"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"
Silver needles shot through the air, striking towards Zhou Yan's head, neck, and dantian like lightning.
The old woman was meticulous and had considered every detail.
She knew that Zhou Yan was powerful, and she wouldn't gain an advantage in a direct confrontation. Therefore, she decided to adopt a guerrilla tactic, waiting for an opportunity to launch a sneak attack for a decisive victory.
"A mere trick!"
However, to Zhou Yan, the old woman's actions were like demonstrating skill before an expert, posing no threat at all.
Zhou Yan snorted coldly and flicked his hand. *Pa, pa, pa, pa...*
In an instant, the silver needles shattered, turning into fine particles.
"This... this is impossible!"
The old woman's expression was shocked, and a storm of disbelief raged in her heart.
These three silver needles were woven from Xuanbing silkworm silk. They were incredibly tough, capable of slicing through metal. Ordinary swords striking them would only leave shallow marks without any damage, let alone being broken.
Yet, now, in Zhou Yan's hands, they were broken barehanded and turned into dust in the air.
"Not good."
Sensing this turn of events, the old woman finally realized the gravity of the situation. Without hesitation, she turned and fled at full speed.
However, how could Zhou Yan let her escape?
*Swish!*
Zhou Yan tapped his toe, his body blurring as he shot forward. He reached out and, like lightning, gripped the old woman's shoulder. He yanked her back, pulling her towards him.
"What do you want?" the old woman exclaimed in panic, struggling to break free from Zhou Yan's grasp.
But no matter how she struggled, she remained motionless. Instead, she was pulled back by Zhou Yan and fell onto a chair.
"Boy, release our elder quickly, or you will die without a burial place..." Several young martial artists shouted in anger, drawing their waist swords and pointing them at Zhou Yan.
"Noisy." Zhou Yan's eyes narrowed, and a sharp killing intent permeated the air.
Instantly, the young martial artists jumped in fright, falling silent and not daring to speak further.
"Swish!"
The next second, Zhou Yan flicked his finger, and a few streams of flames shot out.
"Ch-ch-ch-ch..."
The tongues of flame licked out, quickly engulfing the old woman. In the blink of an eye, she was burned black, her body convulsing, and she let out a mournful cry before collapsing to the ground, completely dead.
With a single move, a cultivator at the sixth level of Xiantian perished.
"Hiss~"
Witnessing this, everyone couldn't help but gasp, their faces filled with terror.
"Gulp..."
Inside the shop, all the diners gulped, staring at Zhou Yan with wide, disbelieving eyes, as if they had seen a ghost.
"Brother, you... you're amazing." Wang Hu's eyes gleamed, and he licked his lips excitedly, looking at Zhou Yan with adoration.
He had initially thought Zhou Yan was an ordinary person, but unexpectedly, he was someone who hid his strength.
"Mm, thank you for the compliment." Zhou Yan nodded slightly.
Then, Zhou Yan looked at the remaining young martial artists and said slowly, "I'll give you an opportunity. Kneel and surrender to me, and I'll spare your lives."
"Haha, are you crazy?"
Upon hearing Zhou Yan's words, the young martial artists paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, their faces filled with disdain, as if they had heard the most ridiculous joke in the world.
"Boy, are you out of your mind?" one martial artist sneered. "With you?"
"A mere immature brat, trying to subdue us?"
"What a pipe dream!"
Others shook their heads and sighed, their eyes filled with contempt, believing Zhou Yan to be delusional and utterly ignorant.
Although Zhou Yan's cultivation was strong, he was only around twenty years old. Even if he had started cultivating from the womb, at most, he would have reached the fourth level of Xiantian, which was incomparable to them.
The young martial artists present were mostly peak cultivators at the fifth level of Xiantian. Apart from two of them, the other woman was a cultivator at the sixth level of Xiantian, not far from breaking through to the seventh level.
"Since you refuse a toast and prefer to be forced, then don't blame me for being ruthless." Zhou Yan pondered for a moment, his spiritual energy surging within him and gathering in his palm.
*Bang!*
Zhou Yan suddenly punched out, striking like a cannonball. In an instant, it hit the chest of the speaking youth.
"Puff..."
The young martial artist cried out in pain. He felt as if he had been struck by lightning. His body trembled violently, and then he flew backward, crashing against the wall, spitting blood.
This scene stunned the two beside him.
"Bang!"
The next second, the Xiantian sixth-level martial artist reacted, immediately drawing his sword and stabbing.
"Hmph!"
Zhou Yan snorted coldly and slapped out.
With a *thump*, the sword blade snapped. The palm strike continued, hitting the youth's chest heavily. Bones cracked, ribs broke, and he was sent flying backward, crashing against the wall and falling unconscious.
"Ah..."
The remaining two were startled and quickly retreated.
"Die!"
Then, the two gritted their teeth, gripped their swords, and attacked simultaneously.
"How can the light of a firefly compare to the brilliance of the moon?"
Zhou Yan's expression was calm. He didn't dodge. He raised his arm, like a dragon's claw, carrying a fierce gust of wind.
"Crack!" "Crack!"
Crisp sounds echoed. The two long swords instantly shattered. The two young martial artists grunted and were sent flying by the immense force, falling to the ground.
"This... how is this possible?" The two were utterly shocked, their eyeballs about to burst.
In just one move, they had been defeated by the opponent. The gap was too vast.
"Little bastard, who... who exactly are you?"
The Xiantian sixth-level martial artist gritted his teeth, roaring in anger, his eyes filled with extreme malice, wishing he could cut Zhou Yan into a thousand pieces.
"Boy, you're courting death!"
Suddenly, a sinister voice came from outside the door.
Following that, a group of men in black robes swarmed into the herbal market. Each of them was powerfully built, their faces cold and expressionless, exuding a dangerous aura.
"You are... from the Underworld Hall!"
In an instant, everyone's hearts trembled, and they were filled with dread, as if facing a formidable enemy. Their pupils constricted, and they were utterly terrified.
"Heh heh, boy, you have some discernment..."
The leader of the black-robed men sneered repeatedly and mockingly, "Tell me, what is your relationship with Lin Xue'er?"
"Xue'er?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan frowned, feeling a sense of familiarity.
"Boy, our young master fancies your girlfriend. If you're sensible, surrender quickly."
The black-robed man grinned sinisterly and said chillingly, "Otherwise, don't blame us for being ruthless and making your beautiful wife disappear forever."
"Xue'er?"
Zhou Yan's brow furrowed. After thinking for a moment, a bright and beautiful face appeared in his mind. His eyes suddenly widened: "It's her!"
Zhou Yan remembered clearly that in his previous life, when he was engaged to Lin Xue'er, he had invited her to attend and personally sent a gift, hoping she would like it.
Unexpectedly, Lin Xue'er had refused, and even harshly insulted him.
At that time, Lin Xue'er was arrogant and haughty, with a condescending expression, sneering and saying, "Are you worthy? A mere nobody, yet you dare to dream of eating swan meat."