CHAPTER 97: CHAPTER 94: END! THE SUDDEN CHANGE IN STYLE OF THE SIMULATION REWARD

Seeing the expression on Xia Qingxue’s face gradually becoming crazed, Chen Pingchuan’s mind tensed.

He suddenly realized he had made a huge cognitive error; he had unconsciously projected the mindset of women from his past life onto this world.

Is it possible that women in this world are so conservative that every girl who has gotten close to me has fallen madly in love with me? So much so that because of my death, they would stop at nothing to destroy the world.

Following that logic, everything makes perfect... sense, my ass.

Chen Pingchuan had to admit that he had likely gotten involved with a woman he never should have touched. Upon careful reflection and based on his previous deductions, there was probably a mess waiting for him over at the Blood Beast Alliance as well. The simulator’s collapse seemed to have manifested in reality, creating a maid with the power of an eighth-level grandmaster.

Even if he had successfully "trained" her in the simulation, Chen Pingchuan had no idea what she might think or do in the real world. He didn’t like testing human nature, because human nature could never withstand being tested. For that reason, he could never return to the Holy Spirit Sect.

Reality wasn’t any easier. A City Lord-level master with seventh-level strength had now disguised herself as his sister. This person was very likely the City Lord of the City of No Night herself. Whether this was due to her talent’s influence or some other motive, his current situation was anything but comfortable.

And now, things had become even more intense. The once gentle and sweet girl of his dreams had suddenly turned into a selfish, overprotective, and possessive girlfriend.

Although it was triggered by his death, it was a telling glimpse of a much larger problem. If they were to meet in reality, could they truly coexist peacefully?

That almost insane possessiveness would probably leave even Chen Pingchuan himself without a moment’s peace.

Furthermore, although Chen Pingchuan wasn’t against the idea of destroying the world in principle, if he were to actually die one day, he truly would have no desire to do so. It was meaningless. A person’s death is like a candle flame being snuffed out; killing more people wouldn’t bring him back.

Of course, even if it could restore his life, Chen Pingchuan would not choose to do so at the cost of sacrificing everyone on the planet.

People live because they are surrounded by a group of wonderful individuals. If one were truly alone, living would inevitably be excruciatingly painful.

To borrow a line from a novel in his past life:

The world praises immortality, yet a ten-thousand-year lifespan is a difficult thing to bear. True immortality is a curse. When you possess endless life, you are forced to stand apart from humanity, watching helplessly as your family and friends die one by one, until all that accompanies you is eternal silence and solitude.

Unspeakable pain becomes your fate for all eternity.

Time could slow to an astonishing crawl or accelerate with terrifying haste.

On the other end of the communicator, Yang Fengyi, who had been patiently trying to persuade Xia Qingxue, finally snapped with only thirty seconds left. Disregarding her image as the Lord of the Celestial Palace, she began cursing furiously at Xia Qingxue.

One could only imagine how heinous Xia Qingxue’s actions were to cause even the typically composed Lord of the Celestial Palace to lose her composure.

Despite this, Xia Qingxue remained silent.

She knew the consequences of her choice. All beings below eighth-level strength—including organic life like humans, animals, and plants, as well as inorganic life like Mechanical Warriors—would perish in this world-ending cataclysm.

But so what? Life was meaningless. Destruction was the only truth.

「00:00」

With the flash of an incomparably brilliant light, the sky seemed to be dyed an eerie orange-red. As for what became of the world, Chen Pingchuan didn’t know, because as the blinding light faded, his vision went completely black.

[Ding! You have died at the age of 21.]

[This simulation has ended!]

[Due to an unknown error, the talent ’Unyielding in Death’ failed to activate. Insufficient energy. No compensation is available.]

[You may select from the following rewards. Alternatively, you may spend one percent of an item’s exchange cost in simulation points to preserve it.]

