Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao Chapter 1547 - 71: Reunion with Mu Qingyan

Zhou Yan perceived his father Zhou Wangchen’s gaze, and his spirit quivered once more.

Whenever that particular look appeared, an involuntary tremor would seize his spirit, as if his father harbored an untold history.

"Mu Qingyan, do you also hold some grudges? Father, you could confide in me about everything; some burdens need not be carried by you alone anymore."

After a prolonged period of contemplation, Zhou Yan voiced this inquiry.

Zhou Wangchen’s eyes remained fixed on Zhou Yan for an extended duration. Only when Zhou Yan began to feel an inexplicable unease under that weathered and desolate gaze did Zhou Wangchen finally withdraw it.

"You are not privy to Mu Qingyan’s affairs. However, ignorance can be advantageous. Had you inherited that Origin, the present circumstances would be vastly different, and certainly more disadvantageous. The current situation is, in fact, the most favorable possible outcome."

"In that case, it is best not to dwell on unpleasantness. Regardless, everything will transform in due time, and past occurrences will cease to be, nor will they persist. Knowing certain meaningless details now is quite unnecessary and would only invite further complications."

Zhou Wangchen’s words carried a profound sincerity.

Indeed, Zhou Yan found himself utterly unable to refute any of his father’s points.

Zhou Wangchen’s statement implicitly conveyed a crucial understanding: the future held inevitable change.

Zhou Yan remained silent for a moment before replying, "Since you say so, Father, I shall probe no further. Truthfully, I do not require absolute clarity on the reasons behind matters to quell the doubts in my heart. As you stated, knowing or not knowing these things today holds little significance. It is merely that I harbor a desire to share your burdens."

"I certainly grasp your sentiment, which is precisely why I refrain from disclosing everything. Moreover, Mu Qingyan has been in a constant state of metamorphosis and progress. Whether past developments carry any new significance now, I know little."

"On this occasion, when you encounter Mu Qingyan, you may converse freely, and undoubtedly, she will apprise you of certain situations."

"I cannot foretell the specifics of what will transpire, but should you seek her assistance, she will assuredly lend her aid. Subsequently, the combined forces of the Cold Ice Palace and the Elf Domain will converge."

"Naturally, this process will not be swiftly concluded."

Zhou Wangchen paused in thought before elaborating.

Zhou Yan began to contemplate, then nodded, offering no further words.

It was evident that Zhou Wangchen was withholding certain information, yet Zhou Yan harbored no resentment. This was because, even without explicit explanations, Zhou Yan understood that every decision was made with his best interests at heart.

This dedication to his well-being was genuine and profound, not superficial or assumed.

At their current cultivation realm and power level, all considerations necessarily encompassed a multitude of factors.

Zhou Wangchen let out a soft sigh and casually conjured a celestial tapestry, speckled with stars as if it were a fragment of the night sky, which descended to envelop them.

Within this nocturnal expanse, numerous singularities materialized, forming intricate, layered patterns. These appeared as spatial coordinates, weaving geometric designs in the void, twisting and turning.

Then, one of the singularities flared with an intense brilliance, akin to a newly emerged, exceedingly radiant star.

At that precise moment, Zhou Wangchen extended his hand, clasped Zhou Yan’s, and together they stepped into the singularity.

Zhou Wangchen’s hand remained remarkably rough and firm, calloused, reminiscent of the coarse, aged hands of the past.

Those hands had been tirelessly occupied, sculpting a lifelike statue of a woman.

Those same hands would consistently lift a flask of Fiery Flame Sword Heart Wine, raising it to his lips for a drink, accompanied by fits of coughing and pain, an unending cycle.

This recollection felt like a journey back to childhood, a return to bygone days, to an era of blissful ignorance.

Now, regaining his senses, Zhou Yan was filled with an infinite sense of wistful regret.

Yet, betraying no outward emotion, he silently followed his father into the singularity’s depths.

An austere, snow-laden world unfurled before Zhou Yan’s eyes.

In the distance, the landscape of ice and snow lay vast and desolate. Amidst this silver-clad expanse, all other hues were lost, leaving only a fierce, stark white.

Upon the snowy ground, all existence seemed like a silver crucible, perceiving all beings as mere fish and meat.

Zhou Yan arrived but found himself unable to sense the Origin Rules governing the elemental snow here. Despite his capabilities, combat prowess, and the aid of a King Half-Saint Spirit, it was clear the entity presiding over this domain remained far beyond Zhou Yan’s comprehension, immensely powerful.

Zhou Yan let out a sigh, a sense of profound familiarity washing over him.

Yet, paradoxically, this very familiarity made the snow-capped peak within this icy realm appear exceptionally dazzling.

At the summit of the snow peak, the image of the woman with a human head and a serpent’s body seemed to faintly materialize, an eternal presence.

