"Of course!" Zhou Yuan affirmed.
"Yes, it should be that way!" Zhou Ting also said resolutely.
Elder Xing watched this scene, eyes filled with relief. However, Zhou Ying's father, Zhou Han, had a gaze filled with inexplicable worry and sorrow.
He looked at his daughter clinging to Zhou Yan, and then at the Zhou Family's Three Generations envisioning their bright future, he felt a tinge of melancholy: If things truly developed this way, it would be good. But the Great Zhou clan had suppressed Zhou Yan's father and possibly even extracted his soul, infusing it into the Sword Spirit...
And that Great Zhou's first acknowledged genius, Zhou Yuntian, had a severe conflict with Zhou Wangchen, making it uncertain if Zhou Yan would be able to cultivate in peace once he entered.
In the early stage of cultivation, if resources were lacking, could Zhou Yan fare well? Even with talent, this critical year could be wasted.
Not to mention, cultivating a genius with Dual Qi Pillars required infinite resources, and the Great Zhou clan had devoted all their resources to Zhou Yuntian, who now nearly controlled a part of the clan's power. Would Zhou Yan receive the cultivation resources his Dual Qi Pillars warranted?
These issues were not just possible, but highly probable!
However, things might also develop in a favorable direction, who knows.
Zhou Han did not bother to speculate. His Realm was insufficient, and he had no way of knowing the Zhou Family's Qi Fortune. Moreover, this time, there was Zhou Yan, whom he couldn't foresee at all, joining the family, making it even more elusive.
He had concerns but chose not to voice them. Rarely were the three generations so harmonious, the atmosphere so pleasant. He didn't want to ruin the ambiance Zhou Yuan and the others painstakingly cultivated with worries about something that hadn't happened yet.
...
Zhou Yan didn't truly internalize the harmonious atmosphere at present.
The world was harsh. In the soul memories passed down from his Grandmaster, he didn't know how many stories of suffering and betrayal there were—laughing and drinking today, only to be stabbed in the back tomorrow.
Betrayal simply meant the stakes were not high enough.
Therefore, when faced with Zhou Ying's innocent thoughts, he merely nodded and smiled, saying nothing more.
After all, when a beauty throws herself at you, you shouldn't let her down!
After chatting with Elder Xing and others for a while, Zhou Gucheng, Zhou Momo, Zhou Bi, and Zhou Yao all followed Zhou Lingyi and others as they arrived in succession.
By this time, Zhou Yan was already well-acquainted with Zhou Ying, Zhou Yuan, and Zhou Ting. However, it was Zhou Ying, the girl he had grown up with, who shared a closer bond with him.
Zhou Yan also remembered that as a child, he was sensible yet mischievous, deliberately luring Zhou Ying and satisfying his curiosity by exploring beneath little girls' skirts during their investigations of his little brother.
At that time, he was only four or five years old, the age of mischief.
These memories had faded, but after the soul inheritance, every detail from the age of three became vividly clear.
The way the little girl looked when she urinated still seemed vividly before his eyes.
Reflecting on it, he found himself inexplicably flustered and couldn't help but think he was somewhat too wicked.
He even mischievously thought, wondering if Ying'er remembered such things? What might her certain parts look like now?
As these thoughts played in his mind, he noticed out of the corner of his eye that Gu Yan seemed hesitant and indecisive. Instantly, his mischievous thoughts dissipated. He turned around and looked at Gu Yan, saying, "Uncle Gu, you... don't want to follow me anymore?"
"Yan'er... you noticed..."
Gu Yan chuckled bitterly.
"Uncle Gu, if you have something to say, just say it. Don't worry. As long as I can do it, I won't refuse."
Zhou Yan said sincerely.
Gu Yan nodded, feeling touched.
Now that Zhou Yan's status was markedly different, even Elder Xing spoke to him with a smile, yet he still treated Gu Yan with such respect! Deeply moved, Gu Yan felt more resolute in his decision.
"Yan'er, it's like this..."
Gu Yan began to explain.
Hearing this, Zhou Yuan, Zhou Ting, and others became curious.
They had always thought Gu Yan was just a servant beside Zhou Yan. Little did they know that Zhou Yan treated this 'servant' more like an elder, without any air of superiority.
Such genuine treatment impressed even Zhou Lingyi, who couldn't help but remain fixated on Zhou Yan, feeling an unexplainable affection.
Considering things from Zhou Yan's perspective changed her, making her more emotional and less emotionless.
"Now that I see you can safely enter the Great Zhou clan without danger, I am relieved.
But I cannot stop worrying about Brother Xiao Zhan. I want to take care of him and rise together.
This trip to the Zhou clan enlightened me. Seeing you derive the 'Heavenly Dominator Dragon' from your sword, I've also gained new insights, seemingly touching the edge of Sword Intent.
