[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten":3,"chapter-simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-580":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Simulated to Reality: I Once Looked Down Upon Ten Thousand Ages?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2347595,4587,"Chapter 580: Seizing the Celestial Pivot, Master of Dezehu?","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-580",580,"\u003Cp>You remained calm, playing the game with a serene expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black stones on the lower board had formed a great dragon formation; the only viable strategy seemed to be to slaughter the dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep within the black formation, you gently placed a stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Xuan sneered repeatedly: “This is no different from ‘a lone force advancing deep’—far from your own white stones, ‘no path ahead, no way back.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single tree cannot hold up a forest!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun also failed to understand this move—why place a stone here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dangerous move?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman smiled indifferently: “If this is your secret strategy, it’s far too hasty. This stone, once placed, will be the cause of your defeat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black stones below stood firm like a mountain peak, towering over the white stones, surrounding and blocking them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That lone stone hung suspended, capable only of self-preservation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun grew anxious—this black stone served no purpose and merely wasted a move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman seized the initiative; the white stones on either side grew stronger, linking into a unified force, their momentum surging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching from the side, Xie Xuan felt the black stones’ formation resembled inverted stars reflected in a mirror of water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where each stone fell, points of starlight glimmered, slowly revolving around the “Celestial Pivot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Xuan could not help but feel dizzy with awe—this was the very style of play he had long sought, approaching the Dao of Go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now consider the white stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though your formation was tightly knit, it lacked a pillar to hold up the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the chaos, that lone white stone deep in the black formation stood out—alien, jarring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the white stones were surrounded, seemingly on the brink of collapse!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun sat in thought—sacrificing the stone might be the better strategy, lest the loss of one stone doom the entire game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You placed your stone with lightning speed, utterly unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did you not sacrifice it—you guided the endangered stone toward life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several stones fell; that one endangered stone transformed into an entire cluster of endangered stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun grew even more confused—he could not believe Xie Guan would play a “foolish move,” especially since you had won five consecutive games, demonstrating extraordinary skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You, who had demonstrated multiple brilliant moves in earlier games, were certainly not panicking and desperately trying to save yourself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether judged by Go principles or by Xie Guan’s assertion that Go is like “waging war,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>in battle, one must know when to give and take—sacrifice a pawn to save the chariot. Yet now, to rescue this endangered stone, you repeatedly threw down black stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why this stubborn obsession, this full-force rescue?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun’s mind brimmed with confusion, his gaze locked on the stone in your hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman lifted a black stone, her eyes brighter than ever; since the outcome was clear, she no longer held back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among her peers, your skill was the first she had ever encountered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder Master once said: never underestimate the talents of the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning to Bianjing, I never expected to meet a Go player equal to myself in this crumbling courtyard of the Xie Fu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly, this journey was not in vain!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two of you played another dozens of moves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hour had passed noon; the sun had shifted, no longer directly overhead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bright sunlight faded, softening slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The melting snow on the eaves, once a gentle trickle, now dripped drop by drop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chill in the courtyard deepened; the tall parasol trees stood bare, their branches stark and desolate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The large water vat by the gate now bore a thin layer of frost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the room, the board remained tense, locked in stalemate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servants, seeing their masters’ grave expressions, held their breath, not daring to stir, fearing to provoke the Young Master’s displeasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle game had passed; black held a decisive advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman began the endgame, pressing forward step by step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black stones’ formation resembled stars scattered across the board—ancient constellations shifting, poetic, exquisitely beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky meets the clouds, merging with morning mist; the Milky Way turns, a thousand sails dancing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Xuan suddenly understood the woman’s earlier words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He who controls the North Star holds Heaven’s Mandate—already standing invincible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lord of all stars, all stars follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could one possibly lose?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet your white stones remained trapped in the perilous situation of a lone force deep in enemy territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun sighed softly—just as he had feared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This move had become the flaw in your formation; white had invested too heavily in it, exposing weaknesses all around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To save one stone at the cost of the entire game—worthless and unwise!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white stones were in dire straits; black’s formation was now complete—what could be done?