"Chu Ao Nan, your death is here!" Zhou Yan coldly uttered, his aura surging like a raging inferno. A Vermilion Bird phantom, engulfed in flames, materialized behind him, its massive wings beating furiously as it lunged towards Chu Ao Nan.
It was a three-tailed Vermilion Bird!
This three-tailed Vermilion Bird had been personally tamed by the Chu family's ancestor. Its power was immense, far surpassing Chu Ao Nan's spirit pets!
"Chu Ao Nan, this time you cannot escape!"
Zhou Yan sneered, a cruel smile gracing his lips.
As Zhou Yan finished speaking, the three-tailed Vermilion Bird descended upon Chu Ao Nan, a torrent of scorching heat erupting from its maw, bombarding him.
The three-tailed Vermilion Bird's attack was overwhelmingly powerful. Even a cultivator at the sixth level of the Core Formation realm would struggle to withstand it, let alone Chu Ao Nan, who was merely at the second level of Qi Condensation!
"Seeking death!"
Zhou Yan's expression shifted. He suddenly raised his long sword, and a dazzling silver lightning bolt erupted, striking the three-tailed Vermilion Bird. The creature let out a piercing shriek, its body convulsing before dissipating into thin air, its soul unable to escape.
A flicker of delight crossed Zhou Yan's eyes. While Chu Ao Nan's talismans were potent, they weren't as monstrous as the three-tailed Vermilion Bird. This brought him considerable peace of mind.
"Zhou Yan, die!"
Chu Ao Nan gazed at Zhou Yan with cold indifference, his eyes blazing with hatred. With a wave of his long sword, he thrust it towards Zhou Yan's chest.
*Pfft!*
Blood splattered as Chu Ao Nan's sword pierced Zhou Yan's chest.
However, Chu Ao Nan's face paled, for his sword had failed to penetrate Zhou Yan's body.
"Chu Ao Nan, I will make your life a living hell!" Zhou Yan gritted his teeth, his internal energy churning. A powerful sword intent emanated from his long sword, tearing through the surrounding void and lunging towards Chu Ao Nan's forehead.
Zhou Yan's sword thrummed with boundless sword intent, as if aiming to cleave a person into fragments.
Zhou Yan's speed was incredible; Chu Ao Nan had no chance to evade.
"No..." Chu Ao Nan's eyes widened in disbelief.
With a crisp sound, Zhou Yan's sword plunged into Chu Ao Nan's forehead.
Chu Ao Nan let out a sky-shattering roar, his voice hoarse.
His eyes were wide open, filled with anger and sorrow. His handsome face contorted into a monstrous grimace.
Chu Ao Nan was dead.
Chu Ao Nan was dead!
He had been decapitated by Zhou Yan, dying with his eyes wide open in an unfulfilled rage!
Before Chu Ao Nan's Nascent Soul could escape, Zhou Yan snatched it and stored it in his spatial ring. He then took out a soul jade tablet and dripped his blood on it, establishing ownership.
Chu Ao Nan's death stunned everyone present.
Zhou Yan had actually killed Chu Ao Nan?
Chu Ao Nan was at the ninth level of the Nascent Soul realm!
Furthermore, Chu Ao Nan possessed numerous valuable items. Why would Zhou Yan forgo such temptation?
Chu Ao Nan was considered one of the top powerhouses in Cloud Sea City. How could he have been so reckless and unwise?
While Zhou Yan's strength was considerable, he was still a tier below a formidable figure like Chu Ao Nan.
"That fool Zhou Yan, he actually killed Chu Ao Nan! Now that Chu Ao Nan is dead, all his resources belong to him!"
"Chu Ao Nan was always meticulous. I never expected him to be outmaneuvered by Zhou Yan. He's in for a big loss this time."
"Regardless, Zhou Yan won this battle. All the resources he acquired are now his."
...
The surrounding crowd buzzed with discussion, their gazes fixed on Chu Ao Nan's corpse, their hearts pounding fiercely.
Zhou Yan had truly struck it rich.
Chu Ao Nan was a prodigy among the younger generation in Cloud Sea City, possessing a treasure trove of valuables and resources that he had painstakingly accumulated.
If these riches were distributed among them, they would benefit immensely.
"The Chu family is truly unlucky. After finally producing a genius disciple, he was killed with a single blow. What a pity."
"Indeed. Chu Ao Nan, that good-for-nothing, has been a burden to the Chu family. If not for him, perhaps the Chu family could have risen to prominence. Now, the entire Chu family will be dragged down by him."
"We can't entirely blame him. Who would have thought Zhou Yan was so cunning and devious? Even a genius like Chu Ao Nan couldn't handle him."
"However, the Chu family will undoubtedly suffer a severe blow this time."
...
Hearing the surrounding discussions, the members of the Zhao and Chu families felt a pang of heartache and indignation.
With Chu Ao Nan's death, all his assets naturally fell to Zhou Yan.
Chu Ao Nan truly possessed nothing else.
The Zhao and Chu families were minor sects, their cultivation resources far inferior to those of the major sects in Cloud Sea City.
"This is troublesome. The Chu family has lost both face and resources this time," the Zhao family patriarch sighed, shaking his head with a look of deep worry.
He had initially hoped that Chu Ao Nan would eliminate Zhou Yan and reclaim his family's authority. Now, that prospect seemed lost.
"Zhou Yan, you scoundrel, I'll fight you to the death!"
"Zhou Yan, you dog, I swear eternal enmity with you today!"
...
The members of the Chu family's faces flushed with rage, their desire to tear Zhou Yan to shreds palpable.
Seeing this, the Zhao family patriarch quickly restrained his own family members and said gravely, "Do not panic. Our Chu family is not without resources. Although Chu Ao Nan is dead, he left behind several artifacts. Once the effects of these artifacts wear off, our Chu family will recover."
"What artifacts were worth Chu Ao Nan risking his life for?"
The Zhao family patriarch nodded and explained, "This is a long story. However, you only need to know that this matter is far from simple."
"What we need to do now is seek revenge against Zhou Yan!"
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded, their eyes flashing with cold light, eager to dismember Zhou Yan immediately!
...
At this moment, Zhou Yan had long since departed, leaving behind a scene of devastation.
Zhou Yan, meanwhile, sat cross-legged beside a stone tablet.
He retrieved a spatial ring and took out all the spirit herbs and precious materials within.
Zhou Yan produced a small vial and poured out a stream of green liquid.
The green liquid appeared ordinary but exuded a rich spiritual energy.
Zhou Yan inhaled deeply, drawing the green liquid into his mouth, where it transformed into pure spiritual energy.
The green liquid melted instantly upon contact, a gentle warmth spreading from his abdomen.
This green liquid was the "Spirit Gathering Pill" that Zhou Yan was consuming.
Zhou Yan had been stuck at the peak of the ninth level of the Qi Condensation realm for over a decade. In recent days, he had been desperately trying to break through to the Golden Core realm, but had consistently failed.
The Spirit Gathering Pill was his opportunity, a catalyst that could help him break through to the Golden Core realm!