Zhou Yan was pondering for a second before he once again gathered his soul and proceeded to physically contact the enormous blade graced by the soul of the Ancient Sage within his forehead. As expected, another wave of refreshing spiritual energy poured out of it, and Zhou Yan’s body and soul felt a rush of indescribable feelings of limitless pleasure and comfort of the highest degree.

However, the young lad was not solely doing it for the experience—he was closely observing the changes and mutations that happened to his body.

As expected, the young lad felt his body had subtly grown to a more solid form. It seemed as if his muscles were tangled, and it felt as if they were being forced down onto him as it slowly disappeared and dispersed into the void.

“So this is what it all meant! The strength and power of a soul can be used to strengthen and reinforce my very own physical body! With this alone, why is there a need for me to be concerned about not being able to keep up with the other geniuses?”

Zhou Yan was exceptionally delighted from the bottom of his heart!

Upon sensing the change of his physical body, he proceeded to sense his Qi Column and as expected, his double-helical Qi column had been mutated instantly to four additional segments on each helix!

The twin Qi columns of four segments were filled to the brim with extremely pure Blade’s Essence. It was like a Blade’s specter that was still in a deep slumbering state, and it felt inexplicably menacing.

These twin Qi Columns each were divided into four separate segments, meaning Zhou Yan would have eight segments to a single segment of a regular folk!

This would result in not just a boost in every field, Zhou Yan would be better than anyone just by collecting and storing energy alone—he was now stronger than anyone within the same realm as the young lad by eight folds!

This was literally breaking the laws which governed the realm!

Zhou Yan was unable to imagine what kind of shackles and limitations he had just broken! His Qi Column had been mutated and evolved into an unimaginable state. The young lad wondered what kind of shackles would he be able to break if he had mastered the shaping of the soul of Divine Beasts?

Thus, Zhou Yan had suddenly become extremely excited.

As much as the segments of his Qi Column contained, this meant he would be required to work harder than any common folk and the training he would require would be more arduous than anyone else. However, Zhou Yan no longer cared about any of this!

If he wanted to be stronger and more powerful than anyone else, that meant he would be required to work harder than anyone else!

…

Zhou Yan no longer had any worries or concerns about his journey to the Zhou family household! His heart was filled with pride and confidence!

As of then, regardless of his combat prowess nor the strength of his soul, just with Silver Frost alone he was more than capable of murdering anyone. Furthermore, the Sorrow’s Breaker was sealed with three Blade’s Specter. The test of might in the Zhou family was fast approaching but Zhou Yan had nothing to fear as he was ready.

Thus, the young lad proceeded to cackle out loud uncontrollably.

As Gu Yan and Gu Xi were alerted by his cackling laughter, the duo went to the main door of the secret chamber where Zhou Yan was at and arrived at the same time.

“Yan’er, are you done with your confinement now?”

“Brother Zhou Yan, are you coming out now?”

Gu Yan’s worried voice and the mix of sincere compassionate voice from Gu Xi resonated through the walls.

Due to Zhou Yan dispersing a portion of the energy from his soul, he was able to sense their presence.

The soul’s energy penetrated the walls and landed on the duo’s body but they felt nothing amiss.

“Uncle Gu Yan’s powers resided at the peak of the third rank within the realm of the Blade’s Enforcer, just one more step till he ascends into the first rank of the realm of the Blade’s Menace. Gu Xi, on the other hand, was in an almost perfect state as a third rank in the realm of the Blade’s Essence…”

As the young lad assessed their power levels with his soul’s ability, both of the duo’s realms manifested in Zhou Yan’s detection field. However, the duo felt nothing as they were unable to sense his presence as he was doing so.

It was as if they were completely oblivious to the fact that Zhou Yan was spying on them with his soul.

They were unaware of the training of the soul and were even more clueless to a soul’s ability, hence, their detection solely relied on anything physical that could be picked up by their senses.

However, one’s soul’s ability was a much sharper form of one’s reliance on senses. It was an amazing skill to have since it would be difficult for anyone to detect a soul’s presence.

