He suddenly felt fortunate, fortunate that he decided to learn about others' evaluations, allowing him to hear such exchanges and thus understand the terrifying extent of the Dual Qi Pillars.
At that moment, he was somewhat puzzled as he began to sense his own Qi Columns, not paying attention to Zhou Xian, who was again claiming to have comprehended some swordsmanship.
After a careful sensing process, Zhou Yan finally discovered something unusual.
On his left Qi Column, its three segments were as smooth as jade, identical to others, without anomaly. However, on the segment beneath his left Qi Column, there was a faint purple electric arc with Thunder Light!
On his right Qi Column, all four segments had such electric arc Thunder Light!
When his soul sensed this electric arc Thunder Light, he suddenly felt a tingling pleasure, as if this electric arc Thunder Light had a certain intimacy with his soul aura.
He willed it, and all his Qi Columns showed these tiny purple electric arc Thunder Lights.
Then, he tried to feel his Qi Columns externally, merely scanning them generally—something strange happened; his Qi Columns disappeared.
External sensing could detect nothing!
He tested again, leaving one segment without the electric arc, and indeed, external scanning showed only one Qi Column.
Zhou Yan tested a few more times, arriving at an extremely reasonable conclusion—his Qi Columns could be hidden through the electric arc Thunder Light.
He couldn't be certain whether his Qi Column segments would be the same under tests, but he felt this possibility was significant.
Because of such encounters, Zhou Yan also thought he could... give it a try!
The best outcome, undoubtedly, was to use the Dual Qi Pillars to enhance his status, without having too many segments in the Dual Qi Pillars—two Qi segments for each Dual Qi Pillar—that would be the best result!
Zhou Yan had already arranged this plan in his heart; he was just waiting for the Qi Column examination to arrive.
...
"Zhou Shuangshuang..."
"I comprehended the Autumn Wind Fallen Leaves Sword Technique, three forms of the Heart Skill, and three sword techniques!"
Originally, Zhou Shuangshuang heard many people saying how difficult it was for Zhou Yan to comprehend three types of Heart Skills, yet she had achieved this step herself, making her feel even more pleased.
But Zhou Lingyi and Zhou Lingyao's performance far surpassed hers, leaving her somewhat uncomfortable.
"Zhou Yan, come on up!"
Zhou Yan was the last to step forward.
Second Elder Zhou, this time acted deliberately; because his intention was not to give Zhou Yan more time to comprehend but to hope Zhou Lingyi and others' comprehension would directly shatter Zhou Yan's confidence.
Therefore, he continuously observed Zhou Yan's expression, but unfortunately, Zhou Yan's expression was like a deep pool of water, without any change, making him secretly hate, thinking this kid was just pretending and acting calm!
As he thought this, he saw Zhou Yan look at him scornfully with eyes full of mockery and sarcasm, harboring deep disdain.
Such a gaze deeply provoked him, causing his murderous intent to erupt uncontrollably once again.
But at this moment, the gaze of the Great Zhou Elder suddenly turned his way.
His face trembled with fear, quickly restraining his Qi, and obediently waited there.
"I comprehended Fall's Profound Meaning, Extreme Autumn Sword Technique, Nine Heart Skill Forms, Nine Sword Forms, nine in total, all in Great Perfection!"
Zhou Yan stated proudly.
He stood there, indifferent to anyone's disbelief, amazement, shock, or outstanding expressions, directly pulling out the Broken Worry Sword from the Qiankun Ring, pointing at the Second Elder, surrounded instantly by boundless surging Sword Qi.
Endless falling leaves rustled down, infinite fallen leaves condensed in white frost.
Fall's Profound Meaning, Withering Secret Technique, Frost Secret Technique, and so on, instantly, nine transformations!
Directly breaking the "rules" that profound meanings could not be perfectly transformed, directly shattering the "dictum" that nine major profound meanings could not overlap.
This scene made everyone within Zhou Yan's Training Ground and even outside fix their attention.
Zhou Yan's performance disregarded rules entirely, not only declaring his comprehension on the spot but also showcasing terrifying transformations of the Nine Forms!
At this moment, after a brief silence, numerous family elders, including those from the Lin Family, Huang Family, Zhu Family, and City Lord Qian Jue, suddenly stood up!
Soon after, someone couldn't help but applaud, expressing a sense of respectful admiration after the astonishment!
With the emergence of the first clap, immediately followed the second, the third...
Then, like thunderous applause, it continued endlessly.
"Nine Forms… Nine Forms Perfected, the Heart Skill and Techniques Perfected!"
"Nine Forms, with such comprehension, the future is boundless!"
"At worst, a Sword Heart Clarity in the Sword Heart Realm! This child's talent has already become legendary in Canglan City and even in Carefree Main City, Cangxiao City!"
"Nine Forms... unexpected, it's the complete comprehension of Nine Forms!"
