1: Chapter 1 Coming-of-Age Ceremony: Nobody Pays Attention

Great Yan, Capital.

At dawn, the white jade plaza in front of Chengde Palace was already covered in a thousand-mile red carpet.

Seventy-two coiled Dragon pillars stood tall and imposing, the Formation patterns carved into their bodies faintly flowing with pale golden spiritual power—that was the Restriction personally set by the True God Realm Old Ancestor during the founding of the Great Yan Dynasty, which had remained immortal for three thousand years and was sufficient to withstand the full-force strike of a Heaven-Human Realm expert.

Today was the eighteenth birthday coming-of-age ceremony for the Seventh Prince, Xiao Xuan.

According to the etiquette of the Great Yan Dynasty, when a prince came of age, he was to establish his own mansion and officially step into the imperial court.

On such days, the area in front of Chengde Palace should have been bustling with activity, with various factions vying to show favor, and carriages delivering gifts lining up from the palace gates all the way to the city gates.

But today—

As the sun rose higher, the viewing stands remained empty.

The seat of Crown Prince Xiao Jing was placed in the first position on the east side, and it was empty.

The seat of Third Prince Xiao Yu on the west side was also empty.

The Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince, and Sixth Prince had all merely sent a managing eunuch to cope with the occasion, and they started yawning before they had even sat down properly.

The several major Sects and clans of the capital had sent people—Lingxiao Sect sent an Outer Sect Deacon, Heaven Sword Pavilion sent a Disciple who had just entered the inner Sect, and the Baili Clan sent a concubine-born son from a branch family.

The Shangguan Clan was even more perfunctory, letting a steward do the job.

These people sat scattered in the corners in groups of three or five, chatting idly, their eyes not even looking at the ceremonial platform.

Only the Ministry of Rites official stood in the center, awkwardly clearing his throat, his voice sounding listless:

"The auspicious time has arrived—please, Seventh Prince, enter the hall to perform the coming-of-age ceremony—"

No one responded.

No one cheered.

No one even lifted their eyes.

Xiao Xuan walked out from amidst such gazes.

He was dressed in black ceremonial robes, with a black jade belt tied around his waist, his black hair tied up with a silver crown.

His face was refined, and his brows and eyes were gentle.

He walked alone from the side door of Chengde Palace, following the empty red carpet, step by step toward the ceremonial platform.

There was no honor guard behind him.

There were no attendants by his side.

He was alone, like a one-man show with no audience.

"Seventh Prince Xiao Xuan... Oh, is that the one whose birth mother passed away early and whose maternal family is weak?" The Lingxiao Sect Outer Sect Deacon glanced over, then withdrew his gaze with little interest, "I heard he is only at the Sixth Stage to this day?"

"An eighteen-year-old at the Sixth Stage is indeed a bit mediocre." The Heaven Sword Pavilion Disciple next to him echoed, "With such Aptitude, in the Sect, he is only destined to be an Outer Sect Disciple."

"Outer Sect Disciple? You're overthinking it. The lowest requirement for an Outer Sect Disciple in our Lingxiao Sect is the Seventh Stage Small Grandmaster. Sixth Stage? He wouldn't even be able to enter the mountain gate."

The group laughed lowly, their voices neither loud nor soft, just drifting into Xiao Xuan's ears.

Xiao Xuan did not stop his steps, his expression unchanging.

It was as if he could not hear those words at all.

On the ceremonial platform, the Imperial Clan Court official kept a straight face, reading the sacrificial text mechanically.

The Minister of Rites lowered his eyelids, looking like he was just doing his job.

The ceremonial eunuch shouted the rites in a sharp voice, the sound echoing in the empty plaza, appearing exceptionally cold and desolate.

Sacrificing to Heaven.

Informing the Ancestors.

Capping ceremony.

Bestowing a courtesy name.

One step after another was completed mechanically, and there wasn't even anyone clapping under the stage.

Crown Prince Xiao Jing did not come, but his people did—a grey-robed strategist sat in the corner, appearing indifferent, but his gaze was actually scanning the entire scene from time to time.

