Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao
Chapter 274 - 150 Sword Spirit Great Perfection

Chapter 274: Chapter 150 Sword Spirit Great Perfection

Because he understood, Zhou Yan suddenly felt some sorrow.

This sorrow was not for himself, but for Zhou Gucheng.

Did he really think that his actions could be flawless?

Or, in his eyes, am I also this sorrowful and ridiculous?

Zhou Yan’s hand uncontrollably trembled slightly, at this moment, he could strike, not only breaking free from the shackling environment in front of him but even killing many people like Zhou Gucheng and Zhou Ying in one fell swoop.

Because there was such an opportunity at this moment—the distance between the Zhou Family and the Ancient Evil Spirits had invisibly closed in on each other.

With a surprise attack, a punch could end all of them, along with the Ancient Evil Spirits.

However, a sudden look from Zhou Gucheng made Zhou Yan understand a lot, and after a slight motion of his hand, he ultimately did not throw that punch.

Such a plan, which he almost considered within his calculations to execute a perfect kill, Zhou Yan just gave it up like that.

In the Purple Flame Void, the strand of spiritual sense that Zhou Yan left behind also couldn’t help but ponder over this.

If he killed these people, what then? If he killed the Ancient Evil Spirits, what then? Could this situation be resolved?

Zhou Gucheng knew that in this world, death is not the pain; as long as the soul is not extinguished, then there’s an opportunity to have another go. But living, that’s the real pain.

From that stubborn look, Zhou Yan saw the real Zhou Gucheng, that look, it was actually saying, "Young master, give up. Let me carry everything for you, let me endure the pain and go on."

In that moment, Zhou Yan didn’t know what to say, was Zhou Gucheng naïve, or just foolish?

If he had such thoughts, wouldn’t those truly playing the game think of them? Or did Zhou Gucheng naïvely believe that he had the means to shield himself from the Heavenly Mechanism? Because if this world was controlled by those strong ones, then doing this was all in plain sight, wasn’t it?

And once he understood him, wasn’t he worried about exposing himself?

These were simple things, Zhou Gucheng couldn’t possibly have not thought of them. But having thought of them, why would he still act this way?

Zhou Yan didn’t contemplate all this in the outside world, no matter what, he didn’t want to bring Zhou Gucheng any trouble, nor did he want others to know that he was actually not trapped at this time.

Zhou Yan followed the Heartless Sword Dao, but in fact, he retained a sliver of sentiment. Others could be heartless, but he couldn’t bring himself to be without righteousness. And the reason for this was because Zhou Gucheng’s stubborn look gave him much to ponder over.

The character of Zhou Gucheng was almost identical to that of Zhou Yan, so initially, he was guarded against everyone, but not Zhou Gucheng and Yang Qingtan, because Zhou Yan knew they would not betray him.

But back then, everything happened too fast, so fast that it caught him off guard, thus finding himself in peril.

This time, and that time, actually had many similarities, and one thing was very clear, that was, Zhou Gucheng always didn’t want Zhou Yan to live.

Sometimes, killing is a kind of mercy, because living in pain is torture, better off dead to experience freedom and happiness.

Dead, all troubles are gone, no longer existing in the world, naturally, there would be no more agony. On the other hand, the living will continue to suffer, endure hardships, and be tormented.

Zhou Gucheng’s heart was actually already dead, but he was still alive, which is to live in torture.

This kind of torment, Zhou Yan also knew, and those high and mighty powerful beings must know it too. But they wouldn’t care about the feelings of these ants. As long as they achieved their own goals, who died, who suffered, what did it matter?

Zhou Yan’s expression did not change, outwardly, he didn’t think about anything, but inside the Purple Flame Void, he had thought a lot.

It was these thoughts that kept him from acting, from killing Zhou Gucheng and the rest, including the Ancient Ghost.

Killing them might well be a relief to them, but Zhou Yan no longer had the heart to strike.

He felt that compared to those great powers, all of this had lost its significance.

Just like what his Master said, just like what Elder Wan said, are these things really that important?

In an instant, because of Zhou Gucheng’s stubborn look, one that Zhou Yan understood, it completely changed the way Zhou Yan interacted with the world.

Perhaps before this, Zhou Yan would have killed out of hatred, but now it seems, reacting this way would only make him more manipulated by those people, and it would be better to let everything follow his heart.

Long ago, when he was first exposed to his Master’s ways of interacting with the world, Zhou Yan had already pondered this point and knew that this idea had run through the entire process of his training in Fist Intent.

But his Master understood it very late, that Xingyi Tao is the Tao of Heart Intent.

Xingyi originated from Heart Intent, emphasizing a great Tao of the spirit.

Xingyi is just a natural derivation of the twelve forms.

Since his Master understood this principle, Zhou Yan naturally understood it too. Before he didn’t understand, despite being able to be moved in spirit, even though he had mastered that Natural Heart, that Natural Dao, this understanding still seemed somewhat hazy.

Now, moved by this touch, Zhou Yan felt somewhat sentimental, and suddenly, he understood.

It was also at this moment that he felt his Sword Spirit’s Enlightenment Realm deepening further.

This deepening seemed to be under the rules of this world, yet at the same time not of this world’s rules, an extremely wonderful feeling.