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your eyes flickered, glancing toward the courtyard gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the courtyard, familiar light footsteps approached—slightly heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong has returned!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman frowned slightly, her phoenix eyes fixed on you, noticing your delay in playing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiuyan spoke sharply: “While playing against me, you dare to drift off?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You smiled apologetically: “Young Master Chen, just a moment longer!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiuyan looked puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you conceding? Or do you think the game is already decided and refuse to continue?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Xuan sneered: “What, are you afraid of losing and trying to escape?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You merely smiled: “This game has only just begun—how can there be talk of losing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Xuan chuckled, inwardly mocking—the black stones dominated the board, white scrambling desperately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only just begun? That’s nonsense!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman looked at the board, puzzled—where did you get such confidence?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before she could answer, you rose. The servants quickly stepped aside as you gently pushed open the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong, walking with difficulty, pushed open the courtyard gate with a creak, arms full of baskets—fresh rice, lean meat, and New Year goods bought at the market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her arms were overloaded, barely able to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You hurried forward to help carry the items inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Next time, if you can’t carry it all, don’t buy so much—the Xie Fu has carts. Just tell Liu Guanshi.” You scolded gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You had wondered why Wu Tong’s steps felt unusually heavy today—now you knew: she carried heavy loads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, Liu Guanshi…” Wu Tong hesitated, words catching in her throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stepped inside and realized the room was full of people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she had never seen any of them before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wu Tong, brew tea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Tong thought nothing of it, assuming these were friends of Miss Zhi or Young Master Yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hurried to boil water and prepare tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Xuan watched the woman enter and recalled something—this master-servant pair had no family ties; as Xie Guan’s personal maid, she had drawn the attention of Xie Renfeng from the Second Courtyard, and rumors about her had spread throughout Daguanyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You sat down again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun’s full attention remained on the board, still pondering your words: “The game has only just begun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He racked his brain but found no solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman’s eyes darkened slightly—you had ignored her for the sake of a servant girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially your calm expression throughout, as if you had never regarded her as an opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since childhood, she had always looked down on others—when had she ever been so disregarded?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman suppressed the rising anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiuyan said coldly: “I hope you still have such leisure when you lose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You continued placing stones, playing several more moves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When another white stone entered the black formation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun was suddenly startled—the black stone that had seemed endangered had clearly been planned all along, now surging forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Directly seizing the Celestial Pivot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun carefully reviewed the past dozens of moves—those white stones had all been laid to “secretly pass through Chen Cang”!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Capture the leader to capture the bandits!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun watched your perpetually calm expression and realized you had long foreseen this pawn thrust into the enemy ranks as part of a strategy centered on the “Tianyuan” point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Xuan also perceived the deeper meaning behind this white stone and was utterly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman blinked slightly, then continued placing her stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tide of the game began to turn; your hundred-move strategy finally revealed its power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first white stone placed within the black formation became the decisive move—firm as Mount Dingjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through clever feints left and right, the white stones skillfully bypassed the Tianyuan, ultimately linking up with the hidden white army already positioned, surging forward like a flood, unstoppable as they poured into the black’s encircled Tianyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hidden threads stretched a thousand li, now revealed their fangs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she fought desperately to salvage the situation, the outcome could no longer be changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tianyuan has fallen!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bei Chen Star has fallen!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dao of the Chess lost its pillar; the entire board plunged into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Xuan suddenly snapped back to awareness—without the Tianyuan, how could this Dao of the Chess continue?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black stones, moments ago like brilliant stars, now lost their center and instantly lost all will, dimming into darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire board hung by a thread!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the white stones had long secured the critical positions, moving like fish in water, beginning their true endgame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman’s eyes were filled with disbelief—she had never imagined she could lose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun stared at the board: the Dao of the Chess had been broken. The once star-strewn stones, once a vast tide of power, had become a losing position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Guan, holding the white stones, moved like a master strategist—calm, composed, daring to strike hard at the critical moment, achieving victory through surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, warfare is the art of deception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The finest warriors leave no glorious exploits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black stones have lost!