Zhou Yan's gaze fixed intently on that location. Beside him, Zhou Wangchen stood with the endless, falling snow blanketing his head, a silver-white layer remaining undisturbed. He, too, watched the snow-capped summit, his expression one of indescribable complexity. After a significant pause, Zhou Wangchen sighed, addressing Mu Qingyan. "Child Qingyan, the conflict between Hou Chen and Bi Shui has concluded. A new, unknown era is dawning."

"Yanyan's transgressions have been rectified to near perfection. You should cease punishing yourself any further."

"I have brought Zhou Yan here now to escort you home."

"If you are willing, return with us. If not, then… reveal yourself one last time and assist us in completing a final task." Zhou Wangchen’s voice carried an immense, weathered weight.

His tone was so profoundly somber that Zhou Yan felt a heavy burden of worry and unease settle upon his heart. Shortly after Zhou Wangchen concluded his words, Mu Qingyan materialized before them.

Her entire being radiated the power of Cold Ice, suffused with an incredibly dense Holy Spirit Breath. Yet, traces of Evil Spirit Energy flowed through her, manifesting as turbulent waves surging within. Zhou Yan felt as though he could perceive the sheer immensity of her Evil Spirit Power, akin to a raging ocean poised to unleash its fury at any moment.

A shiver coursed through Zhou Yan. With such formidable Evil Spirit Energy and combat prowess, he mused that perhaps very few Holy Spirits in this world could stand against her. Comparing his own fighting strength, Zhou Yan performed a swift calculation, his face draining of color.

He had previously assumed the disparity between himself and Mu Qingyan was minimal. However, witnessing her current state and making a direct comparison, Zhou Yan instantly realized he was far from her equal. Mu Qingyan’s cultivation realm and combat power had ascended to a terrifying new level; it was conceivable that even ancient Holy Spirits like the White Tiger Saint Spirit might not be a match for her now.

Zhou Yan remained silent, while Mu Qingyan regarded him with a tranquil gaze. This time, her look was neither cold, nor warm, nor intimate, nor distant, nor indifferent, nor insincere. It was a gaze that defied easy description, wherein Zhou Yan faintly detected a whisper of sorrow.

Experiencing an overwhelming sense of pressure, Zhou Yan stared at Mu Qingyan, seemingly seeking an answer. Mu Qingyan, however, averted her eyes from Zhou Yan and turned her attention to Zhou Wangchen. "Father, these past years have truly been arduous for you. As a daughter-in-law, my actions are merely attempts at atonement, and thus, no matter how much I do, it always feels insufficient. Since many events have transpired, there must be someone to bear their consequences. You are aware of my husband's circumstances, and what we are capable of doing is..."

As Mu Qingyan spoke, she cast a glance at Zhou Yan before continuing, "The reason Feng Zishuang cannot recover is that her two missing arms are currently with me. As long as they remain on me, she will be forever unable to reclaim them."

"Now, I shall sever them and return them, so that Feng Zishuang may be made whole." As Mu Qingyan finished speaking, an exceptionally potent surge of Evil Spirit Power emanated from her. Subsequently, her physical form underwent a series of astonishing transformations.

The apparition of a human head atop a serpent’s body flickered incessantly, as if countless souls were interlacing within her. Among these souls, many began to morph and evolve, solidifying into two exceptionally distinct arms, appearing as if carved from white jade. Once manifested, these two arms immediately transformed into streams of light, vanishing from that space.

Meanwhile, in a different location, Feng Zishuang was suddenly enveloped by an endless cascade of radiant light, commencing a profound new transformation. ...

Zhou Yan observed as Mu Qingyan gradually grew weaker, her form taking on a darkened hue. It was as if a breathtaking beauty from the Ten Thousand Realms had suddenly become rather grotesque. However, this grotesqueness was relative; even in her ugliness, she transcended the boundaries of conventional beauty.

Mu Qingyan's complexion turned dark, as if afflicted by poison, with endless streams of black Evil Spirit Qi raging and circulating across her body. The vast ocean of Evil Spirits dwelling within her seemed to unleash ferocious roars. Zhou Yan felt a pang of deep concern, but Zhou Wangchen spoke softly, "Lee Ran has integrated the Dao of the Moral King, devising a technique of Qi focus and softening, which can temporarily alleviate your current condition. It is perfectly alright if you do not grasp the concept of Qi focus and softening; I possess a chip here. Insert it into your tower-shaped mark and refine it, and you will understand how to proceed."

Zhou Wangchen's words were exceptionally gentle, uttered as if he were speaking to his own flesh and blood. Indeed, Mu Qingyan, as his daughter-in-law, was implicitly his daughter. Upon hearing this, Mu Qingyan temporarily managed to suppress the chaotic situation engulfing her. With her two newly formed, pitch-black arms, brimming with black Evil Spirit Qi, she assumed the posture of the Eight Diagrams Heaven Breaking Sword Formation and spoke with evident difficulty, "Father, the chip represents the core of your Dao and is also the origin of your King Holy Spirit mark. Qingyan cannot accept it."