Chapter 558: Chapter 201: The Number One Person of the Northern Prefecture

Zhou Yan stood with clenched fists behind him, the blatant favoritism nearly pushing him to the edge of rage.

But considering his Master’s significant affair, he still tried hard to endure.

This was almost the most suffocating experience in Hou Chen’s life because if it were his own matter, he would have acted long ago.

“Chen, although you and Master both walk the Path of Invincibility, proclaiming ‘Only I Am Supreme,’ sometimes patience is necessary—it’s not about shrinking back, but rather about tempering and cultivating one’s mind and heart.

Appropriate restraint is not a sign of cowardice, but rather waiting for the right moment to deliver a lethal blow to the enemy at the most crucial time, eradicating their Attack Power completely.”

Zhou Yan conveyed calmly through spiritual transmission.

“Yes, Master. Chen understands. In the future, Chen will be cautious, and if I can’t kill with one strike, I will be sure to assess the situation first.”

Hou Chen was very clever; with just a hint from Zhou Yan, he instantly grasped the meaning.

Zhou Yan nodded and said, “You stay outside for now. Once the Saints from Thunder Expansion Sacred Land arrive, you can come in. This Yaochi Secret Realm Holy Land isn’t exactly within the territory of Sword Burial Ancestor Star, thus not under the jurisdiction of the Thunder Origin Sword God. Xiong Ba and Wan Jian Tian are free to act, and their powers have almost entirely returned to the pinnacle of Nine Origin Sword Saint due to the abundant resources in my Secret Realm, making their Combat Power exceedingly formidable, so rest assured.”

Hearing this, Hou Chen smiled slightly and said, “Master, I understand this. Heh heh, in a while, I will make those two women kneel and apologize! A bunch of lowlifes who judge others by their status.”

Hou Chen spoke with a touch of anger.

His was the temperament of a child—whatever he thought was written on his face, and he could not hide anything in his passionate and fiery nature.

However, Zhou Yan actually found this fiery personality to his liking; the more he observed Hou Chen, the more he grew fond of him.

He thought to himself, if he could have a child like this in the future, how wonderful it would be.

Thinking of this, Zhou Yan couldn’t help but think of his daughter Yanyan, as well as Zhou Sisi.

Yanyan had vanished without a trace to this day, or rather, Zhou Yan feared to observe that mass of Purple Flame, feared to sense the world within, dreading the possibility of Yanyan reappearing.

Because every time Yanyan appeared, it brought him immense grief and pain, that heart-wrenching feeling of helplessness as a father facing his child’s suffering.

Apart from Yanyan, Zhou Yan also thought of Zhou Sisi.

Zhou Sisi, Feng Lingqing’s child, was presumably still within Heavenly Punishment Forest. As to her specific circumstances, Zhou Yan had no way of knowing.

Back on the Netherworld Heavenly Road, the power of Heavenly Destiny revealed the answers to all doubts, and the answers found within that illusionary realm were clearly real.

…

Zhou Yan was lost in thought for a moment, but then quickly regained his composure, quietly sighing as he suppressed the deep-seated yearning and worry in his heart.

Leaving Hou Chen outside, Zhou Yan walked in alone.

The Secret Realm’s interior was beautiful, yet ironically, the worst part of it was allocated for Zhou Yan.

Zhou Yan had just stayed in the North Garden for less than the time it took an incense stick to burn, when a woman in an emerald green dress approached him, bowed, and said, “Eternal Xuanzhe, the engagement ceremony is about to start, and the Holy Daughter asked me to fetch you. Please follow me into the main hall.”

The woman in green had a gentle demeanor and treated Zhou Yan with great respect and politeness.

Zhou Yan felt a warmth in his heart, nodded, and said, “Yes, I understand.”

He followed the woman in green towards another part of the Secret Realm.

From her words, Zhou Yan understood that the gift-giving part of the ceremony was about to begin, yet the Yaochi Saints had not informed him, clearly intending for him to miss the event. Although these tactics were petty, they were truly repulsive.

Nonetheless, Zhou Yan said nothing and just calmly followed the woman in green to the main hall.

…

The Yaochi Sacred Land’s main hall was truly vast, like a miniature world in itself.

Inside the hall, neatly arranged were small top-tier Soul Stone tables, infused with the special aura of the Array Dao and ancient meanings.

By each little stone table sat a Cultivator with an unfathomable aura.

The green-dressed woman led Zhou Yan to one of the small stone tables at the very bottom, near the corner, and said apologetically, “This is your place, Eternal Xuanzhe.”

Zhou Yan knew the woman in green hard a hard time and did not give her any trouble; he softly responded, “Thank you.”

“It is Shasha’s honor to serve Eternal Xuanzhe. Do your best, Eternal Xuanzhe. You must win the Holy Daughter’s hand.”

Seeing that Zhou Yan had not taken offense nor hardened his expression, but instead spoke gently to her, a flicker of happiness emerged in her eyes, her eyes conveying her blessings.

Little did she know that Zhou Yan fully understood all of it.

But he said nothing more.

If he openly showed favor to the woman in green, her future would be miserable, as her actions clearly went against the intent of the Yaochi Saint.

“Eternal Xuanzhe.”

Just as Zhou Yan had taken his seat, he heard someone next to him calling out with a familiar voice that carried a touch of respect.

Zhou Yan turned to see Jia Yongheng smiling at him.

