From the fake emperor to the concubine

"Then what should we do?" an elder asked in a trembling voice.

“Now we have several options,” Zheng Tianhao analyzed. “First, migrate as a clan, fleeing to a more distant place. Second, surrender to the demon race and become their vassals. Third, confront them head-on.”

“Run away? The foundation of our Zheng family is right here. How can we just leave like that?” an elder said unwillingly.

"Surrender? Then are we still human?" another elder said angrily.

"Then we have no choice but to fight," Zheng Tianhao said with a wry smile. "But with our current strength, the chances of winning are slim."

"Clan leader, we still have Yunfan," Zheng Chengbai suddenly spoke up. "He was able to kill a mid-Golden Core stage demon clan leader before, perhaps..."

"Chengbai, you're too optimistic," Zheng Tianhao shook his head. "The gap between the mid-stage and peak Golden Core realms is enormous, not to mention that Xue Tu isn't just any ordinary peak Golden Core cultivator."

"Then...is there really no other way?" an elder asked in despair.

Just when everyone was at a loss, an old voice suddenly rang out:

"There's another way."

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was Zheng Tianhe, the eldest elder of the Zheng family. He was over a hundred years old and a founding member of the Zheng family.

"Elder Tianhe, what method are you talking about?" Zheng Tianhao asked hurriedly.

"Please, Ancestor, emerge from seclusion," Zheng Tianhe said slowly.

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent instantly. Everyone stared at Zheng Tianhe in shock, as if they had heard something unbelievable.

"Please ask the Ancestor to come out of seclusion?" an elder stammered. "But isn't the Ancestor in deep seclusion? And he clearly said not to disturb his cultivation."

"These are critical times," Zheng Tianhe said solemnly. "If we don't ask our ancestor to come out of seclusion, our Zheng family will truly be wiped out."

“But…but what if the Ancestor gets angry because he was disturbed?” another elder said worriedly.

“Anger is better than the destruction of the family,” Zheng Tianhe said firmly. “Besides, with the wisdom of our ancestor, he should be able to understand our predicament.”

Zheng Tianhao pondered for a long time before finally nodding and saying, "Elder Tianhe is right. Now the only option is to ask the Ancestor to come out of seclusion."

"Then who will go and invite the Ancestor?" an elder asked.

“I’ll go,” Zheng Tianhao said without hesitation. “As the clan leader, it’s my responsibility.”

"Clan Chief, let me accompany you," Zheng Tianhe volunteered. "I'm the most senior; if the Ancestor really gets angry, it'll give me a buffer."

“Okay, let’s go together.” Zheng Tianhao nodded.

So the two left the council hall and headed towards the deepest forbidden area of ​​the Zheng family.

The Zheng family's forbidden area is located inside a secluded mountain peak, protected by numerous restrictions. Even the elders of the Zheng family cannot enter at will.

Upon arriving at the entrance to the forbidden area, Zheng Tianhao and Zheng Tianhe involuntarily slowed their pace.

This is where Ancestor Zheng Yi cultivates. Normally, not even a bird dares to approach, let alone a person.

"Our ancestor has been in seclusion inside for over a decade," Zheng Tianhe said in a low voice. "I wonder what level his cultivation has reached."

"No matter what, our ancestor is our only hope." Zheng Tianhao took a deep breath and then shouted loudly at the restriction:

"This unfilial descendant, Zheng Tianhao, humbly begs the Ancestor to emerge from seclusion!"

The sound reached the forbidden area, but there was no response.

"This unfilial descendant, Zheng Tianhe, begs the Ancestor to come out of seclusion!" Zheng Tianhe shouted loudly in response.

Still no response.

The two looked at each other and both saw the worry in each other's eyes.

"Ancestor, the family has encountered a formidable enemy! Our survival hinges on tomorrow!" Zheng Tianhao continued to cry out, his voice trembling with tears. "If Ancestor doesn't emerge from seclusion, the Zheng family is truly doomed!"

"Ancestor, the demon general Xue Tu is coming tomorrow! With our current strength, we simply cannot withstand him!" Zheng Tianhe cried, tears streaming down his face. "I beg you, Ancestor, for the sake of our ancestors' legacy, save our Zheng family!"

The two kept shouting, their voices echoing through the valley.

Just when they were almost in despair, a long sigh suddenly came from the depths of the forbidden area.

"well"

The sigh, though faint, sounded as loud as thunder to the two of them.

"Ancestor!" Zheng Tianhao and Zheng Tianhe knelt down excitedly, "Ancestor, you've finally returned!"

Deep within the forbidden area, Zheng Yi sat cross-legged in the center of a massive magic array, surrounded by dense spiritual energy.

His years of secluded cultivation have made his cultivation level even more profound. If he was in the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm before, he is now close to the middle stage.

