I picked up skill fragments in the demon world.

Chapter 1051 The Way of the World
Zhang Chen was not actually afraid of the will of the Great Thousand World before him. After all, in the current environment of the end of the Dharma, the Great Thousand World suppressed all kinds of cultivators and also suppressed many of the Great Thousand World's methods. At this time, the only thing the Heavenly Dao of the Great Thousand World could do to him was Heavenly Punishment. However, Zhang Chen had the Eye of Heavenly Punishment and was not afraid of the power of Heavenly Punishment.

Zhang Chen sent all his old acquaintances into the Middle Thousand World within his Heavenly Eye, and the entire courtyard fell completely silent. Only Zhang Chen sighed softly, "All my old friends are gone, and I'm all alone now."

Looking at the familiar courtyard, Zhang Chen didn't feel much melancholy or emotion. Those people were just frozen in ice and asleep, not dead. As long as he lived well, there would be a day when they would meet again.

However, with many familiar faces missing from his side, Zhang Chen inevitably felt somewhat empty-handed.

Just as Zhang Chen was feeling a strange mix of emotions, he saw Zhang Xiang walk in from outside the door, stand in front of him, and respectfully ask, "Did Mother go to the Longevity Realm?"

Zhang Chen glanced at Zhang Xiang and nodded: "The reason I asked you to abdicate in ten years is not just because Zhang Yu is angry with you, but because I think you should go to the secret realm for refuge in ten years. After all, you have no cultivation and no foundation in cultivation, so you can't afford to waste too much time."

"I understand Father's good intentions, but... when I enter the secret realm, may I bring some relatives with me..." Zhang Xiang looked at Zhang Chen cautiously.

Zhang Chen shook his head upon hearing this: "No way!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiang looked disappointed, but he didn't say anything more. Instead, he took out a document from his sleeve: "The civil and military officials of the North have discussed giving the North a new name. We would like to ask for your guidance, Father."

Zhang Chen did not refuse upon hearing this, but hesitated slightly before saying, "From now on, the Pingbian Prince's Mansion in the North will be renamed the Great Han."

"Da Han? What a strange name?" Zhang Xiang was taken aback when he heard this. He imagined a mighty and strong man, or perhaps a person sweating profusely.

Zhang Chen did not explain, because his use of 'Han' as his name was merely a way of remembering his past life.

Zhang Xiang took his leave, and a month later the northern lands were renamed Da Han, and it was called the 'Han Dynasty'.

A new power struggle is sweeping across the entire North, and the establishment of the new crown prince has caused major powers throughout the North to vie for power and reshuffle the landscape.

On this day, Zhang Chen was sunbathing in the courtyard. Since the matter of immortality had been resolved, his days had become leisurely, and he had nothing to do all day except wait for death.

Just then, a guard reported: "Wang Ye requests an audience."

"Wang Ye? Let him in." Zhang Chen sat up and replied after hearing the guard's report.

He knew everything about Wang Ye. Now Wang Ye had conquered a large territory, with hundreds of descendants. His family was thriving and was the number one family besides the Zhang family in the north.

“Father!” Wang Ye stood at the gate and, upon seeing Zhang Chen sitting under the eaves, called out with great emotion. He then rushed to Zhang Chen’s feet and knelt down, his voice full of joy: “It has been decades since we, father and son, have last met. How are you, sir?”

“I’m much better than you.” Zhang Chen looked at Wang Ye with annoyance, only to see that the other man had transformed into a middle-aged man, his body covered with the marks of time.

"Why are you looking for me instead of enjoying your life in your own territory?" Zhang Chen looked Wang Ye up and down.

“Your son misses you dearly, Father. In the past, you were far away in Qingcheng Mountain, and I was unable to leave to see you. But when I heard the news of your return a few days ago, I hurriedly arranged matters in the territory and came to pay my respects,” Wang Ye said to Zhang Chen.

Zhang Chen glanced at Wang Ye and said with a smile, "I heard that you're living a good life in the North, enjoying all kinds of wealth and luxury, and you still have time to think of me?"

At this point, Zhang Chen said to Wang Ye, "Get up quickly. You are now a big shot in charge of a region. The world trembles when you stomp your foot. What kind of behavior is it to kneel down in front of me?"

“Everything I have is a gift from you, Father. No matter what my status or position may be, I will always be your son. It is only natural for a son to kneel before his father,” Wang Ye said.

Upon hearing Wang Ye's words, Zhang Chen smiled and said, "You're here because of the Longevity Secret Realm, right?"

Wang Ye chuckled upon hearing this: "I knew I couldn't hide it from you, sir."

“If you can relinquish the power you hold, I can send you in anytime.” Zhang Chen looked at Wang Ye: “Tell me your choice.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Ye asked curiously, "Is it really possible for people to achieve immortality through cultivation?"

Zhang Chen nodded without hesitation: "Okay!"

Upon hearing Zhang Chen's words, Wang Ye nodded: "After I destroy the Great Victory Royal Family and twist off that old bastard, the Great Victory King, to avenge you, I will enter the secret realm to cultivate. I've heard that you have some dirty dealings with the Great Victory Royal Family, and I will definitely spare no effort to avenge you."

