Chapter 41
After confirming that Zan Feilan was safe, Zan Yunxiao remained seated in the Patriarch's residence.
Since he had already opened the Clan Interface, he decided to casually browse through it.
His eyes first landed on his wives.
[Xueyun
Cultivation Realm: 6th Foundation Establishment Realm
Jin Feixue
Cultivation Realm: 5th Foundation Establishment Realm]
Seeing their progress, Zan Yunxiao nodded in satisfaction.
Their cultivation speed was not considered extraordinary, but it was already impressive considering their talent.
The abundant cultivation resources from the spiritual mountain had greatly accelerated their growth over the years.
Curious, he opened the live-view function.
The image revealed both women cultivating within their chambers.
Spiritual energy continuously flowed into their bodies as they focused on their cultivation.
Zan Yunxiao smiled slightly.
It seemed his wives were genuinely working hard.
They clearly did not wish to become a burden to the clan.
After observing them for a moment, he switched to another panel.
His sons.
[Zan Tianming
Cultivation Realm: 3rd Qi Refinement Realm
Zan Wei
Cultivation Realm: 3rd Qi Refinement Realm]
Seeing this, Zan Yunxiao felt somewhat helpless.
Compared to Xueyun and Jin Feixue, the progress of his two sons was noticeably slower.
However, he quickly understood why.
Unlike ordinary cultivators, Zan Tianming and Zan Wei spent most of their time managing clan affairs.
Especially Zan Wei.
The poor fellow was practically responsible for half the clan's operations.
The fact that they could still reach the 3rd Qi Refinement Realm while handling so much work was already commendable.
Afterward, Zan Yunxiao continued browsing through the clan records.
As he continued scrolling, Zan Yunxiao gradually became bored.
Eventually, he closed the Clan Interface.
The transparent screen vanished.
Zan Yunxiao leaned back in his chair and looked toward the sky.
. . .
Fourteen years passed in the blink of an eye.
During those years, Zan Yunxiao spent most of his time cultivating while occasionally overseeing the development of the Zan Clan.
One day, after emerging from seclusion, Zan Yunxiao summoned Zan Wei.
The moment Zan Wei arrived, Zan Yunxiao gave a new order.
"Organize a tournament."
Zan Wei was slightly surprised.
"A tournament, Father?"
Zan Yunxiao nodded.
"The disciples have been cultivating for years."
"It is time to see the results of their efforts."
"Those who perform well shall be rewarded."
After some thought, Zan Wei agreed.
Such a competition would motivate the disciples to cultivate diligently.
Soon, the first Zan Clan Tournament was announced.
The entire clan became excited.
For months, disciples trained harder than ever.
When the tournament finally began, disciples from various branches participated.
The competition lasted several days.
In the end, the strongest disciples received rewards from the clan.
Spirit stones.
Cultivation pills.
And various cultivation resources.
As for techniques there's none.
The success of the tournament greatly increased the enthusiasm of the younger generation.
Seeing this result, Zan Yunxiao was quite satisfied.
However, another concern soon emerged in his mind.
The Zan Clan, It had become a major cultivation force.
And wherever there were many people, conflicts would inevitably arise.
Some disciples would compete for resources.
Some would break clan rules.
Some might even abuse their status.
If such matters were ignored, trouble would eventually accumulate.
Thus, Zan Yunxiao summoned Zan Wei once more.
This time, he issued another order.
"Establish a Law Enforcement Hall."
Zan Wei immediately understood the significance of the decision.
A clan without rules would eventually descend into chaos.
A Law Enforcement Hall would maintain discipline and protect the clan's order.
"Who should lead it, Father?" Zan Wei asked.
Zan Yunxiao already had someone in mind.
"Shenyuu."
Hearing the name, Zan Wei nodded immediately.
Indeed.
There was perhaps no better candidate.
Throughout the years, Shenyuu had earned a reputation for being strict, fair, and uncompromising.
Many disciples respected her.
Many feared her.
But nobody doubted her integrity.
When Shenyuu received the appointment, she accepted without hesitation.
From that day onward, the Zan Clan officially established its Law Enforcement Hall.
Under Shenyuu's leadership, clan regulations were clearly enforced.