In the world governed by the laws of the sword, not a single person would undergo soul training. Instead, it was through the arduous training in the ascension of one’s realm to reinforce and strengthen one’s soul on its own. This alone would be the soundest evidence.

Thus, Zhou Yan stopped investigating the duo and proceeded to withdraw his soul’s energy. He replied, “Uncle Gu, Little Xi, I’m done with my confinement and I’m coming out. You two may come in now.”

As Zhou Yan spoke, with a wave of his hands, the switch to the door at a distance was instantly pushed by a wave of Blade’s Essence.

This wave of Blade’s Essence was incredibly swift and powerful, but not a single hint of bloodlust was within the Blade’s Essence.

As of then, Zhou Yan’s soul’s ability was impeccable and his progress was showing.

Besides Zhou Yan’s incredibly talented skill of gaining enlightenment, his mastery and control over his Blade’s Essence was also incredibly outstanding.

If Zhou Yan was to travel by steering his flying sword using his control over his Blade’s Essence, his speed would be abnormally fast!

A groan was heard.

Thus, the door opened and Zhou Yan was greeted by Gu Yan and Gu Xi’s extremely delighted expressions.

It mattered not what the circumstances were. To have such a great leap in his progress under such a short span of time and was able to be placed in a state of solitary confinement and inner peace was a rare enough occasion.

Since the situation with the Zhou family had progressed to such an extent, but Zhou Yan could still focus his mind in deep concentration and was able to study in peace—without even mentioning the other strengths in Zhou Yan’s personality and just by his attitude alone—Gu Yan was extremely impressed by the young lad’s growth.

“Uncle Gu, Little Xi, I must apologize for causing both of you so much worry in the recent days.”

Zhou Yan spoke in a compassionate tone.

“Yan’er what are you saying!? Secluding yourself in pure solitary confinement resulted in such a huge leap in progress. Look at you now! A changed man. Even your aura is different! It’s like you’ve been completely reincarnated. This natural gift of yours is truly spectacular!”

Gu Yan replied as he was unable to contain his excitement.

“Brother Zhou Yan, you’ve ascended into the realm of the Blade’s Essence already? With what I’m feeling now, I’m not even confident to challenge you to a fight.”

Gu Xi replied with a shocking and surprised expression.

Since Gu Xi’s perception and detection skills were impeccable, she was able to sense the incredible mutation in Zhou Yan’s soul. She felt like a rushing waterfall, as the depths of Zhou Yan’s power was incredibly deep.

It was also with some thought and analysis that got her to such a conclusion.

“Yes indeed I’ve ascended to the peaks of the second rank within the realm of the Blade’s Essence, and my combat prowess would be stronger than any powerful foe that resided in the first rank of the realm of the Blade’s Enforcer. So Uncle Gu, Little Xi, the both of you may cease your worries now!”

Zhou Yan explained calmly.

At that moment, Zhou Yan’s gaze was burning with spirit! As this was no longer the exclamations of confidence.

“What? Second rank within the realm of the Blade’s Essence! You… You were just in the realm of the Blade’s Cardinal before this. How could you ascend so quickly…”

In that instant, Gu Yan could not believe what he had just heard but upon noticing that Zhou Yan was not jesting about, he took a deep breath to calm all of the excitement and shock within his heart.

This… this speed of progress… was… was… terrifying!

With how fast things were progressing for this young lad, he would without a doubt ascend into the realm of the Blade’s Enforcer soon, meaning it would only be a matter of time before he awakened his Blade’s Menace. The shackles of the realm of the Blade’s Menace were seemingly non-existent.

The thought of this young lad ascending into the realm of the Blade’s Menace before the age of sixteen seemed extremely far-fetched and impossible before, but that thought had completely faded away into nothingness.

Judging from the speed of progress, ascending into the realm of the Blade’s Menace in a year was extremely possible.

He was no ordinary genius—he was an actual monster!

Hence, Gu Yan realized that his initial assumption of telling Zhou Yan to ascend into the realm of the Blade’s Menace in five years was placing him on a pedestal, but in actuality it was an underestimation on his part.

Gu Yan had a slightly bitter expression on his face. Compared to Zhou Yan, his progress did not even improve in his own realm. In fact, it had regressed and this made him extremely embarrassed.

