Since Yang Qingtan had spoken to Zhou Yan and he had completely ignored her, Xiao Lan grew increasingly resentful toward Zhou Yan.

“Yes indeed. For your future’s sake, it would be better if you forget those immature memories of your childhood sooner rather than later!

If Zhou Wangchen was still at his peak—a rank three Blade’s Menace incredibly powerful man—perhaps that would be much better. However, Zhou Wangchen himself is now in a horrible state himself. After all these years of suffering for Zhou Wangchen’s sake is more than enough!”

Xiao Liner continued to advise Xiao Chaner.

“Yes, I understand. I’ll do my best to forget about it. Only then will I be able to live my own life.”

Xiao Chaner was reluctant, but she gave a decisive nod.

Upon hearing those words, Xie Feng was feeling slightly envious. However, after knowing they had completely let go of any lingering feelings toward Zhou Yan, he felt slightly better.

As the lad thought about the incident of how arrogant the Xu family was toward the Xiao family, he felt a slight twitch in his heart and proceeded to say, “Father, Aunty Lan, the Xu family do not know their place and had the audacity to lay their hands on us within the walls of the Complex of Treasures. I’ll bring some of our men to lay waste to the Xu family’s home. This should be an amazing gift for the Xiao family!

“After all, if the Xiao family had taken the Xu family’s resources, regaining their glory would be a much easier task to do.”

“Alright then, discuss this matter with all four Elder Ambassadors who are powerful rank one realm of the Blade’s Menace scholars. Allow them to accompany you. Before you murder anyone, remember to plan ahead and leave no one alive. Remember, leave no future threats. Kill everyone, alright?”

Xie Xikun stroked his long beard while nodding satisfyingly.

The middle-aged beauty, Xiao Lan was very impressed and delighted by Xie Feng’s actions.

This planned massacre of the Xu family was not only to completely uproot the entirety of the Xu family. The young lad planned to use the opportunity to also murder Zhou Yan and capture Gu Xi in order to violently violate her to his heart’s content!

…

In the Gu Family’s home, within the confines of Gu Yan’s courtyard…

“Yan’er, you know your Uncle Gu Yan had no say in this matter. You should know to be just and righteous. Don’t allow your pride and anger get the better of you and leave him to his own devices alright.”

Zhou Yan was sitting under an old Pine tree in the courtyard.

Cool breeze was blowing as the streams of water flowed calmly. The entire environment was a peaceful one.

After Gu Yan was told about the incident that had occurred, he was indescribably boiling with insatiable fury. JKnowing his personality, since he had recovered all of his strength and it was also seemingly stronger than he previously was, he had almost stormed off for a confrontation.

However, it was only after Gu Xi had calmed him down that made him much more stable.

As he calmed down, he became worried about Xiao Zhan’s condition.

As Zhou Yan sat alone in that spot, Gu Yan ran over to him in order to ‘advise some rationality’ into him.

“That I know, Uncle Gu. I’ve never said anything about not saving Uncle Xiao Zhan. My personal grudges are something I’m able to clearly differentiate. Uncle Xiao Zhan is responsible for raising me. He’s also like a father to me and he has done way too much for me. I can never ignore all of his goodwill.

“Whatever that was spoken in the Complex of Treasures was only directed to them, so you may cease your worries.”

Zhou Yan calmly explained.

“Sigh, then it’s fine. However, the most tragic person would be… your Uncle Xiao Zhan. You’re aware of your Uncle Xiao Zhan’s personality. If he knew his own daughters treated you this way, I’m pretty sure he would be so furious, he’d cough up blood.

“The Xiao’s family—boundless worries!”

Gu Yan frowned as he lamented.

Zhou Yan smiled relaxed and carefreely. He said, “Of course they would never let him know. If he had known about it, I’m pretty sure they would say I was merely a replacement left behind by my father. But that’s not true. They would say the trueborn heir to my father is actually Zhou Lingyao all along.”

“Sigh… How unfortunate.”

Gu Yan’s rage had morphed into feelings of endless regret.

For most scholars, especially the lords of a household, they had to bend to reality. It mattered not how powerful one’s powers are, for there would be plenty of consequences and other concerns to worry about—one which would never allow a fierce and explosive battle with one’s enemies.

