After Lee Ran left a message, his phantom vanished in reverse, disappearing like a ray of light.
The phantom presented a three-dimensional scene, where space seemed to flow within a plane, and a space contained various plane changes, everything appeared quite peculiar.
Yet the vast and peerless aura within it made Zhou Yan understand that this should be the so-called ’domain’ aura.
After Lee Ran left, the ancient array restriction began to change, and the surrounding array patterns gradually returned to their original state, no longer showing any abnormal condition.
At the same time, Zhou Yan could clearly see the internal space of the ancient cauldron.
Within the ancient cauldron, following the instructions of the man in black from the Fu Xi Clan forbidden land, Zhou Yan searched carefully and discovered the River Map Luo Shu—an unrefinable bone fragment.
Zhou Yan picked up this piece of unrefinable bone and examined it carefully, finding that it was a mystical ’Xuanwu bone’, the back bone of the first primordial Xuan Turtle between Heaven and Earth in the Tai Chu era.
From this bone fragment, Zhou Yan saw the true face of the River Map Luo Shu and sensed a hint of bloodline connection.
Without hesitation, Zhou Yan stored the River Map Luo Shu bone fragment in his Soul Sea.
For something possessing near immortal divinity, the best place for storage is also the Soul Sea.
"Emperor Qi is not Emperor Qi, transforming into a wild dragon. Luo Fei’s heart is unsettled, embraced by Da Yi’s courage."
"Emperor Jun’s divine bow kills, the four seasons of the primordial world simultaneously rage, rectifying Heaven and Earth, the River Map and Nine Cauldrons revered."
"On this journey, carry the River Map Luo Shu, enter the Heavenly Pool Thunder Marsh, and traverse the myriad transformations of the Long Life Great Tribulation. Remember well."
The words of the man in black from the Fu Xi Ancestral Forbidden Land echoed once again in Zhou Yan’s heart. Subsequently, following the man’s words, Zhou Yan carefully sensed the River Map Luo Shu and finally saw traces of ancient times within.
Among them, a carved figure pointed to a unique direction, which was not west but in a land of deathly silence.
It is one of the most peculiar places in the world today and the highest mountain range on Earth.
At the top of that mountain range, there is a Heavenly Road leading to the Heavenly Pool Thunder Marsh, but only those with a bloodline connection to the River Map Luo Shu can open that Heavenly Road and enter the Thunder Marsh.
Perceiving this series of messages, Zhou Yan couldn’t help but let out a light sigh, feeling much lighter all over.
Now, the path ahead has been fully revealed. Once he overcomes the Long Life Great Tribulation, his strength will ascend to the utmost, breaking through constraints and stepping into the Sword Ancestor Realm.
Once more accumulated, advancing further is no longer an illusion.
This point left Zhou Yan very satisfied.
What pleased him the most was the Shennong Cauldron.
The Shennong Cauldron consists of nine parts, but here, it already occupies five parts, reaching the number ninety-five, fully forming the Sovereign.
No matter who obtains the remaining parts, once the Nine Cauldrons fully align with Zhao Xiaoxiao, others will not be able to take or covet them, and because the Shennong Cauldron occupies the majority of the sovereign position, all secrets completely exist within. Brother’s inheritance and information, as well as the River Map Luo Shu mentioned by the man in black, are all contained therein.
This undoubtedly saves Zhou Yan a lot of trouble.
If the River Map Luo Shu were not inside, Zhou Yan would have to search the world, which would not be an easy task.
After collecting the River Map Luo Shu, Zhou Yan uncovered the path ahead and then exited this small world.
Coming out, Zhao Xiaoxiao was still respectfully waiting outside the forbidden land, with two Protecting Pavilion Ancestors answering her questions and solving doubts.
Seeing Zhou Yan come out, Zhao Xiaoxiao seemed to have made a firm decision and said, "Senior, now that the two great ancestors have returned to their peak and fulfilled their promises, they can focus on contributing to the sect and cultivating new Sect Master candidates. Xiaoxiao wants to follow Senior in cultivation, even to serve as a maid or servant would be no problem, as long as I can devote myself to the Tao, seeking the ultimate Dao."
With the persuasion of the two great ancestors, Zhao Xiaoxiao’s original intention to apprentice grew even stronger.
"If you are determined, go to the Kunlun Immortal Pool and find Qin Ruyu. I will let her handle everything regarding accepting disciples. When I finish my matters, I will resolve it together," Zhou Yan thought and said.
"Hmm, Xiaoxiao first thanks Senior," Zhao Xiaoxiao said respectfully.
Within the Pure Yang Sect, Zhou Yan taught the two Pure Yang Ancestor sisters the Green Water Sword Dao and Green Water Heart Method, a mental method initially gifted by the first Holy Daughter Jiang Yuning’s sister Jiang Yushuang, which is a near divine-level cultivation technique, already very remarkable.
At the same time, Zhou Yan utilized his experience and insights to completely refine and perfect the cultivation method of the Pure Yang Sect. To him, with his powerful derivation abilities, it was only a trifling matter, easily handled in a moment.
