Chapter 522: Chapter 167 Yan’er, Be Careful of Thunder Origin Sword God

Zhou Yan had returned to Secondary Main Peak 15294, yet while the mountains remained the same, the people had changed.

Zhou Yan felt somewhat wistful and contemplative.

Beside him stood a group of friends.

Eternal Xuanzhe Jia Yongheng, Yanran Xuanzhe Feng Yanran, Qiankun Young Master Hou Ling, Undying Fire Phoenix Feng Jiu Xian, among others.

And of course, Qingyao Xuanzhe, Uncle Gu Yan from Tianji Mountain, Zhuge Jiayue, Zhuge Chunqiu, and several other genius cultivators.

After a brief recovery, Zhou Gucheng had departed to look for Zhou Qianqian and others. Zhou Yan also knew the whereabouts of the rest of the Great Zhou family, but he had not yet gone to meet with them, waiting instead for Zhou Gucheng and the others to arrive first.

“Master.”

Hou Chen gazed at him with admiration and respect twinkling in his eyes, like stars in the sky.

He proclaimed the title of Master with immense pride and joy.

“Hmm, Chen Chen, you were not lightly injured in the recent trial. How do you feel now?”

After returning to Secondary Main Peak 15294, Zhou Yan had already strengthened Hou Chen with energy refined from pure essence, which promptly improved Hou Chen’s wounds. However, a long period of rest was still necessary to avoid damaging his innate talents.

“Master, Chen Chen feels much better now. It’s just a pity I couldn’t finish off Ji Wu, really a pity. Whenever I see his long face, I just want to stomp on it with my foot!”

Hou Chen said regretfully.

“Pfft—”

Yanran Xuanzhe couldn’t help but laugh softly, “This boy, his personality really is interesting. I wonder, was Zhou Xuanzhe also like this as a child?”

“How could Master be like this? He was surely much mightier than me.”

Hou Chen, never one to sit still, immediately replied.

“Ptui! Your master was not like you, always diligent in his cultivation since he was five or six, quite the little adult.”

Hou Ling said with a twinkle in her lovely eyes, glancing at Zhou Yan before chuckling.

“Master was a little adult, and the disciple is a little-big person, it’s practically the same. Anyway, this time I’m just upset I didn’t manage to stomp on that long face, it really bothers me.”

Hou Chen argued meticulously.

All the geniuses were speechless.

They thought to themselves, consider how powerful Ji Wu’s combat abilities are in his later stages, you being able to slap him is already commendable, and yet you dream of stomping on his face…

Also, Ji Wu is genuinely handsome, that face is a ‘long face’? His sense of aesthetics is indeed problematic…

With Hou Chen around, the atmosphere was always jovial.

Amidst the cheerfulness, Uncle Gu Yan quietly approached Zhou Yan. Understanding his intent, Zhou Yan silently led Gu Yan away to a distance, then inscribed the Deceiving Heaven Array Patterns into the void, rendering his expression gravely serious.

“Uncle.”

Zhou Yan said respectfully.

“Yan’er, there’s no need for us to be so formal. This time I sought you out first to congratulate you on finally overcoming your troubles and condensing the Dual Sword Body. Secondly, it’s regarding Xi’er’s matter.”

Gu Yan spoke after a thoughtful pause.

Zhou Yan nodded; he understood that for the people of Tianji Mountain, since Uncle Gu Yan had regained part of his inheritances memories, he would naturally derive some issues. Coupled with gathering information and inquiries from various sources, there would surely be some conclusions.

Thus, the matter concerning Gu Xi couldn’t be hidden nor was it concealable.

“Yan’er, this third competition is about Array Dao. I know you’re formidable in arrays but are you confident about winning?”

Gu Yan didn’t inquire about Gu Xi first but prioritized Zhou Yan’s competition, expressing some concern for the upcoming match.

“Uncle, don’t worry. When it comes to Array Dao, not even a Saint intervening could win. Regarding the understanding of arrays, I believe, except for Thunder Origin Sword God and some Saints, it’s unlikely anyone can surpass me now.”

Zhou Yan confidently stated.

In fact, there was something he didn’t mention, even Thunder Origin Sword God might not surpass him in arrays.

That’s because the secrets between the Netherworld Runes and the Ancient Array Runes are not comprehended by Saints.

Zhou Yan could comprehend them only because the ‘oracle bone script’ in the memories of his Master resembled those secrets, which, in association made Zhou Yan realize some aspects.

And these surpassed almost everyone on this planet.

Therefore, in terms of arrays, he boasted himself as second to none, fearing no one could truly claim the first place.

“If you have such confidence, then I am relieved. If you win the second round, it means you would have secured two out of the six competitions.

And in the fourth and fifth rounds, which are likely about Artifact Refining and Alchemy, others may not know, but I am aware that your skills in Alchemy Dao and Path of Artifact Refining are exceptional, so if you secure the third round, the fourth and fifth rounds will be much more manageable.

In the sixth round, it’s all about the depth of resources, and by then, you might not necessarily lose. At that time, your uncle will also do his best to help you secure first place in the sixth round.”

Zhuge Guyan analyzed.

