33. The truth

I, Zhao Yu, am one of the seven elders of the War God Temple, one of the seven strongest forces under the Cloud Sect of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.

High in rank, revered by thousands, a single stomp could shake the heavens and summon endless storms. Heroic and indomitable, with 220 years of cultivation, I broke through to the Golden Core True Human realm, hailed as the War God Temple's once-in-a-millennium genius.

When I fell into the shattered void, I thought it was over. But by some miracle, I found a manor on a flat expanse, its location a mystery. The enigmatic Manor Lord saved me. Though his personality is baffling… he's certainly no righteous gentleman. While I was unconscious, he tricked me into signing a debt contract. Then came his schemes to enchant mortals into servitude. With his power, a mere wave of his hand could summon legions to serve—yet he resorts to this.

Despite his dubious nature, his life-saving grace is undeniable. I'll assume he's just toying around. No serious consequences yet.

Thus, I am now the steward of this mysterious manor. If it were anyone else, they'd call this a fated opportunity—to stand beside an unfathomable senior. A blessing. Those petty schemes? Mere trials. Only naive, untested youths would say such things.

Dealing with a big shot never ends well. My future likely holds days of moral compromise or an ignoble death.

But enough of that. The path of cultivation is unforgiving—one wrong step, and you're dust. I can accept that.

What I cannot accept is the man before me.

This elderly figure is none other than the Great Confucian Wu Dingxi, equivalent to a Tribulation Crossing cultivator. Who is he? The Great Confucian of The Land of the Ancestors, a legendary figure, second only to the emperor. His wrath could crush not just one War God Temple, but ten. How could such a man be here, accepting servitude?

Yet, that Painting of Mountains and Rivers—I've seen it before. It's his inseparable treasure, its aura unmistakable.

A Great Confucian here… no, there's another: Su Qing of the Great Prosperian Dominion, and Pei Xuan, the martial general of the Tian Tzu Empire. These three are pinnacle figures of three distinct powers.

A clash of three dynasties? No… all five great dynasties. Those young men and women are princes, princesses, and nobles from The Land of the Ancestors, Great Prosperian Dominion, Tian Tzu Empire, The Domain of Chromatica, and Moonlight Empire, each with strength no less than mine.

This impossible scenario unfolds before my eyes.

After introducing themselves, the group noticed Steward Zhao's silence, his gaze distant and dreamy. Fearing they'd stirred unwanted memories, they grew anxious.

"Senior Zhao, we juniors were careless."

Snapping back, Zhao Yu looked at them, his words flustered.

"No need to call me senior."

Recognizing his error, Wu Dingxi bowed with proper etiquette, apologizing.

"This lowly one erred, Steward."

Zhao Yu fell silent. A Great Confucian can't see my state? That's illogical.

The Manor Lord's doing.

Why would he do this?

Oh no, these are all royal nobles… and those rejected earlier were likely the same. I sent word of my safety to my sect…

Heart heavy with anguish, Zhao Yu thought, Master, your disciple has doomed the sect, dragging it into the mire of a war among the five great dynasties of the Eastern Continent.

Gazing toward the path the Manor Lord took, he realized, So this was your goal? Let me bear this alone—don't involve my master.

I must stay calm.

Panic on his face, under the group's uneasy stares, Zhao Yu bolted from the hall, heading straight for the Enlightenment Tree.

Sitting beneath it, the fragrant air soothed his mind, bringing clarity.

Those within the game cannot escape. My only path is to be a useful pawn. Reflecting on everything since entering the manor and receiving these people… the coincidences were terrifyingly precise. Yes, my only way to survive is unwavering loyalty to the Manor Lord. That means facing the five great dynasties.

But I'm not suited for this… Tears welled.

No weakness. For Master, I can't flee again.

Taking a deep breath, the pleasant scent dispelled his fear. I was too pessimistic. I'm already in the game—time to stay calm. The Manor Lord wants these people from the five dynasties to gain token recognition. Last time, I failed. This time, I'll excel.

With resolute eyes, Zhao Yu addressed the group sternly.

"You all brought sufficient supplies, yes?"

Seeing Zhao's mercurial mood, the group nodded timidly, despite their fear.

Their meekness sparked an inexplicable satisfaction in Zhao Yu, amused by their naivety… No, it's the Manor Lord's influence. I must stay clear-headed.

"Good. Deliver some food to the kitchen."

Curious but compliant, the group obeyed.

Standing aside, Zhao Yu felt his face flush at the audacity of demanding their food. No choice—the Manor Lord loves his meals. Sooner or later, he'll raid the kitchen.

As the kitchen filled with supplies, Zhao Yu signaled a stop.

"Those without token recognition, sit under that tree. It enhances enlightenment. The three maids serving the Manor Lord, sit in the inner row, followed by the rest in concentric circles."

The group was stunned. Enhance enlightenment? Is that possible?