Xia Yuanzu’s heart was filled with bitterness, yet he was simultaneously deeply shocked, as he had not expected a mere ant at the Nine Changes of Sword Void to possess such good relationships with people like the Evil King and Moon Immortal.
Although the Evil King and Moon Immortal had ignored him from start to finish, Xia Yuanzu, far from being impatient, stood very respectfully to the side, fearing any breach of etiquette.
"Respected sirs, I am Xia Yuanzu. I have caused offense to Zhou Yan earlier, which was due to ignorance, not malice. I hope you both will bear with me; I will certainly make a sincere apology to Zhou, Zhou my dear friend."
Xia Yuanzu was no fool and immediately discerned the subtle clue.
And all of this left Zhou Wangchen, Li Yunjin, and Li Wuxian, among others, utterly dumbfounded.
What was happening? Wasn’t the Evil King hostile toward Zhou Yan? Why did it seem now that the Evil King took a fancy to Zhou Yan?
This world? Had it really changed?
Had they been abandoned by the development on Sword Burial Ancestor Star, their own thoughts and beliefs outdated?
Various shocks, too numerous to list, left Li Wuxian and others gobsmacked as they watched the scene unfold.
The Evil King and Moon Immortal, however, paid no heed to Xia Yuanzu and instead both turned to look at Zhou Yan.
"This, previously we were absolutely certain, but unexpectedly, this time you’ve caught us at our own game; it’s our lack of diligence. You say, what should we do?"
The Evil King spoke in a tone of consultation.
The more shocking and powerful Zhou Yan’s performance was, the more he needed to preserve Zhou Yan, for compared to the truth about the Breeding Ground, all other matters were trivial.
Zhou Yan was his chance for the Evil King to achieve divinity and Transcendence. Anyone who wanted to cut off this hope would be an enemy to the Evil King, naturally stirring resentment in his heart.
"This man, very arrogant, eh? Let’s deprive him of the basis for his arrogance—perhaps we could cripple his Cultivation."
Zhou Yan said calmly.
"What, stripping a Saint of his Cultivation?"
The Evil King was also taken aback.
Zhou Yan’s ruthlessness seemed to have clearly manifested at that moment.
"Zhou Yan, perhaps just give him a few slaps and make him kneel and apologize to you,"
suggested the Moon Immortal, feeling it was somewhat inappropriate to strike a Saint.
Zhou Yan’s expression slightly darkened, and he glanced at the Moon Immortal lightly, saying, "Then help me kill him. I will remember this favor from both of you. Otherwise, Moon Immortal, you shall never have the chance again, and Evil King, unless you kill me now, I will definitely settle accounts with you later."
The Moon Immortal trembled slightly.
The Evil King also paused.
It was not that they were angry at Zhou Yan’s domineering words, but rather the tone and demeanor of Zhou Yan at this moment bore a trace of the essence of Lei Yan King.
As though, suddenly, there was a trace of the mysterious Ley Yan King’s presence and aura.
Instinctively feeling uneasy, both did not get angry but rather nodded at the same time, saying, "Good, Zhou, Zhou Xuanzhe, we will immediately take care of this matter for you to your satisfaction!"
The Evil King and Moon Immortal almost spoke simultaneously.
The two exchanged a glance, each seeing a shiver in the other’s eyes!
Lei Yan King’s most potent essence emanated from Destruction and the Void essence, but these two essences suddenly appeared during Zhou Yan’s outrage, coupled with a certain Netherworld essence, instilling genuine fear in the hearts of the Evil King and Moon Immortal.
The terror of Lei Yan King was far beyond what the Moon Immortal and Evil King dared to imagine.
If they had known from the start that Zhou Yan had even the slightest connection to Lei Yan King, the Evil King would never have troubled Zhou Yan.
At that moment, the Evil King only hoped it was not too late. Therefore, after receiving Zhou Yan’s request, the Evil King unleashed an endless killing intent.
Behind the Evil King, the shadows of the Twelve Scythes flew out, deriving from the ants of the Sword Dao. One shadow of the sword, like the light that destroys Heaven and Earth, suppressed everything.
