Zhou Yuntian's attitude did not bother Zhou Yan. Instead, Zhou Yan slowly released a trace of sensing power, allowing his soul ability to gradually diffuse. This time, Zhou Yuntian's opponent made him curious about his thoughts.
This time, Zhou Yan abruptly extended his soul power, directing it solely at Zhou Yuntian.
Sure enough, as Zhou Yuntian continued to sneer, Zhou Yan's soul ability suddenly reached him, and in that instant, Zhou Yan sensed something different.
But just then, Zhou Yuntian's face suddenly turned cold. He warily scanned the surroundings before his gaze fell on Zhou Yan, and his expression turned suspicious, as if he too sensed something in that fleeting moment.
In response to Zhou Yuntian's uncertain expression, Zhou Yan merely sneered inwardly. Such soul ability came from his master and the transformation through Void Thunder Tribulation Energy, and his master was also a Shattering Void expert. No matter how powerful Zhou Yuntian was, he could never detect the presence of his peculiar soul power.
The reason for Zhou Yuntian's reaction, Zhou Yan could imagine, was simply due to the sudden feeling of being seen through, causing his 'uncertainty.'
At this moment, Zhou Yan felt a weight on his heart. Even as he pretended to look down on Zhou Yuntian, he couldn't deny that Zhou Yuntian was a formidable person. His strength, his vitality, and his talent made Zhou Yan feel a silent tremor when facing him. It was a sensation that suggested using all his cards might still not be enough to battle this man.
From Zhou Yuntian's psyche, Zhou Yan learned a somewhat peculiar secret, which also left Zhou Yan feeling heavy.
Indeed, heavy.
This time, Zhou Yuntian wanted to split his talent in a transformative mode. In other words, from an ancient relic, he acquired a special Secret Treasure with the potential to split a Qi Column.
The results of splitting a Qi Column would either be the destruction and collapse of the Qi Column or have it split into two, becoming a Dual Qi Pillar genius.
Zhou Yuntian had long harbored such thoughts, and he accumulated various materials and Sword Formation Runes for precisely this purpose.
He had prepared for a long time and was now nearly ready. At this point, with the familial changes, he was determined to go all-in.
As Zhou Yan sensed this, because Zhou Yuntian was in a frenzied state of rage, he easily picked up on this information. As such, Zhou Yan felt even more pressure.
Daring to gamble with one's talent this way meant that from the moment of decision, one had already won, because the crucial point was overcoming the catastrophic consequences of possibly becoming useless.
"Let's arrange things this way. All right, you all can go now."
Seeing Zhou Yan and Zhou Yuntian only verbally arguing, the seemingly young Family Head felt somewhat gratified and nodded. He didn't say much else, just letting Zhou Yan and others go attend to their matters.
From that point on, Zhou Yan knew he no longer needed to worry about those matters. With the Golden Sword Seal, at the very least, his status and other aspects should be unchallenged.
Zhou Yan thought as he bowed slightly to the Family Head with Zhou Ying, allowing him to leave the Sword Soul Hall with Elder Xing.
In this place, everyone felt a kind of oppression, an indescribable sense of depression. This Sword Soul Hall did not feel like a safe place; unless necessary, Zhou Yan felt he would not want to stay there even for a moment longer.
…
"Each disciple, the Elders have reported the information to the Elder of Chuan Gong Hall. The Elder has prepared all of your Identity Badges, which I, Zhou Yang, will distribute! According to your talents, when I call a name, that person can come forward and receive it.
Once everything is received, a disciple will take you to your respective cultivation areas..."
On the plaza, a man in Black Battle Armor was already standing on the Sword Light, his eyes flickering as he surveyed the numerous Zhou Family disciples from the various branches. His words carried an undeniable arrogance and a clear sense of superiority.
After he finished speaking, he saw the disciples bow to him, which instantly gave him a sense of being above others and filled him with elation.
He relished that feeling of being one person beneath only heaven, above all others.
Furthermore, managing all the information of the people here, occasionally making things difficult to gain benefits, was something he always enjoyed doing. There were no truly unique geniuses here, as they lacked any golden or silver name tags. This indicated that the family didn't take the lives of these people too seriously!
"You good-for-nothings, without even a golden name tag, let's see how you perform this time!"
The black-clad youth, Zhou Yang, sneered, already planning various strategies in his mind.
