“Hey, hurry up! We are going to miss it!”

“Calm down little one, we will be there in time… Look, the parade has only started.”

“It’s the golden elders!”

As the grandfather and his grandson watched the cultivators soaring through the sky, the sight was truly breathtaking. The golden robes of the cultivators glistened in the sunlight, and the flags they carried waved majestically in the wind. The characters on the flags, displaying the names of various sects, created a beautiful mosaic of unity within the world of cultivation.

The larger character in the middle, "United Sects of the Golden Empire," spoke of a powerful alliance, where different sects joined forces for a common purpose. It hinted at a time of harmony and cooperation among these groups, which was a rare and remarkable sight in the often competitive and hierarchical world of cultivation.

The grandfather and grandson watched in awe, knowing that they were witnessing a significant moment in the history of their martial world, where sects came together under a common banner, united for a greater cause. It was a scene that would be etched in their memories for years to come.

“Look, it’s the Great Emperor!”

“Haha, yes there he is, I didn’t think I would live enough to see this day… I hope this peace lasts forever.”

As the child cheered on in the parade, the old man started to reminisce about the old days. He was a Core Formation cultivator who was approaching the age of four hundred years. The man had not been much of a cultivator when the old Azure Empire fell, but he could recall that ancient, bloody war that shook everything.

The memories of that old, bloody war haunted him. It had been a time when the entire world of cultivation had been in turmoil. The Azure Empire, once a powerful and revered force, had crumbled under the weight of conflict and chaos. The battles had been fierce, and the loss of life immense. Friends and comrades he had known had perished, and the world had changed forever.

He had seen the skies darkened by the smoke of burning cities and the earth soaked with the blood of cultivators and ordinary people alike. It had been a time of profound loss and sacrifice, a memory etched deeply in his heart. However, that was a time long forgotten. The lands once scarred by conflict had transformed into a peaceful and harmonious realm where travelers could journey without fear. The Golden Emperor's wisdom and benevolence had extended to all, and his rule had brought stability and security to the entire empire.

It was a time when the people, regardless of their background or cultivation level, could pursue their dreams and aspirations without the constant threat of war and chaos. The Golden Emperor's legacy was not just one of strength and power but also of compassion and a commitment to the well-being of his subjects.

While the parade continued, the old man couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the peace and prosperity that had come to define this new empire. It was a world where his grandson could grow up in safety and pursue his own cultivation journey, free from the horrors of the past. However, unbeknownst to the cheerful atmosphere in the crowd, the one who was responsible for it all was examining everything with a solemn expression.

Zhang Dong's wife gazed at him with concern, her eyes filled with a mix of love and understanding. She had been his constant companion for more than three centuries, and she could sense when something troubled him.

"Dear, is something wrong? You have been looking down lately?"

She inquired gently, her voice filled with warmth and care.

"Are you worried about Jun'er taking over your responsibilities? We could always postpone it for later."

Zhang Dong took a deep breath and smiled at his beloved wife, her presence was a constant source of strength and solace. He could see the love in her gaze that did not waver one bit even after more than three hundred years of being together.

"No, that's not it, I'm fine. Jun is more than suited for the role of Emperor, he'll be fine."

While he put on a brave face for her, there was still a hint of sadness in his eyes. The world had continued to turn and he had postponed his decision for many years but now time was quickly running out. What he was worried about was not how well his son would do as the sect head but when he was gone. His decision to ascend was drawing near and he wasn’t sure that he would be strong enough to leave his family behind.

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“Ah, is it then about that other issue?”

“Yes…”

Liena had always been the one person in whom Zhang Dong confided his deepest secrets and his connection to the system was no different. Over the years, he had gradually revealed more and more of the intricate details, including his carefully thought-out plan for the future ascension.

To Zhang Dong's relief, Liena had taken the revelations remarkably well. Her support and understanding had been unwavering, and she had encouraged him to follow his heart and convictions. She understood the immense burden of responsibility he carried and the risks that lay ahead.

