CHAPTER 564: CHAPTER 002 NOBLE BLOODLINE

The sound of the wind had already ceased, and the night was also over.

Apart from the sound of Spiritual Energy within heaven and earth, and the breathing of friends meditating nearby, one could hear no other sound.

The banquet had ended a long time ago, and those Cultivators with weaker friendships had already left.

The process of cultivation was still monotonous, yet it also brought so much tranquility to one’s heart.

After seeing off Shiyin, Shi Qin, Qingyao Xuan, and the others, Zhou Yan began to cultivate with Hou Chen.

He did not grasp anything new, merely revisited the entire journey from the Sword Realm to the present Sword Void Fifth Transformation Realm from start to finish.

The process was short, yet it brought immense insights.

In the midst of cultivation, his life seemed as if it had gone through reincarnation again, with everything from the past becoming incredibly clear.

In the midst of cultivation, the events of the past also presented themselves scene by scene before his eyes. Zhou Yan finally understood why the Holy Daughter often felt upset yet hesitant to speak, and he also came to know the conflicted emotions of the Thunder Origin Sword God. The Thunder Origin Sword God was merely a servant-like figure, caught between Jiang Tianling and Jiang Yuning, struggling immensely to manage things properly.

As they said, some things were not meant for Zhou Yan to bear, not knowing indeed brought more happiness compared to knowing, as evidenced by his disciple Hou Chen being the best example.

When unaware, one could proceed with bravery and rigor. However, the shock upon discovering the harsh realities was unimaginable.

The greater the genius who stood at the pinnacle, the prouder they were. Yet, when they suddenly realized they lacked the courage to act in the face of true power, or even experienced intense fear akin to a burning heart gnawing at their bones—fear to the extent of trembling, mental blankness, and nearly losing control of their own bodily functions—that kind of shock was stark and cruel.

For such a proud individual to show such disgraceful behavior, how distressing must it be for their strong ego?

It was just as the time when Zhou Yan calculated Ji Wu using the Killing Spirit Divine Dao; the awakened Ji Wu ended up taking his own life.

Because he could not bear such a shock.

Compared to him, what Hou Chen was experiencing was similar.

Hou Chen was young and extremely powerful, nearly on par with half the peak strength of Ji Wu, and his journey in cultivation had been mostly smooth sailing, never truly facing hardships. For someone like him to suddenly encounter such a brutal blow, it was already exceptional that he had not resorted to suicide.

All of this was for him to face himself. If Hou Chen lacked a firm will and belief, there was nothing Zhou Yan could do.

...

"Master, this disciple has disappointed you. I am incompetent."

After a long while, upon seeing Zhou Yan finish cultivating, Hou Chen knelt in front of Zhou Yan and spoke with self-reproach.

Zhou Yan did not speak, merely gazing coldly at Hou Chen until the sky turned pale, and dawn was about to break.

Hou Chen continued to kneel, seemingly waiting for Zhou Yan’s punishment.

It seemed that only through the master’s scolding or berating could he feel a bit better.

"Chenchen, once, why did the Emperor Sword Lineage abandon you to survive on your own? Everyone knows that it’s only through harsh environments that talents can truly be nurtured."

Zhou Yan didn’t want to say it, but considering Hou Chen was still too young, some words were akin to teaching—he had to speak.

Hou Chen was smart enough, but he still lacked exposure to some knowledge.

As a master, and also as his guide, it was his duty to teach him timely lessons.

Hou Chen lowered his head, listening attentively.

But his eyes had already turned from bloodshot and red to a dead gray.

That was the color of having no faith, no self.

"This world has a saying, ’Talents emerge from the Wilderness,’ implying that harsh environments create better talents."

"Because a harsh environment is a form of tempering. Tempering is the same as suffering, torment, and humiliation."

"Those exalted Saints and even Divine beings, like the Thunder Origin Sword God, would kneel to Jiang Tianling."

"We fear him because our souls bear the imprint of servitude, just like how rabbits naturally fear tigers—it’s purely instinctual. The smarter and more genius the rabbit, the more it fears the tiger.

It’s not just you; even your master fears, Ji Wu fears, and Yang Liufeng, Huang FuZhan, Jia Yongheng—they all fear. Even Saints fear."

"Failing is not dreadful, and falling down is not an issue, but it is terrifying to be degraded by failure and to remain down after a fall."

"Your path has been relatively smooth because your master looked after you, and the Qiankun Lineage protected you. But your master’s path has been full of hurdles.

If someone like your master, with such a lowly fate, has not despaired, what right do you have to act this way?"

"Paths are meant to be walked step by step. Perhaps Jiang Tianling’s realm is indeed powerful, and we can’t compare, but just like your master eight years ago. Back then, I was only a Swordman, a true lowly ant.

Yet in eight years, your master could laugh proudly in the Southern Wilderness, invincible under Sword Tribulation.

That is enough!

If eight years can achieve this, who’s to say that in a hundred years, we will still be ants?"

"Chenchen, you have never been your master’s shame, but your master’s pride! For you are not even ten years old, yet not even ten years old, you are nearly invincible under Sword Tribulation! What a marvelous and brilliant feat!

You are afraid, you fear, but your master also fears and is afraid. Your master hasn’t achieved fearlessness against Jiang Tianling, so what can he demand from you? And you are not even ten years old now, only appearing mature due to your vigor. In reality, you are still a child.

A child should have a child’s innocence. Your Emperor Qi Dragon Transformation Technique is comparable to the presence of the Original Dao, and things like the Spirit God Dao and Killing Spirit Divine Dao are true Taos, which are powerful anywhere and no weaker than others."

