99: Chapter 003: Thunder Fire Contains the Tao Lotus 99: Chapter 003: Thunder Fire Contains the Tao Lotus Zhou Yan couldn’t sense the passage of time, but within his brow, the Purple Flame burnt a space into existence, creating a breach in the limitless, dark, and silent ‘Universe’ nestled there.

The space was no more than a thousand cubic meters, but it was filled with a grand purple aura, like a piece of the Ancient times.

As this space materialized, Zhou Yan’s soul naturally appeared within it.

Here, he felt as though he was the Sovereign, capable of doing whatever he desired.

“This…

is my own world, this is a real spatial world!”

The incarnation of Zhou Yan’s soul stood there, body trembling.

As the space came into being, he also gained control of his body, but he did not immediately wake up.

Instead, he carefully experienced and comprehended this world within his brow.

The flames burned, refining the space and making it increasingly complete, slowly expanding its scope.

However, after creating this thousand-cubic-meter space, the pace of expansion became excruciatingly slow.

And that Purple Flame, as if nailed in place, could no longer be commanded.

In the Void, the presence of the Purple Flame and Thunder Fire permeated.

With a thought from Zhou Yan, a strand of Purple Flame materialized on his soul hand, though it was a billionth of the strength of the original Purple Flame!

But Zhou Yan could control this strand of Purple Flame at will, no longer feeling that immense difficulty.

As Zhou Yan thought, he suddenly felt the Extreme Jade Cold Light Ring on his finger tear open a space, and within the expanse of the Purple Flame in his brow, the Lotus Leaves and the inky-black Lotus Seeds from the ring appeared.

Ninety-nine Lotus Seeds, now only ninety-five remained.

At that moment, all these materials were drawn into the Purple Flame, burning spontaneously.

Startled, Zhou Yan saw the Purple Flame seemingly develop an instinctive will, inciting its own growth.

Zhou Yan could feel his soul and its brand inseparable from it, now uniquely his own.

Still, the feeling of not being in control and a faint sense of being disregarded upset him.

The Lotus Seeds were invaluable, and now they were burnt like this.

Just as anger swelled within him and before he could scold the Purple Flame, the ninety-five Lotus Seeds and countless Lotus Leaves suddenly congealed, forming a godly Lotus Seed that was so black it appeared white.

The seed took root in the midst of the flames and began to grow.

With the rooting of the Lotus Seed, a terrifying vitality suddenly manifested in the space!

Zhou Yan felt as if his soul had suddenly awakened nine senses, and the feeling of enlightenment appeared once more.

Zhou Yan was incredibly shocked.

With the Lotus Seed rooting and growing within the Purple Flame, would it mean that from this moment on, he could reach Enlightenment without any obstacles?

Confused and uncertain, it was at this time, within the Purple Flame, that flashes of Heavenly Tribulation appeared, roaring with the struggles of twelve Divine Beasts!

“This, this is Master’s near annihilation scene!

Among them, there are so many ancient and profound Runes!”

Deeply shocked by what he saw, Zhou Yan’s soul trembled.

As he closely observed the spectacle, understanding every form and pattern of the Divine Beasts, the places he once did not comprehend now became clear as if the Tao Rules themselves were sermonizing in his ears, and he suddenly understood.

At this moment, Zhou Yan felt his Soul Energy weakening from such comprehension, gradually growing faint until he could no longer control it and was pulled out of the space.

He sat up with a jolt, suddenly feeling an invincible and terrifying energy throughout his body.

His blood and soul seemed to have been thoroughly purified to spotlessness, crystal clear!

Standing there, there was a terrifying glint of Tao Rules around him, flickering uncertainly.

That spiritual divine radiance made him seem akin to a true deity!

“Yan’er, are you alright?!”

“Brother Zhou Yan, are you okay?”

“Big Brother Zhou Yan, how are you now?”

…

Various voices of concern reached out almost in the instant he sat up.

Warmed by their care, yet filled with soaring spirits, Zhou Yan stood up and laughed, “Father, Auntie, Uncle Zhou Han, and my brothers and sisters, I’ve worried you all this time.”

“It’s okay as long as you’re fine.

Everything else doesn’t matter.”

Zhou Han and the others breathed a sigh of relief, immediately feeling more at ease.

“What Uncle Zhou Han said earlier was correct, except that I had an abrupt enlightenment, and the Tao Rules shattered, leading to backlash.

Yet, I still discovered the path forward, thereby advancing even further.

Thankfully, the disruption of the Tao Rules was brief; otherwise, I might have truly perished.”

Zhou Yan pondered; some things he couldn’t and wouldn’t reveal.

Even if he did, such fantastical truths required belief.

This was his greatest secret; moreover, the Purple Flame space in his brow seemed to be a significant and favorable mutation.

Zhou Yan’s confidence in the future was bolstered by such a heaven-defying ability.

Naturally, he would not disclose this.

Zhou Han’s words were nearly all correct, save for some inaccuracies about Zhou Yan’s Enlightenment.

Still, they held much sense.

Previously, Zhou Yan was not interrupted mid-Enlightenment, but rather forced to witness a ‘Divine Battle,’ his soul torn by the cosmic rupture, nearly annihilating him.

But he could only acknowledge this much, ensuring no one would worry further.

“Indeed, which means this time, many geniuses in the midst of Enlightenment either had a great opportunity or failed and perished!”

Zhou Han also expressed surprise, his expression serious.

“Yes, I presume that’s about right!

Alas, Cultivation comes with risks, Enlightenment must be cautious.”

Zhou Yan sighed.

