Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao
Chapter 615 - 051 Zhou Yan and Mu Qingyan

Chapter 615: Chapter 051 Zhou Yan and Mu Qingyan

The man in black battle armor seen in Mu Qingyan’s eyes was a solitary and indifferent person.

It seemed that in this man’s eyes, apart from himself, who was the focus of his gaze, there was no one else in the world worth a second glance.

Even an extraordinary woman, unparalleled in beauty and elegance, was no exception.

"Is this... Zhou Yan? Why do I feel such a familiar sensation?"

Mu Qingyan was slightly startled, and then she came back to her senses. She gently lowered her complicated gaze and stepped aside, making way for the man in black battle armor.

Everywhere in the starry sky seemed to be a path, hence it appeared to be a vast void, as if there were no paths to tread.

Mu Qingyan did not stand in front of Zhou Yan, yet she felt like she had become a stumbling block on this path.

As she stepped aside, she didn’t notice that the man in black battle armor in front of her also made way, his gaze equally startled.

But that too was only a momentary lapse, such an emotion would not last long.

Especially since both individuals were of resolute disposition.

"There may be something between us. On the Netherworld Heavenly Road in the Ten Thousand Ghosts Sword Tomb, he appeared as the Lei Yan King. And the Lei Yan King is the greatest taboo of the Netherworld Hall in the Life and Death Illusion Realm,"

Mu Qingyan muttered to herself, her mind had not been disturbed for a long time.

But now, she felt somewhat disturbed.

"My father lost his memory, and I, too, am confused about the past, memories stripped away by unknown mysterious forces. Perhaps, those are the memories regarding Lei Yan King."

"The Wind and Moon Treasure Mirror records, if it is the past of Lei Yan King, and if that all is true, then even if I am not that illusion woman, I inevitably have an indissolubly great connection with him and will undoubtedly wrong him."

"Now, everything seems to have become clear, but I cannot repeat the same mistakes..."

"If all that is the true past, then... if there wasn’t someone like me, wouldn’t his life be much more satisfactory?"

Mu Qingyan felt mixed emotions.

...

As Zhou Yan traveled, the Void Sword Body granted by Yanyan allowed him to have many experiences of perfect union with the starry sky, a feeling like a fish in water, truly comfortable.

But Zhou Yan detested comfort, for an overly comfortable environment always makes one forget hatred and suffering, and lowers one’s guard.

Using the Netherworld Body Technique, Zhou Yan propelled the Void Power and comprehended the Void Sword Body, he flew towards the Heavenly Heart Secret Realm at an even faster speed.

The Heavenly Heart Secret Realm was not far ahead, and Zhou Yan needed to hurry there, since no one knew when the next disaster might strike in this world, or the safety of his parents from one moment to the next.

Now, Zhou Yan felt unsure about any place.

Because of this, his speed increased.

But just when he was about to rush into the Heavenly Heart Secret Realm, Zhou Yan suddenly stopped.

He did not even know why he stopped.

But he stopped because in front of him, a woman in a dark tan gauze dress quietly stood there like a goddess, seemingly merging with the starry sky.

She was so mysterious, so heart-stirringly beautiful, irresistibly captivating everyone’s heart and soul.

Her entire being emitted a pure Netherworld aura, like a refreshing and eye-pleasing stream from a Spiritual Spring.

Zhou Yan could be sure that he was seeing this woman for the first time, but it felt like he had known her for countless years, feeling a familiarity from his soul with this woman.

This sensation almost instinctively made Zhou Yan stop moving forward, his gaze fixed on this woman.

Then, he saw the woman’s gaze—spiritual, profound, gentle, mysterious, and imbued with the essence of the Supreme Tao and Heavenly Heart, unforgettable at first sight.

What splendid eyes she had, how captivating a gaze!

Zhou Yan was astonished.

He could be sure that he was meeting this woman for the first time, but at the first sight of her, he suddenly knew that this woman must be the Netherworld Goddess, Mu Qingyan!

Perhaps, only Mu Qingyan, this extraordinary woman of the Ten Thousand Realms, could cause such an unsteady and deeply moved mental state in him, and perhaps only Mu Qingyan could unknowingly captivate and attract him.

Being captivated by a woman was an experience Zhou Yan hadn’t truly had for many years.

Moreover, he did not need memories to be absolutely certain that this woman must be the extraordinary woman Mu Qingyan, the Netherworld Goddess, the ’Extraordinary Woman’ referred to by Uncle Zhuge Guyan.

However, Zhou Yan did not like the feeling of being out of control, especially the immense familiarity that arose in his heart and the lack of corresponding memories about this person, this kind of empty void and immense familiarity made Zhou Yan’s heart tremble.

"Have we, perhaps, met before?"

Zhou Yan saw Mu Qingyan make way for his path and couldn’t help but pause slightly, softly asking.

