Evil Venerable of the Sword Dao-Chapter 601 - 037: The Way of Transmitting the Nine Palaces Runes

"Master, you’re truly impressive. Even the Saintess Fairy throws herself into your arms with a gaze full of unspoken affection. Chenchen may be tall and handsome, too, but why don’t any fairies throw themselves at Chenchen? Even if they don’t throw themselves at me, they shouldn’t call me a little squirt, it’s so infuriating!"

Hou Chen’s eyes shone with admiration as he looked at his master, and the respect in his heart was like the overflowing waters of the Yellow River, uncontrollable once unleashed.

"Well, a master is a master for a reason, possessing exceptional qualities. Otherwise, why would I be the master and you the disciple?"

Zhou Yan patted Hou Chen on the shoulder, speaking earnestly.

Hou Chen might seem tall, over one meter sixty, but he’s actually just a little over six years old. At his age, even if he heard phrases like ’throwing themselves into his arms,’ he only understood the literal meaning and didn’t grasp the underlying principles.

Otherwise, this little guy wouldn’t always envy women for their sizable chest muscles.

Little did he know that what he saw as overly developed muscles were actually a woman’s pride.

As a master, Zhou Yan actually needed to explain such matters, but he deliberately did not clarify them, letting Hou Chen continue to be confused.

Zhou Yan believed that one day Hou Chen would understand the difference, and then his memory of his master would be particularly vivid.

With this thought in mind, Zhou Yan felt much at ease. Despite the illusion he faced earlier, whether it was the Heart Demon or signs of the fatal five declines, Zhou Yan wasn’t too worried.

The scene had to come eventually, it was just a matter of sooner or later.

After all, even if the five declines hadn’t occurred at this moment, after achieving the Nine Changes of Sword Void, they would inevitably come.

When that time arrived, he would still have to face it.

So, although Zhou Yan hadn’t expected his five declines to come so early, now that they had, he accepted them with open arms. If people like Jiang Wannian faced the Sword Tribulation Realm without care, he naturally wouldn’t mind either.

"Master’s right, when Chenchen reaches Master’s level, I’ll surely be just as amazing."

Hou Chen spoke, his eyes full of expectation.

Beside him, Hou Ling’er and Feng Lingqing both looked somewhat speechless, but they also shared warm smiles, watching the fun between master and disciple.

...

"Qing’er, were you trying to obtain the Immortal Spirit Grass to help Sisi with her innate deficiencies? Although Sisi is still very young, her strength and realm are already not low, and both her constitution and bloodline are quite good."

After finishing his conversation with Hou Chen, Zhou Yan then focused entirely on Feng Lingqing and his daughter, Sisi. Regardless of whether he had shadows in his heart, Zhou Yan naturally treated his woman and daughter with all his heart.

"Yes, husband. With Sisi’s condition, she needs true nourishing substances to fundamentally make up for what she lacks. Otherwise, her insufficient foundation will manifest later in her cultivation. I didn’t have to obtain the Immortal Spirit Grass; it was just that I couldn’t find anything better to help Sisi during our time in Baiyue Canyon. The Immortal Spirit Grass was the only spiritual medicine I had a chance of getting."

Feng Lingqing explained, brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead.

Although she had fully recovered from her wounds thanks to the replenishment of Zhou Yan’s Origin Energy, the weariness and exhaustion in her body had not diminished significantly. After so many days of hardship and travel, especially with a child in tow, she was indeed exhausted.

"I understand. Qing’er and Hou Ling’er have a chat and rest for a while, and I’ll take Hou Chen to refine the Immortal Spirit Grass into an elixir for both you and Sisi to consume, to help improve your well-being."

Zhou Yan suggested.

"Okay, husband, Qing’er will listen to you."

Feng Lingqing was already very obedient, and now as a new mother, she had become even gentler with maternal warmth. She resembled a tender little sheep, very understanding.

Zhou Yan smiled gently, reaching out to pinch the tender little face of the baby girl in Feng Lingqing’s arms. The little one had been asleep up until now and hadn’t woken up, her lips parting and closing as she suckled, drawing the Spiritual Energy from the space with a soft ’puff puff’ sound.

In her dreams, she must be imagining that she was still nursing; otherwise, how could she suckle so sweetly?

