Therefore, he could only intensify his cultivation.
Once he reached the two-star warrior level, his strength would surge, and no matter how many ambushes the enemy laid, they wouldn't be able to deal with him.
"Huh, this jade pendant..."
Suddenly, Zhou Yan's eyes narrowed.
He saw that the black iron token in his embrace was emitting a faint, ethereal glow, merging with the blood fiend aura of the black panther, complementing each other and forming a peculiar resonance.
"What? What's going on?"
Zhou Yan was puzzled.
However, he paid it no mind, merely tucking it back into his embrace for the time being.
For the following period, Zhou Yan stayed in Black Stone City with peace of mind, focusing on his cultivation, and consuming spiritual medicines and elixirs daily to improve his cultivation.
Day after day passed, and Zhou Yan's cultivation grew increasingly profound.
In just half a month, he had already stepped into the one-star warrior realm.
During this time, Zhou Yan had also sent people to investigate, but apart from the black panther, there was no other news.
"It seems I can only rely on myself to find my father."
Zhou Yan frowned.
Although the Black Tiger Bandit Group was a large-scale bandit organization, their greatest backing was actually the City Lord's mansion.
Therefore, as long as they could successfully take down the Black Tiger Bandit Group, they would be able to find traces of his parents.
"Let's go!"
Zhou Yan stood up and strode out, preparing to leave.
Just then, a sinister smile suddenly appeared by his ear.
"Heh heh, brat, you've finally decided to come out!"
As soon as the voice fell, a gaunt man walked out from a corner, a ferocious smile drawn on his lips.
"Who are you?" Zhou Yan squinted, appraising him.
Although he appeared thin, his entire being exuded a dense killing intent, clearly indicating he was a fierce individual.
"Heh heh, who I am is not important."
The gaunt man licked his lips, his gaze filled with greed. "What's important is that you're about to die!"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan suddenly understood. This person was here to hunt him down, which explained why he was here.
"Since you've come to seek death, I shall oblige you!"
Zhou Yan nodded slightly, clenched his right fist, and punched directly at the man.
This punch was unremarkable, yet it carried an indomitable, domineering aura, like a flood dragon emerging from the sea.
*Bang!*
The air exploded with a deafening roar.
"What!"
Seeing this, the gaunt man's pupils contracted sharply, his eyes filled with astonishment. He quickly raised his arm to defend himself.
"Scram!"
Zhou Yan roared, his fist breaking through all defenses like a sharp blade, smashing into the man's chest with immense force.
*Crack!*
With a crisp sound, three of the gaunt man's ribs snapped, his chest caved in, and he was sent flying backward with a scream.
"*Pfft!*"
The gaunt man spat out a mouthful of dark blood, his eyes filled with terror. "This... how is this possible?"
He couldn't comprehend how Zhou Yan possessed such great strength.
"Trash!"
A trace of contempt flickered in Zhou Yan's eyes. He couldn't be bothered with the man and directly left the mansion.
...
"Young Master, you're back?"
Upon seeing Zhou Yan, the old butler immediately stepped forward, greeting him respectfully.
"Mm."
Zhou Yan nodded and asked, "Did you find what I asked you to look for?"
"My apologies, Young Master." The old butler lowered his head, speaking with a hint of shame. "We've searched the entire manor, even the storeroom, but we couldn't find what you mentioned."
Hearing this, a flicker of disappointment crossed Zhou Yan's eyes, and he coldly instructed, "Never mind, keep searching."
The Zhou family had many assets, but there were actually only two truly valuable places.
One was the Treasury.
The other was the Storeroom.
The Treasury contained a vast collection of jewelry, gold and silver artifacts, as well as various antiques and calligraphy and paintings. These items were expensive, for the wealthy and noble, and were also invaluable relics from Zhou Yan's ancestors.
Therefore, the wealth within the Treasury was enough to rival a small kingdom.
The reason Zhou Yan wanted to find this wealth was to exchange it for more merit points, which would allow him to redeem more cultivation techniques and eventually break through to the two-star warrior realm as quickly as possible.
Otherwise, with his own talent alone, it would be difficult to break through to the two-star warrior realm in a short period.
"Young Master, this way, please."
The old butler nodded and then led Zhou Yan into a secluded room.
Inside the room, several antique calligraphy and paintings were piled up, appearing quite old, but their origins were still vaguely discernible.
Zhou Yan scanned the surroundings, finding nothing, and couldn't help but frown.
"These paintings and calligraphy don't look like fakes?"
Zhou Yan pondered for a moment, then walked forward, intending to inspect them closely.
"Hmph! Kid, how dare you trespass into my secret chamber?"
At this moment, the old butler suddenly let out an angry roar. "You're seeking death!"
The next instant, he clapped his palms together, and two powerful streams of energy surged out, transforming into two coiling dragons that roared and charged towards Zhou Yan.
"Hmm?"
Sensing the gust of wind from behind, Zhou Yan's heart tightened, and he quickly dodged to the side.
*Boom boom!*
The two powerful waves of energy struck, shaking the void.
"*Hiss—*"
Zhou Yan grunted, being pushed back several meters before he managed to stop himself.
His eyes were sharp and piercing, and he stared coldly at the old butler, "It seems you've been hiding quite deeply."
The strength this man had displayed earlier was likely at the Martial Master level.
Such a formidable expert being willing to serve a mere merchant family was truly puzzling.
"Heh heh, I am a five-star warrior!"
The old butler let out a strange laugh, his sinister gaze fixed on Zhou Yan. "Little brat, hand over your valuables, and perhaps I'll spare your life."
"Five-star warrior?"
Hearing this, Zhou Yan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
This world was vast, with countless powerful individuals, unlike Earth.
Just within the Zhou family alone, there were two five-star warriors. Such a foundation was astonishing.
However, this had nothing to do with Zhou Yan.
After all, what he was about to do tonight was related to his future destiny.
"Little brat, do you choose to hand over your treasures obediently, or shall I take them by force?" the old butler threatened coldly.
"Heh heh, do you think I'd be afraid of you?"
Zhou Yan grinned, revealing his stark white teeth, his gaze indifferent.
"Since that's the case, then don't blame me for being ruthless!"
The old butler's face turned icy, and a chilling aura emanated from his body, as if from eternal frost.
*Boom!*
He suddenly waved his sleeve, and threads of frost spread out, instantly freezing the surroundings. The temperature plummeted to an extreme, and even the floor became as hard as steel.
"So strong!"
This level of attack completely surpassed Zhou Yan's expectations.
However, Zhou Yan didn't panic. Instead, a mocking smile played on his lips. "Old man, do you think these little tricks can stop me?"
As his voice fell, Zhou Yan suddenly extended a palm.
*Rumble!*
In an instant, the flow of Qi within Zhou Yan boiled, like a ferocious, fiery dragon, charging madly.
"Nine Yang Finger!"