He had never feared death, but there were plenty of matters he had to take care of in managing the entirety of the Gu family. Judging on the ability of the current state of the Gu family, in what way can the Gu family compete with the Zhou family? There was nothing the Gu family was able to do!

Even if he had gone directly to the Zhou family, it would only result in himself being murdered by his enemies.

Anyone who had not ascended into the realm of the Blade’s Menace would only be useless trash!

“I’ll heal Uncle Xiao Zhan, but it’ll be in the next eighteen days. When that day comes, after I’ve fully healed Uncle Xiao Zhan, I’ll head directly over to the Zhou family to compete in the test of might. That way, I’ll be able to take back what’s rightfully mine!”

“Yes indeed. Your uncle has been busy managing the matters of this family lately. I’ve fired all of our servants, and now, not many people are left in our Gu family. It’s better off for all those with ill intentions to leave. That way, I would’ve cleared most of my troubles, thus, I would be able to pour all of my focus in the search of my Sword’s Way.”

Gu Yan made his most definitive decision in that instant.

Since this lad spent most of his life holding down the fort of a minor family in the City of Heavenly Prophecies, the future was shrouded in a mist of uncertainty. Besides, he would have to embark on a journey to the Zhou family soon.

This man once dreamt about standing in a glorious pride but that dream was far too out of reach then. Thus, he decided to venture on a new journey. This lad was excited for that day to come sooner.

“Is there such a need, Uncle Gu? You’ve spent so much effort and poured countless heart and soul into building this family…”

Zhou Yan was a little emotional. However, he knew there had to be a major reason for his Uncle Gu to do something of this magnitude. He knew part of the reason would be his Uncle Gu accompanying him to the Zhou family, and was more than certain this man had expected to perish in that journey with him. Therefore, it was similar to stating his final wishes and penning down a will.

“It’s fine. I’m happy knowing my Little Xi made incredible progress and gained somewhat of a position of power in the Temple of the Frost Blades. I owe you far too much to ever count in all these years. This time, even if I would head into the forbidden grounds, the land of pure despair of the Blade’s Soul, I would fight by your side to the end!”

“Uncle Gu…”

“Take good care of my Little Xi alright, Yan’er? She’s a strong maiden, but in the face of people she cares so deeply about, she would never have any ill intentions toward them. She showed you her strong side in hopes of ceasing your worries toward her, and also, this would allow her to protect everything she cares so dearly for.”

Gu Yan explained in a serious tone.

“Uncle Gu, I know. I know Little Xi is amazing and I love her dearly.”

Zhou Yan replied sincerely.

“Then, it’s good to hear… Good to hear indeed. However both of you choose to develop your relationship in future is something this old man will never intervene, but remember Yan’er, always leave yourself a contingency plan. Never back yourself into a corner. If you find yourself in an extremely life-threatening dire situation, do whatever it takes to survive! Only with survival, you’d be able to do anything.

“However, if you were dead, then every single future plan that you’ve set up would be impossible to accomplish!

“Thus, be it just or evil, the sword art of bond or despair, you may as well toss it all aside and ignore everything…”

…

Thus, the entire noon was spent having a conversation with Gu Yan. It seemed like Gu Yan was leaving behind his final words.

The truth was, Zhou Yan wanted to tell Gu Yan that going to the Zhou family was not as dire and grim as Gu Yan thought. However, the young lad did not say anything that was in his mind since he was able to tell from the serious tone in Gu Yan’s words that the whole situation with the Zhou family felt odd. Seemingly, the entire Zhou family was far more complicated than the young lad had imagined.

…

Thus, the shroud of night approached.

Zhou Yan watched as Gu Yan brought every single manuscript from the hidden archives of the Gu family. He was in deep focus in his thoughts.

That was the only thing the young lad had requested from Gu Yan, and Gu Yan agreed to it without a single shred of hesitation. Although he had no clue what Zhou Yan wanted them for, upon realizing that Zhou Yan spent only seven days to be fully enlightened by the knowledge of the Blade’s Menace, he had no reason to question him.

A true legendary genius would always act weirdly. All of this behavior was nothing more than normal.

That was how Gu Yan thought.

If Zhou Yan had known it was all due to his request that made Gu Yan think he was being weird, it would have made Zhou Yan burst out in a series of uncontrollable laughter.

