Simulation Rewards, Two Birds with One Shot (Combined Chapter)

[After Zhang Lexuan learned the truth, her heart broke. Unwilling to live on alone, she pierced her heart and followed you in death. After furiously calling Shrek's elders to account, Ma Xiaotao nevertheless had to take up the position of Sea God Pavilion's successor for the generation after next. That was the responsibility you had taught her, and also her answer to her teacher, Yan Shaozhe.]

[She erected gravestones for you in Sea God Pavilion and often came to visit. With the Holy Spirit Cult exterminated and the continent's original powers gravely weakened, Xu Tianran led the Sun Moon Empire to completely unify the continent in just a few years. Left without alternatives, Shrek Academy chose to abandon resistance and became an entirely public academy, no longer interfering in external political affairs.]

[The Body Sect also declined completely into a second-rate power and chose to accept the Sun Moon Federation's overtures. Lang Ya and Wei Ling'er visited your grave several times as well. The former marveled at your boldness and vision, while the latter's eyes held regret, and she felt somewhat envious as she looked at Zhang Lexuan's grave beside yours.]

[At last, twenty years passed, and the continent became completely stable. There were no wars or oppression from the old nobility. The common people lived and worked in peace, their lives stable and secure. Meanwhile, Divine Phoenix Douluo Ma Xiaotao, a Level 97 Super Douluo, the Sea God Pavilion Master, and Shrek Academy's foremost figure, once again came before your grave.]

[She now ranked among the continent's three strongest figures. Over the years, she had done everything she could to keep Shrek Academy afloat. Now that a succession of geniuses such as Huo Yuhao, Bei Bei, and Jiang Nannan had appeared, and Elder Song had broken through to become a Level 98 Super Douluo, there were finally successors to carry things on. Only then did she finally stand before your gravestone again.]

Sea God Island.

In its most secluded depths lay an exceptionally quiet gravesite. Lush green vines covered the surroundings, completely separating it from the outside world. Only the space before the gravestones was spotless, as though someone often came to clean it.

Rustle, rustle, rustle...

Footsteps sounded.

A breathtaking woman in red came into view, her face noble and graceful. Her red dress outlined every curve of her exquisite figure, making her as alluring as a ripe peach.

The woman casually sat cross-legged before their gravestones, paying no heed to her status.

As she looked at the black-and-white portraits, a smile curved her captivating phoenix eyes.

"Elder Song reached Level 98. Her lifespan has been extended again... wonderful. She can keep holding on for... a few more decades. A hundred and fifty-something is just the age to go out and fight for things. I'm planning to hand the position of Sea God Pavilion Master over to her." Ma Xiaotao rested her cheek in her hand, studying Lu Cheng's grave as she murmured to herself.

"Shrek Academy's day is over now. I've long since accepted it. What dynasty never falls? What nation lasts forever? Shrek Academy prospered for ten thousand years. That's already pretty good. Its decline now is inevitable. Want me to revive Shrek? Dream on..."

Lu Cheng smiled especially brightly in the portrait, merely watching her in silence without the slightest change.

"Lu Cheng, you sure had it easy, leaving just like that. The mess you left behind has had me running around like my hair's on fire... if there's a next life, hmph."

Ma Xiaotao and the Lu Cheng in the black-and-white portrait stared at one another.

Clenching her fair fist, she said resentfully,

"I'll make sure you learn... just how formidable Sister Xiaotao is! Hmph!"

But after saying that, she still guiltily glanced up at Lu Cheng. Back in the Holy Spirit Cult, she had always liked calling herself Sister Xiaotao. Whenever that fellow heard it, he would thump her on the head.

But now... that fellow still watched her with a smile.

Ma Xiaotao fell quiet, her eyes somewhat desolate.

"Sister Lexuan, actually, I've always envied you. Even though I stuck to Lu Cheng throughout his final days before he died, I still..."

"Forget it. If there's a next life..."

The beauty's phoenix eyes gazed wistfully at Lu Cheng as she murmured, lost in a daze, "I'll strike first and gain the upper hand. I absolutely won't give Sister Lexuan a chance. As for this life... let it end like this."

"You two were a pair of ill-fated lovebirds. Then what about me?"

Ma Xiaotao waved her delicate hand, and scorching crimson flames suddenly surged from her body, as though transforming into a lifelike divine bird. Its enormous phantom enveloped all of Sea God Island, shrouding it in shadow.

Countless elders were startled, looking over in bewildered surprise.

"Eldest Senior Brother, I'm coming..."

