After finishing his meal at the restaurant, Zhou Hong entered his sub-world.
Zhou Hong planned to recuperate in his sub-world for two months. Ever since he returned to the Purple Heavens Continent, he hadn't spent much time with his girlfriends from Earth.
"Zhou Hong, why are you back in here again today? Is there danger outside?" Qiao Xiao Yu asked, seeing Zhou Hong as he appeared in their home in the sub-world.
"No danger, I just want to come in and rest for a few months. Where is everyone else?" Zhou Hong glanced around, not seeing Changsun Qing He and the others at home.
"They're all helping with world construction. Your sub-world has no technology; forty billion people couldn't stand it anymore, so everyone has thrown themselves into an industrial revolution. But thankfully, everyone is very experienced. I believe that within five years, everything in your sub-world will be able to produce high-tech items."
"Mmm, that's good." Zhou Hong mused inwardly, wondering if Earth's atomic bombs and hydrogen bombs had any significant destructive power against cultivators. If so, he could use them later.
"Zhou Hong, we're living in your world like parasites. Does that make you feel annoyed?" Qiao Xiao Yu suddenly asked.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because I feel like we can't help you with anything. You face powerful enemies outside, and we don't even know about it. To you, we're probably not even as useful as a vase."
"Silly girl, why think like that? You living in my world is my backyard. Whenever I'm tired or weary, being able to come to the backyard and talk with you is enough. I don't need your help; just developing my world well is the greatest help you can give."
"Mmm-hmm, don't worry."
And so, Zhou Hong stayed in this sub-world for two full months.
Only after two months did Zhou Hong leave the sub-world and return to the outside.
However, what Zhou Hong didn't know was that during his absence of two months, the news of his cultivation reaching the Fusion late stage had completely spread.
Zhou Hong was already a famous figure on the Purple Heavens Continent. Now, hearing that he had broken through to the Fusion late stage caused the entire continent to erupt in excitement.
Instantly, countless people flocked to Zhou Hong's family mansion. Some came out of admiration, others sought Zhou Hong's guidance, and of course, some women who thought they were attractive came hoping to gain Zhou Hong's favor.
In short, during the two months Zhou Hong was away, the Zhou family mansion was bustling with visitors.
Yet, no one knew where Zhou Hong had gone.
"Zhou Hong is back!" Two months later, as Zhou Hong returned to his family, before he even entered the main gate, he saw hundreds, even thousands, of people gathered at his doorstep. Some recognized him and immediately shouted, causing the crowd to surge towards him.
"Senior Zhou Hong, my admiration for you is like a never-ending river!"
"Zhou Hong, I love you! Let me be your maid!"
The surging crowd shouted at Zhou Hong. Sudan Novels
It took Zhou Hong a while to realize that the news of his breakthrough to the Fusion late stage had spread throughout the entire Purple Heavens Continent.
Zhou Hong was not surprised by this; it was only a matter of time.
"Everyone, please return. I will be participating in the Ancient Academy's assessment in a month. Please do not disturb me."
Upon hearing this, everyone offered their congratulations and voluntarily dispersed.
"Zhou Hong, where have you been hiding for these two months?" After everyone had left, just as Zhou Hong was about to enter his home, a voice came from behind him.
Zhou Hong turned and saw that it was none other than the Eighteenth Prince.
"It's you. Is there something you need? Did you spread the news of my breakthrough to the Fusion late stage?" Zhou Hong asked coldly.
"It wasn't me. I don't know how it got out. But the reason I'm here to see you today isn't the main point."
"If you're asking me to become your subordinate, it's best you don't bother asking," Zhou Hong said coldly.
"Zhou Hong, your family has already agreed."
"Heh." Zhou Hong let out a cold laugh and, ignoring the Eighteenth Prince, walked straight into his home.
"Zhou Hong, if I'm not mistaken, the Ninth Prince will also come looking for you later. I hope you won't agree to him," the Eighteenth Prince's voice called out from behind.
"What's it to you?" Zhou Hong felt annoyed. These princes, what did they take him for? Did kings and nobles have a destiny? Did they really think they were born to be emperors and everyone else was meant to assist them?
Zhou Hong walked into the family's main hall. The clan leader and others saw Zhou Hong return and asked anxiously, "Zhou Hong, where have you been hiding for these two months? Why couldn't anyone find you?"
"Clan Leader, what do you need me for?"
"The news that you've reached the Fusion late stage has spread throughout the Purple Heavens Continent. Every day, countless people come looking for you, asking for your whereabouts. Especially the princes from the imperial palace, they send people to inquire almost every day."
"Hmph." Zhou Hong snorted heavily.
"Zhou Hong, have you thought about which prince you will assist?" the Zhou clan leader asked.
"This is absurd. Why should I think about it? Do I have to choose to be a prince's subordinate?"
"Zhou Hong, an innocent man is guilty only for possessing a treasure. You are now a sharp weapon in the eyes of all the princes. Whoever obtains you has the potential to inherit the throne in the future. Therefore, you no longer have a choice. You must select the most suitable candidate, otherwise, it will be difficult to escape unscathed," the clan leader said with deep worry.
Zhou Hong felt a surge of anger.
"Zhou Hong, I know you are proud. As the number one genius of the Purple Heavens Continent, who would want to be a subordinate to others? But there's no way around it. This world still belongs to the Purple Heaven imperial family. They have ruled this continent for tens of thousands of years, and their foundation is extremely strong. This Purple Heavens Continent is even named after their family's surname."
"I really want to overthrow them," Zhou Hong said with a cold snort.
"Such treasonous words, you must not say them again. Otherwise, our entire family will lose their heads the next day."
"Clan Leader Grandpa, in these tens of thousands of years, has no one ever overthrown them?" Zhou Hong asked, somewhat bewildered.
"It's not that easy. Zhou Hong, do you think there haven't been any super geniuses in these ten thousand years? Geniuses just like you."
"Aren't you saying that I am the first in history to cultivate to the Fusion late stage at this age?" Zhou Hong countered.
"You are too naive. In these ten thousand years, there haven't been few cultivation geniuses like you. However, they often died before they could even make a name for themselves."