Chapter 38
Under Zan Wei's guidance, Zan Yunxiao soon arrived at the Alchemy Pavilion.
The moment they entered, disciples and alchemists respectfully stepped aside.
Many of them secretly glanced at Zan Yunxiao.
Although they had heard about the Ancestor of the Zan Clan, very few had actually seen him.
Soon, the two arrived before a quiet study room on the upper floor.
Knock. Knock.
A voice sounded from within.
"Come in."
Zan Wei pushed open the door.
Inside, an old man with white hair sat behind a desk filled with medicinal scrolls and herb records.
The old man looked up and smiled.
"Elder Wei, what brings you here today?"
However, before he could continue speaking, his eyes landed on the figure standing beside Zan Wei.
A young-looking man in white robes.
Calm.
Unfathomable.
The old man's smile instantly froze.
Because he couldn't sense a single trace of cultivation from the young man.
Normally, this would mean the person was a mortal.
But after decades in the cultivation world, Elder Dan knew better.
Only two kinds of people could completely hide from his senses.
Mortals.
Or beings far beyond him.
And the moment their eyes met.
A chill ran down his spine.
An instinctive warning from years of experience screamed within his heart.
Danger.
An existence he absolutely could not afford to offend.
At that moment, Zan Wei calmly spoke.
"Elder Dan."
"This is my father."
"The Patriarch of the Zan Clan."
"Zan Yunxiao."
The old man's pupils contracted instantly.
Patriarch?
The founder of the Zan Clan?
Elder Dan immediately stood up.
Without the slightest hesitation, he bowed respectfully.
"It is an honor for this old man to meet the Family Head."
His attitude became incomparably respectful.
Meanwhile, Zan Yunxiao quietly observed him.
After a moment, Zan Yunxiao nodded slightly.
"No need for formalities."
Only then did Elder Dan slowly relax.
But inwardly, he remained shocked.
The pressure emanating from Zan Yunxiao was subtle, yet it felt like standing before an endless ocean.
Even his 4th Golden Core cultivation seemed insignificant.
Meanwhile, Zan Yunxiao looked around the study.
Ancient alchemy books.
Medicine formulas.
Refining records.
Everything was neatly organized.
Clearly, this old man was serious about alchemy.
Then Zan Yunxiao asked directly,
"Why did you come to the Zan Clan?"
The room instantly became quiet.
Elder Dan hesitated briefly before letting out a sigh.
After all these years, there was little point hiding the truth from the clan's founder.
He slowly raised his head.
"Because this old man had nowhere else to go."
Elder Dan had just opened his mouth, intending to explain why he came to the Zan Clan all those years ago.
However—
Zan Yunxiao raised a hand.
"Stop."
Elder Dan immediately fell silent.
Zan Yunxiao looked at him calmly.
"I have no interest in your past."
"I don't care what enemies chased you."
"I don't care what hardships you suffered."
His voice remained indifferent.
To Zan Yunxiao, everyone had their own story.
Listening to every tragedy and grievance was exhausting.
What truly mattered was only one thing.
His gaze landed on Elder Dan.
"Answer me honestly."
"Are you willing to sacrifice your life for the Zan Clan?"
The question struck directly at the core.
Elder Dan froze.
He originally thought the Patriarch would investigate his background.
Instead, Zan Yunxiao asked something entirely different.
The old man lowered his head.
For a moment, he reflected on the past twenty years.
The shelter given to him and his disciples.
The resources provided.
The trust granted by Zan Wei.
The peaceful life they had found within the clan.
After a brief silence.
Elder Dan stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Yes."
"This old man is willing."
"As long as the Zan Clan does not abandon us, this old man shall devote his life to the clan."
His answer was firm.
Without hesitation.
Zan Yunxiao stared at him for several moments.
Then he nodded.
"Good."
Only a single word.
Yet Elder Dan felt as though an invisible pressure had disappeared from the room.
The test was over.
Zan Yunxiao turned around immediately.
He had already received the answer he wanted.
That was enough.
There was no need to discuss the past further.
As he walked toward the door, Zan Wei gave Elder Dan an apologetic smile.
"Please don't mind Father."
Elder Dan hurriedly shook his head.
"I wouldn't dare."
To be honest, after meeting Zan Yunxiao personally, Elder Dan finally understood why the Zan Clan had become what it was today.
The Patriarch's way of thinking was completely different from ordinary cultivators.
Soon, Zan Yunxiao stepped out of the Alchemy Pavilion.
Zan Wei quickly followed behind.
After leaving the Alchemy Pavilion, Zan Yunxiao and Zan Wei walked through the clan grounds together.
The disciples they passed all bowed respectfully.
Eventually, Zan Yunxiao waved his hand.
"You may go."
Zan Wei immediately understood.
"Yes, Father."
After bowing, he departed to continue managing the affairs of the clan.
Soon, Zan Yunxiao was left alone.
He slowly walked through the stone paths of the Zan Clan while pondering today's encounter.
Then a faint smile appeared on his face.
"I truly hit a jackpot."
With a thought, he activated the All-Seeing Eye.
A transparent information panel appeared before him.
The information regarding Elder Dan was displayed clearly.
[Elder Dan]
[Cultivation Realm: 4th Golden Core Realm
Occupation: Alchemist
Former Identity: Elder of the Azure Flame Sect
Status: Alchemist Elder to the Zan Clan
Loyal: ★★★
Background:
The Azure Flame Sect gradually fell into corruption. Internal factions fought over resources, inheritance, and authority. The conflict eventually escalated into civil war among the cultivators of the sect.
The sect collapsed.
Dan Xuan escaped alongside several disciples.
After wandering for years, they arrived within the Crimson Empire.
While searching for a place to settle, they heard rumors of the Zan Clan.
An immortal family.
A clan protected by a mysterious ancestor.
Believing the Zan Clan could protect him and his disciples from the surviving remnants of the Azure Flame Sect, Elder Dan chose to join.]
After reading everything, Zan Yunxiao nodded slightly.
So that was the truth.
The old man was not some wandering rogue cultivator.
He was actually a former sect elder.
No wonder he possessed genuine alchemy inheritance.
No wonder he could establish an Alchemy Pavilion so quickly.
Most importantly.
The information panel displayed something else.
Current Loyalty: ★★★
Seeing this, Zan Yunxiao smiled.
He originally thought Elder Dan would hesitate when asked whether he would sacrifice his life for the clan.
Instead, the old man agreed immediately.
Now he understood why.
The Zan Clan had become his refuge.
His disciples' refuge.
For twenty years, the clan protected them without demanding anything unreasonable.
Naturally, loyalty would grow.
Zan Yunxiao looked toward the Alchemy Pavilion in the distance.
When he entered seclusion twenty years ago, the clan lacked resources.
Now they possessed an alchemist.
An Alchemy Pavilion.
And a steadily growing foundation.
Even without him interfering constantly, the clan was gradually developing on its own.
For a patriarch, that was perhaps the most satisfying sight.