Chapter 46

Zhou Yan was in a state of complete enlightenment.

In such a state, the young lad once again felt an enormous resistance as he attempted to gain enlightenment of the knowledge of the Sword Art of the Dragon. However, after finding the right direction when he was attempting to gain knowledge, he had an immense motivation to pour every ounce of his heart to learn even if the topic of study was incredibly difficult.

Hence, whenever he was tasked with studying or gaining enlightenment from any other fields, it would be a relaxing and easy thing for the young lad to do.

This time was no exception.

All it took for Zhou Yan was his deep concentrated focus in gaining enlightenment from that jade, and different thoughts, ideas, and principles began to flood the young lad’s mind. After doing so, the young lad stopped trying to wrap his head around the Sword Art of The Dragon as he diverted his entire attention to fully unlock the deeper secrets of the eighth and ninth layers.

This time, his attempts in doing so were extremely smooth and were met without any resistance. Zhou Yan had not only fully understood the hidden secrets and deeper meaning of that sword art, but he had also gained full control and complete mastery over all nine forms of that sword art from the jaded rock.

That meant Zhou Yan had fully understood the deeper, more intricate meanings and all nine forms of said sword art.

This entire search for enlightenment had never even taken a single joss stick’s worth of time.

However, since there was still plenty of time left, Zhou Yan proceeded to once again get himself in a state of enlightenment in order to have a deeper and more conclusive understanding of the Principles of Autumn’s Secret. Although the time spent to do all of this was short, the young lad had already gained plenty of knowledge.

After a conclusive study, Zhou Yan had successfully mastered the Principles of Autumn’s Secret.

Since Zhou Yan had poured all of his heart and soul into the mastery of the sword art within this jaded rock, as he was spent in enlightenment, he realized this sword art was far more complex and held a much deeper depth compared to the Sword Art of Clear Waters Heaven’s Blade of the Zhou family. Its ferocity was also far superior to it.

…

“That’s it, times up.”

The hand of the Grand Elder of the Zhou family had a serious expression on his face. This time, he hoped Zhou Yan would not show off to an extent which would draw him attention since he did not want the young lad to use the opportunity to be taken seriously.

However, this was a fair test, and the results could never be forged. Hence, all he was able to do was stand idly by and watch, but it seems that this lad had a hint of dissatisfaction in his eyes since he knew Zhou Yan was exceptional in the study of enlightenment!

He was very aware of the situation, and it was all due to that fact alone that made him worried. Zhou Yan can never rise to glory or else the entire fate of the Zhou family would be exceedingly worrying!

As he pondered on that thought, obvious bloodlust was written across his face.

It was extremely obvious. If it was not for the presence of the elder of the main branch of the Zhou family, he would have actually murdered Zhou Yan right where he stood.

“Now, don’t think for a second that all of you are lucky. You will take turns explaining what sort of enlightened knowledge you’ve gained from that test. After that, the elder of the main branch of the Zhou family himself will be assessing each one of you within this Swordplay Alchemy circle!

“This Swordplay Alchemy circle is branded with a specter’s memory. The memory will be used to showcase what you’ve learned, and then later be used for comparison!

“If you guys were unable to gain any enlightened knowledge from the test and instead presented a nonsensical speech, the offender will be disqualified from the test the instant such acts were discovered!

“If there is any newfound enlightenment after you’re done presenting, the newfound knowledge will not be taken into account.

“That being said, however much enlightened knowledge that you have gained before is what will be taken into account!”

“Right now, the summarized conclusion shall be presented first. Whoever goes first will be determined by the results of the test of might earlier, so Zhou Lingyao, you’ll be the first to present your knowledge!”

“Yes, Hand of the Grand Elder.”

Zhou Lingyao proceeded to take a gentle bow of respect as he pridefully glared at Zhou Yan. Not only was that a gaze of challenge, it was also a glare filled with confidence!