So, I won't accompany Yan'er to the Great Zhou clan. After all, I am only your father's guard, with a humble status... Seeing you grow up, I am already very gratified..."
Gu Yan spoke at length, having formed his thoughts and ambitions, realizing he didn't have the ability to protect Zhou Yan now.
"Uncle Gu, since your mind is made up, you can go. Take this Qiankun Ring.
Inside it, I've prepared the Cultivation Method for the Great Perfection of the Qiushui Continuous Sword Technique, the Extreme Autumn Sword Technique's Great Perfection Cultivation Method I comprehended, some Sword Intent insights from Affectionate Sword Dao and Lifeless Sword Dao, as well as the Bishui Sword Heart Method and some Spirit Crystals... Uncle Gu, I agree to your departure, but promise me you'll utilize these resources for good cultivation.
We'll meet again someday."
Zhou Yan spoke sincerely, and his heartfelt generosity moved everyone present.
His actions contained no falseness or pretense, nor did he put on airs due to the number of people present.
Every word and deed carried an indescribable genuine quality, as if, at that moment, he completely ignored everyone around him.
His world was centered only on Gu Yan.
"Yan'er, this, how can this be..."
Gu Yan wanted to decline, but Zhou Yan's words were truly earnest, and the words carried some weight.
Since he said so, refusing would seem ungrateful. But accepting such tremendous cultivation resources, how could he?
He knew that the Crystal Stones must be substantial, because his daughter, before leaving, had sent a Flying Sword message explaining the Crystal Stone resources she'd obtained, telling him not to worry...
Precisely because of this, he had come determined to the place he thought was certain death!
His daughter had acquired so many resources, yet to accept them himself—would he still be a human?
This thought put him momentarily at a loss, feeling compelled; if he had given Zhou Yan even a little more, accepting would have been simple.
But because he was unable to enter the Zhou house for years and couldn't help Zhou Yan in any way—watching him suffer grievance in the Zhou family—he felt even more guilty.
"Uncle Gu, with our relationship, is there any need for formality? You've already allowed Xixi to follow me, so why maintain such distance?"
Zhou Yan spoke softly. It was precisely because of understanding Gu Yan's deep unease that Zhou Yan paid even more attention to this Uncle Gu.
This family was genuinely sincere, a truth Heaven and Earth could witness! Such kin were truly worthwhile, weren't they?
Those cultivation resources, he had no use for them. The insights he'd gained from achieving Great Perfection were not too precious, and the two relatively valuable treasures were gifts from Zhou Yuan and Zhou Ting, not particularly useful to Zhou Yan himself.
Moreover, he had thoroughly memorized the Bishui Sword Heart Method.
Thus, Zhou Yan did not consider these things significantly exceptional.
He didn't elaborate, merely made this one statement.
But this single sentence spoke louder than thousands of words.
"Yes, yes, Uncle, shouldn't be formal... Uncle... am honored."
Gu Yan was both joyful and moved, his old, near-clouded eyes filling with tears, unable to hold back his old tears.
In his life, he had shed much blood but never shed tears. Yet at this moment, his eyes stung, his emotions overwhelmed.
...
This scene silently touched many. Even someone like Zhou Xian, who thought highly of himself, couldn't help but turn away.
This scene taught these people that everyone fundamentally deserves respect and should not be trampled underfoot! Before treading on others, consider how they might feel.
This scene also resonated with the aura associated with Affectionate Sword Dao, indicating Zhou Yan had thoroughly integrated it into his conduct.
Every action seemed imbued with an inexplicable aura akin to Heavenly Dao!
Zhou Yan, originally an extraordinarily handsome individual, now possessed an unparalleled aura with hints of a grandmaster's noble and unshakable majesty, impressing countless women with an unforgettable impression!
Even now, the thirteen-year-old Zhou Momo, Zhou Bi, and Zhou Yao, brought by Zhou Yan from the Zhou family, were entirely captivated, seeing Zhou Yan as an unshakable idol!
Yet Zhou Yan paid no mind to this scene. His thoughts matched his emotions. Unless necessary, he wouldn't pretend or be insincere, nor did he care about anyone's view, acting according to his desires.
Faced with Gu Yan, since he had a strong desire for self-pursuit and protection, Zhou Yan didn't refuse his departure.
Moreover, given the complicated dynamics of the Great Zhou clan, Zhou Yan wasn't sure if this outsider Gu Yan would encounter danger. His talent in the Great Zhou clan didn't guarantee Gu Yan's safety from humiliation.
The Zhou Family's Third Generation, like Zhou Gucheng and Zhou Yao, were young enough that any indignity could serve as a trial and motivation, but Gu Yan, being elderly, if humiliated, would suffer heavy blows, losing all dignity.
Since Gu Yan desired to team up with Xiao Zhan for rigorous cultivation, Zhou Yan decisively agreed to his departure after careful consideration.