After leaving the battlefield, Zhou Hong found a secluded spot and changed back to his true appearance.
He wondered if that chief disciple of the Kongtong Sect would tell his sect elders about their encounter. If his master or other elders came looking for Zhou Hong again, what would he do?
Zhou Hong shook his head helplessly, deciding not to dwell on it.
Just then, Zhou Hong's phone rang.
He initially thought it might be Changsun Qinghe, but upon checking, he realized it was Qiao Wanli.
Seeing Qiao Wanli's call, Zhou Hong felt a surge of joy. He hadn't been in touch with them since leaving Jinzhou City and wondered how they had been doing these past few months.
Before leaving Jinzhou City, Zhou Hong had taught them a powerful sword formation called the Three Extremes Sword Formation. Qiao Wanli, Qiao Yannian, and Liu Liying, when combined, possessed immense power.
"Hello, Grandpa," Zhou Hong answered happily.
"Haha, Zhou Hong, no need to be so polite," Qiao Wanli chuckled.
"Grandpa, why are you calling so suddenly? Oh, right, didn't you say you would also return to the Qiao family in Kyoto? Why haven't I seen you yet?" Zhou Hong asked with a smile.
"We, father, son, and daughter-in-law, didn't rush to Kyoto these past few months. Instead, we went out for some training. We only arrived in Kyoto today, and as soon as we did, we contacted you. Where are you now? If you're free, let's meet up somewhere."
"Of course, send me the location, and I'll be there immediately."
"Alright."
A moment later, Qiao Wanli sent Zhou Hong the location, and Zhou Hong rushed over.
About an hour later, Zhou Hong arrived at a slightly secluded forest park on the outskirts of Kyoto.
At the entrance of the forest park, he indeed saw Qiao Wanli, Qiao Yannian, and Liu Liying waiting for him.
"Grandpa, Dad, Mom," Zhou Hong walked over happily, greeting them with a smile. Even though Qiao Xiaoyu was gone, Zhou Hong still addressed them as Grandpa and Mom and Dad.
"Zhou Hong, you're here so quickly," Qiao Wanli chuckled upon seeing him.
Zhou Hong looked at Qiao Wanli and suddenly noticed that he seemed ten times more energetic than before, radiant and full of vigor, clearly not an ordinary person.
"Grandpa, it's only been four or five months, but you've changed a lot," Zhou Hong said with a smile. If he wasn't mistaken, Qiao Wanli's strength had improved dramatically.
"Zhou Hong, this is all thanks to you. If it weren't for you, I would still be an ordinary old man in Jinzhou City."
"Why are you being so polite with me? Grandpa, Dad, Mom, what's your situation now?" Zhou Hong asked with great curiosity.
Qiao Yannian replied, "My father has broken through to Martial Master level 63, and Liu Liying and I are around level 60."
"Wow, if you three use the Three Extremes Sword Formation now, your combined strength would be at least Martial King level seventy or eighty, or even higher."
"Hehe, we're not entirely sure. Why don't you test us?" Qiao Wanli said with a happy smile.
"Alright," Zhou Hong replied with evident interest.
Immediately, Qiao Wanli, his son, and daughter-in-law formed the sword formation. After months of practice, their coordination was seamless, and the power of the formation was incredible.
After some verification, Zhou Hong was fairly certain that their combined strength using the sword formation could reach around Martial King level ninety.
It was unbelievable, yet also within expectation, considering it was the Three Extremes Sword Formation that Zhou Hong had taught them.
"Congratulations. Your combined strength is very formidable, even in Kyoto. To say nothing else, the strongest member of the Qiao family in Kyoto, the family head, is a Martial King, albeit one who is on the verge of breaking into Martial Emperor, perhaps around Martial King level ninety-seven or ninety-eight. Your combined strength is not far off from his."
"Haha, is that true?" Qiao Wanli himself found it hard to believe that they, who were once ordinary people, could now challenge the Qiao family head.
"Of course. If the three of you all reach Martial King, then when you use the Three Extremes Sword Formation, your strength will definitely be above Martial Emperor." Zhou Hong said with great confidence.
"Really?" Qiao Wanli and the other two's eyes lit up with longing.
Zhou Hong pondered for a moment. Why not help them further? They were currently at Martial Master level 60-something, only about 40 levels away from Martial King.
As a cultivator, and with the remaining beast cores he possessed, Zhou Hong could easily help them reach Martial King in a matter of hours, or even minutes.
"How about this, Grandpa? I have some excellent items on me that you can use. If all goes well, you should all be able to reach Martial King within a few hours."
"Zhou Hong, you can't be joking."
"Why would I joke? Come on, let's go somewhere secluded," Zhou Hong said, starting to head deeper into the forest park.
"Zhou Hong, are you serious?" Qiao Wanli called out, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Of course I'm serious. You're only about 40 levels away from Martial King, and I'm very confident I can get you there within a few hours. When that happens, your Three Extremes Sword Formation will have a power of at least Martial Emperor level forty or fifty. Then, you can walk sideways in Kyoto. At the very least, the strongest individuals in Kyoto's third-rate families are at that level," Zhou Hong said with anticipation.
"But… you're always helping us, we feel so bad," Qiao Yannian and Liu Liying said, looking a bit sheepish.
"Why be so formal with me? Hurry up, it's just a small favor for me," Zhou Hong said with a smile, leading Qiao Wanli and the other two into the deeper part of the forest park. Then, Zhou Hong took out the beast cores he had intentionally saved.
Thus, with Zhou Hong's help, he converted the spiritual energy of one beast core entirely onto the three of them.
Indeed, within just two hours, Qiao Wanli, his son, and daughter-in-law underwent another transformative change.
"Hahaha, Zhou Hong, I've really reached Martial King!" Qiao Wanli exclaimed, tears welling up in his eyes.
Qiao Yannian and Liu Liying also sensed the powerful Martial King aura radiating from within them and nodded joyfully. They looked at Zhou Hong as if he were a savior.
"Congratulations. From now on, you are all Martial Kings. When you use the Three Extremes Sword Formation, you will be comparable to a Martial Emperor level forty or fifty expert."
"Zhou Hong, please accept my bow," Qiao Wanli said, attempting to kneel, but Zhou Hong quickly helped him up.
"Grandpa, don't be so distant."