Chapter 732: Chapter 158 Farewell_2
Zhou Yan was somewhat worried.
“Young master, don’t worry. Ping’er is like a sister to the Holy Daughter and is protected by her. She is very safe and will not encounter any difficulties. Perhaps, if there is trouble, it might involve accompanying the Holy Daughter to marry Prince Glais… I am unclear how long the Holy Daughter can negotiate this matter. The Jiang family has already let the Holy Daughter be for some years, but now they are likely to start pressuring her. That’s why Ping’er especially hopes that she can stay by the Holy Daughter’s side at this time.”
Ping’er’s explanation allowed Zhou Yan to breathe a slight sigh of relief, but it also made him feel more pressure.
He must quicken his strength, to have powers comparable to, if not surpassing, the Jiang family and the Returning to Truth Clan, in order to compete with Glais.
Although he possessed the memories of the Lei Yan King, all growth had to be achieved by himself step by step. Zhou Yan knew that he currently had no capacity to compare with Glais.
But given time, he could rise very quickly.
Zhou Yan just hoped that the Holy Daughter could withstand the pressure and persevere.
Zhou Yan comforted Ping’er, watching her depart through the transport Array Plate from this plane, and his mood remained suppressed for quite some time.
…
“Husband, you’re leaving too, aren’t you?”
Mu Qingyan, insightful, knew that departure was inevitable. She was equally reluctant but knew she could only silently support.
Support Zhou Yan to strengthen quickly so that he could establish himself firmly and live openly.
Mu Qingyan didn’t want Zhou Yan to leave, longing for the joyful days of spiritual Dual Cultivation to continue and for that tranquil happiness to always be by her side.
She even knew that if she asked him to stay, Zhou Yan would definitely stay longer to accompany her.
But Zhou Yan had to leave eventually, much like the harsh climate of the Peaceful Realms, even if the bad weather persists, there would come a day when it would clear up.
Just as Zhou Yan, even if he gave up everything to live with her, would one day seek his ancestral land, to return to that unknown universe plane, that mysterious realm that not even an upper-class plane could comprehend.
“Yes, the end of cultivation is endless, one can only strive to move forward—truthfully, I no longer enjoy cultivating, but sometimes, to defend what belongs to us, one must do things they don’t like. Just like you, not liking to scheme against others, yet forced to display endless cunning, forced to resist.”
Zhou Yan truly was reluctant.
But he must leave.
The land of tenderness is also the grave of heroes.
Excessive obsession with brief joy is bound to lead to endless downfall and suffering later on.
Happiness is wonderful, but it is also fleeting. To make fleeting happiness last longer, you must have the ability to defend it.
Without diligent cultivation, without strength, there would be no foothold in such an upper-class plane.
“Husband… Qingyan understands. By that time, Qingyan fears she won’t be able to contact you once you enter Tianji Mountain. When you leave this world, remember to come back early, Qingyan will always be waiting for your return.”
Mu Qingyan leaned into Zhou Yan’s arms, finally holding back her sore tears.
She was not Ping’er, nor was she Lilith; her emotions were always carried deep within her heart, deep within her soul.
Her vulnerability never showed.
But Zhou Yan knew that she was equally vulnerable now.
Yet Zhou Yan did not linger and turned to leave.
Zhou Yan knew that if he stayed any longer, it would become even harder for him to leave. This affection was not in the least bit inferior to his obsession with the Holy Daughter or his fondness for Feng Lingqing; it was, in fact, even stronger than both.
“Husband, if the Extreme Cold Netherworld King is unwilling to give up the Extreme Cold Ice Soul Stone, you should go to the Ancient Ice Glacier yourself. The Ancient Ice Glacier is an ancient land, and the realm of all cultivators who enter there will be suppressed to the Sword Void Nine Transformations Realm. However, once you enter, the cultivators there are the elite talents from various upper-class planes. Many possess combat power close to Double Nine. Also, if you encounter someone from the Returning True Clan, it’s best to avoid them. This Heavenly Spirit Race is born with Third Nine combat power, exceptionally favored. Do not be careless, husband.”
Mu Qingyan softly instructed at the end, arranged his Combat Armor, and placed a Netherworld Ring on Zhou Yan’s hand.
“Husband, here are some cultivation materials. They can’t be considered heaven-defying treasures, but they help in all aspects. This ring contains three guardian powers that Yanyan once left me. The last time, I used one to activate a damaged Immortal Weapon to kill Jiang Tianxin, which consumed one. So now only two remain. It’s better for you to keep them, so Qingyan can have peace of mind.”
“Moreover, I intend to have Sisi enter the Netherworld Demon Soul Palace for cultivation as it’s safer. Sisi came here with her physical body and isn’t bound by any constraints. Should she return to Sword Ancestor Star, she might instead be plotted against. Her safety is also assured, husband. When you see Sister Feng Lingqing, please inform her about Sisi’s situation to reassure her too.”
Mu Qingyan kept giving various small instructions, incessantly chattering, yet it warmed the heart.
Because she was never a woman of many words; often, she would go long periods without saying anything.
But at this moment, she spoke more than she had in countless years combined.
Zhou Yan silently nodded.
A meticulous woman would manage all of her husband’s trivial matters perfectly, letting him worry about nothing.
Mu Qingyan, a woman of high status, similarly took care of everything personally, helping Zhou Yan settle everything.
Just that alone significantly warmed Zhou Yan’s heart.
Listening to Mu Qingyan’s instructions and arrangements, Zhou Yan’s mind also became much more settled.
Regarding the Returning True Clan, Zhou Yan, having previously been Lei Yan King, knew that their abilities far exceeded their own, but he also knew that this race was extremely formidable. At that time, the Lei Yan King also knew the classifications of Divine Level Realms and how combat powers were assessed.
In the God Realm, there are Nine Transitions, and each transition requires the integration of various aspects of Tao into unity. With the integration process, a ‘nine stars’ anomaly manifests. It’s like a major realm consists of nine minor realms.
Although these minor realms exist, they are not recognized as a basis for assessing strength. Therefore, a battle between a First Transition Sword God at one star position and a Second Transition Sword God at one or nine star positions would be considered ‘Single Nine’ combat power. Being able to battle a Third Transition Sword God from one to nine star positions, would still only be considered ‘Double Nine’ combat power.
Reaching Single Nine combat power qualifies one barely as an ordinary cultivator in the True God Plane; Double Nine combat power ranks him as a genius, akin to a ‘True Man’ level genius.
Third Nine combat power is considered a ‘Spiritualist’ level genius. Above Third Nine combat power can be termed a ‘Xuan Restriction’ level genius.
This classification of innate talent belongs to the Divine Plane.
Lei Yan King also knew these early on, but previous memories weren’t in Zhou Yan’s range of absorption. Now that Mu Qingyan mentioned it, Zhou Yan suddenly remembered these things.
Lei Yan King did not live long, but his memories were extremely complex. Zhou Yan needed similar events to touch upon before he could recall through memories. Some memories were refined into Memory Crystals, requiring sorting out bit by bit for absorption.
Zhou Yan sighed softly, conversed a little while with Mu Qingyan and Lilith, and then bade farewell to the two women.
Given her status and the not-so-good relationship with the Extreme Cold Netherworld King, Mu Qingyan did not initiate the request for the Extreme Cold Ice Soul Stone herself. Attempting such would have been counterproductive, especially since the strange Extreme Cold Netherworld King has never shown respect for the Netherworld Palace Master or the Netherworld Goddess, which is widely known. Hence, Mu Qingyan let Zhou Yan go by himself.
Knowing this, Zhou Yan set out alone toward the residence of the Extreme Cold Netherworld King.