Xiaoyao Capital City

Zhou Yan did not think of anything else. All he did was feel everything Gu Yan had felt closely. He felt the same way as Gu Yan did.

This was the same feeling he once felt; the guilt of disappointing his family. Perhaps it was something else since he was living a lie back then, but Gu Yan was currently living in the most realistic reality.

So, Zhou Yan placed the Infinite Spatial ring into Gu Yan's palms. Within it was most of the resources he used for training and most of the loot he had picked up after murdering his enemies; these were all valuable items. Leaving behind ten top-tier Spirit Crystals and a hundred mid-tier Spirit Crystals all for himself.

The remaining twenty-two top-tier Spirit Crystals, three hundred and seventeen mid-tier Spirit Crystals, and close to three thousand low-tier Spirit Crystals were all given to Gu Yan.

In addition to all of that, almost all of the herbal pills and everything else were also given to Gu Yan.

This Time, Zhou Yan had cleared most of the items on him and was pretty much left with Silver Frost, the Pure Jaded Ring of Frost's Light, and his Sorrow's Breaker.

The instant Gu Yan sensed the items that were placed within it, Gu Yan was incredibly moved and his emotions were almost uncontrollable and he began sobbing slightly.

Words were unable to describe how Gu Yan felt.

Thus, Gu Yan left with everything Zhou Yan had given him. It was also at the same time that everyone noticed Zhou Yan had someone this close to him, and so Gu Yan's existence was something everyone dared not to ignore.

Since no one knew what the circumstances were, not a single soul dared to bring any harm to anyone close to Zhou Yan.

When Gu Yan left, Zhou Yan watched him walk into the horizon as he stared at Gu Yan's back until it was no longer visible.

After Zhou Yan snapped out of the trance-like state, he had an empty feeling in his heart.

Since he was not powerful enough, it did not matter if these people were his women or men, they would eventually leave him.

Zhou Yan hated an outcome like this. After countless farewells, it seems the same would always happen.

He sighed and took out the Burning Blade's Heart Ale then proceeded to tilt his head back and started drinking it.

At this moment, he had suppressed and kept his training progress hidden, allowing the ale to course through his body since he enjoyed the feeling of the ale burning his flesh and soul.

This feeling made him feel alive.

Under these feelings, Zhou Yan felt ever so slightly connected to his soul and body.

In these moments of loneliness, he would spend it all brooding over Ning'er.

In this world, although he had countless encounters with other women, he was unable to tell where their relationship stood. However, he knew from the very depths of his heart that the girl he loved most was Ning'er.

The very core of this relationship differed from any other relationships he had. Since this one was pure and it did not involve any other external influence.

It was under such feelings that the connection between the soul and body was able to grow step by step to a much closer connection.

Unknown to Zhou Yan, these series of changes he had demonstrated made every single person that was present to assume they were, in fact, witnessing the reincarnation of Zhou Wangchen. Zhou Yan's temperament, his arrogance was very similar to how Zhou Wangchen used to behave.

If he had taken out a dagger and proceeded to carve on a block of metal to make a tiny carving, without question, every single person would assume Zhou Wangchen had indeed returned.

However, as they stared at Zhou Yan's current state, regardless if it was Zhou Ying or Zhou Lingyi, they could feel the depression and loneliness that was emanating from Zhou Yan.

"Train hard Zhou Yan. Grow stronger. And with that, the people around you will never leave your side again!"

Elder Xing let out a soft sigh while consoling Zhou Yan.

"Yes indeed, brother Zhou Yan. Don't feel sad. We're still with you right?"

Zhou Ying felt an odd wave of sadness washing over her as she reflected upon the series of events. Zhou Yan was indeed a man who valued the people he truly cared about without needing to hide his emotions away since everything was so simple and direct for him to express.

However, it was all due to that fact alone that the way he was behaving wrenched anyone's heart who had witnessed this scene.

At the very least, Zhou Ying felt if she was able to share the weight of his pain, then she would not feel this sad too.

"I understand, my Elder."

As Zhou Yan nodded, he silently collected his emotions.

"Glad you understand. Yes, now that everyone's here, we shall get going."

