Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao
Chapter 428 - 077: The Flirty Xiong Ba

Chapter 428: Chapter 077: The Flirty Xiong Ba

Zhou Yan had his fill of refining handiwork and finally crafted a set of top-level soul armor, a silk skirt for Ning’er, and also refined a soul sword carrying a secret technique of extreme cold.

He then recalibrated the Extreme Jade Cold Light ring and brought it up to the standard of a top-grade soul artifact. After that, he refined over ten more sets of top-level soul artifacts to store them for future use.

Having handled these things, the strength of both Zhou Yan and Ning’er reached their peak state. Only then did Ning’er open the light screen enchantment, and the two appeared inside the divine array.

"Really now, so engrossed in your love affair you lost track of time, Brother Zhou Yan, only seven days remain until your one-month competition. If you don’t go comprehend Sword Intent, you could be in danger. Even though you have part of Old Man Wan Jian Tian’s inheritance, that doesn’t guarantee a sure victory."

Xiong Ba hummed and hawed immediately after they appeared.

"If you don’t come out, I’m going to blow open your damned enchantment and catch you in the act!"

Xiong Ba continued shamelessly.

"Stinky Dog Bear, if you dare, I will stew you!"

Zhou Yan said unceremoniously.

"Eh? Did you become more lively? Right, always being so gloomy doesn’t suit a young man. Without some vigor, what kind of peerless elegance or youthful brashness is that?"

Xiong Ba gave Zhou Yan a surprised look, obviously very satisfied with Zhou Yan’s current state.

However, as it continued to observe, it showed an astonished expression, seemingly noticing the invincible explosive power within Zhou Yan’s physical body.

"Goodness me, Sword Void Peak with just one transformation; your body is comparable to an Ancient Fierce Beast from the First Refining Sword Tribulation Realm. You’re practically a humanoid Fierce Beast! Holy crap, did you consume some divine substance? Or were you nourished by love? Take this!"

Xiong Ba exclaimed, then suddenly swung a heavy palm toward Zhou Yan.

Even within the divine array, Xiong Ba’s palm held a terrifying power that could topple mountains and overturn seas.

But Zhou Yan’s arm flickered, and with a single palm strike, a sonic boom was generated within the divine array.

"Buzz—"

"Boom!"

As their palms collided, Xiong Ba "thud thud thud" staggered back seven or eight steps in retreat, his huge body teetering, almost unable to remain upright.

On the other hand, Zhou Yan stood still, completely unharmed.

"How much strength did you use?"

Xiong Ba’s eyes bulged out, like two lightbulbs, as it exclaimed.

"Thirty percent!"

"Damn it, I, the Holy Bear, used ninety percent of the strength at the peak of Sword Void with the Third Transformation. You... How could you suddenly become so strong?"

Xiong Ba was shocked to the core, looking at Zhou Yan with bewilderment.

With a thought, Zhou Yan’s palm struck again, a flame suddenly derived from his palm into a sword-shaped flame short sword and, like a flying sword, "swooshed" out.

"Sizzle—"

At the same time, Zhou Yan released the aura of the Thunderflame Sword Body, and in an instant, Xiong Ba was paralyzed by the Thunderflame Sword Intent, its body numb, all abilities temporarily restrained and powerless to resist.

Caught off guard, the soul flame flying sword unleashed by Zhou Yan had already reached Xiong Ba’s palm!

"Sssss—"

A plume of black smoke rose, and Xiong Ba’s paw instantly blackened, half of its bear paw turned into Tribulation Ash.

"Ouch—"

Xiong Ba howled miserably, suddenly recovering its powers, it frantically clasped its scorched hand, leaping and jumping like a slaughtered pig—its cries sharp and exaggerated.

In the air lingered the pungent smell of burnt meat, repulsively strong.

"Alright, isn’t that a bit exaggerated? I was just testing my attack method. But your physical body is indeed strong, only partially charred by this flame."