Disciples who violated rules were punished.
Disputes were settled fairly.
Order was maintained throughout the clan.
As years passed, the disciples gradually learned that cultivation talent alone was not enough.
The Zan Clan rewarded diligence.
But it also demanded discipline.
Meanwhile, Zan Yunxiao observed everything from behind the scenes.
Looking at the tournament grounds, the Alchemy Pavilion, and the newly established Law Enforcement Hall, he couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment.
After fourteen years of development, the Zan Clan had become increasingly prosperous.
With nothing urgent requiring his attention, Zan Yunxiao casually opened the Clan Interface.
The first person he searched for was the descendant he had once blessed.
Hong Yuanji.
The panel quickly displayed his information.
A young man appeared on the screen.
Handsome.
Dignified.
Wearing luxurious imperial robes.
His bearing was extraordinary.
Zan Yunxiao raised an eyebrow slightly.
"So this little fellow has grown up."
The sleeping infant from years ago was now a young man.
As he continued reading, he learned something surprising.
Current Position: Crown Prince of the Crimson Empire
Zan Yunxiao blinked.
Then blinked again.
"Crown Prince? Is this effect of luck blessing?"
He had not expected that.
The current Emperor had no suitable heirs and was nearing the end of his lifespan.
Because Hong Yuanji was a direct descendant of the Hong Imperial Lineage, he had become the designated successor.
Sooner or later, he would inherit the throne.
A strange expression appeared on Zan Yunxiao's face.
One of his descendants becoming Emperor...
That was certainly unexpected.
Then another thought crossed his mind.
"What if this kid becomes a tyrant?"
"What if he becomes arrogant after ascending the throne?"
"Should I personally beat him into submission?"
The image of a terrified emperor being disciplined by the clan ancestor suddenly appeared in his mind.
After a moment, Zan Yunxiao shook his head.
"There is no point worrying about things that haven't happened."
Closing Hong Yuanji's information panel, he searched for another familiar name.
Zan Feilan.
His wandering daughter.
A smile appeared on his face.
Curious about her latest adventures, he activated the live-view function.
The image changed.
A dense forest road appeared.
A luxurious carriage was traveling through the wilderness.
Inside sat Zan Feilan.
She was still wearing her usual cloak.
Across from her sat a well-dressed young master.
Several guards accompanied the carriage.
At first, everything seemed normal.
The young master attempted to start a conversation.
Zan Feilan ignored him.
He continued speaking.
Zan Feilan ignored him again.
Then the young master's eyes began wandering.
Zan Yunxiao immediately frowned.
A faint killing intent appeared in his eyes.
Inside the carriage, the young master slowly reached toward Zan Feilan's thigh.
The next instant.
A cold sword appeared at his throat.
The young master's face instantly turned pale.
The bodyguard beside him reacted immediately.
"Protect the Young Master!"
Boom!
Before anyone could understand what happened, the bodyguard was blasted out of the carriage.
The carriage door exploded apart.
The bodyguard rolled dozens of meters across the road.
Meanwhile, Zan Feilan remained seated calmly.
The sword never moved from the young master's throat.
The young master was trembling.
His face had lost all color.
Then Zan Feilan stood up.
"Young Master."
"Thank you for the ride."
Before leaving, she casually grabbed the money pouch hanging from his waist.
Several gold coins jingled inside.
The young master watched helplessly as his pouch disappeared.
Then Zan Feilan stepped off the carriage and vanished into the forest.
The entire incident lasted only moments.
Back in the Zan Clan.
Zan Yunxiao's killing intent gradually faded.
Initially, he had been prepared to intervene.
But Zan Feilan handled everything perfectly.
Not only did she defend herself.
She even left with compensation.
A proud smile appeared on Zan Yunxiao's face.
"As expected of my daughter."
After a pause, he looked at the pale-faced young master still sitting inside the carriage.
Then he snorted.
"Personally, I think it would have been better if she killed him."
"Just looking at his face is irritating."
Fortunately for the young master, Zan Feilan had shown restraint.
Otherwise, that forest road would have gained another corpse.
Meanwhile, somewhere far away, Zan Feilan was happily counting the gold coins she had acquired.