While Elder Xing spoke, he glanced at Zhou Wuzhen and several others with him who were standing at a distance. He said, "Since such an unparalleled genius, Zhou Yan, who made an appearance within the confines of Canglan City, and the remaining pupils such as Zhou Lingyi, Zhou Xian, and the others were also commendable, hence the main branch of our family will without a doubt grace everyone with incredible reward. Thus, your hopes of returning to glory days would be much bigger now!

"On a side note… Zhou Wuzhen, you're to be expected to perform better in the coming days. Then, you might be given a chance to return to the main branch of our family, which would fulfill your father's dream."

"Yes… I, as your humble pupil, humbly thank your grace of generosity!"

Zhou Wuzhen's voice echoed from a distance—he sounded extremely emotional.

Elder Xing nodded in response and with a single wave of his hand, a wave of energy swept Zhou Yan, Zhou Gucheng, Zhou Xian, Zhou Lingyi, and everyone present into the flying ship.

Then, that flying ship had seemingly undergone some changes since the space around it started to warp, morphing into a special dimension.

At that very instant, a wave of a parrot-like cry resonated around them. A pitch-black sword that resembled an oddly curved blade sliced through the sky and suddenly opened up a void in the fabric of space.

"Swoosh!"

A flash of electricity shot through the void. It seemed as if an ancient city had been erected within the endless void. Zhou Yan felt the space he resided in was like a flying saucer coursing through the vast expansion of the universe.

As they approached the ancient city, Zhou Yan felt an indescribable feeling of majesty.

That was an odd feeling of surprising shocking amusement.

Coursing through the endless void?

Zhou Yan marveled as they moved forward.

Upon ascending into the realm of the Blade Heart, would one have the ability to control the swordplay alchemy of a Blade's Spectre, which would allow traveling across the endless void?

As Zhou Yan thought about it, he proceeded to look toward the people around him.

Everyone reacted the same way he did. The only people who seemed to be used to witnessing such a majestic scene was Zhou Ting and Zhou Yuan. Everyone else had seemingly fallen into a state of amusement. It seems as though traveling across the endless void had stunned them to their very core.

When they were approaching the majestic ancient city, it seemed as if space itself had gradually folded into their field of vision.

The closer they were to the ancient city, the more violent trembles Zhou Yan felt within his soul. It was indeed an odd feeling, as if something out there was calling to him. Every wave this sound called to him, it would resonate within his soul.

Zhou Yan was not sure what was happening, but as they approached this ancient city, Zhou Yan developed a peculiar feeling of intense familiarity to that place. It was as if… he had once gone into this land before. 

However, Zhou Yan could very clearly recall that he had never set foot into this ancient city—not even once!

He had followed his father to countless locations, but the only place he had never set foot in was this city!

Hence Zhou Yan took a deep breath and proceeded to clear his mind of any peculiar thoughts and focused his efforts into calming himself. After doing so, he proceeded to sense this ancient city with the powers of his soul.

This time, when his soul had just arrived at this ancient city, he was overwhelmed by an indescribable chilling essence.

This essence was heavy, extremely cold, and filled with great sadness—it was exactly the same as the essence from the peculiar rock that was carved in the shape of a woman.

"This place… this very place seems to emanate the same essence from the carving of the woman from that rock right?"

Zhou Yan mumbled in a soft tone—it sounded as if he was speaking to himself.

His words were not directed to anyone, but it seemed he was questioning everyone around him.

"Really? I don't feel anything!" Zhou Yuan felt indifferent after sensing his surroundings in great detail.

"Yes, I feel nothing too!" Zhou Ying was slightly focused on her thoughts as she replied.

"I feel nothing. Zhou Yan, are you sure you aren't hallucinating?" Zhou Ying said after she had examined everything in great detail because she had also felt nothing.

…

"There's a hidden shattered dimension. There's an ancient site hidden in that dimension, and it's called 'The Mountain of Abandonment'.

"And that peculiar rock carving of a woman was a treasure from there.