Zhou Yan was astounded.

"F***—Zhou Yan you, you’re not human! My, Xiong Ba’s, body may once have been that of a Saint, but what is this technique you used? It’s beyond belief, like scaring gods and making ghosts weep! With such ability, you definitely have the power to battle against Ji Wu!"

Xiong Ba was utterly astonished. Though it stopped howling, its black fur bristled, constantly on guard against Zhou Yan, fearing another roasted bear paw maneuver.

It had been carefree before, but now it became extremely cautious, looking at Zhou Yan as though he were a monster, with an unmistakable wariness.

The Holy Daughter, seeing this scene, couldn’t help but cover her mouth with a light laugh, and the atmosphere at the scene became much more relaxed because of Xiong Ba’s exaggerated reaction.

"Xiong Ba, what Realm are you in right now?"

Instead of responding to Xiong Ba’s words, Zhou Yan inquired about its Realm.

With the Eye of Destruction activated, Zhou Yan could clearly sense it; Xiong Ba, as a strong being, was immediately seen through by Zhou Yan.

Not only that, with the Eye of Destruction activated, he could instantly grasp several of Xiong Ba’s weak points. Therefore, Zhou Yan was somewhat shocked—shocked at the terrifying passive ability of the Eye of Destruction.

It was as if he had activated a ’Nine Orifice Exquisite Heart’! Legend has it that during the ancient times of Heaven and Earth, those with a Nine Apertures Heart and a Nine-Orifice Immortal Body could immediately comprehend the essence of any Cultivation Technique upon sight, instantly learn any skill, automatically derive any move from an opponent, and spot an enemy’s weakness during battle.

Such a Constitution was extremely terrifying, even more so than the Emperor Qi Sword Body, but this kind of Constitution was a legend even in the Ancient Times and was never confirmed to exist, much like the ancient myths from Earth remembered by the Master—unclear if they were real or not.

But at this moment, after Zhou Yan activated the Eye of Destruction, he felt a much stronger sensation. The reason he clashed with Xiong Ba, even going so far as to instantly burn away half of Xiong Ba’s palm, was that Zhou Yan had seen through Xiong Ba’s weakness in a flash.

However, due to the ability of soul perception, Zhou Yan knew that he was not in possession of the Nine-Orifice Immortal Body, nor the Nine Orifice Exquisite Heart. Perhaps, this was a great benefit that came after the transformation of his brain and the metamorphosis of his soul.

Zhou Yan could only ponder thus.

The reason Zhou Yan asked Xiong Ba was also based on this consideration—he merely needed confirmation.

This confirmation was to prove the added soul effect and perception ability that came with his Eye of Destruction.

After hearing Zhou Yan’s question, Xiong Ba fell into brief contemplation but did not hesitate to say, "With your help this time, my strength has recovered quite a bit. I’m now at the Sword Void Three Changes Peak, just like the Holy Daughter Jiang Yuning. As for my combat power... it’s a pity that my combat power can only break eight, nearing nine."

"Of course, if I use some of the Saint’s insights, reaching near nine in combat power isn’t a problem, which is the same for the Holy Daughter."

Xiong Ba glanced at Holy Daughter Jiang Yuning and then gave this answer.

The answer coincided exactly with what Zhou Yan had sensed.

For a demon beast like Xiong Ba, who was once a Saint, now even if he only had the Sword Soul Realm, how could ordinary people see through his realm, let alone that he had reached the Sword Void Three Transformation Realm?

Xiong Ba’s concealing ability was very strong, and that was because of the power of his soul.

Yet, Zhou Yan was still able to see through it all clearly.

Zhou Yan could now be certain that his Eye of Destruction was not simply about the Destructive Strike effect. The effect of the soul becoming wiser was also incredibly heaven-defying.

