Wu You scooped the chips up off the ground, his rough motion causing them to emit a mournful crunch as they shattered into pieces.
He casually grabbed a tissue to pick up the glass brick, fiddling with it for a while before feeling quite disappointed to realize it was just an ordinary item, at best unbreakable.
Muttering to himself about how scared he was, Wu You covered the glass brick with the tissue—out of sight, out of mind—and left with his snack in hand.
Hilarious. What a conspiracy. Wu You was lying flat, letting things happen however they would. What else could he possibly do?
Back at the table, Wu You pulled out his chair and sat down.
The simulation was still ongoing.
【16 years old: You prepare to leave. Having finished your business, you brush off your sleeves and depart, hiding your accomplishments from the world with the flair of a carefree, charismatic hero!
The pristine Jingchun Sword is sheathed by your side. Dressed in new clothes sewn by the forest dwellers, your hair tied high, carrying a quiver and bow on your back, you exude youthful vigor.
Surrounded by admirers, you reach the edge of the forest. As you turn to leave, you pause in surprise, seeing Suiniang and Shitai standing together.
Sunlight falls upon them, their prayer beads clicking softly in their hands.
Suiniang’s eyes gleam, the scar on the left side of her face seeming to burn fiercely. “Young hero, I also wish to venture outside, to see the fresh new world. May I accompany you?”
You would never refuse, smiling as you reply, “Of course.”
【Simulator is evolving——】
Wu You finished reading the aftermath in the Misty Soul Forest and glanced at the Simulator Announcement, feeling a bit puzzled:
“Why is the evolution taking so long this time? Is it because I obtained two fragments?”
He muttered quietly, “This thing really isn’t simple.”
Wu You sat in his seat, waiting left and right. Taking advantage of the time, he browsed through the Simulator interface.
【Name: Wu You
Talent: Strength of an Ox; Unseen Luck Enhancement】
【Simulated Talents: “Unseen Luck Enhancement”; “Rebellious Fool”; “Strength of an Ox”; “Peach and Plum Blossom”; “Ordinary Person Identity Card”】
【Acquired Titles: “Child of ****”; “Saintly Dao Preceptor”】
【AJ -】
【The world is a mirror—what does it reflect?】
【Life Simulator Third Slot unlocked.】
【Would you like to activate the simulation?】
【Confirm / Cancel】
The Simulator panel hadn’t changed much, only adding a button labeled “叁” (Three).
Wu You went through the steps to drag out the three simulations and line them up. Looking at them one by one made him a little dizzy; they were all the kind of sweet troubles.
Fortunately, the other two didn’t have anything major going on.
One repeated teaching disciples, occasionally going out to tour the mountains and waters, surrounded by students, living a carefree and leisurely life.
The other was still on the path of searching for an older brother, accompanied by two little companions, embarking on the righteous road with a nonstop series of impressive kill records.
The two previous children were doing well. It was time to start the third slot.
Wu You opened the third simulation and pressed the confirm button.
(AJ — Attributes randomly assigning.)
【Ding — Talent randomly drawing— none】
Wu You sighed slowly, “I’m not surprised at all.”
【Simulation is about to start. Would you like to adjust the attribute panel?】
“Added a title slot?”
A blue light flickered across Wu You’s face as he touched his chin. “Child of ***? What’s behind those three asterisks? I don’t quite dare to use it. Just to be safe, I’ll stick with ‘Saintly Dao Preceptor.’”
***
After finishing the title slot, it was time to take a good look at the talents. But here, Wu You hesitated.
“Unseen Luck Enhancement” and “Ordinary Person Identity Card” were currently grayed out, equipped on other simulated characters. Wu You hadn’t drawn any other talents.
“Could it be I won’t activate this one?” Wu You quietly glanced at “Rebellious Fool.”
How to put it… “Rebellious Fool” and “Saintly Dao Preceptor” felt like they’d clash if placed together.
“Well, no other choice then. Blame my bad luck,” Wu You shook his head. “But this leaves one slot empty… and I didn’t draw any other talents. Whatever, let it be for now.”
Perhaps this was the growing tension between the increasing talent requirements and the host’s unlucky card draws.
【Simulation is about to begin—】
【0 years old: You and Sister Meng Po exchange silent looks. Sister Meng Po pushes a bowl of Meng Po Soup toward you.
With a playful frown, you quickly plead to reject the soup and push it back, wearing a troubled expression. The allure of money is universal; you choose to pay extra.
Sister Meng Po stays up all night to brew a pot of memory-enhancing Sweet Mung Bean Soup and tells you to drink it to cool down. Sister Meng Po beams with joy as she waves a handkerchief in farewell.】
【Your eyes fall on the wooden ceiling. You feel some surprise—carrying memories of your past life, this is the first time you’ve encountered such a gentle start.
Could it be that Heaven has finally shown you mercy?
The door creaks open and someone enters. He “perhaps” lifts the baby by the door railing, who seems amused by something, letting out a sweet, heart-melting laugh.
Suddenly, the baby’s laughter stops and is replaced by a loud, piercing cry, echoing as if it could shatter the ceiling. The crying is contagious—babies throughout the room begin crying in succession.
You feel confused; the innocence on your face mirrors your puzzlement.