With misty eyes, Ma Xiaotao spread her arms. Like a firebird plunging into an abyss, she walked step by step through the blazing sea of flames toward the future she saw.

The agony of flames searing her skin seemed not to exist.

There was only release in her eyes.

The fiery-red clothes covering her body burned to ashes in the scorching flames, leaving only her fair, flushed body amid the sea of fire.

The figure of another tall young man seemed to appear before her eyes. His smile was warm as he gently took Ma Xiaotao's hand.

A trail of clear tears ran down the beauty's cheek as she threw herself into his arms.

[First simulation complete: White moonlight rating: S. Your perfect, almost flawless performance made you the white moonlight in their hearts. Full marks!!]

[Simulation rewards: Martial Soul, Sun-Shooting Bow; Martial Soul, Blood Pupils; five-level increase; Martial Soul Stripping Secret Art (scroll); jade hairpin (personal accessory); jade pendant (personal accessory); Infernal Delicate Apricot (Soul Spirit)...]

[Please choose one.] (Ma Xiaotao's rewards follow.)

"Choose one?"

Lu Cheng sat up and looked around. It was still pitch-black outside. Inside the quiet little house, Aunt Jiang and Sister Nannan next door should have been fast asleep.

Everything was just as it had been before the simulation.

He sat cross-legged on the bed, propped up his chin, and took a deep breath.

Although the simulation had been somewhat painful, it was ultimately a virtual game. He had played far too many games that stabbed players in the heart in his previous life. He had long since trained himself to be invulnerable... probably.

Lu Cheng forcibly suppressed his jumbled thoughts and focused on choosing his reward.

Since he could only choose one, there was naturally no question.

The Martial Soul, Sun-Shooting Bow.

In the simulator, he had already witnessed how formidable its upper limits were. Every arrow could transform into a Three-Legged Golden Crow. With the Sun-Shooting Bow and Golden Crow True Body, the Fire of Essence Sun was an existence that surpassed even Ultimate Fire.

Blood Pupils was also extraordinarily powerful. In the simulator, he had uncovered less than thirty or forty percent of its potential, without even undergoing a second Martial Soul Awakening. If he actually obtained it and had Twin Martial Souls, he would be over the moon.

As for the rest...

Naturally, he did not even need to look.

He had no need for Soul Power. With a Martial Soul, everything else would follow. A game item like the jade hairpin was unnecessary. Even if he really met Eldest Senior Sister in reality, was he supposed to take it out and use it to reunite with her? The thought alone was laughable. As for the secret art for stripping Martial Souls... that thing was truly sinister, but only after personally having his own "stripped away" did he understand that stripping someone else's Martial Soul was practically impossible... unless that person genuinely consented to it. It was like chicken ribs: little to gain, yet a pity to discard.

Lastly, Jiaojiao...

He was somewhat tempted, but it was no use.

This simulation had been incomparably precious, and he had no idea how long he would have to wait for the next one. Only a Martial Soul offered the best value, because in a certain sense, a Martial Soul itself represented all of one's talent.

That included Soul Power cultivation and so on.

"Sun-Shooting Bow!"

Lu Cheng spoke.

The next instant, warmth surged from within him, as though something was gradually being filled in. His constitution visibly strengthened, and his blood and meridians grew more vigorous...

He gently closed his hand, and a familiar fiery bow slowly appeared in his palm.

"It's real!"

Lu Cheng revealed it for only an instant before hurriedly withdrawing it into his body, irrepressible delight flashing in his eyes.

Possessing a treasure was itself a crime. He could hardly have learned that lesson more deeply in the simulation.

This was Black Tortoise Sect territory. If he were discovered, although it would not necessarily be a bad thing, it would still cause some trouble for his future plans.

But obtaining a Martial Soul in reality was far, far more exciting than in the simulation. After all, the latter was only virtual, equivalent to a trial card, and would eventually pass. In reality, though... it was truly his!

[Host, please continue choosing rewards: Blood Pupils (Martial Soul), five-level increase, Martial Soul Stripping Secret Art (scroll), jade hairpin (personal accessory)...]

[Please choose one.]

Suddenly, another flash of light appeared before his eyes.

Lu Cheng was somewhat stunned.

Wait, what did that mean?

There were two chances in total?!!

[You triggered a hidden objective. Your white moonlight rating in Ma Xiaotao's heart also reached S...]

It could work like that?

Joy that was impossible to conceal filled Lu Cheng's eyes.

Two birds with one shot!

No wonder... the simulator had said "their" earlier.

Precise.

"For the second choice... Blood Pupils it is!" After some internal struggle, Lu Cheng still gave up on Jiaojiao. (Because she existed in the real Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, there was no need to create a second Jiaojiao with simulation memories.)