In Liena's eyes, they had already accomplished so much in their lifetimes, and they had a legacy of peace and unity to be proud of. She was willing to allow him to take whatever risks were necessary to protect their family and their vision for the empire's future. Her unwavering support and her belief in his decisions gave him the strength and determination to face the challenges that lay ahead with confidence.

“But that’s for then, let us enjoy the current moment, this is a big day for our little Jun… but I guess he isn’t that little anymore.”

“Haha, that’s true, he has become quite the responsible adult, probably more than his old man ever was.”

Zhang Dong couldn't help but smile with pride as he watched his son, a young man who had grown into a remarkable leader. The resemblance between father and son was uncanny, with the same distinctive snow-white hair and a chiseled chin that marked them as members of the same lineage. While there were subtle differences in their appearances, it was clear that he was his flesh and blood.

As his son delivered a grand speech, addressing not only the millions gathered before him but also the billions across different cities, Zhang Dong marveled at how the legacy of their family continued to thrive. His son's eyes, even sharper than his own, reflected a resolute and visionary spirit that had been passed down.

Zhang Dong felt a sense of fulfillment and reassurance in knowing that his son had the qualities needed to carry on their mission and lead the empire into a bright and prosperous future. The torch of leadership had been successfully passed, and it was now his son's turn to guide the empire with the same dedication. He could safely leave it up to him and his grandchildren that had been multiplying with time.

As the generations passed and new cultivators arose, Zhang Jun, like many others, reached a significant milestone in his life. He decided to take the step of getting married. However, his path to marriage was different from his father’s who did it early. It was marked by his unwavering commitment to training and his dedication to his responsibilities. Only after more than a hundred years did it finally come about.

His choice of a spouse, someone from outside the three great clans, had raised eyebrows and sparked some controversy. Many beauties from the powerful clans had hoped to win his heart, and there had been rumors of infighting and competition among them. Ultimately, Zhang Jun followed his heart and found the love of his life in someone not affiliated with the Zhang, Huo, or Feng clans.

One of his foremost concerns was whether his chosen spouse had been tampered with by the Overseer, a figure that had vanished since the last great war. For Zhang Dong, ensuring that his son wouldn’t be influenced like the last emperor was paramount. As of now, he had found no evidence to suggest any interference, allowing him to focus on other things like new grandchildren.

Zhang Dong's perspective was more in tune with the cultivators of this world. He had finally achieved the freedom to live his life without the constant threat of external dangers. The time he had been granted was dedicated to establishing peace and uniting an empire that had once been divided into thousands of smaller factions.

Instead of consolidating his own power in a single location, as his predecessors had done, he opted to distribute resources and elevate everyone to a certain standard. While no one could challenge the main sect's authority, people now enjoyed longer lives and cultivated with greater ease than ever before.

As life expectancy grew and the population increased, the empire experienced a significant transformation. People lived longer, healthier lives, and the extended years brought about a more adventurous spirit among its inhabitants. With newfound vigor, they sought to explore the uncharted territories beyond the well-established city-states led by clans or sects.

In this empire, most regions were divided into small city-states, each governed by powerful clans or sects. These city-states were relatively safe and prosperous. However, the smaller towns and remote areas that fell outside the protection of these powerful entities remained dangerous and untamed.

These less-regulated regions were fraught with dangers, from savage beasts roaming the wilderness to ruthless bandits preying on unsuspecting travelers. The life of a cultivator or adventurer often led them to these remote and wild areas in search of resources, secrets, and challenges, knowing that the risk was commensurate with the potential rewards.

With the unification of the lands, travel had become significantly more accessible, and life continued to thrive. There were still many uncharted regions that people were eager to explore, populate, and establish as new, expansive settlements and their own kingdoms. It was indeed a genuine era of exploration and growth, one that was likely to persist for thousands of years. Something that he wished to witness but the time for action was now and he had done all that he could to make everyone prosper.

His time needed to be used to explore what was outside this confined empire, he wanted to ascend while his body and mind were still strong and willing to fight for the future that he had created…