Cultivation System: Rise of the First Patriarch

Five months passed in the blink of an eye.

With the war officially over, the Crimson Empire spent the following months stabilizing the newly conquered territories. Rebellions were swiftly suppressed, order was gradually restored, and the surviving kingdoms formally submitted to the empire's rule.

Having fulfilled their mission, the Zan Clan disciples no longer had any reason to remain on the battlefield.

One after another, they departed from the northern frontier and began their journey home.

The roads leading to Solhaven City soon became a familiar sight as groups of disciples, dressed in the Zan Clan's robes, returned with calm expressions. Although many of them bore scars from the years of warfare, the experience had tempered them into far stronger cultivators than when they had first left the clan.

A few days after the disciples had returned to the Zan Clan, Zan Yunxiao summoned Shenyuu to the main hall.

Shenyuu entered and respectfully cupped her fists.

"Patriarch."

Zan Yunxiao nodded before gesturing for her to speak.

"Tell me everything that happened during the campaign."

Although he had witnessed most of the war through the Clan Interface, he still wanted to hear it from Shenyuu herself. The Clan Interface allowed him to observe events, but it couldn't reveal the thoughts and emotions of those who had experienced the battlefield firsthand.

Shenyuu took a moment to organize her thoughts before beginning her report.

"At first, the disciples struggled."

"They had trained for years within the clan, but this was their first time facing cultivators who genuinely intended to kill them. Many hesitated during their first battles, and some nearly lost their lives because they couldn't bring themselves to strike decisively."

She paused briefly before a faint smile appeared on her face.

"However, they adapted much faster than I expected."

"Each battle became a lesson. Their hesitation gradually disappeared, and they learned how to remain calm even when facing life-and-death situations. By the end of the war, they were no longer inexperienced disciples but true cultivators capable of standing on their own."

Shenyuu also spoke about the disciples' cooperation on the battlefield, the hardships they endured, and the rapid growth each of them experienced throughout the campaign.

Zan Yunxiao listened quietly from beginning to end without interrupting.

When Shenyuu finally finished her report, he slowly nodded.

"They've worked hard."

His calm voice carried a hint of satisfaction.

War was cruel, but it had forged the Zan Clan disciples into far stronger cultivators than years of secluded cultivation ever could.

After a brief silence, Zan Yunxiao looked at Shenyuu once more.

"Gather every disciple."

Shenyuu raised her head slightly.

"The war has ended, and they have fulfilled the mission I entrusted to them."

A faint smile appeared on Zan Yunxiao's face.

"It's time for this Patriarch to reward them."

"Understood, Patriarch."

Shenyuu respectfully cupped her fists before turning around and leaving the main hall.

Before long, the sound of bells echoed throughout the Zan Clan, summoning every disciple to the central square. News spread quickly among the clan that the Patriarch himself had called for a gathering, causing everyone to wonder what reward awaited those who had returned victorious from the battlefield.

Not long afterward, every disciple of the Zan Clan gathered in the central plaza.

Word had spread quickly that the Patriarch himself had summoned them, causing both excitement and curiosity to ripple through the crowd.

A few moments later, two figures appeared at the front of the plaza.

It was Zan Yunxiao.

Beside him stood Shenyuu, her expression calm as she looked over the assembled disciples.

The moment Zan Yunxiao appeared, every disciple respectfully cupped their fists and bowed.

"Greetings, Patriarch!"

Their voices merged into one, echoing throughout the entire clan.

Zan Yunxiao nodded slightly before sweeping his gaze across the familiar faces before him.

Many of them had left the clan as inexperienced cultivators.

Now, after years of war, they had returned carrying the aura of seasoned warriors. Their eyes were calmer, their movements more disciplined, and the immaturity that once lingered on their faces had long since disappeared.

After a brief silence, Zan Yunxiao finally spoke.

"You have all worked hard."

His calm voice reached every corner of the plaza.

"When I sent you to the battlefield, my intention was never merely to aid the Crimson Empire. I wanted each of you to experience what true cultivation means."

"Cultivation is not achieved through secluded meditation alone. It is forged through hardship, tempered by life-and-death battles, and strengthened by the resolve to overcome fear."

He paused, allowing his words to sink into the hearts of every disciple.

"The war has tested your courage, your determination, and your loyalty to the clan. You have not disappointed me."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"You returned alive, stronger than before, and brought honor to the Zan Clan. As your Patriarch..."

"It is only fitting that your efforts be rewarded."

The disciples' eyes lit up with anticipation.

Without another word, Zan Yunxiao slowly raised his hand.

Dozens of thin streams of spiritual energy shot from his fingertips like rays of light, each one accurately entering a disciple's forehead.

