Transcending two realms to become an earth immortal

The night wind rustled, and the houses near and far were hidden in the chaotic darkness, even the candlelight seemed to be swallowed up by the deeper darkness.

"Yuanming, the patriarch summons you."

Fang Yuanming had just lain down when a soft call came from outside the door.

He groggily awoke, and looked around at the familiar windows, wooden doors, long mats, and beds, yet they seemed strangely dark and silent, and he was in a daze.

He got up and went out the door with the servant.

The sky was dark and gloomy, neither day nor night, but more like the twilight when yin and yang meet, with heavy dark clouds obscuring the glimmer of light.

Following the servants through the long pavilion, they arrived at a temple, which contained an ancestral hall where the ancestral tablets of the Fang family were enshrined.

A man stood in front of the hall, whose appearance was seven parts similar to Fang Chen's, but much older, about thirty or forty years old, and had a certain air of authority.

He was originally... the former head of the family.

For some reason, Fang Yuanming felt a strange unease rising in his heart. He suppressed it and stepped forward to bow.

"Master of the family."

"Hmm..." The old patriarch responded softly, not looking at him, but staring at the memorial tablet in front of him, as if lost in thought.

A night breeze swept in, bringing a chill, and Fang Yuanming couldn't help but shiver.

After a long silence, the patriarch's deep voice finally rang out: "Yuanming, ask yourself honestly, how have I been waiting for you?"

Fang Yuanming bowed deeply:

"Yuanming comes from a humble background. He was promoted and valued by the family head when he was young, which is why he is where he is today. Yuanming will always remember the family head's great kindness and never forget it."

"If that's the case, why did you still do such a thing?" the patriarch asked in a low voice.

Even though he hadn't explicitly stated what he wanted to say, Fang Yuanming inexplicably blurted out:

"It was truly...a last resort."

"No other choice?" the head of the family asked.

"Exactly."

Fang Yuanming took a deep breath. He didn't know where these words came from, yet they came out naturally:

"When people fight, what they seek is nothing more than two words: power and profit. The word 'power' may seem mysterious, but it is really just one sentence: that someone can trust, obey, and carry out your orders."

"In the past, I ascended to the position of head of the family by virtue of your prestige and the support of my subordinates. But how many people truly believed in me? How many truly obeyed me? In this matter of power, how much of it do I, Fang Yuanming, actually hold within the family?"

"Therefore, for the past ten years, he has suppressed dissidents within the clan, promoted officials in name only while demoting them in reality, and placed his cronies in key positions to control promotions, so that he can truly seize power and secure his position... As the saying goes, 'A new emperor brings a new court,' how can a new ruler be established if the old ministers are not removed?"

These words were already offensive, but Fang Yuanming felt that if he didn't speak up now, he might never have another chance:

"However, if your son Fang Chen is wise and brave, possesses extraordinary abilities, and is in harmony with the clan's great fortune of the past century, coupled with your great contributions to the Fang family, then you will naturally have the potential to contend for the throne."

"I have painstakingly built up my foundation over the past ten years, and it is now secure. However, those in the clan who are dissatisfied with their fate and who do not obey my orders will surely flock to me upon seeing your son's extraordinary abilities. What kind of changes will this bring to the clan?"

"There can't be two suns in the sky, and how can a clan tolerate two masters? If two masters coexist, regardless of their sincerity, they will inevitably clash over the word 'power.' Internal strife within the clan will destroy a century-old foundation and future plans in an instant."

"Therefore, this action and journey over the past ten years has not been for personal gain, but for the greater good of the clan."

Upon hearing this, the old patriarch let out a low laugh, whether it was mockery or a sigh of emotion, it was hard to tell:

"What selflessness! What dedication to the greater good of the clan!"

Then he asked:

"Aren't you afraid of the condemnation from the clan elders and the ancestors of the underworld for acting this way? Aren't you afraid of alienating your clan members?"

"The annals of history, whether they are fair or absurd, are ultimately written by the victors. As long as I hold power in the clan, who dares to object?" Fang Yuanming bowed deeply. "As for the disloyalty of clan members, as long as I firmly grasp power, even if the clan's heroes have disloyal hearts, won't they still have to obey my orders? Elders and ancestors of the underworld, in the past we were able to sacrifice for the greater good, so why can't they tolerate each other for the sake of the clan's future?"

