Chapter 52

A silver, enormously wide flying ship landed from the skies above.

Waiting patiently within the flying ship was Elder Xing, Zhou Yuan, and Zhou Ting. They were standing silently on the left side of Elder Xing. On his right was a middle-aged looking man with a long black beard who seemed to be extremely flirtatious.

Standing next to the middle-aged man was a young maiden who seemed to have a pair of glimmering spirit-filled eyes. That young lass was completely focused on Zhou Yan.

The young lad’s gaze drifted passed these people and as his gaze was met with that adorable young lass’ aggressive stares who seemed to possess a strong spiritual affinity, Zhou Yan felt a slight twitch in his heart.

Since the young lad was used to seeing maidens with beauty that could only be compared to a deity, he was able to keep himself composed as he was not the type of person to seemingly forget about the world around him upon meeting such a rare beauty.

This slight impulsive twitch in his heart was caused by meeting this young maiden who had a strong sense of familiarity coming from her.

However, since both Xiao Chaner and Xiao Liner had greatly affected him, even if he was able to tell who that person was, he no longer possessed the heart to be close to anyone.

His personality had become increasingly grounded as all his impulsive nature gradually faded away.

“Brother Zhou Yan, it’s me, Ying’er. Do you still remember me?”

However, Zhou Yan remained idle. As the flying ship stopped, Ying’er stepped onto a single ray of Blade’s light as she elegantly walked toward the young lad and appeared out of nowhere next to him. She then proceeded to very excitedly talk to him.

That cold emotionless gaze from Zhou Yan’s eyes earlier was seemingly invisible to her.

…

As Zhou Yan unleashed his soul detection skill, he was able to very clearly sense Zhou Yin’s intentions and thoughts in addition to all the warmth and excitement within her. Hence, his heart felt warm in that instant.

The young lad had no intention to use his detection skills on this young lass, but due to the unique nature of soul’s detection, he was very clearly able to pick up on their intentions and their thoughts for anyone who was not grounded enough in their personality.

This was exactly like committing a crime of voyeurism!

However, if one’s personality was as grounded as Elder Xing, no matter how hard the young lad attempted, he would not be able to read the elder’s thoughts nor sense their intentions even by the slightest.

However, to Zhou Ying, Zhou Yan did not wish to repeat what had happened with Xiao Chaner and Xiao Liner so he proceeded to probe further with his detection skill and stretched his detection skill to the fullest.

Hence, he had instead sensed a sincere and genuine feeling of ‘admiration’ from her.

That was a conflicting feeling of ‘admiration’ and ‘favoritism’ but it was probably not anything related to romantic feelings. It felt more like… admiration for an older brother.

Hence, Zhou Yan could not tell the difference between what kind of feeling that way, although it was solid and sincere.

The young lad was touched and his heartstrings were pulled.

His cold frozen heart had a slight hint of warmth.

Hence, after contemplating for a brief moment, the young lad proceeded to excitedly speak up.

This was a similar event to after the young lad ran into Gu Xi—the feeling of catching up with someone who had been estranged for several years felt amazing to the young lad.

“Ying’er? You’re Ying’er from the City of Ten Thousand Changes?” Zhou Yan spoke in a surprised tone.

“Yes indeed, I’m Ying’er. I’m so happy that brother Zhou Yan still remembers me!”

Zhou Ying cried tears of joy.

The young lass did not hesitate as she lept excitedly into Zhou Yan’s arms.

Zhou Ting who was witnessing this entire exchange stared with a uniquely interesting gaze while Zhou Yuan, on the other hand, was completely shocked as both his eyes were completely wide open—he cracked an interesting expression on his face.

The muscles on Zhou Yuan’s face were slightly twitching. He spent so much effort pleasing Zhou Ying but she had instead given him a very cautious stare, as if she was keeping her guard up against a potential rapist. However, this man Zhou Yan, who had only been in contact with Zhou Ying for mere moments—the goddess in his heart—had actually lept into Zhou Yan’s arms!

In that very instant alone, Zhou Yuan was so stunned he seemed like a mad man.

“In our time… You’re the best in your ability in gaining enlightenment; your Qi Column is also the best and now, even your ability to flirt with maidens… Is your natural beauty that well regarded, you little pretty boy?”

