"Kid, let go of that fairy!"
A thunderous roar echoed from the distant horizon. Then, everyone saw a streak of golden light piercing through the sky, accompanied by an overwhelming aura rippling across the heavens and earth.
This aura was filled with arrogance—yet beneath that arrogance, no one dared to feel any resentment.
Golden light tore through the void, causing the surrounding energy to surge.
Finally, the golden radiance hovered in the sky before Zhou Yi, transforming into an enormous golden spear spanning over ten meters in length.
Upon the spear stood a man draped in golden robes, his long hair flowing freely. An aura of unparalleled arrogance erupted from his body, making him appear like a peerless war spear towering over the world itself!
The crowd gazed at the golden-robed figure standing atop the massive golden spear, their eyes filled with envy. To live a life of such grandeur and prestige—was this not the ultimate reward for years of arduous cultivation?
"It's Wang Yan from the Wang Clan! He's also emerged from the ancient tomb!"
"Looks like we're in for a good show!"
The onlookers widened their eyes in excitement, eagerly anticipating the impending confrontation.
Shortly after, Qin Shi of the Qin Clan and Lin Langtian of the Lin Family also exited the tomb.
However, the moment they saw Ling Qingzhu cradled in the arms of a handsome young man, they were utterly stunned.
They had some understanding of Ling Qingzhu's identity.
None of them dared to provoke her.
So, who was this young man?
Why had they never seen him before?
They didn't act immediately—after all, Wang Yan had already rushed forward, making him the perfect test subject.
"Scram."
Zhou Yi cast an indifferent glance at Wang Yan. This kind of trash wasn't even worth his attention.
Under Zhou Yi's gaze, Wang Yan felt an instinctive terror creep up his spine. His body trembled, and he nearly fell off his golden spear.
Realizing this, Wang Yan was both humiliated and enraged.
He had actually been frightened by this pretty-faced youth!
Zhou Yi looked even younger than him—so what if he was a prodigy from beyond the Great Yan Dynasty? Wang Yan was determined to see how much strength this so-called genius really had.
Moreover, in front of a beauty and a crowd of spectators, a man's dignity was paramount.
If he backed down after a single word from Zhou Yi, he would no longer have a place in the world.
"You're courting death!"
With a furious roar, Wang Yan stomped on the golden spear beneath him. The massive weapon quivered violently, condensing brilliant golden energy at its tip. A dazzling golden spear aura, spanning over ten meters, shot forth like a meteor!
"Boom! Boom!"
As the spear light surged forward, it created shockwaves in its wake, causing the air to tremble with deep, resonant blasts.
The spectators gasped in awe.
"Such a powerful strike! I wonder if that young man can withstand it?"
"Isn't the fairy still there?"
"With the fairy's strength, Wang Yan might not necessarily be her match."
"But look at her—her face is flushed. It seems like she's injured."
The crowd fixed their eyes on the battlefield, while Lin Langtian and Qin Shi closely observed Zhou Yi, eager to uncover his secrets.
"Scram."
Zhou Yi uttered a single word again. This time, his voice was not loud, yet it rang like a morning bell and evening drum, shaking everyone's very souls. Even Lin Langtian and Qin Shi felt an overwhelming fear of death creeping into their hearts.
What followed was even more shocking.
As Zhou Yi's word fell, the space before him seemed to collapse inch by inch. Wang Yan's spear light instantly shattered, turning into nothingness.
Then, the golden spear itself began to disintegrate, vanishing bit by bit.
Finally, Wang Yan's body also crumbled away, erased from existence.
In an instant—
Wang Yan was completely obliterated, leaving no trace behind.
A cold breeze swept through the battlefield, sending shivers down everyone's spines. Even Lin Langtian and Qin Shi were overcome with immense terror and reverence.
Too terrifying.
"At the very least, he must be at the Nirvana stage!"
As prodigies from prestigious clans, Lin Langtian and Qin Shi quickly formed a hypothesis. Their respect for Zhou Yi deepened further.
They hurriedly stepped forward and bowed with utmost reverence:
"Lin Langtian of the Lin Clan (Qin Shi of the Qin Clan) greets the senior!"
At this moment, they no longer considered Zhou Yi someone of their own generation. He was undoubtedly an ancient powerhouse who had mastered the art of preserving his youthful appearance.
"Let's go."
Zhou Yi paid them no heed and simply spoke to Lin Dong in a calm tone.
Crushing Wang Yan was no different from stepping on a bothersome ant.
Had Wang Yan not provoked him, Zhou Yi wouldn't have even acknowledged his existence.
"Yes, Master!"
Lin Dong snapped back to reality and quickly followed, his heart surging with excitement.
Though he had long suspected his master's strength, witnessing it firsthand made him truly understand its terrifying magnitude.
Yet, even with his knowledge, he had no way of gauging just how powerful Zhou Yi really was.
Ling Qingzhu and Xiao Diao, however, had a clearer understanding.
"He might be even stronger than my master."
Ling Qingzhu mused silently.