Zhou Yan had never thought that at such a moment, he could comprehend a Tao, a Tao that belonged and didn’t belong to this world, and this Tao, which is closely related yet irrelevant to the world, had opened a door of hope for the condensation of the Sword Soul! But when he thought of it, the realization had naturally completed itself.

A very peculiar and indescribable Sudden Enlightenment that made Zhou Yan feel as if his Sword Spirit Realm had become more perfect, finally achieving Great Perfection.

It seemed as if he was on the verge of forming an ’embryo’.

However, at this time Zhou Yan was not swayed by his thoughts, because any action might trigger the start of the Sword Soul condensation.

To condense the Sword Soul without full preparation was bound to fail.

Even though his confidence surged inexplicably, Zhou Yan still felt that his chances of success were slim.

It was an inexplicable premonition of certain failure, and this premonition was quite terrifying.

...

As Zhou Yan remained motionless, there, indeed, numerous Cultivators felt a sense of relief, with many wearing grins that reveled in misfortune.

At this time, Qian Xi slightly frowned but merely watched coldly from the sidelines without intervening.

The Cultivators beside her also looked on indifferently at everything unfolding.

Concerning what Zhou Gucheng and the others had agreed upon with the Ancient Evil Spirit, their expressions were solemn, but they were not overtly worried.

After all, figures like Zhou Taiting had their reputations, and the promises they had made were deemed trustworthy; so as long as they themselves could survive, if Zhou Yan died, he died—hardly anyone found it a pity.

By Gongcheng Diewu’s side, Huangfu Jing and Huang FuZhan’s expressions were quite unpleasant to look at.

Huang FuZhan did not make a move, but Huangfu Jing stepped forward and spoke directly, "Zhou Gucheng Spirit, you have always kept a low profile before and your strength was not outstanding. However, it seems now that your strength is indeed not below any of us here and rightfully deserves the title ’Spirit.’

However, all these are secondary. What I really hope is that you spare Zhou Yan Spirit once."

Seeing Huangfu Jing speak, the Ancient Evil Spirit, which seemed to have already secured Zhou Yan, did not further devour him but looked at Huangfu Jing with great interest.

Its gigantic eyes, like copper bells, were filled with a touch of mockery and sarcasm.

That gaze seemed to say: Little girl, you’re still too green. The situation is actually quite peculiar right now; Zhou Yan is just bait at the moment. Now anyone who steps forward on behalf of Zhou Yan will be marked as his true ally and face real sanction. You stepping forward now should think carefully about the consequences.

That look, in essence, conveyed such feelings and meanings in an instant, and Huangfu Jing could naturally sense it too; her face paled for a moment, but she quickly suppressed it.

Not only that, but she still stood firmly, with her head held high and her chest out, without a hint of fear, "I just want to say that, regardless of any reason or factor, it was Zhou Lingzhe who led us out of the previous dangers and brought us here.

If it wasn’t for Zhou Lingzhe, we would have died in those perils we encountered earlier.

I do not ask you to rescue Zhou Lingzhe; I only ask that you don’t kick a man when he’s down, not to be so apathetic, okay?"

"Additionally, Zhou Gucheng, Zhou Ying, Zhou Han, Zhou Qianqian, which one of you has not been helped by Zhou Yan with all his might? How can you have the face to betray him again?"

"Regardless of whether he has potential, whether he is a Wasted Body, or whether he will eventually die from failing to condense the Sword Soul, he at least has his own principles. How can we be so cruel? To be cruel to an enemy is out of necessity, but against him... do you still have hearts? Are you all cultivating the Heartless Sword Dao?"

Huangfu Jing tried hard to articulate, hoping to stir their hearts with her words and then collectively help Zhou Yan. Sadly, the idea was naive, as it seemed that no one was receptive.

Moreover, her earnest plea seemed quite naive and laughable to others.

What Huangfu Jing saw was not guilt in their eyes, but rather the sneers and mockery of many Cultivators—the cruel, merciless gaze.

By this moment, facing these cruel gazes, Huangfu Jing realized that many Cultivators’ intentions were not just as simple as they seemed; it seemed they wanted to ’nip it in the bud.’

The Ancient Evil Spirit had not killed Zhou Yan not because it was sparing him or being merciful, waiting to hear what she had to say, but because... at this moment, it wanted to identify everyone close to Zhou Yan and kill them all.

That was the real reason.

Huangfu Jing suddenly understood.

"Sister, there’s no need to say more."

Huang FuZhan stepped forward, standing before Huangfu Jing, then looked at the Ancient Evil Spirit and Zhou Taiting and the others, "Let me reintroduce myself, I am Huang FuZhan, third-generation heir of the direct lineage of the War God Family. My sister, Huangfu Jing, the Heaven’s Chosen Girl of the War God Family, only suffered a Soul injury due to an unexpected encounter with the Power of Time.

This trip to the Sword Burial Ancestor Star, on one hand, is a training of the Nine Origin Reincarnation, like everyone else, to enhance oneself and vie for a chance. On the other hand, and in fact the main purpose, is to find the ’top-tier Ice Soul Stone’ to repair the Soul damage.

And this item exists in the core area of the City of No Tears. I am here for this reason alone, uninvolved with any other matters."