This person was named Xie Duan, the chief advisor of the Crown Princes Mansion, an Eighth Stage Grandmaster, deeply trusted by the Crown Prince.

He came not to watch the ceremony, but to confirm one thing:

Was this Seventh Prince worth a second look?

At this moment, Xie Duan withdrew his gaze, silently wrote a few words in his sleeve, and handed it to the attendant beside him.

"Sixth Stage, mediocre, no connections, no power, not worth worrying about."

The attendant took the note and quietly left.

At the same time, the Third Prince's people made the same judgment.

The eyes of the Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince, and Sixth Prince's informants exchanged glances; some yawned, some began calculating where to have lunch later.

As for those from the Sects and clans, they had long since started whispering about other topics.

"I heard a Secret Realm appeared in the west, and there is a suspected True God legacy inside..."

"Your news is too slow; the people from the Crown Princes Mansion set off half a month ago."

"The Crown Prince went personally?"

"Not that, but I heard he sent three Void God Realm retainers..."

The voices drifted further away.

No one looked at Xiao Xuan again.

Xiao Xuan stood alone on the ceremonial platform, looking at the absent-minded faces below, and the corners of his lips suddenly lifted slightly.

The arc was extremely shallow, so shallow that no one would notice.

The ceremony was concluded.

Xiao Xuan walked down the ceremonial platform, and followed by his attendants, crossed the empty plaza and walked toward the side door of Chengde Palace.

From beginning to end, no one came forward to congratulate him.

No one exchanged pleasantries.

No one even stood up.

He came just like that, and left just like that, as if today's coming-of-age ceremony was just a show with no one watching.

Deep inside Chengde Palace.

Xiao Xuan passed through layers of corridors and entered a secluded side hall.

Once the hall doors closed, they cut off all prying eyes.

Seven people were already waiting in the hall.

Xiao Xuan sat in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over those seven familiar faces, and his heart suddenly stirred.

No.

Today is the first day of the first lunar month.

His eighteenth birthday.

According to the System rules—he could summon one person every year on the first day of the first lunar month.

Today was exactly the day for the ninth summoning.

"Your Highness?" Strategist Jia Xu asked softly, seeing Xiao Xuan's strange expression.

Xiao Xuan waved his hand, his consciousness sinking into his mind.

The light screen, which only he could see, was floating quietly.

[System prompt: The ninth summoning can be performed today.]

[Currently summoned characters: 8 people]

[Zhao Gao (summoned at age 10) — Commander of the Xuanying Guard, Grotto-Heaven Realm Perfection]

[General Lu Bu (summoned at age 11) — Grand Commander of the Black Armor Guard, Void God Realm Early Stage]

[Strategist Jia Xu (summoned at age 12) — Behind-the-scenes strategist, Grotto-Heaven Realm Late Stage]

[Xiao He (summoned at age 13) — Chief of Finance, Land Immortal Perfection]

[Chen Qingzhi (summoned at age 14) — Commander of the White Robe Army, Grotto-Heaven Realm Perfection]

[Di Renjie (summoned at age 15) — Criminal Law Inspector, Grotto-Heaven Realm Middle Stage]

[Master Lu Ban (summoned at age 16) — Military Craftsman God, Land Immortal Perfection]

[Zhangsun Wuji (summoned at age 17) — Court Liaison, Grotto-Heaven Realm Middle Stage]

[Tip: All summoned characters will unlock their growth limits after the host turns 18. Subsequent summoned characters will have an initial Realm no lower than the Grotto-Heaven Realm.]

Xiao Xuan took a deep breath.

It had been eight years.

The first eight had been laying out plans in the dark, weaving a giant net that covered the capital.

Who would this ninth person be today?

He silently recited in his heart: Summon.

The light screen suddenly lit up, and a brilliant golden light surged out from the Void Realm, condensing into a human figure in Xiao Xuan's consciousness.

The person had white hair and a white beard, a refined face, wore grey-white Daoist robes, and held a fishing rod with a straight, baitless hook.

His eyes were slightly closed, and the aura around him was as vast as the sea, unfathomable.

