Chapter 81 A Journey Across the Western Continent

Earlier, after stepping into the void, Zan Yunxiao did not wander aimlessly.

During his breakthrough to the Void Space Transformation Realm, he had comprehended one of the realm's innate abilities.

As long as he could clearly picture a familiar location, he could establish a temporary spatial passage leading there.

With a thought, he imagined the Patriarch Hall of the Zan Clan.

The void before him rippled.

A mirror-like surface of space gradually formed, displaying everything occurring inside the Patriarch Hall as though he were looking through a transparent window.

"So this is the ability..."

Zan Yunxiao silently observed the scene from within the void.

His eyes soon landed on the unfamiliar middle-aged man and the mountain of dowry chests.

"A guest?"

He did not reveal himself immediately.

Instead, he quietly watched the conversation unfold.

When he heard that the man had come to marry his daughter into the Zan Clan, Zan Yunxiao wasn't surprised by the marriage itself.

Rather, another thought crossed his mind.

"Oh, He's trying to establish a connection with marriage."

Given the Zan Clan's current status as the strongest and wealthiest immortal clan in the Crimson Empire, it wasn't strange for influential families to seek marriage alliances.

A single marriage could secure generations of prosperity and protection.

From within the void, Zan Yunxiao quietly observed the middle-aged man.

He couldn't help but ponder.

"What benefits does my Zan Clan gain by marrying his daughter into the Zan Clan?"

His gaze then shifted toward the dozens of chests filled with gold, jade, jewelry, and precious ornaments.

"As for this dowry..."

"It's practically useless."

The Zan Clan was already the wealthiest force in the Crimson Empire.

Gold and jewels held little value to them.

After a moment of thought, Zan Yunxiao decided to reveal himself.

However, another idea suddenly crossed his mind.

"Since there are outsiders present..."

"I'd better conceal my appearance."

With a thought, he distorted the space around his face.

To outsiders, his features became blurred and impossible to distinguish, as though hidden behind an invisible veil.

A grin slowly appeared on his face.

"Since I'm already here..."

"I might as well make an impressive entrance."

Stretching out his hand, Zan Yunxiao gently pressed it against the mirror-like surface before him.

To him...

It felt no different from shattering a fragile sheet of glass.

But to those inside the Patriarch Hall—

Crack!

Space itself split apart.

A massive spatial crack tore open before everyone's eyes.

An overwhelming aura poured from within, causing the surrounding spiritual energy to become chaotic.

Moments later...

A figure dressed in flowing black robes stepped out from the spatial crack.

His face remained obscured by distorted space, making it impossible for outsiders to recognize him.

The first person he looked at was the middle-aged man, who had already frozen in place under the overwhelming pressure.

"Let's see how much composure you have."

Zan Yunxiao secretly smirked.

"Showing off like this..."

"Actually feels pretty good."

He then shifted his gaze toward Zan Wei who was in a defensive stance and spoke in an indifferent, authoritative tone.

"Zan Wei."

"What is the meaning of this?"

The moment Zan Wei heard that familiar voice, he immediately recognized it.

His tense expression instantly vanished.

He respectfully cupped his fists and bowed.

"Father."

"You're here."

The other core members quickly came to their senses and likewise bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, First Patriarch!"

Seeing their reactions, Zan Yunxiao inwardly nodded in satisfaction.

"That's more like it."

He then turned back toward the middle-aged man, curious about how he would react.

Only to find...

The man had already collapsed onto the floor.

He had fainted.

"..."

Zan Yunxiao blinked.

"He passed out?"

The corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

"I was planning to tell him that if he wanted to propose a marriage into the Zan Clan..."

"He should at least bring a worthy dowry instead of a few boxes of gold and jewelry."

Now...

It seemed he wouldn't get the chance.

. . .

Inside his former Patriarch residence, Zan Yunxiao sat leisurely in the courtyard, quietly sipping a cup of tea as he waited for news from Zan Wei.

Originally, he had intended to remain in the Patriarch Hall.

Unfortunately...

Zan Wei had respectfully persuaded him otherwise.

"Father..."

"I think you should step outside for a while."

"If you remain there..."

"...that old man might faint again after waking up."

Remembering the middle-aged man's miserable reaction, Zan Yunxiao had no choice but to leave the matter to Zan Wei.

After all, he didn't want the marriage negotiations to end with the guest being carried out unconscious.

A short while later, footsteps echoed through the courtyard.

Zan Wei arrived and respectfully cupped his fists.

"Father."

Zan Yunxiao set down his teacup.

"So?"

"How was it resolved?"

