Zhou Ying, at the Great Zhou Family Master's indication, was the first to walk towards the stone wall statue. As expected, the massive stone sculpture, which was at least four or five meters high, shot out two beams of Guanghua from its eyes.
This time, upon witnessing this scene, many elders in the entire grand hall became completely agitated. Some of the old men sitting on jade chairs stood up abruptly, their gazes fixed intently on Zhou Ying, who was beside Zhou Yan.
"Hmm, it is indeed an Absolute Grade Qi Column talent, dual Qi Pillars with two Qi Jie each!"
The youthful elder, with an aged demeanor, nodded with satisfaction, then turned his gaze towards Zhou Yan. At this moment, Zhou Yan also looked at this Great Zhou Family's Family Head.
"I know about your situation. For the talents of the Great Zhou Family, as long as the value is sufficient, the family can sacrifice much for them. Zhou Yan, perform well. If your performance is good, then your father's issue can be easily resolved."
This youthful elder spoke with indifference, yet there seemed to be a hint of inducement.
The Qi Column within Zhou Yan's body was concealed by purple arcs, so ordinary people could not glimpse the situation of his Qi Columns. He also did not wish for anyone to know.
Thus, when this Family Head spoke, it was with a testing intent.
Zhou Yan's heart stirred, but his expression did not change much. He looked at the Great Zhou Family's Family Head and responded without showing inferiority or arrogance, "Family Head, this disciple will do my utmost!"
"Hmm, then you start as well!"
The youthful Family Head, with an aged gaze, nodded silently, which was a gesture of acknowledgment with Zhou Yan.
Like Zhou Ying, Zhou Yan again used his sensing power to sense the statue. This time, the statue suddenly shuddered, and its hollow eyes abruptly lit up at the same time!
Moreover, the pupils shot out two dazzling beams of Guanghua, which were at least ten times brighter than Zhou Ying's light!
"Good! Such pure Qi Column energy!"
"Indeed, the Absolute Grade among Absolutes!"
"Among the dual Qi Pillars, the Qi Jie quality is the highest!"
"What an astonishing genius!"
...
At this moment, Zhou Yan's performance once again moved these people.
And at this moment, the stone statue seemed to have touched upon certain taboos and suddenly "puff," it directly turned to dust!
This advanced testing strange stone, at this moment, collapsed and annihilated!
This situation took almost everyone by surprise. The precious stone sculpture for testing Qi Columns was inexplicably destroyed in such a way!
This was something they could hardly imagine! But precisely because of this, Zhou Yan's talent was far beyond their imagination!
"Hmm, Zhou Yan, your talent is indeed excellent, second to none, the greatest in the Great Zhou Family!"
The young master of the Great Zhou Family couldn't help but affirm.
"Family Head, Zhou Ying herself possesses the Heavenly Spirit Sword Body. In terms of talent, she should be slightly better than Zhou Yan. Although Zhou Yan's Qi Columns are better than Zhou Ying's, Zhou Ying's situation..."
Elder Xing hesitated slightly but still spoke truthfully.
This time, he had no bias, as he had noticed this point earlier, and this way, they could uncover even more outstanding geniuses.
For the family, no elder would overlook this point.
"I have noticed this, but Zhou Yan's comprehension is excellent. He is likely a nearly lost 'Soul-controlling Sword Body,' because my testing strange stone only clashes with the Soul-controlling Sword Body. So, this time, both these individuals have exceptional talent."
The youthful Family Head spoke with a very gratified tone, smiling.
"Soul-controlling Sword Body?!"
All the elders, including Elder Xing, were suddenly and deeply moved. Their expressions turned horrified, and when they looked at Zhou Yan again, their gaze was extremely peculiar.
And Zhou Yan, in contrast, was somewhat unclear about what these people meant by the 'Soul-controlling Sword Body.'
He understood that the 'Soul-controlling Sword Body' must be closely related to the soul, but no one knew his soul's secret, and no one could sense it... So what exactly was that Soul-controlling Sword Body?
Zhou Yan was puzzled and had some of his own thoughts. He didn't know what sword body capabilities he had, as this Soul-controlling Sword Body might not even be real.
But at this moment, he did not deny it.
"Zhou Yan, calm yourself first, and I will explain your father's matter to you in detail."
The youth gazed at Zhou Yan, actually with much solace, yet he still maintained the Family Head's authority.