During this period, because part of the ancient array’s effect disappeared, and Zhao Xiaoxiao gained some enlightenment, progressing further, so that the Shennong Cauldron naturally flew out, and became completely blood-bonded with her, causing the rest of the Shennong Cauldron to suddenly fly out independently, sky-breaking in flight, merging with this Shennong Cauldron, seamlessly incorporated into Zhao Xiaoxiao’s soul body.
Zhao Xiaoxiao’s bloodline talent, which wasn’t particularly outstanding, suddenly manifested a bloodline similar to Fu Xi’s. Her talent became extraordinarily excellent due to the Shen Nong Cauldron entering her body.
Zhou Yan witnessed this transformation firsthand, and he was somewhat taken aback.
Even though Zhou Yan already knew that this Ancestor Land was not lacking in the inherited bloodlines of the great powers, such direct bloodline awakening, and the recognition by a fragmented Immortal Weapon as its sovereign was simply astonishing.
In terms of encounters, even if the cultivators of Sword Burial Ancestor Star experience encounters all their lives, they could not compare to the sudden opportunity Zhao Xiaoxiao had gained.
However, she was already connected to the Shen Nong Cauldron by bloodline, and now that some abilities contained within the Shen Nong Cauldron had been ’removed,’ it naturally would no longer be hidden and would be united with Zhao Xiaoxiao, its blood-linked ’master’.
This is indeed very reasonable.
Zhou Yan understood this point and felt a bit emotional.
He originally thought Zhao Xiaoxiao was not bad, but if her talent wasn’t good enough, going to the Outer Star Domain might be difficult to make progress. It might be better to be tempered in the challenging environment of the Ancestor Land.
But now Zhao Xiaoxiao has reached such talent, with an Immortal Weapon for soul suppression and protection, and the rich Emperor Blood as a guardian, she already meets the requirements of Xuanyuan Ancestor in all aspects.
After helping Pure Yang Sect repair cultivation texts, Zhou Yan was seen off by Zhao Xiaoxiao and two Ancestors as he left Pure Yang Sect.
Outside, the weather was now sunny and beautiful. Although it was mid-winter, the weather was good, making people feel comfortable.
Zhou Yan did not stay long within the confines of the cultivation world but used a special space node and, with the Void Sword Body, left the cultivation world and came to the ordinary world.
Zhou Yan descended near Liu Haoting’s home, and then, in ordinary attire and identity, he went to Liu Haoting’s house.
Liu Haoting and her brother were at home. Her brother, having seen the hope of cultivation, was very quiet and did not have any ’mad’ behavior or abnormalities occur.
Zhou Yan arrived at the unit building where Liu Haoting’s home was located and knocked on the door after coming upstairs. Soon, Liu Haoting came to open the door dressed casually.
Her home had the heating turned on, and when the door opened, Zhou Yan sensed a warm air blowing toward him. Although warm, it lacked a bit of the natural spiritual essence. However, this thermal energy, converted from electric energy, well dispersed the cold outside, offering more good than bad to ordinary people.
"Zhou, Zhou Yan sir, you, you, have come."
Liu Haoting said a bit stutteringly.
What happened over ten days ago was too startling, so startling that Liu Haoting had been doubting whether she truly experienced that event. However, the changes in herself and other factors made her realize it was true, so for these more than ten days, Liu Haoting had been waiting for Zhou Yan’s arrival.
Now that Zhou Yan was finally here, Liu Haoting was naturally extremely excited.
Liu Haoxin also walked over. He was burly, fat, with a large black face, looking quite rugged. Newest update provided by novèlfire.net
At this moment, however, he deliberately displayed a respectful posture, which instead was quite amusing.
"Your talent is exceedingly good, even better than I previously thought. The reason you were dissatisfied was only that you were buried among ordinary people."
Zhou Yan said affirmatively.
"Ha, sis, I told you, I knew I was ’a dragon lounging in the shallows, being mocked by shrimp, a tiger fallen to flatland, deceived by dogs,’ and you didn’t believe it. Now look, even the elder says I’m great."
This Liu Haoxin, seeing Zhou Yan’s gentle tone, suddenly lost his sense of restraint, and immediately began boasting.
His personality was quite jumpy, similar to Hou Chen, Zhou Yan’s disciple.
"These two might get along, their personalities are somewhat alike — huh, why did I say ’get along’ like that? Perhaps I’m overthinking it."
"Alright, alright, know your talent is good. You’ve been boasting in front of me for quite a while now. But... from now on, your sister won’t hear your boasting. If you succeed in cultivation and return, I wonder by then if your sister will already be dust."
Liu Haoting, joyful and excited, suddenly had tears in her eyes.
She knew today this parting might be forever.
For cultivation there are no years, Liu Haoting also knew this, after all, modern media has depicted many similar scenarios. In the path of cultivation, perhaps a meditation can last three or five hundred years, and the lifetimes of ordinary people may have already passed.
"Sis, don’t worry. I’ve gone everywhere to understand Lee Ran’s story — he achieved success in twenty years. I don’t dare compare myself to Lee Ran, but I won’t fall behind anyone. At most, in thirty years, I will open the Heavenly Road beyond the domain and descend in divine form. By then, I will bestow upon you, your lover, and family the ability of immortality!"
Liu Haoxin patted his broad chest, confidently and resolutely guaranteeing.
But even so, he held back tears from the corners of his eyes.