"This Mountain of Abandonment hasn't been opened for a great number of years now. Whenever it opens, it's not restricted by any laws. Within its grounds are plenty of treasures capable of breaking the heavenly laws—a dire and dangerous place it is. Hence, even if it was opened, not many souls would willingly venture into these lands.

"Since you can detect the essence from these ancient grounds, it means two things. The first would be a sign that this mountain would open soon, and the other would mean that your soul's ability to gain enlightenment is exceedingly powerful!

"So train hard Zhou Yan. I believe that it would be no difficulty for you to ascend into the realm of the Blade's Heart."

After Elder Xing assessed the situation, he proceeded to explain.

Zhou Yan was slightly shocked by the revelation. He immediately nodded and said, "So it seems. I humbly thank my Elder for gracing me with your wisdom."

"There's no need to mention it. If you're confused about anything in the future, you may seek my assistance! When we've arrived at our main family's household. I shall request directly from the lord of the family in order to grant you the Seal of the Golden Sword, hence you will be given access to our family's library which would allow you to learn and understand plenty of things.

"Another thing. Since there are two unbound geniuses with twin Qi Columns, the Blade's Enforcer Pond would require an extreme amount of herbs, so the ritual of baptism within the pond of the Blade's Enforcer will have to wait for a later date. Also, the number of names might be restricted, so the four pupils that you brought along with you would most probably be denied access to it temporarily… This is not to spite you but there's a possibility that it may happen so best if I explained to you right now to prevent any ill thoughts or misunderstandings."

Elder Xing considered even the slightest detail which impressed Zhou Yan.

As things had progressed to this extent, it would be impossible for him to not understand any of this. It seemed that Elder Xing was more than impressed by his natural gifts and had made plans to fully provide him with all the training and resources to cultivate his talents.

It seemed like a probable conclusion for the members in the main branch of the family to make.

"Yes I understand. Anything that's done before I'm sixteen wouldn't be a problem since there's great opportunity before then." Zhou Yan replied while nodding.

Since the mutation of the twin Qi Column would have greater importance than anything else.

"As long as you understand then all things would be well. We'll be approaching soon so I shall tell you guys about the tales of Xiaoyao Capital City."

Elder Xing nodded delightfully and focused his gaze to a distant vast ancient city. He said with a soft tone, "The Xiaoyao Capital City was not known as it now is. Back in the days, it was known as the Pale Night's City! However, the lord of the Pale Night's City trained tirelessly to ascend into the realm of the Blade's Heart, but unfortunately the Blade's Heart had shattered, and this resulted in his demise.

"Then, the Lord of the Li family—who's also currently still a majestic figure—Li Xiaoyao, who after he had ascended into the third rank within the realm of the Blade's Heart, defeated the lord of the Yang family and had also defeated the lord of our Zhou family with a single attack. Therefore, he was given the title of the Lord of Pale Night's City.

"Hence, Pale Night's City was renamed to Xiaoyao Capital City and had conquered a hundred and eight cities.

"There are four major families within Xiaoyao Capital City. These four families hold great power of influence within the hundred and eight cities in the Region of Waters. 

"In the order of ranking based on the powers and influence of these four major families, they are The major Li family, the major Zhou family, the major Yang family, and the major Xia family.

"There was once an extremely powerful man who once broke the laws of heaven itself that hailed from the Li family… Hence, even till this day, the reputation of the Li family stands, and in the entire Regions of Waters, the family's reputation was also significantly pronounced!

"Any members of the Li family were able to walk freely with the pride of their name even in other capital cities…

"Hence, when you guys have any interactions or happen to run into any members of the Li family, remember to be humble. The Li family are known for their arrogance, but they've never had any conflicts with our Zhou family and instead had built somewhat of a diplomatic bond. Hence, the Li family would never deliberately bring trouble to our Zhou family.

"However, there's always an exception to any situation, so don't in any way assume that little diplomatic bond between our Zhou family and Li family allows any of you to act however you desire. Do not, in any way, deliberately provoke anyone from the Li family…"

After Elder Xing was done telling the history of Xiaoyao Capital City and explained the power dynamics of the families, every single person was able to see Xiaoyao Capital City manifesting in front of their eyes.