"Yes. This disciple understands." Zhou Yan's gaze grew more contemplative, and he nodded slightly.
"You know, a large family needs vast resources to continue developing. And these resources, especially in situations regarding the Spirit Sword or Sword Heart, need high-quality and pure female souls. While these are excellent, such souls are also hard to find and are often those Heaven's Chosen Girls, genius characters.
Instead, if the Zhou family's own bloodline were to be abolished, and they themselves were rather genius, it would be possible to capture their souls, refine them with flames, and combine the Array Sword Cultivator, Talisman Sword Cultivator, and Artifact Sword Cultivator to create a Divine Weapon imbued with a Sword Spirit.
Your father once did something that wronged the Zhou Family, indirectly causing the death of a Great Zhou Family's Heaven's Chosen Girl, an exceptional genius.
Now that girl's brother has become successful, and your father has realized the Sword Heart but is crippled in cultivation. Since he voluntarily seeks redemption, allowing the Great Zhou Family to have one more new Sword Heart... this too benefits the Great Zhou Family's development.
Although his soul has been extracted and is currently being tempered in flames, any Zhou Family member, until the last moment, has left a glimmer of hope for revival and redemption, preventing the loss of greater contributions.
So, you don't need to worry about your father. Since you have such talent, I will personally spend a tenth of my cultivation to help him unify his Spirit and Body.
In this way, despite undergoing a series of tribulations, it will be tantamount to a transformation, possibly reaching the Realm of Sword Heart Clarity."
The young master spoke calmly, his eyes seemingly containing all his life's complexities.
But his words, every letter, exuded a sincerity so profound.
Zhou Yan's heart, initially somewhat uneasy, calmed down. What he thought was complicated now seemed to have been resolved easily.
"Zhou Yuntian, you come over too." The Great Zhou Family Master looked at the imposing, arrogant, black-armored youth and spoke.
"Yes, Family Head."
That arrogant black-armored youth also respectfully approached not far from Zhou Yan.
"The Heavenly Evil Sword, which belonged to Zhou Yan's mother, you should also give it to him." The Family Head of the Zhou Family pondered momentarily and suddenly said.
The young man frowned at these words and said, "Family Head, I cannot do this! As for this Heavenly Evil Sword, if Zhou Yan wants it, let him earn it with real skill! If he lacks the ability, then he's not worthy of the family's vast resources!"
Zhou Yuntian sneered continuously.
Zhou Yan furrowed his brows, looking coldly at Zhou Yuntian, "How is my father's Heavenly Evil Sword in your possession?"
"Heh, that goes back to your prostitute mother who was a brothel courtesan!"
Zhou Yuntian's gaze was wicked, and his words carried a taunting tone.
"Doesn't that mean your sister isn't even on par with a courtesan? Otherwise, how would my father discard your sister like old shoes and not want her?"
Zhou Yan replied with equally venomous words as a retort.
Zhou Yuntian's terrifying intent to kill burst forth, but it was directly annihilated by a sword intent shot from the deep eyes of the Great Zhou Family Master.
"Family matters should prioritize the family's interests above all else. Little skirmishes are acceptable, but don't destroy the talents of true geniuses! Both of you are top-level geniuses of the Great Zhou Family. You can battle, despise, and disobey each other, but do not commit acts of killing or crippling one's cultivation, remember?"
Now, the Great Zhou Family Master spoke with a very stern expression. No one dared oppose his words because everyone felt the unspoken majesty and anger in them!
"Yes, Family Head!"
Zhou Yuntian's face was displeased, and he stared at Zhou Yan with some hatred as if he were mad.
It was clear that his sister was his reverse scale, untouchable.
Yet Zhou Yan showed no fear, glaring back at the one who had once forced his father to kneel, vomit blood, and deliberately humiliated him.
"Hmph, the higher the talent, the harder the progress! I'll wait for you to prove your capabilities! Remember what you said today!"
Zhou Yuntian's expression was unhappy, yet he contained his anger.
"Of course I'll remember! I just fear you won't!"
Zhou Yan laughed sharply, his eyes carrying some arrogance.
"Dual Qi Pillars, don't get too proud too soon; it's not such an impressive talent!"
Zhou Yuntian seemed to recall many things, a fervent glint flashed through his eyes, and he became even more confident!