Meanwhile, in a secluded manor, a young man knelt before a man and a woman. Behind the youth, an old woman in white sat on a chair, staring coldly at him.
"I told you, you shouldn't have left the family, shouldn't have betrayed the family!"
The old woman's beautiful face turned exceptionally grim, her gaze fixed on the kneeling youth.
Before her, a sharp killing intent emanated from the youth, though it wasn't strong enough for the old woman to pay much attention.
However, the youth did not reply. He merely gritted his teeth, silently enduring the old woman's wrath.
Seeing this, the old woman frowned slightly, her eyes flashing with cold light. "Do you think remaining silent will suffice?"
"I dare not resist, and I submit to your judgment."
The youth said through gritted teeth, his tone filled with helplessness and grief.
In his heart, he had always revered the old woman, for she was a true Martial Emperor.
His fate was in her hands.
"It's good that you know you've made a mistake. You went out for your travels and, for some unknown reason, disappeared for half a month. Now that you've returned, you should explain what happened during that time, or I will expel you from the family!"
Hearing the old woman's words, the youth's fists clenched involuntarily. He understood her meaning perfectly.
"This time, I was ordered by the Patriarch to go out and search for a rare medicinal herb, which caused the delay. Please punish me."
The youth said in a low voice.
Upon hearing this, the old woman was slightly taken aback, then snorted coldly.
In her opinion, the youth was making excuses to placate her.
"Hmph, if you have such intentions, then so be it. Where have you been for the past half month?"
The old woman asked indifferently. Although she trusted her son, she did not want him to cause trouble upon his return.
"I went to find a pill, and then I went into the Barren Mountains. There, I met an alchemist who gave me the pill. I then went to the center of the Barren Mountains and obtained a divine-grade pill, which is why I was able to break through to the Martial King realm!"
"What, you actually obtained a divine-grade pill!?"
Hearing the youth's words, the old woman was astonished. She then quickly asked, "Who gave you this divine-grade pill?"
"He was an old man, stooped and aged, with a layer of gray mist surrounding him, making it impossible to discern his features. However, I believe he was an alchemist. His strength was immense; I was no match for him!"
"After he bestowed the pill upon me, I left the Barren Mountains and returned."
The youth replied honestly.
Upon hearing this, the old woman's expression became slightly joyful. She knew the value of such a pill.
A divine-grade pill!
It was something even Emperor realm experts dreamed of!
Zhou Yan's talent was exceptional, though not as outstanding as Zhou Xuanji's, he was still extremely gifted and might even surpass Zhou Xuanji.
If he could consume a divine-grade pill, his growth would undoubtedly be astonishing.
As long as Zhou Yan could advance to the Martial Saint realm, the overall strength of the Zhou family would increase once more.
And all of this was thanks to one person.
"Who is this elder?"
The old woman asked, her eyes shining with great brilliance.
It was no small feat for her son to obtain a divine-grade pill. Moreover, divine-grade pills were not easily refined, even alchemists would spend a great deal of time on them. Therefore, the person who could obtain such a pill must be extraordinary.
"His name is Zhou Yan, the Vice President of the Alchemist Guild. It is said that he holds a very high position within the Alchemist Guild and is a very special existence within the guild. That is why the Patriarch sent me to find him."
The youth replied respectfully.
Hearing the youth's words, the old woman was stunned.
Zhou Yan, Vice President of the Alchemist Guild?
That was a genuine Martial Venerate expert, and he appeared to be quite old, how could he be so young?
Could he be a hidden expert?
The youth beside her noticed the old woman's confusion and replied with a smile, "My grandfather was a Martial Emperor, but due to certain circumstances, he has fallen."
"..."
The old woman was utterly speechless.
This brat was truly hiding his capabilities!
Martial Emperor!
That was one of the top experts in all of China!
And according to legend, their lifespan could reach three thousand years!
Such terrifying longevity made them rare individuals in all of China, and they were all ancient powerhouses.
And such a group of people had fallen!
Who was this young man's grandfather?
The old woman couldn't help but ask, "What was your grandfather's name?"
"My grandfather's name was Zhou Yan."
The youth replied.
"Zhou Yan!?"
The old woman murmured to herself.
Where had she heard this name before?
Suddenly, a figure flashed in her mind.
"Zhou Yan, he... could he be Zhou Xuanji?"
Upon thinking of Zhou Xuanji, a look of shock appeared in the old woman's eyes.
Zhou Yan!
The founder of the Zhou family!
His lifespan was extremely long, almost immortal, yet he had never reached the Martial Emperor realm.
Moreover, his status within the Alchemist Guild was extraordinary.
He enjoyed great prestige throughout China, as alchemy was a highly respected profession in China. Most Martial Emperor experts disdained to learn alchemy, but the status of alchemists was far superior to that of Martial Emperors.
Therefore, Zhou Yan's name was widely sung.
This was why the old woman showed shock upon hearing the name Zhou Xuanji.
"Are you referring to the Zhou family Patriarch, Zhou Yan?"
The old woman asked, her voice trembling slightly.
She knew that the Zhou family Patriarch, Zhou Yan, was a truly important figure. He could defeat Zhou Haoran of the Martial Lord realm when he was only at the Martial Emperor realm, and he was at least seven to eight hundred years old.
Such a person had walked the path of martial arts for tens of thousands of years, and his lifespan had reached a terrifying number.
In front of him, her grandson Zhou Yan was still too young.
Upon hearing the old woman's question, Zhou Yan nodded heavily.