But at this moment, his face showed no joy, but rather was full of worry.

"Blood Slaughter. General of the Third Legion of the Demon Clan," Zheng Yi muttered to himself, "It seems the demon clan is truly about to launch a large-scale invasion."

As a Nascent Soul cultivator, Zheng Yi possessed extremely powerful divine sense and had long ago sensed Xue Tu's arrival. However, he originally did not want to interfere in the affairs of his juniors and wanted them to resolve the matter themselves.

However, it seems that with the Zheng family's current strength, it is impossible for them to deal with Blood Butcher.

"Ancestor, please save our Zheng family!" Zheng Tianhao's cries came from outside again.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Yi's heart softened.

Although he has transcended worldly affairs, he still has deep feelings for the Zheng family, the family he built from scratch.

"Never mind, never mind." Zheng Yi shook his head and smiled bitterly. "Since that's the case, let's go out and see."

“However,” Zheng Yi pondered for a moment, “it’s not advisable for the main body to act directly; creating an avatar would be more appropriate.”

Nascent Soul stage cultivators can already create avatars. Although the avatars are not as strong as the original body, they should be sufficient to deal with Blood Slaughter.

With this in mind, Zheng Yi began to circulate his magical power, preparing to create an avatar.

"Transformation Technique - Divide Spirit and Transform Form!"

As the incantation was activated, Zheng Yi's body began to emit a dazzling light. Then, a transparent figure separated from his body and gradually solidified.

This avatar looked exactly like Zheng Yi himself, only slightly weaker. Even so, it still possessed the cultivation level of the early Nascent Soul stage.

“Go,” Zheng Yi said to his avatar.

The avatar nodded and then walked outside.

Outside, Zheng Tianhao and Zheng Tianhe were still pleading desperately. Suddenly, they sensed the surrounding spiritual energy beginning to fluctuate violently.

"This is..." The two looked up in shock.

The restrictions on the forbidden area began to dissipate automatically, and a figure slowly walked out from within.

He was a middle-aged man who looked to be in his fifties, with a dignified appearance and eyes as deep as stars. Although his aura was restrained, he gave people a feeling of unfathomable depth.

"Ancestor! Ancestor!" Zheng Tianhao and Zheng Tianhe were so excited that they couldn't speak coherently.

"Rise," Zheng Yi's avatar said calmly, his voice carrying supreme authority. "Ancestor, you've finally emerged from seclusion!" Zheng Tianhao exclaimed excitedly, "Our Zheng family is saved!"

"Let me explain the specifics first," Zheng Yi said calmly.

Zheng Tianhao then gave a detailed report on the recent events, including Zhang Yunfan's appearance, the conflict with the demon race, and the impending threat of Blood Slaughter.

After listening to the report, Zheng Yi nodded: "I see. No wonder it alarmed the demon general."

"Ancestor, what about Zhang Yunfan?" Zheng Tianhao asked with some concern.

“Zhang Yunfan?” A meaningful glint flashed in Zheng Yi’s eyes. “An interesting young man.”

"Does the ancestor know him?" Zheng Tianhao asked in confusion.

"I suppose so," Zheng Yi's avatar didn't elaborate. "Let's go back and check the situation. That Blood Butcher is coming tomorrow; we can have a go at him."

"Yes, Ancestor!"

The three returned to the Zheng family mansion together. When Zheng Yi appeared in the council hall in disguise, everyone stood up in shock.

"Ancestor!" The crowd bowed in unison, their voices filled with excitement and reverence.

Zheng Yi scanned the room, his gaze finally settling on Zhang Yunfan in the corner.

Zhang Yunfan was also in the hall at that moment. When he saw Zheng Yi in disguise, he was completely stunned.

How come this figure looks exactly like the master in his consciousness?
"Yunfan, come here," Zheng Yi said to Zhang Yunfan in his disguise.

Zhang Yunfan walked over blankly, his mind filled with doubt.

"Greetings, senior." He bowed respectfully.

"No need for formalities," Zheng Yi smiled. "You did very well."

Hearing this, Zhang Yunfan was even more puzzled. This tone, this feeling—how could it be so similar to his master in his divine consciousness?
“Senior, you…you are…” Zhang Yunfan asked tentatively.

"You've probably guessed it already," Zheng Yi said with a smile. "That's right, I'm the one who's been guiding your cultivation."

"What?" Everyone present was shocked.

Zhang Yunfan's master is actually the ancestor of the Zheng family? What a coincidence!
"Ancestor, you are Yunfan's master?" Zheng Tianhao asked incredulously.

"To be precise, it's a friendship despite the age gap," Zheng Yi corrected. "I only gave him some pointers."

"I see." Zheng Tianhao suddenly realized, "No wonder Yunfan's strength has improved so rapidly."

