76: Chapter 075: Is Zhou Yan Dead?

76: Chapter 075: Is Zhou Yan Dead?

Spring passed and autumn came.

Time swept by, year after year.

In the blink of an eye, three years had also passed.

Back then, the Great Zhou Family’s Sword Origin Pool created an immense sensation, as Zhou Ying, from the Great Zhou Family, entered the icy and snowy Sword Origin Ancestral Land and comprehended the Heavenly Spirit Sword Technique.

Combined with her Heavenly Spirit Sword Body, she achieved the peak state of Third Level of Sword Intent Realm, becoming an immensely powerful cultivator!

Moreover, she had condensed a drop of ‘Ancient Sword Soul Blood,’ and her Qi Column became, as she wished, Dual Qi Pillars each with Three Energy Cycles—although the Third Energy Cycle had just taken shape.

This elevated her to an unprecedented level of genius, second to none, towering above thousands!

Aside from Zhou Cangmu, the family head, Zhou Ying had already become preeminent.

But she was a very kind person; not only did she not establish her authority over anyone, she instead became the Holy Daughter in everyone’s hearts, making even Zhou Yuntian unable to resist being utterly enchanted by her post-transformation self.

After Zhou Ying made a splash, there were two others who caused quite a stir!

One of them was Zhou Gucheng, who, as someone at the Swordman Triple Heaven entering the Sword Origin Pool, encountered the boundless Thunder Sea within the Sword Origin Pool, gaining tremendous fortune and becoming the inheritor of the Secret Technique of an Elder at the Sword Soul Realm, shooting straight up to the peak of the Third Level of Sword Intent as a formidable figure.

His Ancestor Thunder Sword Skill shocked the Zhou Family members so much that their eyes nearly popped out.

Here was another genius of True Man Level, nearly reaching the power of three.

Aside from these two, who spent nearly three months in the Sword Origin Pool, the next most noteworthy were Zhou Lingyi, Zhou Xian, and Zhou Lingyao.

These three also attained the Second Layer Heaven Realm of Sword Intent, their strengths advancing by leaps and bounds.

In other times, they would undoubtedly be exceptionally dazzling figures, but now, overshadowed by the presence of Zhou Ying and Zhou Gucheng, they faded somewhat into the background.

In addition to those from Canglan City, this time there was also a talented young girl from Fulong City, Zhou Qianqian, who entered the Sword Origin Pool at the Second Layer Heaven of Sword Origin and emerged reaching the peak state of the Third Level of Sword Intent, Moreover, she even comprehended Sword Heart, becoming the first cultivator in history to realize the realm of Sword Heart inside the Sword Origin Pool.

Furthermore, she stayed in the Sword Origin Pool for five months!

She broke all records—her Qi Column might not have been dual, but it had already reached Five Energy Cycles!

She had wholly become a newly emerged special genius alongside Zhou Gucheng!

She was that third person who caused a sensation.

As for the rest, although many performed quite well, none could compare with these three.

As for Zhou Yan…

The name Zhou Yan, which once shook the Great Zhou Family and even Carefree Main City, also gradually dimmed with the passing of three years.

Genius shines brightly for a moment but can also fade over time.

After three years of absence, in this era rife with geniuses, Zhou Ying, Zhou Gucheng, and Zhou Qianqian, these three prodigies, had become world-famous, eclipsing his former glory.

Zhou Yan was no longer mentioned.

…

Great Zhou Family.

Sword Soul Hall.

“This time, as the Ancient Tomb Mountain opens its gates wide, with the Sword Soul roaring, it presents an enormous opportunity…

The folks from the Da Li Family, as well as other domains from our Cangyan Prefecture, and even the formidable geniuses from Wangchuan Mansion have all arrived.

Even, some of the old generation’s geniuses have emerged, with various Demon Beasts suppressed by Sword Arrays coming out.

Zhou Ying, Zhou Qianqian, and Zhou Gucheng, with your current strength, you are the most outstanding in our family; make sure to seize this opportunity.

