Chapter 42
Inside the Imperial Study Hall, the atmosphere was quiet.
Hong Yuanji sat behind a large wooden desk while reading through a stack of government records. Although he was already the Crown Prince, the current emperor was still alive, so most of his days were spent studying politics, economics, military strategy, and history.
Standing beside him was his cousin and imperial tutor, Hong Yanshu.
Hong Yanshu was one of the brightest minds in the imperial family and was widely rumored to become the Crown Prince's future right-hand man after he ascended the throne.
At that moment, Hong Yanshu closed a history book and spoke.
"Your Highness, today's lesson is about the founding emperor, His Majesty Hong Se."
Hong Yuanji immediately became interested.
The founder of the imperial family was a legendary figure whose name was known throughout the Crimson Empire.
Hong Yanshu continued.
"Hong Se was not born a genius. In his youth, his dream was to entered a prestigious cultivation sect, but due to his mediocre talent."
"He was rejected by the sect and ridiculed by many."
"However, rather than giving up, he devoted himself to studying talismans and arrays."
"His attainments eventually reached an unimaginable level. His talismans could destroy armies, while his formations could protect entire cities."
"During an era of chaos and war, he united countless territories and founded the Crimson Empire."
"Many of the defensive talismans and formations still used by the empire today originate from his legacy."
Hong Yuanji listened attentively.
Even after hundreds of years, the achievements of the founding emperor remained astonishing.
Hong Yanshu paused before continuing.
"Former Emperor Hong Se also played a significant role during the Demonic Cultivator Infiltration Incident several decades ago. According to historical records, he personally assisted in eliminating the threat and maintained close relations with the Zan Clan."
"However, after those events, he disappeared."
"No official record exists regarding his whereabouts."
"Some historians believe he entered seclusion within the Imperial Palace."
"Others believe he secretly resides within the Zan Clan."
"To this day, nobody knows the truth."
"Regardless, one fact remains."
Hong Yanshu looked at Hong Yuanji.
"Your Highness is fortunate."
Hong Yuanji blinked.
"Why?"
Hong Yanshu immediately looked depressed.
"Because you have Zan Clan blood flowing through your veins."
"The only immortal Clan in the empire."
"If I had that background, I wouldn't need to worry about my future."
Hong Yuanji's lips curved upward.
He leaned back proudly.
"Cousin."
"Do you know what it feels like to have a powerful family background?"
Hong Yanshu already knew trouble was coming.
Hong Yuanji grinned.
"It's amazing."
The veins on Hong Yanshu's forehead almost bulged.
Without hesitation, he pulled out a sheet of paper and placed it before the Crown Prince.
"Answer this."
Hong Yuanji casually glanced at it.
Then his smile froze.
The paper contained several pages of arithmetic calculations involving tax collection, grain distribution, military logistics, and population projections.
"Cousin..."
"This is not arithmetic."
"This is torture."
Hong Yanshu folded his arms.
"Answer it."
Hong Yuanji immediately protested.
"I'm the Crown Prince."
"How dare you order me around?"
Hong Yanshu calmly replied.
"Oh?"
"Then perhaps Your Highness is a coward."
Hong Yuanji instantly sat upright.
"What did you say?"
Hong Yanshu continued mercilessly.
"The previous emperors mastered these subjects."
"Yet the future emperor is afraid of a few numbers."
"What a disappointment."
Hong Yuanji's face turned red.
"I'm not afraid!"
Hong Yanshu pointed at the paper.
"Then solve it."
Hong Yuanji immediately grabbed a brush.
"I'm going to become a wise emperor!"
"I'll show you!"
Seeing this, Hong Yanshu secretly smirked.
“Got him.”
“Works every time.”
At the same time, Zan Yunxiao sat leisurely in his courtyard while watching everything through the Clan Interface.
A transparent screen displayed the Imperial Study Hall in real time.
Watching Hong Yuanji struggle with arithmetic while Hong Yanshu deliberately provoked him, Zan Yunxiao couldn't help but chuckle.
"This Hong Yanshu is quite clever."
"He knows exactly how to motivate Yuanji."
The more he watched, the more satisfied he became.
Hong Yuanji possessed a good personality.
Hong Yanshu possessed intelligence.
As long as they remained together, the future of the Crimson Empire would likely remain stable.
After a while, Zan Yunxiao closed the Clan Interface.
The screen disappeared.
His smile gradually faded as his thoughts returned to cultivation.
A transparent system panel appeared before him.
[Zan Yunxiao
Cultivation level: 9th Nascent Soul Realm
Cultivation Technique: Zan Heaven Veiling Scripture
Age: 164 / 4,290
Body Constitution: Clear Spirit Body
Item: Heaven Moonveil Sword
Offensive Technique: Moonveil Severing sword Art, Sun Extinguishing Divine Finger
Defensive Technique: Star Thread Reflection ]
For years, his cultivation had remained at the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm.
His next goal is to reach Soul Transformation Realm.
. . .
