Zhou Yan's team rushed over quickly. Seeing Zhou Yan heavily injured, their faces instantly turned pale.
Zhou Yan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and shook his head.
"Senior Brother Zhou Yan, your injuries will likely take some time to heal. You should rest for a few days. I will help Master handle the remaining matters," a male disciple said, stepping forward.
"Thank you!"
Zhou Yan scanned everyone with his gaze, then nodded slightly.
"Alright, we'll head back then. Senior Brother Zhou Yan, please rest well."
The group took Zhou Yan back to the sect.
"Senior Brother, you're back!"
"Senior Brother Zhou Yan, how are you?"
"Senior Brother, I heard from our Uncle-Masters that you encountered a powerful enemy during your external trial and were severely injured. How do you feel now?"
The voices of concern rang out continuously.
Zhou Yan forced a smile, "It's nothing serious, just some flesh wounds. I'll recover after a period of recuperation."
"That's great news, Senior Brother Zhou Yan!"
"Mm."
...
Zhou Yan's face was filled with exhaustion. He then entered his room to rest.
"Alas, it seems Senior Brother Zhou Yan is truly quite injured."
"I wonder when they will return from their external trial."
"Senior Brother Zhou Yan will definitely return. After all, he is the genius of our sect. His cultivation talent is second to none!"
...
The disciples sighed as they watched Zhou Yan's retreating back.
...
In Liu Feng's room, Liu Feng took a pill and began to meditate.
He needed to recover. Although his injuries had healed, the process of full recovery was extremely arduous.
As Liu Feng meditated with his eyes closed, his brow suddenly furrowed.
"This Zhou Yan still dares to come back and cause trouble!"
"It seems I underestimated him!"
A cold glint flickered in Liu Feng's eyes. His pupils shot out two beams of sharp light. He leaped up and headed straight for the sect.
Liu Feng was incredibly fast, moving almost like a streak of light.
Although Zhou Yan was powerful, he could not compare to Liu Feng. Thus, Liu Feng quickly intercepted him.
"Zhou Yan, I didn't expect you to dare to come back and trouble me!"
"Since that's the case, prepare to die!"
Zhou Yan gritted his teeth, his face contorted with ferocity.
The aura emanating from Zhou Yan surged violently.
"Kid, today is your death anniversary!"
"Kid, die!"
Zhou Yan threw a punch, unleashing a violent attack like a volcanic eruption towards Liu Feng.
"A mere trick!"
Liu Feng said calmly. He extended his right hand and unleashed a palm strike, completely shattering Zhou Yan's fist energy!
"Boom!"
Zhou Yan's fist collided with Liu Feng's. His body trembled violently, and he was sent flying backward, crashing through several trees.
Liu Feng's expression remained unchanged. He slowly descended from the air and said coldly, "Zhou Yan, your death is at hand!"
"You..."
Zhou Yan's eyes widened, almost popping out of his head.
"How did you do it? Why has your strength increased so much?!"
Zhou Yan was shocked. The power of Liu Feng's palm strike was immense.
"Heh heh, Zhou Yan, are you surprised by how much my strength has increased?"
A cold smile played on Liu Feng's lips, a chilling light flashing in his eyes.
"Are you confused as to why I've broken through?"
"It's because my cultivation speed is incredibly fast!"
Liu Feng's voice boomed like thunder, striking Zhou Yan's heart.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible! Your cultivation speed was clearly much slower than mine. Why are you faster than me?"
Zhou Yan's eyes turned red as he roared in anger.
Liu Feng sneered, "Fast? Then let me tell you, it's because my talent is superior to yours!"
"Furthermore, how can someone like you compare to me?"
The mockery and disdain in Liu Feng's eyes intensified. Zhou Yan was indeed trash. His cultivation was inferior to Liu Feng's, yet his combat power far surpassed Liu Feng's, which made Liu Feng extremely uncomfortable, as if his dignity had been challenged.
"Zhou Yan, you have one last chance. Kneel down, kowtow three times to me, and hand over what you took from me before. Otherwise, you will die here today!"
"Liu Feng, you're dreaming!"
Zhou Yan roared, fierce glints surging in his eyes. "Today, you must die!"
"Is that so?"
Liu Feng said indifferently. He waved his arm, and a black long whip appeared. He flicked his finger, and the black long whip instantly enlarged, transforming into a giant python a hundred feet long. It opened its fangs and lunged towards Zhou Yan.
"Be careful, that's the Demon Dragon Whip!"
Zhou Yan's pupils constricted, and his face instantly turned ashen.
"Demon Dragon Whip? Hahaha, this is a gift you've given me yourself!"
Zhou Yan laughed maniacally, madness flashing in his eyes. "Since that's the case, I'll accept it all!"
He stomped his right foot on the ground, causing the entire area to sink.
"Hum~~"
Zhou Yan formed hand seals, and a dazzling azure light surged from his body.
A phoenix phantom condensed from azure light appeared above his head. Its feathers radiated a brilliant glow, as dazzling as stars.
"Kid, now I'll show you what it means to be a genius ranked in the top ten of the Heavenly Pride Ranking!"
As his voice fell, Zhou Yan roared and shot into the sky.
"Phoenix Incinerates the World!"
Accompanied by a deafening phoenix cry, his body erupted in raging flames.
The flames contained a terrifying aura of destruction, as if they would incinerate the heavens and earth.
"Boom!"
With a resounding explosion, the torrent of flames on Zhou Yan's body surged like a tide, then spread in all directions.
"Pfft, pfft!"
Zhou Yan's clothes instantly turned to shreds, revealing his body.
"Zhou Yan!"
Seeing this scene, Liu Yueyao exclaimed.
"This is Phoenix Blood! Zhou Yan actually possesses Phoenix Blood!"
"Zhou Yan truly has heavenly talent to obtain such a treasure."
"This kid Zhou Yan is indeed a monstrous talent!"
"Indeed, this kid will surely become the second Liu Feng in the human race, perhaps even surpassing Liu Feng."
"Unfortunately, this kid has offended Liu Feng. I'm afraid today will be his demise!"
The disciples discussed amongst themselves, their gazes towards Zhou Yan filled with intense envy, jealousy, and hatred.
Liu Feng's brow furrowed as he stared at Zhou Yan. The aura erupting from Zhou Yan's body made him somewhat wary.
"This guy still has such a powerful trump card hidden!"
"If I'm not mistaken, this should be Phoenix Fire!"