Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao Chapter 1552 - 76: Unification

News regarding Gu Xi remained elusive for Zhou Yan. While his profound love and unwavering trust anchored him, moments of intense longing brought a heart-wrenching ache of concern. Perhaps because true peace had been a stranger for so long, its fleeting arrival allowed emotions to surge with unbridled force.

Taking a deep, steadying breath, Zhou Yan quelled the internal tempest, gradually bringing his heart to a state of equilibrium. Gazing upon the Life Ancient Tree, he felt an undeniable, profound connection, as if he were attuned to a unique essence of the Ancient Life Clan. In this state, Zhou Yan unexpectedly drifted into a simple, thoughtless enlightenment.

However, this was not the comprehension of any Dao; it was merely a fleeting clarity of mind. At this precise moment, Zhou Yan perceived the subtle fluctuations of a unique energy aura embracing him, and the exceptionally familiar, intimate, and tender feeling swelled within his heart. Without even turning, Zhou Yan knew with certainty that the beloved he had so deeply missed had arrived.

"Qingyan, Zishuang. Sisi."

Turning, Zhou Yan’s eyes welled with tears, his voice catching with emotion. He, who had endured countless hardships, moments of utter despair, and times when his heart turned to cold ash, now felt a sudden prickling in his nose, and tears streamed uncontrollably.

"Husband, Qingyan is home."

"Husband, Zishuang has returned as well. Your Qing'er, your Mo Yuyao, Xiao Ziyi, and your other beloved women have all returned."

"Father, Sisi has grown so much."

The three women, each with their distinct identities, echoed sentiments of deep affection. Whether born of romantic love or familial tenderness, the emotions were exceptionally profound at this juncture.

"Qingyan, Zishuang... it is wonderful that you are back, truly wonderful. From this moment forward, we shall never be separated again."

"Sisi, Father, I have failed you and caused you to... suffer."

Zhou Yan's voice choked, overwhelmed by the profound sensation of reuniting with long-lost family. This feeling ignited a youthful vigor within his old heart, suffusing him with warm, exhilarating emotions.

"Husband, we will never leave again; we will always be by your side."

"Father, Sisi has never held any blame towards you, and my guilt and yearning for you, Father, have deepened beyond words."

Zhou Sisi spoke softly, her gaze fixed on Zhou Yan with an exceptionally intimate light. In that moment, Zhou Yan finally understood that the estrangement he had once felt towards Zhou Sisi had completely vanished. Though he might have slightly favored Yanyan, his paternal love for both Yanyan and Sisi was equally profound; it was Sisi’s internal struggles that had often burdened him with guilt.

With the knots in their hearts finally untangled, Zhou Yan realized he had shed his heaviest burden. He discovered that perhaps love, while significant, was not the ultimate treasure in his heart. The most vital element was, in fact, the unbreakable bonds of family – the ties to Yanyan, Sisi, and Hou Chen that he could never relinquish.

"Sisi, you have truly come of age."

Zhou Yan let out a deep, resonant sigh. Simultaneously, his gaze settled upon Feng Zishuang and Mu Qingyan, brimming with tenderness. Neither Feng Zishuang nor Mu Qingyan shied away from Zhou Yan’s loving gaze; their eyes mirrored his own ultimate tenderness. In that shared moment, Feng Zishuang and Mu Qingyan saw only Zhou Yan, and in Zhou Yan’s eyes, only these most cherished figures existed.

...

Tranquility, akin to the hushed calm preceding a great tempest, settled once more upon the Elf Domain. In these peaceful days, with the esteemed presence of the two Kings, Mu Qingyan and Feng Zishuang, alongside formidable figures like Ji Wu and Hua Qiudao, the Elf Domain experienced a surge in its innate strength.

Mu Qingyan, Feng Zishuang, and Jiang Yuning embarked on the meticulous reorganization of the Elf Domain, attending to every facet with dedicated precision. This ensured that Zhou Yan no longer bore the weight of its administration. The submission of the Cold Ice Palace to the Elf Domain’s dominion began to ripple across the Ziwei Emperor Star, igniting considerable upheaval.

Following this, Zhou Yan issued a decree for the unification of the Ziwei Emperor Star, simultaneously forging an alliance with the Speech Spirit Heavenly Girl. At this juncture, both the Word Spirit Clan and the race to which Suxin belonged, integrated seamlessly into the Elf Domain, propelling its expansion to its zenith.

Under this overwhelming momentum, and without the interference of any formidable evil spirits, the unification proceeded with unparalleled smoothness. Any factions that clung to neutrality or dared to resist were utterly annihilated by Zhou Yan’s forces, leaving no trace of their existence.

Eight days after his return to the Elf Domain, Zhou Yan had successfully unified the Ziwei Emperor Star. Prominent figures from across the various domains on the Star converged to pay homage, each imprinting Zhou Yan’s King’s Mark upon their foreheads. Zhou Yan’s King’s Mark now commanded nearly ten elemental rules, and his combat prowess had ascended to an extraordinary level, falling just shy of Mu Qingyan’s formidable strength.

