"Oh? Do you truly possess such great capability? I must admit, I am somewhat looking forward to it. I wonder how far you can truly go?"
Zhou Yan also chuckled. The moment his words fell, his aura began to surge wildly. Terrifying fluctuations swept out from his body, causing the faces of Chen Yuan and the others to contort.
"You..."
Sensing the terrifying aura emanating from Zhou Yan, Chen Yuan couldn't help but swallow. His gaze turned serious. He knew this brat was no pushover. It had cost him a great price to lure him here.
However, he was not afraid. Instead, he felt a surge of excitement, for he knew he would soon have his revenge for the past.
"Zhou Yan, you know what happened back then. While your strength is considerable, you were merely at the half-step Martial Ancestor realm. Now, you've only half-stepped into the Innate realm. To kill you, I won't need many tricks."
Chen Yuan said with a faint smile, his expression growing more playful.
"Oh, you say killing you would be effortless? I can let you experience the sharpness of my sword right now."
Zhou Yan narrowed his eyes and said calmly.
After speaking, he extended his hand and swept it through the void ahead.
*Buzz!*
As Zhou Yan waved his hand, the surrounding void twisted as if a passage had opened.
Seeing this, Chen Yuan's expression drastically changed, a flicker of apprehension in his eyes. But then he snorted, "A mere parlor trick! Break!"
As his voice faded, he slapped forward with his hand.
*CRACKLE~~*
With a deafening roar, the space directly collapsed, disintegrating into a flurry of dust that scattered outwards.
The ground where Zhou Yan stood was leveled.
Gazing at the flattened earth, a hint of glee appeared on Chen Yuan's face. He clearly admired Zhou Yan's power.
"Zhou Yan, I know you're strong, but today, I will make you taste the bitterness of defeat."
Chen Yuan said with a smile, a profound disdain in his eyes.
"Defeat? I will make you understand what defeat means."
Zhou Yan said faintly, then slowly walked forward.
"Since you are so stubborn, I won't hold back."
Seeing Zhou Yan's measured pace, Chen Yuan gritted his teeth and then charged forward, intending to strike Zhou Yan down before he could get any closer.
Watching Chen Yuan charge again, Zhou Yan let out a cold laugh and then, without hesitation, activated his soul power.
The next moment, a longsword radiating a dark green light materialized from behind Zhou Yan.
"Death Sword Technique, Slash!"
An incomparably icy voice rang out from Zhou Yan's lips. A sharp glint shot from his eyes, and then his sword-wielding hand fiercely thrust towards Chen Yuan's chest.
*SPLATTER!*
Blood spurted out. Chen Yuan clutched his chest, his eyes wide with disbelief.
However, this strike had directly pierced his heart, killing him instantly.
"He's dead?"
Zhou Yan murmured, then released his grip.
"So weak."
"But even so, I still wouldn't associate with a trash like you."
Afterward, Zhou Yan glanced once more at Chen Yuan's unseeing eyes on the ground, then turned and streaked away, disappearing from Chen Yuan's sight in an instant.
"Zhou Yan, stop right there!"
Seeing Zhou Yan flee, Chen Yuan roared in anger and prepared to pursue.
But then, a voice suddenly echoed in Chen Yuan's ear:
"Don't chase. You're no match for him. If you continue, you will surely die too."
Hearing this voice, Chen Yuan's entire body trembled. He abruptly turned his head and saw an old man standing not far away, looking at him with an indifferent gaze.
"Who are you?"
Upon seeing the other party, Chen Yuan frowned and asked.
"I am Zhou Yan's friend. If you dare to provoke Zhou Yan again, I will kill you directly. Do you believe me?"
The old man smiled slightly and then said calmly, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority that sent a chill through Chen Yuan's heart.
This old man appeared ordinary, yet he made Chen Yuan feel an extreme sense of danger. Clearly, this old man was a Martial Ancestor realm expert.
Thinking of this, Chen Yuan felt a sense of dread and couldn't help but glance towards the direction where Zhou Yan had disappeared. He clenched his fists tightly.
If he were to truly become an enemy of Zhou Yan, he would likely perish.
But at this moment, Zhou Yan's arrogant figure flashed through Chen Yuan's mind.
He was so defiant, as if he didn't take anyone seriously. Yet, Chen Yuan had been provoked by him. Thinking of this, Chen Yuan let out a cold laugh.
"Since that's the case, I shall test your prowess."
With that thought, Chen Yuan gritted his teeth and then charged directly at the old man.
Seeing this, the old man shook his head and pointed a finger forward. Instantly, a spear emanating black mist shot towards Chen Yuan.
*THWACK!*
Chen Yuan was directly impaled by the black spear. His expression changed. He never expected to fall at the hands of such an old man.
"I told you, anyone who wants to kill Zhou Yan, I will personally tear them to shreds."
The old man said coldly, then withdrew the spear.
*SHRIEK!*
Fresh red blood sprayed out, splattering across the sky and dyeing the surrounding trees a blood-red hue, looking exceptionally chilling.
Chen Yuan's body was sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto the ground.
"As expected of a Martial Ancestor realm expert, truly formidable."
Chen Yuan struggled to get up, his eyes filled with shock.
He had only been testing the waters just now. He knew that this Zhou Yan was no longer the Zhou Yan he knew, but an expert with the cultivation of a Martial Emperor.
"Patriarch Chen, you should be clear-headed now."
The old man said with a chuckle.
"This Zhou Yan is indeed a prodigy. No wonder Zhou Yan was so arrogant and overbearing. It turns out he has such a monstrous brother. It seems the Zhou family will rise in the future."
Chen Yuan sighed, a hint of jealousy in his eyes.