"As long as one grasps power, how many heroes will not fall into one's trap? What is called clan history? It can be compiled at will. After the great plan is accomplished, even if there are sordid things, will future generations still respect and admire him?"

"As long as we are not defeated, do not jeopardize the great plans of our clan, and remain steadfast in our principles, what do a few minor flaws matter?"

Upon hearing this, the old patriarch finally turned to look at him, then threw his head back and laughed loudly:

"Hahaha! What a helpless situation! What a great plan for the clan! What a virtuous man who has not compromised on his principles and whose minor flaws have not caused any harm! It seems that we underestimated you back then."

After laughing, he looked towards the dark sky in the distance, his voice tinged with melancholy:

"In this world, heroes truly emerge in great numbers, and even the common folk harbor hidden talents. If the Fang family were to be led by you, they might truly prosper... But alas, life is unpredictable. In the end, all will turn to ashes..."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yuanming was suddenly filled with panic. Everything before him seemed ethereal and gloomy.

The patriarch's figure gradually disappeared into the distance, as if blown into the darkness by the night wind, until he was no longer visible.

Seeing him leave, Fang Yuanming felt boundless fear and hurriedly got up to rush over, but his whole body suddenly sank as if falling into an abyss.

"No, don't go!"

In an instant, Fang Yuanming suddenly opened his eyes from the bed.

His face was pale, and he felt inexplicable pain in his head, body, and heart.

He struggled to sit up, lay on his side on the couch, panting heavily, staring blankly at the dim room.

Why...did I dream of the old patriarch again?

Fang Yuanming was about to speak when he felt a splitting headache, his body felt like it was being cut by knives, and his heart felt like it was being burned.

The pain intensified, and even clutching my heart tightly did not alleviate it.

For some reason, he remembered the line from his dream:

He died suddenly.

It seems... his time has come.

Once this thought arose, I felt a sense of relief. The reason for it was no longer important. The past flashed by like a revolving lantern, appearing so absurd in the face of death.

But after a moment, he struggled to gather his last bit of strength, bit his finger, and drew blood.

Now, the clan's grand plan remains unfulfilled, and there is no one fit to assume the high position. Moreover, chaos is imminent; in the west, refugees and peasants rebel, and in the east, Japanese pirates invade the borders. The fate of our clan is uncertain, and we must not allow his death to trigger internal strife, lest our century-old foundation be destroyed in an instant!

Using his fingers as a pen and blood as ink, he wrote a letter.

However, on his deathbed, only one piercing thought remained in his mind.

This person acted ruthlessly and decisively, without any prior warning. His sudden attack struck directly at the vital points, leaving no room for defense; he truly possessed remarkable composure… When did our Fang family ever provoke such a formidable enemy?

Countless thoughts faded into darkness, and Fang Yuanming, the patriarch of this generation of the county clan... passed away!

next moment.

Inside the secluded room, a phantom figure quietly appeared.

The man had an ancient and simple face, wore a Taoist robe, and had an ethereal figure with a bright and clear light hanging behind his head.

This is a wandering Yin spirit who has gathered the three souls and seven spirits, emerged from the physical body's heavenly aperture, and survived the tribulation of wind!

He was one of the elders of the Fang family. Sensing the message from his ancestor in the underworld, his spirit immediately left his body and descended to this place!

Upon arrival, he saw Fang Yuanming dead on his bed and turned pale.

Just as he was about to step forward to investigate, he saw wisps of malevolent energy rising, and numb faces roaring and exploding within the black mist, exuding a venomous and foul aura. His expression changed drastically.

"Such malevolent energy would be extremely harmful even to a True Immortal of the Day Wandering Realm! It takes at least a hundred years to form in a mass grave or a pit of withered bones, and it can easily create zombies. Even with the impending chaos and great changes in the world, it is no ordinary thing... Could it be the work of the Demonic Sect? When did our Fang family provoke such a formidable enemy?!"

Upon opening his spiritual eye and taking a look, he was even more enraged:

"What kind of demon dares to steal our family's fortune? It should be slain!"