Eightieth Birthday

July 7th, Great Kun Kingdom, Xuan City, Zhong Manor.

Today, the gates of Zhong Manor were wide open, with eight hundred tables set up for a banquet. Inside, outside, and even on the street where the main gate was located, seats were filled. Anyone who came to offer congratulations, whether familiar or not, was welcome to take a seat.

Today was an important day. It was the 80th birthday of Old Master Zhong of Zhong Manor.

Old Master Zhong was a legendary figure. Starting from scratch, he spent fifty years building this vast family fortune. His life in the Great Kun Kingdom was like a mythical legend.

Even the previous emperor of the Great Kun Kingdom had shared drinks with Old Master Zhong.

Old Master Zhong had never entered officialdom in his life; he was a merchant. However, his status in the Great Kun Kingdom was extremely transcendent. In fifty years, the money Old Master Zhong had earned was no longer measured in weight; it was too much, so much that even Imperial Yanjing was envious, more than what those thousand-year-old aristocratic families had accumulated.

Even Old Master Zhong himself didn't know how much money he had, because every day, a large amount of money flowed into his name from all directions.

Perhaps it was fate playing tricks, but Old Master Zhong had no direct descendants, no sons or daughters. Although he had married eight wives and concubines, none could bear children. It was as if heaven deliberately left a huge regret in Old Master Zhong's glorious life.

However, Old Master Zhong did not blame his wives and concubines. Instead, he adopted a large number of foster sons. Now, Old Master Zhong had no fewer than a hundred foster sons.

The foster sons were taught various knowledge by Old Master Zhong and maintained this vast family business. Old Master Zhong was very attentive to all his foster sons. Every foster son was a martial arts prodigy, as if they were adopted in the first place because of their bone structure.

The foster sons also had children, so although Old Master Zhong had no children of his own, he had many descendants.

With more foster sons, each of them held a glimmer of hope for Old Master Zhong's family fortune. Just like the emperor's descendants, none of them were easy to deal with.

Starting early this morning, a large number of guests came to offer congratulations. The entire Zhong Manor was filled with a strong sense of joy.

In the inner courtyard of Zhong Manor, a five-story pavilion stood out like a pagoda, very conspicuous.

On the top floor of the pavilion, an old man was currently looking down at the guests who had come from all directions to offer congratulations.

The old man had white hair, and his eyebrows and beard were also white. His eyes were sharp and bright, and his face, without anger, exuded authority, looking full of majesty. This was the stabilizing force of Zhong Manor, Zhong Shan.

The old man's brows were slightly furrowed, as if he was contemplating something.

At this moment, behind the pavilion, a middle-aged man with a simple and honest appearance came up from downstairs. Even though the old man had his back to him, the middle-aged man still bowed slightly.

"Foster Father, the banquet is ready. We are waiting for you to start," the middle-aged man said honestly.

Interrupted by this sound, Old Master Zhong also came back to his senses and turned to look at the middle-aged man.

"Zhong Tian, your cultivation has reached the eighth level of the Acquired Realm, hasn't it?" the old man said lightly.

"Yes, Foster Father, I am at the eighth level of the Acquired Realm, but I am already fifty years old this year. There is no hope of reaching the Innate Realm in this life," the middle-aged man sighed.

"Hmm," Old Master Zhong nodded.

Then, led by Zhong Tian, he walked down the stairs and slowly headed towards the main banquet hall.

In the hall, guests were already seated, half of whom were Zhong Shan's foster sons. The other half were some important officials of the Great Kun Kingdom. Although Old Master Zhong did not enter officialdom, his status in the Great Kun Kingdom was quite high. Although not as high as the four thousand-year-old aristocratic families, it was not far off.

To the north of the hall was a huge golden character for "Longevity," which the current emperor had specially bestowed upon Old Master Zhong for his birthday.

At this moment, the banquet tables in the hall were all full. Everyone was discussing, as if talking about something, but no one touched the wine and dishes on the tables.

"Old Master Zhong has arrived~~~" a servant suddenly shouted.

As soon as the servant shouted, the hall immediately fell silent, and no one outside spoke either.

They saw Old Master Zhong, with his white hair and eyebrows, walk in from the side door, assisted by his eldest foster son, Zhong Tian.

Although the old master was advanced in age, his spirit was still very good. As he walked to the central seat, a gentle smile appeared on his face.

"Thank you all for coming, I, Zhong, am grateful," the old master said to everyone.

"Old Master, what are you saying?"

"It's nothing, it's nothing."

"Of course, of course."

The guests spoke one after another, being humble, while Old Master Zhong merely nodded.

"Su Xing, on behalf of my imperial father, I wish Old Master Zhong a long and healthy life, filled with blessings and longevity," a man in purple robes immediately stood up and said to Old Master Zhong.

Clearly, this was a prince of the current Great Kun Kingdom.

"Zhao Lin, on behalf of the family head, I wish Old Master Zhong eternal brilliance like the sun and moon, and everlasting youth like spring and autumn."

