Zhou Heng nodded, and after a moment of thought, continued, "At that time, your mother and I had an engagement. We were supposed to get married. But... your mother encountered a powerful enemy during her escape, was severely injured, and eventually passed away. As for me, I fell off a cliff and lost my memory..."
"When I woke up, I had been searching for your mother, but there was no news."
"I never expected you to show up on your own today! I am very relieved!" Zhou Heng said emotionally, with tears welling up in his eyes.
These words plunged Zhou Yan into silence.
He couldn't help but recall his mother's appearance and voice, his eyes gradually turning red: "Senior, my mother... who exactly was she?"
"Your mother's surname was Zhao," Zhou Heng said slowly. "She was a princess of the Great Xia Dynasty. It's a pity that your mother died during her escape, leaving only you behind..."
"Your mother entrusted me to take care of you before she died. I never forgot, and that's why I came to find you."
"Great Xia Dynasty?"
Zhou Yan's pupils contracted.
"You don't want to join the royal family?" Zhou Heng glanced at Zhou Yan, a little surprised.
"Senior misunderstands," Zhou Yan quickly shook his head and said, "I just didn't expect my mother to be born into a dynasty."
At this moment, Zhou Yan understood.
The so-called Zhou family's dragon脉 Zhou Heng mentioned was clearly his mother Zhao Yun's bloodline.
Zhou Yan couldn't help but think of an ancient poem: "Do not laugh, my lady is unmarried; if you do laugh, my lady is also joyful."
"My royal mother's name was Zhao Yun," Zhou Yan murmured, "That name sounds quite nice."
Zhou Heng's face turned slightly awkward. After all, he was the ruler of a country and was being teased about his name by a junior.
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore."
Zhou Yan waved his hand and changed the subject, "Senior, my cultivation... what level of warrior am I?"
"Good, as expected of the 'Zhou family's dragon脉' physique. To break through to the Warrior realm in such a short time, your talent is truly extraordinary," Zhou Heng said with satisfaction.
Then, he took out a palm-sized purple-gold token and handed it to Zhou Yan, instructing, "This is the Royal Decree. With this token, you can command all factions of the dynasty and enjoy the support of thousands.
"However, this only signifies that you possess royal blood. It does not mean you are a member of the royal family."
"You must remember, do not act recklessly just because you have the token. Otherwise, it will surely cause a huge stir, and the entire Great Xia Dynasty will be thrown into chaos."
Zhou Yan took the Royal Decree and examined it carefully.
The token looked ordinary, but when Zhou Yan circulated his cultivation technique, numerous profound and obscure patterns suddenly appeared on the Royal Decree, like tadpole script, exuding an ancient aura of vastness and immensity.
"This token..." Zhou Yan's eyes widened, staring intently at the mysterious runes. Unfamiliar scenes flashed in his mind.
It was a long period of time. Zhou Yan grew from an infant in swaddling clothes, gradually learned martial arts, cultivated, and then slowly grew.
He felt as if he were in another world, experiencing his journey from an ignorant youth to a peerless martial saint.
"Boom!"
One day, lightning struck the sky, and dark clouds gathered.
Zhou Yan looked up at the sky and saw endless lightning transform into colossal pythons, baring their fangs and claws, tearing down ferociously. Zhou Yan showed no fear; instead, he became excited, his body igniting with a blazing fighting spirit.
"Crackling~ Crackling~"
Streaks of lightning struck Zhou Yan's body, but they could not shake him in the slightest.
"Roar!"
A dragon's roar shook the mountains and rivers.
Zhou Yan transformed into a hundred-zhang true dragon and soared into the sky, roaming the heavens.
That spectacular scene was like the descent of gods and immortals!
"Rumble~~"
A terrifying and majestic aura erupted. Zhou Yan's body twisted, and he instantly transformed into a hundred-meter-long true dragon, coiling high in the sky, looking down on all directions, and surveying the eight desolate regions!
"Roar~~"
A majestic and domineering dragon's roar echoed throughout the sky, causing winds to surge and lightning to flash and thunder!
In an instant, a storm raged.
In the area where Zhou Yan was, gusts of wind tens of feet high whipped up, sand and stones flew, and trees collapsed like withered grass. Even the exquisite and elegant courtyard buildings instantly crumbled.
"Swish!"
At this moment, Zhou Heng suddenly opened his eyes, a terrifying cold glint shooting out.
"Screech~"
A sword light tore through the void, pierced the storm, and struck Zhou Yan.
This sword light was extremely fast and even more astonishing in its power.
"Boom~"
Zhou Yan had anticipated this. With a slight shift of his body, he easily dodged the attack.
"Hmm?" Zhou Heng raised an eyebrow and snorted coldly, "You can actually block my move? No wonder my little girl likes you so much!"
"..."
Zhou Yan's mouth twitched, almost spitting out his drink.
*Damn it... who cares about your little girl?*
Zhou Yan cursed inwardly. This old fellow was truly shameless. He knew perfectly well I was a man...
"How about it, young man? Are you considering joining the royal family?" Zhou Heng asked.
Zhou Yan rolled his eyes and said, "What benefits will I get by joining you?"
"Hahaha!"
Hearing this, Zhou Heng couldn't help but laugh heartily and patted Zhou Yan's shoulder with praise, "You are indeed clever. Let me tell you, the benefits are enormous! Our Great Xia Dynasty is the head of the southeastern nations, with a rich historical foundation and countless treasures. As long as you are willing to join the royal family, you can enjoy abundant rewards, which is much better than venturing out on your own. As for the benefits, you'll know in the future..."
After speaking, Zhou Heng added, "Besides, we can also help you find your parents. Don't worry, as long as you join the royal family, this kind of thing is on us! I guarantee that with just one word from us, your mother will obediently come with you! She'll even kneel at my feet begging me to take her away!"
"Bah!"
Zhou Yan glared fiercely at Zhou Heng.
"Little fellow, you don't believe me?" Zhou Heng raised his eyebrows, seeming to have grasped Zhou Yan's temperament, and said with a faint smile, "Although your mother is a collateral disciple of the Zhou family, she is your biological mother! Don't you miss her? If you can bring her back, you can reunite with your mother."
"I don't need you to lecture me."
Zhou Yan frowned and said coldly, "Since you've mentioned so many benefits, then... I want to ask you, why? Is it just because of a jade pendant?"
"With it, you are enough to sweep aside any top genius in any of the southeastern nations. Even the most outstanding ones are far from your match! But... you have the strength to suppress them, yet you cannot subdue others," Zhou Heng said in a low voice.
"Don't talk about strength," Zhou Yan snorted coldly and said, "I only want to improve my strength. If I can improve rapidly, I will naturally agree to you. But cultivating step by step like this, by the time I reach the peak of the ninth-tier Spirit Warrior realm, it will be too late..."
"Heh, kid, you're too impatient..." Zhou Heng shook his head and said, "Your potential is indeed not bad, but after all, you are only a seventh-grade Spirit Warrior Grandmaster now. You are still some distance away from the ninth-tier Spirit Warrior realm!"