"This is none of your concern. You just need to stay alive."
The old man said indifferently, his tone filled with domineering authority.
"Alright, then I'll take my leave. If I ever encounter that little bastard again, I'll tear him to pieces."
Chen Yuan glared at the old man resentfully before turning and disappearing into the forest.
"Alas."
Seeing Chen Yuan depart, the old man sighed before turning and soaring towards the outskirts of the mountain range.
"I hope you can perform well. After all, Chen Yuan is a great enemy to our Chen family. If the Chen family gains the upper hand, it won't be a good thing for us..."
Meanwhile, Zhou Yan was also running towards the exit of the mountain range.
However, his heart was in turmoil.
He had initially thought his cultivation speed was extraordinary, only to discover that there were so many hidden powerhouses in this world.
"This world truly harbors hidden dragons and crouching tigers. The Chen family actually has a Wuzong..."
Zhou Yan murmured, his eyes filled with gravity, as all of this was too unbelievable.
Not long after, Zhou Yan's figure finally reached the entrance of the mountain range, and he let out a sigh of relief.
"Although Chen Yuan is a bit foolish, his strength is not bad. Without him, perhaps I wouldn't have reached the Wu Wang realm by now."
Zhou Yan muttered to himself, then stepped into the mountain range and headed towards the Zhou Estate.
Zhou Yan didn't choose any other path, opting for the simplest one, as he didn't want to attract attention.
After all, with his current cultivation, he was far from being able to be high-profile. He just needed to live low-key; other matters were not his concern.
"I wonder where Master and Father are right now."
Zhou Yan murmured, a look of worry appearing on his face.
Zhou Yan's parents had perished in a battle three years ago, which caused Zhou Yan's strength to decline drastically. Now, he had barely entered the early stage of Wu Wang.
Zhou Yan's current strength was considered a top talent in Tianyun City, but compared to the geniuses of the Chen family, there was still a vast difference.
Moreover, this time, his opponent was a Wuzong.
And from the fact that he could be injured by a single move from the opponent, it was evident how formidable the opponent was.
"I wonder how many Wuzong realm powerhouses are left in the Chen family?"
Thinking of this, a strong sense of longing surged onto Zhou Yan's face.
If he could advance to the Wuzong realm, he could sweep through the entire Zhou family, and then he would truly be a master.
At that time, the Chen family would completely become his slaves, and he could do whatever he pleased.
This was the life Zhou Yan had always dreamed of.
"No matter what, I must find my parents as soon as possible."
Zhou Yan gritted his teeth and quickened his pace, continuing to run forward.
Before long, Zhou Yan arrived near the Zhou Estate.
Looking at the magnificent and grand building before him, Zhou Yan couldn't help but swallow. He felt a sense of oppression and at the same time, he was wary of this Zhou family.
"No matter what, this is my family. I must protect all of this. Even if I die, I will preserve this family."
Zhou Yan took a deep breath, then raised his head, straightened his chest, and strode towards the Zhou family ahead.
Zhou Yan's footsteps were light, but each step contained immense power, as if capable of shaking the surrounding space.
This was a movement technique called "Nine Shadows of Stepping Waves" that he had cultivated over the years, a unique martial art of the Zhou family.
"Zhou Yan, I'm back."
Zhou Yan's voice suddenly resounded, echoing throughout the Zhou family.
Hearing this familiar voice, everyone in the Zhou family was stunned. Then, one by one, they walked out of their houses, their gazes falling upon the young figure standing in the courtyard.
Zhou Yan looked around at the people, a smile curving his lips: "Father, Mother, I'm back."
"Good child, you've worked hard all these years."
A gentle voice like jade sounded, and the owner of the voice was none other than the head of the Zhou family, Zhou Xiong.
Zhou Xiong's strength had broken through to the Wu Ling realm, and he was only one step away from Wu Zun. In the Zhou family, his status was second only to the Patriarch, so he could be considered a significant figure in the family, and his strength was naturally not to be underestimated.
"It's not hard. I'm already very content to be able to live out my twilight years with Father and Mother here."
Zhou Yan replied with a slight smile, but his eyes flickered towards a beautiful figure beside them.
That was Zhou Mei's elder sister, Zhou Wan, who was also Zhou Yan's sister-in-law. Her prestige in the Zhou family was not insignificant.
"Hmph, you still know to come back? You unfilial son, you dared to abandon the Patriarch and escape on your own, bringing shame to our Zhou family. If I don't punish you, won't others mock us?"
Zhou Wan said coldly, her beautiful eyes flashing with a chilling light, clearly very displeased with Zhou Yan.
"Sister-in-law, this is indeed my fault. I am willing to accept any punishment, as long as you don't vent your anger on my father."
Zhou Yan said quickly, a look of apology appearing on his face.
"Hmph, am I wrong? Your father doesn't know about this at all. You've come back this time, and you'll probably cause great chaos in the family again."
Zhou Wan snorted coldly, her eyes filled with coldness.
Zhou Yan's expression changed slightly. He knew that his father, Zhou Haoran, was indeed unaware of this matter.
"Sister-in-law, I will handle this matter properly. Please rest assured."
Zhou Yan cupped his hands and said.
The Zhou family's rules were extremely strict. Once violated, the punishment ranged from crippling one's cultivation to expulsion from the family.
Zhou Yan dared not act rashly.
"You should deal with it quickly, lest it implicate your father. Let me tell you, your father has just broken through to Wuzong, and his strength is not yet consolidated. He cannot withstand such a disturbance."
Zhou Wan said icily.
"I understand, thank you for the reminder, Sister-in-law."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan quickly cupped his hands and said, his expression turning extremely awkward.
"By the way, your father is in seclusion cultivating, and we shouldn't disturb him. Perhaps I should go back first."
After speaking, Zhou Wan turned around and slowly walked out of the Zhou family with Zhou Mei.
Watching their retreating figures, Zhou Yan clenched his fists, his gaze turning cold: "You just wait for me!"
Zhou Yan gritted his teeth, then turned and walked into the Zhou family, preparing to find his father, Zhou Haoran, and inquire about the matters of the Zhou family.