Darkness Beneath Prosperity

Wang Jun felt like his brain wasn't enough anymore.

A normal Simulator only got one simulation opportunity per month.

"My first Simulation World received a high evaluation, so I earned an extra simulation opportunity."

"This morning, I went through another Simulation World."

"Then my Simulator rank rose from Sixth Rank Simulator to Yellow Soldier Realm Tier 2."

As he spoke, Wang Pan released a trace of power.

"Buzz!"

In Wang Jun's eyes, Wang Pan's figure instantly seemed to grow taller and taller. The space around him began to distort, and the sounds reaching his ears gradually faded away.

A wave of fear rose from the depths of Wang Jun's heart!

"Huff!"

"You brat, did you do that on purpose to embarrass me? Warn me beforehand next time!"

After Wang Pan withdrew his aura and that trace of power, Wang Jun staggered, nearly collapsing to the floor.

Wang Jun panted heavily. That feeling of helplessness just now had been utterly despairing.

"I'll be more careful next time!"

Wang Pan gave an awkward smile and helped Wang Jun onto the sofa.

"You still want there to be a next time?"

"Right, give me the Identity Card!"

"Just pretend I never said that!"

Wang Jun looked annoyed, feeling that he ought to be a little more ambitious.

Otherwise, relying solely on his status as a Sixth Rank Simulator, he had no confidence as the Head of the Family.

One son was one thing, but he also had a daughter. If, after some time, Xiangxiang's Simulator rank surpassed his, how was he supposed to maintain the image of a great father in front of her?

"You should've taken it earlier, then."

Wang Pan handed the Identity Card to Wang Jun and muttered quietly.

"So you're saying it's my fault?"

"What Simulator advances in rank as fast as you do?!"

Wang Jun's face reddened as he craned his neck and retorted.

After the words left his mouth, Wang Jun's expression suddenly turned serious as he said, "Pan'er, it's fine that you told me this time. But from today onward, until you have enough ability to protect yourself, don't tell anyone about your strength!"

"I understand what you mean. Don't worry, I'm not stupid."

Wang Pan nodded. He understood what Wang Jun was worried about.

Wang Pan's simulation rank was rising too quickly. If people found out, countless malicious eyes would likely turn toward him.

Some might want to uncover the reason his simulation rank had risen so fast.

Others might attract desperate criminals who would simply kill Wang Pan and nip him in the bud.

"It's good that you understand. Dad's doing this for your own good. Times are getting more and more unstable."

Seeing that Wang Pan had answered earnestly without the slightest hint of perfunctoriness, Wang Jun finally let out a sigh of relief.

"Xia Country has nearly a hundred Human King Realm experts and tens of thousands of titled lords. The situation can't be that bad, can it?"

Wang Pan heard the worry in Wang Jun's tone, and found it somewhat unbelievable.

"The situation is only worse than you imagine."

"Xia Country's territory is simply too vast. That also means the strong are scattered everywhere, making it difficult to cover every aspect."

"I heard from the director that those above are already considering whether to abandon every city except Tianchu."

"What they mean is that Chu Prefecture is too large and severely short on Simulators. They're preparing to relocate everyone into Tianchu City. That way, by gathering all the Simulators in Chu Prefecture, they can better protect the public."

Wang Jun revealed a secret.

"Have they gone mad? How could Tianchu City possibly hold all four billion-plus people of Chu Prefecture?"

Wang Pan's pupils contracted as he cried out instinctively.

"Do you think the people above haven't considered something you can think of?"

"Do you know how many unnatural deaths there were in Jiang City last year?"

Seeing Wang Pan's confused expression, Wang Jun gave him a number.

"Thirty-six thousand, eight hundred and twenty. And that's only the deaths recorded by our Simulator Administration. The number of unrecorded deaths is definitely even higher!"

"This isn't only happening in Jiang City. Aside from Tianchu City being a little better off, the rest of Chu Prefecture's cities aren't much better than Jiang City!"

Wang Jun looked somewhat furious, but even more helpless.

Compared to Simulators, there were simply too many Ordinary People!

The entire Jiang City Simulator Administration had fewer than two hundred Simulators. But what about Jiang City's Ordinary People?

Its permanent population exceeded thirty million!

Many Simulators were born in Jiang City every year. Logically, there shouldn't have been so few of them, but more Simulators chose to remain in the major cities rather than return to Jiang City.

This had placed ever-increasing pressure on the entire Jiang City Simulator Administration!

"And this year, only seven months have passed, yet Jiang City's recorded unnatural deaths have already exceeded fifty thousand!"

One shocking number after another came from Wang Jun's mouth.

"No wonder those above want to move everyone in Chu Prefecture into Tianchu City."

Wang Pan had never expected that beneath the prosperity of the bustling city lurked countless deadly dangers.

Putting himself in their shoes, Wang Pan felt that if it were him, he would also want to relocate everyone into Tianchu City.

By concentrating all the Simulators in Chu Prefecture, and with Chu State University located within Tianchu City as well, it would actually become easier to protect Ordinary People.

It would also reduce the pressure on Simulators.

"So, if word gets out that your Simulator rank rises this quickly, not to mention anything else, those two notorious organizations, the World Destruction Society and the Saviors, will both come looking for you!"

"I understand."

Wang Pan nodded seriously.

Yellow Soldier Realm Tier 2 was far too weak before the World Destruction Society and the Saviors!

Both the Saviors and the World Destruction Society had Human King Realm Simulators, or powerful experts comparable to Human King Realm Simulators!

And there was far more than one or two of them!

That was why these two organizations could extend their influence across the globe. Not only had they not been wiped out, they remained active to this day.

But Wang Pan was confident that the only difference between him and them was time!

As long as he was given some time, Wang Pan was confident that the Saviors, the World Destruction Society, and the like would not even be qualified to look him in the eye!

"What are you two muttering about? Aren't you going to wash your hands and eat?"

Zhang Yao's voice drifted over.

The matters the father and son had been discussing were not suitable for Zhang Yao to know. They were afraid that, as an Ordinary Person, she would be unable to accept them. They also feared that Zhang Yao would spend every day worrying about her husband and children.

After all, Zhang Yao was the only Ordinary Person in the family.

Wang Jun gave Wang Pan a meaningful look.

Wang Pan nodded to show that he understood.

"It was nothing. Oh, right, Mom, I forgot to make the soup."

Wang Pan stood up, walked over to Zhang Yao, and spoke somewhat sheepishly.

"It's fine. If you forgot, then you forgot. We can make it tonight too. Go call your father over to eat."

Zhang Yao wiped her still-dripping hair with a towel, unconcerned.

"Mom, you've become younger. You're just as beautiful as you were when I saw you as a child. You were beautiful before too, but now you're even more beautiful."

"When Dad sees you later, he'll definitely be stunned."

Wang Pan spoke from the bottom of his heart. After being enhanced by the Robust Physique talent, Zhang Yao now looked more than ten years younger. Her skin was as smooth as congealed cream, delicate enough to break with a breath.

"You really do know how to sweet-talk. Am I really that beautiful now?"

Zhang Yao felt delighted.

"Of course. No matter when it is, you'll always be the most beautiful in my heart."

Wang Pan answered without hesitation.

"You only dare say that because Xiangxiang isn't home. If she were here, she definitely wouldn't agree."

Zhang Yao laughed helplessly. Her daughter was far too vain.

Wang Pan could not help laughing as well. Thinking about it, if Xiangxiang were here, it probably really would be like that. She considered herself number one, and even her mother would have to drop down a rank.