“What I’ve learned was the sword art that reflects the falling leaves in autumn! I’ve fully grasped four principles, hence I’ve mastered four different movesets!”

Zhou Lingyao was calm but at the same time filled with pride. Even the tone of the words he had spoken was weighted—it sounded extremely powerful!

That single statement alone shook the entirety of the Zhou family academy!

Even that couple from the main branch of the family had hints of surprise in their gaze when they stared at Zhou Lingyao!

This expression alone had been noticed by plenty of people, meaning Zhou Lingyao’s innate ability to gain enlightenment was extremely outstanding!

…

The academy’s exterior ground, within the tavern.

“Four different movesets, meaning there were four intricately deep principles. Ying’er, your understanding is the same too, but in terms of mastery over a specific moveset, you would need to master one more than him. I didn’t expect the Zhou family to have such genius.”

That middle-aged man stared from a distance, unable to contain his excitement while he spoke.

“Father, how much do you think Brother Zhou Yan would be able to grasp from this?” the young lass, Ying’er, questioned excitedly.

“This is not an easy prediction to make, but judging from how confident he looks, and if his natural gifts were as impressive as his father’s, then I’m certain he would at least be able to grasp three intricate hidden meanings and three movesets. To say he would be more impressive than Zhou Lingyao would be a stretch.”

After a deep moment of contemplation, the middle-aged man broke everything down and made such a conclusion.

“Father, isn’t your strength an impressive judgment of people? How can you not be able to decisively judge Brother Zhou Yan?”

Zhou Ying lamented in a displeased tone.

“My beloved daughter, your father isn’t as exceptional as that elder from the main branch of our family to possess such high intellect! Besides, I’m merely in the second rank within the realm of the Blade’s Menace. This realm is still exceedingly far from the realm of the Blade’s Heart.

“Without ascending into the realm of the Blade’s Heart and only having a blade’s core with an extremely high affinity to the spiritual nature isn’t exactly much help!

“Furthermore, Zhou Yan is… How should I put this in words… Odd. It’s most probably due to the bloodline this young lad shared with his mother. All of this is nothing but a shroud to your father!

“The only thing I can conclusively determine is he is most likely in possession of a three-segmented Qi Column.

“This is only wild speculation.”

The middle-aged man had a bitter laugh as he was unable to do a thing while he was facing his daughter’s dissatisfaction.

He too was slightly displeased since he knew Zhou Wangchen’s full extent of his prowess all those years ago. Plenty of women had been charmed by him. How else do you think that mysterious odd maiden would even end up with Zhou Wangchen? And now, Zhou Yan was exactly like him years ago. As a matter of fact, Zhou Yan was better than he once was. Even his daughter was… behaving like that… How could this end well!

He was forced to worry about that entire situation.

“Forget it. Leave it all to fate. If things were fated, there’s little I can do to avoid it.”

As the middle-aged man pondered, he was finally able to feel relieved.

He was originally a casual lad and never intended to do anything that involved power. The main reason he repeatedly pushed for his daughter to strive for better was entirely for her own benefit.

However, after noticing how much she unconditionally cared and paid attention to Zhou Yan, he had completely submitted to fate.

…

“Zhou Lingyi, you may present!”

“What I’ve learned was the sword art which encompasses the brisk nature of autumn. I’ve grasped four principles! Mastered three forms of movesets!”

…

“What?! four principles once again? This means she fully grasped four deeper and intricate meanings! Meaning… the Zhou siblings are exceptional geniuses of enlightenment!”

“The Zhou family had birthed geniuses!”

“Both Zhou Lingyi and Zhou Lingyao are worthy of the title of ‘twin Ling geniuses’. Truly marvelous!”

“The bottom line of the Zhou family, even if it were the minor branch, is completely beyond the realm of imagination!”

Plenty of discussions were happening all around the area.

Zhou Yan was calm as he had an emotionless demeanor toward all of the discussions. His expression resembled a puddle of still water; a calm surface of an ancient well.

