Thirty Years East of the River, Thirty Years West-Never Look Down on a Poor Young Man

"Where am I? Wasn't I going downstairs to buy cigarettes?"

Bai Fan's head felt as though it would split open. He tried to sort through his memories.

He was a fine young man of the twenty-first century. He had a 2.5-million mortgage, a 200,000 car loan, and a wife who had cost him 880,000. Happiest of all, he had three precious daughters.

He had come home from work as usual. The moment he arrived, his darling wife greeted him with concern: "Why are you back so late? You never give a thought to this family."

He had no strength to argue. Seeing how revealing his three daughters' clothes were, he tried to say something. All three spoke at once. "What gives you the right to interfere with our freedom to dress how we want? Remember, just because you fathered us doesn't mean you're our dad."

At that moment, all he had felt was exhaustion. He had wanted to go downstairs and buy a pack of cigarettes.

As his memories reached that point, Bai Fan slapped his forehead. "Damn it! I was in such a rush to buy cigarettes that I didn't take the stairs. I forgot to take the elevator, too."

"Looks like I've crossed into another world. Getting to try a different life might not be so bad."

In his previous life, Bai Fan had been practically a robot, doing the same work day after day.

He was a living, breathing person. He wanted a more exciting life too, but the pressure of living left him unable to catch his breath. All he could do was work himself to the bone.

"Ding! The host excessively depleted his life force in his previous life. Your remaining lifespan is fifteen days." A mechanical voice sounded without warning in Bai Fan's mind.

Bai Fan was furious. How could he still be doomed to die young after crossing into another world? But mental exhaustion left him without the energy to complain.

"Ding! The system has activated. The host can gain lifespan by simulating the lives of randomly drawn characters. Each simulation grants one year of life."

"The system will also rate the host's performance. Once a simulation ends, you may randomly obtain one ability or talent from it."

"Friendly reminder: the world you've crossed into is the Douluo Continent!"

At those final words, Bai Fan, who had been lying there lifelessly, sat bolt upright.

"What? I've actually crossed into the holy land of world-hopping—the Douluo Continent?"

Who said a workhorse couldn't have dreams? Even a nuclear-powered workhorse like Bai Fan perked up at the thought of entering the Douluo Continent.

Who wouldn't want a powerful Martial Soul and a chance to show off? Who wouldn't want a sweet romance on the continent of love?

In his previous life, Bai Fan's only way to relax had been to sneak a little time in the company bathroom to read Douluo Continent.

"Ding! Randomly selecting a character for the host to simulate."

"Ding! The host has drawn Yu Xiaogang. Would you like to begin the simulation immediately?"

Bai Fan agreed in his mind without the slightest hesitation.

His consciousness slowly faded. When he woke again, he found himself inside the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Just as Bai Fan's life simulation officially began, a live image of him appeared in the skies above the Douluo Continent across different times and spaces.

"Bai Fan's simulation of Yu Xiaogang's life has officially begun!"

The system's voice rang across the entire continent. Everyone was drawn to the miracle that had suddenly appeared.

At Shrek Academy, even those in the middle of training stopped to watch the wondrous image.

"Teacher, you look so young up there!" Twelve-year-old Tang San pointed at the sky and called out to Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang had no idea why he had appeared up there. All he could do was feign composure. "Xiao San, how many times have I told you? Stay calm when something happens."

"Yes, Teacher."

Inside Spirit Hall, a mature, beautiful woman stared at the Heavenly Screen and murmured to herself.

"Xiao Gang, is that you? Why does this mysterious Heavenly Screen call it a simulation?"

Within the Heavenly Screen.

"Yu Xiaogang, you're worthless! Look at that feeble Martial Soul of yours. You're a disgrace to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."

"Hahaha! How did Yu Xiaogang awaken a pig for a Martial Soul? Truly worthy of the clan leader's son. I'll never reach his heights in this lifetime."

The disciples of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan mocked Bai Fan, who was simulating Yu Xiaogang, without letup.

Bai Fan's expression did not change. He thrust out his chest and looked his tormentors straight in the eye. "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—never look down on a poor young man!"

Within the Heavenly Screen, Bai Fan's voice rang out like thunder.

Outside it, the entire audience felt their blood surge.

With that single line, Bai Fan drew a huge crowd to the Heavenly Screen. Word spread far and wide, and everyone wondered what he would do next.

Inside the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Yuanzhen sat in the middle of the hall, watching Yu Xiaogang on the Heavenly Screen as he murmured to himself.

"Xiao Gang, if only you'd had that much confidence back then."

"But this is only an illusion, something that exists in the imagination."

At Shrek Academy, Tang San gazed at Yu Xiaogang in admiration. "Teacher, you once said something so stirring? How come you've never mentioned it?"

"Ahem." Yu Xiaogang coughed twice in embarrassment. "The past isn't worth bringing up."

Within the Heavenly Screen.

The people who had been mocking Bai Fan burst into laughter as soon as he finished his rousing declaration.

"All you can do is talk, you worthless fool. With that useless Martial Soul of yours, I'd wager you'll never become a Soul Elder in your entire life."

The disciple's words stung. Bai Fan did not argue. He muttered inwardly.

You're a damn genius. How did you know the real Yu Xiaogang would never become a Soul Elder in his entire life?

Just how far into the future can those eyes of yours see?

Bai Fan's inner voice was broadcast through the Heavenly Screen to everyone on the continent.

"Hahaha! That guy on the Heavenly Screen is hilarious."

Some of the more thoughtful people on the continent stroked their chins and pondered. "If I'm right, some mighty expert made this Heavenly Screen through special means. By simulating someone's life, they're showing him how many other paths his life could have taken!"

That person had guessed most of it. The system was not doing this for the person being simulated; it was showing people across the entire continent, in every time and space.

Inside Spirit Hall.

"You scoundrel! I won't let you defile my Xiao Gang. I'll catch you if it's the last thing I do!"

"Guards! Search the entire continent for anyone acting strangely. You must find this man called Bai Fan!"

Bibi Dong was grasping at straws. Bai Fan had already entered the simulation; she could turn the entire continent upside down and still not find him.

At Shrek Academy.

Every student and teacher fell silent, afraid to speak too loudly. Tang San wanted to go over and comfort Yu Xiaogang, but the words died on his lips.

Yu Xiaogang looked grim. Forcing a smile, he said, "I, Yu Xiaogang, firmly believe there are no worthless Martial Souls, only worthless Soul Masters."

"I've poured every ounce of effort I have into reaching level twenty-nine. I firmly believe that person on the Heavenly Screen won't match my achievements."

Reality, however, was about to slap Yu Xiaogang hard across the face.