…
"Senior Brother Zhou Yang, this is a special Spirit Armor that this disciple accidentally obtained from the ancient ruins. Senior Brother Zhou Yang, you seem like a person of great wisdom. This disciple hopes that you can observe and examine it to see if there are any secrets in this Spirit Armor."
A young woman with a fair countenance looked at the black-clad youth in front of her, her expression carrying a bit of flattery. It was evident that most of the family's disciples were aware of some unspoken rules in these situations.
"Hmm, this Spirit Armor truly is peculiar. Since you sincerely asked for assistance, Senior Brother will help you examine it. After deciphering its secrets, I'll return both the secrets and the Spirit Armor to you. Then, you can find me for 'further exchanges.'"
Zhou Yang laughed heartily, feeling extremely satisfied.
This was the ninth 'gift' he'd received today. Though lacking golden badges, these disciples actually possessed quite a few good things.
"Ah, thank you, Senior Brother Zhou Yang."
The green-clad young woman spoke with 'joy' and 'excitement.'
"Haha, you may leave. Your cultivation area in Bishui City is in the western courtyard number two."
"Oh... Thank you, thank you, Senior Brother, for the care!"
This woman, initially a bit reluctant, now displayed extreme delight upon hearing the designated cultivation area. It was clear that the pain of parting with the Spirit Armor vanished, and she genuinely felt grateful towards Senior Brother Zhou Yang.
Zhou Yang's face carried a playful smile as he thought, "Having done this for so many years, as long as you're willing to contribute, I won't trouble you.
Otherwise, if you harbor resentment, don't give me good things, and fight back, there's nothing for me to gain."
Thinking this, he called forth the next group from below.
This time, it was the people from Canglan City.
"Canglan City? Canglan City... that wretch Zhou Wangchen's city!"
He muttered the name, and his expression turned slightly sour. It was clear he not only disliked the city, he harbored a bit of aversion.
However, he didn't show it.
"Disciple Zhou Lingyao greets Senior Brother Zhou Yang."
Zhou Lingyao stepped forward first, followed by Zhou Lingyi, Zhou Xian, and others.
"Even you dare call me Senior Brother? Oh, not completely useless, you do have two Qi Jie, I suppose that qualifies you as a genius! But your group lacks golden name tags, and although you have a copper plate, compared to other family disciples, your overall quality is too low… Am I seeing wrong? There's even a Sword Realm trash posing as a genius?
You all can head to Northern District area twenty-nine, that's where you'll train."
"Northern District? Isn't that the worst area? That's where the Demon Beasts are kept, how could we—"
Zhou Xian abruptly sprang forward, his voice loud and sharp.
"What, do you object? Want to make a move below your rank?!"
Zhou Yang shot Zhou Xian a cold glance, let out a loud snort, causing Zhou Xian to buckle as if struck by lightning. He spat out a mouthful of blood, and, unsteadily, he fell to his knees.
"Hahaha, you people from Canglan City are just a bunch of wastes, usually only capable of kneeling and spitting blood! Just like that Zhou Wangchen, arrogantly boundless, yet when facing other geniuses, he's defeated in one move, kneeling and spitting blood!"
Zhou Yang laughed loudly, but then he noticed the atmosphere around him had turned strange.
Many disciples gazed at him with eyes filled with suspicion, fear, and horror, as if he had done something… to break the very sky.
A shiver ran through Zhou Yang's heart, as he carefully scrutinized every disciple from Canglan City, wondering whether this punished disciple had some extraordinary background.
Feeling doubtful, Zhou Yang noticed the looks of 'shock' and 'terror' on the faces of other major family disciples around him, and it left him unsettled.
However, gazing at the young man knelt down, Zhou Xian, who still bit his lip until swollen, Zhou Yang scoffed with arrogant disdain, "What, want to make a move? Dare to harbor ill will, and I'll kill you on the spot, and what could you do?
Hmph, lacking courtesy, disrespectful of hierarchy. Don't want to go to the Northern District? Then stay here and await death!"
Even though he speculated that there might be something unusual about these people, Zhou Yang dismissed such thoughts considering the best any of them had was a few copper badges.
…
Zhou Xian felt boundless humiliation at this moment. Suddenly, he yearned for strength and wished his cousin, Zhou Yan, were here now.
For the first time, he realized his cousin was truly much stronger than him in many ways.