Zan Wei smiled faintly.

"It turns out the young lady has already fallen in love with one of our clan's descendants."

"And coincidentally..."

"That descendant also has feelings for her."

Hearing this, Zan Yunxiao simply nodded.

Then he asked the question that concerned him the most.

"What benefits does the Zan Clan gain from this marriage?"

Without hesitation, Zan Wei answered,

"Don't worry, Father."

"Their family possesses considerable influence in several neighboring nations."

"With this marriage alliance, our businesses can expand much more smoothly through their connections."

Zan Yunxiao silently stared at him.

"..."

"You're almost three hundred years old..."

"Yet this son of mine still answers everything from a business perspective."

Although he felt somewhat speechless, a trace of satisfaction also appeared in his heart.

Regardless of the situation...

Zan Wei always placed the interests of the Zan Clan first.

There was no doubt he had managed the clan's affairs exceptionally well.

After a brief silence, Zan Yunxiao finally spoke.

"I'll be leaving the clan for a period of time."

Zan Wei immediately became serious.

"Father?"

"I plan to travel throughout the Western Continent."

"I intend to begin preparing for its unification."

He calmly explained his reasoning.

"If the cultivators of the Central Continent discover that the Western Continent possesses abundant spiritual veins and rich cultivation resources..."

"They will inevitably invade."

Zan Wei nodded.

He had already heard Elder Dan mention the same concern.

The Western Continent's current strength was nowhere near enough to resist the forces of the Central Continent.

Zan Yunxiao slowly looked toward the distant horizon.

"I'm merely preparing in advance."

"It's always better to be safe than sorry."

Zan Wei respectfully bowed.

"I understand."

"The Zan Clan will await Father's return."

After giving his instructions, Zan Yunxiao rose from his seat.

Without another word, he left the courtyard and headed toward Cloud Ascension Peak.

Before embarking on his journey across the Western Continent, there were still people he wished to see.

His two wives.

His eldest son, who was currently in secluded cultivation.

And his daughter.

At the very least, he wanted to bid them farewell before leaving the clan.

Soon, his figure gradually disappeared into the distance.

The courtyard became quiet once more.

Only Zan Wei remained standing there.

Looking toward the direction his father had left, a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.

"So that's why Father ordered  Hong Yuanji to search for spiritual veins..."

"He wasn't merely gathering cultivation resources."

"He's preparing to nurture more powerful cultivators."

"To prepare for the inevitable invasion from the Central Continent."

Thinking that far ahead...

Only his father could have such foresight.

Zan Wei then recalled the spatial crack that Zan Yunxiao had torn open earlier.

Even now, the scene remained vivid in his mind.

However, he had deliberately refrained from asking about it.

If his father wished to explain it, he naturally would.

If not, there was no need to pry.

Besides...

Zan Wei had a feeling that even if Zan Yunxiao explained the technique to him...

He probably wouldn't understand it anyway.

With a helpless smile, Zan Wei shook his head.

"I should also enter seclusion..."

"...but then, who will manage the clan?"

. . .

Meanwhile, atop Cloud Ascension Peak...

Before departing, Zan Yunxiao first visited his eldest son, who remained in secluded cultivation.

Although the two only exchanged a few words, his son respectfully promised to continue cultivating diligently and not disappoint him.

Afterward, Zan Yunxiao sought out his daughter.

He offered a few words of advice, reminding her to cultivate steadily and not neglect her own path simply because the clan had grown powerful.

Only after bidding farewell to his children did he return to his residence.

Inside, Jin Feixue and Xueyun had already been waiting for him.

The two women looked at him in silence before Jin Feixue crossed her arms and spoke first.

"So..."

"You're planning to leave for who knows how many years..."

Xueyun nodded in agreement.

"If that's the case..."

"You'll be spending the next few nights with us before you leave."

Zan Yunxiao couldn't help but laugh bitterly.

Since he might be away for years or perhaps even a decade he naturally couldn't refuse such a reasonable request.

He simply smiled and nodded.

"Very well."

"I promise."

. . .

Several days later...

The residence's doors slowly creaked open.

Zan Yunxiao quietly stepped outside.

His usually composed expression now carried obvious exhaustion.

He stretched his stiff shoulders before muttering to himself with a wry smile.

"...How do those two have such incredible stamina?"

He glanced back toward the tightly closed room.

"No..."

"I'd better leave before they wake up."

Without another moment of hesitation, Zan Yunxiao transformed into a streak of light and disappeared into the horizon.

Thus...

The First Patriarch of the Zan Clan officially began his journey across the Western Continent.