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun wanted to suggest they stop here—otherwise, he’d have trouble explaining to his grandfather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Chen Jiuyan had made this bet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiuyan had now lost six games in a row, and this one, in her most cherished Dao of the Chess, she had been utterly crushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman gritted her teeth, refusing to accept defeat—the Dao of the Chess conforms to the Dao of Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heaven reigns above all things—how could it lose?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until the final stone was placed, the black stones still lost by nine points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This game, white wins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Yan, I yield.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman’s gaze remained locked on the board, unable to look away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could she possibly have lost?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had never lost the Tianyuan as black to anyone—except her Master. She believed only that Heaven’s Dao could not overpower her Master’s play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now she had lost to the boy before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that Go is not the Dao… but the Art of War you just described?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impossible!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiuyan’s phoenix eyes narrowed, fixed upon you—within her pupils, swirling brown-red patterns spun, radiating an inexplicable authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You suddenly sensed that her gaze carried threads of Primordial Spirit energy—and her realm was not low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You felt yourself plummet into a silent black night sky, your feet standing upon a vast yellow nineteen-line Go board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above, great stars fell like rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An illusion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You asked yourself silently—the scene before you was utterly unlike the small room moments ago; clearly, you had been pulled into her spiritual perception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You looked up toward the horizon—a massive brown-red pupil stared silently down at you upon the board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This woman, Chen Jiuyan, wielded spiritual perception much like the dragon you encountered at Dengchun Pavilion—both pulled you into illusions. But back then, you were only at the Third Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, two months later, you have reached the Sixth Realm of Primordial Spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You gazed at the illusory board, a faint smile touching your lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From your shoulder, a translucent, multicolored butterfly fluttered lightly into the air, dancing around you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sixth Technique of the Yin Fu Seven Arts: the Illusory Butterfly’s Circular Transformation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To transform in circles is colorless, formless, born of the mind, capable of changing all things. The Illusory Butterfly is its symbol—“Shen” means illusion; “die” evokes the Daoist tale of Zhuangzi dreaming he was a butterfly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive brown-red pupil on the horizon watched your figure on the board slowly vanish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, her eyes flew wide open!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Chen Jiuyan could react, her surroundings shifted violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she saw clearly again, she looked down to find herself standing on cold lake water, the midday sun glinting across the ripples, reflecting her stunned face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She raised her head, gazing across the water—vast and boundless, faintly visible ahead lay an island rising from the waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this… Dezehu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thousand-li expanse of mist-shrouded Dezehu Lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She instantly recognized the island—it was the forbidden zone of Dezehu, the lair of great demons: the Dragon Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing on the calm, endless waves, she sensed something immense stirring far below, stirring up ripples and splashes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pair of golden “lanterns” ignited beneath the water, accompanied by a pungent stench of blood and the rustling of scales—revolting, making her stomach churn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A colossal serpent-dragon, as tall as seven or eight stories, burst from the water—its head bore twin bumps, its belly hid three delicate white claws, its aura overwhelming, as if it could devour all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Chen Jiuyan knew this was an illusion, the dragon’s might still struck terror into her heart, overwhelming her with an indescribable dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she finally comprehended what she saw, her eyes widened in shock. “The Lord of Dezehu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon opened its maw and unleashed a deafening roar—the lake itself seemed torn apart by invisible force, erupting into a water column as high as a mountain, shooting straight into the clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiuyan, what’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you alright? It’s just a lost game—why are you acting like you’ve lost your mind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiuyan felt voices calling beside her, gentle pushes against her shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her breathing was heavy; her pupils slowly focused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blurred surroundings sharpened—warm air filled the room, and she shivered involuntarily; just moments ago, she had been plunged into the lake’s depths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gasped out in terror:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dragon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun, startled by her sudden panic, drew his knees up and wrapped his arms around her trembling form, urgently asking:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiuyan, what’s wrong? What dragon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Jiuyan gradually regained her senses, realizing the lake scene had been an illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, she lifted her head and stared at the young boy across the board, lost in thought—her face twisted as if she’d seen a ghost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She trembled: “You… are a great demon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun sighed helplessly. “What great demon? Jiuyan, what’s wrong with you… isn’t this Young Master Xie?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clear-faced boy across from her said nothing, head bowed, eyes deep in thought, murmuring to himself:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That dragon… is it the Lord of Dezehu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2478,"2026-06-21T01:33:01.587Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e75cd783062c9629a6937392e8d93a18803514f9fbfa16f493c86d469e350635","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-581","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-579",728,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsimulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-cover.jpg"]