Chapter 61 Do You Wish to Become Immortal
Zan Yunxiao motioned for Zan Wei to take a seat before calmly explaining the idea that had just come to him.
"I've been thinking about building a new residence."
Zan Wei nodded, waiting for him to continue.
Zan Yunxiao raised his hand and pointed toward the towering mountain behind the clan.
"I want it built at the summit of that mountain."
Following his father's finger, Zan Wei looked toward the distant peak. His expression immediately turned thoughtful.
"The summit?"
Zan Yunxiao nodded.
"I've spent years cultivating inside a cave on that mountain. While it's suitable for secluded cultivation, it doesn't truly fit the status of the Zan Clan Patriarch."
He smiled faintly.
"A mountain residence overlooking the entire clan, surrounded by clouds and peaceful scenery... wouldn't that be far more appropriate?"
He paused before continuing.
"Besides, I'll continue entering secluded cultivation in the future. It would be rather strange if the Patriarch of the Zan Clan spent all his time cultivating inside an ordinary cave."
Hearing this, Zan Wei couldn't help but picture the mountain peak in his mind.
After a moment, a helpless smile appeared on his face.
"Father... constructing a residence at the summit won't be easy."
"The terrain is steep, and transporting building materials alone will take considerable manpower."
He hesitated briefly before letting out a quiet sigh.
"Still..."
"If this is your wish, I'll make the necessary arrangements."
Zan Yunxiao nodded in satisfaction.
"I'll leave everything to you."
Although the project sounded extravagant, neither father nor son was concerned about the cost.
To ordinary families, constructing an estate atop a mountain would be an impossible dream.
For the Zan Clan...
It was merely another expense.
After years of development, the clan's wealth had long surpassed that of the imperial family. Their vast granaries and fertile rice fields generated an endless stream of income, while the merchant caravans established under Zan Wei's leadership continued expanding throughout the empire.
Thanks to Zan Wei's exceptional talent for negotiation and business, the Zan Clan's fortune had grown at an astonishing rate.
Money was the last thing they lacked.
Zan Wei was already calculating the logistics in his mind.
If enough workers and craftsmen were gathered immediately, the mountain peak could be transformed into a residence worthy of the Zan Clan Patriarch.
With Zan Wei personally overseeing the project, construction on the mountain residence officially began.
At first, progress was painfully slow.
The mountain's steep terrain made it difficult for ordinary workers to transport timber, stone, and other building materials to the summit. Every trip required tremendous effort, and many laborers returned exhausted after only a single journey.
After observing the situation for several days, Zan Wei suddenly thought of a solution.
He immediately summoned several Zan Clan disciples.
"From today onward, you'll be responsible for transporting the heavy construction materials to the mountain peak. Leave the actual construction to the craftsmen."
The disciples naturally had no objections.
For cultivators, carrying massive stones and timber was a simple task.
With their assistance, materials that once took dozens of workers an entire day to move could now be delivered to the summit within a matter of minutes.
The construction progressed at an astonishing pace.
Seeing everything proceeding smoothly, Zan Yunxiao no longer concerned himself with the project.
Instead, another thought crossed his mind.
"It's been a while since I last visited Yuanji."
With a single step, his figure silently disappeared from the Zan Clan.
. . .
A short while later, he appeared inside the imperial palace.
Within the imperial study, Hong Yuanji was seated behind his desk, carefully reviewing a mountain of memorials submitted by officials from across the empire. Ever since the war ended, countless matters required his personal attention.
Just then, Hong Yuanji suddenly sensed a familiar presence.
He immediately raised his head.
Standing a few meters away was a mysterious figure.
Although the man's face was obscured by a strange spell, preventing anyone from recognizing his appearance, Hong Yuanji instantly knew who had arrived.
He quickly stood and respectfully bowed.
"This descendant greets Ancestor."
Zan Yunxiao nodded with a faint smile before his gaze fell upon Hong Yuanji's face.
A shallow scar stretched across one side of it.
His expression became slightly serious.
"What happened to your face?"
Hong Yuanji subconsciously touched the scar before letting out a helpless smile.
"It happened near the end of the war."
"As the Northern Alliance was on the verge of collapse, they secretly sent an assassin to infiltrate the imperial palace and take my life."
