567: Water and Fire Breakthrough

Buzz~

In the Star Monitoring Hall on West Phoenix Island, located in the western part of the Chaotic Sea within the Chaofeng Ancient Realm, the massive Star Monitoring Instrument gently vibrated, with streams of light flickering. Before long, a white-haired figure holding a precious bead emerged from the radiance.

"Sword Lord."

Zhou Xingmian, stationed here, was as usual the first to sense the anomaly in the Star Monitoring Instrument. He woke up several distracted Disciples, then respectfully saluted the white-haired figure that appeared.

Zhou Xiuyuan nodded slightly, not lingering. With a single step, he appeared outside the Star Monitoring Hall.

At this moment, outside the main hall, a graceful female cultivator emerged from the central defense hall of West Phoenix Island.

"Elder Li."

"Hall Master Yuan."

Zhou Xiuyuan and Li Shuwu greeted each other.

"I have made all the arrangements."

Li Shuwu's Divine Thought stirred. Before long, figures appeared outside the Star Monitoring Hall. After respectfully saluting, they looked up at the sacred bead above.

"Good."

Zhou Xiuyuan nodded and bowed in salute.

The azure precious bead, reflecting the illusory image of mountains and seas, stirred gently.

Buzz~

Figures suddenly appeared outside the main hall of the Star Monitoring Hall.

"Welcome to the Chaofeng Ancient Realm."

Among the figures that suddenly appeared,

Zhou Chuanqi quietly said to Zhou Chuanfa beside him.

"This place is West Phoenix Island, under the Family's jurisdiction. We will rest here for a few days before heading to Gui Zhou Island once the Family's spirit boat arrives."

In the air, Zhou Xiuyuan spoke softly.

"We obey the Sword Lord's command."

Below, figures with unfamiliar looks in their eyes respectfully assented.

"Fellow clansmen, please follow me."

At this, one of the Zhou Family Disciples summoned by Li Shuwu took the lead, guiding figures—some curious, some anxious, some uneasy—towards the tall, magnificent buildings.

"Hall Master, please follow me..."

Seeing the Zhou Family clansmen from the Upper Realm being escorted by the Disciples who had long been waiting, Li Shuwu turned sideways. Before her words could finish, her expression suddenly changed, and her gaze turned towards a multi-storied palace in the distance.

Zhou Xiuyuan was also like this, a hint of surprise appearing on his face.

"Oh?"

"This is..."

"Dingyang and Dingze have broken through?"

Zhou Xiuyuan's heart stirred.

Above the multi-storied palace in the distance, auspicious clouds of red and green intertwined and gathered, shrouding the sky above the palace.

The red and green colors continuously evolved, seemingly containing the two Dao of Water and Fire Origin within them.

Buzz~

Just then.

Two three-inch tall illusory figures leaped out from the palace, merging into the red and green auspicious clouds.

Boom!

The auspicious clouds shifted, gathering towards the two illusory figures within them.

The two three-inch tall illusory figures opened their mouths and inhaled, drawing the two massive auspicious clouds into their bodies.

An Aura exceeding the Golden Core limit emanated from the two small, suddenly appearing illusory figures.

"Nascent Soul True Lord..."

This Aura startled the figures who had arrived from the Upper Realm.

"Which Senior of the Family is breaking through?"

Among the crowd, Zhou Chuanfa asked Zhou Chuanqi beside him.

Before Zhou Chuanqi could answer,

In front of everyone,

a heroic figure with a long sword on his back and dressed in a tight-fitting outfit spoke softly.

"Those are Immortal Master Chiyang and Immortal Master Zexi. No, they should be True Lords now."

Chiyang and Zexi were the Dao names of Zhou Dingyang and Zhou Dingze.

"It's Ancestor Yang and Ancestor Ze."

Everyone's hearts stirred, their eyes holding a hint of yearning.

"Let's go."

"The two True Lords will not emerge from seclusion so quickly."

After observing for a long time, and once the two three-inch tall illusory figures re-entered the main hall, everyone, still somewhat unsatisfied, proceeded to the designated pavilions... Several days later.

Outside West Phoenix Island.