Further, Zhou Yuan, Zhou Ting, and Zhou Bi, whose strengths have also been impacted by you, have reached the Sword Heart Realm and are qualified to go; but I will speak with them one by one later—yes, take care of them together.”

“I will!

You can rest assured, Family Head.”

Zhou Ying said softly.

“Zhou Ying, I’m not worried about you, but Zhou Gucheng…

you…”

“Family Head, as Brother Zhou Yan hasn’t made an appearance, I will not kill Zhou Yuntian, rest assured!”

Zhou Gucheng’s face was ice-cold, like a stone statue, his speech measured and devoid of levity.

But his aura was extremely terrifying!

“You’re worthy?”

Just then, a voice brimming with pride suddenly filled the air.

Following that, a wave of Emperor Qi suddenly targeted Zhou Gucheng’s head, stopping less than an inch away.

“Overestimating yourself!”

Zhou Gucheng coldly snorted, and a purple Thunder Light, with a ‘whoosh,’ suddenly shattered the wave of Emperor Qi.

However, the confrontation between the two was obliterated by a swath of Sword Light at that moment.

Zhou Cangmu furrowed his brow, withdrew his hand, and was about to say something when suddenly his expression changed dramatically, followed by sheer elation: “Zhou Yuntian, after three years of closed cultivation, have you succeeded in splitting your Qi Column?”

“Correct!

Using my Qi Column splitting technique, which I acquired as an inheritance in the Sword Origin Ancestral Land, along with various beneficial effects and the help of a fragment of the Ancestor’s Soul, I have succeeded!

With a single Qi Column and Four Energy Cycles, following the split, I’ve broken through the constraints of the Emperor Qi Sword Body, becoming a dual Qi Column each with Four Energy Cycles Supreme Genius!

With my peak state of Sword Heart Second Layer Heaven, Zhou Gucheng, you’re not even worthy to carry my shoes!”

Zhou Yuntian spoke with immense pride.

His voice thundered as he spoke.

The sudden burst of power also instilled deep apprehension in Zhou Gucheng and Zhou Ying’s gazes.

“Excellent!

Excellent!

Excellent!

Then, this expedition to the Ancient Tomb Mountain is completely full of hope!

This time, all the strong practitioners above the Sword Spirit Realm have already agreed not to enter, and Ancient Tomb Mountain has set an age limit of within one hundred years.

This time, you all have a chance!”

Zhou Cangmu was ecstatic.

“Of course, we can go, but Family Head, I’ve heard that Zhou Wangchen has also come out of seclusion.

He has reached the Sword Heart First Layer Heaven Realm, and his talent and combat power are exceptionally formidable.

His Affectionate Sword Dao and Lifeless Sword Dao are capable of breaking through the barriers of life and death…

Now that Zhou Yan has died in the Sword Origin Pool, let his father take over the challenge!”

Zhou Yuntian sneered coldly.

Zhou Gucheng’s hands were now tightly clenched around his sword—because everyone in the Zhou Family knew that he, Zhou Gucheng, only obeyed one person, and that person was Zhou Yan!

But Zhou Yan had already been in the Sword Origin Pool for three years without emerging.

Three years without emergence, and the Sword Origin Pool drying up, signified that Zhou Yan must have died inside…

That was the common understanding.

Although the Sword Origin Pool was the Zhou Family Ancestor Land’s ultimate place for cleansing the marrow and transforming the sinews, there were still some risks involved.

If one could not withstand it, dying from a body explosion was nothing unusual.

After all, each Realm is extremely difficult to advance in, but once someone enters the Sword Origin Pool, in mere minutes, they might achieve what others spend a lifetime cultivating!

This was a great opportunity, but such advancement could not be sustained.

One would certainly explode and be reduced to ashes.

After three years without emergence, the likelihood of Zhou Yan being alive was next to nothing.