Her master was the Palace Master of the Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace—one of the eight super sects of the Eastern Xuan Region, standing at the pinnacle of power.
Yet, considering that Zhou Yi knew about the Great Thousand World and had traveled from the Dou Qi Continent to the Tianxuan Continent, it was only natural that he was stronger than her master.
Lin Langtian and Qin Shi felt a bit displeased at being ignored, but they dared not show it.
The fate of Wang Yan was a stark warning before them.
After Zhou Yi had left, Qin Shi chuckled and congratulated Lin Langtian, "Brother Lin, it seems your Lin Clan is about to prosper. Having such a formidable master, your disciple is truly blessed!"
Lin Langtian's expression remained sullen. He gave a brief response and quickly departed, intending to report this matter to his family.
Qin Shi did not linger either, swiftly returning to inform his clan.
"My heavens, Wang Yan actually died just like that?"
"That senior is terrifying! With just a single word, he annihilated Wang Yan without even leaving behind a corpse. Even that divine weapon was reduced to dust. Absolutely horrifying!"
"Wang Yan really hit a steel plate this time!"
"Indeed. Once the Wang Clan receives this news, not only will they refrain from seeking revenge, they'll probably rush to apologize!"
"Naturally! With that senior's strength, wiping out the Wang Clan would be effortless!"
The crowd erupted in fervent discussion, and news of the event spread like wildfire.
Meanwhile—
Having instructed Lin Dong to return home and cultivate with the resources he provided, Zhou Yi took Ling Qingzhu aboard a flying vessel he personally crafted.
"Where are you taking me?" Ling Qingzhu's voice was soft, her crystal-clear eyes gazing at Zhou Yi.
"Where do you think?"
Zhou Yi chuckled, gently caressing her flawless cheek. "You are my woman now. Naturally, I am going to see your master—to formally propose marriage!"
"What?! Propose marriage?!"
Ling Qingzhu's serene, water-like eyes froze in shock, filled with disbelief. She hadn't expected Zhou Yi to actually plan on proposing at the Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace.
Although, in a way, it made sense.
But they had only just met.
Even if their relationship had already deepened—having completely opened up to each other with no barriers remaining—this was still too fast.
She was caught off guard.
A storm of emotions churned within Ling Qingzhu's heart, an overwhelming mix of feelings that left her at a loss.
She had already given her purity to Zhou Yi.
Yet she had never imagined she would be marrying him so soon.
But if she didn't marry Zhou Yi, she knew she could never accept another man in this lifetime.
"Don't worry, I'll convince your master. You just need to focus on being the bride—leave everything else to me."
Zhou Yi's words stirred something deep in Ling Qingzhu's heart. An inexplicable sense of reliance and reassurance washed over her.
"You may be strong, but my master might not agree. Besides, you broke my cultivation technique—she's probably going to be furious!"
Ling Qingzhu hesitated before adding:
"If she refuses, please don't fight with her, alright? I can leave with you."
She wasn't sure exactly how powerful Zhou Yi was, but she knew he wasn't weak. More than likely, her master wouldn't be able to defeat him.
"Relax, I won't harm your master."
Zhou Yi smiled.
The Palace Master of Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace—an icy, mature beauty of immense strength. Zhou Yi had always been one to cherish beauty, and he had a special fondness for elegant older women.
"Thank you."
Ling Qingzhu expressed her gratitude.
"A mere 'thank you' isn't enough."
"Then what do you want?"
Ling Qingzhu's delicate brows furrowed slightly.
"I helped detoxify you before, but now I've been poisoned as well."
Zhou Yi took Ling Qingzhu's soft, fair hand and placed it on himself.
"Look, the poison has already invaded my body—I'm completely swollen!"
"You…"
Ling Qingzhu's eyes widened in shock, stunned by the "poison" affecting Zhou Yi.
"I can't cure this!" she turned her head away coldly.
"You can. Believe in yourself—let me teach you."
Zhou Yi provided technical guidance.
He had Ling Qingzhu turn around, leaning against the transparent window of the flying boat. Gazing out at the blue sky, white clouds, and the vast mountains and rivers below, she gradually relaxed her mind and body.
Zhou Yi, positioned behind her, gave detailed instructions.
Ling Qingzhu frowned, biting her lip as she tried her best to learn, absorbing the knowledge Zhou Yi was imparting to her.
The flying boat flashed through the sky at an astonishing speed, swiftly leaving the Great Yan Dynasty's borders and heading toward the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace.
Traveling tens of thousands of miles a day, Ling Qingzhu, as a native, took it upon herself to act as a proper host, guiding Zhou Yi through the world's breathtaking landscapes and cultural wonders.
They admired vast rivers and majestic mountains, watched streams trickle through the valleys, witnessed great birds soaring over the sea, fish gliding through the deep waters, and massive whales spouting towering water jets.
With Ling Qingzhu by his side, Zhou Yi enjoyed a leisurely journey of sightseeing and adventure, so much so that he nearly forgot his original purpose.
Three days later, after traversing countless scenic views, they finally arrived at the Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace.
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