At that very moment, the young lad simply allowed these people to celebrate while they still could since the celebrations these people were enjoying would gradually become sorrowful!

As the young lad was focused on his thoughts and was paying absolutely no mind to any of them, he unleashed his soul’s ability to gain insight from the discussions of people of powerful status.

The young lad was also interested in knowing what these people thought of Zhou Lingyi, Zhou Lingyao, and his own innate ability to gain enlightenment. He was keen to know what conclusions they made.

As he unleashed his soul’s detection ability, the instant it was dispersed around the area of the Lord of the Region of A Thousand Despair and Elder Ling, he was able to hear Elder Ling lament, “This young lad, Zhou Yan… I’ve concluded earlier that his Qi Column might actually be a single Qi Column between three to four segments.

“However, even if it were four segments, it would still be unable to compare with a twin Qi Column! The people in possession of a twin Qi Column are like the prime genius lass, Ying’er. She happens to have a twin Qi Column of four segments in total. If she had undergone a massive mutation once, she would be able to possess a twin Qi Column with three segments each. Thus, there’s a total of nine segments making it the ‘Emperor’s Blade’s Core’. Twin Qi Columns with three segments each would make it as heavily weighted as nine Oceans of Qi. In other words, her raw prowess alone would be nine folds stronger than any folks! If that was the case, she would be able to break the bindings of the heavenly laws, and this would result in gaining an exceedingly amazing amount of luck making her the most cherished soul of all!”

“I’ve felt it too. That Zhou Yan having three segments is an oddity on its own. His Qi Column seems to be curved? It slithers like a worm. Truly odd indeed.

“However, I dared not to observe longer since they were in a deep field of concentration and focus earlier. I wouldn’t want to interfere. That elder of the main branch of the Zhou family truly is an outstanding figure indeed.”

The Lord of the Region of A Thousand Despain spoke in a deep tone.

“Yes indeed, based on our observations done by conjuring a realm supported by the Blade’s Menace, was an undetectable move, however, this alone seems disrespectful to others. However, this very event truly was a spectacle to all.” Elder Ling lamented.

“The Qi Column is truly important. Anyone who has ascended into the realm of the Blade’s Menace would be able to determine anyone’s ability by conjuring a realm of the Blade. This method to determine one’s potential was acknowledged by all. If the other person was oblivious to it, then there isn’t much fault doing so right? Elder Ling, you’re still too humble,” The Lord of the Region of A thousand Despair replied with a smile.

“Yes indeed, times are different now. However, I’m also curious. Has something awful happened to the brains of the Zhou family to have them relentlessly target Zhou Yan? What’s the meaning of all of this?” Elder Ling was slightly puzzled.

“This matter alone has a huge reason behind it. Think about it this way. Without such methods, how else would they obtain the manuscripts of the Invincible Sword’s Way? Besides that, there’s another major secret of Zhou Wangchen. But in regard to that matter, I’m in no position to speak.

“But, Zhou Wuzhen’s intentions, truly, were deep. The waters of this family is something I would rather not get stained from. However, this was all because I’m uncertain when exactly an insanely powerful monster figure would suddenly appear from the Zhou family.

“Hehe, anyone who had intentions of scheming against the Zhou family would only be shooting themselves in the foot!”

The Lord of the Region of A Thousand Despair spoke whilst chuckling coldly.

…

Zhou Yan was very surprised by what these people said.

Any person who had ascended into the realm of the Blade’s Menace would be able to determine a person’s Qi Column through the shroud of the Blade’s Realm?

Someone… actually had a twin Qi Column too?

Twin Qi Column of three segments represented the Emperor’s Blade’s Core?

Then the four segments on each side of his twin Qi Columns, the multiple of four was sixteen… What kind of Blade’s Core… Would that be?

The limit was nine and he had very casually surpassed that limit… What exactly did all that meant?

The more Zhou Yan understood, the more puzzled he seemed.

It seemed as if his Qi Column was truly an oddity.