"We speak of being invincible, our hearts ’Eternal’, and ’Only I Am Supreme’. It’s not about never failing, but about not letting our beliefs collapse, not letting them be extinguished.

Failure—Master has faced too many failures, now even unable to wed the Holy Daughter. Surrounded by women, yet each one of them faces misfortune; isn’t that humiliation and failure enough?

But Master has never fallen!

Hou Chen, if you doubt your own abilities like this, then you are truly powerless! That would truly disappoint Master!"

"It’s alright to fear danger because our cultivation and the inherent nature of our souls lean towards good fortune and avoid disaster. When we see a fierce Ancient Fierce Beast, our hearts waver because we sense a crisis when our powers match.

And when we face a Saint with a strong killing intent, we feel a suffocating fear of death because our lives are threatened.

But when we confront Jiang Tianling, the fear that emanates from our souls marks the true difference between mere mortals and Divine beings.

It’s not a disgrace; it’s because we are not strong enough! Perhaps when we become Saints, we won’t feel this fear. And when we become powerful Divine beings, we can directly confront such existences."

"We may lack other things, but we have time, we have genius! While others cultivate for hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of years, we only need a few years, decades, or at most less than a century!"

"Come that day, a hundred years from now when we look back at him! By then, perhaps that Jiang Tianling will be no different from a clown!"

"Then, we will step on his face, press his head to his buttocks, take his woman, annihilate his entire lineage..."

As Zhou Yan spoke gradually, an endless confidence began to rise within him.

Yes, how does it matter how powerful [they are]? It had only taken Zhou Yan eight years to rise from a mere beginner at the Sword Realm to venturing into the Sword Void Fifth Transformation Realm through countless hardships. And for Hou Chen, it took even less than five years, evolving from a milk-sucking infant to becoming nearly invincible under the Sword Tribulation; who could match this speed?

With time, nothing is insurmountable!

Zhou Yan’s words shattered Hou Chen’s resentments, reigniting his fighting spirit.

His fighting spirit was gradually aroused.

He clearly did not want to concede at this point, just momentarily struggling to accept the outcome.

Now, as Zhou Yan analyzed and encouraged deeply, Hou Chen gradually stepped out of his shadows.

In fact, it wasn’t only Hou Chen. Distant friends like Jia Yongheng, Yang Liufeng, Huang FuZhan, Huangfu Jing, and others also seemed perceptive, their eyes reflecting renewed confidence.

The previous night, though they were jocular with drinks and mirthful conversations, everyone had been only making the best of a bad situation, in fact, deeply despaired. But now, with Zhou Yan’s words, they all regained self-confidence and self-worth.

Zhou Yan didn’t speak any further, but Hou Chen had already stood up, no longer bowing his head.

His eyes brightened, gleaming with a luster akin to stars after the rain.

"Master, Hou Chen won’t bow down or give up anymore. Master is right, without experiencing storms, how can one see rainbows? If I give up on myself, then I truly am a powerless waste! Thinking about ordinary people struggling amidst hardships without giving up, what reason do I have to surrender?"

"You’ve understood well. The Emperor Blood you inherited, extraordinary, comes from the Pangu Bloodline—a truly Great Power’s lineage! Perhaps, even surpassing Jiang Tianling in intensity. Also, the Emperor Qi Dragon Transformation Technique, vast and inscrutable, requires your wholehearted understanding."

"Master, you can also contemplate these together with me; I want to share the most powerful Cultivation Techniques with Master for understanding because even the Saints said, ’Master is the most likely to achieve Transcendence!"

Hou Chen spoke earnestly, his tone firm.

"Indeed, I have the same intention!"

Yang Liufeng also approached, suddenly speaking.

"I’ve already shared my Luck Path, let’s also share the Qi Fortune Condensing Skill."

Jia Yongheng appeared.

"The War God Technique of the Huangfu Family, I also can make it open to the Zhou Yan Cultivators."

Huang Futing emerged, her demeanor exceptional as she spoke.

"Brother Zhou Yan, if you are upset, Jing is willing to accompany you to ease your mind, willing to serve you and make you happy."

Huangfu Jing said shyly.

Zhou Yan’s body shook, his gaze suddenly turning fiery as he looked at these friends.

He was moved by these sincere remarks.

"It seems they all understand now."

Suddenly, the sky carried the voice of Wuwei Zhuge, followed by his descent.

By his side, Zhuge Chunqiu, Zhuge Guyan, and Jiayue were also present.

Behind him, the master of the Destiny Ancient Temple, Heavenly Destiny Saint, also arrived.

"Zhou Yan, Jiang Tianling said, ’You are an Outer Heaven Spirit,’ so you are inevitably unrestricted by this world’s bonds, or at least, significantly less so than us natives. You are a great opportunity, among all geniuses, more likely to achieve Transcendence. Moreover, your Fate is unimaginably baffling, beyond imagination. Being the second reincarnation of Lei Yan King is no minor thing."

The Destiny Temple’s master, Heavenly Destiny Saint, spoke.

"Indeed, I’ve seen your Heavenly Mechanism, chaotic, containing terrifying Pangu Bloodline from an Outer Ancient Star, visible only as a Chaos of Ancient Anomalies, indeed extraordinary, which is one of the reasons we aid you.

Moreover, your Destiny’s very tortuous. Yet within these twists, there is vitality, a chance for change, unlike us, where that slight possibility is unimaginably low."

"Moreover, another reason I proposed for these geniuses to share their Cultivation Techniques... lies in your noblety of blood, not confined to mere Pangu Lineage from Outer regions."