‘There are a lot of them… To think that someone like me would have had such a big family circle…’

Zhang Dong's thoughts transported him back to a time before he had arrived in this world. Before that strange email had changed the course of his life, he was just an ordinary person leading a solitary existence, stuck in a dead-end job. His previous family had been something he felt he didn't quite belong to.

During those family get-togethers, he often found himself on the outskirts, trying to avoid confrontation and blending into the background. He would sit in a quiet corner, speaking very little, or he'd linger over his food, using it as a way to deflect conversations and uncomfortable interactions. The sense of alienation and disconnection from his previous life had been palpable.

His journey to this world had transformed him in many ways, providing him with a new sense of purpose, a loving family, and a profound impact on the world itself. The contrast between his past and present was striking, and he couldn't help but reflect on the incredible journey that had brought him to where he was today.

At times, he couldn't help but wonder if his original family was still out there somewhere. Even though more than three hundred years had passed in this alternate world, it didn't necessarily mean the same amount of time had passed in his original world. His experience when visiting the world where Beatrice resided was a clear example - upon his return, five years had already elapsed in this realm. It was even possible that when he ascended from this world, he might simply return to his old world as if nothing had occurred.

An outcome like that would indeed be quite unfortunate, but the possibility that all of this was just an elaborate illusion crossed his mind. Nevertheless, this place felt far too authentic to be a mere illusion, and its abrupt dissolution upon his ascension would raise suspicions. Before he embarked on his journey, he felt compelled to bid farewell to everyone who had gathered here.

“Welcome, I’m glad that you have managed to arrive at such short notice!”

Family members gradually gathered within the Zhang Dong family villa, an expansive estate that had served as the home for generations of the Zhang family. Everyone in this place was a part of his closest family circle, direct descendants of himself as the family head. Although he had only produced two children, each of his own children had three, and their descendants continued to multiply.

The entire villa now housed nearly a hundred individuals who were directly connected to him as the oldest member. Only one person was older, that being Zhang Jin who he also owed an explanation of what he was about to do. Liu and Xue who were his disciples, were also here but their own families were not part of this celebration.

“My dearest family, gathered here today, I've called upon you for a specific reason. As you may have noticed, I've been less active in recent years. Some of you still disagree with my decision of stepping down from my position as Emperor but I had a good reason for it, which I will now explain.”

Zhang Dong paused for a moment, looking at the faces of his family members, each with a mix of anticipation and curiosity. Some of the children present were already dozing off while their family members were pinching their cheeks which brought a smile onto his face. To some of them he was a scary cultivator but to others just a strange grandfather.

"First, I want to express my deep pride and gratitude for each and every one of you. You have all played a significant role in the growth and prosperity of our family and the sect. Without your dedication and hard work, we wouldn't be where we are today. But now, it's time for me to move on to the next step… I will be making preparations to go through the ascension…”

Zhang Dong stopped for a moment as he saw shocked expressions on some of his family member's faces. Most of them knew what he was talking about but none of them believed that it was actually possible to reach another realm.

“Dong’er… you know how to reach the Immortal realm? But the knowledge has been forgotten for thousands of years…”

“Yes gramps, I have the knowledge to reach it and I’m almost certain that I can.”

“You can? By the heavens, I knew that you were talented but not to this extent…”

Zhang Dong chuckled at his grandfather's astonishment and glanced at his son, Zhang Jun, whose mouth was agape. He wasn't disclosing the full truth, a fact only known to his wife, Liena, but in a way, it was still the truth. He would indeed be progressing to a new stage and eventually departing from this world. He pondered explaining everything but opted not to reveal the intricacies of the outer worlds, as there was a large chance he might never return here again. Leaving his children to live out their lives without the burden of wondering about their father's travels through different realms seemed like the better course of action.

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Without the system on their side, ascending would remain an impossible challenge. Those born into these worlds were inherently bound to them and could never defy the heavens that had created them. He worried that if he disclosed too much information, his son or daughter might recklessly pursue their own destruction.

