"No matter, don't worry. While this person is powerful, his strength is not that of a direct disciple of the Demon Dragon King, so it won't cause too much of a stir." The Great Elder shook his head, a cold smile on his face. "Although his strength is formidable, he doesn't yet qualify to be an honored elder of our Demon Dragon King Hall, so he will be expelled sooner or later!"
"Great Elder, I must disagree. I believe this person possesses not only excellent talent but also extraordinary strength. It would be a great pity not to keep him in the sect!"
Zhou Yan's senior brother shook his head, his disagreement evident.
The Great Elder paused, then a hint of gloom appeared in his eyes as he coldly asked, "Second Senior Brother, do you mean you wish to keep him here and have him become an honored elder of our Demon Dragon King Hall?"
Zhou Yan's second senior brother shook his head. "Great Elder, you misunderstand me. That's not what I meant. I merely believe this young man has limitless potential for the future, and it would be a terrible shame to stifle him in his cradle!"
"Hmph, do you think his strength has far surpassed mine, and therefore you no longer show me respect?" the Great Elder scoffed. "While he is powerful, not just anyone can become an honored elder of our Demon Dragon King Hall. Furthermore, an honored elder of our Demon Dragon King Hall must possess a heart that cherishes the weak, otherwise, they will never amount to anything and can never become an honored elder of our Demon Dragon King Hall. Therefore, I will not allow anyone who threatens the interests of our Demon Dragon King Hall!"
The Great Elder of the Demon Dragon King Hall's face was contorted with anger, his eyes flashing with an icy gleam that sent an inexplicable chill through the air.
"I..." The second senior brother of the Demon Dragon King Hall looked bitter. He knew in his heart that the Great Elder was not wrong.
Zhou Yan left the Demon Dragon King Hall, his heart filled with confusion.
"What should I do now?" The image of Cang Xuanting flashed through Zhou Yan's mind. Suddenly, he thought of the golden token, and a glimmer of hope appeared in his eyes. "I can go ask him for help!"
With this thought, Zhou Yan immediately took out the token and followed Cang Xuanting's instructions to the Cang family's stronghold.
"Zhou Yan, why are you here instead of cultivating in your own territory?" Cang Xuanting, who was in the midst of cultivation, was pleased to see Zhou Yan arrive.
"Xuanting, are you willing to help our Demon Dragon King Hall?" Zhou Yan asked with a serious and solemn expression.
"Oh, what's going on?" Cang Xuanting asked with a puzzled look. "If you can tell me, I am naturally willing to help."
"Our Demon Dragon King Hall and you, Cang Xuanting, are sworn brothers. In the future, if we face any difficulties, you must help us. Otherwise, the disciples of our Demon Dragon King Hall will resent you," Zhou Yan said, a hint of tragic grandeur in his eyes.
"Heh, so it seems we are brothers then." Cang Xuanting was slightly taken aback, not expecting to have such a connection with Zhou Yan.
"Xuanting, if you don't find me disagreeable, then let's become sworn brothers," Zhou Yan said earnestly.
"Good!" Cang Xuanting agreed without hesitation.
"Then it's settled!" Zhou Yan laughed heartily. "From now on, I'll call you Xuanting!"
"Good!" Cang Xuanting nodded.
"By the way, Xuanting, what is your current cultivation realm?" Zhou Yan quickly asked. He could feel a powerful surge of energy from Cang Xuanting's aura, which belonged to the Demon Lord level!
"Me?" Cang Xuanting showed a bitter smile. "My cultivation has dropped to the realm of an Eight-star Demon Lord. I'm afraid I won't even live to be a hundred years old!"
"Ah? What? Eight-star Demon Lord?" Upon hearing Cang Xuanting's words, Zhou Yan was shocked. He couldn't believe it. "That's impossible! Your strength is comparable to a First-rank Spirit Master, and you're only seventeen years old?"
"You are correct, I am indeed seventeen years old," Cang Xuanting nodded, a sigh escaping him. Although he had benefited from misfortune, he couldn't change anything. Such things could not be forced.
"But how did you advance? Do you know how difficult it is to advance to a First-rank Spirit Master? Even in our Demon Dragon King Hall, only a few Great Elders have the potential to advance to that level. And even then, it's a path to death, as they cannot control the power of the laws of heaven and earth, leading to backlash and the collapse of their physical bodies!" Zhou Yan said gravely.
Cang Xuanting's heart stirred. He knew all of this, as he had encountered similar situations himself. However, he was not worried about himself.
"How I advanced, I do know," Cang Xuanting said calmly. "Because I have a powerful expert by my side. She is a Heavenly Maiden and can help me increase my strength."
"Heavenly Maiden!" Zhou Yan trembled. His eyes widened, and he stared at Cang Xuanting in astonishment. "Are you telling the truth? Is that Heavenly Maiden your wife?"
"Yes, it's true," Cang Xuanting smiled slightly. He had not expected his wife to be a Heavenly Maiden, a peerless beauty of the highest caliber in the world.
"This... how is this possible? She is a mysterious woman whose origins are unfathomable. Her identity cannot be traced. It is said she possesses incredibly miraculous innate abilities, against which even a Saint Lord is powerless. Furthermore, her temperament is peculiar, and she rarely forms bonds with others. She always lives alone, and no one knows where she resides. Yet, her legends are so numerous that countless people cannot fathom her. She is the second most powerful figure in the Demon Dragon King Hall, possessing terrifying strength, unmatched by anyone!" Zhou Yan murmured, unable to believe his ears.
"Heavenly Maiden?" Cang Xuanting was slightly taken aback. "I do know that she once told me about her past. It turns out she is the reincarnation of a fairy, my master's sister. My master was a celestial being, but she has fallen, leaving only a remnant soul to send me here. I have been cultivating here ever since, waiting for the day I can find my master's whereabouts and bring her away!"
"What? Your master was a celestial being?" Zhou Yan was shocked once again. "But I heard you all say he has disappeared and was even injured by enemies. How can this be?"
"Do you find it difficult to understand?" Cang Xuanting gave a wry smile. "I don't know the reason behind it either, but there must be a hidden story involved, otherwise my master wouldn't have disappeared without cause."
"Alright, since you have joined the Demon Dragon King Hall, I will not hide anything from you. Our Demon Dragon King Hall has four Vice Hall Masters and thirteen Stewards. I am one of the Stewards, and there are six other Stewards, all of whom possess considerable strength. As long as you are careful and cautious, they will not target you. And your senior sister is an elder of the Demon Dragon King Hall, so they won't do anything to you. Once you become an official disciple of the Demon Dragon King Hall, they will respect you."