An indistinct face peeks from the bedside. The visitor stretches out a slender hand, gently stroking your soft cheek, asking, “Why aren’t you crying?”】
【1 year old: You grow up safely, your constitution steadily strengthening.
The visitor is the nanny in charge of the six babies in your room. She helps feed, dress, and wash you, and every morning she recites the Three Character Classic.
She often calls you “Little Six” and unwittingly treats you with great solemnity. You have grown quite close to this “male mom.”】
【2 years old: You realize you cannot recognize faces properly and always mix up the children in your room. Looks like in this life, you suffer from face blindness.
You quietly listen to male mom’s unwavering morning recitation of the Three Character Classic, diligently eat, hold the rocking crib’s rail, and practice walking every day.
Your wisdom and constitution increase significantly.】
【3 years old: Male mom dresses all the children in your room and has you hold hands as a small group going out for fresh air. You live in a courtyard.
Besides your room’s six children, four other rooms each hold five children. You wonder, is this an orphanage? It feels strangely familiar from a previous life.
Friend circles.
But this orphanage is somewhat wealthy, providing proper clothing and pre-school education before school starts—quite surprising.
Taking advantage of male mom’s inattentiveness, you seek cover from your room’s children and sneak into other groups going out, planning to make friends.
When you meet the eighteenth new friend, the other group’s leader notices you are out of place.
The leader’s expression is dumbfounded as they send their kids back and question you all around, finally asking male mom and causing her to be socially mortified. You become famous in the courtyard.
You learn the male mom’s name—
Ying Ming.
Your reputation increases significantly.】
【4 years old: Ying Ming intensifies the study schedule; all children in the room must know etiquette, sit properly, and conduct themselves with propriety in everything.
All adults caring for the children enforce these rules, causing a huge commotion among the kids, each vying to be the teacher’s favorite.
Yesterday, you showed affection to Little Four in bed to prove that Little Four is Ying Ming’s favorite. Today, bribed by Little One, you go to speak well for Little One to Ying Ming.
You accept all comers and watch the battle of good kids with amusement, stirring the pot and running around fanning flames.】
【Alas.
The truth is exposed. Under adult interrogation, all twenty-five kids in the courtyard confirm your exploits. The adults are stunned and baffled; none expected such cunning from a single child.
You are locked in a separate room, adults’ expressions complicated.
Thanks to the memory-boosting mung bean soup and your adult-level perseverance, combined with your usual mastery of etiquette and above-average good looks, you smile at everyone you meet.
Who could dislike you?
The adults keep you confined for a day. Only Ying Ming comes by to bring you a meal. He sees your composed demeanor and feels conflicted, his face showing a trace of distress.
You understand a little; leading a group with mischief-makers is difficult.
You sigh a few times and continue eating.
Your reputation and constitution increase significantly.】
【5 years old: You can’t stay quiet for long. You either sneak out at night or persuade the instructors to take the children on outings.
Once, you almost talked an instructor into exhaustion. Ying Ming, who knows you best, arrives and punishes you with three days of confinement.
During confinement, three instructors attempt to lecture you with sage admonitions, but you put on a good act, pretending to be a good kid and even absorbing some knowledge to use next time you try to fool them.
The instructors, clad in spotless white, stand in a neat line, their faces blurry to you. Their monotonous chanting is like hypnotic lullabies, making you drowsy.
Alas.
You fall asleep and earn an extra month of confinement.
Your reputation and wisdom increase significantly.】
【After confinement, other children are somewhat reluctant to play with you in front of instructors.
Only the other five in your room care for you, occasionally calling you “Little Six” and advising you to behave like a little grown-up.
You nod absentmindedly.】
【6 years old: It’s time for school.
Rows of children dressed in Disciples’ Blue Uniforms enter the Scripture House in orderly fashion, their faces still indistinct to you.
The spring breeze brushes the willow branches gently. The children march beneath the trees with perfect posture—hair, clothes, books all immaculate.
Their procession is like a well-programmed machine, ensuring safety and visual harmony.
You sit on the edge of the Scripture House’s eaves, your slender legs dangling and swinging lively. You whistle and lean back comfortably on the roof tiles, which creak under your weight.】
【You wander idly all day. Thanks to your outstanding hiding skills, no one notices your disappearance.
At night, back in the courtyard, you sit at your desk, flipping through books stolen from the Scripture House, intending to share with clingy Little Four.
You stand up, but everyone at their desks is immersed in study.
Unable to distinguish faces, you give up.】
【7 years old: You discover that as long as you attend the Scripture House’s exams on time, no one minds where you go during the day.
You fold a paper crane from your calligraphy paper, naming it Ling Ling Qi.
During the day, you explore with Ling Ling Qi; at night, you hold it as you sleep.
You live a very happy life.】
【One day, you lean against the window in the Library Pavilion, reading.
Outside the window, a stumbling adult slips into the pavilion from the main road, followed by a group of Black-clad Constables.
You blink and glance sideways at Ling Ling Qi sitting on the windowsill.
Ling Ling Qi’s intelligent ink-black eyes remain motionless. Your smile deepens as you close your book.
“Ah, I knew you were thinking exactly what I am!”】