Chapter 27
Twenty years passed in the blink of an eye.
For mortals, twenty years was enough for children to grow into adults, for cities to rise and change, for entire generations to slowly age.
But deep beneath the mountain of the Zan Clan Grounds.
Time felt almost meaningless.
Inside the cultivation chamber, countless spiritual stones embedded in the walls had already dimmed significantly over the years. The dense spiritual energy continuously surged toward the center of the chamber like a whirlpool.
And there.
Zan Yunxiao remained seated motionlessly.
His appearance had not changed in the slightest.
Yet the aura around him had become far deeper than before.
At some point during these twenty years, the spiritual energy within the chamber began behaving strangely. The surrounding air distorted faintly, while invisible pressure spread throughout the underground chamber.
Then.
A sudden pulse erupted from Zan Yunxiao’s body.
Boom.
The entire mountain trembled slightly.
The spiritual energy in the chamber instantly compressed toward his dantian, condensing endlessly like a collapsing star.
Inside his body, the liquefied spiritual energy slowly gathered into a single radiant core.
At that exact moment, Zan Yunxiao slowly opened his eyes.
A faint golden glow flashed within them before disappearing.
“Golden Core…”
He exhaled softly.
Finally.
After decades of cultivation.
He had officially stepped into the 1st Golden Core Realm.
The moment the breakthrough stabilized, an invisible pressure quietly spread outward from the mountain.
Outside the Zan Clan Grounds, disciples suddenly paused in their training.
Several birds flying near the mountain instantly scattered in fear.
Even Zan Wei, who was currently checking trade records inside the clan hall, slowly lifted his head.
“…Father broke through.”
His expression became complicated.
Then he laughed helplessly.
“Twenty years in seclusion…”
“And he succeeded.”
Meanwhile, inside another courtyard, Zan Feilan now fully grown and carrying an elegant sword at her waist, also opened her eyes during meditation.
A sharp sword intent unconsciously leaked from her body.
“…Father.”
Her gaze turned toward the mountain.
Even Xueyun and Jin Feixue felt the change immediately.
Both women revealed faint smiles.
Zan Yunxiao slowly stepped out from the cultivation chamber beneath the mountain.
The massive stone doors opened with a deep rumble.
For the first time in twenty years, fresh air touched his face again.
He stretched his body lightly and smiled.
“It’s good to be out.”
His figure then vanished from the chamber.
Moments later.
A streak of light flew across the skies above the Zan Family Grounds.
Zan Yunxiao descended calmly from the sky while observing the clan below.
Compared to twenty years ago, the Zan Clan had changed enormously.
The once quiet clan grounds were now bustling with life.
Young disciples trained in the courtyards.
Servants moved throughout the inner grounds.
Several buildings had expanded further toward the mountain base.
The Zan Clan had truly become a cultivation clan.
Zan Yunxiao spread his spiritual sense slightly.
Instantly, the condition of countless clan members entered his perception.
1st Qi Refinement Realm.
3rd Qi Refinement Realm.
5th Qi Refinement Realm.
Although none were particularly strong yet.
The important thing was that they had successfully entered the cultivation path.
And all of this…
Was because of the Zan Family.
A satisfied expression appeared on Zan Yunxiao’s face.
“It seems Wei handled things well.”
But before he could continue observing.
Two familiar figures suddenly rushed toward him from the distance.
“Yunxiao!”
“Husband!”
Xueyun and Jin Feixue instantly embraced him the moment they arrived, almost knocking him backward midair.
Even after decades, both women still looked youthful and beautiful due to cultivation.
Xueyun tightly held his arm while Jin Feixue buried her face against his shoulder.
“You finally came out…” Jin Feixue complained softly.
“You disappeared for twenty years,” Xueyun added while glaring at him slightly.
Zan Yunxiao laughed helplessly.
“It wasn’t that long.”
The two women immediately looked at him with disbelief.
“Not long?”
“For us it was twenty years!”
Zan Yunxiao could only cough awkwardly.
After chatting and complaining to him for a while, the two wives finally calmed down slightly.
Then Xueyun suddenly narrowed her eyes.
“You owe us.”
Before Zan Yunxiao could react, both women grabbed his arms and dragged him toward the inner residence.
“H-Hey…”
“You just got out of seclusion,” Jin Feixue said with a smile. “So today, you belong to us.”
Meanwhile, Zan Yunxiao could only sigh helplessly while being dragged away by his two wives.
. . .
Eight days passed.
At the moment, he was lazily lying on the bed while Xueyun and Jin Feixue rested beside him under the blanket, both looking completely satisfied after not seeing him for twenty years.
Just as the room turned quiet.
A voice suddenly rang out from outside.
“Father, may I come in?”
It was Zan Wei.
Zan Yunxiao lazily replied,
“Come in.”
The door slowly opened.
Zan Wei stepped inside carrying several scrolls in his arms.
But the moment he entered.
He froze.
“…Ah.”
The room instantly became awkward.
His father was still half-naked on the bed while his two mothers were wrapped together under the blanket.
Even Zan Wei, who usually acted shamelessly, immediately turned his head away.
“Father…”
He coughed awkwardly.
“Please cover yourself first.”
“I came to report important matters.”
Then after a pause, he slowly backed toward the door.
“…Actually, I think I should come back later.”
Xueyun immediately laughed while Jin Feixue buried her face under the blanket in embarrassment.
Meanwhile, Zan Yunxiao looked completely calm.
“Why are you acting embarrassed?” he asked casually. “You’re already old.”
Zan Wei’s mouth twitched.
“That’s exactly why this is awkward!”
He immediately closed the door from outside.
“…I’ll wait outside.”
Inside the room, Xueyun burst into laughter again.
“You really traumatized our son.”
Zan Yunxiao sighed helplessly before finally getting dressed.
A few moments later, he stepped outside where Zan Wei was waiting under the corridor with a tired expression.
The moment Zan Wei turned around.
Zan Yunxiao paused slightly.
Twenty years truly had passed.
Unlike cultivators, Zan Wei had aged naturally.
White hairs were already visible, and his face now carried the appearance of an old man.
But despite that.
His eyes remained sharp and energetic.
Zan Yunxiao quietly looked at him for a moment.
Then sighed softly.
“You’ve worked hard.”