Chapter 536: Chapter 180: Forbidden Moon Cliff

“Pleading in such a roundabout way only serves to annoy me. Why not just speak plainly? Although Zhou Yan is no saint, wouldn’t I help out with such trivial matters?”

Zhou Yan said coldly.

“Zhou Yanxuan, your temperament is known throughout the realm. To your enemies, you show no mercy, exterminating them root and stem. Elder Hou Yao’s pursuit to kill you over a thousand miles is no secret; we may overlook her enmity towards you, but can you? How could we possibly voice our request?

Elder Hou Ting, having a relationship to Elder Hou Yao akin to that of an elder, naturally seeks to vent. Hou Chen monopolizing the Emperor Blood and rebelling against the Emperor Sword Wuji lineage is also well known. This is a violation of the ancestral teachings and deserves punishment. Our comments here are not unreasonable. While extracting the bloodline will weaken Hou Chen to some extent, even turning him into a waste for a time, given his young age, this could also be an opportunity for him to be reborn stronger.

As for Zhou Lingyi, she is, in fact, the re-embodied Void Body of Hou Ling’er’s bloodline. How can there be any talk of stealing Zhou Lingyi’s body?”

“Of course, we understand that if you intervened in these matters, we would be powerless to act. Even if we could, we wouldn’t do so. We are only approaching you as a last resort, seeking nothing more than some leverage, since you’re known to be difficult to persuade.”

Elder Hou Xianxian explained.

Zhou Yan was somewhat astonished by the reasoning. It all seemed quite sensible. He touched his nose, feeling speechless. He realized that ultimately, Hou Ting sought to vent their anger for Elder Hou Yao’s past suppression and to quell Zhou Yan’s arrogance. They also wanted to maintain a dominant position in seeking assistance without losing face.

With this understanding, he no longer felt troubled about the matter and said directly, “Helping you with these two things is no problem, but I have several conditions that you must fulfill.”

“Please speak, Zhou Yanxuan.”

Elder Hou Xianxian’s expression visibly brightened when Zhou Yan agreed to help, and even Hou Ting’s stern face relaxed slightly, his prominent beard appearing somewhat less imposing and even a bit alluring.

“Firstly, apart from matters concerning the Evil King, any trouble my disciple gets into elsewhere, you will handle and resolve.”

“Of course, that’s no problem.”

“Secondly, regarding Hou Ling’er, or Zhou Lingyi, there’s no need to concern yourselves with her from now on. Her Holy Sword, the inheritance of the Qiankun Lineage, and the like must not be taken from her. Rather, you must acknowledge her existence and her partial status within the Qiankun Lineage—she may not be the Young Master, but she can be regarded as a genius disciple or a respected elder.”

“That is also absolutely no problem.”

Elder Hou Xianxian answered immediately.

“The last matter is about the Holy Daughter’s marriage contest. Depending on how things unfold, you, as a supporting force, will stand behind me and lend your support.”

“This matter… we can only promise to do our best. If there are insurmountable factors, we could drop out or take a neutral stance, but we will never oppose you.”

Elder Hou Xianxian replied more cautiously this time.

“Good, then it’s settled. If your matters are not urgent, shall we wait until after the Holy Daughter’s marriage contest?”

“Our affairs are very urgent, it’s best to set off immediately and act once we’re prepared. On one hand, the potency of the Emperor Blood weakens with each passing moment; on the other, the earlier the next life of Elder Hou Yao awakens her talent, the better… Rest assured, Zhou Yanxuan, once the tasks are complete, it won’t take much time—half a day should suffice, and it will not delay tomorrow’s Artifact Refining competition.”

“Then it’s agreed. If that’s so, then a deal is a deal.”

Zhou Yan pondered for a long time and didn’t see any issues, so he agreed to Elder Hou Xianxian’s requests.

In fact, if problems could be resolved this way, it would be ideal. After all, if Zhou Yan truly faced off against an Ancestor-level power like Hou Ting, he could hold his own for a move or two but would undoubtedly be doomed after that.

The gap in realms was vast enough to render all combat power moot.

The reason he could act against Caiqing Immortal while under the watchful eyes of his opponent was because the other hadn’t truly made a move and had slightly underestimated him in that moment.

In a prolonged combat, without seeking external help, Zhou Yan’s defeat was almost certain.

…

To the north of Xiao Yue City lay the Frozen Feather Ice Cave.

The earth was blanketed in flying snow, the heaven and earth were still cold as ice.

Here lay the cultivation sanctuary of the Emperor Sword Qiankun Lineage, and here also stood Lonely Sword Peak, as well as the Sword Burying Ancient Road.

The Lonely Sword Intent of the past could fit seamlessly with everything here. There wasn’t much change; Lonely Sword Peak was as solitary as the peaks of the Wuji lineage, and even now, to Zhou Yan, the contained Sword Intent was still profound.

“This is Heavenly Pool Peak, and ahead is Forbidden Moon Cliff. Hidden within lies a drop of Ancestor Blood left by Elder Hou Yao, which if used properly, can awaken her next life’s memories, clearing the fog from them.”

Hou Ting explained.

Despite feeling some discomfort – after all, as a Sect Master, Hou Ting hadn’t received proper respect from Zhou Yan, causing some resentment – he didn’t make a fuss, as he was asking a favor, and knew Zhou Yan’s backing was no less formidable than the Emperor Sword Qiankun Lineage.

