Chapter 102 Part 1

When Zhou Yin was first reborn, due to his innately insufficient spiritual roots, it was as if he had fallen from the clouds into the mud overnight. Although he had never given up, he had also never imagined that he would experience that feeling from his previous life again so quickly.

Only by possessing power can one grasp their own destiny in their hands. This was not due to a lack of trust in Zhou Chen, but rather a result of his personality and a requirement he placed on himself.

Although the core's realm cannot determine cultivation level, it greatly influences it. A bountiful realm is like a better environment, providing more ample space for the growth of trees.

This was the case with Zhou Yin's current situation. Although he was still only at the mid-Core Formation stage and unable to fully utilize the benefits brought by his core's realm, these benefits were undoubtedly gradually emerging. For example, when using techniques against enemies, he no longer had to worry about insufficient spiritual power. Another example was that he could now simultaneously use four swords to unleash his own improved version of the Thousand Sword Illusion Formation.

The Thousand Sword Illusion Formation originated from Sword Immortal Xuan Ying and was a technique passed down through generations in the Mirror Sea Sword Sect. Back then, when the sect leader Lu Yanping had not yet reached the Core Formation stage, he could only unleash less than 30% of the formation's power, but it was already enough to defeat a Core Formation cultivator.

From this, one could see how formidable the sword formation was. The thousand swords were not actually a thousand swords, but rather illusions derived from a single sword. When the sword formation was activated, what the enemy saw was like a thousand swords, indistinguishable from the real one.

However, the Thousand Sword Illusion Formation also had its own shortcomings. If the opponent's cultivation was far higher than one's own, they would naturally be able to quickly discover the formation's core and break the formation.

After discovering this flaw in the Thousand Sword Illusion Formation, Zhou Yin thought of a way to improve it by replacing the illusions with real swords, making it a true "Thousand Sword" formation.

Of course, it was impossible to actually have a thousand swords. Good swords were scarce in this world, and those with immense power like Canghe and Ziwei were even rarer. Ordinary sword cultivators might only be able to find a sword of Lingyin's quality in their entire lifetime, which was already considered above average.

So what Zhou Yin had to do was use as many swords as he could to fill in the virtual positions of the illusory swords. The fewer virtual positions there were, the fewer flaws the enemy would naturally be able to find.

At present, the four swords Canghe, Ziwei, Qisha, and Lingyin were guarding the four cardinal sword positions. Lingyin's power was slightly weaker, so Zhou Yin could spare more attention to that side. The other three blocked the enemy's path. The power of the sword formation was now more than twice as strong as before.

Zhou Yin tested it and found that even someone of Zhou Chen's cultivation level would need a quarter of an hour to break the formation.

At this stage, this was sufficient. At the very least, he was no longer in a weak position where people could easily threaten or scheme against him.

Zhou Yin could now be considered as gradually entering the ranks of the strong, becoming a true high-level cultivator. But the road ahead was long, and cultivation could not be achieved overnight. He still had to take it step by step with his feet on the ground.

After passing the Fengling Plain, they arrived at Sanchun Reflecting Spring, another scenic spot no less beautiful than Wind Ridge Plain. The "three springs" did not refer to three spring seasons, but rather spring peaches, spring rain, and spring breeze.

These three springs were indispensable. Below was a gurgling spring stream. In the second month of spring, the wind and rain returned. Under the green peach blossoms, one could feel the passing of time. What a wonderful artistic conception.

However, it was not currently the season when peach blossoms were in full bloom. Although the scenery was beautiful, it was not at its most splendid. Zhou Yin and Zhou Chen did not dwell and directly headed to Xuanzhou.

They were now very close to the Dongyue Capital. Although Xuanzhou was a large prefecture, it was under the jurisdiction of the capital. Being at the foot of the Son of Heaven, its prosperity was naturally incomparable to other places. With lantern towers, night markets, shops, and residential houses, it was practically a "little capital".

When Zhou Chen saw the food-filled streets, he simply couldn't walk anymore and directly bought along the way. Or rather, for fear that Zhou Yin wouldn't pay, he first took the food and took a bite, resulting in the food being unable to be returned to the vendor.

Zhou Yin could only follow behind with an expressionless face to pay. Seeing the very cheerful back in front, he stared at Zhou Chen until his spine felt chilled, giving rise to a feeling that something was amiss.

Only then did Zhou Chen stop and start thinking about cleaning up the mess. He flatteringly smiled at Zhou Yin and said, "Ah Yin, it's getting late. Let's find a place to rest?"

Zhou Yin gave him a gloomy look without saying a word and directly entered an inn.

