---
Evening fell like a soft blanket over the Xiao Clan compound. The cicadas sang, the torches crackled to life, and young servants cleared away the remains of supper.
Tianzun returned to his private courtyard in silence, a shadow trailing behind him like a second soul. Xiao Yan had spoken excitedly about new techniques, eager to show off. Tianzun had smiled, nodded, played the role of the soft younger brother.
But inside, the real game was just beginning.
> "System," he said aloud once his door shut. "Initiate subordinate summon."
---
[Subordinate Summon – Panel Appearing…]
🎴 Available Cards:
8 × Huang Class
6 × Xuan Class
4 × Di Class
2 × Tian Class
> "Spin using a Huang Class card."
> 「Spin initiated. Please wait…」
A glowing wheel of light bloomed in his mind-space. Names, silhouettes, and mysterious figures blurred past his eyes.
He caught glimpses: a man with crimson hair and a double-edged scythe, a girl with a paper fan and laughing eyes, a mechanical giant…
And then—
BAM!
The light snapped into place. A golden ripple exploded.
> [Subordinate Summoned: Chitoge Kirisaki – World Origin: Anime – Nisekoi]
Cultivation Level: 1 Rank Above Host (Dou Zhi Qi: Level 3)
Trait: High Agility, Hidden Combat Potential, Genius-Level Strategy with Temper Control Issues
Obedience: 100%
Tianzun blinked.
> "Nisekoi? That… romantic comedy girl?"
A moment later, a flash of golden light burst into his courtyard.
And standing there, disoriented but already gathering herself, was a blonde-haired girl in a short battle robe, white combat gloves fitted over delicate wrists, and a sword that hadn't existed in her original world.
Her eyes scanned him instantly.
> "So… you're my master now?"
Tianzun nodded once. "Correct."
She narrowed her eyes. "Tch. I was just having ramen."
> 「Welcome to the Dou Qi Realm, Miss Kirisaki. You've been adjusted for combat and dimensional survival. Enjoy your stay.」
She looked around, then smirked.
> "Fine. Just don't bore me, short-stuff."
---
[System Soul – Whispering]
> 「You just summoned a rom-com heroine and she already looks like a rank-2 warrior. What kind of twisted summoning logic is this?」
> "Adaptive trans-dimensional logic," Tianzun said aloud. "Every subordinate adapts to this realm. And… that girl's aggression and speed potential make her suitable for advanced movement technique experiments."
> 「...Did you just come up with all that on the fly?"
> "No. I predicted it when I saw the card color flash at spin-angle 72 degrees."
> 「...What the hell are you, kid?!"
> Just a shadow in the light.
---
Later That Night
Tianzun opened a new interface in the system:
📊 System Store Market Panel
He was greeted by dynamic charts, floating product icons, percentage arrows. Weapons, pills, cultivation manuals, herbs, ores—all changing value minute by minute.
> "Demand and supply live. It's a virtual commodities market."
He selected a low-rank Earth Qi Recovery Pill — price fluctuating rapidly.
> Buy: 30 Celestial Shards
Sell: 33 Celestial Shards (15 min later)
+3 Celestial Shards
He smirked. "Scalping strategy. This system… is alive."
He selected a second item: a flawed inner armor technique.
> Buy low, promote among cultivators, sell high.
Basic pump mechanics with spiritual branding support.
---
The Next Morning – Xiao Clan Grounds
Tianzun stood in the courtyard with several younger clan children. He drew a circle in the dirt, placed a crude ball of rolled linen in the center, and pointed at two lines.
> "Split into two teams. Kick the ball into the other team's goal."
> "Kick it?" one boy frowned.
> "Without using your hands."
They laughed. One tripped. Another yelled. Soon they were shouting names like "Goal!" and "Mine!"
Tianzun watched from the shade of a tree.
> "Games introduce competition. Competition breeds hierarchy. Hierarchy leads to obedience."
> "Let them play. Let them grow. One day… they'll follow me."
---
[System Soul, watching silently:]
> 「He teaches. He trades. He summons. He cultivates. And now he's making sports? What kind of reincarnated demon baby is this?」
> [System Consciousness:]
「User background classified. Access denied.」
「Tch... suspicious tin can.」
---
Night – Inner Chamber
Tianzun reviewed the future timeline.
> "Xun'er… she should arrive within the next half-year. Gu Clan's golden child."
He stared at a shimmering map, marked with points: Xiao Yan, Gu Xun'er, Nalan Yanran, Yao Lao, Misty Cloud Sect.
> "In Xiao Yan's story, Xun'er was devoted to him from early years. I need to shift that axis."
> "Gu Clan won't notice if I embed emotional anchors now. Shared secrets. Quiet loyalty. No spotlight."
He nodded slowly.
> "I'll make her mine — not by taking her. But by making her choose me instead."
---
Closing Moment
Chitoge stood on the roof nearby, watching him as he stared up at the stars. "You're not like other kids," she said.
Tianzun didn't look away from the sky.
> "That's because I'm not."
---