"Qian San, on behalf of the family head, I wish Old Master Zhong a bright future like the sun and moon, and eternal youth like a pine and crane."

"Sun Li, on behalf of the family head, I wish Old Master Zhong smooth sailing in all matters and eternal family happiness."

"Li Ru, on behalf of the family head, I wish Old Master Zhong good fortune and boundless blessings for the future."

Four more middle-aged men bowed to Old Master Zhong.

"Mm, good, good. Thank you, Your Majesty and the four family heads. Please be seated," Old Master Zhong said with a faint smile.

Everyone sat down one after another. Following that, Old Master Zhong's adopted sons came forward one by one to congratulate him on his birthday.

The grand banquet lasted for three full days.

During this time, Old Master Zhong only made an appearance on the first day. After that, he did not show up again.

Over these three days, all of Old Master Zhong's adopted sons returned to congratulate their adoptive father on his birthday. Some, after offering their congratulations, immediately rushed back to their respective family businesses, but some were kept behind by Old Master Zhong.

Three days later, the grand banquet dispersed. In a meeting hall in the Zhong Manor, Old Master Zhong sat alone at the head seat, holding a red ball the size of a longan in his hand, gently caressing it as if it were his most precious possession.

He wiped it again and again. After nearly an incense stick's worth of time, the old man carefully placed it in a small cloth pouch, then threaded it with a thin string and hung it around his neck.

"Let them come in," Old Master Zhong called out softly.

"Yes," Zhong Tian's voice came from outside the door.

Soon, led by Zhong Tian, seven other people entered. Three of them were about the same age as Zhong Tian, around forty to fifty years old, while the other four were much younger, only around thirty to forty years old.

"Adoptive Father," the eight people who entered bowed to Old Master Zhong simultaneously.

"Mm, sit down," Old Master Zhong said faintly.

"Yes," the eight people immediately sat down.

"Zhong Di, Zhong Xuan, Zhong Huang, Zhong Yi, Zhong Liu, Zhong Shiba, Zhong Shijiu, your cultivation is all stable at the tenth level of the Acquired Realm now, right?" Old Master Zhong asked.

"Yes, Adoptive Father," everyone replied.

Only one of the slightly younger men said with some surprise, "Ten days ago, I just reached the tenth level of the Acquired Realm. I was planning to give Adoptive Father a surprise, but I didn't expect Adoptive Father to know in advance?"

"Zhong Shijiu, thirty-two years old, to be able to reach the peak of the Acquired Realm, you've surprised me." Old Master Zhong looked at his youngest adopted son, a faint smile on his face. He was also the most doting towards this youngest adopted son.

"Adoptive father, you flatter me," Zhong Shijiu immediately said, appearing somewhat shy.

"Mm, do you know why I called you here today?" Old Master Zhong asked.

"This child does not know," everyone immediately shook their heads. At the same time, they looked at their adoptive father curiously, wondering why he had suddenly called them.

"In a few days, it will be the Dragon Gate Meet. You will accompany me to the Dragon Gate Meet," Old Master Zhong said faintly.

"Dragon Gate Meet? Adoptive father, you know where the Dragon Gate Meet is being held? Only the Four Great Clans and the Imperial Family know!" Zhong Shijiu immediately exclaimed excitedly.

At the same time, the others also looked at Old Master Zhong with excitement.

The honest-looking Zhong Tian, who was sitting to the side, remained silent. Although he was somewhat surprised, he wasn't overly joyful.

"That's right, I will take you to the Dragon Gate Meet. At that time, elites from various countries will gather there. Moreover, they are basically all at the peak of the Acquired Realm, and there will even be Innate Realm experts. You will accompany me and strive to be taken in as a disciple by some immortal sect, and from then on, learn the supreme immortal path and achieve eternal life," Old Master Zhong said with some longing.

"Yes, adoptive father," everyone immediately said excitedly.

There are immortals in the world. Although some people consider it superstition, the Zhong family, being such a large family, knows that immortals are not ethereal but exist. However, they have never found the method. They have the desire but nowhere to start looking.

"I am taking you to participate in the Dragon Gate Meet for two reasons. One is to hope that you can escape the troubles of the mundane world and enter an immortal sect from now on. The other is that I hope you can do something for me," Old Master Zhong's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Adoptive father, just say it. As long as I can do it, I will definitely do it," Zhong Shijiu immediately said.

Seeing his youngest adopted son immediately pat his chest and promise before even hearing what he had to say, Old Master Zhong felt a surge of comfort in his heart.

"Mm, it's not difficult. As long as you join a certain immortal sect, ask your master or elder in the immortal sect for a 'Restriction Breaking Pill' for me," Old Master Zhong said somewhat excitedly.

"Yes," everyone nodded in agreement.

"Adoptive father, what is a Restriction Breaking Pill?" Only Zhong Tian asked in confusion.

