On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, in the Zhong Residence of Xuancheng, within the grand Da Kun Empire, an extraordinary celebration unfolded.
The gates of the Zhong Residence were thrown wide open, welcoming all with a sprawling banquet of 800 tables. Guests—whether familiar or strangers—found their seats spilling over from the grand hall to the very streets outside, blanketing the area in jubilant festivity. The reason? It was the momentous occasion of the patriarch's eightieth birthday.
The old master was no ordinary man. A legendary figure, he had risen from nothing, carving out an empire over fifty tumultuous years. His name echoed across Da Kun as the very embodiment of myth and ambition. Even the former emperor of Da Kun had once shared a drink with him in camaraderie.
Though he remained a merchant and never entered officialdom, his influence rivaled the most exalted noble houses. The wealth he accumulated could no longer be measured in ounces or taels, exceeding even the reserves of ancient clans. Such was his affluence that even emperors envied him. Yet, fate played a cruel jest on this titan of fortune—he was without an heir.
Married eight times, none of his wives had borne him a child. As if heaven sought to balance his earthly splendor with a profound regret. Yet, the old master bore no resentment towards his wives. Instead, he adopted over a hundred sons, nurturing them with wisdom and training. Under his guidance, these adopted sons upheld the vast family enterprise. Each was a martial prodigy, chosen not by chance but for their innate potential. Through them, the Zhong family blossomed with generations of descendants.
However, ambition simmered beneath the surface. Just as royal heirs vie for the throne, the adopted sons harbored their own dreams of inheriting the patriarch's monumental legacy.
On this auspicious day, the residence brimmed with guests and laughter. In the midst of the merriment, the patriarch himself stood atop a five-story pavilion, surveying the sea of visitors. His white hair and beard framed a face etched with authority, his sharp gaze undimmed by age. Yet, his brows furrowed, as if weighed by some private contemplation.
Soon, a loyal son approached with news that the banquet was ready. The old master descended to the hall, where officials, noble heirs, and his own adopted sons awaited. Among the throng of well-wishers, imperial envoys and representatives from the great clans of Da Kun offered lavish blessings, their words a testament to his unrivaled stature.
The grand feast lasted three days, filled with reverence and gaiety. Yet, the old master appeared only on the first day, retreating to solitude thereafter. In a secluded chamber, he held a peculiar crimson orb, its surface glowing faintly with an ethereal light. As he gazed upon it, his mind wandered to a time long past—a moment when destiny had reshaped his life forever.
Decades ago, atop the summit of Mount Everest, he had stumbled upon this mysterious sphere, a relic that had transported him to this world of divine wonders. Yet, despite his relentless pursuit of immortality, fate had denied him the ultimate breakthrough. To this day, he remained trapped at the mortal pinnacle, unable to ascend beyond the earthly realm.
Now, he pinned his hopes on the upcoming Dragon Gate Assembly—a rare gathering of celestial sects where mortals might earn the favor of immortals. Among his most gifted sons, seven had reached the zenith of mortal cultivation. He would bring them to this fateful event, urging them to seize the chance to enter the celestial gates and, more importantly, to secure for him a single item—a "Breaking Limit Elixir."
This elixir, a treasure of the immortal world, held the power to shatter the barriers of mortality. With it, he could transcend his mortal limitations and embark on the path of eternal life.
As he prepared for this pivotal journey, his thoughts echoed with unwavering resolve: I have overcome the impossible to reach this point. Once I step into the realm of the immortals, nothing will stop me. I shall defy fate and grasp the eternal.