Moreover, the three-year limit was a decree by the Ancestor, a boundary that could not be surpassed.

Now, three years have long passed, the effectiveness of the Sword Origin Pool has dried up, the Sword Array has become silent.

Zhou Yan has not come out; how could he still be alive?

“Zhou Yuntian, don’t be so smug.

Very soon, I will make you understand that you are ultimately nothing but trash!

And I believe that Brother Zhou Yan will definitely come out.

He will not fall in the Sword Origin Pool.

He must have obtained a great opportunity and breakthrough.

Just you wait!”

Zhou Gucheng, a man who could go half a year without saying a word, suddenly spoke so much.

But no one found it strange because it concerned Zhou Yan.

When it came to Zhou Yan, Zhou Cangmu’s eyes also showed boundless sorrow, even though he hid it well.

“Family Head, I also believe that Brother Zhou Yan will be fine.”

Zhou Ying said firmly, yet deep within her stunning eyes, there was endless pain.

She herself did not know how much confidence she had.

The Sword Origin Realm of the Great Zhou Family was established by an ancient Ancestor of a previous generation who combined his own Soul and Sword Array into an incredibly complex, independent space, where the rule was three years!

This was also to ensure the Sword Origin Pool could provide talents and develop potential for the Zhou Family generation after generation.

But if this rule was broken, the Sword Origin Pool was sure to be destroyed!

Now that the Sword Origin Pool hadn’t been destroyed, there could only be one outcome—that Zhou Yan was dead!

“Alas…

Zhou Yan’s talent, even with so many geniuses coming out, is still the strongest I have seen.

Earlier, I conducted a detailed investigation into his everything, and I learned that it only took him a month to reach that level!

In one month, he achieved the Sword Origin First Layer Heaven with his own strength, and his combat power broke through level four, becoming a True Spirit level genius…

Now, does anyone of you have the combat power to break four?”

Zhou Cangmu’s words were filled with bitterness.

His expression was also pain-filled.

A dead genius is not a genius.

Without value, there is no need to concern oneself; this is the harshness of family dynamics!

But Zhou Yan was different.

Even after Zhou Yan died, the great elders, Clan Leader, and protectors of the family lamented and grieved.

When a person’s talent reaches an unparalleled level, it’s only after they are gone that people feel the pain and regret.

So, despite all signs pointing to Zhou Yan’s demise, Zhou Cangmu was still exceedingly kind to the Zhou Family members of Canglan City, spent his effort maintaining his potential and Cultivation, not only fully recovering Zhou Wangchen’s Cultivation base but also allowing his strength to transform and enter the utmost realm of Sword Heart Clarity.

After the Sword Intent Realm, each Realm is incredibly difficult to break through.

This breakthrough meant that Zhou Wangchen had once again obtained a grand opportunity—his lifespan could be extended by up to five hundred years!

“Breaking four…

that’s just the Sword Origin Realm after all.

But if it were the Sword Intent Realm or the Sword Heart Realm, let him break through level four and show me?

With my talent, combined with the perfection of Dual Qi Pillars with four cycles each, as well as my Supreme Sword Body and other abilities, coupled with a powerful Spirit Sword like the Heavenly Evil Sword, I can barely break level three in combat power.

Zhou Yan was alright in the beginning, but later on, I’m afraid he would also fall short.

To maintain combat power without decreasing is too difficult!”

Zhou Yuntian said with a cold laugh.

But with these words spoken, everyone fell silent.

In truth, the breakthrough to level four combat power initially came about because of Zhou Yang’s impaired strength and spirit, and in the ensuing ebb and flow, the result was as such.

There might have been some exaggeration involved, but since the Dao Charm descended, it could not be completely dismissed.

Yet, Zhou Yuntian was right; in lower realms, it was possible to break through the limitations due to the less elevated status, as combat power could be influenced in many aspects.

But at the Sword Intent and Sword Heart Realms, to break level four would indeed shock heaven and earth.