The plaza instantly fell silent.

Every disciple froze where they stood as an enormous amount of information flooded into their minds.

Within those streams of spiritual energy was the complete inheritance of the Moonveil Severing Sword Art.

Shock appeared on every face.

Some disciples instinctively widened their eyes, while others stood motionless, carefully absorbing the profound sword technique that had just been engraved into their memories.

‎Seeing this, Zan Yunxiao nodded in satisfaction.

‎There was nothing more for him to do.

‎He turned and quietly left the martial plaza.

‎However, after taking only a few steps, he noticed a familiar figure standing off to the side.

‎Shenyuu looked at him expectantly, her bright eyes fixed on him with an expression that almost resembled a puppy waiting for its owner.

‎Zan Yunxiao paused.

‎"..."

‎A hint of amusement flashed across his face.

‎"I almost forgot about you."

‎Shenyuu smiled sheepishly but remained standing in place.

‎Without saying anything further, Zan Yunxiao flicked his finger.

‎A single stream of spiritual energy flew into Shenyuu's forehead.

‎Her eyes immediately widened before slowly closing as the inheritance of the Moonveil Severing Sword Art entered her consciousness.

‎Satisfied, Zan Yunxiao finally continued on his way and returned to his residence, intending to resume his peaceful routine.

However, the moment he stepped into the courtyard, he saw a familiar figure waiting for him.

It was Zan Feilan.

Dressed in her usual cultivation robes, she stood quietly beneath a flowering tree with her sword resting at her side. Upon seeing her father, a faint smile appeared on her face.

"Father."

Zan Yunxiao smiled gently and nodded.

"You've returned."

Zan Feilan walked forward and, without any hesitation, got straight to the point.

"Father, I'd like to spar with you."

Zan Yunxiao wasn't surprised by the request.

After spending years on the battlefield, it was only natural that she wanted to see how much she had improved.

He smiled faintly.

"Very well."

A short while later, the father and daughter stood opposite one another in the clan's training ground.

The duel quickly began.

Zan Feilan attacked with everything she had learned during the war. Her sword techniques were far sharper than before, and every strike was decisive, carrying the confidence she had forged through countless battles.

Yet, no matter how ingenious her attacks were, Zan Yunxiao calmly neutralized each one with effortless precision.

He neither relied on overwhelming cultivation nor brute force.

Instead, he simply guided her attacks aside, exposing every flaw in her swordsmanship.

After several dozen exchanges, Zan Feilan finally lowered her sword with a helpless smile.

"I lost."

She wasn't disappointed.

Instead, she felt relieved.

Although she had grown tremendously over the past four years, the gap between herself and her father still seemed immeasurable.

Zan Yunxiao sheathed his sword and looked at her with approval.

"You've improved far more than I expected."

Hearing those words, Zan Feilan couldn't help but smile.

Then Zan Yunxiao gently patted her shoulder.

"You've been away from the clan for more than four years."

"Your two mothers have missed you dearly."

"Go and spend some time with them."

A trace of guilt appeared in Zan Feilan's eyes.

She had devoted herself entirely to her adventure and hadn't realized how much time had passed.

After nodding obediently, she said, "I'll visit them right away."

Without lingering any longer, she turned and left the courtyard, heading toward the residence where Xueyun and Jin Feixue were waiting.

After Zan Feilan left, silence once again settled over the courtyard.

Zan Yunxiao leaned back in his chair, enjoying the gentle breeze that rustled through the trees. With the war finally over, the entire Zan Clan had regained its former tranquility.

His gaze gradually drifted toward the distant mountain behind the clan.

It was the same mountain where he often secluded himself inside the cultivation cave.

From where he sat, he could only make out its outline, yet the peaceful scenery was enough to put his mind at ease.

A thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.

"This residence is comfortable... but it still feels too ordinary."

He rested his chin on one hand while continuing to admire the mountain.

"It would be much better if my residence were built atop that mountain. A place overlooking the entire Zan Clan, surrounded by clouds and peaceful scenery... That would be a fitting home for the Patriarch."

The more he thought about it, the more appealing the idea became.

A mountain residence would not only provide a quieter environment for cultivation, but it would also allow him to overlook the clan while enjoying the tranquil landscape.

Just as the idea took shape in his mind, footsteps sounded from outside the courtyard.

A familiar figure walked in.

It was Zan Wei.

The moment he saw him, Zan Yunxiao's eyes lit up.

"Perfect timing."

A faint smile appeared on his face as he looked at his hardworking son.

"I have a task for you."

Zan Wei immediately cupped his fists.

"Please give your orders, Father."