Zhou Yan's gaze fixed on the old man. His hand, his heart, his Sword Intent could be unleashed in that instant!
This Second Elder, Zhou Wuhen, who had reached the Sword Origin Realm's Three Realms and already comprehended Sword Intent, was utterly powerless against the formidable lethal power of the Silver Snow Sword.
But Zhou Yan saw people gradually coming out of the courtyard.
Zhou Momo, Zhou Gucheng, Zhou Bi, Zhou Xiaoshan, Zhou Lingyan, Zhou Ling, Zhou Yao...
These people were not the ten genius disciples. These were merely relatively ordinary collateral disciples, some of who were even dressed in rather shabby clothes.
Yet their eyes were all on him, filled with anticipation, envy, admiration, and also... hope.
Those were a pair of eyes filled with sincerity and infinite hope.
They all wished they could have a chance to soar high.
Seeing these third-generation disciples still wearing slightly shabby silk clothing, some even distant cousins, he ultimately did not unleash this sword.
It wasn't because he didn't kill. When the Second Elder instructed Zhou Yuan to kill him, he had already set aside any hesitations.
However, the Zhou Family was already sparse in numbers, and now, with most of the geniuses heading to the Great Zhou Family, it would inevitably become even more desolate!
Regardless of the schemes and plans Zhou Wuhen harbored, he had been an elder in the Zhou Family for so many years.
If he died, the ones to suffer would still be these pitiful third-generation disciples of the Zhou Family.
These third-generation disciples had never bullied or looked down on him; on the contrary, most of them had encouraged and blessed him multiple times with their gazes.
Thus, he did not wield his sword, and this matter he chose to let go.
"In the future, devote yourself wholeheartedly for the family, or else, the day I return from the Great Zhou Family, you'll be the first to pay with your life!"
Zhou Yan snorted coldly, and the boundless Sword Intent finally dissipated!
At this moment, Zhou Wuhen broke out in a cold sweat, instantly relieved of the Sword Intent's lock, feeling much more at ease.
"Rest assured, however ruthless we are, it is also for the betterment of this Zhou Family! Since you've proven your excellence and our errors at this point, we old bones will manage the Zhou Family diligently!
Your talent shines unparalleled. Your father's matters should no longer be an issue!
But, regardless of whether you are pleased or not, I must say, the Great Zhou Family values strength and talent. If the four people you bring lack talent or strength, it will only make our collateral Zhou Family a laughingstock! Zhou Cheng, Zhou Shuangshuang, Zhou Shan, and Zhou Liang all have outstanding talent, you should choose them!"
Zhou Wuhen stubbornly said at this moment.
Zhou Yan glanced fleetingly at the Second Elder and said indifferently, "The Family Head, Preaching Elder, Great Elder, and even the Third Elder didn't intervene, letting a fool like you here offend people or court death, yet you are content, truly ignorant!"
"So what, I watched Zhou Liang and the others grow up. It's within my duty to do this! Anyway, I've already offended you. If you want to kill, then kill!"
Zhou Wuhen replied carelessly.
Zhou Yan swept a glance at Zhou Cheng and the others again, sneering coldly, "Their talent is mediocre at best, why not choose those younger in age?
In the Great Zhou Family and those great families, before reaching the Sword Intent Realm, levels were practically forcefully elevated, do they care about talent? I won't say more; I appoint Zhou Gucheng, Zhou Momo, Zhou Bi, and Zhou Yao. These four are the youngest; their talents have not solidified. They can be directly raised to the the Sword Intent Realm before, like the disciples of the Great Zhou Family, not wasting time.
If you wish, let these four follow me. If not, I'll go alone! I've nothing more to say; handle this as you see fit!"
Zhou Yan flicked his sleeves and turned to leave.
At this point, the four named by Zhou Yan simultaneously knelt down.
These four were only thirteen to fourteen years old, and their overall strength was very poor. Zhou Yao, in particular, was only at the Swordman Triple Heaven realm, not even reaching the Sword Beginning Realm.
The other three, although reached the Sword Beginning Realm, were only at the Sword Beginning First Layer Heaven!
Such a realm was simply unacceptable!
"Can we really present them? Will we not be ridiculed by the Great Zhou Family clan members?"
The Second Elder's face turned somewhat unsightly, extremely anxious.
"Who dares to ridicule them? With me, Zhou Yan, here, who dares?!"
Zhou Yan abruptly turned around, releasing a powerful burst of Soul Power, mercilessly, the aura of the Giant Sword Soul exposed without restraint, causing the Second Elder to vomit blood unprepared!
...
"Fine, let it be so! You're broad-minded to bring younger siblings to the Great Zhou Family. I'm gratified.
I was wrong previously, unworthy of being your grandfather. I kneel to admit my fault!
With matters as they are, I have nothing more to say—take care of yourself!"
At this moment, Zhou Wuzhen and others, accompanied by the Preaching Elder Zhou Wuyan, Great Elder Zhou Wuwei, and Third Elder Zhou Wude, all came out, then knelt in front of Zhou Yan.
As soon as they kneeled, the Second Elder, Zhou Wuhen, and third-generation disciples like Zhou Cheng and Zhou Shuangshuang also knelt.
Meanwhile, the majority of the family disciples that had come here also knelt.
The only ones standing were Zhou Lingyi, Zhou Lingyao, and Zhou Xian standing behind these elders.
The three seemed to have discussed something and came out from the courtyard, witnessing this scene!
At that moment, Zhou Lingyao's gaze was calm, like a still pond. Zhou Xian's eyes were filled with venomous resentment.
Only Zhou Lingyi's gaze slightly tightened—steadfast yet unyielding. When looking at Zhou Yan, there was an indescribable intensity—Battle Intent!
