"So what? I'm confident I can catch up to them sooner or later!" Zhou Yan said proudly, "Besides, I'm not yet twenty years old and I've reached this realm. I believe that with time, I can definitely enter the Spirit Martial realm!"
"It's good that you have such confidence."
Zhou Heng smiled faintly, "But I hope you don't set your expectations too high. You should know that to enter the ninth-tier Spirit Martial realm, it not only requires talent but also opportunity. In the current Southeast Three Kingdoms, there are many prodigies, including those with extraordinary talent. Yet, even so, the number of prodigies who can cross five or six bottlenecks and enter the Spirit Martial realm is still very few."
Zhou Yan fell silent for a moment, then sighed, "Perhaps..."
He knew very well that while his cultivation talent was not weak, it was still a step behind those of the same age.
How easy could it be to surpass other peers in a short time?
However, this also ignited his fighting spirit.
As long as he had enough time, Zhou Yan firmly believed that one day he could surpass his peers and stand at the pinnacle of the world!
There were countless geniuses in this world!
But only those who truly rose to prominence could be called true prodigies!
"Buzz~"
At this moment, the elements between heaven and earth suddenly became active.
The originally dark night sky suddenly lit up. A silver moon hung in the sky, emitting a soft radiance that covered the sky for a hundred miles around.
"Huh? The celestial phenomenon tonight is unusual." Zhou Heng was slightly surprised. "This celestial phenomenon... is it because of you?"
"That's right." Zhou Yan nodded.
"Oh?"
Zhou Heng scrutinized Zhou Yan with a meaningful look and smiled, "How did you do it?"
He could be sure that Zhou Yan had not used any secret techniques, only pure physical strength.
However, Zhou Heng had observed very carefully.
All the elements of heaven and earth were drawn over and converged into Zhou Yan's body, making his qi and blood more vigorous and condensed. Even his soul and bloodline had been greatly strengthened.
"Whoosh~"
The silver orb in the sky emitted waves of light, illuminating the surroundings and enveloping Zhou Yan.
"Buzz~"
A halo appeared on Zhou Yan's body, spreading out like ripples on water. It absorbed the dense elemental qi from the surroundings into his body, tempering his physique.
At the same time, a scene appeared in Zhou Yan's mind—
The sky was filled with stars, scattering billions of stardust.
"Star body tempering is so comfortable." Zhou Yan felt that every time he cultivated using the "Qian Kun Zao Hua Jue," it brought him immense benefits.
This cultivation technique was too miraculous.
Zhou Yan couldn't help but suspect that his past life might have also possessed this cultivation technique. Otherwise, why would he, an ordinary person in his past life, have been able to step into the Xiantian Continent and have an encounter?
"Hoo~"
After a long while, Zhou Yan slowly opened his eyes, his gaze dazzling and faintly tinged with gold.
"Hmm?" Zhou Heng stared at Zhou Yan in surprise, then his eyes suddenly narrowed, revealing shock.
"Eighth-tier Spirit Martial artist?" Zhou Heng exclaimed, "You've actually reached the eighth-tier Spirit Martial realm?!"
He was extremely shocked.
"It was just luck." Zhou Yan said calmly.
"You call this luck?" Zhou Heng glared at Zhou Yan and said, "To break through to the eighth-tier Spirit Martial realm at such a young age, this talent is probably no less than your grandfather's back then."
After a pause, Zhou Heng continued, "Are you really willing to join the Prince's Mansion?"
"I'm not willing!"
Zhou Yan refused without hesitation.
Zhou Heng's attitude made Zhou Yan somewhat disgusted.
"Hehe, you don't want to join the Prince's Mansion, nor do you want to be my son-in-law. Then what conditions do you have?" Zhou Heng asked.
"I'm not short of money," Zhou Yan said, "and I don't want to join the army, nor do I want to get married and have children. So, please stop wasting your time and arrange a position for me quickly!"
He said impatiently, "I still need to go back and be with my wife and children. I don't have time to waste with you babbling nonsense!"
"You..."
Zhou Heng was stunned.
From childhood to adulthood, he had never been so despised.
"Do you know who I am?" Zhou Heng's face darkened, and he glared at Zhou Yan.
"Nonsense, I'm not deaf, I can hear," Zhou Yan pouted and said, "Aren't you the Grand Elder of the Zhou Prince's Mansion, Zhou Heng?"
"..." Zhou Heng took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and said in a deep voice, "Since you know, you still dare to speak to me with this attitude?"
Zhou Yan glanced at Zhou Heng, "What, you want to use force?"
"Kid, I think you won't shed a tear until you see the coffin!"
Zhou Heng gritted his teeth.
When had he, the Grand Elder of the Prince's Mansion, ever been so humiliated?
"I warn you!" Zhou Heng shouted sternly, "I am the Grand Elder of the Zhou family, an existence with immense power over the entire Prince's City. With just a nod from you, you can immediately become the Prince's Mansion's consort. If you're sensible, you'll marry my daughter soon, otherwise, I have plenty of ways to make you regret it."
"Heh."
Zhou Yan sneered, "Just you?"
Grand Elder of the Zhou family?
What the heck is the Grand Elder of the Zhou family?
"Good, good, good! You have backbone!" Zhou Heng said with a laugh of extreme anger, "Then continue to be tough. When night comes, you'll be crying!"
"I'll be waiting!" Zhou Yan said indifferently, showing no fear.
The two confronted each other, their gazes sharp like swords, as if they might fight at any moment.
Zhou Heng was the Grand Elder of the Prince's Mansion, the master of the Zhou family. A stomp from him would shake the Zhou Prince's City.
And Zhou Yan was a genuine martial apprentice.
If a conflict broke out, Zhou Yan would undoubtedly lose.
"Sigh!"
"This damned kid..."
Zhou Heng cursed a few times, but eventually shook his head and sighed, "Forget it, you can go."
"Thank you, Elder Brother Zhou." Zhou Yan cupped his fists in greeting.
Although he was not afraid of Zhou Heng's threats at all, avoiding a fight saved him trouble.
"Hmph!"
Zhou Heng snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, and turned away.
"Zhou Yan."
Suddenly, Zhou Heng stopped and looked back at Zhou Yan, frowning, "Have you really thought it through? I advise you not to act impulsively."
"I've thought it through very clearly."
Zhou Yan said with a firm tone, "I will not change my mind."
"That's good then." Zhou Heng nodded and warned, "Remember your promise! I can tell you frankly, if you break your promise, your family and friends will forever suffer the revenge of my Zhou family. Even if they hide in the deep mountains and old forests, my Zhou family will still find them... Do you understand what I mean?"
Hearing this, Zhou Yan couldn't help but narrow his eyes.
"You can leave now."
Zhou Heng waved his sleeve, seemingly too lazy to bother with Zhou Yan anymore, and walked directly into the house.
"I understand," Zhou Yan nodded and turned to leave.
"Wait!"
Just as Zhou Yan was about to leave the room and close the door, Zhou Heng suddenly called out to Zhou Yan, "I have two pills here, take them."