At that moment, Zhou Yan was studying the countless manuscripts since he was seemingly able to detect that subtle aura of Blade’s Menace emanating from Yang Qingtan’s body. Thus, he was determined in pouring all of his attention in understanding what kind of secrets such Sword Art held. This current change had suddenly enlightened Zhou Yan that all of the knowledge and intricate details in every single variation of the Sword Art had most probably originated from the different variation of the Blade’s Menace.

This meant that in order to be fully enlightened about the knowledge of the Sword Art of the Dragon, the first thing this young lad should do was grasp the full knowledge of the Blade’s Menace of the Dragon!

Thus, the young lad would be completely enlightened by the knowledge of the Blade’s Menace of the Dragon!

The knowledge of the Blade’s Menace of the Dragon. Various intricate experiences and various distinct knowledge was the very foundation of its Blade’s Menace. However, due to the countless variations of knowledge, it had made unifying all of its essence of intricate knowledge into a singular unit of Blade’s Menace impossibly difficult!

Thus, the only thing the young lad was able to do was sift through the countless intricate knowledge as a reference point.

This thought had been in Zhou Yan’s mind for quite some time. However, no matter which sect he pledged allegiance to and requested help from any person of power, he would be unable to gather enough resources in such a short time. Hence, in the end, he would have to rely on the main branch of the Zhou family. In order to do so, he would have to showcase how much potential and how powerful he truly was, with a surprise this massive, he would have no problem gaining as many resources as he required!

Thus, with that fact alone, even if anyone of ill intentions were to bring trouble his way, as long as that person was not attacking him head-on, this young lad feared nothing.

Hence, at the same time, he would be able to use the opportunity within his stay in the main branch of the Zhou family to search for any news about his father and any possible solution to help his father.

This was the plan the young lad had in mind for a while now. However, all he lacked was a massive collection of knowledge, hence he could not help but be excited about gaining entry within the walls of the main branch of the Zhou family, earn his right to enter the forbidden library, and be one step closer to completely mastering the Sword Art of the Dragon!

In comparison to all of the other sword arts he had witnessed, it was without a single shred of doubt in his mind this ancient sage who was capable of Spatial Destruction, the art of the formless fist which was capable of literally destroy any laws of both heavens and earth; this ancient sage was undoubtedly the strongest person who had ever lived, none could even come close to his skills!

All this young lad was striving to accomplish was incorporating the intricacy of the Art of the Formless Fist into his sword art, hence indirectly forging his very own personal sword art!

Hence, the young lad studied book by book, manuscripts after manuscripts for its knowledge while drinking the Burning Blade’s Soul Ale and slowly allowed his mind to be enlightened by the Sword Art of The Dragon. When the young lad felt he had reached a dead end as his mind was burning in a shroud of fog, he would divert his focus into studying the Sword Art of Clear Waters Heaven’s Blade and other manuscripts.

This way, he would indirectly be enlightened by the knowledge of the Sword Art of the Dragon and gain a strong and concise understanding of how other sword art worked. With that, he would be able to change its form to a better version of any sword arts he had learned.

The signature sword art of the Zhou family, ‘Sword Art of Clear Waters Heaven’s Blade’ had been completely mastered by Zhou Yan. However, with the repeated study of that sword art, he was capable of transforming it to a much more advanced version of that sword art.

Initially, he attempted combining the second form with the first, then combining all three forms into one single form, four forms in one…

All until he had continuously remained in a state of complete enlightenment for ten whole days, and thus, the Sword Art of Clear Waters Heaven’s Blade had been successfully incorporated all nine forms into one attack!

Within the ten days of the young lad’s training, his progress had ascended into the first rank within the realm of the Blade’s Essence.

Since he had been enlightened with the knowledge of the Blade’s Essence, and was only able to unleash an unstable and imperfect form of Blade’s Essence, Zhou Yan was not the one to initiate the process of ascension on his own. Thus, with the current pace of how this young lad had progressed, he was able to make the transition of the realms without any major hindrance and it was all due to this reason alone; the double-helical mutated Qi Column of the young lad had once again mutated, and each segment had increased by half of its original volume.

Meaning, him being in the first rank within the realm of the Blade’s Essence, and his Qi column being half full, would only require half of his original effort to completely fill the entire pillars!

This was only his Qi column, and it was already six times bigger than the normal volume of any common-folk, or else, he would be able to single-handedly break through the first, second, and third rank of the same realm!

This natural talent was inhumanly terrifying!