Xia Chen returned to his courtyard. Night had long cloaked the earth, the moon hung high, its silvery threads spilling onto his fingertips, dancing like sprites.
From morning to night, this day outshone his past two months combined.
"Young Master!"
Xia Qian hurried out at the sound, calling with delight.
"Young Master, they say His Majesty betrothed the Second Princess to you! It's all over the household—every courtyard sent gifts!"
"Mm, just store them for me!"
Xia Chen nodded, sparing little thought for it.
For the next two days, he stayed put, training diligently. As the system panel ticked up with proficiency +1s, he felt his progress soar.
His pure yang true qi thickened, his combat strength leagues beyond before.
He used Shouyang Demon-Slaying Blade to channel the primal yang qi between heaven and earth, tempering his flesh with precision.
Then he practiced The Red Sun Body-Forging Technique to cultivate his inner true qi and strengthen his bones. Though the two methods overlapped somewhat, they complemented each other, transforming Xia Chen's physique qualitatively.
This calm broke on the third day.
An attendant long at Clan Head Xia Qián's side knocked on Xia Chen's courtyard gate.
"Young Master Three, the First Master summons you!"
Among this generation's legitimate heirs, Xia Chen ranked third, earning him the household title "Young Master Three."
"Uncle Dong, why come yourself? A servant could've called me."
Shirtless and mid-training, Xia Chen quickly welcomed the middle-aged man inside.
Xia Dong, Xia Qián's trusted aide, bore the Xia bloodline from a branch split 156 years ago—close enough kin.
Raised alongside Xia Qián like a study companion, he trained in martial arts, studied strategy, and later followed him to the barracks.
Twenty-one years ago, he'd won great merit with Xia Qián on the southern frontier, earning a general's title from the court. When Xia Qián left the military, Xia Dong resigned too, serving as a humble attendant since.
"It's about you, Young Master—I'd best come myself!"
Xia Dong smiled, standing in the courtyard, eyeing Xia Chen's iron-like skin as its redness faded, a flicker of surprise in his gaze.
"We're family—no need for such courtesy! Sit, Uncle Dong. I'll wash up and be right out!"
Xia Chen grinned, guiding Xia Dong to a seat.
Though Xia Dong styled himself a servant, no one truly treated him as such.
Xia Dong smiled back, accepting without fuss. He liked this oft-overlooked Young Master Three—more respectful than others.
Xia Chen soon cleaned up, donning fresh clothes. Though elated inside, his steps remained steady, unshaken as a mountain.
He'd guessed Xia Qián's summons—his official post had likely landed.
The household sprawled vast. Unable to sprint, Xia Chen strolled leisurely.
Twenty minutes later, he reached Xia Qián's quarters.
"Uncle!"
"No need for formalities!"
The understated front hall held a few chairs.
Xia Chen sat, a maid promptly serving tea before withdrawing.
"Chen'er, you wanted to venture out. It's settled—three posts, all decent."
Xia Qián sipped his tea, speaking unhurriedly.
Xia Chen smiled. With the household's backing, things moved smoothly. In his past life, it took half a year in the game to gain a rank—and a measly Ninth-Rank at that. Now, three posts awaited his choice. Though their ranks were unclear, the household's pull ensured they'd be substantial.
"The first: Imperial Guard Feathered Forest. The second: Qingzhou Garrison Army. The third: Southern Border Army. All proper Seventh-Rank posts!"
Xia Chen's eyes blazed. As a noble clan, the Xias could secure hereditary posts, often high-ranking—why he'd enlisted Xia Qián's aid.
Why start as a grunt when he could drop in high?
Proving himself from the bottom up?
Laughable!
Starting elevated, couldn't he still shine?
"Imperial Guard Feathered Forest!"
Xia Chen took a deep breath, deciding swiftly.
The Imperial Guard, the Emperor's own force, guarded the palace and capital's safety.
They patrolled day and night, upheld order, managed gates, and held authority to enforce laws against crime in the city.
Xia Chen prized that last perk—enforcement power. The capital teemed with elites—a tossed brick might hit a noble—but wielded well, this duty could unlock vast influence.
And crucially:
"Five years hence, the Coup of the Gate—the Imperial Guard played a massive role. I could lay groundwork now!"
A glint flashed in Xia Chen's eyes. He dismissed the garrison outright. The southern army offered training and quick merit, but that meant little to him now.
With his system boosting cultivation, he feared no lag.
Merit aided swift promotion, but staying in the power hub of the capital promised more.
"You're sure?"
Xia Qián asked gravely.
"Uncle, I'm certain—Imperial Guard Feathered Forest!"
Xia Chen replied without a flicker of doubt.
"Good. Await my word!"
Xia Qián waved with a smile.
Xia Chen grinned back, taking his leave in high spirits.
"Two months, and I'm finally leaving the newbie village? Capital, here I come!"
In his past life, though a mere commoner in the game, he'd soon tasted the capital's bustle.
This time, despite his lofty start, the household's rules bound him—below Eighth-Rank, no free roaming.
"Speaking of which, why do I still retain memories of the Hundred Schools, Buddhist and Daoist scriptures, poetry, and songs from my past world?"
A key thought struck Xia Chen. In his past life, players arrived knowing only their origins and loved ones from Earth.
Cultural knowledge—philosophies, classics, scriptures—was blocked, forgotten upon entry.
As if this world forbade their existence.
Only in the [Fusion of Myriad Worlds] version did that lift.
Xia Chen had theorized it tied to supreme truths—some mysteries and ideas barred from early arrival.
"Am I the overlooked exception?"
Xia Chen inhaled sharply, glancing at the Nine-Dragon Jade Seal imprint in his palm, visible only to him.
"What are you? Not only did you bring me here early, keep my system, but you unshackled my mind!"
He murmured. As he questioned, the seal glowed faintly, as if stirring—or answering!