Chapter 554: Chapter 197: Powerful, Only Then Can You Be Yourself

Things had just happened when Zhou Yan arrived, making the members of both the Great Zhou Family and the Li Family somewhat embarrassed.

After all, many people had not respected Zhou Yan before and their words about him behind his back were rather harsh. Now that Zhou Yan suddenly appeared, and was aware of the attitudes of some people present, it caused unease among those with ulterior motives.

Faced with the strong, prestigious, and high-status Zhou Yan, how could they dare to be disrespectful again?

“Young master.”

Seeing Zhou Yan arrive, Zhou Gucheng immediately stepped forward, bowed, and respectfully said.

“Hmm, Gucheng, you have worked hard during this time.”

Zhou Yan nodded approvingly at him, acknowledging his efforts.

“It is an honor to serve the young master,” Zhou Gucheng respectfully said.

This was a respect that came from deep within, sincere and without a trace of falsity.

Previously, Zhou Yan hadn’t felt it so profoundly, but after understanding more than half of the Tai Chu Rune, he felt his soul had undergone a transformational progress, making his sensing ability more spiritual, finer, and stronger.

This was especially evident when facing Zhou Gucheng.

Zhou Yan said nothing more, as facing such a brother-like subordinate, he actually didn’t need to say anything; just cultivating and helping him was the biggest sincerity he could show.

“Brother Zhou Qian, it’s great to see you again.”

After Zhou Gucheng came over to Zhou Yan, Zhou Yan immediately noticed Zhou Qian standing behind Gucheng and his expression brightened as he spoke in surprise.

“Zhou Yan…Mystic, I am quite ashamed to see you.”

Zhou Qian was somewhat wistful yet also somewhat excited.

Now things were different.

Meeting again after such a long time, Zhou Qian still looked young, but no longer had the brilliance, rather he appeared deeply fatigued and wearied, with traces of battles and vicissitudes.

Once a Dual Sword Souls and Four Sword Spirits, Zhou Qian now merely existed at the pinnacle realm of Sword Soul Three Heavens, with combat power Zhou Yan considered to have reached level six, a commendable strength.

But compared to the geniuses of the Guanghan South Mansion whose combat power often broke level seven, there was still a significant gap.

Moreover, Zhou Qian had lived very long years, though much of it was actually spent in slumber, it still didn’t hide the journey of life and soul.

“Between us, we really don’t need to be polite. Without your help at the beginning, I wouldn’t have achieved what I have today. We don’t owe each other thanks. Tonight, let us brothers drink heartily and talk freely about past and present,” Zhou Yan smiled and said.

“Great! Rarely do brothers not disdain me, Zhou Qian will certainly keep you company!” Zhou Qian felt the warmth and heart in Zhou Yan’s words, and his heart surged with emotion.

…

“Zhou Momo, come here for a moment.”

After interacting with Zhou Qian and having met Zhou Cangmu, Zhou Han, Zhou Ying, Zhou Qianqian, and Zhou Xian, Zhou Yan then spoke privately with Zhou Momo.

“Brother Zhou.”

Zhou Momo was no longer the little girl she used to be, but had grown into a vibrant and adorable young lady, standing gracefully and possessing a demure charm that easily endeared others.

When Zhou Yan saw Zhou Momo walk over, his gaze brightened.

He carefully assessed Zhou Momo’s physical condition, root bone, and more, and couldn’t help but admire her: she was a young girl with immense potential.

Although her current strength was still very low, barely entering the realm of just having a Sword Soul, her potential was indeed extraordinary.

Even Zhou Yan felt a sense of cherishing talent.

“Momo, this is Jiayue, a Fate Goddess from the Destiny Ancient Temple. She has come here to ask for your opinion about something. I won’t introduce the matter; it’s immensely beneficial to you, and I’ll let Mystic Jiayue explain it to you,” Zhou Yan said gently.

His direct gaze that had assessed the young lady earlier made her heart flutter nervously. Now, hearing Zhou Yan’s introduction, Zhou Momo realized that Zhou Yan wasn’t looking at her romantically, but was assessing her potential and seeking better opportunities for her.

Although Zhou Yan hadn’t explicitly stated it, a girl’s heart is sensitive, and she could sense this situation.

She felt very excited and touched, yet there was also an inexplicable sense of loss.

However, Zhou Momo also understood that a man of distinction like Brother Zhou Yan, how could he possibly fall for a minor figure like herself?

Pondering in her heart, she felt an inexplicable sense of inferiority emerge.

“Momo, I really like you and have high hopes for you, so keep it up,” Zhou Yan said, comforting Zhou Momo as he patted her head.

Zhou Momo was taken aback, then a lovely blush immediately appeared on her cute face.

