Chapter 542: Chapter 185: Blood Ancestor Returns

The Blood Ancestor, is none other than the original progenitor of blood.

The first-generation Emperor Qi Sword Body, Lee Jidao, had a name in his previous life that was widely known by Zhou Yan—Hou Yi.

Ni Chang Fairy is Wan Nishang, and her previous life also bore a widely known name—Chang’e.

These are the legends of old, or perhaps tales passed down by word of mouth.

However, now that the Blood Ancestor and Ni Chang Fairy have arrived, Zhou Yan knew that the truth would certainly be revealed.

Once, Cai Xuan faced Lonely Sword Peak and said it was the embodiment of Ni Chang Fairy, even suggesting it might be a derivation of Ni Chang Fairy’s arm, but Hou Ting claimed that there were no legends about Lonely Sword Peak.

Hou Ting had no reason to lie, nor did Cai Xuan have any reason to deceive, which meant that each cultivator from the Emperor Sword Lineage held their own guesses and answers about Lonely Sword Peak.

“The Blood Ancestor and Ni Chang Fairy have finally arrived.”

Hearing Zhou Yan’s words, Hou Ting was very excited. His body trembled slightly, his expression mixing nervousness and uncertainty, as if unsure of what to do.

Even someone like him could feel nervous, which was enough to show how highly he esteemed the Blood Ancestor and Ni Chang Fairy in his heart.

Something stirred in Zhou Yan’s heart, and he activated the Purple Flame Void. Suddenly, the void rippled, emitting a pure white luster, and within that gleaming light, Zhou Lingyao and Lee Xinyu walked out hand in hand.

Not only those two, but beside them, Ling He, Guan Qiushui, Lee Lianqing, Lan Ruo, and Xian Yue, five others also stood proudly by.

Zhou Yan was slightly taken aback and looked at these people with a hint of curiosity, then he remembered Lee Lianqing had once mentioned the ‘Ghost Rain Sword Soul Lee Xinyu.’ Recalling that Guan Qiushui had called Lee Xinyu her Little Junior Sister, Zhou Yan could completely understand why they were together now.

“Blood Ancestor, Ni Chang Fairy.”

Hou Ting was so excited he was nearly in tears. He immediately bowed deeply and knelt to the ground, showing his respect.

He wasn’t being insincere; his attitude was extremely heartfelt.

“Hou Ting? I didn’t expect you to have grown so much. When I last saw you, you were still in swaddling clothes,” Zhou Lingyao said with a touch of emotion, then he reached out to help Hou Ting up. “Get up quickly. Times have changed, and there’s no need for this anymore.”

“Ancestor, I am Hou Ting, that same unruly child who wouldn’t listen and wet himself. You have finally come back…”

Hou Ting was incredibly moved, trembling even as Zhou Lingyao helped him up.

By Zhou Lingyao’s side, Lee Lianqing, Guan Qiushui, and the others looked at Zhou Yan, their beautiful eyes shining with more than just light.

After all, Ni Chang Fairy had not hidden Zhou Yan’s deeds from them, and when they learned that the Thunderflame Sword Body was indeed the Emperor Qi Sword Body, the shock was immense.

The second life was a worldwide sensation, and the Emperor Qi Sword Body of the third life became South Desolate First, invincible and heaven-defying! Commanding the land with a wave of his hand, even great figures like the Yaochi Saint and the Evil King were of no concern to him. With strength just at the Sword Void Realm, he became the new Saint Master of the Thunder Flame Sacred Land!

What extraordinary achievements!

And this man was Zhou Yan, who had crossed paths with them—the very same ‘Lee Sha.’

They were wearing the combat armor Zhou Yan had personally crafted and holding the soul-level weapon swords he had forged!

What kind of pride and honor did this bring? And what kind of happiness?

Seeing Zhou Yan again, if the situation had been different, those women might not have been able to resist throwing themselves into his arms.

…

“Yes, I’ve returned, but I am no longer the same. Hou Ting, Lee Jidao of the second life, your Ancestor, has died in the Outer Star Domain. What’s passed is past.

Both the Qiankun Lineage and Wuji Lineage have gone on to their own glories. I, as your Ancestor, have started a new life, so let the past be the past.”

“Ancestor, no, even if you are no longer the being from the previous life, you are still our Blood Ancestor. Even if Ni Chang Fairy lives through countless lives, she remains our Ancestor.”

Hou Ting was extremely emotional; it seemed as if the denial of their lineage by Zhou Lingyao would be a grave offense impossible for him to forgive.

Zhou Lingyao seemed to sense Hou Ting’s resolve and sighed, “Since you are so determined, then… after a while, gather all the disciples of the Sect, and then I will see what they think.

I can sense my bloodline in them and whether they want to return to the Emperor Sword Lineage. Those who do, I will reassemble. Those who don’t, I will give them freedom.”

After Zhou Lingyao spoke, Hou Ting was so moved that he immediately knelt and kowtowed three times before saying, “Yes, Ancestor, I will go and arrange it—”

“Don’t rush, things have their priorities. First, stay and talk with us. After the Saint Master leaves, then I will attend to these matters with you,” Zhou Lingyao said with a smile.

“Yes, yes, Hou Ting will listen to everything the Ancestor instructs.”

