284: Zhu Yan Sword

“That's right!” Zhou Xiangxu’s face lit up with joy, and his mood suddenly brightened.

He let out a soft snort, followed behind Zhou Xiangyu, and no longer worried about what those people were saying.

Below Qingyang Peak.

The stone monument that was previously carved with the words 'Sword Hall' had now been changed to a monument bearing only the ancient seal character 'Zhou'.

This symbolized the location of the Zhou Family.

On Qingyang Peak, the original Sword Hall buildings had long since been expanded. Following the layout of Jade Moon Peak back then, the arrangement of Qingyang Peak was completely replanned.

Various buildings such as the Cultivation Manual Tower, the Magic Artifact Pavilion, and the Medicinal Pill Hall stood once again on Qingyang Peak.

The Ancestral Shrine and Ancestral Land had also been relocated here.

Inside the fifth floor of the Cultivation Manual Tower.

There was a stone pillar, entirely like glazed glass, covered in mist, seemingly circulating the Five Elements.

Above the stone pillar, a blue light floated in the air, faintly suffused with a sense of vastness, like the return of the sea tide.

On both sides of the pillar, two beams of light encircled it; one was purple, covered in thin lightning snake patterns, crackling with thunder.

The second was a deep, cold white light, reflecting the sky full of ice and snow.

These were precisely the three Fourth-Tier Legacy Cultivation Techniques and the single Fifth-Tier Legacy Dao Method possessed by the Zhou Family.

The Fifth-Tier Legacy, Guihai Heart Transformation Record, and the Fourth-Tier Ice Attribute Cultivation Technique, Cold Ice Profound Canon, both came from the hands of Li Shuwu.

The other two were the Five Elements Primordial Canon and the Xuanqing Thunder Induction Canon, which the Zhou Family already possessed.

After arriving in the Xuanming Realm, the numerous Cultivation Techniques, Spells, and many secret records obtained from Li Shuwu that Zhou Leyi had sealed away were all publicly stored in the Cultivation Manual Tower.

This resulted in many Jade Slips suddenly appearing on the first, second, third, and fourth floors of the Cultivation Manual Tower one day.

Various strange sights, and Spells unheard of by the Zhou Family Cultivators, attracted the attention of the Zhou Family disciples.

However, a considerable portion of the Zhou Family disciples could only sigh in admiration.

This was because they had already used up most of their Contribution Points.

After all, converting Contribution Points into personal strength was the safest way to use them.

Consequently, the Zhou Family Contribution Hall had been exceptionally popular over the past two or three years.

Often, a mission was snatched up by the Members of the Zhou Family as soon as it was released.

Even scalper-like existences had emerged.

This forced Zhou Leyi to issue orders and carry out rectification measures.

Below the stone pillar, a figure with a rather youthful appearance sat cross-legged.

The Aura on his body flashed and disappeared. A moment later, the figure let out a long breath.

Zhou Leren opened his eyes and nodded in satisfaction.

After three years of recovery, he had finally returned to the Mid Golden Core Stage, and his Foundation was stable.

Zhou Leren extended his Divine Sense, which sank into the glazed stone pillar.

The familiar comprehension came again.

Zhou Leren looked thoughtful.

As he cultivated the Five Elements Primordial Canon for a long time.

The deeper his understanding of the Five Elements Primordial Canon became, after restabilizing his Mid Golden Core Stage cultivation, Zhou Leren wanted to try refining another Lifebound Spiritual Sword.

“Five Elements, Four Symbols, Three Powers, Two Poles...”

The many insights regarding the Five Elements Spiritual Swords within the Five Elements Primordial Canon continuously split and reformed in his mind.

“It should be feasible.”

Insights flooded in, and Zhou Leren’s heart settled.

He previously thought that a Cultivator at the Golden Core Stage could only refine one Lifebound Spiritual Sword, but perhaps that was merely due to his insufficient comprehension.

“Vermillion Flame...”

This time, Zhou Leren planned to choose the Vermillion Flame as his second Lifebound Spiritual Sword.

If successful, he could combine it with the peiyu sword in his hand to form the Two Poles Sword Formation, and its power would surely increase greatly.

“Big Brother.”

While Zhou Leren was contemplating, Zhou Leyi stepped into the fifth floor.

“These are the recent news from within the prefecture, as well as the information sent by Third Aunt.”