"Zhou Yan indeed deserves to be their child!"
"If she knew, she would surely be extremely relieved."
"Zhou Wangchen truly has someone to carry on his legacy!"
...
Various discussions emerged amidst five minutes of fervent applause.
At this time, the young talent of the Great Zhou family, Zhou Yuan, had an extremely unpleasant expression on his face, glaring at Zhou Yan with vicious and malicious eyes, as if Zhou Yan's performance completely disrupted his plans.
Meanwhile, the woman in the green gown frowned, her face coldly severe; when looking at Zhou Yan, her eyes revealed a few complexities.
It seemed this was something she found extremely difficult to deal with.
Only that Great Zhou Elder ignored all the commotion among the crowd.
Until the audience fell silent, he suddenly spoke.
"Do you know, Zhou Yan, what is etiquette?"
He spoke coldly, and in an instant, there was not even a trace of remaining discussion.
All eyes were fixed on Zhou Yan.
"Disciple understands. But disciple believes, talent can surpass etiquette!"
Zhou Yan felt a tremor in his heart; he knew this old thing was picking a fight again.
He suddenly realized entering the Great Zhou family might be very challenging!
Why were these people trying everything to thwart him? Zhou Yan was very puzzled.
But, reaching this point, he had no fear. Even if the path ahead was an abyss, he would jump, because his father was there, his father's "last wishes" were there!
Zhou Yan did not know what the "Heavenly Evil Sword" his father mentioned was, but since his father repeatedly emphasized going to the Great Zhou family, he must exhaust every way to go there!
"Naive thought! You've already committed an act of disrespect by defying the hierarchy once. This time, it's clear that the process was to first report how much comprehension you had achieved, then each one separately practiced in my sealed Sword Array, and finally performed for everyone at the center of this training ground as a repeat of what was shown to me!
After that, it would be my Sword Illusion Realm transformation, for everyone to watch, without any faking!
You practiced first, allowing others to exploit an opportunity. It equals giving them pointers; those who comprehended four forms might achieve six forms in a while! Even if stated as four, but once practiced, recorded, it could count as six.
Without counting these six as achievements, comprehension ability deserves extra points!
Your actions ruined the fairness of this test, extremely unfair to the other Zhou family branches!
Thus, your comprehension results this time are all void, can you accept this?!"
This elder spoke righteously and beside him, the male and female's previously resentful expressions immediately shifted to expressions of immense joy.
Zhou Yan understood again, he was being targeted on purpose!
Yet, given this, would Zhou Lingyi and Zhou Lingyao foolishly go to impersonate the child of their father?
Zhou Yan slightly furrowed his eyebrows, and in an instant, he suddenly understood. Perhaps this elder actually already knew about this but acted as if he did not. If Zhou Lingyi and Zhou Lingyao entered, because they were not really Zhou Wangchen's children, they would not necessarily offend Zhou Yuntian... all this was for the sake of Zhou Yuntian? So Zhou Yuntian wouldn't lose face?
Aside from this reason, Zhou Yan couldn't think of another reason.
Yet even so, he didn't mind.
Witnessed by Heaven and Earth, comprehension had already reached such heights, so what if the score was 0? Could it cover up his astonishing comprehension?
It couldn't!
"Elder is fair and just, disciple is convinced."
With a cold inner laugh, Zhou Yan still spoke respectfully.
"Hmm."
Seeing Zhou Yan not turning furious, but rather accepting it calmly, many people nodded quietly, believing Zhou Yan's mindset was steady and not rash, thus taking a closer look at him.
"Your examinations will proceed as previously stated. If performed with additional forms or if they do not match what you said, they will all be scored 0!"
The Great Zhou Elder then sternly addressed the other Zhou Family disciples.
"Yes, Great Zhou Elder!"
All Zhou Family disciples bowed and saluted.
Among them, Zhou Lingyi and Zhou Lingyao's expressions remained relatively calm.
However, Zhou Xian, the petty person, was gloating immensely, unable to conceal his gloating and delight when looking at Zhou Yan.
Zhou Yan silently took a deep breath, fusing his fury once more into his regular twelve meridians and the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.
This time, he endured a bellyful of anger, his internal meridians already heated.
With the pride of his Grandmaster soul, this was an extremely frustrating matter.
But reality was as such; temporarily, he still needed to endure!
Zhou Yan also understood that if he hadn't directly shown his comprehension, then likely, while practicing in the sealed Sword Array, he might have suffered some "accident" and perished!
Blame without cause, what concern of words. This elder was clearly biased toward that woman Zhou Ting and the genius Zhou Yuntian, hence he was harsh with him!
But the more it was so, the more Zhou Yan felt determined to enter this family and, after his growth, to fiercely trample these despicable people.
Today's humiliation would surely be repaid a hundredfold in the future!