At this time, the two still had the appearance of middle-aged men, but the innkeeper could tell from their clothing that they were at least wealthy individuals. In the midst of his enthusiasm, there was an added bit of attentiveness. "Are you two gentlemen looking to stay at the inn? Our humble establishment has excellent rooms with separate bathing pools, guaranteed to be comfortable..."

Zhou Yin said, "One room."

The innkeeper's fluent speech abruptly stopped, somewhat unable to react.

Zhou Chen interjected, "Yes, yes, one room is enough for us!"

Although he wasn't able to do business for two rooms, the innkeeper still felt very regretful, but his face remained enthusiastic. After registering, he had the inn's attendant lead the two to their room.

"Ah Yin, let's rest early tonight!" After closing the door, Zhou Chen wagged his tail. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the bathing pool behind the screen and his eyes couldn't help but light up.

Zhou Yin said, "I get the bed, you sleep on the floor."

Zhou Chen's smiling face froze. "Huh?"

Zhou Yin leisurely said, "All the money today was spent on buying you food. Either sleep on the floor or sleep in the woodshed. Choose for yourself."

Zhou Chen aggrievedly said, "I can also share a bed with you!"

Zhou Yin picked up the teapot to pour tea for himself. Zhou Chen, with quick eyes and hands, hurriedly picked up the overturned teacup on the table with both hands, trying to perform well in hopes of lenient treatment.

Zhou Yin was noncommittal. "How much did you eat today?"

Zhou Chen gave a dry laugh. "Not much!"

Zhou Yin had an excellent memory. "A stick of candied hawthorn, four pieces of plum blossom cake, a basket of crab roe buns, a plate of sesame oil tofu, a bowl of mian ge da, a bag of sugar-coated chestnuts, a plate of stir-fried liver, two spring rolls, a leek box, five pieces of water chestnut cake, thirty skewers of lamb... Hmm?"

It seemed there really was that much...

The corner of Zhou Chen's mouth twitched. He turned his head left and right and saw the half-open window. "Ah, the moonlight is so beautiful tonight!"

Zhou Yin: "..."

He wasn't actually Vermilion Bird, but rather the Vermilion Pig, right?

While bathing, Zhou Yin also washed away the effects of the Rejuvenation Pill, revealing his original appearance. He casually draped a black outer robe over his inner garment and walked out from behind the screen.

Zhou Chen was sitting honestly at the table, reciting the "Thousand Character Classic" to repent and reflect - the Heaven Opening Mirror was temporarily confiscated. He raised his eyes and saw Zhou Yin come out, and couldn't help but be stunned.

Zhou Yin saw his strange look and touched his own face, not detecting anything unusual.

But after a long while, he heard Zhou Chen say, "Ah Yin, you've become even more beautiful!"

Zhou Yin thought he was just talking nonsense again and ignored him, sitting down to wipe his hair.

Zhou Chen sighed, walked over to help him dry his hair, "You were already beautiful enough before, but I didn't expect that after comprehending the Elixir Realm, your appearance is even more alluring now. How can I feel at ease letting you walk around outside!"

He wasn't exaggerating. Zhou Yin was already extremely handsome before, but now his skin was even fairer, seemingly without a single blemish, smoother than a woman's. His long hair cascaded down like ink, jet-black.

His temperament and physique wouldn't be mistaken for a woman's, but if those slightly elongated eyes looked up at someone, they would look clear and bright like the moon hanging in the night sky, the azure of Taihua Mountain at night.

Truly captivating.

He really wanted to hide him away so no one else could see.

Especially when this person was aroused, his originally pale white skin would be tinged with a layer of blush, lips slightly swollen, the cold look in his eyes covered by desire, moist yet even darker half-closed eyes, the figure reflected in his pupils belonging only to himself...

Zhou Chen felt his heart flutter.

"I really want you to use the Rejuvenation Pill every day..." He sighed, gently helping him dry his hair, then took a hair tie and loosely tied it up.

Zhou Yin glanced at him and said indifferently, "If you can quit snacking, I'll use the Rejuvenation Pill every day."

After an internal struggle, Zhou Chen pretended to be magnanimous, "Forget it then. If you conceal your beauty every day, even I won't be able to admire it."

Zhou Yin was too lazy to expose his lie.

He clearly just doesn't want to quit, but he makes it sound so lofty.

The next day when they went downstairs for breakfast, the two men with completely different appearances made all the guests and the innkeeper downstairs widen their eyes.

The innkeeper racked his brain for a long time but couldn't recall having received such outstanding guests yesterday.

Especially that man in black, although his face was cold, he seemed like a banished immortal...

Zhou Yin ignored the amazed looks in everyone's eyes and sat down.