Chapter 670 Zenith
"Our Zhou family is the foremost family in the mortal realm. We foster good relationships with many. If you have nothing else to do, you can visit the Zhou family. With my recommendation, becoming a distinguished guest of the Zhou family is well within reach."
"Such an opportunity is rare. You should seize it."
A martial artist with talent like Chen Yang would be highly sought after by anyone, anywhere.
While the Zhou family indeed possessed significant competitive strength among the aristocratic families, they were considerably weaker compared to some sects.
Naturally, Chen Yang did not expose him, maintaining his persona as someone newly entering the martial world.
"Is that so! I've heard much about the Zhou family. I never imagined I'd encounter such a fortunate opportunity right after descending the mountain. Senior, you are truly a benefactor."
Chen Yang's words brought a broad smile to the Zhou family patriarch's face.
The Zhou family patriarch had been in the southwest for some time. However, most people he encountered either held him in immense admiration or feared him greatly.
Of course, some had also sought trouble, but he had repelled them all.
Among the countless people he had interacted with, encountering someone like Chen Yang, who treated him like a junior, was a first.
Despite knowing each other for only a few minutes, the Zhou family patriarch had developed a deep affection for Chen Yang.
"Hahaha, my pleasure, my pleasure!"
...
After some idle chat, the Zhou family patriarch finally inquired, "Chen Yang, what is the reason for your presence here?"
Chen Yang had already decided on his answer. He truthfully recounted the situation, with Meng Qingxue's identity being substituted for Shi Wenli.
"So that's how it is. I've also heard of this situation you described. It seems this place does have some peculiar aspects!"
"I wonder which scoundrels are causing trouble in secret!"
"If I discover them, I will not spare them."
Chen Yang took the opportunity to inquire about the mine.
"Speaking of which, senior, why are you on this mountain? It's quite a distance from Nanlong. Are you perhaps in seclusion here for cultivation?"
The Zhou family patriarch shook his head and explained, "Not at all. The Zhou family has a mine here, and my main task is to guard it and prevent martial artists from the southwest from causing disturbances."
"This godforsaken southwest, even the martial artists are crude!"
After a taunt, the Zhou family patriarch suddenly remembered Chen Yang. "I wasn't referring to you. Don't take it to heart."
Chen Yang nearly spat out his water. He hadn't expected this side of the Zhou family patriarch.
"It's fine. The southwest is, after all, a frontier region. It's normal for senior to have such an opinion."
"How did the Zhou family's mine end up in this location? Are there gold or silver mines in the mountains?"
In response to Chen Yang's question, the Zhou family patriarch immediately stopped in his tracks. His eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Chen Yang before speaking, "If anyone else asked me this, let alone answer, I would have taught them a lesson. But since it's you, young man, there's no harm in telling you."
"The mineral resource the Zhou family extracts here is a special energy stone, which is immensely beneficial to both martial artists and ordinary people."
"I cannot tell you more than this. You'll have to become part of the Zhou family first."
As the two spoke, the Zhou family patriarch's spiritual sense detected something unusual.
He frowned, looking at the large, empty tree before him.
Although the area appeared normal, as his spiritual sense swept across it, he discovered some anomalies.
Lingering martial artist auras!
But these auras seemed to vanish abruptly!
Dead?
Yet, even instantaneous death would leave a trace of blood!
As the Zhou family patriarch pondered, he suddenly startled and immediately retreated.
The next moment, a massive explosion erupted where the Zhou family patriarch had been standing.
A sneak attack!
The Zhou family patriarch scanned his surroundings and spotted the attackers.
It wasn't one person, but two!
The attackers were Hu Feng and Hei Ya.
Initially, neither of them wanted to make a move. However, the Zhou family patriarch's constant probing made Hu Feng uneasy.
If he genuinely discovered her treasured blessed land, the Zhou family's power would soon drive her away and seize it.
After much deliberation, Hu Feng decided to strike first!
As long as the traces were cleaned up afterward, she could still hide for some time.
"One for each of us. This Zhou family patriarch was severely injured by a palm strike from someone yesterday. I'll deal with him!" Hu Feng declared, launching another attack at the Zhou family patriarch.
Hei Ya saw that his opponent was merely a young man and didn't take him seriously. He lightly tapped his feet and lunged towards Chen Yang.
Chen Yang looked at the two individuals before him, immediately realizing that the recent events were likely their doing!
Seeing the critical situation, the Zhou family patriarch roared, "I am a patriarch of the Zhou family! Retreat now, and I will not pursue the matter of the sneak attack!"
After being struck by Zhu Wenwu's palm yesterday, although his internal injuries had stabilized, he could only exert five to six tenths of his strength.
Hu Feng's unleashed internal energy was at least at the patriarch level.
Under these circumstances, the Zhou family patriarch was naturally reluctant to engage in combat.
As long as he could stall them, once reinforcements from the Zhou family arrived, dealing with these two would be a matter of minutes.
A cold smile flickered across Hu Feng's face. "The Zhou family? Do you really think your name carries that much weight? I clearly saw you being slapped to the ground by someone from the Zhu family yesterday!"
"The Zhou family? A mere joke!"
While speaking, Hu Feng's movements did not cease.
Although Hu Feng specialized in illusions, her martial arts were also formidable. Every move was lethal!
The Zhou family patriarch was already at a disadvantage after only two exchanges. It was unavoidable; his internal injuries were too severe.
Compounded by Hu Feng's illusory interference, new injuries quickly accumulated.
"Chen Er! Come help me quickly!" The Zhou family patriarch could only place his life and death on the newly acquainted Chen Er.
However, when the Zhou family patriarch looked at Chen Er not far away, he nearly spat out blood.
Chen Er's condition was even worse than his own!
The blood Chen Er coughed up was alarming.
Seeing this, the Zhou family patriarch swore loudly, "Damn it, you embroidered pillow! With such powerful spiritual energy, why is it useless? Useless!"
Chen Yang's mouth twitched. If he hadn't been trying to conceal his true strength, would he have to endure such humiliation!
Chen Yang could sense that the person fighting him, although strong, was merely an ordinary peak patriarch.