Chapter 91 The Birth of Eclipse

Zan Yunxiao sat quietly inside the City Lord's office, his fingers lightly tapping against the armrest as he contemplated his next move. After investigating the Western Continent for some time, he had already confirmed the existence of several Nascent Soul cultivators, but he still wasn't certain whether there were cultivators above his current realm hiding somewhere in the continent.

“Qiu Wuyin.”

The moment his voice fell, Qiu Wuyin entered the room and respectfully cupped his fists. “My Lord, what are your orders?”

“Gather the eighteen Nascent Soul cultivators,” Zan Yunxiao calmly ordered.

“Yes, My Lord.”

After Qiu Wuyin left, Zan Yunxiao's expression became thoughtful.

“I can't openly unify the Western Continent.”

He wasn't afraid of the ordinary forces scattered throughout the continent. With his current strength, dealing with them would be effortless.

What concerned him were the hidden powerhouses.

“If I openly declare my intention to unify the Western Continent, I might attract the attention of powerful cultivators hiding here.”

His gaze narrowed.

“And worse... it could attract the attention of experts from the Central Continent.”

The Central Continent was filled with far more powerful cultivators and ancient factions than the Western Continent. Zan Yunxiao had already witnessed through the records and the stories of Qiu Wuyin just how dangerous that place could be.

If someone from the Central Continent learned that someone was attempting to unify it, powerful cultivators might come personally to investigate.

That was something Zan Yunxiao didn't want.

“That's why I need to remain in the shadows.”

For now, he was still investigating the Western Continent. If there were powerful cultivators above his current realm hiding somewhere, he needed to discover them first.

“If I find someone stronger than me, I'll have to think of a way to pull them to my side. Otherwise, I'll simply cultivate until I surpass them and beat them senseless until they submit.”

A faint smile appeared beneath his blurred face.

He didn't necessarily need to fight every powerful cultivator he encountered.

If they could be recruited, persuaded, or brought into his faction through some other method, that would be far better.

“There's no need to expose my strength when I can make others work for me.”

Rather than openly conquering the Western Continent, he planned to establish an organization that would operate from the shadows.

The eighteen Nascent Soul cultivators would become the foundation of this organization. They would spread throughout the continent, recruit cultivators, gather information, search for hidden experts, and quietly expand their influence.

Meanwhile, Zan Yunxiao would remain behind the scenes.

By the time the various factions realized what was happening, the organization's influence might already have spread across the entire Western Continent.

Soon, footsteps approached from outside the office.

Qiu Wuyin returned, followed by several Nascent Soul cultivators.

They bowed respectfully before Zan Yunxiao, their expressions filled with uncertainty. None of them knew why they had been summoned, and the atmosphere was unusually quiet, with no one daring to speak first.

Several of them exchanged curious glances.

“Why did the Unseen Emperor summon all of us?”

“Could it be that he has a task for us?”

Some of them assumed they were about to receive an important order, while others quietly wondered what kind of mission their mysterious master had prepared for them.

Qiu Wuyin stood at the front of the group, his expression calm and respectful.

Unlike the others, he wasn't particularly worried.

Zan Yunxiao looked over the eighteen Nascent Soul cultivators before finally speaking.

“I have summoned all of you because I have an important task.”

“You guys will spread throughout the Western Continent and establish an secret organization under my command.”

The eighteen cultivators listened carefully.

“The purpose of this secret organization is simple,” Zan Yunxiao continued. “Find powerful cultivators hiding throughout the Western Continent and recruit them. I want to know exactly how many hidden powerhouses are here, what forces they belong to, and whether they are willing to join us.”

One of the Nascent Soul cultivators hesitated before respectfully cupping his fists. “My Lord, what if we encounter a powerful cultivator who refuses to join us?”

Zan Yunxiao glanced at him.

“Then I will handle it.”

The cultivator's eyes widened slightly.

“So we don't need to worry about offending some hidden expert.”

A faint sense of relief spread through the group.

They had initially been worried that recruiting powerful cultivators might provoke someone they couldn't afford to offend. But with the Unseen Emperor standing behind them, their concerns suddenly seemed unnecessary.

