Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao
Chapter 339 - 204: Killing Intent

Chapter 339: Chapter 204: Killing Intent

"This is..."

Zhou Yan looked around, slightly startled.

At first, his memory was a bit fuzzy, but soon, he remembered that this place was an unnamed barren mountain outside of Carefree Main City.

Carefree Main City was the small town where the Zhou Family had lived back then.

Everything hadn’t changed much, but now, all was changed beyond recognition.

Zhou Yan soared into the void, stepping on the Broken Worry Sword, flying with sword flight.

Below his feet, white clouds passed by.

Familiar places, familiar scenery, what was unfamiliar were the people who no longer recognized him.

Zhou Yan flew all the way to Bishui Cold Pond where he had practiced his swordsmanship.

He came to the old house of the Zhou Family, to the yard he remembered, to the place where his father often got drunk.

These places, now, were empty and desolate, a picture of silence.

On the table, there was a thick layer of dust.

Some of the belongings at home were still scattered, showing the haste and urgency of when they had been moved away.

Arriving here, Zhou Yan felt as if he had returned to the past.

His heart filled with a sense of loss as he retraced the steps he had once walked.

He went back to the Cold Pond to train with the sword, cultivating his Bishui Swordsmanship to Great Perfection.

Once again, he carved in his father’s room, engraving the figure of the woman about to turn away, present in his memories.

Once again, he sat alone by the spring under the ancient pine tree, drinking and contemplating Enlightenment.

This day, it was as if he had walked through a cycle of Reincarnation.

Finally, Zhou Yan left the now desolate Zhou Family home, once again soared into the void.

...

In the Great Zhou Family, within the Wanqing Valley,

"Qianqian, I’ve made up my mind! You know, if the combat power isn’t enough, no matter how high the realm is it’s useless, so I must sever my own realm and start over with rigorous cultivation."

After hesitating for a long time, Zhou Ying spoke solemnly.

"Zhou Ying, since you’ve made up your mind, just do it. Your path is different from mine. Don’t worry, during this time, I and Gucheng will protect the Zhou Family."

Beside Zhou Ying, Zhou Qianqian’s eyes showed concern as she sighed and spoke firmly.

"This path, although I have succeeded, it was a narrow escape from death. Now if you do the same, you must think of the consequences. I don’t have any experience to tell you, all I can say is one word—endure! Endure the pain that others cannot endure to succeed!"

Zhou Gucheng, carrying a black Thunder Sword, spoke with his usual icy tone.

"I know, I believe I can succeed. Pain is painful because people care too much. If I don’t care, then it won’t be painful.

Even if my physical body dies, my conviction will still live on."

Zhou Ying’s eyes shone with unwavering determination, and his words were resolute.

"Then... take care."

Zhou Qianqian didn’t know what more to say.

Now, the Great Zhou Family had retreated to the forbidden Ancient Mountain, and only those of the Zhou Family bloodline could enter this Wanqing Valley.

Although they didn’t engage much with the outside world, Zhou Qianqian understood that cultivators from a hundred races were emerging in the Outer Domain, especially those from the Heavenly Vein, Ghost Shark, Blood Demon, Silver Fox, and Tianyu Tribes, whose power was immense, began to descend into the Southern Wilderness.

Places like the ancient Tomb Mountain and Carefree Main City were gradually becoming chaotic.

Every day, countless cultivators were killed, and with every death, the hatred towards Zhou Yan’s inaction that allowed the Foreign Races to come intensified, sinking deeper into people’s hearts.

So much so that now, almost everyone hated not the Foreign Races that killed their families and friends, but Zhou Yan, who disrupted the Heavenly Destiny plan, bringing the Foreign Races here.

Although Zhou Qianqian knew that the truth might not be as such, no one was able to discern or explain it.

Now, even the members of the Great Zhou Family were implicated, and many family disciples who left home to purchase supplies were mysteriously killed, with no remains left behind.

Since returning from the City of No Tears and the Despair Abyss, such incidents had occurred repeatedly. Although it had been only about twenty days, the situation had become increasingly serious.

And during these twenty days, the battle between Zhou Yan and Ji Tianxu continued to affect many. Although Zhou Gucheng and Zhou Ying didn’t speak of it, from the way they both chose to sever their realms one after another, it was apparent they were deliberately pursuing combat power over being tied to realms.

Zhou Qianqian felt a bit melancholic and stifled.

She really wanted to know where Zhou Yan was at the moment, whether he had encountered any dangers, and whether he was... doing okay.

"The scenery here is still so beautiful."

Suddenly, a voice appeared by Zhou Qianqian’s ear.

"No matter how beautiful the scenery is, if you see too much of it, it no longer feels beautiful."

Zhou Qianqian responded instinctively, then her body suddenly shook, and she said tremblingly, "Zhou... Zhou..."

"Young master."

Zhou Gucheng’s body trembled with the word.

"Brother Zhou Yan..."

At that moment, Zhou Ying’s voice also trembled.

"Before, I, Zhou Yan, failed you all."

"No! Brother Zhou Yan (young master) didn’t fail us, it’s that we were incapable, unable to share the burden for the young master, even—"

All three nearly said in unison.

Zhou Yan waved his hand gently to stop them from continuing.

"Zhou Gucheng, I understand your sentiment."

Zhou Yan looked at Zhou Gucheng, patted his shoulder, and spoke with deep meaning.

"Young Master, I..."

Zhou Gucheng found it difficult to speak, his body shaking violently.

"Zhou Ying, I know your struggle too," Zhou Yan said, looking at Zhou Ying with an extremely tender voice.

"Brother Zhou Yan..."

Zhou Ying’s eyes reddened, tears swirling in her eyes.

