Chapter 21
Inside the quiet courtyard of the Zan Clan Grounds, Zan Yunxiao lazily rested on a reclining chair beneath the shade of an ancient tree.
A warm breeze drifted through the courtyard while spiritual birds occasionally flew across the sky.
Everything felt peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Zan Yunxiao slowly sipped his tea while staring at the distant clouds.
Then inwardly sighed.
“I wonder how Tianming is doing…”
Years had passed since his eldest son entered official politics, and from the information sent back occasionally, Zan Tianming’s position within the imperial court had steadily risen.
Even his grandchildren had already grown considerably.
According to Zan Wei, the two boys had inherited their father’s personality and were already preparing themselves to enter government service as well.
Clearly.
The political bloodline of the Zan Family was becoming increasingly stable.
Thinking about this, Zan Yunxiao could not help but feel somewhat emotional.
I’m already a grandfather…
And not just that.
He genuinely wanted to meet his grandchildren personally.
Unfortunately, because of clan matters and cultivation, he had not visited the capital for quite some time.
At this moment, footsteps approached nearby.
Zan Wei walked into the courtyard while holding several business ledgers under one arm.
Even now in his thirties, his temperament remained sharp and business-minded.
The only difference was.
He had become far more mature and composed over the years.
Though one issue still gave Zan Yunxiao a headache.
“You still refuse to marry?” Zan Yunxiao suddenly asked while glancing at him.
Zan Wei immediately frowned slightly.
“Father, I already told you. I don’t have time.”
“You’re already over thirty.”
“So?”
Zan Yunxiao almost laughed from irritation.
“So your elder brother already has children while you’re still married to account books.”
Zan Wei calmly sat down nearby and replied without shame:
“Money doesn’t betray people.”
“…”
For a brief moment, even he did not know how to respond.
This second son of his truly possessed an abnormal obsession with wealth.
At this point, Zan Yunxiao even suspected Zan Wei viewed business negotiations more romantically than actual relationships.
Meanwhile, Zan Wei casually continued.
“The northern trade alliance still needs restructuring.”
“And the eastern merchants are trying to manipulate grain pricing again.”
“I genuinely don’t have time for marriage.”
Zan Yunxiao rubbed his forehead helplessly.
Even Xueyun and Jin Feixue had already tried persuading him countless times over the years.
Yet every attempt failed.
Sometimes Zan Yunxiao even wondered:
Will this child marry money itself in the future…
At that moment, Zan Wei suddenly looked at his father suspiciously.
“Father.”
“What?”
“You’re thinking something rude again, aren’t you?”
Zan Yunxiao immediately denied it calmly.
“No.”
Zan Wei narrowed his eyes slightly.
“…You definitely are.”
The peaceful courtyard soon filled with light conversation between father and son as the afternoon breeze quietly passed through the growing Zan Clan Grounds.
. . .
Twelve years quietly flowed by like passing clouds.
For mortals, twelve years was enough to witness children grow into adults and entire generations begin changing.
But within the Zan Clan.
Time seemed strangely slower.
Especially for the cultivators of the family.
Inside the deepest cultivation courtyard of the clan grounds, spiritual energy continuously gathered around Zan Yunxiao like invisible tides.
The surrounding air trembled faintly.
His eyes slowly opened.
A deep and refined aura instantly spread throughout the room before quietly stabilizing once more.
After over a decade of secluded cultivation.
Zan Yunxiao had finally advanced from the 4th Foundation Establishment Realm to the 8th Foundation Establishment Realm.
His cultivation had become vastly more profound than before.
Even his appearance carried a more immortal-like temperament now.
His black hair remained untouched by age, his features calm and youthful as though time itself no longer affected him.
More importantly.
The Zan Heaven Veiling Scripture perfectly concealed his cultivation fluctuations.
To outsiders, he still appeared like an ordinary refined nobleman.
No one would imagine that beneath that calm exterior hid an increasingly terrifying cultivator.
Zan Yunxiao slowly exhaled.