The next moment, lines of text appeared on the light screen:

[Summoned Character: Jiang Ziya]

[Courtesy Name: Ziya]

[Title: Taigong Wang, Jiang Taigong]

[Dynasty: Late Shang and Early Zhou]

[Realm: True God Middle Stage]

[Position: Exclusive Guardian, Imperial Preceptor (in secret)]

[Loyalty: Death Servant]

[Ability: Deduce Heavenly Secrets, Formations and Defense, See Through Killing Traps, Suppress Luck]

Xiao Xuan's pupils shrank.

True God Middle Stage.

This was the highest-Realm person summoned so far, an existence on par with the core Old Ancestor of the Imperial Dynasty.

"Your Highness?"

Strategist Jia Xu's voice pulled him back to reality.

Xiao Xuan opened his eyes and looked at the seven people in the hall—no, adding General Lu Bu who was guarding outside, it was eight.

They were all looking at him, their eyes full of questions and concern.

Xiao Xuan was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly:

"From today on, there is one more guest in the mansion."

The eight people were all stunned.

"A guest?" Strategist Jia Xu keenly sensed something, "Your Highness, this person..."

"He cannot appear for the time being." Xiao Xuan said, "But he will be in the dark, protecting us."

He did not explain much.

The eight people did not ask further.

They knew that since Your Highness said so, there must be a reason.

"Zhao Gao." Xiao Xuan said.

Zhao Gao stepped forward: "Your servant is here."

"The Xuanying Guard will continue to infiltrate, but remember—from today on, if you detect any incomprehensible changes in Heavenly Secrets or fluctuations in Formations, report it immediately; do not act rashly."

A sharp light flashed in Zhao Gao's eyes: "Yes."

"Strategist Jia Xu, continue the overall plan for the throne struggle as usual, but all plans must leave a margin of three-tenths."

Strategist Jia Xu stroked his beard and nodded: "Your servant understands."

"Others, perform your duties. Today's matter is to be kept strictly confidential."

"Yes!"

The eight people answered in unison.

Xiao Xuan stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the layers of palaces and halls in the distance.

Outside the window, the sun was setting.

The last ray of sunset fell on his face, making those eyes look as deep as an abyss.

Eighteen years.

Transmigrated from Earth to here, lived for eighteen years as a "trash".

Laid out plans in the dark for eight years, finally waited for the ninth person.

Jiang Ziya at the True God Middle Stage, hidden in the dark.

Crown Prince, Third Prince, clans, Sects—

You think you have seen through my bottom line today.

But what you don't know is—

My trump card has just flipped over its first sheet.

At the same time.

In the south of the capital, in a dilapidated Daoist temple.

A grey-white figure appeared out of thin air, sitting cross-legged on a prayer mat.

White hair and white beard, refined face, holding a fishing rod with a straight, baitless hook.

Jiang Ziya opened his eyes, his gaze piercing through the walls of the Daoist temple, looking toward the north of the city.

There, was Yongan Ward.

There, was the Seventh Princes Mansion.

There, was the only master of his life.

"Your Highness, rest assured." He whispered to himself, "With me here, in this capital, no one can set up a killing trap without your eyes knowing."

He paused, and smiled slightly.

"Unless—that person himself, is the killing trap."

The night grew deeper.

Yongan Ward, Seventh Princes Mansion.

Xiao Xuan stood in the study, looking at the moonlight outside the window.

In the depths of his consciousness, the light screen that only he could see was floating quietly.

[Summoned Character: Jiang Ziya]

[Realm: True God Middle Stage]

[Location: Dilapidated Daoist temple in the south of the city]

[Loyalty: Death Servant]

[Current Instruction: Hidden in the dark, protecting the path of the journey]

[Next Summoning Countdown: 364 days]

Xiao Xuan withdrew his gaze, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly.

"Jiang Ziya... Jiang Taigong..."

"Interesting."

He turned around and looked at the huge map of the capital on the desk.

On the map, the locations of the Crown Princes Mansion, Third Princes Mansion, and various major clans and Sects were densely marked.

His gaze swept over those marks one by one.

"Just wait."

"This game of chess has only just begun."