She wanted to throw herself into Zhou Yan’s arms and cry, but she dared not.

Even in the face of death and pain, she was incredibly courageous, but in front of Zhou Yan, she was still just a little sister with a tender heart inside.

Zhou Yan reached out and embraced her, comforting her.

Zhou Ying finally began to cry softly.

"Zhou Qianqian."

"Brother Zhou Yan..."

Zhou Qianqian spoke softly.

"Yes, our acquaintance is the shallowest, but you’re the one I find hardest to believe... because I know, in your heart, there has always been a place for me."

Zhou Yan gazed at Zhou Qianqian.

This beautiful and lovely girl was also getting a bit nervous, but even if she felt like a deer in headlights, she still maintained the tranquility of a lady from a noble family.

"In the past, because of opportunities and being caught up in the situation, there were many things I dared not think about or do, and I became very selfish.

I never considered that, although I, Zhou Yan have capabilities, my life was also filled with hardship. How much more so for you? How much should you have to bear?"

"Those I once hated, I no longer hate."

"Those I once felt animosity towards, I no longer feel that animosity."

"And those I love, this love, still exists, it will not decay."

"I believe that you all will not change because of time, chaos, betrayal, or schemes."

"The Great Zhou family has closed off their mountain, but I still remember the kindness of Brother Zhou Qian."

"I will gradually visit some old friends, settle the past, and then, go to the Guang Han Hall of the Holy Daughter lineage, to take part in the Holy Daughter’s recruitment of suitors."

"These three sets of Combat Armor and Swords are middle-grade Soul Devices, I gift them to you for your protection. Your souls are in tune with them, so no one else will be able to snatch them away."

"These Soul Crystals, you can pass them to Zhou Qian for me, tell him to protect and develop the Great Zhou family well. Just say, let the past be past! Because, after all, my father and I, we also bear the last name Zhou. The Zhou Family, no matter what, is my root."

Having said that, Zhou Yan left behind three sets of Soul Armor and Soul Swords along with ten thousand Thunderflame Soul Crystals, and like a beam of light, he tore through the Void as if, vanishing from Wanqing Valley.

Zhou Qianqian, however, still stood frozen in place until Zhou Ying’s urging voice broke her daze, and only then did she come back to her senses.

"Brother Zhou Yan, you... be careful of the Heavenly Vein Clan members... take good care of yourself..."

Zhou Ying’s voice drifted far, very far.

...

"The Great Zhou family’s forbidden land is inaccessible, but the way out is this place of ruins. Just guard here!"

"Yes, this time our Heavenly Vein Clan has suffered great losses, and that Emperor Qi Wasted Body isn’t dead yet. How can we rest content! It is said that someone saw him entering, so he must appear soon!"

"He has made enemies of the whole world, he won’t live long, hmph, what Emperor Qi Sword Body, invincible under the Void Realm, it’s simply laughable, just a little bug that hasn’t seen the greater world!"

"Of course! He hasn’t met Emperor Kong. Once he does, I’ll show this little grasshopper of a wasteland what it means to be invincible under the Void Realm!"

"Emperor Kong, why bother with such a waste? After all, Sword Burying Star is nothing but a Barbaric Star, how can it compare to our Heavenly Vein Ancestor Star. If it weren’t for the chance of the Supreme Dao Nine Origin Reincarnation descending here, why would we condescend to come to this tiny place?"

"Wu Yuan Spirit, what Gong Yu Spirit says is very true, but this action of mine is also delayed because it involves matters I have to attend to for you both."

"That matter is not urgent, after all, the Cold Ice Sword Sect is blind and sooner or later is meant to be slaughtered, no rush for that. That old hag dares to kill the disciples of my Gong Family, she truly deserves death! We’ll wait for that Emperor Qi Wasted Body to come out, kill him, and then with his head, go to the Cold Ice Sword Sect later!"

"Yes, it is said that this Sect has many female disciples, each as beautiful as flowers, what a pity the women of this Barbaric land don’t have much flavor."

"True, some are too lowly. Apart from the Holy Daughter, I have little interest, the rest, not worth a glance."

Several Cultivators stood in the Void, talking and laughing loudly.

Below them, many members of the Heavenly Vein Clan were guarding.

This was exactly the place that had once been turned into ruins by Zhou Yan’s punch, where the wine house and the Great Zhou Family used to be.

And indeed, the exit of Wanqing Valley was here.

Zhou Yan had actually left a long time ago, but he concealed himself, blending his being and Natural Form to perfection, like an ordinary eagle standing on a withered tree, his eagle eyes coldly and mercilessly staring at those below.

Zhou Yan had originally not wanted to disturb the Zhou Family members and intended to leave for good on his own, but he didn’t expect that this simple act would let him hear so much news about himself and witness scenes he never could have imagined.

A fierce murderous intent had already surged in his heart.

But he didn’t show this murderous intent.

Disguised as an eagle, he flew through the air, approaching those boastful few.

Then, suddenly, terrifying and invincible Life and Death Sword Intent activated in an instant.

Life and Death Sword Intent!

Lonely Sword Intent!

An aura of life and death, harboring Thunder Flame, swept over that group like a ferocious flood.

Within this aura, despair, pain, loneliness, desolation, rot, and other emotions spread like a vast Abyss, dragging everyone into it.

At the same time, Zhou Yan spurred the Sword Soul Path, deriving a Dragon-shaped Sword Soul, wielding the Broken Worry Sword, and launched the true Dragon Swordsmanship.

This was a supreme technique of slaughter!

He was going to slay with one stroke these four Cultivators who were stronger than Ji Tianxu, from the Outer Domain, at the True Spirit Level!