Zhou Leyi handed over the two Jade Slips in his hand.

Zhou Leren's Qi had just flashed past without concealment, and Zhou Leyi already knew that Zhou Leren had awakened and emerged from seclusion.

His effortless entry into the fifth floor just now verified this point.

“Oh?”

Zhou Leren nodded, stopped thinking, stood up, and took them.

His Divine Sense sank into them.

“Luotian Sword Sect, Myriad Manifestations Hall...”

Afterwards, he looked at the other Jade Slip.

“So the Old Ancestor made a move.”

A smile appeared on Zhou Leren's lips.

What a pity he wasn't there... Zhou Leren sighed silently.

“Third Aunt also sent someone to deliver a Storage Pouch; it should be the relics of Myriad Manifestations True Monarch, containing quite a few good items.”

Seeing that Zhou Leren had finished reading.

Zhou Leyi added a remark.

“Is it enough for the Old Ancestor and Third Aunt's side?”

Zhou Leren did not ask what exactly was inside but instead asked with some concern.

“With Third Aunt managing things, we definitely don't need to worry.”

Zhou Leyi replied after thinking for a moment.

He thought of his own father, Zhou Licheng, who had built a hut and retired on the summit of Qingyang Peak.

When his father was the Family Head, he and Third Aunt managed the Family's operations; they certainly wouldn't need to worry about it.

“That's true.”

Zhou Leren's worry dissipated.

“Furthermore, Xuanhua Prefecture has quieted down considerably recently, but this is not necessarily a good thing; it is probably just the calm before the storm.”

“They must be brewing something.”

“Should we seek help from the Old Ancestor?”

Zhou Leyi thought of another matter and consulted Zhou Leren.

After the Sword Hall officially merged into the Zhou Family.

The strength of the Zhou Family gradually became apparent.

Coupled with Zhou Leren holding the fort.

They were now faintly able to contend against Xuanhua Prefecture as equals.

Naturally, Xuanhua Prefecture would not allow the Zhou Family to continue developing, resulting in frequent friction with the Zhou Family.

Xuanhua Prefecture originally controlled the territory of sixteen cities, possessing immense power.

However, the Zhou Family was now faintly independent, having carved out the territory of six cities.

Xuanhua Prefecture could be said to have suffered significant losses.

“With Xiao Yuan and me holding the fort, there should be no problem.”

Zhou Leren sighed slightly; the Family's strength was still insufficient.

Otherwise, why would Zhou Leyi even consider asking the Old Ancestor for help against Xuanhua Prefecture, which didn't even have a Nascent Soul Cultivator?

Sensing the significantly stronger Qi on Zhou Leren's body, and the divine sword held by his own son, Zhou Xiuyuan.

Zhou Leyi agreed with Zhou Leren's statement.

After years of recuperation, the great snow mountain sword had devoured countless precious Materials, although most of them were Second-Tier spiritual Materials.

Only after the Zhou Family relocated here was there a supply of Third-Tier or even Fourth-Tier spiritual items and precious Materials, speeding up the great snow mountain sword's recovery.

Although it had not yet reached the level of a Fourth-Tier Magic Treasure, it was not far off.

Even without Zhou Xiuyuan wielding it, it could still unleash sufficiently powerful might.

“In the coming days, instruct the clansmen to be more vigilant and act cautiously.”

“Once I successfully refine the Vermillion Flame, even if Xuanhua Prefecture makes no moves, it will be time for me to pay them a visit.”

Zhou Leren’s tone shifted from a sigh, and he continued to instruct.

“I will pass down the Family order.”

Zhou Leyi nodded in agreement.

The two continued to discuss for a moment.

Zhou Leyi took his leave.

Inside the fifth floor.

Zhou Leren still felt a sense of urgency in his heart because of the matter concerning Xuanhua Prefecture.

The Materials needed to refine the Vermillion Flame flashed through his mind, and his figure disappeared from the fifth floor.

He arrived inside the Zhou Family Treasury, which stored various tiers of spiritual Materials.

Before long, he gathered all the refining Materials.

Without further delay, Zhou Leren returned to the Cultivation Manual Tower, activating and operating the Formation spread throughout the fifth floor.

He sat cross-legged beneath the glazed stone pillar and took out the spiritual Materials one by one.

He recalled the method of refinement in his mind.

The spiritual power in his body circulated, and he began to refine his second Lifebound Treasure.