"Perhaps we have. On the Netherworld Heavenly Road, you probably remember the Netherworld Palace Master competing with you for the Yuan Ci Secret Realm. He is my father,"

Mu Qingyan was slightly stunned, then gently parted her lips, softly speaking.

Zhou Yan nodded thoughtfully, "So that’s how it is. It seems we are enemies after all, but I am certainly not a match for you. Are you going to act now?"

"Act? No, I might never act against you in this lifetime. I am just here to see the Heavenly Heart Secret Realm, this realm, which seems to have buried many stories," said Mu Qingyan with a sigh.

"What a pity that those people in the stories have all decayed into withered bones."

Zhou Yan reflexively continued the conversation and then felt slightly bemused—he was not someone who talked much, especially not in front of women he did not know.

Mu Qingyan seemed to smile slightly, making her mysterious demeanor even more sacred and captivating.

It was as if spring had arrived and everything was revived; the breath of the moment, that breath of vitality and prosperity, made one’s heart tremble.

Zhou Yan was somewhat moved; this woman truly had the power to entice the Great Dao Resonance and captivate souls with every word and smile; she was truly extraordinary.

"Yes... the end of cultivation knows no bounds; white bones piled into ashes. Emperors of the past were nearly immortal, yet ultimately decayed into ashes. No matter how unparalleled and invincible a Cultivator appears, they cannot overcome the changing and transforming laws of nature. The destined decay will ultimately come."

Mu Qingyan sighed softly, her words sending a slight shiver through Zhou Yan.

He originally did not plan to speak much with this woman, but each time he thought of leaving, he would instinctively speak; now, he seemed to get along extremely well with the Netherworld Goddess.

This feeling was entirely unprecedented.

The comfort, the urge to share one’s most guarded secrets, deeply refined Zhou Yan’s heart.

Zhou Yan took a deep breath; it was as though, even in this starry universe, the faint scent of Mu Qingyan penetrated his nose relentlessly, intoxicating him.

"Who is that person?"

Zhou Yan was silent for a moment but eventually asked.

Because, that sentence had once been spoken by the man in the Golden Battle Armor from the Xuanyuan Sword Fragment.

"That person... that person held a high position, very distant from us; better left unspoken."

Mu Qingyan glanced at Zhou Yan as if analyzing something. She took out a dim, lightless mirror and looked at it carefully before saying, "Your cultivation is progressing swiftly, your realm stable. But though a formidable person has suppressed your impending heavenly decline, it will erupt within a year. The more it’s suppressed, the more violent the eruption will be. You better grasp this year well; once the heavenly decline erupts, there’s a ninety percent chance you’ll perish."

Zhou Yan was startled.

"Perhaps, we will be enemies, but at least for now, we are merely passersby bound by fate, so I tell you what I see, hoping it will help you," explained Mu Qingyan.

Zhou Yan, hearing this, fell silent again.

The starry sky in this silence turned completely cold and desolate.

"Is there a Time-Space Tower in the Peaceful Realms?"

Zhou Yan diverted the heavy topic; he seemed to recall Zhuge Guyan’s words—that time, she told him if one day he entered the Time-Space Tower and met an extraordinary woman, remember to love her well and ensure she survives.

Now, Zhou Yan suddenly felt more than ever that this woman must be the one.

He didn’t know the answer, yet he could be sure his judgment was not mistaken.

"Time-Space Tower... It is a burial ground, officially known as the ’Time-Space Reincarnation Tower’. It is a place of exile, a land of destruction, and a portentous place."

Mu Qingyan sighed inexplicably, turned around, her back facing Zhou Yan, and said, "I must leave now; there are matters in the Peaceful Realms I need to attend to."

"Um..."

Zhou Yan’s heart felt an unnameable reluctance, yet he was unsure what to say or find any pretext to make her stay.

Even if there was, he wouldn’t retain her. He felt that between them was indeed a story, but he was no longer obsessively seeking to unravel unknown mysteries.

It was too exhausting and too overwhelming.

What needs to be known will always be known one day.

...

Mu Qingyan left, decisively, her movement technique far surpassing Zhou Yan’s imagination.

It was like an ascension; this small world was truly just a place where she could come and go as she wished.

She held an aura identical to that of Jiang Tianling, the aura of a supreme entity’s world. This aura wasn’t aimed at anyone in particular, but originated from the innate nature of the soul.

"Now that I have reached the Sword Void Nine Transformation Realm, I can let go of these. After returning, I will first retrieve the Holy Daughter’s Life Soul, save Gu Xi, then go to Tianji Mountain to find a way back to Earth—the last vestige of my Master’s soul will definitely reveal the truth to me. Since I am destined to return to the world of Earth, and this place is a breeding ground, then many things here should not be clung to."

Zhou Yan murmured to himself, his gaze becoming more resolute.

He also moved forward, speeding once more towards the Heavenly Heart Secret Realm.