“I didn’t expect Eternal Xuanzhe to arrive so early.”

Zhou Yan smiled in response.

“You are the one who has come late. If you had been any later, you’d have lost your place. I came early in case you might be delayed by some matter, so I could seize an additional opportunity and offer it to you when the time comes.”

Jia Yongheng laughed once more.

Zhou Yan felt moved and sincerely said, “Great favors go without thanks.”

“We’re past that between us. Oh, and when it’s time for the betrothal gifts, don’t hold back. If you have anything good, just bring it out. At the very least, during the Holy Daughter’s betrothal segment, let others see your strength,” Jia Yongheng said.

“Oh? I understand.”

Zhou Yan nodded thoughtfully.

“The one to my right is Jiang Wannian, the true genius of Yaochi Sacred Land. He’s the foremost figure in Northern Prefecture, the real talent there,” Jia Yongheng introduced.

“Jiang Wannian?”

Hearing this name sent a shiver through Zhou Yan’s heart.

The man was actually named ‘Wannian’, which translates to ‘ten thousand years’; indeed, he was no ordinary person.

With the memories of his Master, Zhou Yan knew that the character ‘Wan’, in any universe, contained a notion of the Supreme Dao akin to ‘Only I Am Supreme’, akin to ancient sayings such as ‘May the Emperor live for ten thousand, tens of thousands of years’ and ‘May you live an eternally long life.’

And the ancient character ‘Wan’ represented ‘Endless’, ‘Eternal’, its Rune being the twisted ‘卐’ or ‘卍’.

Depending on the universe’s inheritance, the direction of the symbol differed, but the essence and secret technique were completely the same.

That the man survived with such a name and had lived past the Three Souls and Seven Spirits Realm, this person must be truly incredible.

Taken aback, Zhou Yan glanced over at Jiang Wannian.

He saw the person Jia Yongheng referred to, with a face like polished jade and a presence like Qiushui, breathtakingly handsome.

He had long, jet-black hair that draped over his shoulders like satin, seemingly bathed in a layer of mysterious moonlight, ethereal and shimmering.

He exuded an ineffable, mournful beauty, with a certain graceful elegance and the delicate comeliness of a woman, yet with the slightest hint of a man’s masculine allure, truly a bewitching figure.

And his eyes, large and bright, both world-weary and profound, hinted at melancholy with a touch of decadence…

Such complex and beautiful eyes were the Great Killing Device of all men and women.

With just a glance, Zhou Yan found it challenging to erase such an image from his mind.

“This is a bewitching man who could enchant both men and women,” Zhou Yan admired internally.

Beyond being bewitching, it was hard for anyone to harbor dislike for this man.

This man, known as ‘the foremost figure in Northern Prefecture’, was clearly exceptional and not to be taken lightly.

Upon hearing Jia Yongheng’s words, Jiang Wannian turned to Zhou Yan and Jia Yongheng with a radiant smile, saying, “Zhou Yanxuan, I am Jiang Wannian. I have often heard of the Eternal Xuanzhe in various prefectures recently, and truly, reputation pales in comparison to meeting in person. Zhou Yanxuan is indeed a great genius of our times, I admire you.”

“Xuanzhe Wannian is too kind; it is I, Zhou Yan, who should admire Xuanzhe Wannian.”

Zhou Yan immediately replied with humility.

“Not at all, not at all. I have just entered the Sword Tribulation Realm, and my combat power has barely broken through the layer of Realm restraints. I’m merely at the True Man Level Sword Tribulation Realm, far from daring to claim the title of genius, let alone be called ‘Xuanzhe’,” explained Jiang Wannian.

“It is incredibly difficult to break through the realm restraints in the Sword Tribulation Realm. After all, not everyone is like Zhou Yanxuan, who can now battle it out in the Sword Tribulation First Refinement,” Jia Yongheng added with a wry smile.

…

Zhou Yan, Jia Yongheng, and Jiang Wannian continued to chat intermittently, time flowing by, and their initial unfamiliarity gradually gave way to friendliness.

“Hmph, this time, yet another genius from a different prefecture has come. What, thinking of reaping the benefits without contest? The Holy Daughter is not so easily won!”

A young Cultivator in the crowd suddenly let out a cold huff, breaking the harmonious atmosphere.

Some Cultivators hearing this showed a sneer on their faces, ready to retort.

Suddenly…

“The Yaochi Saint and the Four Great Ancient Saints of Yaochi have arrived…”

A resounding voice echoed through the great hall, prompting Jia Yongheng and Jiang Wannian to stand up spontaneously.

Zhou Yan hesitated slightly before standing as well, adhering to the basic etiquette towards a Saint; as a junior, it was proper for him to do so.

The Yaochi Saint, dressed in white, looked exceedingly holy. Beside him were four sturdy and robust middle-aged men; their Inner Qi was tremendously powerful and terrifying, evidently four Saint Level powerhouses.

“Yaochi Sacred Land has Four Great Ancient Saints? Hmm? One of them seems to be severely injured, almost completely deprived of his attack power…”

Zhou Yan sensed their aura and quickly perceived the truth.

“Ning’er.”

After Zhou Yan’s gaze moved past the Four Great Ancient Saints, it settled on Jiang Yuning.

This time, Zhou Yan was truly here for the Holy Daughter, his eyes filled with profound affection.