"Alright, now's not the time for that," Zheng Yi said, getting down to business. "The Bloodbath is coming tomorrow, everyone get ready."

"Ancestor, with your strength, you should be able to deal with that Blood Butcher, right?" an elder asked.

"There shouldn't be any problems," Zheng Yi said calmly. "However, don't let your guard down. Xue Tu's strength as a demon general shouldn't be underestimated."

"Yes, Ancestor!" everyone responded in unison.

With the ancestor's guarantee, everyone finally felt relieved.

But Zhang Yunfan still had doubts. Although the old ancestor in front of him looked exactly like his master in his divine sense, he still felt that something was different.

“Master, you…” Zhang Yunfan wanted to ask.

"Any questions can wait until we've dealt with Blood Butcher," Zheng Yi's avatar interrupted him. "Rest well now and recharge your energy. You'll need to participate in tomorrow's battle."

“Yes, Master.” Zhang Yunfan nodded.

After the meeting, everyone dispersed.

Zhang Yunfan returned to his room, still filled with doubts.

Was that person really my master? Although they looked the same, why did I feel there was something different about them?

But now is not the time to think about these things. Tomorrow's battle is the most important.

Xue Tu, a general of the third legion of the demon race, has the cultivation level of the peak of the Golden Core stage.

This will be the strongest enemy he has ever faced.

"No matter what, I will do my best." Zhang Yunfan clenched his fist, his eyes shining with determination.

Meanwhile, deep within the Zheng family's forbidden area, Zheng Yi himself remained seated cross-legged in the center of the magic array.

"My avatar has already gone out; it should be able to handle tomorrow's battle," he muttered to himself. "However, there must be a deeper conspiracy behind the demon race's massive invasion."

"It seems this turmoil won't end easily."

As dawn broke, a somber atmosphere pervaded the Zheng family mansion.

Everyone was awaiting that terrifying moment—the arrival of General Blood Butcher. According to yesterday's threat, today was the day Blood Butcher was to visit the Zheng family as agreed.

The mountain-protecting formation was activated to its strongest state, and countless clansmen stood ready. Zhang Yunfan stood in the square in front of the mansion, holding the Void-Breaking Sword, his gaze fixed on the distant sky.

Behind him, Zheng Yi stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm, as if what was about to happen was not a life-or-death battle, but just an ordinary meeting.

"Master, why hasn't Blood Butcher arrived yet?" Zhang Yunfan asked, somewhat puzzled. "Logically speaking, given his personality, he should have already come to kill us long ago."

"The art of war says, 'To win hearts and minds is the best strategy; to conquer cities is the worst,'" Zheng Yi's avatar said calmly. "Although Blood Butcher is cruel and bloodthirsty, he is no fool who has become a general of the demon race."

You mean...

“He’s waiting.” A profound glint flashed in the eyes of Zheng Yi’s avatar. “Waiting for our inner fear to reach its peak, waiting for our will to begin to waver.”

“But don’t we already have you, Ancestor?” Zhang Yunfan asked, puzzled.

"He doesn't know I've already emerged from seclusion," Zheng Yi explained. "In his eyes, the Zheng family is still the same family without top-tier combat power."

Just as the two were talking, the sound of rapid flight suddenly came from afar.

Everyone immediately went on alert, thinking that Blood Butcher had arrived. But upon closer inspection, they saw several disheveled figures approaching.

The leader was a middle-aged man whose clothes were tattered and whose face was as pale as paper. He was none other than Poisonous Serpent Lord, the leader of the Heavenly Serpent Sect.

Behind him followed a dozen or so equally disheveled disciples of the Heavenly Serpent Sect, each with a look of terror on their faces.

"Clan Chief Zheng! Help!" The Serpent King cried out for help even before landing. "General Blood Butcher has reached the Heavenly Serpent Gate! We can't hold on much longer!"

Everyone present was stunned upon hearing this.

Wasn't Blood Butcher supposed to be attacking the Zheng family? Why did he end up at the Heavenly Serpent Sect?

"Serpent Lord?" Zheng Tianhao frowned, looking at the sect leader who had once betrayed the Zheng family. "What are you doing here?"

"Clan Chief Zheng, I know we wronged the Zheng family before," the Venomous Serpent King knelt down immediately, "but this is not the time to dwell on such things! General Blood Slaughter is slaughtering our Heavenly Serpent Sect. If we don't come to our aid in time, the entire Heavenly Serpent Sect will be wiped out!"

"Blood Slaughter at the Heavenly Serpent Sect?" Zhang Yunfan asked doubtfully. "Didn't he say he was coming to the Zheng family?"

"I...I don't know either!" Serpent Lord said with a mournful face, "This morning, General Blood Butcher appeared above our Heavenly Serpent Sect with that Shadow Dragon and started slaughtering without saying a word!" (End of this chapter)