Zhou Yan was moved, realizing that Zhuge Guyan had derived some patterns in the competition, or perhaps there had been similar competitions arranged in this way before, hence he knew in advance and informed him.

Zhou Yan, feeling grateful, respectfully said, “Uncle, rest assured, I will secure everything that belongs to me and will not disappoint you.”

“I believe in you.”

Gu Yan affirmed, then slightly frowned, his gaze carrying a hint of worry, and said, “Yan’er, tell your uncle, has Xi’er already…”

“Uncle, I know I can’t hide it, but I will explain in detail—I will take you to a place, and once you ‘see’ it, combined with my explanation, you will understand.”

Zhou Yan thought for a moment and did not say anything beforehand but took Zhuge Guyan to a special space where the Purple Flame Lotus in the Purple Flame Void was located.

There, without Zhou Yan having to say anything, Zhuge Guyan had already ‘seen’ Gu Xi in the crystal coffin; his body trembled, and he suddenly seemed much older, his figure hunched over slightly.

He sighed deeply, silently approached Gu Xi’s side, and stood beside the crystal coffin, sensing Gu Xi’s peaceful, slumber-like face, feeling a pang of bitterness in his heart.

“Uncle, the cause of all this was the Heavenly Destiny plan… At that time… Afterwards… In the end, I still couldn’t save Xi’er. The Thunder Origin Sword God once said that treasures like the Holy Daughter’s Life Soul and Thunder Flame Soul Liquid could heal her; hence, I must rightfully achieve first place in the contest for the Holy Daughter’s hand and marry her, to use the Life Soul to save Xi’er. Now, having achieved Dual Body Perfection, I no longer need the Life Soul myself; Xi’er needs it more than I do…”

Zhou Yan explained.

After a long silence, Zhuge Guyan sighed again, his tone somewhat melancholic, “Yan’er, these matters are not your fault, you shouldn’t blame yourself so. Xi’er’s condition is as it is, but fortunately, there are still three thousand years left. Although your situation has temporarily stabilized, it is still fraught with danger and unpredictability. I think you should lie low and focus on strengthening yourself; as long as Xi’er’s condition can be resolved within three thousand years, there’s no need to rush.”

“Uncle, I understand your concern, you are worried that in my efforts to save Xi’er, I might trouble myself and live in pain, but rest assured, I have a clear plan for all of this. Xi’er will certainly recover, and I am confident that it will happen before I reach the Sword Void Nine Transformation Realm. As for how long it will take to reach the Sword Void Nine Transformation Realm, I believe it will be sooner.”

Zhou Yan held a firm belief and understood that Gu Yan was wholeheartedly considering his welfare, yet some matters were too deeply ingrained in the soul and couldn’t be set aside lightly.

In his heart, Gu Xi held such a place, and Zhou Yan could not forsake his longing for her and focus solely on his cultivation for self-improvement.

“Yan’er… why put yourself through this?”

Zhuge Guyan sighed again, his tone carrying a complex emotion.

“Uncle, I have made up my mind on this matter, and I will not change it, no matter what,” Zhou Yan took a deep breath, concealing the discomfort in his heart.

“Sigh, you are still the same, once you decide on something, you never change your mind. Then I won’t persuade you anymore. But no matter what happens in the future, remember to take good care of yourself. If you exchange your own pain for their happiness, just as they have exchanged their pain for your peace, you won’t feel happy, right? Likewise, if it comes to that, you must learn to take care of yourself first, so they can truly be at peace.”

Zhuge Guyan no longer tried to persuade Zhou Yan but spoke heartfelt words, afraid that Zhou Yan might sacrifice himself for his loved ones.

“Uncle, I understand. You can rest assured about Xi’er being here; I will take good care of her. Now that you have regained your memory, you should focus on your cultivation.”

Zhou Yan felt warmth in his heart, a feeling of being truly cared for that he had not experienced in a long time, and now that he felt it, it was deeply comforting.

Gu Yan was no longer the same Gu Yan, but whatever the changes, he remained unchanged.

“I will. Yan’er, since we are in this space, there is something I need to cautiously remind you of.”

Zhuge Guyan pondered for a long time, then suddenly his expression became serious.

“Ah? Uncle, feel free to speak; there’s no harm.”

Zhou Yan’s heart suddenly skipped a beat, an unsettling feeling inexplicably arising, catching him off guard.

Currently, the matter of Xu Jiuxian’s marriage might be going smoothly, but knowing Zhuge Guyan’s capabilities, what Uncle Gu Yan said next made Zhou Yan’s heart turn serious.

“I don’t know if it’s just a sensation, or perhaps, am I overthinking it? Yan’er, be careful around Lei Yuan Sword God; I always feel that he isn’t benevolent,” Zhuge Guyan mused.

“Uncle, why do you say that?”

After Zhuge Guyan spoke those words, Zhou Yan’s heart tightened, as if some vague speculation in his heart had been precisely pinpointed by Zhuge Guyan.

However, he did not elaborate further, merely inquiring.

Firstly, if this matter were to leak, it would be of germane significance, so he did not hope that Zhuge Guyan, with his strong deducing ability, would derive anything further; secondly, having an enemy like Lei Yuan Sword God was out of the question now, as no one would survive.

With these concerns in mind, Zhou Yan, somewhat perplexed, asked.