"Reaching the Immortal realm is no easy feat, and I must undergo rigorous preparations and training. The path ahead is fraught with challenges and uncertainties. I wanted to gather all of you here to let you know that this will be a long process, and it might be the last time that I will be able to speak to you again. I’m sure that you’ve heard of the legends and of what happens to anyone who has ascended before.”

“Whoever ascends must leave this realm…”

Zhang Jun muttered to himself while looking over at his sister who did the same. Both of them realized what their father was telling them. Zhang Dong nodded, his gaze filled with a mixture of sadness and resolve.

"That's right. Ascending means leaving this world behind, possibly forever. It's a decision I've thought long and hard about, and I understand the implications. But it's a journey I must undertake, not only for my own growth but for the knowledge and experience I can bring back to our family."

The room fell into a contemplative silence. The family members were processing this profound revelation. They knew the legends of ascension, but it was one thing to hear them and another to face the reality of a loved one preparing to embark on such a journey.

"Dong’er, you've accomplished incredible feats, and we've all benefited from your wisdom and strength. But this... this is a path that none of us have walked. Are you certain it's the right choice? To my knowledge none of the immortals have ever returned back, what if its impossible?"

Zhang Dong met his grandfather's gaze.

"I can't be completely certain, but I believe it's the path I must follow. The potential for growth, for discovering new realms and bringing back knowledge that could benefit our family, is too great to ignore. It's a risk I'm willing to take."

His wife, Liena, reached out and took his hand. Both of them looked at each other with love in their eyes as they nodded. They had this conversation before and his ascension could not be halted anymore.

"We've faced countless challenges together, and we've always emerged stronger. I have faith in my husband, and I'll be waiting for the day that he returns to us and to me.”

Zhang Jun and his sister exchanged glances. While it was difficult for them to accept their father's departure, they also understood the importance of his decision. All of the people here were cultivators and would probably choose to go through the ascension if they were given the opportunity. Growing stronger and wiser while improving their martial arts was ingrained into their very souls.

"Father, I'll support your decision, as difficult as it is for me. Just promise me that you'll come back, no matter how long it takes."

Xiu on the other hand frowned at the revelation. It didn’t seem that she was too convinced or glad about this information but also knew that stopping her father would be impossible.

“Dad, just make sure to not over do it, okay?”

“Haha, you know me, safety first!”

She rolled her eyes at the response and soon the whole place was filled with laughter. The family members nodded, their initial shock giving way to a sense of unity and determination. They were a family that had faced numerous challenges and thrived, and they would face this one together.

“That’s about everything that I wanted to discuss, I’m not sure when my ascension will take place… So before that, I wanted to share this feast with all of you! Now come, let us eat!”

With their concerns and questions addressed, the family embraced the idea of unity and celebration. They moved to the grand dining hall, where a sumptuous feast had been prepared in honor of this special occasion. Zhang Dong's ascension might have been on the horizon, but for now, it was a time for togetherness and joy.

The dining hall buzzed with laughter and conversation as family members from different generations and walks of life shared stories, caught up on each other's lives, and relished the delicious dishes. It was a heartwarming sight, as even the youngest children seemed to understand the significance of this gathering.

As the evening unfolded, Zhang Dong found himself surrounded by his loved ones, old and young, basking in the warmth of their presence. He shared anecdotes, offered guidance, and made cherished memories with his family, all the while feeling immense gratitude for the life he had built in this world.

The celebration continued into the night, with music and dancing, reflecting the deep bonds that connected them all. It was a reminder of the legacy he had built, not just as a powerful cultivator but as a loving father and grandfather.

The night eventually grew late, and the family members began to disperse to their respective quarters, reflecting on the day's events. For Zhang Dong, it was a reminder that despite the challenges and uncertainties of his ascension, he had the support and love of his family.

As he retired to his own chamber, Zhang Dong couldn't help but feel a sense of happiness. He knew that his journey forward would be fraught with trials and tribulations, but he was prepared to face them head-on. With the love and unity of his family as his source of strength, he was ready to embrace the unknown...