Starting as the heir of a marquis's mansion, I gained access to a summoning system.

The Imperial Study was completely silent.

The wisps of smoke rising from the incense burner drifted slowly in the afternoon sunlight.

"A hundred years." The emperor sat back down on the low couch, picked up the now-cold tea, but didn't drink it. "Those people have waited for him for a hundred years, and seeing that he still hasn't made a move, they've become bolder. In addition, with the golden age approaching, they're afraid—afraid that the royal family will become even stronger in the golden age, afraid that a hegemon like the late emperor will reappear."

Dongfang Wudi said in a deep voice, "So they made arrangements in advance, wanting to weaken the dynasty before the golden age officially arrived?"

"That's right." The Emperor nodded. "The unusual movements of the barbarians, the petty actions of the vassal kings, the restless activities of the Ten Thousand Buddha Temple and the Heavenly Demon Sect... are all part of this scheme. Their biggest concern is Demon God Lü, but they are also gambling—gambling that Demon God Lü will not make another move, or gambling that Demon God Lü is already... gone."

Dongfang Wudi's heart tightened.

"What do you think?" he asked in a low voice.

The emperor remained silent for a long time before slowly saying:

"I don't know either. But I do know one thing—the elders in the clan's territory say that the Golden Age is not just a simple revival of spiritual energy. Deep within the Tianxuan Continent, something is awakening. Those 'immortals' who have been dormant since before the Great War of the Immortals may awaken during this golden age."

Dongfang Wudi's pupils contracted slightly.

The Great War of the Immortals—that happened tens of millions of years ago! If there truly were beings who had lived from that era to the present, what terrifying power would they possess? Above the Grandmaster level? Or perhaps a legendary immortal?

"So those people became even more impatient."

The emperor stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the imperial mausoleum in the twilight. "A chaotic era is approaching, and everyone wants to gain an advantage before the cards are reshuffled. The Ten Thousand Buddha Temple, the Heavenly Demon Sect, the Four Extremes Sword Sect... and those ancient families and clans that have stood for millennia are all secretly accumulating power, waiting for their chance."

"But I am not unprepared."

He turned around and looked at Dongfang Wudi, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes. "I summoned you here today not just to reminisce. Wudi, I need you to be prepared. The Northern Border is the place you are guarding. If the barbarians dare to invade, I hope you can hold them off."

Dongfang Wudi rose and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail you. If anything happens in the northern border, I will bring you my head."

"I don't want your head."

The emperor waved his hand, his tone unusually relaxed, "I want you to live, to live and see what this world will become."

He paused, then his smile vanished, and his voice deepened: "Invincible, do you know that the terror of this golden age may far exceed anyone's imagination?"

Dongfang Wudi was taken aback.

The emperor walked to his desk, unfolded a scroll of secret reports, and pointed to each name on it with his finger, his tone growing increasingly solemn:

"That young monk at Wanfo Temple, whose Dharma name is 'Wangwo,' is only nineteen years old this year, and has already been designated by Master Kongwen as the next abbot. It is said that he was born with Buddha-like bones, could recite scriptures at the age of three, broke through the innate level at ten, and entered the Grandmaster level at fifteen. A few days ago, a secret report came back that he had already touched the threshold of the Grandmaster level—a Grandmaster at nineteen years old. Just think what that means?"

Dongfang Wudi gasped.

"And that little Taoist priest from the Zhenwu Taoist Sect."

The emperor continued, moving his finger to another name, "His Daoist name is 'Guiyuan,' he is eighteen years old, possesses an innate Daoist physique, and is the greatest genius in the Daoist sect in a thousand years. The True Martial Sect Master personally accepted him as his last disciple and has already passed on to him the Daoist sect's most treasured cultivation technique, 'The Supreme Dao of Forgetfulness.' It is said that his cultivation speed is even faster than that of the Demon God Lü in his prime."

Even faster than Lu Moshen? Dongfang Wudi frowned.

"You've heard of Chu Yunxiao, that boy from the Chu family, haven't you?" The emperor looked up at him.

Dongfang Wudi nodded: "The only legitimate son of the Chu family in this generation, it is said that there were strange phenomena at his birth, and he was personally taken away and raised by the Chu family patriarch. He rarely appears in public. I only know that he is very strong, but I don't know exactly how strong he is."

"Even my spies couldn't find out the truth." The emperor shook his head, his tone tinged with apprehension. "But one thing is certain—last year, the Grandmaster Ancestor of the Chu family emerged from seclusion and sparred with that kid. Afterward, he only said one sentence."

"What did you say?"

"The Chu family has a worthy successor." The emperor finished speaking slowly and deliberately, then looked at Dongfang Wudi, "For a Grandmaster to say such a thing, what level do you think that kid has reached?"

Dongfang Wudi remained silent. A junior who could earn the approval of a Grandmaster must at least be at the peak of the Grandmaster level, or perhaps even...

"Finally, let's talk about your Mingyue." The emperor suddenly changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. "Wudi, I've been keeping an eye on your daughter for a long time."

Dongfang Wudi's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said, "Mingyue is of dull talent and does not deserve such praise from Your Majesty."

