
"Yes, while our Sword Intent Realm employ Sword Illusion Realm to deduce others' information without them noticing, it's somewhat disrespectful. But, Zhou Family earned newfound respect this time." Lin family ancestor sighed.
"When it comes to the importance of Qi Columns, any Sword Intent Realm person will utilize Sword Illusion Realm derivation to assess others, which has become a widely accepted rule. People can't detect it anyway, so what's the problem? Lin Senior, you're still too noble-hearted." City Lord Qian Jue chuckled.
"True, times have indeed changed. However, I'm still curious, does the Family Head of the Zhou Family have a problem with his head targeting Zhou Yan like that? What's the meaning behind this?" Lin family ancestor was puzzled.
"The implications are significant. Without such methods, how else can they acquire the Supreme Sword Dao manual obtained by Zhou Wangchen? Beyond that, Zhou Wangchen has an earth-shattering secret, but it's not for me to divulge further.
Nevertheless, Zhou Wuzhen's intentions are deep. The waters of the Zhou Family are something I've always refrained from getting involved in because who knows when another monstrous old freak might spring from it.
Hehe, those families plotting against the Zhou Family are bound to face reckoning this time!" City Lord Qian Jue sneered.
...
After hearing these comments, Zhou Yan was greatly astonished.
Sword Intent Realm people can perceive his Qi Column through the Sword Illusion Realm?
There's actually someone with Dual Qi Columns as well?
Dual Qi Columns with three-sectioned Qi Column signifies Emperor Qi Sword Body?
When he had Dual Qi Columns with four sections, totaling sixteen... what kind of Sword Body is this?
Nine is the limit, yet he easily broke this limit—why is that?
Knowing more only made Zhou Yan more bewildered.
It seemed his Qi Column was indeed an anomaly!
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