Over the past three days, the process of memory fusion had left Charles Warren looking somewhat dazed and muddled. Everyone simply assumed he was grief-stricken and lost in sorrow, unaware of the true situation within. According to clan rules and tradition, they had nonetheless elevated him to the position of clan head.

After finishing ""A Brief Record of the Wang Clan Legacy,"" Charles Warren had gained a general understanding of both his family and the world. The world he was in was called the Great Qian Kingdom, where the nation was founded upon Xuanwu bloodline families. The royal family was the largest Xuanwu clan, and countless other Xuanwu families, large and small, were scattered like stars across the land.

Their roots were deeply intertwined, directly or indirectly influencing the politics, economy, and even the very fate of Great Qian.

Although the Wang clan was only a ninth-rank family at the bottom of the hierarchy, in the Changning and Ping'an region, it was already one of the dominant local powers, holding considerable sway even within the government’s garrison office.

In fact, as early as the generation of Charles Warren’s great-grandfather, the Wang clan had been the undisputed authority in Ping'an Town, with influence reaching the surrounding areas of Changning Garrison.

However, after the two dramatic turning-point battles described in ""A Brief Record of the Wang Clan Legacy,"" which resulted in the loss of the clan’s top experts, the family had declined year after year. Even with Ancestor Longyan struggling to hold things together, it was hard to resist the combined encroachment of the Bennett and Clark families.

Charles Warren couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about that great battle. Why did the Bennett and Clark dare to secretly build up their strength and ultimately rebel? And why did the reinforcements arrive so late?

The record was vague on these points, leaving many things unexplained. For now, though, Charles Warren decided to keep his guard up.

Later, the previous clan head, Henry Warren, in order to break through to the Spirit Platform Realm and turn the tide, had risked his life venturing into dangerous outer regions in search of an opportunity.

Unfortunately, Henry Warren failed at the final hurdle and died young, making the decline of the Wang clan in Ping'an even worse.

If nothing unexpected happened, at this rate, within a few decades, the Wang clan’s lands and businesses would be gradually devoured by the other two families in Ping'an Town. The once grand and glorious family would collapse, and its bloodline would fall to the level of commoners.

“But it’s quite an interesting world.” Charles Warren narrowed his eyes, his gradually merging memories prompting him to muse, “It seems that my predecessor, Charles Warren, though young, was by no means a simple character.”

His memories told him that Charles Warren had been hailed as a prodigy since childhood. Among the seven generations of descendants from Ancestor Zhouxuan, his talent was second only to Ancestor Longyan.

With the clan’s resources focused on him, Charles Warren had reached the late stage of the sixth level of the Qi Refining Realm by the age of eighteen, not far from the seventh level.

That was good news, at least he hadn’t transmigrated into a useless body.

Beside him, the young servant George Warren watched Charles Warren’s shifting expression with growing concern. “Clan head, please rest for now. I’ll go fetch the physician right away.”

“It’s fine, I’m already much better.” Charles Warren stopped him. “George Warren, you may leave for now. I have some things to think over.”

“Yes, sir!”

George Warren set down the food box, accepted the order, and carefully closed the door as he left.

Once George Warren was gone and he was alone, Charles Warren finally let out a genuine sigh of relief, his mind relaxing. After days of keeping vigil and merging memories, he hadn’t eaten properly, and his stomach was already growling with hunger. As for revitalizing the clan and all those tangled matters, he’d think about them after filling his belly.

He opened the lid of the exquisite sandalwood food box, and a wonderful aroma of food wafted out. The box was divided into several compartments, with rice, vegetables, meat, and even a piece of steamed fish.

Stimulated by his appetite, he quickly picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a piece of meat, and stuffed it into his mouth. The seasoning was ordinary, but the texture was exceptionally rich. The delicious, juicy meat filled his mouth with every chew, and after swallowing, he could faintly feel a subtle warmth flowing inside him.

Hmm, this was delicious!

What kind of meat was this? Pork? No, pork was too coarse and not this tender. Lamb? No, there was no trace of gaminess, and the meat was rich and juicy, reminiscent of the expensive imported beef he’d occasionally tasted before transmigrating.

But soon, his fused “memory” told him that this was spirit-horned yak meat, a rare delicacy that, when eaten regularly, could strengthen the body and aid cultivation.

His previous self, as the young clan head and a prodigy, was the top priority for the clan’s resources, so naturally he was entitled to such food.

Charles Warren felt the faint warmth coursing through his body, his energy rapidly recovering in a wonderful way. He couldn’t help but marvel inwardly—this really was good meat. Tempted by the delicious food, he quickly finished off the small amount of yak meat with just a few bites.

Still unsatisfied, he set his sights on the piece of steamed fish. His merged memories told him this was red-tailed spirit gan, a rare spirit fish from the nearby An River, classified as a tier-two fierce beast, often growing to several hundred jin and strong enough to capsize boats.

Ordinary fishermen would avoid such a beast at all costs, as even a slight delay in escape would mean certain disaster.

This particular red-tailed spirit gan had been caught last year by the previous clan head, Henry Warren, along with several clan experts using special techniques and a bit of luck. After being processed and preserved, it was stored in the clan’s ice cellar as a nourishing food for the younger generation.

The cook had already removed all the bones, and the fish was fresh, tender, and smooth, with a cool, pleasant sensation spreading through his body as he ate, leaving him feeling thoroughly refreshed and delighted.