Rhine was still stunned when the mechanical voice of the system continued coldly:
[You have transmigrated into the Primordial World. Born a mortal with no backing, you survived in the city of Zhaoge by relying solely on your storytelling talent.]
[Fortune smiled on you—you consumed a rare fruit, shedding your earthly impurities and earning the chance to join the Chan Sect.]
[Now, as the great calamity of the Investiture War approaches, no being in the Three Realms or Six Paths—neither Chan nor Jie—can escape its reach.]
[You, a newly inducted disciple of the Chan Sect, possess only average talent. Your sole goal is to survive the tribulation.]
[This is the Primordial Social Network System. By forming bonds and connections, you can gain rewards. This is your greatest advantage.]
[Main Quest: Build connections, participate in the Investiture War, and survive.]
Silence.
Utter silence filled Rhine's mind.
After a long pause, he let out a heavy sigh and held his forehead.
"This system… might be broken."
"I've said this already. This is the Wizarding World. It's Harry Potter, not some ancient mythical fantasy realm! There's no Primordial World here! No Investiture of the Gods! No Chan or Jie sects or whatever it is!"
"I didn't eat some immortal fruit—I had a magic surge, for Merlin's sake!"
"And this is London. London, you get it?!"
"System, get a grip!"
But no matter how Rhine ranted, the system remained as rigid and unresponsive as a stone tablet. The quest prompt—Participate in the Investiture War and survive—continued hovering in his vision, as long as he focused on it.
In addition to that, a translucent interface floated before him:
[Current Connections: None]
[Network Rank: 0]
[Rewards Gained: None]
At the center of the screen, a red warning message pulsed:
[Crisis looms in the Primordial World. The tribulation approaches. Danger is everywhere. Host must quickly form ties with powerful figures to survive and grow stronger.]
Rhine looked absolutely exasperated.
This was the Wizarding World—where was he supposed to find any Primordial "powerhouses" to befriend?
"…Fine. I'll just pretend this system never showed up."
But just as he gave up on it, a few knocks came from outside his study.
Flanders's voice followed, tinged with concern.
"Lord Rhine, you've been acting strange for a while now. You've sighed more times than usual. Has something troubled you?"
Hearing the butler's worried voice, Rhine felt a warmth in his chest.
Despite Flanders's stubbornness, he had always been loyal and attentive. In a way, he was more like family than a servant.
"It's nothing. Just stuck on a writing idea."
"You can come in."
Flanders entered, wheeling in a polished serving cart holding milk, sausages, and freshly baked bread.
"You haven't eaten all day, sir. Have something before you rest."
Rhine was just about to thank him when he suddenly froze.
The system screen updated with a new prompt:
[While living in the capital of the Shang Dynasty, you encounter Prince Bi Gan.]
[Honest and upright, Bi Gan inexplicably takes a liking to you, treating you as kin and hosting a private banquet in your honor.]
[Please seize this opportunity to establish a connection with Bi Gan.]
Rhine stared at Flanders, completely baffled.
Wait… what?
Bi Gan?
Flanders might be elderly, stubborn, and righteous—but in what universe did he resemble the legendary Bi Gan from Chinese mythology?
Could the system stop hallucinating for a moment?
But the next lines on the screen wiped away any sarcastic retorts Rhine was about to make:
[Become an acquaintance of Bi Gan: Gain 1/10 of the "Heart of Seven Apertures" talent.]
[Become a close friend of Bi Gan: Gain 1/2 of the "Heart of Seven Apertures" talent.]
[Forge a bond of life and death with Bi Gan: Gain the full "Heart of Seven Apertures" talent.]
[Heart of Seven Apertures: Exceptionally gifted. Capable of understanding all things, grasping their essence.]
Rhine's eyes went wide.
What the—?!
System, I might've yelled at you too soon. Are you… actually serious?!
The "Heart of Seven Apertures"—a legendary trait! Anything that dared use the word "Seven Apertures" was surely exceptional.
More importantly, it granted its bearer the ability to comprehend all things and discern their fundamental nature.
Rhine vaguely recalled that in the Investiture of the Gods, Bi Gan had used the Heart of Seven Apertures to see through the Nine-Tailed Fox's disguise.
For a mere mortal to achieve that level of discernment—this talent must be utterly extraordinary.
Sure, Rhine's magical aptitude was lacking. But if he could obtain the Heart of Seven Apertures, he might excel in subjects like Potions, Herbology, and Alchemy.
Comprehending everything—grasping the essence of things—wouldn't that be completely overpowered in those fields?!
Motivated, Rhine turned to look at Flanders.
"Flanders, you've worked for me for three years now, haven't you?"
"You've managed my life with dedication ever since I made my literary debut. I sincerely thank you for everything you've done."
Flanders blinked, unsure what brought this on.
Rhine continued.
"I'll soon be attending a very special school. It's a boarding institution, so unfortunately, I won't be able to bring a butler with me. That means I'll have to part ways with you for a while."
Flanders looked stricken.
"Are you… dismissing me, sir?"
Rhine shook his head vigorously.
"What? Of course not!"
"We may be generations apart, but to me—you're more than a butler. You're my friend. Honestly, you're like family to me. I would never dismiss you."
He handed Flanders the keys to his study and the safe that held several unpublished manuscripts.
"Take these keys. While I'm away, please keep the study in order."
"There are a few drafts in the safe. You've said you liked my books—if you ever feel bored, you can read them to pass the time."
"While I'm gone… this house is yours to look after."
Flanders took the keys with trembling hands. His eyes reddened instantly.
He understood better than anyone what these keys represented.
Newspapers had offered outrageous sums just for a hint of Rhine's next book. The manuscripts inside—filled with plot outlines and character designs—were priceless.
If he had ill intent, these alone could fetch millions of pounds.
But Rhine still entrusted him with everything.
That kind of trust moved him deeply.
Flanders clutched the keys and bowed solemnly.
"Lord Rhine, rest assured. While you are away, no one will set foot in your study. I will guard your manuscripts with my honor—and my life."
Rhine, too, was overwhelmed with emotion.
Because at that moment, a new system message lit up before him:
[You and Prince Bi Gan bonded at the banquet, speaking passionately about politics and literature. Touched by your sincerity, Bi Gan wept and swore to protect you from the chaos to come.]
[Your relationship with Prince Bi Gan has reached the level of life-and-death companionship.]
[You have obtained the full "Heart of Seven Apertures" talent!]