Chapter 2646: Meeting Without Recognition

Zu'an quickly helped her up. "There's no need for such formality between us! If anything, I owe your Zhang family a great debt. I haven't properly repaid you yet. Tell me, is there anything you wish for? As long as it's within my power, I will surely make it happen for you."

Although he wasn't the true imperial grandson, he had indeed grown up safely thanks to the Zhang family. He often felt a deep sense of gratitude whenever he thought of the sacrifices they had made for him.

Zhang Zitong's heart was pounding fiercely as he held her arms, and she could even feel the warmth radiating from his touch.

"The Regent touched me!"

Just as she was caught up in the excitement, his words suddenly enveloped her in a feeling of immense happiness: "Are you serious? Anything at all?"

"You can tell me. There isn't much I can't do these days," Zu'an said with a smile. Even he, who had experienced countless different women, couldn't help but feel a little pleased seeing the girl's adoring gaze.

Zhang Zitong's breathing immediately quickened, and her cheeks flushed visibly, as if she had just thought of something.

However, she ultimately suppressed a certain thought and said, "I only wish to stay by the Regent's side forever as a guard—no, not a guard. What was that word you mentioned before? 'Secretary'? Yes, that's it."

Zu'an was taken aback. "Aren't you already one? That's a wish? Why don't you choose something else? It would be a shame to waste an opportunity like this."

Zhang Zitong, however, shook her head firmly. "I'll choose this!"

She knew Zu'an had many "fish" in his "pond," and each of them was a formidable "great white shark." A small shrimp like her would only be swallowed whole, without a trace, if she insisted on getting involved.

But by becoming the Regent's "secretary," no matter how many confidantes he had, she would be his closest intimate. In fact, those "great white sharks" would even have to try to curry favor with her.

The thought of the exalted Empress, the daughters of influential families, and the saintesses of various sects trying to get close to her made her so happy she almost burst out laughing.

Although Zu'an didn't quite understand why her wish was so peculiar, it wasn't difficult to grant, so he readily agreed. "Alright, if there's anything else you want in the future, you can tell me."

Clearly, in his mind, this wasn't enough to repay the Zhang family.

"No, this is perfect," Zhang Zitong said, smiling exceptionally brightly.

After the rebels at Phoenix Prison Pass were incorporated, Zu'an and Bi Linglong returned to the capital with the captured rebellious vassal kings. The capital, which had been rife with hidden currents, instantly stabilized.

Many aristocratic families had secretly been in contact with the rebels, and even those who hadn't were trying to find an escape route. But now, with their return, everyone abandoned any thoughts of disloyalty.

In particular, Bi Linglong publicly burned some of the letters seized from the rebels, declaring that only the ringleaders would be punished and everyone else would be pardoned, which greatly won over the people's hearts.

Zu'an entrusted all these political affairs, including the upcoming dynastic change, to Bi Linglong. He, in turn, went to the small courtyard at the top of Jade Spring Mountain at the academy and summoned all the teachers from the back mountain.

Everyone was present except for Second Senior Brother Xiao Yaoyou, the Drunken Sword Immortal, who was traveling the world; Sixth Junior Sister Yu Yanluo, the painter, who was among the demon race; and Ninth Junior Sister Shang Liuyu, the singer, who was among the sea race.

"Greetings, Libationer!" everyone saluted Zu'an. They didn't particularly care about his official position as Regent; they felt a closer connection to his identity as the Libationer.

Being sharp-witted individuals, they quickly noticed that Jiang Luofu, who had accompanied him, had not returned with him. Their hearts sank, and expressions of sorrow appeared on their faces.

Zu'an knew they had misunderstood and quickly explained everything that had happened on the journey and Jiang Luofu's most probable whereabouts.

"True Gods?" The concept of True Gods left everyone present utterly astonished.

As direct disciples of the old Libationer, each of them was essentially a top expert in their respective fields, naturally possessing vast knowledge.

However, upon learning about True Gods and considering the situation of Zhao Yuan and others during the Battle of Phoenix Prison Pass, they couldn't help but lament their limited worldview.