"The Restriction Breaking Pill is not a particularly good pill among these immortal sects. Its effect is merely to help people break through the limits of the Acquired Realm. However, it requires someone at the Golden Core Stage or above to refine it. When you reach an immortal sect and learn immortal secret techniques, you won't need this thing at all. Therefore, it is relatively rare. Back then, I used all my family's wealth to try and exchange for one with a Daoist, but that Daoist was disdainful. Everything in the mundane world, in the eyes of these people, is no different from fleeting clouds," Old Master Zhong said with a sigh.

Hearing what Old Master Zhong said, everyone sighed. Indeed, they were quite interested in family wealth before, but in the face of eternal life, what did this family wealth count for? Nothing at all.

"Adoptive father, you want to use this Restriction Breaking Pill to break through to the Innate Realm?" Zhong Tian immediately pressed.

"You are all my sons, I won't hide it from you. Indeed, because I started cultivating relatively late, although I spent a lot of money to buy a large amount of spiritual medicine, I can only cultivate to the same level as you are now, with no further progress. I am already eighty years old, and it is no longer possible to break through. The Dragon Gate Meet is held once every fifty years, and it is my only chance. I hope you won't disappoint me," Old Master Zhong said to his sons.

"Adoptive father, rest assured. As long as I am favored by an immortal, even if it means not entering the immortal sect myself, I will definitely obtain a pill for adoptive father," Zhong Shijiu immediately said.

"Mm," Old Master Zhong immediately nodded, a hint of emotion flashing in his eyes.

"Adoptive father, I..." Zhong Tian said with some hesitation. After all, Zhong Tian only had a cultivation of the eighth layer of the Acquired Realm.

As if seeing his eldest son's difficulty, Zhong Shan smiled and said, "You all go and prepare. We will set off in three days. Zhong Tian, you come with me too. Without your service, I also feel uncomfortable."

"Yes," everyone immediately said. Zhong Tian was also excited. Zhong Tian knew he couldn't possibly be chosen, but being able to see the scene of the Dragon Gate Meet was also an extremely exciting thing. At the very least, he would have no regrets in this life.

Then, everyone left the main hall one after another and went back to their excitement.

After his adopted sons left, Old Master Zhong also slowly stood up and walked slowly towards a courtyard in the back.

This courtyard did not require any servants to attend to it, and no one was allowed to enter and disturb him, including his adopted sons. Unless the old master allowed them in.

Entering the courtyard, he gently closed the large door. Old Master Zhong walked into the bedroom and sat by the bed. Old Master Zhong once again took off the red ball hanging around his neck.

At this moment, the red ball seemed to emit a faint red light, and moreover, some colorful flowing light was floating on this red light.

"Fifty-five years. When I climbed Mount Everest back then, I picked up this red ball and was sucked through space by a pulling force to this place. This is a magical world because there are immortals here. Fifty-five years, how many times have I sought out immortal sects? They all said I started cultivating too late, my bone structure was poor, my meridians were weak, and I was too old. Throughout my entire life, it would be impossible to reach the Innate Realm. Immortal? Cultivating immortality? Is it just because I hadn't started cultivating when I was in my twenties?" Old Master Zhong looked at the red ball, his brows tightly furrowed.

"In these past few decades, haven't I reached the peak of the Acquired Realm? Although I can no longer break through, but, but haven't I already succeeded? With just one Restriction Breaking Pill, I can cultivate to the Innate Realm, and then cultivate to the highest, the supreme, cultivate to become an immortal. Willpower, who has stronger willpower than me? For the sake of cultivation, I spent great effort to find ten-thousand-year-old cold ice and sat on it to cultivate. I sat for twenty years. Those with excellent bone structure in your sects, when they were at my cultivation level, would they dare?"

"Traveling through space, hehe, I've almost forgotten the novels on Earth. Traveling through space, why didn't traveling through space make my physical fitness stronger? Why is it still the same? Otherwise, I wouldn't have suffered so much these past few years. Indeed, this time I traveled through, I gained an ability. I can separate from my shadow. It forms a spatial shadow, and this shadow can also turn into my appearance. Although it's billions of miles away, this shadow, under my control, is like I simultaneously possess another body. The shadow has no thoughts, only I do. One person controlling two bodies is a very peculiar ability. This factor has also contributed to the rapid growth of my assets over the years, but, but what use is it? The shadow is restricted by my main body. Whatever my highest cultivation level is, it can only reach that level. It also cannot break through the Acquired Realm's confinement. I just need a starting point, an Innate Realm starting point. As long as I reach the Innate Realm, I will definitely do better than everyone else, work harder than everyone else."

"Cultivating so many adopted sons, finally seven of them reached the peak of the Acquired Realm before the Dragon Gate Meet. They should be able to succeed. Seven of them, at least one should succeed. As long as they can obtain one Restriction Breaking Pill, it will be enough. For me, it will be enough, truly enough," Old Master Zhong muttered softly to himself.