A massive spirit boat, bearing a snake-patterned zhou character command flag, broke through the sea and docked at the port of West Phoenix Island.

Inside West Phoenix Island, Zhou Chuanfa, Zhou Chuanjian, and others, having gained a preliminary understanding of the vast Chaotic Sea, followed the white-haired figure in front and boarded the huge spirit boat.

The spirit boat set sail, slowly heading in the direction of Gui Zhou Island.

Over a month later.

On Gui Zhou Island, which was perennially shrouded in vast clouds and mist, in the Zhou Family Main Hall on Qingyang Peak.

An indifferent figure with silver hair scattered behind his head entered the main hall.

"Father."

Zhou Xiuyuan bowed in salute.

"All the clansmen from the Lower Realm have been brought back to the Family."

"Also, Dingyang and Dingze have already broken through to the Nascent Soul realm."

Zhou Xiuyuan was concise.

"Hehe~"

"I already know."

In the Zhou Family Main Hall.

A middle-aged figure chuckled softly.

Zhou Xiuyuan nodded.

This was already expected.

After speaking, he had intended to leave. This trip to the Lower Realm, returning to the Old Land and visiting old acquaintances who had passed away, had brought new changes to his state of mind.

Perhaps before long, he could break through again.

"Wait, I have something to tell you."

Zhou Leyi watched Zhou Xiuyuan, who was about to turn and leave, and shook his head helplessly.

Hearing this, Zhou Xiuyuan turned around and looked at Zhou Leyi, who now showed some traces of age.

"These past few years, under the Old Ancestor's might, the Family's influence has expanded rapidly."

"My current cultivation as a father is no longer sufficient."

"Dingyang has a steady temperament, and his cultivation has also advanced to the Nascent Soul realm. His qualifications, seniority, and cultivation are all sufficient to bear the heavy responsibility of the Family."

Zhou Leyi sighed softly. For a Nascent Soul cultivator to serve as the current Head of the Zhou Family was still quite lacking, but given the Zhou Family's current situation, this was the only way.

Zhou Xiuyuan paused slightly, his expression showing some change, but he did not speak, still looking at Zhou Leyi, awaiting his subsequent words.

"And I can also shed this heavy burden, so I can advance further on the path of the Great Dao."

Zhou Leyi's expression seemed a bit more relaxed.

"I support Father's decision."

"However, has Father reported this matter to the Old Ancestor, and has he discussed it with Third Paternal Grand-Aunt and Eldest Uncle?"

Looking at Zhou Leyi, who had already made his decision, Zhou Xiuyuan slowly nodded, then continued to ask.

"The Old Ancestor already knows. As for your Third Paternal Grand-Aunt, I lobbied her several times before succeeding. Your Eldest Uncle is still in seclusion on South Sea Divine Island, receiving a Legacy, but your Eldest Uncle will certainly agree."

Zhou Leyi had clearly made thorough preparations.

"When does Father plan to make the handover?"

"Wait until Dingyang comes out of seclusion."

From within the Zhou Family Main Hall, a white-haired figure flew out.

Zhou Xiuyuan's expression was somewhat ethereal, both happy for his father and faintly sad.

He was happy because, by stepping down as Family Head, his father could dedicate himself fully to cultivation, giving him a chance to advance further, enter the Nascent Soul True Lord realm, and extend his lifespan. This was a good thing.

But precisely because of this, he also felt the passage of time.

Zhou Xiuyuan composed himself and returned to the Sword Hall. His initial thought of immediately entering seclusion suddenly changed... Within Gui Zhou Island.

On a tall mountain peak beside Qingyang Peak.

A figure with slightly dark skin was wielding a broad, heavy sword, moving and shifting amidst countless falling leaves.

His movements were powerful and heavy, stirring up whirlwinds of leaves.

"Are you interested in joining the Sword Hall?"

Just then, a clear voice came from high in the sky.

Zhou Chuanjian was startled, and quickly stopped his movements.

Before he could catch his breath, he saw Zhou Nanying's figure appear before him.

"Of course!"

Zhou Chuanjian's face was overflowing with pleasant surprise.