“If I wanted to vent my anger, would I need you to do it? I’m just too lazy to bother with them,” Zhang Chen said. Hearing Zhang Chen’s words, Wang Ye shook his head: “You’re magnanimous for not bothering with them, but as your son, I can’t help but stand up for you.”

There was a murderous glint in Wang Ye's eyes; it was clear that he was truly sincere.

“Just live your own life. If you want to live forever, then step down from the throne and come find me.” Zhang Chen patted Wang Ye on the shoulder. “Don’t leave today. Stay and let’s have a drink together.”

Zhang Chen and Wang Ye drank heartily. Zhang Xiang, hearing the commotion, also rushed over. The three of them feasted in the backyard of the Wang residence before Wang Ye, drunk, took his leave.

Watching Wang Ye's retreating figure, Zhang Xiang looked at Zhang Chen and said, "Father, Wang Ye has built a solid foundation in recent years. If things go wrong in the future, he might become a scourge to our northern lands. I know you trust Wang Ye, and Wang Ye considers you his own father. As long as you are alive, Wang Ye will never rebel. But if you are gone one day, and Wang Ye's descendants ascend the throne, can the Han Dynasty still coexist peacefully with the Wang family?"

“I know what you’re trying to say, but there are no eternal dynasties in this world. If the Zhang family’s descendants can’t protect this family business, then the people of the world will take it.” Zhang Chen was very open-minded.

Zhang Xiang was completely stunned by Zhang Chen's words. He never expected that there would be such a person in the world who did not expect his empire to last forever, but was so enlightened as to be happy to see his empire turn into water.

But what could he say?
He couldn't say anything.

Zhang Xiang could only leave helplessly, unable to see through his own self-righteousness.

Watching Zhang Xiang's departing figure, Zhang Chen shook his head inwardly and slowly lay down under the big tree, flipping through the documents in his hand.

Time seemed to stand still before Zhang Chen, but outside, a turbulent storm was brewing, unleashing a catastrophe.

Wang Ye, using the pretext of avenging Zhang Chen, led his millions of troops on a grand march towards the land of China, intending to annihilate the Great Victory royal family and avenge Zhang Chen.

Because they were using Zhang Chen's name, the various lords along the way let them pass without daring to obstruct them. Even major forces such as Huang Tiandao, in order to curry favor with Zhang Chen, launched an attack on the Dasheng royal family. Even the human and demon race responded and mobilized millions of troops to attack Dasheng.

Over the past few decades, the Dasheng royal family has taken advantage of the internal strife in various vassal states to frantically expand their territories and continuously destroy various vassal states. Dasheng has angered countless vassal states, and many vassal states adjacent to the Dasheng royal family have responded, with tens of millions of troops storming into the capital to participate in the siege of the Dasheng royal family.

The Great Victory Royal Family was once the most powerful force in the world. Moreover, it had long been prepared for the great calamity, having accumulated sufficient resources and armor. For a time, the two sides fought back and forth, resulting in rivers of blood and a desolate landscape where not a rooster crowed for miles.

Seven years later, the Great Victory Royal Family was destroyed, and Wang Ye led his troops to carve up the capital, while also relocating all his family members and clansmen from the north to the capital.

In the same year, the Great Victory King and a group of royal family members were escorted to the northern lands by the prince's army.

"Father, look who I have brought to you."

In Zhang Chen's courtyard, Wang Ye rushed in excitedly, his eyes full of excitement as he approached Zhang Chen.

Zhang Chen looked up at the prince, and Wang Ye said excitedly, "I have escorted all the direct descendants of the royal family to the capital for your disposal. Even that Great Victory King was brought here by me, but that old fellow is nearing the end of his life and only has his last breath left. I have invited the imperial physician to keep him alive."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen immediately became interested: "Take me to meet him."

As Zhang Chen walked out of the palace, he saw a long line of people stretching into the distance. His gaze swept across the line and landed on the prison cart at the head of the procession. Although the person inside was old and frail, Zhang Chen recognized him at a glance: "The Great Victory King!"

"Long time no see!" Zhang Chen slowly walked up to the prison cart of the Great Victory King and greeted him.

"It has been quite a few years since we last met. I never imagined that the situation between us would be reversed. I am now a prisoner, while you are still an unparalleled powerhouse who commands respect throughout the world." The Great Victory King sat upright in the prison cart, his cloudy eyes fixed on Zhang Chen, his gaze devoid of joy or sorrow.

"Is there anything you'd like to say?" Zhang Chen asked.

"The victor is king, the loser is villain, what's there to say?" The Great Victory King's voice was calm, with a detached indifference that showed he had seen through everything.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen nodded, but he didn't feel the joy of revenge. Instead, a sense of melancholy appeared in his eyes. His gaze swept over the convoy in the distance, and a look of surprise appeared in his eyes, because he actually saw a familiar face.

Although decades have passed and the other person's appearance has changed, Zhang Chen has already recognized the other person's identity: Jiang Nan!
"Zhang Chen!" Jiang Nan roared when she saw Zhang Chen looking at her.

(End of this chapter)