Wang Shu's Coming-of-Age Ceremony

Time passed, and ten years slipped by just like that.

Against the changes of the universe, ten years were insignificant. Compared with its tens of billions of years of history, they were a drop in the ocean, leaving not a ripple.

Plenty had happened in those ten years, of course, but that could all be skipped. What mattered was today.

Lieyang Star.

Wang Shu looked at himself in the mirror. Ten years had not changed him much.

He stood a little taller, his face had grown even more handsome, and a mere tug at the corner of his mouth produced a smile that could sweep girls off their feet.

"Eighteen already!"

Wang Shu murmured to himself. He had spent the past ten years on Lieyang Star, neither leaving nor traveling to another world. Instead, he had quietly built his foundations and absorbed everything he had learned.

Four years earlier, he had graduated from Lieyang Academy with the highest marks and truly become a Super Warrior.

Ten years ago, he had been first generation. Since then, he had gone to the Heavenly Dao Tower for another upgrade and become second generation.

But after fusing with a World Fragment he had obtained earlier, his optimized genes were already on par with the third generation.

Add the Star Drive Device on the Thousand Machine Umbrella, and he was no weaker than a third-generation god. His strength had reached an absurd level.

That was the privilege of living life with cheats!

"Shu'er, what are you doing? It's your birthday. Don't be late!"

Outside, his father Wang Mou's deep, ringing voice carried into the room.

"I know!" Wang Shu called back.

He then left the room. Today was his eighteenth birthday and his Coming-of-Age Ceremony, a day worth celebrating and remembering.

In the hall of the Grand Tutor's Mansion, the whole family was dressed and ready to leave.

Why were they ready to leave?

Because today was not only Wang Shu's Coming-of-Age Ceremony. It was also Princess Di Reina's.

Four years ago, after graduating from the academy, Di Reina had gone from princess to Empress.

A country could not go a day without a ruler. Without one, it would lose its unity, and in time, its people would drift apart.

Of course, Di Reina was really just a figurehead as Empress. With her restless nature, how could she sit still and handle affairs of state?

As her guardian, Pan Zhen knew his princess's temperament all too well. So, for the time being,

Empress Di Reina was merely a figurehead, while state power remained in the hands of Pan Zhen and Wang Mou.

Wang Shu and Di Reina were the same age, so Pan Zhen and his father had agreed to hold their Coming-of-Age Ceremonies together at Lieyang Imperial Palace.

All the civil and military officials would attend. The whole country would celebrate, and the happy occasion would serve as a prayer for favorable weather in the coming year.

"Dad, Mom!"

Wang Shu called to his parents in the hall, his voice full of feeling.

"Well, look at you! That's my son. What a fine young man!"

Wang Mou walked up and looked him over with undisguised delight.

"Shu'er!"

His mother, Chen Shi, had tears in her eyes.

She was proud. Watching her son grow into an adult with her own eyes was a joy beyond words.

"Happy Coming-of-Age Ceremony, Wang Shu!"

The crescent-eyed girl beside his mother offered him her blessings.

Ten years later, Di Anna was tall and graceful, with a beautiful, gentle face and an air of otherworldly elegance. Her moon-colored gown made her look like the Moon Goddess, too ethereal for this world.

"Thank you, Anna," Wang Shu said with a smile, his gaze resting warmly on her face.

Di Anna was a year older than Wang Shu, so her Coming-of-Age Ceremony had been held the year before.

Wang Mou had arranged it and invited many guests. Even Di Anna's father had come from the Chenyue Tribe.

Over the past ten years, Pan Zhen had resolved the conflict between the Chenyue Tribe and Lieyang.

Di Anna, however, had not forgiven her ruthless father.

"Shu'er, you're eighteen today. In the Lieyang Clan, people your age are already married with children."

As Chen Shi spoke, her gaze settled on Di Anna. She smiled kindly.

At that, Anna lowered her eyes shyly, a charming blush rising to her ears.

"Shu'er, is there a girl you've taken a fancy to?" Wang Mou asked, lifting his brows with a hint of mischief.

"Heh, Dad, Mom. Let's talk about that after today's ceremony," Wang Shu said with a smile.

Men married when they came of age, and women did too. It was only natural.

He had no objection to getting married!

The problem was that he liked too many girls. How was he supposed to choose?

Still, Lieyang Star was not like modern Earth. Polygamy was allowed here.

But what would his parents think if he went that route?

And would his household descend into chaos?

That was why Wang Shu gave no definite answer.

Wang Mou and Chen Shi assumed the question had caught their son off guard and that he needed time to think, so they did not press him.

They had only been testing the waters to see what he thought.

"Come on, let's go to the palace! Pan Zhen is probably getting impatient," Wang Mou said.

"All right!" Wang Shu replied.

The grand golden halls of Lieyang Imperial Palace stretched into the distance, magnificent and imposing.

Today, though, the palace was full of celebration. Its lively atmosphere could be felt from far away.

Red banners circled the palace, alongside bright red lanterns and a red carpet...

It was a Coming-of-Age Ceremony, but they had made it look like a wedding!

As they walked, officials passing by offered their congratulations.

They all knew Wang Shu, though he did not recognize a single one of them.

"Congratulations, Lord Wang!"

"Your son is a remarkable young man!"

"Congratulations!"

Wang Mou returned each greeting along the way. Wang Shu kept a gentle smile on his face, putting everyone at ease.

Some of the officials' daughters, refined young ladies from prominent families, blushed with delight when they saw the irresistible Wang Shu.

Wang Shu found it amusing. Now and then, he responded with a wink or a wave, giving everyone a little attention.

"Grand Tutor, you're finally here."

Pan Zhen stepped out of the crowd, his usually stern face split by a broad grin.

As in the days ten years ago, time had left no mark on him.

"Greetings, Grand Tutor Wang!"

A burly young man with dark skin stood beside Pan Zhen and called out in a voice as deep and loud as a drum.

He wore a bronze-colored helmet and gleaming yellow leather armor that left much of his skin bare.

Behind him hung a red cape he had apparently pulled from who knew where.

He looked so much like Pan Zhen that his identity was obvious.

Pan Sen, Pan Zhen's own son.

Ten years of training, though, seemed to have made the boy even more reckless!

"Pan Sen! Good, good." Wang Mou could not help laughing when he saw him.

"General Pan Zhen." Wang Shu stepped forward to greet him, speaking with easy composure.

Pan Zhen gave the younger man a kindly smile.

But when he looked at his own son, his mood turned inexplicably sour.

Pan Sen glared at Wang Shu. Over the past ten years, he had challenged this old rival of his time and again.

And every single time, he had lost!

Each beating left him unable to get out of bed for three months—and he had a divine body!

That alone showed how hard Wang Shu hit.

Worse, his father Pan Zhen never showed any concern. He even said Wang Shu had done well and should hit harder next time. More than once, it had made Pan Sen so angry he nearly coughed up blood.

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