Nonetheless, Zhou Yan remains no match for Mu Qingyan, and even less so for Feng Zishuang.

Both Mu Qingyan and Feng Zishuang possess extraordinarily potent abilities in this regard.

Following the Emperor Star's unification, all surviving life forms were relocated to the Elf Domain Sea within the Elf Domain. Here, Zhou Yan established stable, formidable spatial pathways, effectively shielding them from external assailants.

The Emperor Star itself entered a state of complete readiness for conflict.

Throughout this time, Zhou Yan engaged in regular dialogues and dedicated cultivation alongside Mu Qingyan and Feng Zishuang, yet a breakthrough eluded him.

Zhou Yan harbored no anxiety; he treasured the moments spent with his family, experiencing a rare sense of contentment.

While Zhou Yan remained unperturbed, Mu Qingyan and Feng Zishuang exhibited a degree of unease, constantly strategizing ways for Zhou Yan to achieve that crucial advancement.

The reason for their concern was that once Zhou Yan transcended to the King Realm, the immortal principle of kingship would reach true Mahayana, propelling Zhou Yan toward astonishing progress and resolving numerous lingering issues.

Zhou Yan perceived the anxiety and disquiet within Feng Zishuang and Mu Qingyan; the matters troubling these two queens were undoubtedly significant.

However, Zhou Yan no longer harbored worries. Having unified the Emperor Star, various races from across the cosmos had pledged their allegiance. They united with Fu Wanling, Suxin, and others to forge a powerful Elf Domain, one no longer susceptible to easy manipulation.

This was a genuine unification. At this juncture, whether Zhou Yan entered the King Realm sooner or later, he felt it would make little difference.

He acknowledged that his grasp on certain aspects remained superficial, and some profound truths remained concealed from him.

Despite this, Zhou Yan maintained his optimistic outlook, understanding that stress would not facilitate a breakthrough.

If the King Realm were easily attained, would not the world be replete with kings?

Thus, the days continued as before.

By the twelfth day, Mu Qingyan and Feng Zishuang began to display pronounced signs of apprehension. Zhou Yan noticed this, feeling a subtle weight but remained silent, continuing his contemplation beneath the Life Ancient Tree.

Come the eighteenth day, Feng Zishuang could no longer contain her restlessness.

This time, it was not Zhou Yan who sought her out; she came to him.

Upon reaching Zhou Yan's side, she suppressed her burgeoning anxiety. With a gaze laced with tenderness yet tinged with worry, she spoke: "Husband, you have yet to ascend to the King Realm, but we can no longer afford to wait. I must impart something of grave importance to you."

Feng Zishuang paused, then continued with solemnity.

At that precise moment, Fu Wanling materialized in the vicinity of Zhou Yan. Before Zhou Yan could respond, she interjected: "Feng Zishuang, your words are unnecessary. Time may already be running out, for the pervasive soul poison from the Yanling Domain has commenced its spread across the heavens and earth, drawing perilously near."

Her declaration, delivered by Speech Spirit Heavenly Girl Fu Wanling, who had not yet attained the King Realm and still felt somewhat lacking, nevertheless effectively halted much of what Feng Zishuang intended to convey.

"It has arrived?"

Feng Zishuang stood momentarily stunned, then inquired with disbelief.

"It has arrived," Fu Wanling confirmed with a sigh, her tone heavy with desolation.

Feng Zishuang's elegant form quivered twice, on the verge of collapse. Zhou Yan moved swiftly to enfold her in his arms.

It was evident that this news struck Feng Zishuang profoundly, portending potentially dire consequences.

In that instant, as Zhou Yan attempted to utter words of comfort, he gradually became aware of the presence of numerous familiar and cherished figures surrounding him.

Yanyan, Mu Qingyan, Hua Qiudao, Ji Wu.

These individuals possessed partial knowledge of the unfolding truths but had never voiced them, nor had they actively sought out Zhou Yan during the preceding eighteen days.

Yet, they had now converged in this place.

Furthermore, they had heard Fu Wanling's pronouncements clearly, betraying no significant surprise.

Observing this gathering, Feng Zishuang's beautiful eyes darkened further.

Drawing a deep breath, she sighed once more, her voice heavy as she asked: "What is the current state of affairs?"

"Presently, the vast domain has succumbed to ruin. The pervasive, malevolent soul poison has infiltrated the entirety of the Galaxy Space. The singularity itself is infected and rapidly being consumed, and the Eternal Life Domain has begun to wither completely."

"Moreover, Hou Chen suffered defeat in his confrontation with the Evil Spirit Dominator."

The speaker was Mu Qingyan. After concluding, she let out another silent sigh.

"So, our only recourse now is to retreat into the Ancient Life Clan, abandoning the Elf Domain?" Feng Zishuang inquired, her voice filled with a dawning dread.