"Hum..."

The next instant, his pupils were immediately stained blood-red.

They looked rather uncanny.

At the same time, the detection range of his spiritual power rapidly expanded, enveloping the entire courtyard.

"Who's there!"

In that instant, Lu Cheng's pupils abruptly contracted, and he barked softly. Within the coverage of his spiritual power, outside the courtyard wall, a figure was actually... lying down?

Only after recovering from his alarm did Lu Cheng realize that the peeper seemed to be asleep.

Lu Cheng narrowed his eyes slightly.

After hesitating for a moment, he still did not leave the courtyard. Instead, he quietly examined the man's condition. His breathing was steady, deep, and drawn-out, with even a little snoring. He was clearly dead asleep.

And from his appearance, Lu Cheng also identified the visitor.

A minor steward from the Black Tortoise Sect's outer sect.

His name seemed to be... Chen Ling.

Heh, couldn't hold back anymore? Lu Cheng sneered inwardly.

According to his conjecture, the man's strength should at least have been above Soul Elder. Secretly watching Jiang Nannan, her mother, and him naturally posed no difficulty. After all, Jiang Nannan, the strongest person in the courtyard, had only just enrolled and was merely a Level 21 Soul Grandmaster, making it difficult for her to notice his movements.

And his purpose was naturally obvious as well. Most likely, he had come for Jiang Nannan, to take an early look at this future young madam.

But...

Why would a Soul Elder expert sleep at the foot of a wall?

Wasn't he afraid of passersby discovering him, or was he trying to trick me?

Lu Cheng hesitated for a moment, but still did not act rashly.

He pretended to sleep.

His spiritual power kept watching Chen Ling. Several hours passed, and the sky gradually brightened before the fellow finally got up groggily. He looked around in confusion, bewilderment flickering in his eyes. Muttering curses, he slapped himself twice before quietly retreating.

At the same time, sounds came from the room next door.

Jiang Nannan and her mother had gotten up to wash.

Was it really such a coincidence?

Lu Cheng was somewhat bewildered, but soon, the simulation's lingering effects caught up with him. Coupled with having expended spiritual power all night, exhaustion made his eyelids fight to stay open. Unable to hold out, he lay beneath his covers and fell into a deep sleep.

Shrek Academy.

Sea God Island.

Inside a secluded little courtyard.

Zhang Lexuan slowly opened her eyes and looked around in some confusion... this was Shrek Academy. No...

Was everything last night a dream?

But what she had felt was so real.

"Lu Cheng..."

The beauty gently exhaled a breath of stale air, trying to dispel last night's dream, yet a trail of clear tears inexplicably flowed from her eyes.

"It was only a dream. Forget him." Zhang Lexuan lightly bit her red lip and clenched her fair hands, a trace of struggle flashing through her pale-blue eyes.

She dressed and pushed open the door.

Her snow-white hands scooped up a handful of clear water and splashed it over her exquisite face, trying to awaken herself from last night's dream. The icy sensation did dispel much of her daze.

But when she slowly raised her head and studied herself in the mirror,

Her pale-blue eyes gradually widened.

A traceless eye quietly appeared at the center of her fair forehead.

"Hum..."

As she instinctively took control of it,

That eye slowly opened, carrying a gentle, warm presence. Vast spiritual power flowed into her mind, and every detail of the previous night came flooding back in a frenzy.

"No, it was real..."

"Brother! Where exactly are you?!!"

The beauty's red lips parted slightly, her throat moving as tears slipped down her cheeks.

She looked toward Sea God Pavilion outside the courtyard.

The towering Golden Ancient Tree, usually peaceful and serene, now seemed especially dark and gloomy.

"Was that me in another world?"

"Brother, I'll definitely find you!"

Elsewhere.

Ma Xiaotao was likewise in floods of tears. She felt the evolution of her Divine Fire Phoenix Martial Soul, which had almost eliminated the former drawbacks of its Evil Fire. She no longer needed to suppress the Evil Fire or suffer the agony of it burning her heart.

But... it seemed she would never see that fellow again, either.

In the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Jiaojiao suddenly woke with a start and looked around.

"I... didn't die?! It was only a dream?"

Around her were still the familiar valley and familiar surroundings. Only the figure she had always followed was gone.

"It really is a little... hard to get used to."

Jiaojiao's eyes dimmed somewhat.

P.S. I changed it a little. Then only the few closest to him-Zhang Lexuan, Ma Xiaotao, and Jiaojiao-will retain their memories. Everyone else's have been deleted.