Zhou Ying had a strange sense of semi-understanding, glancing at Zhou Yan with some confusion.

With her Heavenly Spirit Sword Body’s inexplicable sensing, she felt that Brother Zhou Yan’s problems were not only these.

His experiences might be filled with unknown and unimaginable factors because even the thought of sensing it wouldn’t arise in her mind.

Should such a notion enter her thoughts, a sense of great terror overtook her.

So, she felt the matter was not simple.

But she knew that Zhou Yan might have said this just to reassure everyone.

After all, every genius kept certain secrets to themselves, which was normal.

Seeing Zhou Yan’s strength progressed, his aura restored, and even his soul seemingly intact and even more robust, she was no longer overly worried.

“Yes, cultivation is extremely dangerous, and with this turmoil’s arrival, an even more brutal path of cultivation has begun.”

Zhou Wangchen couldn’t help but sigh with emotions.

“Yes, whether we traveled through barren wastelands or grasslands, we’ve rarely encountered demon beasts, and even when we did, they were just wild beasts with a bit of spiritual nature.

And most of our Flying Sky Swords are transformations from our own sword spirits, not real demon beasts…

Of course, it is only in places like ancient ruins that one can see real demon beasts.

Now that the voids in which the demon beasts reside have returned, demon beasts will start appearing everywhere.

There is no such thing as friendliness between cultivators and demon beasts.

Most encounters will lead to great battles.”

“And because of demon beasts, their essence strengthens, and even gaining the bloodline talents of demon beasts to produce the Sky Demon Sword Body is normal!”

“One can only say that this world is about to fall into chaos, and countless cultivators will have the opportunity to defy the heavens and change their fate!

Therefore, the Ancient Tomb Mountain has now opened ahead of time, and it even connects with the City of No Tears, which is a relatively safe place.

I suggest that everyone who has reached the Sword Intent Second Layer Heaven Realm should go and try their luck to see if there are any opportunities!”

Zhou Han spoke several sentences in a row, his expression very grave.

Zhou Wangchen, Zhou Yan, Zhou Ying, Zhou Qianqian, and everyone else listened very seriously.

Similarly, such conversations have also surfaced among ancient families that choose to remain hidden.

The Da Li Family, the Da Xia Family, the Yang Family, and others—all these families had ancestors who were old monsters immersed in Enlightenment awaken from their closed-off practices.

They called upon the elites of their clans, issuing similar statements.

Likewise, no sooner had Zhou Han finished speaking than the Great Zhou Family saw action.

An old man who had lived for Wannian and was lying in a coffin suddenly rose from it.

He gently activated the ancient sword array of the Great Zhou Family, directly protecting the entire perimeter of the family estate.

The array, at this moment, intercepted various auras and could autonomously distinguish friend from foe.

After the array appeared, the voice of this ancestor resounded.

“All cultivators of the Great Zhou Family who have surpassed the Sword Intent Second Layer Heaven realm, report to the Sword Soul Hall immediately.

Anyone who does not arrive within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn will die!”

His light voice was terrifying.

This seemed to be an ancient and powerful being that the Great Zhou Family had never experienced before; even Zhou Yan couldn’t sense his realm!

It seemed he had far surpassed the Sword Soul Realm…

…

“This one Tao Rule shattered, countless old monsters deeply engaged in Enlightenment interrupt their process!

The once in a Wannian Nine Origin Reincarnation has begun, expected to last a thousand years!

These thousand years will be blood-soaked.

These thousand years will be filled with endless death and pain, marked by piles of white bones and obliteration!

So, everyone, cherish the people you have with you!”

Zhou Han looked at Zhou Wangchen and Lee Yan Yun, then at his daughter Zhou Ying, and sighed softly.

A silence fell upon the scene.

The Wannian great era has arrived.

Everyone yearned, boiled with enthusiasm, stood ready for battle, and also felt the uncertainty of gains and losses.

“Let’s go to the Sword Soul Hall!

Zhou Yuan, later you and Elder Xing go and bring back all the people from the Zhou Family in Canglan City.

Zhou Ting, go with Elder Ning to Tianji City and bring back Gu Yan and Xiao Zhan.

Additionally, if you encounter Xiao Zhan’s two daughters, bring them back as well.

In this chaotic era, while I am still alive and of value, let’s protect them well.”

Zhou Yan sighed slightly, then said.

He always thought that with the inheritance of a Void-breaking powerhouse, he could be invincible.

But his master, he could confirm, had already fallen.

Such a powerful being had died!

Compared to his master, what was he?!

And the arrival of this great era, the emergence of the Enlightenment Lotus, made it clearer to Zhou Yan that various opportunities and adventures corresponded to various outstanding geniuses!

Ji TaiXu might possess Dual Sword Souls, but Zhou Yan felt that he was far from reaching such a level.

He needed over 500,000 Ancient Essence Blood to condense his Sword Soul, a time of Condensation he didn’t know how long would take.

The disparity was despairing.

Zhou Yan hadn’t lost confidence, but in this brutal world, a single white light nearly annihilated him instantly.

Endless dangers lurked everywhere!

Surviving in this world has proven to be more difficult than he thought!

If not careful, one might die without even knowing how.

Thus, he curbed some of his arrogance and pride, becoming a bit more grounded.

Yet his words made others feel much more serious.

Hot-blooded and rash ideas cooled significantly.

“Zhou Yan, it won’t come to that!

Even if it does, the people you want to protect, we will help you protect them unless we are all dead!”

Zhou Han stood up at this moment, speaking with certainty.