"One day, I will also have you kneel and repay the humiliation of making grandpa and the entire family kneel before you today!"
It seemed as if she was making such a vow in her heart!
Looking at Zhou Lingyi, and then looking at the clan members kneeling in front of him, Zhou Yan said nothing and made no mockery of these people.
Turning around, he said calmly, "Zhou Gucheng, Zhou Momo, Zhou Bi, Zhou Yao, you four, stand up, prepare well. Soon, we'll go to the training ground and head with me to the Great Zhou Family. I will cultivate you."
Saying this, he was already far away.
But, just as he left the courtyard, he pondered deeply for a long time, finally saying, "Zhou Cheng and Zhou Shuangshuang, siblings, yet indulge in nightly debauchery, defying ethics; such vile people, how could they be allowed into the Great Zhou Family to disgrace us?
Zhou Shan and Zhou Liang, aged over eighteen, although their realms are decent, they are otherwise mediocre, lacking long-term potential, making their development minimal if taken.
I chose these four for their Qi Columns' potential mutation, their comprehension and talent being decent, rendering them the most promising among the third-generation disciples in the Zhou Family!"
"Moreover, Zhou Xian, you resent and want to kill me, yet I've never wronged you—in fact, I once taught you cultivation techniques and promoted you! Your hatred stems from envy!
Failing to eliminate this envious heart will leave you unaccomplished forever!"
"Zhou Lingyao, your heart runs deep, striving for strength by any means. I have nothing to say to you. But don't forget, we're brethren! Internal strife yields no meaning!"
"Zhou Lingyi, I, Zhou Yan, am without shame to the heavens above nor disgraced before men! I didn't ask for them to kneel. They volunteered! Therefore, your resentment and perceived humiliation lack cause!
If today, you were I, what would you do?
My mother passed young, my father was crippled, and I forever lived in the torment of my incapability, striving desperately to push my limits, unwilling to see the disappointment in my loved ones' and friends' eyes, unaware that such seemingly disappointed gazes were only deceitful calculations!
When relationships soured, they pursued me tirelessly across thousands of miles...
Such actions, obliterated with your one genuine kneel among them all.
My father, near death, also held no grudges against you, and I, too, will imitate my father, not blaming you any longer. But my forgiveness isn't for you; it's purely an offering to my father, who I still don't know is alive or dead.
With my ability, killing you is as simple as cutting grass! Yet, out of bloodline ties, I spare you.
This time, I sever all ties with the Zhou Family, severing all relationships. I am no longer your kinsman, and you have no connection to me anymore!"
Zhou Yan finally let out a long sigh, expressing many thoughts.
As he contemplated killing the Second Elder, he foresaw the outcome: if the Second Elder died, the Great Elder wouldn't relent, nor the Preaching Elder, nor the Family Head.
Ultimately, all should die! He didn't fear this, capable since these people's highest realm only reached Sword Intent First Layer Heaven, not exceedingly potent.
Yet, he still thought of his father and the numerous family disciples who, during the competition, were ecstatic and applauded for his performance—innocent, adorable!
They had done nothing wrong by him!
If the main figures in the Zhou Family perished, it would fall apart, forcing them to become displaced and banished. Without familial support, they'd become rootless and supremely lowly, bereft of stature.
He pondered much and voiced some heartfelt words.
But this didn't mean he wouldn't establish his authority!
Therefore, after saying these words, the Silver Snow Sword in his hand suddenly shot out with a "whoosh."
Boundless Soul Power extracted directly from the Soul Giant Sword and imbued fully into the Silver Snow Sword, granting it an immense force, abruptly manifesting the illusion of five great Gray Dragons!
"Roar!"
The azure Gray Dragon, bearing an unparalleled primal aura, like a Divine Beast from antiquity, with invincible, mighty, terrifying, and unbeatable presence!
"Swish swish swish swish swish—"
The five roaring Gray Dragon illusions instantly plunged into his father's residence.
The courtyard collapsed with a "boom," directly becoming ruins.
Five terrifying giant pits appeared there—seeming as if a magnitude-nine earthquake had struck—the earth shuddered violently at the power of this single sword.
"My combat power, breaking the Three, is no longer distant! Slaughtering you is as easy as cutting grass! Those four strong Sword Intent of Xie Family and Xie Feng were slain by my single sword, unable to resist!
Now, do you recognize my sincerity?"
Zhou Yan declared as he turned, and truly walked away.
Though Zhou Yan left, the entire scene remained visible to the strong ones in taverns and inns outside.
Thus, this time, Zhou Yan—one move, achieved fame, spreading across the land!
He earned the title of "True Man Level Genius," and his reputation skyrocketed, as high as the sun at noon!
...
In the void, within the Spiritual Artifact of the Flying Boat, the white-haired Elder Xing marveled, "Did you see, this person's combat power also ranks among top-tier geniuses. By comparing himself to Young Master Zhou Yuntian, it actually devalues his talent!"
"Truly strong! This man retained a shred of humanity, refraining from killing family members amid such provocation—it would have been justified, yet he held back!
I've decided, I'll apologize."
Zhou Ting contemplated before finally arriving at a decision.
"I will not apologize. He's indeed formidable, but I don't regret my actions. Knowing my wrongdoing within is enough! Why create a situation where we appear to curry favor with him?!
Besides, now my realm far surpasses his; I refuse to believe striving madly won't keep me ahead! Who says strong Qi Columns guarantee swift cultivation? Because these columns are potent, realm barriers harder to break, his cultivation difficulty, cultivation resources will be exponentially greater!"
Zhou Yuan's complexion turned a little uncertain; he couldn't lower his pride, still holding contempt for Zhou Yan, thinking him but a man from an insignificant place, too unworthy for the Great Zhou Family elite to apologize to.