The spiritual pressure around him gradually faded.
Then a faint smile appeared.
“…Not bad.”
Though his progress could not be considered monstrous compared to true immortal geniuses, for someone cultivating mostly in a mortal region without major sect resources.
This speed was already astonishing.
At the same time.
The growth of the Zan Family over these twelve years was equally significant.
Zan Feilan had already grown into a graceful young woman.
Her talent in swordsmanship far exceeded Zan Yunxiao’s expectations.
Under his guidance and with the support of the Moonveil Severing Art, she successfully reached the 9th Qi Refinement Realm at a young age.
Only a step away from Foundation Establishment.
Her sword aura had also become increasingly refined and elegant, resembling moonlight itself.
Whenever she practiced within the clan grounds, even clan servants occasionally stopped just to watch her sword dance beneath the night sky.
As for Xueyun and Jin Feixue.
Both finally stepped into the 1st Foundation Establishment Realm after years of steady cultivation.
Because of this breakthrough, their lifespan increased dramatically, and their appearances remained eternally youthful.
Especially when the two stood together beside Zan Yunxiao.
They resembled immortal companions rather than mortal wives.
After emerging from seclusion, Zan Yunxiao once again sat within the Patriarch Courtyard while listening to Zan Wei’s latest reports.
Naturally.
Most of the reports involved trade profits, expanding merchant alliances, and economic negotiations that Zan Yunxiao barely understood nor cared about.
However.
One particular piece of news immediately caught his attention.
Zan Wei casually flipped through a document before speaking.
“Father, there’s also news from eldest brother’s side.”
Zan Yunxiao slowly looked up.
“Oh?”
A faint smile appeared on Zan Wei’s face.
“You became a great-grandfather during your seclusion.”
The moment those words entered his ears.
Even Zan Yunxiao froze briefly.
“…What?”
Zan Wei nodded calmly.
“The eldest grandson already married several years ago.”
“He now has a son.”
“Meanwhile, the second grandchild also married and already has one son and one daughter.”
Zan Yunxiao leaned back slowly in his chair, his expression strangely complicated.
Great-grandfather.
At some point…
He had actually reached that generation already.
Meanwhile, Zan Wei continued casually.
“Eldest brother sent letters several times, but you were in closed cultivation.”
“He said the children wanted to meet the Patriarch personally.”
Hearing this, Zan Yunxiao suddenly felt somewhat absent-minded.
The image of little Zan Tianming running through the village instantly surfaced in his memories.
Yet now.
That child already had grandchildren of his own.
Time truly moved too quickly.
At this moment, Xueyun and Jin Feixue also arrived after overhearing part of the conversation.
Immediately, Xueyun covered her mouth slightly in surprise.
“Tianming already has grandchildren?”
Jin Feixue laughed softly.
“We’re becoming old ancestors now.”
Zan Yunxiao immediately replied:
“We don’t look old.”
Both women instantly laughed.
That was true.
Because of cultivation, the three of them still appeared youthful despite the passing decades.
Outwardly, they looked more like noble siblings than great-grandparents.
Only Zan Wei remained the unfortunate exception.
As a mortal without cultivation talent, traces of age had gradually begun appearing on him over the years.
Though thanks to wealth and good living conditions, he still looked far younger than ordinary mortals his age.
At this moment, Zan Yunxiao suddenly asked:
“What are the children like?”
Zan Wei shrugged.
“From what I heard, the eldest one inherited Tianming’s personality.”
“Serious.”
“As for the second family’s daughter…”
A strange expression appeared on his face.
“They say she’s extremely clever.”
“Too clever?”
Zan Wei nodded.
“There are rumors she already manipulates adults into giving her money.”
The moment those words fell.
The entire courtyard became silent.
Then Zan Yunxiao slowly turned toward Zan Wei.
“…Why does that sound familiar?”
Zan Wei immediately looked away.
“I have no idea.”
Xueyun and Jin Feixue instantly burst into laughter.