Zhang Yan smiled faintly and said, "Parents and family? Whose parents, whose family?"
To speak of his past experiences is indeed strange. Three years ago, at the age of sixteen, he married Miss Zhou, Zhou Youchu, of the Dingyang Zhou Family. After their ceremonial bow and the bridal chamber, the bride unexpectedly radiated a brilliant light from her entire body, claiming to be a reincarnated Goddess. She declared that her karmic debts were fulfilled, and that she was on the verge of ascending to the Immortal Palace, instructing him to take care of her mortal parents in the human world. In a century's time, she would bring him along to the Heavenly Court to share in eternal bliss.
Zhang Yan in his former self had fully believed her words. Though his wife's family was arrogant and often treated servants as mere tools, he remained unwavering, wholeheartedly serving the Goddess's parents, hoping that one day he could enjoy the Heavenly Dao's supreme joy.
Yet one day, an Old Daoist arrived at his doorstep with a cold smile, enlightening him with a few remarks. Only then did he awaken to the truth—where was the so-called Immortal Goddess? She was merely a Qi Cultivator practicing cultivation. Though the two might seem indistinguishable in the eyes of ordinary people, the Old Daoist explained that Qi Cultivators merely harness spirits and forcefully tread the Dao. To falsely proclaim herself an Immortal of the Heavenly Palace was laughable.
Zhou Youchu had originally been a disciple of Ling Ya Master of the Yuxiao Sect. In pursuit of a superior Dao, she had used marvelous techniques to reincarnate and overcome tribulations. However, if her mortal parents were left without care, her moral virtue would be incomplete, obstructing her cultivation progress. Hence, she sought out Zhang Yan—a man with no parents or relatives, and thousands of acres of fertile land—as a scapegoat to nourish her parents and compensate the Heavenly Dao.
If not for the Old Daoist revealing the deceptive scheme, Zhang Yan would not only have ended up with a titular wife but would have also toiled to support her family with his life, bearing their karmic burdens, only to ultimately reap nothing in return.
At sixteen, upon learning the truth, Zhang Yan erupted with fury. Directed by the Old Daoist, he went to Cangwu Mountain to cultivate and achieve enlightenment, vowing to seek justice.
The mortal parents of Zhou Youchu, though descended from Ling Ya Master's direct lineage, were still ordinary people unaware of the intricacies involved. They eagerly hoped for Zhang Yan's absence so they could take over Zhang Family's lands entirely. Thus, Zhang Yan had been away for three years, and Zhou Youchu remained oblivious.
It wasn't until a few days ago when, during her meditation, Zhou Youchu suddenly sensed that the "Soul Tethering Technique" she had placed on Zhang Yan had abruptly disappeared. Realizing something was amiss, she asked the Zhou Family people and discovered that Zhang Yan had been gone for three years.
Oddly enough, Zhou Youchu couldn't deduce Zhang Yan's whereabouts, as if a masterful figure had cloaked the Heavenly Mechanism from her. With Ling Ya Master in secluded cultivation for years, she couldn't turn to him for answers. Helpless, she tasked her younger brother, Zhou Zishang, who also practiced cultivation on the mountain, with descending to investigate.
Zhou Zishang dared not delay, as Zhang Yan's importance was immense—it directly impacted whether his second elder sister could successfully master superior cultivation methods. He couldn't afford to be careless.
Though Zhang Yan couldn't be located, Zhang Yan had left with Zhang Xi, and through a round of calculations, Zhou Zishang swiftly found Zhang Xi at the foot of Cangwu Mountain.
Fearing that Zhang Xi might refuse to divulge Zhang Yan's location, Zhou Zishang instructed a servant to probe Zhang Xi. Sure enough, frightened, Zhang Xi fled up the mountain overnight. Following closely behind, Zhou Zishang easily tracked down Zhang Yan's residence.
Discovering that Zhang Yan was indeed cultivating on the mountain, Zhou Zishang couldn't help but be startled. If Zhang Yan succeeded in cultivation, the resulting deficiencies in the Heavenly Dao would naturally fall back onto Zhou Youchu. In such a case, all prior efforts would have been for nothing.
Zhou Zishang initially intended to tie Zhang Yan up and bring him down the mountain, but upon observing Zhang Yan's tranquil aura and jade-like complexion, it was clear that Zhang Yan had achieved the Foundation Establishment stage of cultivation. Though Zhou Zishang dismissed it with apparent disdain, inwardly, he was shocked—had Zhang Yan earned the favor of some Master on Cangwu Mountain?
If that were the case, things would become far more complicated.
Currently, Zhang Yan was a disciple of the Mingcang Sect. Capturing him outright would likely provoke discord between the two sects. Moreover, Zhang Yan's ascent to the mountain contained peculiarities—who might have orchestrated this from behind remained unclear.
With these considerations in mind, Zhou Zishang resolved to employ gentler means to force Zhang Yan to descend the mountain of his own accord.
Yet now, hearing Zhang Yan's cold words, "Whose parents, whose family," tinged with three parts ridicule and devoid of the slightest hint of fear, Zhou Zishang felt increasingly uncertain. Doubt clouded his heart, suspecting that someone was backing Zhang Yan. Otherwise, where could he muster such audacity?
He speculated in secret that the supporter might very well be Ling Ya Master's rival—a figure Zhou Zishang wouldn't dare provoke. Nonetheless, he couldn't abandon the matter. Having descended the mountain, he aimed to seize this opportunity to showcase his capabilities to his master.
Zhou Zishang frowned slightly but did not show anger. Without any further persuasion or words, he turned and left.
Throughout Zhou Zishang's arrival and departure, Zhang Yan's expression remained composed, while Zhang Xi beside him wore an anxious look.
Zhang Yan felt contemplative. Zhou Zishang had refrained from exhausting his arguments to pressure him to descend the mountain and had instead departed so readily? This was entirely unbelievable. Clearly, Zhou Zishang was no simple character and likely had greater plans prepared for him.
Zhang Yan was deeply aware that Zhou Youchu's desire to master a superior Daoist skill meant she could never allow him to achieve immortality and enlightenment. Neither side had room to compromise.
Glancing at the darkened skies outside, Zhang Yan surmised that pressure from the Zhou Family would soon rain down like a storm. Fortunately, his grand scheme had already begun. Had Zhou Zishang arrived a few days earlier, things might indeed have been more troublesome.
Thinking of this, Zhang Yan smiled confidently. Zhou Zishang had said one thing correctly—"To seek immortality is to face myriad hardships and countless trials." These obstacles were not limited to the path of cultivation; the confrontations, schemes, and deadly conflicts between people—were they not also part of the journey?
If he couldn't overcome this hurdle, how could he even speak of the Great Dao!
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