“Hmm, that Rebirth Technique is also recorded in the Ancestor Blood at Forbidden Moon Cliff?” Zhou Yan inquired.

“Yes, such a method is also within the Ancestor Blood, and once we extract the methods within, it would waste Ancestor Blood, so we need someone with astonishing comprehension abilities to go. And when it comes to comprehension, you are indeed the best candidate,”

Elder Hou Ting said.

Zhou Yan nodded, glanced at Hou Chen by his side, and said, “Chen, you follow Master to Forbidden Moon Cliff. Later, you will cooperate with Master to complete this matter, and then you can continue to go to the Secret Realm to endure hardships in cultivation.”

“Master, rest assured, Chen will definitely support Master with all my might.”

After Hou Chen finished speaking, he proudly glanced at Elder Hou Ting and said, “Qiankun Sect Master, let it not be said that Hou Chen didn’t warn you. If after this matter is done, I find that you’ve hidden anything, deceived, or schemed against Master, I will make you regret it for a lifetime.”

Upon hearing this, Elder Hou Ting’s face showed a trace of anger but soon calmed down. He also knew that there was no need to bother with a brat.

He cleared his throat and said in a cold voice, “You can rest assured about this matter. We are not fools to that extent, after all, the Ancestor had a deep relationship with your Master. Moreover, this is just for the continuation of an inheritance, already a compromise and a reluctant measure. If there’s still suspicion of ulterior motives, then I, Hou Ting, have nothing more to say.”

“As long as you understand! I hope what you say is truthful.”

Hou Chen reprimanded again, and then cuddled up next to Zhou Yan like a well-behaved child.

He was still young in age, but his height, due to his bloodline, was already like that of a teenager, and he had begun to take on the form of a promising youth.

Zhou Yan was very satisfied with this disciple in every aspect, seeing his prideful demeanor when speaking up for himself, his heart was also filled with gratification.

“Let’s go.”

Zhou Yan gently patted Hou Chen’s head and said in a gentle tone.

“Mm.”

Hou Chen obediently nodded, then followed Zhou Yan into Forbidden Moon Cliff.

Forbidden Moon Cliff was where Elder Hou Yao had been repeatedly detained in isolation. Only when Zhou Yan entered did he realize that this was the place with the most intense cold of the Accumulated Feather Cold Ice Cave. The atmosphere here was very cold and desolate, sharply contrasting with the beautiful scenery outside.

There were many traces of Enlightenment here; many sages had comprehended either profound or extensive Tao here, leaving behind certain legends and inheritances.

Zhou Yan walked on the icy ground of the Forbidden Moon Cliff, his steps producing a crunching snow sound. There was a thick layer of snow that had solidified into ice on the ground, which, due to Zhou Yan’s casual but heavy footsteps, was pressed into footprints.

He could walk without leaving traces in the snow, but here, he concealed nothing, simply walking with a natural state of mind in this world.

The world was blanketed in white snow, and from time to time, misty snow mist filled the air.

Hou Chen cupped his lips with both hands, exhaled a breath of warm air, and said, “Master, the chill here is quite strong, it’s even making my bones feel cold.”

“Mm, this is the coldest place in the Accumulated Feather Cold Ice Cave. After all, this is where the Qiankun Lineage imposes confinement. It’s not some kind of Immortal Realm, so naturally, it won’t be comfortable for those who enter.”

Zhou Yan said with a smile.

“Master, Elder Hou Xianxian mentioned there’s a ‘Moonlight Spirit’ on Forbidden Moon Cliff that carries Ancestor Blood, but aren’t we already at Forbidden Moon Cliff? Chen can’t find the Moonlight Spirit though.”

Hou Chen’s thoughts were quite nimble, and he expressed his confusion at the moment.

“In such a case, we need to think more. First, we must consider what kind of place this is, and secondly, the most prominent feature of this place. And within it, what seems distinctly different. Once we analyze these points, finding the key location is actually quite simple.”

Zhou Yan explained.

Hou Chen pondered carefully, and soon a look of realization dawned on his innocent face.

“Master, Chen has found it; if the ground here is covered in pure white snow, how could it form ice? If it were ice, our footsteps wouldn’t make a ‘crunching’ sound. Something isn’t right here, indicating that this is not just a simple snowy ground. Master also hasn’t continued forward, implying that this is where the Moonlight Spirit is located.”

Hou Chen said excitedly.

“Yes, Chen, the Moonlight Spirit is actually right under our feet.”

Zhou Yan smiled and then, with a powerful shake of his foot, burst forth an immense Qi Blood Power of Emperor Qi Sword Body. The vast Qi Blood exploded like an earthquake; the white snow and solid ice on the ground shattered into dust, flying up like sand and dust, pushed into the Void by the recoil.

On the ground, a large piece of mirror-like Guanghua appeared.

The Guanghua was like a mirror placed on the ground, reflecting Zhou Yan and Hou Chen’s figures, reflecting the clouds in the sky, as if the space between Heaven and Earth was connected by Zhou Yan and Hou Chen standing foot to foot.

All of this was somewhat eerie and strange.

However, Zhou Yan did not mind these things. He looked down at the Guanghua mirror beneath his feet, and the Zhou Yan in the mirror also looked back at him.

As if observing himself, Zhou Yan at that moment suddenly uttered the ancient Rune Language phrases that Elder Hou Ting had instructed him with earlier.