Nangong Puye was greatly surprised, and even Grandpa Wei was shocked by Zhou Yan's methods and abilities. He said, "I estimate that in today's martial arts world, your martial arts talent should be among the top three."
While it was said to be the top three, everyone knew that no one could surpass him. At least Nangong Puye felt that Zhou Yan's talent was the best in the world.
Following this, the relationship between Zhou Yan and Nangong Puye grew day by day, and Nangong Puye often sought martial arts advice from Zhou Yan.
Nangong Puye was a martial arts enthusiast, dedicated to becoming the greatest master in the world. Meeting someone with Zhou Yan's exceptional talent was also a fortunate event for her.
Subsequently, Nangong Puye sparred with Zhou Yan, but each time she was defeated. She couldn't even get close to him, which frustrated her immensely, as Zhou Yan's abilities were too strange for her to counter.
Furthermore, as Nangong Puye interacted more with Zhou Yan, he also began to pursue her with various romantic gestures.
Nangong Puye couldn't match Zhou Yan in any aspect. Coupled with Zhou Yan's myriad of tactics when pursuing a woman, Nangong Puye, though she hadn't agreed, already had the seeds of love planted in her heart.
Their relationship grew increasingly intimate, which made Zhou Yan very happy. The only one not happy was Grandpa Wei, who, despite his age, was constantly fed dog food and often fled to Zhao Yishan's place on the rooftop for peace.
A few days later, Xu Fengnian arrived at Tingchaoting. After a brief conversation with the two, he went upstairs to find his master.
Afterward, Xu Fengnian left but returned a long time later. He directly asked Nangong Puye, "Can I borrow your saber?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan knew that Xu Fengnian intended to rescue the old man locked beneath the lake. He also knew that Old Huang, Jian Jiuhuang, would leave Lingzhou City to challenge Wang Xianzhi and would die.
However, Zhou Yan did not want Jian Jiuhuang to die. It was too much of a pity for such a person to perish.
"What do you need to borrow it for?" Nangong Puye asked, genuinely curious.
"How about I lend you mine? You wouldn't be able to use her saber even if she lent it to you," Zhou Yan said, handing his Duan Yun Sword to Xu Fengnian.
"That works too." Xu Fengnian took Zhou Yan's sword and found it wasn't heavy. He asked, "Can this sword cut through iron chains?"
"Even profound iron would be no problem," Zhou Yan replied confidently.
"So sharp!" Xu Fengnian was delighted. Holding the Duan Yun Sword, he then walked away.
"Do you want to see what this guy is up to?" Zhou Yan looked at Nangong Puye.
"Okay." Nangong Puye was also curious and followed Zhou Yan out.
However, Zhou Yan took Nangong Puye's hand, making her feel quite uneasy. But she couldn't break free and could only let him lead.
After leaving Tingchaoting, they saw Xu Fengnian leap into the lake with the Duan Yun Sword.
"Why did he jump into the lake?" Nangong Puye asked, her curiosity piqued.
"There's a person at the bottom of the lake, bound by large iron chains. Xu Fengnian is going to rescue him," Zhou Yan answered.
Nangong Puye was astonished and asked, "How do you know?"
"Of course, it's my powerful perception. Not only do I know there's someone at the bottom of the lake, but I also know there's someone beneath Tingchaoting, and they are extremely formidable. Even I am no match for them. This person is likely the top expert in the world, perhaps no one other than Wang Xianzhi of the East Sea can contend with him," Zhou Yan replied.
"So powerful, who is it?" Nangong Puye was truly surprised that Zhou Yan knew so much.
"You'll know in time," Zhou Yan said with a smile, not elaborating further.
Soon, Xu Fengnian flew out of the lake. Zhou Yan released a surge of spiritual power to support him and pull him to his side.
Xu Fengnian patted his chest and then saw Zhou Yan and Nangong Puye holding hands tightly. His expression was one of astonishment. "You guys..."
Nangong Puye could not resist and said nothing.
"As the saying goes, a beautiful woman is a gentleman's delight," Zhou Yan said calmly.
"Impressive, truly impressive." Xu Fengnian was indeed amazed that Zhou Yan could win over such a cold and aloof woman. He was speechless.
A vortex appeared in the center of the lake. Old Kui, from the bottom of the lake, emerged and burst into laughter.
Xu Fengnian happily said to him, "I saved you, so you have to listen to me from now on."
"Listen to you? It's already good that I'm not killing you. Listen to you, why should I!" Old Kui retorted.
"How can you be like this!" Xu Fengnian was confused. This was different from what Old Huang had told him.
Old Huang soon arrived with his sword box and said to Xu Fengnian, "Young master, don't worry. If he doesn't comply, we'll beat him until he does."
"Jian Jiuhuang, so it's you. You're not dead yet?" Old Kui's hatred immediately surfaced.
"If you're not dead, how could I bear to die?" After speaking, Old Kui attacked Jian Jiuhuang.
Old Huang was no pushover either; his strength was immense, and few could match him. Within a few moves, he subdued Old Kui. Xu Fengnian watched in stunned silence, never expecting Old Huang to be so powerful.
"Old Huang is actually this strong!" Xu Fengnian looked at Zhou Yan in disbelief.
"He's quite good," Zhou Yan nodded.
"Can you beat Jian Jiuhuang?" Nangong Puye asked Zhou Yan, her voice filled with shock.
"Of course," Zhou Yan replied with great confidence.
Although his current cultivation was not high, Zhou Yan had plenty of means to kill Jian Jiuhuang.
Let alone Jian Jiuhuang, even Wang Xianzhi was no exception. He had many tricks up his sleeve, tricks that no one here had ever seen.
The only one feeling depressed was Xu Fengnian, who realized he was the weakest of them all.
Under Jian Jiuhuang's pressure, Old Kui agreed to protect Xu Fengnian for two months. Old Huang was also to leave and challenge Wang Xianzhi in the East Sea.
The subsequent events were all orchestrated by Xu Xiao. However, Zhou Yan did not expect Xu Xiao to seek him out one day.
"Come, come, sit, sit. You are brothers with Fengnian, so you are half a son to me," Xu Xiao brought wine and food and looked at Zhou Yan with great familiarity.
Zhou Yan knew that this Xu Xiao was no ordinary person. With the help of unparalleled strategists like Li Yishan, he had manipulated Xu Fengnian to groom him into a qualified heir to the Beiliang King.
"If you have something to say, just say it directly. I will definitely not refuse any help needed," Zhou Yan knew that Xu Xiao only sought him out when necessary, implying he needed something.
"You child, you're so smart. Then I won't beat around the bush. I just want to know, what is your true purpose in approaching Fengnian?"
Xu Xiao had been trying to uncover Zhou Yan's background, but unfortunately, Zhou Yan seemed to have appeared out of thin air, leaving him with no clues.
Nangong Puye was from the Nangong family of Beimang, but even she didn't know her purpose for being here.