沧澜城,碧海青天酒楼.
"Father, look, Brother Zhou Yan has a talent like mine. You won't stop me from comprehending swordsmanship with him, will you?"
Zhou Ying smiled repeatedly at this moment, feeling particularly excited as she looked at her father.
She didn't even know that despite not seeing him for so many years, the figure from her childhood was still vividly remembered in her heart.
"Alright... alright, as long as you're happy."
The middle-aged man said with a bitter smile.
"This Zhou Yan... is indeed... not to be underestimated! I really didn't expect it. I must have misjudged him. I thought he only had three Qi Jie, but who knew, he actually has Dual Qi Pillars with two Qi Jie each!
Given his circumstances, this transformation must have occurred within a month, which is somewhat terrifying."
The middle-aged man couldn't help but feel a bit shocked in his heart, thus sighing endlessly.
In this tavern, most of the people here were paying close attention to the movements of the Zhou Family. Witnessing Zhou Yan's talent and the capability of that elder from the Great Zhou family, everyone fell silent.
With such a Zhou Yan emerging in the Zhou Family, regardless of Zhou Yan's situation, the Zhou Family immediately attracted so many disciples to the Great Zhou family, naturally elevating the Zhou Family's status. A family like this, it's hard not to flourish!
Those cultivators with unusual thoughts had to honestly abandon those ideas now and had no choice but to give up targeting the Zhou Family.
At this moment, Zhou Ying's father, Zhou Han, also repeatedly changed his opinion of Zhou Yan, feeling extremely conflicted.
He understood that he no longer had the ability to stop his daughter. However, he wasn't worried anymore; instead, he suddenly felt some anticipation—if his daughter could truly be with Zhou Yan, then... then what kind of genius would their offspring be?
If two Double Qi Pillars each with three Qi Jie of the Emperor Qi Sword Body combined, would their descendants break the shackles of the Emperor Qi Sword Body, becoming a kind of supreme special sword body constitution? Born with a soul that could become a Sword Spirit, immensely powerful?
Thinking about these, he couldn't help but feel very... anticipatory.
Yes, expecting it! No matter what kind of utilitarian mindset he had, his sole hope was for his daughter to have a better life. Zhou Yan's previous encounters indicated that his future was indeed worrying, but now he showed enough value so much so that even Elder Xing, who had been difficult on him at every turn, couldn't help but bow to his absolute talent.
"Hmm, I know. I just wonder if Brother Zhou Yan still remembers me..."
Zhou Ying said sweetly, with some anticipation shining in her beautiful eyes and an inexplicable gleam.
She recalled how, as a child, she was naive and curious about the male feature of Zhou Yan, wondering why she didn't have one. She even once pestered Zhou Yan to study the differences between the two carefully...
Thinking of this now, she felt nothing but shame, yet there was also an inexplicable warmth in her heart that she couldn't forget. Those years were muddled and childish but also full of innocence, worth reminiscing.
...
Seeing his daughter's blushing, shy, and lovely appearance, Zhou Han helplessly shook his head, thinking, "Zhou Wangchen... you brought trouble to many women back then. Now, your damn son is here again; outstanding women of the world are likely to suffer again... sigh... envy, jealousy, hate!"
He was speaking when he witnessed the unbelievable scene of five Gray Dragon Illusions!
Simultaneously, in the tavern, the vast majority of cultivators immediately stood up, their gazes fixed on the courtyard where Zhou Wangchen once lived!
"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Five Gray Dragon Illusions instantly perforated the courtyard, leaving five deep, trench-like sword marks!
That split second of erupting Sword Intent was mighty enough to instantly slaughter a Sword Intent First Layer Heaven pinnacle expert!
This was an incredibly powerful ability, like an ancient, unparalleled War God suddenly bursting out with an angry roar!
At that moment, not only Zhou Han and Zhou Ying but even all the cultivators in this floor of the tavern couldn't help but reveal looks of horror!
In Canglan City, the strongest were at the Sword Intent Realm, and almost nine out of ten Sword Intent Realm cultivators were at the Sword Intent First Layer Heaven, as from the Sword Intent Realm onwards, the cultivation difficulty greatly increased!
From this stage on, there was a vast trench! It wasn't something normal time could fill!
Therefore, when a Sword Intent First Layer Heaven pinnacle expert could be instantly killed by such a strike, no one could remain calm!
Because the ability displayed by Zhou Yan showed he could now kill them instantly!
They had always believed themselves to be seniors, considering young talents as still far away from them! Yet, Zhou Yan's strike—those shocking heaven and earth sword strikes—told them with living facts that Zhou Yan couldn't be viewed with the eyes of juniors!
His strength had unknowingly reached their level, and possibly even surpassed it!
This was a fact they witnessed with their eyes; even though they were unwilling to believe all these, it was a fact!
A gasp sounded from the tavern's loft, and after a moment of dead silence, someone finally couldn't help but exclaim!
At this moment, no one was seated anymore but stood there with extremely vivid expressions.
"This Zhou Yan, if he doesn't fall, what a heaven-defying genius this is! This is simply monstrous!
Such a person, in the future, is afraid of leaving a legacy for ages, making a name in our entire Water Domain and even the whole Cangyan Prefecture!"
An elder with gray hair trembled while speaking, revealing some sparse teeth. His body quivered as he spoke!