The Moon Immortal clapped her hands once, causing all energy to pour out, forming a moonlight heavenly wheel that rushed toward Xia Yuanzu.
Xia Yuanzu, chilled to the bone, had no power to resist.
He was far from being a match for divine-level experts like the Evil King and Moon Immortal, and facing the combined might of two peak Nine Origin Sword Saints at full power, he couldn’t withstand a single move.
His body shattered, and his Dao dissolved into nothingness.
Transforming one’s body into a Dao, the blood flowed like a flood.
Just as Jiang Tianling had slaughtered a Saint, the Evil King and Moon Immortal, under the overwhelming presence of Zhou Yan, gathered their energy and controlled their strength to join forces and strike down Xia Yuanzu on the spot.
Xia Yuanzu’s body fragmented, his soul annihilated, his Sword Body shattered, leaving only a head with eyes wide open.
The head rolled on the ground, tumbling like a ball, and stopped at the feet of Xia Feng.
The dead fish-like eyes on the head still bulged out, filled with disbelief and the despair of fear.
Such was the fate of a Saint—to dissolve into Dao and fall, leaving no bone behind.
Xia Feng trembled with his whole body chilled, suddenly collapsing to his knees, repeatedly bowing his head until it split open and swelled, but he dared not stop.
Not only him, but all members of the Xia Family knelt down at this moment, bowing their heads in immense fear.
"Moon Immortal, Evil King, thank you."
Zhou Yan’s eyes were cold as he watched Xia Yuanzu die, and only then did the hatred in his heart slowly start to fade.
If not for Yun Shu, he, Zhou Yan, would have regretted it for his whole life, for had he not stopped on the way, if he could have been faster, his parents might not have died!
If Yun Shu had not intervened, with his parents dead, Zhou Yan would have never found peace, forever mired in anguish!
Such a thing must never happen again, so for his enemies, Zhou Yan would never show mercy.
"Zhou Xuanzhe, you are too kind. Hmm, we received word that the Vajra Clan and the Three-Eyed Clan will provoke us as well, so we might as well dispose of them to prevent future trouble."
"Those two from the Three-Eyed Clan and Vajra Clan, kill them too. Since they don’t know the truth, rather than becoming seeds for others’ power, better to kill them outright. Besides, having such Saints dwelling on us, my cultivation can’t be tranquil."
Zhou Yan stated calmly.
"Alright, this incident was due to our negligence, resulting in Saints making moves against your family and even you. I will later contact Yaochi Saint, gather all Saints, and announce that Saints and Sword Ancestors must no longer partake in conflicts!"
Moon Immortal nodded in agreement.
Then, both quickly left.
Zhou Yan watched the two Saints depart, keeping the gratitude of today’s assistance in his heart.
He turned back, looked at Xia Feng and others kneeling and bowing, his expression darkened and from his hands emerged the boundless Killing Dao, the Xingyi Twelve Forms War Beast Sword Soul flew out, and he then slew nearly ninety percent of the Cultivators, leaving only Xia Feng and a few who showed sympathy towards the Zhou and Li Families.
Leaving these people wasn’t to leave trouble brewing.
With Zhou Yan’s nature, it was inevitable to eliminate the roots completely.
However, in Zhou Yan’s sensing, these people initially indeed took good care of his parents, which he considered a favor, so he didn’t strike them down.
However, he would observe these people for some time; should they harbor thoughts of revenge, he would definitely carry out a massacre without mercy.
"I don’t want to say much, Xia Ming and the others’ lives were saved by me, but the scene before me disheartened me. Since you wished death upon the Zhou Family, then I had no choice but to kill all those people. Grace is grace, revenge is revenge, I, Zhou Yan, see it clearly.
Afterward, I will let you Xia Family members reunite with Xia Ming and others. How you should live from now on, I hope you understand."
Zhou Yan left Xia Feng and others alive but also left behind a chilling message.
Then, he went to his parents, Xiao Zhan, and Li Wuxian, and others.
By this time, tears brimmed in the eyes of Li Yunjin and Zhou Wangchen, even Li Wuxian’s gaze was particularly complex and agitated.
It was a look of relief, as well as excitement, gratitude, and joy.