At that moment, Zhou Yan, feeling insulted, left in a huff and couldn't sleep all night.
"Kid, it seems you've made up your mind..." the man in black sneered.
"I advise you not to do anything rash! Do you know who stands behind me?" Zhou Yan said in a deep voice.
Hearing this, the man in black was stunned for a moment, then burst into ridicule. He said coldly, "Kid, are you an idiot? This is Cangzhou City, do you think we'd be afraid of your backing?"
Cangzhou City, one of the nine prefectures of the Cloud Country, was immensely powerful, with various factions entrenched and keeping each other in check. None dared to act recklessly.
Furthermore, fighting was forbidden within Cangzhou City. Anyone who violated this rule would be severely punished.
It was precisely for this reason that even the Netherworld Hall dared not act with impunity or recklessness.
"Heh heh, if you don't believe me, then I'll give it a try." Zhou Yan said with a faint smile.
As soon as he finished speaking, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. He moved, his figure turning into an afterimage as he lunged towards the two men.
"Bang, bang!"
Two muffled thuds echoed, and the two young martial artists were sent flying back like scarecrows, crashing heavily against the wall. Their chests caved in, blood flowed from their noses and mouths, and they were on the verge of death.
"How was that? How was my strength?"
Zhou Yan retracted his aura and walked back to his original spot, his expression calm.
"You... Who exactly are you?"
At this moment, the other martial artists in the shop were all astonished and filled with fear.
"You don't need to know who I am."
Zhou Yan waved his hand, turned around, and walked directly towards the counter.
This was a medicinal ingredient market, with many martial artists gathered, discussing in hushed tones.
"Look, it's people from the Netherworld Hall."
"Hiss! Why are they here?"
"I heard that this shop offended the Netherworld Hall and has already been sealed."
"Alas, I never expected the Netherworld Hall to be so rampant, daring to openly attack a branch of the Martial Alliance Merchant Guild."
The surrounding martial artists looked wary, whispering amongst themselves.
"What? You're from a branch of the Martial Alliance Merchant Guild!?"
The middle-aged martial artist in the Innate realm's face changed drastically, his eyes filled with deep apprehension.
"Mm," Zhou Yan nodded.
"We're doomed, the Netherworld Hall is too powerful, we can't afford to offend them..." the middle-aged martial artist said bitterly.
"That's right, the Netherworld Hall's influence spans the entire Cloud Country..."
"If you offend them, you won't be able to survive..."
The other martial artists also began discussing in low voices, clearly fearful of the Netherworld Hall and unwilling to stir up trouble.
"Heh heh..."
Upon hearing the crowd's discussion, the two men in black sneered, "Kid, do you think we'll let you off just because you mention the Martial Alliance Merchant Guild?"
"What do you want!"
Zhou Yan's expression flickered slightly, and he couldn't help but ask, "Our Martial Alliance Merchant Guild branch is a top-tier super force in Cangzhou City. If you dare to harm our people, you will be breaking the rules. You won't be able to move freely in Cangzhou City..."
"Hahaha..."
The two men in black burst into laughter, as if hearing the funniest joke. They pointed at Zhou Yan and cursed, "Idiot, do you think we'll let you off just by mentioning the Martial Alliance Merchant Guild?"
"How pathetic, you've even forgotten something so common knowledge!"
"Although the Martial Alliance Merchant Guild is strong, the three great families of Cangzhou City, working together, are no weaker."
Zhou Yan remained silent.
The Martial Alliance Merchant Guild was one of the four top forces in the Cloud Country. However, in addition to it, there were three other great families: the Wang Family, the Yang Family, and the Lin Family...
The three great families each had their own responsibilities, wielded immense power, and possessed great deterrence, far beyond that of a small Martial Alliance Merchant Guild.
After all, no matter how strong the Martial Alliance Merchant Guild was, it was still a merchant guild, while the Wang, Yang, and Lin families were indeed families.
If tensions escalated, the powerhouses of the three great families would descend, capable of annihilating the entire Martial Alliance Merchant Guild in an instant.
"Hmph, we from the Netherworld Hall are acting under orders. Any obstruction will be met with death."
The leader of the men in black shouted coldly, brandishing his short blade with a ferocious demeanor as he approached.
At the same time, the other two men in black also smirked, carrying their short blades and charging forward, ready to kill Zhou Yan.
"Swish!"
Instantly, a cold light flashed in Zhou Yan's eyes. He quickly took out a spiritual fruit and consumed it.
"Chira~"
With a soft hum, the spiritual fruit entered his abdomen, and the surging spiritual power within Zhou Yan exploded, flowing like rivers and lakes, vast and boundless.
"Crack... crack..."
As his spiritual power circulated, Zhou Yan's bones audibly cracked, his skin turned red, his meridians twisted, and his body was filled with a powerful force.
"Body Refinement fifth level!"
Upon seeing this, the faces of the two men in black changed slightly, their eyes filled with solemnity.
Zhou Yan's aura surged, his body grew several feet taller, his physique became sturdy, his arms thick as elephant legs, his muscles bulging, filled with explosive power.
"Whoosh—"
Suddenly, Zhou Yan burst forward like a cheetah on the hunt. He threw out a punch, carrying a fierce force that split the air, making it suffocating.
Bang!
After only a moment of exchange, one man in black was sent to the ground, his chest indented and blood flowing profusely.
"Plop."
Then, the other man in black, unable to resist, suffered a tragic fate, twitching all over and collapsing limply on the ground.
In the blink of an eye, the two men in black were dealt with.
Zhou Yan's performance immediately caused a stir.
"Heavens, this kid is so powerful!"
"Tsk tsk... The Netherworld Hall has kicked a steel plate this time, provoking a formidable character."
Everyone marveled, secretly feeling fortunate.
"Who exactly are you!"
The two men in black lay on the ground, struggling to get up. Their eyes were malicious as they stared at Zhou Yan, gritting their teeth.
"My name is Zhou Yan."
Zhou Yan stood with his hands behind his back and said indifferently.
"Zhou Yan?"
The two men in black frowned, their minds racing as they tried to search their memories for any information about Zhou Yan.
Suddenly, one of the men in black's pupils contracted sharply, and he exclaimed, "You are Zhou Yan, an Elder Executor of the Martial Alliance Merchant Guild!"
"That's right, it's me!" Zhou Yan nodded.
"Ah?"
Upon hearing Zhou Yan's admission, the two men in black were instantly stunned. Their faces turned as pale as paper, sweat beaded on their foreheads, and their bodies trembled.
The Martial Alliance Merchant Guild held significant influence in Cangzhou City, making it a true giant.
Moreover, the headquarters of the Martial Alliance Merchant Guild, its branch in Cangzhou City, was an even more colossal entity, not to be provoked.
"Elder Zhou Yan, spare our lives! Please show mercy..."
The two men in black knelt on the ground, kowtowing and begging, their expressions sincere.
"Hmph, it's too late!" Zhou Yan snorted coldly, his face showing disgust.
Since they had dared to attempt to kill him, Zhou Yan naturally wouldn't show mercy. He immediately raised his right palm and slapped one of the men in black across the face, sending him flying.
"Slap! Slap! Slap!"
Following that, Zhou Yan delivered three more forceful blows to the other man in black, turning his face into a bruised mess.
"Ah..."
Piercing screams echoed in the shop, extremely grating to the ear.
"Cough, cough..."