“With the Unseen Emperor as our backing, who would dare cause trouble for us?”

Another Nascent Soul cultivator quietly clenched his fist in excitement.

“This is exactly what it means to have a powerful backer.”

Zan Yunxiao calmly looked at the eighteen cultivators.

“Remember, you are not required to fight everyone you encounter. Gather information first. If they are willing to join, recruit them. If they refuse...” His blurred face revealed no emotion as he continued, “I'll deal with them myself.”

The eighteen Nascent Soul cultivators immediately bowed.

“Yes, My Lord!”

Zan Yunxiao's expression became slightly colder as he looked once again over the eighteen Nascent Soul cultivators.

“And one more thing.”

The cultivators immediately straightened and listened carefully.

“Do not reveal my existence to the outside world,” Zan Yunxiao said in a warning tone. “No one is to know that I am behind this secret organization.”

The eighteen Nascent Soul cultivators nodded solemnly.

“Yes, My Lord.”

Zan Yunxiao's gaze swept across them.

“Your secret organization may spread throughout the Western Continent, but my name must remain hidden. If someone asks who stands behind you, you are not to give them an answer.”

The cultivators immediately understood the seriousness behind his words.

“The Unseen Emperor truly intends to remain in the shadows.”

Qiu Wuyin cupped his fists and respectfully said, “My Lord, rest assured. None of us will reveal your existence.”

Zan Yunxiao gave a slight nod. “Good. Then you are dismissed.”

The eighteen Nascent Soul cultivators immediately cupped their fists and respectfully left the room. Soon, the spacious hall became quiet, with only Qiu Wuyin remaining behind.

Qiu Wuyin looked toward Zan Yunxiao and respectfully asked, “My Lord, do you have another order?”

Zan Yunxiao leaned back in his chair and looked at him thoughtfully. “Tell me, what do you think of this plan?”

Qiu Wuyin was taken aback.

He had expected Zan Yunxiao to give him another task, yet instead, his lord was asking for his opinion.

After a brief moment of thought, Qiu Wuyin respectfully replied, “My Lord, I believe it is a good decision.”

Zan Yunxiao raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.

Qiu Wuyin smiled faintly. “If we openly establish a force and begin recruiting powerful cultivators, it will inevitably attract attention. By operating in the shadows, we can quietly investigate the Western Continent without revealing your existence.”

Zan Yunxiao nodded thoughtfully and looked at Qiu Wuyin for a moment before speaking calmly. “Then you will lead this operation. Don't disappoint me.”

Qiu Wuyin's eyes lifted slightly before he immediately cupped his fists. “Don't worry, My Lord. I won't disappoint you.”

After a brief pause, Qiu Wuyin hesitated before asking, “My Lord, what shall we call this secret organization?”

Zan Yunxiao fell silent for a moment, considering the name.

“Eclipse.”

Qiu Wuyin repeated the word quietly. “Eclipse...”

Zan Yunxiao nodded. “From this day onward, the secret organization will be known as Eclipse.”

A faint smile appeared beneath his blurred face.

“An organization that operates in darkness, hidden from the world... Eclipse is fitting.”

Zan Yunxiao looked at Qiu Wuyin and calmly said, “If you have another question, go ahead. If not, you are dismissed.”

Qiu Wuyin immediately cupped his fists and bowed respectfully. “This subordinate has no further questions, My Lord.”

He turned and left the room, leaving Zan Yunxiao alone inside the quiet office.

Zan Yunxiao leaned back in his chair and muttered, “I wonder what is happening in the Zan Clan.”

He opened the Clan Interface and began checking the familiar names one by one. First, he checked his two wives, Jin Feixue and Xueyun. After confirming that both were safe, he continued to check Zan Feilan, Zan Wei, and Zan Tianming.

Everything appeared normal.

There was no sign of danger, and everyone was continuing with their lives.

Zan Yunxiao nodded in satisfaction.

“Good.”

He closed the Clan Interface and leaned back in his chair. With nothing urgent requiring his attention, he slowly closed his eyes.

And so, Zan Yunxiao remained quietly in the City Lord's residence.