Chapter 463: The Path Ahead

“Are you my ancestors?”

A curious child popped out, interrupting Zuo Meng’s thoughts. He turned to see a snot-nosed toddler with a topknot staring at him.

“Little Zun, mind your manners!”

Little Girl startled at the boldness. Though village children were unruly, she never expected such daring. Zuo Meng had returned after three centuries as a King-level powerhouse of the Great Wasteland, making even the tribe leader and Core Elders tremble – yet these youngsters showed no fear.

“No harm done.”

Zuo Meng waved dismissively. He wasn’t some tyrant to punish children for curiosity.

“This is Daniu’s boy, descendant of Uncle Dayou.”

Little Girl explained.

Uncle Dayou had been pivotal in shaping Zuo Meng’s destiny, second only to his mother in importance. Zuo Meng had emerged from seclusion to bid farewell when the old man died – powerless then to alter fate in this mortal realm where death claimed most.

“Come here, boy.”

The sturdy toddler trotted over without hesitation. Zuo Meng smiled, channeling spiritual light into the child. This King-level blessing would ensure lifelong health and prosperity.

“I relocated our village here after you left. Everything remains as it was.”

Little Girl continued when Zuo Meng showed interest. To her, Grandpa Meng remained the kind elder who’d saved her from early grave, granting her current standing.

That day, Little Girl shared stories – both sweet memories and integration struggles with the Wangu Tribe. Life’s full spectrum.

Zuo Meng listened quietly, noting her growth from clingy girl to tribe’s backbone. The Wangu Tribe now relied solely on her leadership, with only an Open Meridians village chief beneath her. Their foundation remained weak.

But hope shone in the younger generation. Several children showed greater promise than their parents. Once grown, they’d solidify the tribe’s future.

“Grandpa Meng, are you truly King-level now?”

Discussing tribe matters transformed Little Girl into her youthful self. Villagers would’ve gaped seeing their stern elder so animated.

“King-level means little.”

Zuo Meng sighed, recalling three centuries of struggle. Despite reclaiming his pre-selection gains, true transcendence eluded him. What value had titles in this limited world?

“What’s it feel like? Does the Totem Tribe really have King-level ancestors? How long do Kings live…” Questions tumbled out – she only revealed this side to family.

Loneliness bred such curiosity.

Zuo Meng patiently answered each query.

“Are you here to rule the tribe?” She voiced the Core Elders’ concerns. They’d withdrawn earlier, leaving her to ask.

“They put you up to this?”

Zuo Meng instantly recognized their fear. Centuries of life granted such insight.

“Power never interested me.” Why squabble over crumbs when greater worlds existed?

From that day, Zuo Meng dwelled in Wangu Tribe’s reconstructed thatched cottage – restored through King-level power to its former state. Little Girl marveled while Core Elders grew more awed.

Three years passed.

Border Tribe elders gradually accepted Zuo Meng’s disinterest in authority. He existed beyond their petty struggles.

Tensions eased. Normalcy returned.

Outside the cottage,

Zuo Meng sipped tea at a stone table within bamboo-fenced yard. Behind apparent calm, he’d secretly met Totem Tribe’s ancestor during those years.

Recognizing their equal strength, the ancestor ceded Border Tribe territories to Zuo Meng. True power needed no grasping – it came unbidden. Hence his indifference to elders’ machinations.

“Since rules can’t transcend this world, I’ll climb conventionally.”

His goal remained unchanged – escape this realm, return to that strange house seeking truth. He produced the golden seed, its glow familiar yet mysterious.

“Only Dream Realm memories persist. World’s influence? Or the door’s work…”

Storing the seed, he focused on breaching the world’s peak – Imperial Level.

Previous methods using rule manipulation failed here. This world lacked true rules, being mere words on bamboo scroll. Trapped like vivid dream, only overwhelming strength could force expulsion.

Such was Ascension’s essence.

Simple in theory, arduous in practice.