“Yes, yes indeed this is way too fast. Brother Zhou Yan, remember you shouldn’t rush your progress. In the study of the ways of the sword, one must always strengthen and train hard to fortify one’s foundation…”

Although Gu Xi was surprised and delighted, she was also slightly worried.

‘Yes, I’m well aware of that. My training this time enlightened me on some things. Let’s put it this way; the various ways of the sword were an attachment or an upgrade to the Blade’s Menace, hence this allowed me to ascend by two whole realms.

“Back then, I deliberately suppressed my progress before I was enlightened by the knowledge of the Blade’s Menace. Now, under the immense buildup of power I was able to break through the walls of two whole realms, but it’s actually normal.

“Hence, you guys may cease your worries.”

Zhou Yan explained seriously.

Since the young lad possessed an immensely powerful soul and an impeccable keen sixth sense, hence, he was able to sense anyone’s emotions. On top of that, after he had undergone a mutation to his soul, a single look at Gu Xi and Gu Yan and he was able to sense the immense worry from the duo.

Hence, his serious explanations.

The young lad intended to cease any worries from the people who actually cared deeply for him. This was a decision he made back then.

…

As Zhou Yan ended his solitary confinement, he realized Gu Xi was about to leave too.

It was two days before the young lad had to venture into the confines of the main branch of the Zhou family.

Thus, another night approached.

The hustle and bustle of the day had all faded away, leaving behind a deafening silence in the City of Heavenly Prophecies.

Only the rustling noise from the leaves of the Pine tree in the courtyard were heard as the wind blew.

“Brother Zhou Yan, I’ll be leaving tomorrow. Can I be your company tonight?”

Gu Xi had completely buried herself in Zhou Yan’s arms as she whispered.

Listening to the monotonous sounds of the wind, they felt every moment slipping away from them slowly.

She did not wish to part with Zhou Yan but the day after tomorrow would be the day Zhou Yan ventured into the main branch of the Zhou family. With her abilities, even if she was to accompany him on his way, it would only cause Zhou Yan to worry about her.

Furthermore, the time that her sect had given her was up, and if she refused to return, it would only bring her master trouble.

“Okay, I’ll hold you like this then. Allow me to explain some sword art principles that you don’t understand.”

Zhou Yan whispered.

As Zhou Yan hugged Gu Xi, it felt like the young lad was hugging the entire world around his arms—it felt peaceful and grounded in his heart.

Gu Xi felt a rush from the flames of lust burning inside her. She had seemingly made up her mind as she rid herself of any hesitation and said, “Brother Zhou Yan, tonight, I would like to…”

“I’ve understood some principles from my studies, and there was clear instruction to avoid doing it before the age of sixteen, because doing so, it would interrupt with the progress of gaining enlightenment.

“And you know that if we haven’t ascended to the realm of the Blade’s Menace before the age of sixteen, it would have dire consequences. So Little Xi, just wait till we both are sixteen, and then we shall be a couple. What do you think?”

Zhou Yan was burning with the flames of primal lust too. As he hugged Gu Xi in his arms, he proceeded to pull her closer and hugged her tighter as if he wanted to press Gu Xi into his body.

However, he willed himself to hold back such primal urges, as he spoke with a calm mind.

“Alright… Brother Zhou Yan, Little Xi shall wait for you.”

Gu Xi was blushing heavily as she acted in an extremely coquettish manner.

Although she was ashamed that she had boldly asked for such advances and had failed, her heart was extremely delighted.

She knew with a person like Zhou Yan and his speed of progress thus far, he would need not to care about any restrictions and laws about the way of the sword, and ascending into the realm of the Blade’s Menace to him was as simple as hammering a nail through a wooden plank.

Hence, his progress would not be affected much.

He was actually thinking about her, and if it was not for her he would not need to hold back.

—

From 15 Feb 2020, Coins spent on books that aren’t selected will be refunded within 30 days. However, Fast Passes will not be refunded.

The selected book will have a mark on the corner of the book cover in 30 days to indicate continuation.

Thank you for your understanding.