"What is that thing? It's so terrifying!"
One of the three titans of the Pill Tower—the elegantly attired Xuan Yi—could only gaze in shock. Her mature, beautiful features betrayed her amazement as her deep eyes fixed on the Universe Ring clutched in Zhou Yi's hand.
She had seen it before and assumed it to be merely a decorative trinket.
Yet she never expected it to be such a devastating weapon—one that could obliterate even the fearsome, renown-shattering Hall Master Hun Miesheng of the Soul Hall with a single strike, reducing him to nothingness.
Such a treasure was completely unknown to her.
But as she watched Zhou Yi casually display the peerless might that had so thoroughly crushed the Soul Hall's master in a single, decisive blow, she couldn't help but feel an overwhelming admiration.
"A true hero should be like this," she thought.
"The tides have turned! With the Hall Master, the Vice Hall Master, the Grand Heavenly Venerate, and the Second Heavenly Venerate of the Soul Hall all dead, the upper echelons of the Soul Hall have been nearly wiped out!"
"Now that the notoriously wicked Soul Hall is suffering a heavy blow, with its top experts decimated, it is the perfect time to beat a drowning dog!"
At this, the powerful figures of the Central Plains—Lei Zun, Huang Quan Zun, and others—suddenly became much more opportunistic. In the past, they had dared not offend the Soul Hall, but now...
With Hun Miesheng and his cohorts fallen, what was there to fear?
Amid the plotting to further exploit the situation and carve up the remnants of the Soul Hall, a refined and ethereal young maiden's curious eyes locked onto Zhou Yi.
"What exactly is that treasure?"
"Could the overwhelming power I sensed last time—one surpassing even a Nine-Star Dou Saint—be emanating from this artifact?"
Gu Xun'er's mind whirled with thoughts. To her, Hun Miesheng was merely a peripheral figure of the Soul Clan—a faction of no great significance.
Even though a Five-Star Dou Saint is formidable, within the Soul Clan he was hardly extraordinary.
"Alright, enough small matters—everyone, don't mind these trivial distractions!"
Zhou Yi's clear, hearty voice rang out, snapping the stunned and fanciful minds of the assembly back to reality.
"Now, resume the music!"
"And let the dance continue!"
At his command, the festivities at the Zhou residence reignited. The musicians and dancers, gathering their composure, resumed their performance.
"Master Zhou's might is unsurpassed—truly awe-inspiring!"
"By eradicating the misdeeds of the Soul Hall, Master Zhou has brought justice to the people. Today, he has eliminated a great evil from the world!"
"On this day of double celebration—both a wedding and the vanquishing of a terror—Master Zhou is a hero beyond compare!"
"Congratulations, Master Zhou…"
As Zhou Yi returned to the Zhou residence, congratulatory voices and obsequious praises rang out.
Even the dreaded Hun Miesheng had been so effortlessly dispatched by him.
It was clear to all:
Zhou Yi's rise was unstoppable.
Here stood a being who was not only an unparalleled powerhouse but also a master alchemist—a presence so formidable that none would dare cross him.
Amidst the chorus of praise, the wedding grew ever more festive.
After making a few rounds of greetings, Zhou Yi departed.
Today, he had ten beauties awaiting him—
"This is the pinnacle of life!" thought Xiao Yan, who sat quietly in a corner.
Watching Zhou Yi stride off with a radiant, triumphant smile as he headed toward the bridal chamber, Xiao Yan's eyes shone with envy.
"Out there he can best ten opponents, and back home he can conquer another ten. Simply astounding… absolutely phenomenal!"
"Master Zhou is so incredibly handsome!"
Among the myriad beauties present, some had come in the hope that their family's mighty patron might take a liking to them, while others had merely come to witness the spectacle.
At this moment, countless beautiful eyes seemed to sparkle even brighter—ever since they'd seen the dramatic scene of the Universe Ring shattering the heads of the Soul Hall's master, vice-master, and Grand Heavenly Venerate.
It was as if that single moment had struck directly at their hearts.
Handsome.
Powerful cultivation.
And on top of that, a master alchemist.
Who could possibly resist?
Even formidable alchemists like Xuan Kong Zi were regarded as near-divine by many, yet they now appeared aged and worn—silver hair, faces lined with wrinkles.
Though true power attracts admirers regardless of age, when compared to Zhou Yi, the difference was unmistakable.
"Qing'er, what do you think of Master Zhou?"
Lei Zun's voice carried a tone of pride as he spoke telepathically to his favored disciple, Feng Qing'er.
Since Zhou Yi clearly had an eye for beauties, it was only natural to indulge her preferences.
Earlier, Lei Zun had felt a twinge of worry.
Now, with the Soul Hall's master eliminated in one blow, there was nothing left to fear—he was nothing short of a colossal prize.
Of course, if it were known that the Soul Hall still had backing from the Soul Clan, he might have hesitated.
But that was a secret known to very few.
"Very strong!"
Feng Qing'er replied simply, though in her heart she added, "And very handsome!"
"Qing'er, you're not so young anymore. If you think well of him, I can go and speak with Master Zhou on your behalf. With your talent and grace, I'm certain he will not refuse!"
"With Master Zhou's assistance, you could soon ascend to the rank of Dou Zun—and who knows, perhaps even a Dou Saint in the future!"
Lei Zun's telepathic words brimmed with promise.
For someone of Feng Qing'er's talent, ascending to Dou Zong was within reach; Dou Zun was a modest step beyond, but becoming a Dou Saint was another matter entirely.
As a member of the Tian Yao Huang Clan—one of the three major demonic beast races—the number of Dou Saint experts was so few that one could count them on one's fingers.
Dou Saint, Dou Saint—transcending mortal limits into divinity…
How arduous it was to reach that exalted state.