"Dull-witted?" The emperor laughed. An 18-year-old Grandmaster, a late-stage Grandmaster at 20. —You call that dull-witted? What about my good-for-nothing sons then?

Dongfang Wudi dared not respond.

The emperor waved his hand, his smile fading, and said seriously:

"I'm not just being polite. There's also that little girl from the Zhenbei Marquis's family, who's already at the peak of the Grandmaster level. Her spear skills are superb, and even the Zhenbei Marquis himself said, 'This girl will definitely surpass me in the future.' As for that Holy Son of the Heavenly Demon Sect, he's only in his early twenties this year, but he's already been internally designated by the Heavenly Demon Sect Master as the next sect leader. His demonic skills are unfathomable."

He finished speaking in one breath, then let out a long sigh: "Invincible, have you noticed? Wanfo Temple, Zhenwu Dao Sect, Chu Family, Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion, Heavenly Demon Sect... and your Mingyue. These monsters, who are rare to appear even once in ten thousand years, are now popping up everywhere."

Dongfang Wudi nodded, his expression solemn.

"These things are not out in the open."

The emperor lowered his voice, "My spies have also discovered that there are even more hidden geniuses. Some ancient families have been dormant for a long time, but suddenly some extraordinary talents have emerged in this generation. Some reclusive sects have quietly opened their gates and started taking on disciples, and those they have taken on are the kind of prodigies who would have swept away an entire generation in the past. The number of geniuses in this generation is so great that it makes one's scalp tingle."

He paused, a hint of bitterness in his voice: "My sons are all of good character and ability; in a peaceful and prosperous era, they would all be qualified heirs. But in terms of talent... compared to these monsters, they are far inferior."

Dongfang Wudi remained silent for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty need not worry. The way of an emperor lies not in the bravery of one person, but in governing the talents of the world."

"you're right."

The emperor nodded, but the worry in his eyes remained. "But in this world, the strong are respected. No matter how good the plan, it can't compare to invincible power. Look at a hundred years ago, so many forces joined together to plot against the late emperor, but in the end, they were still suppressed by Lu Moshen alone. Why? Because Lu Moshen's fist was hard enough that everyone had to bow down."

He walked up to Dongfang Wudi, patted him on the shoulder, and his gaze was solemn:

"Invincible, I need you to be extremely vigilant in the North. The barbarians won't let this opportunity pass; they will definitely launch a major invasion southward while the country is still in its early stages and the world is not yet settled. You have guarded the North for many years, and I trust you. But I must remind you—this time is different. There may be geniuses of 'that level' emerging among the barbarians."

Dongfang Wudi clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your subject understands. If anything happens in the northern border, your subject will defend it to the death."

"I said, I don't want you to die." The emperor pressed his hand firmly on his shoulder. "I want you to live. And one more thing—"

His voice suddenly lowered even further: "You should be wary of the other three major marquisates."

Dongfang Wudi felt a chill run down his spine.

"The Wu family of Zhenbei Marquis, the Zhao family of Pingding Marquis, and the Zhou family of Jingyuan Marquis."

The Emperor's gaze was sharp. "A golden age is approaching, and people's hearts are restless. I do not doubt the loyalty of their ancestors, but the current head of the family... you can't judge a book by its cover. I have received secret reports that there have been some unusual movements within their ranks recently. You should keep this in mind; there's no need to alert them."

Dongfang Wudi nodded solemnly: "Your subject has remembered."

The emperor then remembered something else, and his tone softened: "There's also what we talked about last time, your son Dongfang Weiwo and the Azure Dragon Society. I don't mean to blame him; on the contrary, I think it's a good thing. The Azure Dragon Society was able to unify Pingyang County in such a short time, its strength is unfathomable. In this chaotic world, having one more friend is always better than having one more enemy. Let your son make the most of this opportunity; perhaps he can become a valuable asset in the future."

Dongfang Wudi accepted the order and bowed, saying, "Your subject has remembered it."

The emperor waved his hand: "Go back. You will have to return to the northern border after the New Year, and matters there cannot be delayed. I will not keep you for a meal, lest your wife complain that I am taking up her husband's time."

Dongfang Wudi smiled, which was rare for him, bowed again, and turned to leave.

As he reached the door, he suddenly stopped and turned back, saying, "Your Majesty."

"Um?"

"Is the Demon God Lü... really still in the imperial tomb?"

The emperor was silent for a moment, then slowly said:

"I have asked myself this question many times. But one thing I am certain of is that as long as the lamp in the imperial mausoleum remains lit, no one will dare to act rashly."

Dongfang Wudi did not ask any further questions, bowed, and withdrew.

The door to the Imperial Study slowly closed behind him.

Dongfang Wudi stood under the eaves, looking up at the sky. Dusk was deepening, the last rays of sunset were fading, and the outline of the imperial city was becoming blurred in the darkness.

He took a deep breath and strode out of the palace.

Behind him, by the window of the imperial study, Emperor Qin Muzhi stood with his hands behind his back, gazing in the direction of the imperial mausoleum, remaining silent for a long time.

His figure appeared particularly lonely in the twilight, but his eyes shone brighter than ever before.