Zhou Yan watched the little girl, his heart filled with peace. All the displeasures and difficulties seemed trivial because just watching this tiny life filled his heart with happiness and joy.

Zhou Yan playfully teased Zhou Sisi for a while, and seeing her sleep so soundly, he didn’t have the heart to wake her. So, he let Feng Lingqing carry her over to chat with Hou Ling’er.

The topics between two women naturally tend to be more plentiful.

Moreover, Hou Ling’er is mainly Zhou Lingyi; the two are old acquaintances and, therefore, have more to talk about.

Zhou Yan brought Hou Chen to the Cold Pond, and relying on this natural Ancient Array, he did not rush to leave, but instead chose to engage in Alchemy there.

Zhou Yan’s ability in Alchemy was very powerful, and it did not take much time to consume, so he planned to teach Hou Chen the Alchemy Dao on the side.

Alchemy is a task that requires meticulous care, demanding strong control abilities and powerful convictions. Only those with strong conviction and confidence that they can control the spiritual nature of an Elixir, without wasting its efficacy, can possibly refine top-quality Elixirs.

Generally speaking, the first attempt at Alchemy will fail eight or nine times out of ten; then, through continuous practice in the wake of failure, one forms a unique sense of the Elixirs, and during the process of Alchemy, one may innovate, refining Elixirs at will and freely combining ingredients to form the corresponding Alchemy Dao, deriving Elixirs with astonishingly powerful effects.

Alchemy is Alchemy, but it is also a way to temper and hone one’s humanity and will!

Before Zhou Yan started his Alchemy, he used the Void Purple Flame to first refine a batch of Elixirs and then began to teach Hou Chen step by step.

"Chenchen, this time, Master will teach you one of the two Supreme Daos I know — the Nine Palace Alchemy Dao and the Nine Palace Artifact Dao — and pass on to you the corresponding variations of the Ancient Runes."

"These two seem complicated, but their essence is the same. Once you learn one, you will almost know the other. Later, Master will engrave the general outline and overall information into the Sword Illusion Realm and pass it on to you; afterward, you should reflect upon it thoroughly."

"And now, while combining with my process of Alchemy, I will explain my experience and understanding of the Alchemy Dao and the application of Rune transformations. You should note each of these down. Even if you cannot remember, force yourself to memorize them for now, and later, in conjunction with the Sword Illusion Realm that Master teaches you, think it over frequently; this will be greatly beneficial for your other Daos as well."

Zhou Yan said earnestly.

During the transmission of Dao, Zhou Yan was very serious.

And Hou Chen was also very attentive, not daring to be the least bit careless.

...

"Nine Palace Lead Beauty, luxuriant as jades. As splendor fades, Chaos is reborn."

Zhou Yan infused a wisp of Sword Soul Fire into the Elixir, then proceeded to explain the ancient runes used during this period and their corresponding Secret Techniques.

Hou Chen listened somewhat confusedly, seeming a bit distracted, but still tried hard to remember.

"Hou Chen, what, in Master’s words, do ’lead beauty’ and ’chaos’ refer to?"

Halfway through his explanation, Zhou Yan suddenly asked in a cold voice.

Hou Chen was taken aback and couldn’t answer immediately.

"Slap—"

Zhou Yan gave him a fierce slap across the face, which hit Hou Chen with such force that he was somewhat stunned.

"Master just went over this section of the runes, where the two key runes represent this Dao, and you haven’t noted it down? You dare to be distracted during such an important transmission of Dao?"

Zhou Yan said with an icy voice and severe reprimand.

Hou Chen felt deeply ashamed, and although slapped, he became very honest, bowing his head like a child who had made a serious mistake.

After pondering for a moment, his eyes suddenly brightened, and he said, "Master, Chenchen understands now, ’lead beauty’ and ’chaos’ refer to the runes ’卍’ and ’卐’, which imply the meaning of ’Endless’."

"Good, not bad, it seems you weren’t too distracted after all. Now, focus your mind, the next part about the Dao of runes is the real key. You must not allow even a sliver of your thoughts to stray, nor can you afford to be distracted for even the smallest moment; listen carefully! Besides, the opportunities for Master to instruct you may not be many."

Zhou Yan said somberly.

Hou Chen’s spirit trembled, and he immediately nodded vigorously, his focus intensifying noticeably.

...