Zhou Yuan was completely speechless and had no idea what he should do in this situation.

His prideful nature meant that he enjoyed defeating opponents with regards to status, position, skills, and more. However, at his current state, he was no longer in a position to win in any field.

Even in terms of his bloodline, though Zhou Yan hailed from the minor branch of the Zhou family. Zhou Yan’s position in the family was insignificant but his lineage had some correlation to the main family. It was only due to Zhou Wuzhen’s father’s mistakes in the past that resulted in his exile from the main branch, forcing him to settle elsewhere.

Nevertheless, the blood that coursed through Zhou Wuzhen’s father’s veins was the purest blood that had ties to the main branch of the Zhou family…

“Hmph, Zhou Yan, I salute you! The deliberate challenges I made toward you before were simply due to the assumption that you had a mere three-segmented single Qi Column within my realm of the blade. Although that was impressive, the main branch of our family doesn’t lack talent of that level, which was why I never bothered to even take you seriously.

“For the things I’ve done before, I take full responsibility. I sincerely apologize!”

After pondering about it for a long moment, Zhou Yuan made the first move to apologize.

This arrogant lad who had been obsessed and hellbent on surpassing Zhou Yan had apologized at this moment.

At that moment, Zhou Ting gazed at him with a look of disbelief.

As Zhou Yan was enjoying the embrace he shared with Zhou Ying, upon hearing such words of genuine sincerity from Zhou Yuan’s mouth, the young lad was slightly stunned. However, he soon understood the deeper meaning of his words.

Since it was no secret that Zhou Yan had an immeasurable natural gift, it was natural for these people to stop their attempts in crossing him. Hence, these people would never want to have any new grievances nor grudges with him which explained their moves in attempts to grow closer to him.

“Zhou Yan, my previous behaviors had crossed the line. I too, sincerely apologize to you.”

Zhou Ting spoke with a sincere and genuine tone. She had a gentle voice, and as she spoke she had actually knelt on one knee!

Although it was only a single slender and stunning leg.

“Sigh… Please get up. Although this thing happened in the past, it’s over now so let it be. If any of you stick to your old roots and deliberately bring trouble my way without knowing your place, then it’s only natural that I would be forced to do something about it.

“But I felt the sincere and genuine feelings from both of you…

“Since we’re all from the same family, this entire debacle will be water under the bridge.”

Upon witnessing Zhou Ting, who was known for her arrogance and prideful personality, taking the liberty of humbling herself and bending her knee, Zhou Yan had initially hesitated. However, upon much deeper thought, he decided to bury the hatchet after knowing the extent of his powers and the pride he inherited from the ancient sage’s soul.

Besides, Zhou Yan only inherited a fragment of the ancient sage’s soul, and that ancient sage was a majestic figure of immense power who was capable of Spatial Destruction and judging these people—although the powers of these people were indeed worthy of praise—these people were merely ants in comparison to that ancient sage.

Bluntly speaking, these people were mostly younger than twenty years of age so they were nothing more than prepubescent brats…

An example to better describe the entire scenario would be as if a mischievous child had beaten up a young lad, then as the young lad grew stronger, this child proceeded to kneel in order to reflect upon his guilt and the attitude of the child had also greatly improved. Would it then be justifiable for the young lad to return the child’s favor by violently beating the child up?

There were plenty of thoughts that had flooded Zhou Yan’s mind, but it was never solely out of the mercy of his heart since he was never known to be merciful.

Both Zhou Yuan and Zhou Ting would have some form of position within the walls of the main branch of the Zhou family since they were brought there by Elder Xing. Both of them were still in their youth and the extent of their combat prowess had reached the very peaks of the third rank within the realm of the Blade’s Menace—this feat alone was extremely impressive!

Even if Zhou Yan unleashed every single trump card in his possession, he still would not be able to murder both of these people. Moreover, Elder Xing was also present with them. How exactly would it be possible for the young lad to unleash any form of attack?

Even if the young lad held back his attack, making them his enemies would undoubtedly only make his future incredibly difficult.