“Zhou Momo, according to the sensing of the Power of Destiny, I found that your talent in this area is even comparable to geniuses with ancient Sword Bodies, so I hope you can give up your current cultivation and start over, cultivating the Tao of Destiny with me,” said Zhuge Jiayue as she walked out, staring at Zhou Momo with a gentle voice.

Previously, she had been very mysterious in front of everyone, as if shrouded in a veil, elusive and dreamlike.

But when talking to Zhou Momo, all that mysterious veil disappeared, and she was like an older sister next door treating her own little sister, her tone filled with care and pity.

Having followed the Zhou and Li Families, accustomed to life and death and indifference, Zhou Momo could naturally sense such emotions.

Her eyes reddened, and then she looked at Zhou Yan, somewhat unable to make a decision.

“Momo, Destiny Ancient Temple, like Tianji Mountain, are both very powerful and mysterious forces. To join them, indeed, requires a great opportunity. This is a good thing for you because not everyone who wants to join such forces can. You don’t have to care about anyone’s opinions. Make your own choice, don’t live to regret it in the future,” Zhou Yan said seriously.

“Brother Zhou, if you were me, would you make this choice?” Zhou Momo pondered for a long time before asking in return.

She asked with a look of apology in her eyes.

Zhou Yan understood that Zhou Momo had no significant status among these nearly a hundred people; sometimes, some might even oppress her. She actually had made up her mind, but she couldn’t bear the label of a ‘traitor.’

Because she wasn’t strong, she couldn’t dominate her own life.

“Fool, if you were to enter the Destiny Ancient Temple, it would be like the Zhou family having a potential backing. Such a choice, if it were me, of course, I would choose the Destiny Ancient Temple.

Momo, as I said, your choice is yours alone; no one can interfere. This is also a chance to strengthen yourself. Once you are powerful, the words you speak will carry weight, and you will not need to listen to anyone’s opinions. You will be able to declare law by the spoken word, leaving others unable to nor daring to question you.

The reason you are still worried about choosing the Destiny Ancient Temple and being criticized is that you are not strong enough yet. You ask me to help you choose, only because any words I say, everyone will have to consider whether they dare to oppose…”

“So, Momo, you don’t need to feel guilty. I will help you choose the Destiny Ancient Temple. Just focus on your cultivation and when you return after mastering it, don’t forget the foundation of the great Zhou family, and do not forget the teachings I gave you today,” Zhou Yan proudly said.

Zhou Momo nodded repeatedly, touched by his words.

At this moment, the atmosphere around was a bit peculiar.

Zhou Yan’s gaze sharpened as he looked directly and clearly at thirteen individuals among these nearly a hundred. Each of these thirteen people had a fluctuating expression, seemingly harboring some inexplicable thoughts.

Others might not know, but Zhou Yan could almost sense the thoughts of even the Fate Goddess; these thirteen people harbored ill intentions. How could Zhou Yan not know?

He just glanced at them once, memorizing the faces of this line of thirteen people.

Among these people, Zhou Yan recognized none, but through certain bloodline sensing, Zhou Yan could tell that among them, eight came from the Li Family, only three from the Great Zhou Family, and surprisingly, two were from the Zhou family of Carefree Main City.

“Indeed, even under such circumstances, some still do not know their place, lacking a unified heart, instead always thinking of seizing resources and taking advantages from family members. Such people deserve to die,” Zhou Yan thought to himself.

He thought this but did not show it for the moment.

Moreover, he would not kill these people on the spot since others didn’t know they harbored ill intentions. If Zhou Yan were to massacre them outright, it would only disillusion everyone.

With these thoughts, Zhou Yan didn’t linger on the matter. He turned his head and said to Zhuge Jiayue, “Zhou Momo asked me to decide for her, so Momo is yours now, take good care of her.”

“Don’t worry. You’re willing to help her make this choice; I will remember this favor. As for Momo, with her talent, her status in the Destiny Temple might even not be much less than mine; you can be completely at ease,” Zhuge Jiayue said gravely.

Zhou Yan nodded, he looked at Zhou Momo and said, “Alright, you follow Zhuge Jiayue. Later, when you have time, come back and visit your family, relatives, and friends.”

“Brother Zhou, thank you, and I’m sorry. Also, to Brother Zhou Xian, Brother Zhou Gucheng, Sister Zhou Qianqian, and Sister Zhou Ying, thank you for your care over the years. We will meet again someday…”

Zhou Momo suppressed the sorrow and reluctance of parting in her heart and took leave from Zhou Yan, Zhou Gucheng, and the others.

…

The sun set beyond the western hills.

The sky finally darkened.

Watching Zhuge Jiayue and Zhou Momo leave, Zhou Yan suddenly envied Zhuge Jiayue’s freedom and Zhou Momo’s future, because that was a smooth path free from worries.

Beside Zhou Yan were Zhou Gucheng, Zhou Qian, Zhou Han, Zhou Ying, Zhou Qianqian, and Zhou Xian, all still here, none had left.