Zhao Haifeng, the master of the Beiming Mountain Estate, was a formidable Houtian Martial Master. In the entire Beiming City, he was considered a top-tier expert, yet here he lay, dead in such a tragic manner, unable to utter a single complete sentence.
Zhou Yan reached out and removed the storage ring from his waist. He probed it with his spiritual sense, and a slight curve formed on his lips, a look of satisfaction.
"This old fox, worthy of being the master of Beiming Mountain Estate, is quite well-off, with astonishing wealth."
Inside the storage ring, silver notes alone were stacked thickly, filling five納戒 (Nà Jiè - storage rings) and worth thousands of taels of silver. Combined with various precious medicinal herbs, weapons, armor, and other treasures, the value was hundreds of millions, or even higher.
Additionally, there were many precious spirit stones.
"It seems the Beiming Mountain Estate truly has hidden strength!"
Zhou Yan sneered inwardly.
Just now, he had intentionally slowed his pace, luring the guards to chase him, all to gather some information.
After all, the Beiming Mountain Estate was a stumbling block to his future rise.
"Zhou Yan, we surrender!"
At this moment, cries of surrender echoed from all around.
"Oh? You're willing to surrender?"
Zhou Yan was surprised. He turned his head and saw a young man in a green robe leading many guards, standing in the distance, looking at him with fear.
The young man in the green robe was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, handsome, with a flowing green robe. Arrogance emanated from his brows, as if he didn't even consider Zhou Yan, merely observing with a cold gaze.
"Young Master! Save me!"
Seeing the young man in the green robe, Zhao Haifeng acted as if he had found a savior and immediately rushed over, begging for help. "This Zhou Yan has killed so many people from our Beiming Mountain Estate. You must uphold justice for your subordinate."
His expression was exaggerated, portraying himself as greatly humiliated and wronged, as if Zhou Yan had stolen his wife.
"Heh heh, Zhou Yan, do you still recognize this young master?"
The young man in the green robe chuckled dismissively. "Today, I shall punish you, you scoundrel, on behalf of my esteemed father."
As his voice fell, he waved his right hand. His sleeve billowed, and he suddenly struck at Zhou Yan.
"Courting death!"
Zhou Yan's gaze sharpened, and he kicked out with his leg.
"Rumble!"
In an instant, a fierce wind arose, and surging waves of energy followed. Zhou Yan's kick contained immense power, striking the young man in the green robe squarely in the stomach.
The young man in the green robe let out a scream, flew backward like a projectile, smashed through the courtyard wall, and landed ten meters away.
This scene struck the guards with fear, filling their hearts with apprehension.
One must understand that the young man in the green robe was a peak Houtian cultivator, only a sliver away from the Xiantian realm. Yet, he was heavily wounded by Zhou Yan in a single move.
"What a powerful fellow, but ultimately, just a Houtian Martial Master. I want to see how you can contend with me!" The young man in the green robe struggled to his feet, his face contorted with rage, his eyes bloodshot, and fury spewing forth.
He had initially believed that with his cultivation, he could defeat even a Xiantian Martial Master. To his surprise, he suffered a great loss in just one exchange.
Humiliation, utter humiliation!
"Zhou Yan, die!"
The young man in the green robe roared, his entire body erupting with blazing gang qi, and he lunged forward again.
"Hmph!"
Zhou Yan's face showed disdain. He let out a cold snort, took a step forward, and instantly appeared before the young man in the green robe. With his left palm, he slammed down, aiming directly for the young man's head.
"Slap!"
A slap landed, and the young man in the green robe screamed, staggering back several steps. His cheek was swollen, blood dripped, and his mouth was crooked.
"How can he be so strong..." The young man in the green robe was shocked, his eyes revealing deep terror.
At this moment, Zhou Yan had contained his aura and was not releasing the fluctuations of a Xiantian Martial Master's presence. Therefore, the young man in the green robe believed Zhou Yan to be merely an ordinary Houtian Martial Disciple.
"Since you refuse to speak, then don't blame me for being impolite."
Zhou Yan's eyes flickered, his killing intent sharp.
He had encountered numerous assassination attempts in the past few days. Although he had killed them all, it was not a fortunate situation.
Zhou Yan knew that these people were after the cultivation technique he possessed, so he had to increase his strength.
"Swish swish swish..."
In the next moment, Zhou Yan's arms moved, and wooden weapons, emanating a chilling cold light, slashed down towards the young man in the green robe.
These wooden weapons were all made from hundred-year-old ironwood, incredibly tough, capable of cutting gold and slicing jade, and exceptionally sharp. Once swung, they could cleave the young man in the green robe in half.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh...
Blade lights intertwined, and sword shadows danced.
In just a few breaths, the young man in the green robe was forced into a frenzy, facing mortal peril at every turn.
"This Zhou Yan is truly a freak!"
Seeing this, the other guards were all terrified and dared not continue their assault.
This Zhou Yan was like a reincarnated demon. His physical body was incredibly tough, impervious to blades and spears, and even Xiantian Martial Masters could not defeat him.
Furthermore, his speed was astonishing. The wooden weapons he casually grabbed could destroy Xiantian Martial Masters.
"Escape!"
Sweat beaded on the young man in the green robe's forehead. He quickly retreated, trying to evade Zhou Yan's sharp edge.
"Die!"
Zhou Yan's face was murderous. The wooden weapons in his hands transformed into a sky of afterimages, relentlessly shredding, dense as raindrops, blocking all directions for the young man in the green robe.
"Damn it, how did this Zhou Yan suddenly become so powerful?"
The young man in the green robe's heart trembled. He dodged repeatedly but was still injured, and his clothes were torn.
Squelch!
With the final strike, the young man in the green robe felt an intense pain in his chest and abdomen. Blood spurted, his body swayed, and he nearly fell to the ground.
His body was already stained red, the smell of blood pungent.
"Zhou Yan, I am a direct descendant of the Beiming Mountain Estate. If you dare to kill me, you will surely come to no good end."
The young man in the green robe clutched his wound and glared at Zhou Yan venomously, threatening him.
"Beiming Mountain Estate?"
Zhou Yan blinked.
He had never heard of such a small sect. However, upon hearing that the other party was a direct descendant of the Beiming Mountain Estate, his heart tightened.
"You... how can you not know of the Beiming Mountain Estate? Are you not from Dongyue County?"
The young man in the green robe was bewildered, then shook his head, dismissing his own guess.
The Beiming Mountain Estate was the third-ranked major clan in Dongyue County. Its patriarch, Nangong Batian, was an unparalleled expert at the Xiantian Realm Martial Ancestor level.
Zhou Yan, a bumpkin from a poor and remote region, even if he had practiced martial arts from the womb, could not possess such astonishing strength.
"Enough nonsense. Today, I will surely kill you!" Zhou Yan's gaze was icy.
"Want to kill me? Just you? Daydreaming!"
The young man in the green robe gritted his teeth. Suddenly, he took out a porcelain bottle, removed the stopper, and a pungent medicinal fragrance permeated the air.
"A pill!"
"You have a pill!"
Zhou Yan's pupils contracted, his expression darkened, and a hint of greed flashed in his eyes. He grunted, "Who exactly are you?"
"Why do you care who I am?"
The young man in the green robe gave a cold laugh, then threw the porcelain bottle over. "Zhou Yan, this bottle of 'Nine Dragon Breaking Origin Pill' was gifted to me by my father. Now, I'm giving it to you."