Although Zhou Yan himself did not fear such an outcome, the young lad worried that these four pupils clad in tattered and torn clothes who were handpicked by him, would have an astoundingly difficult time there.

As of then, now that both of them had made their first moves in offering peace, the wisest choice would be reducing any unnecessary troubles in order to temporarily train in peace which would result in progressing further without any hindrance.

If the duo had any ill intentions in the future, slaughtering them when that time came would not be too late.

These were Zhou Yan’s thoughts, and although on the surface he may seem to accept a truce between them by burying the hatchet, it all depended on both their future performance.

As expected, after Zhou Yan made his statement of peace, Elder Xing smiled.

“Yes indeed. Peace would always result in the greatness and prosperity of our family. This would be without a shred of doubt the best outcome, but since both of you, Zhou Yuan and Zhou Ting have already apologized, then you both shall show how sincere you are. There will be no meaning if it were just plain-spoken words without action.”

Elder Xing replied with a smile.

“Yes indeed. That is right, Elder Xing. Your words speak the truth.”

It felt slightly agonizing for Zhou Yuan as he took out an Infinite Spatial Ring. The young proceeded to take out a long blade that had an incredible spiritual affinity, and he spoke with a delighted tone,”This is a blade of spiritual affinity from an ancient site. Although it was slightly damaged, just pour your intentions into it, and it’ll heighten your innate ability to gain enlightenment…

“I admit that I’ve acted irrationally and impulsively which has probably offended you, brother Zhou Yan. Hence, this blade will be my peace offering to show my sincere apologies.”

“This is armor with spiritual affinity and works better than your Armor of Absolute Invincibility. Its defensive abilities are exceedingly better and sealed within it are some fragments of Blade’s Menace. It allows its users to have an easier time in awakening one’s Blade’s Menace. It’s a perfect, one of a kind artifact since it also has the ability to heal from any damages inflicted by any form of Blade’ Menace… So I hope you, brother Zhou Yan, can bury the hatchet and forgive my previous rash behaviors.”

Zhou Ting took a sincere bow to show her most sincere remorse.

“Yes indeed. Since I’ve already made it clear that I will bury the hatchet about the events that happened in the past, everything that has happened before will all be forgiven. Since both of you truly are this sincere, and if I refuse to accept your gifts, that might show that I’m arrogant. Hence, knowing how sincere you both are, I shall gladly accept your gifts.”

As Zhou Yan spoke, the young lad proceeded to accept both items.

Although these items were indeed amazing artifacts, it would do very little to benefit Zhou Yan. However, if they were given to Gu Yan and Xiao Zhan, these perfect grade items would be a perfect fit for both of them.

“Of course, you deserve it.”

Zhou Yuan nodded immediately as he spoke humbly.

The more he interacted with the young lad, the more he understood that Zhou Yan was actually an amazing person of quality. Even as he spoke, Zhou Yan never once expressed any form of pride for being an unparalleled genius, nor any form of arrogance which showed the invincibility of the main branch of the Zhou family. Instead, the young lad acted very humbly.

This was exactly like any normal conversations would go—speaking as equals—because he behaved as any common-folk would. Unknowingly, he made people feel like there was never a pedestal they conversed on the same level, as equals.

This was a unique charm, and it would attract anyone to be tempted to grow closer to him. As much as Zhou Yuan thought of Zhou Yan as nothing more than a pretty face, even he would be forced to admit by interacting with Zhou Yan, that he was tempted to pour his heart and soul to genuinely be his friend.

Hence, Zhou Yuan’s immediate reaction was to nod in agreement as he felt no need to be ashamed of such an action.

Zhou Ting had similar thoughts in her mind too but had instead adored Zhou Yan’s display of ‘elegance’ and ‘forgiving’ nature. It was as if Zhou Yan was never even bothered by any of her antics… from the very beginning.

It was an odd feeling for her.

“Brother Zhou Yan, brother Zhou Yuan, and sister Zhou Ting. Knowing the three of you have reconciled is an amazing occasion that has happened. Hence, when we arrive at the main branch of our family, we shall rely on each other and be each other’s support to improve for the better; together in the future.”

Zhou Ying replied with a smile as her crescent moon-shaped stunning beautiful eyes lit up with immense feelings of hope and excitement.