The next moment, the two clashed, their exchange producing thunderous roars.
*Crack!*
With a crisp snap, one of the guards’ weapons was shattered, and he was sent flying backward like a cannonball.
*Thump!*
The guard landed heavily on the ground, struggled a few times, and finally lost consciousness.
"What?"
Witnessing this, the remaining guards’ eyes widened, almost popping out of their sockets.
"How did Zhou Yan's cultivation recover so quickly?"
Wang Hao's face turned ashen, disbelief etched all over it.
Originally, Zhou Yan's cultivation talent was slow, his physique weak. Even with elixirs, it would take a considerable amount of time to recover.
But now?
In just a moment, Zhou Yan's cultivation had reached the peak of the ninth level of the Divine King realm!
"This kid must have some secret on him!"
Wang Hao’s gaze turned sinister as he stared intently at Zhou Yan. "If I can capture Zhou Yan and seize his secret, perhaps I can also use it to step into the Martial Master realm!"
The more Wang Hao thought about it, the more excited he became, his eyes gleaming with fervent light.
He was already thirty years old, just a hair's breadth away from the Martial Master realm.
Once he reached the Martial Master realm, he would possess the power to overturn mountains and seas, his lifespan would increase by a decade, his appearance would remain youthful, and he would undergo a metamorphosis.
At that time, he could continue to enjoy wealth and prosperity.
Thinking of this, Wang Hao's heart burned with anticipation.
"Zhou Yan, you are too arrogant and overbearing. Today, I will discipline you on behalf of my father!"
Wang Hao strode forward, circulating his true energy and channeling it into his right arm. He unleashed a set of fist techniques.
*Swish, swish, swish!*
Wang Hao threw a punch, the wind whistling, transforming into several torrents of qi that roared and charged towards Zhou Yan.
"A mere ant dares to contend with me?"
A sarcastic smile played on Zhou Yan's lips. He uttered each word deliberately, "Today, I shall send you on your way!"
*Bang!*
Zhou Yan stomped on the Bagua pattern, his body flickered, and he dodged the several torrents of qi.
Then, he lunged forward, his right leg sweeping out.
*Clatter!* Wang Hao was instantly kicked flying, his body slamming heavily against the wall, and he vomited a mouthful of dark blood.
Wang Hao lay on the ground, his eyes unfocused, his breath weak.
He was clearly beyond saving!
"Young Master… How dare you kill Young Master Wang Hao!"
"You… you have committed an unforgivable sin and must be punished!"
The remaining guards were greatly shocked, then burst into furious roars.
"Kill him!"
"Avenge Wang Hao!"
At their command, the remaining guards simultaneously attacked Zhou Yan.
"Scram!"
Zhou Yan roared, a blinding golden light erupting from his body, like a small sun illuminating the night. A powerful wave of energy spread out, making everyone's clothes flutter violently.
*Bang, bang, bang!*
A series of dull thuds echoed as the guards were sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground, coughing up blood incessantly.
"You… you've actually broken through to the ninth level of the Divine King realm!"
The leader, a middle-aged man in black, looked stunned, unable to believe it.
They had never imagined that Zhou Yan's cultivation would progress so rapidly in just a few months.
"Kill!"
Zhou Yan's eyes narrowed, and he unleashed a punch. Terrifying power poured down, like a mountain descending, crushing the middle-aged man in black into a bloody mess.
"Damn it, retreat quickly!"
"This Zhou Yan is too bizarre!"
The other two guards were terrified to their core and, without hesitation, turned to flee.
"Hmph, still trying to escape?"
Zhou Yan let out a cold laugh, his body flashing like lightning as he pursued one of the guards.
"Die!"
Zhou Yan roared, raising his hand and striking with his palm.
*Bang!*
The guard couldn't dodge in time, his chest instantly caved in, and blood spurted out.
"You die too!"
Zhou Yan's eyes turned icy. He pointed a finger, piercing the guard's forehead, and definitively ended his life.
For a moment, the entire courtyard was filled with a thick scent of blood, and miserable screams echoed from all corners, permeating every space.
Not long after.
The entire Zhou Mansion fell silent, leaving only the corpses of Wang Hao and several guards.
…
At the same time, a familiar, pleasant bell sound reached Zhou Yan's ears.
"Divine King sixth level?"
Zhou Yan's eyes trembled, his mind racing.
The seventh level of the Divine King realm was equivalent to the strength of the ninth level of the Divine King.
And the sixth level of the Divine King was equivalent to a cultivator in the Innate realm.
Zhou Yan hadn't expected that his cultivation would break through to the sixth level of the Divine King as soon as he awoke.
After all, back then, although his cultivation talent was slow, he had still spent over ten years to barely reach the third level of the Divine King.
"Huh, what a strange feeling!"
Suddenly, Zhou Yan felt his qi and blood become extremely active.
Especially on his back, where pale red scales began to appear.
"Are these Dragon Scales?"
Zhou Yan's eyes showed confusion. He examined them carefully and vaguely discerned that the dragon scales were palm-sized.
This was a mark of the Dragon race!
However, the dragon patterns within him had not yet transformed into dragon patterns, still remaining as a mass of gray-white mist.
"It seems I'm not yet a true Dragon, merely possessing Dragon bloodline, but it's very dilute!"
Zhou Yan mused to himself.
In this life, his soul had merged with the memories of an ancient Dragon Emperor, gaining a portion of the Dragon race's inheritance.
However, these inherited memories were incomplete.
Therefore, Zhou Yan could only rely on his past life's experience to gradually figure out a cultivation method that belonged to him.
As for the transformation of the dragon patterns, it was an arduous task.
Logically, Zhou Yan, being a pure five-clawed Golden Dragon, a true Dragon descendant, should have long ago transformed into dragon patterns. But in reality, Zhou Yan felt no change whatsoever.
"Since that's the case, I'll slowly accumulate qi and blood, one step at a time!"
Zhou Yan pondered for a moment and made his decision.
After all, breaking through to the next level was no easy feat!
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Zhou Yan's eyebrows twitched, and he looked into the distance.
"Zhou Yan, how dare you cripple the old servant's cultivation! Today, I will make you wish you were dead!"
Accompanied by an enraged roar, a burly man arrived with a group of experts.
These individuals were clad in armor, wielding long sabers and spears, their auras sharp and their killing intent stern. They were clearly seasoned soldiers.
"Greetings, Commander!"
"Greetings, Commander!"
Upon seeing the middle-aged man, everyone prostrated themselves, respectfully saluting with solemn expressions.
This person was none other than the defending general of Nanfeng City, Yang Zhen!
"Haha, Commander Yang, you've finally arrived!"
Seeing Yang Zhen's arrival, Wang Hao's face lit up with joy. He struggled to his feet, his face filled with fawning.
"What happened?"
Yang Zhen frowned and looked at the corpses scattered nearby.
The Wang family had been wiped out!
"Reporting to Commander, this brat is the wastrel young master of the Zhou family. Relying on his cultivation talent, he bullies the common folk and disregards human lives. I implore Commander to uphold justice."
Wang Hao gritted his teeth, glaring fiercely at Zhou Yan. "Zhou Yan, you actually murdered my son, I will have you pay with your life."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Yang Zhen's gaze sharpened, and he looked towards Wang Hao. "Second Master Wang, is this true?"