His eyes turned solemn as he recalled the incident.
"The assassin waited for the perfect opportunity before striking. His blade was already descending toward my neck, intending to behead me in a single attack."
Hong Yuanji paused briefly.
"Fortunately..."
"Ancestor Hong Se appeared just in time."
"He killed the assassin before the attack could succeed."
A trace of gratitude appeared in his eyes.
"Although the assassin died instantly, the blade had already reached me. It barely grazed my face before losing its momentum."
He smiled bitterly.
"That's why this scar remains."
Zan Yunxiao silently nodded.
He wasn't surprised.
Even an emperor could not avoid assassination attempts, especially after defeating an alliance powerful enough to shake the continent.
Fortunately...
Hong Se had been secretly protecting him.
Otherwise, the Crimson Empire might have descended into chaos once more.
Hong Yuanji gently touched the scar on his face, his expression filled with lingering disbelief.
"To be honest, Ancestor..."
"I never imagined that the Founding Emperor was still alive."
He let out a helpless smile.
"Ever since I ascended the throne, I believed Ancestor Hong Se had long since passed away. Like everyone else, I thought he existed only in the history books."
Hong Yuanji looked toward Zan Yunxiao with curiosity.
"Yet, at the moment I was about to die..."
"He appeared."
"There wasn't even a chance for me to react. The assassin was killed with a single strike."
He remained silent for a moment before asking the question that had troubled him ever since that day.
"Ancestor..."
"Is the Founding Emperor truly still alive?"
"And why has he been secretly protecting me all this time?"
His eyes were filled with both curiosity and respect.
Although Hong Se had saved his life, he still couldn't understand why the legendary founder of the Crimson Empire had remained hidden for so many years instead of revealing himself to the world.
Instead of answering Hong Yuanji's question, Zan Yunxiao smiled faintly.
He looked directly into his descendant's eyes and calmly asked,
"Yuanji..."
"Do you wish to become immortal?"
The study room instantly fell silent.
Hong Yuanji froze for a brief moment.
Then, as if he had heard the greatest opportunity of his life, he abruptly stood up from his chair.
His breathing became hurried as he nodded repeatedly without the slightest hesitation.
"Yes!"
"Of course I do!"
"What human wouldn't dream of becoming immortal?"
His eyes shone with excitement.
Although he had already become the ruler of the greatest empire on the continent, he knew that worldly authority was temporary. One day, even an emperor would grow old and die.
But immortality...
That was the dream every human mortal pursued.
Watching Hong Yuanji's reaction, Zan Yunxiao couldn't help but smile inwardly.
"He's exactly like Hong Se."
He still remembered the expression Hong Se had worn when he learned that he could finally break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm. With the Foundation Establishment Pill granted by the Patriarch, Hong Se's lifespan would be greatly extended.
The old emperor had been so excited that he could barely contain himself.
Now, years later...
Hong Yuanji was displaying the very same expression.
It seemed the desire to pursue immortality truly ran deep within the Hong bloodline.
He raised his hand, and a small jade bottle appeared in his palm.
Without any hesitation, he tossed it toward Hong Yuanji.
Hong Yuanji instinctively caught it, his eyes filled with curiosity as he looked at the bottle in his hands.
"What is this, Ancestor?"
Zan Yunxiao calmly replied,
"Inside is a Reconstruction Pill."
"It will completely reconstruct your body, allowing you to cultivate properly."
Hong Yuanji's pupils contracted.
"A Reconstruction Pill..."
For a moment, he carefully held the jade bottle as though it were the greatest treasure in the world.
He immediately bowed deeply.
"This descendant thanks Ancestor for this immeasurable blessing."
Although he was overwhelmed with excitement, another question soon surfaced in his mind.
He quickly looked up.
"Ancestor."
"If I consume this Reconstruction Pill and successfully reconstruct my body... who will guide me in cultivation afterward?"
Before he realized it, Zan Yunxiao had already turned around.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Don't worry."
"Hong Se will take care of everything."
Hearing the name of the Founding Emperor once again, Hong Yuanji was momentarily stunned.
Before he could ask another question, Zan Yunxiao's figure gradually became transparent.
In the blink of an eye...
He vanished from the imperial study as though he had never been there.
Only Hong Yuanji remained standing in silence.