Hou Ting was overwhelmed with excitement, and then he seemed to notice Zhou Lingyao referring to Zhou Yan as ‘Saint Master,’ his face suddenly showing an intense shock.

At the next moment, he suddenly became resolute, fiercely raised his hand and gave himself three harsh slaps across the face, then knelt before Zhou Yan, saying, “Saint Master, Hou Ting deserves to die a thousand times, I was unaware of your identity and status earlier, and I have offended you greatly. Please, Saint Master, punish me!”

Hou Ting was no fool; upon hearing Zhou Lingyao address Zhou Yan as ‘Saint Master,’ it was clear that he intended to submit to Zhou Yan. Even if that weren’t the case, with Zhou Lingyao addressing Zhou Yan as Saint Master, it amounted to giving Zhou Yan face. Since even Zhou Lingyao showed respect to Zhou Yan, and Hou Ting was but a junior to Zhou Lingyao, his earlier actions against Zhou Yan were mistakeable! It might even leave a stain on his reputation in the eyes of the Blood Ancestor, and so he immediately admitted his wrongs with the utmost sincerity.

Zhou Yan was somewhat shocked in his heart, he had not expected that Zhou Lingyao’s second-generation status, authority, and credibility had accumulated to such a degree that a simple address from him would make Hou Ting, with all his pride and arrogance, kneel down!

This was enough to show the weight and influence of Zhou Lingyao’s Blood Ancestor identity within the Emperor Sword Lineage!

Though shocked in his heart, Zhou Yan still reached out directly to help Hou Ting up, saying, “Sect Master Hou Ting, there is no need for this, ignorance is not a crime; moreover, you have already apologized earlier, and there has been no misunderstanding between us, nor any unpleasantness, right?”

Hou Ting was stunned for a moment, then nodded emphatically, taking a breath of relief, and said, “Yes, yes, I, I had a very happy exchange with Zhou, no, with the Saint Master earlier, very happy.”

Hou Ting’s actions made others, including Hou Chen and the Ni Chang Fairy, laugh.

But this time, Hou Ting didn’t get angry; instead, he also smiled honestly, as if slightly embarrassed, he even reached up to scratch his head and stroke his protruding mustache.

…

“Zhou Lingyao, Lee Xinyu, you both might be at ease, but you’ve made me suffer, with many things still shrouded in darkness to me.”

Zhou Yan said with a smile.

There were some matters for which it was time he had answers.

“Alright… My wife and I, because of you, came together, and because we had once promised Divine Fist Li to do certain things, there are some matters that, at this point, there’s no harm in speaking,” said the Ni Chang Fairy with a smile.

Or rather, the one now was not the Ni Chang Fairy, but the extraordinary woman, Lee Xinyu, who had once charmed Zhou Yan.

“Go ahead, I’ve been waiting many years for these answers,” Zhou Yan sighed reflectively.

“Spfft—”

Lee Xinyu covered her mouth and giggled, her eyes sparkling with bright light.

Even though he had once seen this woman entirely unguarded, at this moment, with every smile and grimace, Zhou Yan had to admit that she was truly captivating.

“Saint Master, you shouldn’t act so prematurely old; remember, you’re only in your twenties, not even thirty yet,” Lee Xinyu said softly.

Her voice was melodically soft, prompting Zhou Yan to think back to those times by Blood Water Lake when Lee Xinyu had stripped naked to tempt him. This stirred a peculiar, indescribable feeling within him, yet without any inappropriate thoughts, just a sense of oddity.

Why would Ni Chang Fairy, or rather Lee Xinyu, laugh?

Were those unknown mysteries truly a matter for joy?

Zhou Yan watched Lee Xinyu with some suspicion, and just as she lapsed from laughter back to composure, she said, “Actually, after all these years, it’s only at this moment that I feel truly calm and content.

Watching the Saint Master anxiously await his ‘candy’ like a child made me realize just how adorable the Saint Master can be, which is inevitably delightful.

But this delight is purely because of the Saint Master’s impatience and has no other implications, so please don’t misunderstand,” said Lee Xinyu in a delicate tone.

Her identity as a cultivator possessed a charming cultivation technique, so a simple smile or frown was enticing, a style that was different from the Ni Chang Fairy’s demureness.

Yet, Zhou Yan could understand, because the awakening of the third life’s memories would also involve the absorption of one’s primal character, resulting in a true completion.

However, in the end, the deceased Lee Xinyu ultimately remained merely a Ding Furnace; her past had been replaced by the Ni Chang Fairy, which was somewhat cruel.

Just as in this life of Zhou Yan’s, if the memories of his previous life were to awaken, would his current independent consciousness be assimilated or eradicated? It was impossible to tell.

Most people merging with their past life’s memories would choose to integrate, but some choose to be devoured or erased – any choice wouldn’t be surprising.

Just as Zhou Lingyi in this life had eradicated the independent will of Hou Ling’er from his last life.

For the third life to erase the second or the second to erase the third was also quite normal. After all, not everyone can accept two selves.

This was what Zhou Yan would soon face.

While Zhou Yan pondered, he heard Zhou Lingyao sigh and say, “Xinyu, you should spend more time experiencing your new body; talking like this is really too tempting, and it puts me under a lot of pressure.”

“Giggle, Brother Hou Yi, you feel pressure?” teased Lee Xinyu mockingly.