More than that, they felt an intense excitement for the unknown, and a strong desire for exploration arose in each of them.

Zu'an knew these were academic fanatics and felt compelled to warn them: "You must not research blindly. Receiving a True God's gaze can often bring destruction. Of course, if you happen to align with their Dao and they find you pleasing, they might even bestow power upon you, just like Zhao Yuan."

The charming Qiyaoguang blinked. "Does the Libationer mean we should focus on researching gods whose Daos are similar to our own, increasing the likelihood of gaining their recognition, and avoid touching True Gods who are clearly not on our path?"

Zu'an nodded. "Originally, the safest course was not to research them at all. However, as scholars with the purest intentions, I'm sure none of you will let this opportunity pass. So, I won't waste my breath trying to dissuade you."

Yan Xiangu's expression was calm and composed. "We have pursued the Heavenly Dao for many years, and now that we finally see the path ahead, how could we stop? To explore truth, we would not regret dying a hundred deaths."

His lean, gaunt figure now exuded an inexplicable resolve.

"First Senior Brother is right!" the others echoed, clearly not the type to abandon the pursuit of the unknown simply for safety.

However, Ji Dengtu was more concerned about another matter. "Where's Xiao Xi? You scoundrel, you didn't lose my sister-in-law, and now you've lost Xiao Xi too, have you?"

By the end, he couldn't hold back, grabbing Zu'an's collar, his voice trembling visibly.

The other senior siblings looked on with peculiar expressions. If anyone else had treated the Libationer like that, they would have intervened. However, Ji Dengtu's relationship with the Libationer was truly unique.

"Brother Zu, what about my sister?" Xie Xiu, as a third-generation disciple, wouldn't normally be qualified to attend such a meeting. But because he was Zu'an's friend and Xie Daoyun's younger brother, he had been specifically called in this time.

Xie Xiu had been reluctant to interrupt when his senior uncles and aunts were speaking, but he had been brimming with questions he wanted to ask.

Yan Xiangu also couldn't help but speak up. "Indeed, Libationer, is Daoyun doing well?"

As Xie Daoyun's master, he was naturally very concerned about his disciple's safety.

"You don't need to worry; they are all safe. I'll bring them over right away." Zu'an felt Ji Dengtu's spit almost spraying on his face, but he wasn't angry at all. After all, their deep friendship had been forged through novels back then.

A hint of confusion flashed in everyone's eyes. How would he bring them over? Were they perhaps in an adjacent room? But when they had just greeted the Libationer, besides the long-legged female guard, they hadn't seen him bring anyone else.

Zu'an suddenly paused. "Xiao Xi is fine, but Xie Daoyun's situation is a bit special. You might need to prepare yourselves mentally."

"Ah?" Yan Xiangu and Xie Xiu's faces went pale.

"Is she crippled? Poisoned? Or has she fallen into a coma?" Xie Xiu rattled off various terrifying possibilities.

"None of that. She's perfectly fine; it's just her appearance has changed somewhat."

"What do you mean her appearance has changed? Is she disfigured?"

Zu'an didn't know how to explain, so he simply stopped talking and began communicating with the will of heaven and earth.

With a flash of light, several figures appeared out of thin air in the room.

"Xiao Xi!" Seeing that familiar petite figure, Ji Dengtu was so overcome with emotion that old tears nearly streamed down his face.

There were also several other beautiful young women: Miss Pei, with her generous demeanor, who no one could forget after meeting her once;

And Princess Wu, who was both pure and charming, whom they had also met. But who was the other woman?

Her clothes seemed to be the attire of a shamaness as described in ancient texts, yet she also exuded a familiar gentle, scholarly aura.

"Where's my sister?" Xie Xiu panicked when he didn't see his older sister.

"Xiu'er, has it only been a few days, and you don't recognize me?" Xie Daoyun had been chatting with her companions among the demon race when she was suddenly transported here. Puzzled, she heard her brother's words and instinctively reached out to pinch his ear.

"Huh?" Not just Xie Xiu, but Yan Xiangu and the others were all instantly petrified on the spot.