This was an elder of the Huang Family. He was almost on the brink of dying from old age, yet still hadn't broken through the pinnacle of the Sword Intent First Layer Heaven, and soon life would perish!
Seeing this scene, an inexplicable passion arose from his withered body; his stagnant blood seemed to burn!
He felt like he had... had his soul shaken by the five Gray Dragon Illusions, seemingly seeing a new Sword Dao Sword Intent!
That instant spark made him suddenly excited, shouting, "I've understood! I've finally understood! This Zhou Yan is a grandmaster-like great talent, this strange Sword Intent shook the heavens and earth; this is a Sword Intent of 'who else could it be'!"
The old man sighed with emotion, like he's gone mad, yet his eyes turned blood red, making his elderly body suddenly appear extremely mighty.
"Congratulations to the Huang Family Ancestor!"
"Huang Family Ancestor reaching Sudden Enlightenment, comprehending the Sword Intent Second Layer, extending life by a hundred years, is truly commendable!"
"To reach enlightenment at this time, Elder Huang is indeed fated, and surely will achieve extraordinary accomplishments in the future!"
...
Various words of blessing emerged continuously at this time.
The Huang Family Ancestor responded emotionally, sighing now and then, "All of this is thanks to Zhou Yan master's unique Sword Intent majesty, allowing me to experience something novel, everyone should ponder this more, it'll surely be rewarding."
At this moment, the Huang Family Ancestor, admiring Zhou Yan, also changed his mode of address.
When he mentioned Zhou Yan, his gaze no longer held any derisive meaning but had turned into... sincere admiration.
In this instant, he was utterly convinced by Zhou Yan's charisma!
Zhou Yan became famous in one stroke, shocking the world, winning unparalleled attention from the Great Zhou family, and even gained four slots, but chose to be lenient with the family despite past grudges, earning recognition from numerous cultivators!
Such a mindset and passionate sincerity won great admiration from all families!
...
Zhou Family.
After Zhou Yan left, the courtyard was still utterly silent.
At this time, no one stood up yet; all were silently kneeling, as if repenting for their mistakes.
And the five enormous trenches lay there, somewhat alarming and shocking.
The Zhou Family remained quiet, as well as desolate.
The few individuals named by Zhou Yan were displaying varying expressions now.
Zhou Xian's face was uncertain, yet he ultimately internalized Zhou Yan's words, pondering deeply.
Zhou Lingyi's expression was somewhat cold but also somewhat touched. Her expression was complex; after hearing Zhou Yan's words, she truly used Zhou Yan's perspective to feel Zhou Yan's emotions—then, her once arrogant and cold gaze suddenly dimmed.
This was the first time she considered others' feelings and this deeply stimulated her, making her doubt her past actions.
Could it be she was truly wrong?
But who knew Zhou Yan, once without promise, would suddenly rise?
Had he not risen, wouldn't the Zhou Family have collapsed without change?
This was Zhou Lingyi's confusion.
Zhou Lingyao, at this moment, remained calm but seemed even more reticent. He said nothing, quietly walking forward, leaving this courtyard.
"Ling Yi, Ling Yao, Xian'er."
Zhou Wuzhen called out to Zhou Lingyao and Zhou Lingyi, and Zhou Xian.
"Zhou Yan was right, this kneeling was due to our errors in judgment and planning, but we didn't foresee such a change was possible.
But a mistake is a mistake, kneeling is our willing choice and has nothing to do with him. Otherwise, as he said, slaughtering us would've been as easy as cutting grass.
Luckily, that life-and-death battle didn't happen, otherwise you three..."
"Going forward, when you join the Great Zhou family, although you might reject him in your heart, don't make things difficult for him anymore, he... is also a bitter soul who's struggled to attain his position today.
His efforts, you've all seen.
To speak of it, me, as his grandfather, sent people to kill him, intending to root it out... a tiger, cruel as he might be, doesn't eat his cubs... for me to do such a thing, this kneeling was indeed my rightful due..."
"Grandfather, but if not for Zhou Wangchen back then—" Zhou Lingyao said somewhat unwillingly, finally attempting to explain.
"The past is in the past; let it go!" Zhou Wuzhen's eyes were somewhat lost, though his eyes were bright and not muddy, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes seemed to conceal much vicissitude and misfortune.
"Yes, Grandfather, we won't make trouble for him. But, he has the status now, not entangled with the Zhou Family, we—at least I—will not curry favors!"
Zhou Lingyao said coldly.
"Hmm... as long as there's no more conflict between you, it's good. Everything else, let it happen as it may! Also, Zhou Gucheng, Zhou Momo, Zhou Bi, and Zhou Yao, you four should pack up now.
We were overly arrogant, eventually having some prejudices, never taking your talents seriously, but Zhou Yan said your potential is excellent, so it must be true.
Once you reach the Great Zhou family, strive hard, and do not let Zhou Yan's slots become a handle for ridicule, understand?"
"Disciples understand, we will certainly remember the Family Head's teachings,"
Zhou Gucheng, Zhou Momo, Zhou Bi, and Zhou Yao said respectfully almost simultaneously.
Zhou Wuzhen nodded, then closed his eyes, seemingly reminiscing about past fragments bit by bit.
In this moment, he seemed even more aged.
...