Ten years passed in the blink of an eye.
Within the cultivation cave, dense spiritual energy swirled violently before gradually calming down.
Zan Yunxiao slowly opened his eyes.
A profound aura flashed within them.
His soul had undergone a complete transformation.
He had finally stepped into the legendary Soul Transformation Realm.
Unlike ordinary cultivators, his breakthrough caused no heavenly phenomenon or earth-shaking commotion. The Zan Heaven Veiling Scripture concealed his aura perfectly, preventing outsiders from sensing his advancement.
Zan Yunxiao slowly stood up and stretched his body.
Crack.
Crack.
His bones produced a series of sounds.
A smile appeared on his face.
After decades of cultivation, he had finally crossed another major realm.
The next moment, his figure vanished.
Inside the Patriarch's Hall.
Zan Wei was reviewing stacks of documents as usual.
As the acting manager of the Zan Clan, his workload had only increased over the years.
Suddenly, he sensed a familiar presence.
Looking up, he saw Zan Yunxiao standing before him.
Zan Wei immediately stood up and bowed.
"Congratulations, Father, on leaving seclusion."
Zan Yunxiao nodded.
"Tell me what happened during the past ten years."
Zan Wei quickly organized his thoughts.
"The most important event is within the Crimson Empire."
"The current emperor passed away three months ago due to old age."
"Hong Yuanji has already been named successor."
"The coronation ceremony will be held next week."
Hearing this, Zan Yunxiao was slightly surprised.
The infant he once blessed had actually become emperor.
Time truly passed quickly.
"Perfect timing."
A smile appeared on his face.
"I would like to meet my descendant."
Zan Wei's expression became strange.
"Father."
"You mean our descendant."
"He is also my descendant."
Zan Yunxiao looked at him.
After a moment, he snorted.
"Our descendant?"
"You have no descendants."
Zan Wei froze.
Zan Yunxiao continued mercilessly.
"You are an old man."
"A single old man."
"How are you supposed to have descendants without a wife?"
Zan Wei's face twitched.
"Father..."
But Zan Yunxiao was not finished.
"If you want descendants, then marry."
"Even a widow is fine."
"At your age, what are you still waiting for?"
His tone sounded exactly like an elder scolding a younger generation.
Zan Wei felt completely helpless.
He was already over a hundred years old.
Yet before his father, he was still treated like a child.
"Father, cultivation requires focus."
Zan Wei attempted to defend himself.
Zan Yunxiao immediately replied.
"Nonsense."
"Your two mothers cultivate every day and still find time for other activities."
Zan Wei instantly regretted speaking.
He had no response to that.
The room fell silent.
After a long moment, Zan Yunxiao sighed.
"I don't understand you. Your brother has descendants."
"Even some of your nephews have descendants."
"And you're still alone."
Zan Wei felt another invisible arrow pierce his heart.
For the first time in many years, he wished he had remained buried beneath clan paperwork instead of reporting to his father.
Meanwhile, Zan Yunxiao shook his head in disappointment.
"After Hong Yuanji's coronation, I'll personally help you find a wife."
The moment those words left his mouth, Zan Wei's expression changed dramatically.
"Father, please don't."
After thoroughly scolding Zan Wei, Zan Yunxiao sat down and took a sip of tea.
Meanwhile, Zan Wei stood there silently, feeling wronged.
The room remained quiet for a moment.
Then Zan Yunxiao suddenly looked at his son carefully.
White hair.
Wrinkles.
An elderly appearance.
A face that clearly showed the passage of time.
Only then did Zan Yunxiao realize something.
"There is no way."
"This old man is already over a hundred years old."
"What woman would suddenly agree to marry him?"
The more he thought about it, the more unrealistic it sounded.
Even if Zan Wei was a cultivator, his appearance was still that of an old man.
Unless he reached a higher realm in the future and restored some of his vitality, finding a wife would be difficult.
Eventually, Zan Yunxiao sighed.
"Forget it."
Zan Wei's eyes brightened.
"Father, you understand now?"
Zan Yunxiao nodded.
"I understand."
"There is probably no woman willing to marry an old man like you."
The smile on Zan Wei's face instantly froze.
A critical hit.
Directly to the heart.
Zan Yunxiao continued speaking seriously.
"At your age, you should focus on cultivation."
"Perhaps after reaching Foundation Establishment Realm, your lifespan and vitality will increase."
"Then there might still be hope."
Zan Wei felt slightly better.
Then Zan Yunxiao added,
"Although the chances are low."
Another critical hit.
Zan Wei's expression turned bitter.
Seeing his son's defeated expression, Zan Yunxiao couldn't help but laugh.
Then he waved his hand.
"Enough."
"Let's stop talking about wives."
"We have more important matters."
"The coronation of Hong Yuanji is next week."
A trace of anticipation appeared in his eyes.
He wanted to see what kind of emperor Hong Yuanji would become.
As for Zan Wei's marriage.
Zan Yunxiao silently decided to stop thinking about it.