Three Thousand Years of Enlightenment

Year 2,300.

The realm was peaceful, with the rivers and mountains unharmed.

The Zhang Family's third cultivator at the Boundless Sea realm appeared, and it was not any of the more senior cultivators, but a true genius among the young.

This person was a young genius named Zhang Guang that the Zhang Family had been nurturing for over 2,000 years. He was not only the Zhang Family's first genius in 2,000 years, but also a swordsman.

When Zhang Guang reached the Boundless Sea realm, his status immediately rose to Elder, sword in hand as he took a high position in the Zhang Family, with only the Vice Family Head and Grand Elder above him.

This was the influence of a genius rising - it largely represented the future of a family clan.

Having a genius does not mean a family clan will have a bright future, but when a genius rises, the future of that clan is already bright.

Thanks to many factors, the Zhang Family had also reached the pinnacle of status in the realm. Below them were three subordinate sects propping them up. On the surface, they were on very good terms with Triumphant Mountain, to the point of being inseparable. The Mountain Lord of Triumphant Mountain, Qin Ji, would come to visit the Zhang Family every few years, always bringing generous gifts.

On the surface he was visiting the Zhang Family, but Zhang Feiyu and the Second Ancestor of the Zhang Family knew Qin Ji's true intentions.

Qin Ji just wanted to visit the Chen Ancestor.

But the Chen Ancestor was never there. Qin Ji would sometimes ask Zhang Feiyu about news of the Chen Ancestor, and Zhang Feiyu would shake his head with a wry smile.

"The Chen Ancestor left on a trip years ago, I don't know where he went. If you need to find the Chen Ancestor for something, I can try to help you search for him."

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. I just miss the Chen Ancestor, I wouldn't dare disturb him, haha." Qin Ji laughed as he rubbed his hands and spoke of missing the Chen Ancestor. His smiling expression paused, and he added:

"But Triumphant Mountain does have some matters we wanted the Chen Ancestor's opinion on. But there's no rush, when the Chen Ancestor returns himself, I will personally come invite him for a trip to Triumphant Mountain."

With three subordinate sects as its foundation and Triumphant Mountain's support from above, how could the Zhang Family not rise?

Even a pig could fly with those conditions.

Year 2,600

Zhang Feiyu successfully made a breakthrough, relying on the rare medicines given to him by Wang Yangzi to open his meridian channels and become the Zhang Family's fourth cultivator to reach the Boundless Sea Realm.

After that breakthrough, Wang Yangzi said he would no longer come again.

Zhang Feiyu knelt and did not get up, kowtowing to express his thanks: "Feiyu kneels to thank the senior for your great kindness and virtue!"

Wang Yangzi waved his hand and replied plainly:

"I'm helping you as a favor for the Chen Ancestor's invitation, what I gave was the Chen Ancestor's favor. I don't care about you or the matters of the entire Zhang Family..."

"Did you think just your Zhang Family could invite me personally?"

Even among the upper realm, there were few sects that could invite Wang Yangzi to personally take action and concoct medicines or heal illnesses.

The capabilities of a Sage were not something just anyone could withstand.

Zhang Feiyu naturally understood the might involved. He had just kowtowed once and when he raised his head, Wang Yangzi's figure had already disappeared without a trace.

To Wang Yangzi, Zhang Feiyu and the entire Zhang Family were not even worth wasting his time over.

Even Triumphant Mountain wasn't worth having Wang Yangzi glance an extra look at them.

Such was the supreme status of a Sage.

After that, nothing huge happened.

The mountains and rivers were still the mountains and rivers of old, even every sunset was about the same.

Decades of time was but fleeting moments for mortals, and for cultivators it was nothing more than moving from one closed-door seclusion to the next.

Cultivators do not observe life, thus they have to gain enlightenment.

Year 3,000

The Zhang Family's young genius Zhang Guang broke through boundaries at extreme speed, reaching the fourth layer of the Boundless Sea Realm. He successfully entered the ranks of the top ten geniuses of the realm, and also signified the rise of the Zhang Family's young generation.

At the same time, the Second Ancestor of Zhang Family made another small breakthrough, stepping into the second layer of the Mending Heavens realm. This was estimated to be the upper limit of the Second Ancestor's natural talent - there would be no more room for improvement beyond this point.

This meant that the lifespan limit of the Second Ancestor was nearing its end. At most he could only guard Zhang Family for another millennium.

The entire Zhang Family thus entered a flourishing period of development. Geniuses and cultivators had no lack of lucky chances or secret arts, they merely had to focus on their cultivation.

After the rise of the genius Zhang Guang, the Zhang Family saw several more genius cultivators emerge - the new vitality of the Zhang Family gave them great momentum. Relying on the Zhang Family name, they made a splash among the middle realm's young generation.

Year 3,700

This was the most prosperous period in the entire history of Zhang Family. Forming a brotherly bond with Triumphant Mountain, Zhang Feiyu and Qin Ji addressed each other as brothers. Triumphant Mountain sent six Mending Heavens Realm elders to stationed at Zhang Family as protecting elders, solely under Zhang Feiyu's command.

At the same time, Zhang Guang the lead genius of Zhang Family was promoted to the seventh layer of the Boundless Sea Realm, his speed astonishingly swift. He showed the promise to become Zhang Family's second Mending Heavens cultivator.

That same year, Zhang Feiyu decided to hold a grand banquet, inviting the various sects of the middle realm to come for the feast, in order to celebrate Zhang Family's prosperity.

Sects within a million miles prepared generous gifts, ready to come pay their respects to this mountain stronghold.

In the current middle realm's southern region, Zhang Family was the biggest presence. No matter which sect, they had to consider Zhang Family's attitude when doing anything - without Zhang Family's approval affairs would go nowhere. If any dared act without informing Zhang Family first, they would be blocked and then face retaliation from Zhang Family later with no room to complain.

Within a hundred miles of Zhang Family, cultivators came and went in a constant stream, exceptionally lively. But not a single cultivator dared to fly, not even taking flight shuttles. Even Mending Heavens cultivators did not dare fly within a hundred miles of Zhang Family. These low level cultivators could only travel by foot, to show respect.

The waters and mountains surrounding Zhang Family were also very beautiful, with towering, overlapping peaks and slender flowing streams.

With so many gathered cultivators, it was very lively and business bustled. The noisy voices of cultivators debating floated amidst the tranquil waters and mountains, making them lively as well.

"With the feast the Zhang Family is holding this time, they're probably trying to cow the surrounding sects."

"Why do they still need to cow anyone? Who doesn't know the Zhang Family rules the southern lands now, which sect would dare not consider their attitude?"

"They're probably wanting to show off those few geniuses right, I heard the geniuses of Zhang Family are wildly arrogant now. Especially that Zhang Guang, there were rumors in the past that however he fights, he chops the opponent down without fail, utterly ferocious."

"......"

The sounds of the cultivators' discussions continued.

"Two coins of miscellaneous noodle sauce please, can I get just the fried sauce without the noodles?" an elderly voice asked with a kindly laugh.

"Scram!" an impatient voice shot back.

"Hehe." The old man in tattered robes didn't get angry. He merely adjusted his straw hat and picked up the hoe by his side. Shaking his head with a chuckle, he mumbled:

"Off I go, off I go."

He drifted along with the crowd, his back hunched.

A 3,000 year path of enlightenment, was finally nearing its end.

This was the final stretch of road - it wouldn't hurt to take a closer look.

To analyze life shallowly.