The first sensations Tian Yu experienced in his new life were the warmth of his mother's embrace and the scent of jasmine lingering in the air. Despite the palace's grandeur, there was an undeniable heaviness in the atmosphere—the weight of a kingdom on the verge of collapse.
Though his body was that of a newborn, his mind was sharp and focused. His memories from his past life remained vivid, and the Eternal Sovereign System's interface had already integrated with his consciousness. As Tian Yu opened his eyes for the first time, a translucent screen materialized in his vision, glowing faintly.
[System Activation]
"Welcome, Host. The Eternal Sovereign System is now active. You are the Eternal Sovereign, destined to conquer and lead. Your journey begins with this world, but your destiny lies across the stars."
Tian Yu's heart raced as the system began to explain its features. The System's calm, neutral tone was offset by the sheer ambition it represented.
[System Features
Status View: This feature allows The host to monitor his own cultivation level, bloodline purity, physical condition, and overall progress. He could also view the status of those under his command.
Shop: The shop provide access to resources such as cultivation techniques, artifacts, pills, and summons. Each item required energy points, which could be earned through conquest, cultivation breakthroughs, and territorial development.
Territory and Role Management: The System tracks the extent of Tian Yu's territory, including economic output, military strength, and population loyalty. As the Eternal Sovereign, it was his duty to manage and expand his dominion.
Summons: The System allows the host to summon individuals, ranging from warriors to artisans. Each summon was randomly generated, but their strength scaled with his progress.]
"Would you like to open beginners back? You have received 4 random boxes"
"Open back." He replied.
[Beginner Pack
Cosmic-Level Bloodline: The Celestial Sovereign Bloodline granted unparalleled talent in cultivation, physical resilience, and mental clarity. It would enable Tian Yu to break past limitations others would face.
Body Tempering and Cultivation Technique: The Eternal Lotus Technique was a profound manual designed to strengthen the body while cultivating a steady flow of spiritual energy. The technique was versatile and could adapt to various combat scenarios.
Nascent Soul Summon Card: This card allows him to summon a Nascent Soul-level subordinate, loyal to him alone.
Shadow Assassins: A psck received a gradual unlock of elite assassins:
1,000 at Qi Condensation.
100 at Foundation Establishment.
10 at Core Formation.]
"Summon 5 core formation assassins." He said. "They shall serve to protect me in the shadows."
As Tian Yu grew, his mastery of the system became more refined. In the first few months, he feigned the weakness of an ordinary infant, careful not to draw attention to himself. His two elder brothers—Tian Liang and Tian Feng—paid him little mind, dismissing him as irrelevant in the fight for the throne.
However, Tian Yu was anything but ordinary. Through the Celestial Sovereign Bloodline, his body absorbed energy from the surroundings, passively strengthening his physique and spiritual foundation. By the time he was three, he had memorized the Eternal Lotus Technique and had begun cultivating in secret.
His early life was not without challenges. At the age of four, his mother, Consort Lan, fell gravely ill. Rumors swirled around the palace, and the official explanation was food poisoning. However, Tian Yu suspected foul play. His mother's coma left him vulnerable, as her protection had shielded him from palace intrigues. Without her, he was a lone lamb among wolves.
Consort Lan hailed from the prestigious Crimson Blade Sect, a martial organization known for its deadly assassins and sword techniques. Her father, the Sect Master, had distanced himself from the kingdom's political affairs due to the kingdom's decline. Despite their strained relationship, Tian Yu's maternal family represented a potential ally.
Her sudden illness created a rift between the royal family and the sect. The Crimson Blade Sect suspected foul play but lacked evidence to act openly. Tian Yu resolved to investigate the matter, but for now, his priority was survival and preparation.
On his fifth birthday, Tian Yu decided it was time to use the Nascent Soul Summon Card. He waited until the palace was shrouded in darkness, retreating to a hidden chamber he had discovered during his exploration of the sprawling royal grounds.
The System's voice echoed in his mind as he activated the card:
"Nascent Soul Summon Card activated. Summoning..."
A brilliant light filled the chamber, coalescing into the figure of a middle-aged man. Clad in a flowing black robe embroidered with silver runes, the man's presence was overwhelming. His sharp features and piercing gaze exuded authority.
"My name is Wu Jian, and I pledge my loyalty to the Eternal Sovereign," the man said, kneeling before Tian Yu.
Tian Yu nodded, suppressing the awe he felt. Wu Jian's cultivation level was leagues above anyone else in the Kingdom. With such a subordinate, Tian Yu's plans could finally take shape.
"Wu Jian," Tian Yu began, his young voice calm yet commanding, "I have a mission for you."
The Nascent Soul cultivator listened intently as Tian Yu outlined his plan. The first step was establishing a covert network across the kingdom—an intelligence agency that would gather information on the kingdom's factions, resources, and threats. Tian Yu named it the Shadow Lotus Information Agency.
"You will recruit and train operatives," Tian Yu continued. "They must be loyal and discreet. Establish branches in every major city and outpost within two years. Use my resources as you see fit."
Wu Jian's eyes gleamed with approval. "It shall be done, Your Highness. The Shadow Lotus will bloom in the shadows."
With Wu Jian leading the operation, Tian Yu's influence began to grow in secret. The Shadow Lotus Information Agency would serve as his eyes and ears, uncovering the palace's hidden machinations and the truth behind his mother's poisoning. Simultaneously, Tian Yu continued to cultivate in secret, advancing steadily through the stages of Qi Condensation.
Though his brothers dismissed him as insignificant, Tian Yu knew that the day would come when they would recognize his strength. For now, he would remain in the shadows, biding his time and building his empire.
As he lay in his chambers that night, the System's voice echoed in his mind once more:
"Host, your path is set. The Eternal Sovereign rises not through brute strength alone but through strategy, loyalty, and ambition. Prepare for the trials ahead."
Tian Yu smiled faintly, his resolve unshaken. The Eternal Sovereign's journey had begun, and nothing would stand in his way.