[Reward Contents: Xuantian-class Battle Armor - Wrath (Item), Energy Shielding Device (Item), Heart of Mechanical Energy (Item), Uniform of the Mechanical Resistance Army (Item), Map to the Holy Spirit Sect’s Contact Point (Item), Physical State Inheritance...]

[Colonization Battle Armor - Wrath]: Xuantian-class Battle Armor (Purple Rare Item). A type of symbiotic Mechanical Battle Armor.

Its performance characteristics include: high-strength protection, a powerful propulsion system, an integrated multi-functional weapons system, AI assistance, and extreme adaptability and explosive power.

The Colonization Battle Armor also possesses extreme stealth capabilities, able to fuse with the user’s cells and be freely stored within the body.

As an advanced form of battle armor, the Wrath can change its form according to the host’s will, possesses powerful self-repair capabilities, and is equipped with two annihilation-type weapons.

Comprehensive Power Level: Eighth-Level God Transformation Realm.

Exchange Cost: 1,000,000 simulation points.

Preservation Cost: 10,000 simulation points.

[Energy Shielding Device]: A defensive device capable of blocking electronic and mechanical signals (Yellow Item).

This shielding device was manufactured based on complex and inexplicable theories from fields such as electromagnetism, quantum field theory, and mysticism. It is used to block all electronic and mechanical signals within a one-kilometer radius.

With the exception of primitive gasoline-powered machinery, all devices running on electricity or other energy sources will cease to function.

At the same time, the shield can effectively defend against energy attacks from any direction, whether they are laser beams from the front or particle streams from the sides or rear.

Energy Consumption and Operating Conditions: Can be activated with a minimum of one purple energy crystal, up to a maximum of one gold energy crystal.

Note: This device does not differentiate between friend and foe; the shield treats all equally.

Comprehensive Item Evaluation Score: 75 points.

Exchange Cost: 10,000 simulation points.

Preservation Cost: 100 simulation points.

[Heart of Mechanical Energy]: A device capable of transforming a being’s biological attributes (Blue Item).

A person who integrates with the Heart of Mechanical Energy can transform from a carbon-based human into a half-human, half-mechanical being, possessing human intelligence while also gaining the physical strength and armored protection of a mechanical lifeform.

The only drawback is forfeiting the ability to reproduce.

Note: Brother, do you want to become stronger? Abandon the root of human pain, and you’ll be as strong as me.

Comprehensive Item Evaluation Score: 60 points.

Exchange Cost: 100,000 simulation points.

Preservation Cost: 1,000 simulation points.

[Uniform of the Mechanical Resistance Army]: The military-style uniform of a religious organization (White Item). Other than its clean color, it offers no praiseworthy protection.

Comprehensive Item Evaluation Score: Trash, 0 points.

Exchange Cost: 1 simulation point.

Preservation Cost: Not required.

[Map to the Holy Spirit Sect’s Contact Point]: A somewhat useful map (White Item). This map can be used to find the Holy Spirit Sect’s contact point in Spring City, Kailing Province.

Comprehensive Item Evaluation Score: Slightly useful trash, 0 points.

Exchange Cost: 1 simulation point.

Preservation Cost: Not required.

...

[Body State Inheritance]: Consumes 100 simulation points to inherit the strongest physical state achieved during the simulation.

[Please select your rewards. To view your status, say, "Physical Attributes."]

Chen Pingchuan no longer had the energy to focus on the rewards from the simulation. The intense, stabbing pain in his mind left him in utter agony.

He shot up in bed, his leg muscles pulled taut. Hunching over, he clutched his head tightly with both hands.

He didn’t dare strike his own head, as that would not only fail to alleviate the pain but could very well make it worse.

Chen Pingchuan painstakingly endured for ten long minutes.

The moment the pain vanished, a wave of relief washed over him. It was as if he had been reborn, finally freed from the nightmarish torment.

Chen Pingchuan slowly released his head and stood up. He cautiously worked his legs, which were numb and cramping from being tensed for so long.

He gently twisted his torso back and forth, muttering to himself:

"Alright, alright... Well done."