Feng Qing'er's luminous eyes shimmered as she paused, recollecting Zhou Yi's heroic bearing. Finally, in a soft voice she murmured,
"It's all up to you, teacher!"
"Very well, very well. Rest assured, I'll take care of it!"
Lei Zun's heart swelled with anticipation.
He was not alone—many present shared similar thoughts.
Unbeknownst to them, at that moment, Zhou Yi had already reached Pei Nanwei's chamber.
Among all the women present today, Pei Nanwei was the first to follow him—not only was she beautiful, but also understanding and adept at winning Zhou Yi's favor.
The two were already well acquainted.
Thus, when Zhou Yi arrived at the bridal chamber, he did not knock but strode in unannounced.
Startled, Pei Nanwei's delicate frame tensed. Her resentful, beautiful eyes glared fiercely at Zhou Yi, as if to say, "You always pick on me!"
"Whoever said that a lady is too beautiful to wait—how could I possibly hold back!"
Zhou Yi chuckled lightly.
There was no drawn-out, back-and-forth duel like those depicted in novels or on screen, where battles commence with the weakest moves and escalate chapter by chapter.
Zhou Yi despised such showy theatrics.
He always unleashed his trump cards without delay.
Just as he had earlier against Hun Miesheng—when, despite facing a formidable Five-Star Dou Saint, Zhou Yi unleashed the combined might of the Zhusian Sword and the Candle Dragon Martial Soul—he proved that even a three-transcendence Dou Zun could go toe-to-toe with Hun Miesheng.
Others might have taken dozens of chapters to build up the suspense, but Zhou Yi simply deployed his innate spiritual treasure, the Qiankun Ring, and shattered Hun Miesheng's head in one blow.
The same occurred now.
In less than half an hour, Pei Nanwei was defeated and rendered unconscious.
Zhou Yi was thoroughly satisfied. He applied medicinal herbs to her wounds and quietly exited the room.
There were still nine more challengers lined up, and he couldn't afford to waste time.
The second to step forward was Nangong Pushe—a prodigy whose talent was extraordinary, though no amount of innate ability could entirely bridge the gap in cultivation.
Despite his best efforts over half an hour, he too fell before Zhou Yi.
In the third bout, the ever-stubborn Big Clumsy Bear roared and brandished his claws, determined to teach Zhou Yi a lesson and seize the initiative.
The outcome was, as expected, disastrous—until his elder sister, Xu Zhihu, rushed in to salvage the situation.
In the end, even she was swiftly subdued by Zhou Yi.
Next came Xu Fengnian's four valets.
Utilizing the "Ask the Heavens" spear technique passed down by Zhou Yi, Qingniao, who had trained for days, earned new respect.
Hong Shu, Huang Gua, and Lu Yi each displayed their own skills, forming a grand array of the four symbols—red, blue, yellow, and green—but all were effortlessly shattered by Zhou Yi's superior strength.
And as for Yu Youwei and Jiang Ni—the two real underachievers—they needed no further mention.
It turned out that Little Ni was made not of mud but of water.
The next day, with the rising sun, Zhou Yi emerged from the battlefield amidst a trail of fallen challengers, his back a testament to his might.
Facing the bright dawn, he strode forth with unbridled ambition and heroic spirit.
He silently challenged the world: "Who else dares?"
In that moment, Zhou Yi couldn't help but think of the Monkey King.
Just as the Golden-Hooped Ape wields his mighty staff to clear the dusty skies, invincibility can be an isolating burden.
"Young Master, Lei Zun has requested an audience with you."
While Qing Lin carefully washed Zhou Yi's face with water, she reported the news.
"Mm, understood."
After drying his face, Zhou Yi handed Qing Lin his towel and ruffled her hair affectionately.
"Once you're older, I'll even let you warm my bed!"
"Ah…"
Qing Lin's delicate cheeks flushed scarlet. Both startled and delighted, her timid eyes shone with a mix of anticipation and trepidation.
"D-do I really have a chance?"
Having suffered discrimination since childhood, she carried deep insecurities.
Although Zhou Yi treated her kindly, she never dared to ask for more—simply serving by his side was more than enough.
"Of course you do!"
Bending low, Zhou Yi planted a kiss on Qing Lin's forehead and then left in his usual carefree manner, leaving her dazed and exhilarated.
Her heart pounded furiously, as if happiness had descended upon her in an instant.
Zhou Yi then went to meet Lei Zun.
Lei Zun explained the matter concerning Feng Qing'er.
Naturally, Zhou Yi could not refuse.
Feng Qing'er was an extraordinary beauty from the Tian Yao Huang Clan—a trait that promised superb offspring.
The Wind and Thunder Pavilion was a prominent force in the Central Plains, and Feng Qing'er's lineage, as part of one of the three great demonic beast clans, guaranteed her exceptional status.
Thus, the wedding was set for half a year later.
Zhou Yi was in no rush—his lands remained fallow for the time being.
Once the date was fixed, word spread quickly.
Numerous factions buzzed with astonishment and envy, cursing their lateness and coveting Lei Zun's good fortune.
With Lei Zun departing with Feng Qing'er and her entourage to finalize wedding preparations—and to notify the Tian Yao Huang Clan—it was clear that no one could oppose Zhou Yi's might.
As the wedding festivities drew to a close, the news that Zhou Yi would, in six months' time, marry the pride of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion, Feng Qing'er—coupled with the annihilation of the Soul Hall's top figures—spread like wildfire across the Dou Qi Continent.
The winds of change surged across the Continent, yet Zhou Yi remained indifferent.
For Pei Nanwei was pregnant…
And Yun Yun and Xiao Yu had given birth.
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