Zhou Yan was very satisfied in his heart. At this point, he had nearly fully unleashed all his potential, and it was unlikely that his Thunderflame Sword Body would advance any further for the time being.

In the future, he would need to accumulate potential again and then achieve further progress.

But Zhou Yan was not worried. The cultivation of the Thunderflame Sword Body had reached an extreme, but the cultivation of the Emperor Qi Sword Body had not truly started yet, which was another potential to tap into.

If the two were combined, his combat power nearing ten would shock the ages, comparable to the ancient youth supreme strongmen.

Zhou Yan nodded and said, "It’s about the same as what I calculated, Xiong Ba. Now, you and the Holy Daughter have similar combat power, but I am already a bit stronger than you. So for the moment, I don’t need your protection. After we get out, you can help me protect the Holy Daughter, alright?"

Zhou Yan made the suggestion.

Xiong Ba rolled its eyes and said, "Brother Zhou Yan, I, Xiong Ba, won’t be protecting a woman. Besides, now that I control part of the Killing Array, I will stay here to continue to comprehend the Killing Array, preparing to slay a few more Saints as food to restore my strength. To help you before, I, Xiong Ba, had completely exhausted everything. You can’t shirk responsibility!"

At that moment, Xiong Ba immediately began to ’negotiate’ a price.

Zhou Yan knew Xiong Ba’s nature. If it said this, it clearly wouldn’t go to protect the Holy Daughter.

"Husband, my safety isn’t important. Xiong Ba has its own path and is only loyal to its own master. For it to guard you is already a rarity," replied the Holy Daughter Jiang Yuning magnanimously.

She seemed to understand Xiong Ba even more than Zhou Yan did.

"Hmph, only the Holy Daughter knows my Xiong Ba’s capabilities and personality," grumbled Xiong Ba.

"Then let it be. You want Saint flesh and blood, there’s nothing I can do to help you right now. My trump card Fist Intent is down to just one move, and without it, I’ll be left with no retreat. I must keep it for now. If you want to cheat, deceive, kidnap, or rob those Saints, I won’t be bait for you again," Zhou Yan said, knowing that Xiong Ba was once again eyeing him, and directly refused.

"Damn, how ruthless and fickle, choosing a lover over friends," Xiong Ba complained indignantly.

"Blame it on you for not being a woman," Zhou Yan chuckled.

"F*ck, it wouldn’t be hard for me, Xiong Ba, to become a woman. Isn’t it just a transformation using the Nine Revolutions Profound Skill? I learned that on Earth, mmm, a long time ago."

As Xiong Ba spoke, its body suddenly changed, turning into a garishly enchanting woman.

However, it was clear that Xiong Ba’s aesthetic sense was somewhat extreme. The woman it turned into was essentially a female Blast Bear, with a pair of basketball-sized breasts that legitimately shocked Zhou Yan.

"Pfft—"

Zhou Yan nearly spurted blood, dumbfounded.

Even the Holy Daughter was taken aback, her cool temperament somewhat shaken.

Zhou Yan’s facial muscles twitched twice, and he said with some speechlessness, "Xiong Ba, go back to your manly form. Your current appearance is just too shocking."

"Hmph, glad you realize it, you wretch," Xiong Ba said coyly.

That was a voice one might hear from a streetwalker soliciting customers, and one only a most coquettish person could produce.

Zhou Yan nearly spat blood again. Xiong Ba must have visited brothels in ancient Earth, and the form it chose to take must have been Xiong Ba’s favored one from those establishments.

Zhou Yan quickly averted his gaze, finding Xiong Ba utterly bizarre—extremely heavy on the peculiar taste.

Taking a deep breath to steady his mind, Zhou Yan then saw that the Holy Daughter Ning’er was giggling adorably, revealing her cute and stunning charm.

Zhou Yan knew Ning’er was laughing at the exchange he had had with Xiong Ba and the situation at hand, but he didn’t mind. If Ning’er was happy, then nothing else really mattered.