[{"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-590":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},2347605,4587,"Chapter 590","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-590",590,"\u003Cp>You watched Lady Zhao and the others fade into the distance, Xie Renfeng’s words still echoing in your ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yutong saw Xie Qi Yue and Xie Yuan walking toward the front of the Xie family’s carriage line; now only the three of you remained, and she found the situation dull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She cast a glance at Sima Mumu, sneered mockingly, then left, her jet-black hair cascading down to her hips, swaying gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sima Mumu’s face bore a helpless expression—on account of her mother’s affairs, her own birth mother felt deeply indebted to Li Yutong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every household has its own hard-to-recite scripture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sima Mumu looked at you, head bowed in thought, and said: “Lord Guan, this whole turmoil ultimately stems from me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve burdened you with unnecessary troubles.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You merely smiled, unconcerned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Hong, since Xie Qi Yue’s departure, studied this ninth cousin of hers and recalled the strange atmosphere just now between her and the Xie family’s second branch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He got along well with Xie Yuan; Xie Guan’s composure just now was nothing like the typical spineless bastards among the Nine Surnames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Guan, how did you end up crossing paths with Xie Renfeng?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He may look refined, like a Confucian scholar, but his heart is narrow and his schemes deep… hard to truly trust.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Hong advised kindly: “If you’ve angered him, you must… be cautious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, you glanced at the tall, seemingly simple-minded youth—his mind was sharp, and he had a keen eye for character.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now that Xie Qi Yue was gone, he had shed the slightly “affected” expression he’d worn earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You looked at him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Hong wore a black robe with faint gold embroidery; though tall, he did not appear bulky, his frame resembling a tiger’s back, wasp’s waist, and mantis legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His black hair was tied back; the earlier simple demeanor had vanished, replaced by a stern face, sharp eyebrows, and eyes that burned with fierce brilliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You recalled what Xie Yuan had said: this man was the top martial cultivator among the Nine Surnames of this generation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for the warning, Brother Xue!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Hong waved dismissively; now that Xie Qi Yue was gone, he had no reason to linger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mumu, Ziqian, we’ll see you at the Qunfang Banquet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Guan, see you later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Hong mounted the steed already waiting beside the carriage; hooves clattered as the white horse galloped past the line of carriages, drawing glances from all around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver saddle gleaming on white steed, swift as a falling star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sima Mumu’s gaze followed it until the white horse vanished from sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You praised: “Brother Xue truly has remarkable bearing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sima Mumu finally snapped back to reality, saying with quiet admiration: “Brother Xue is the most openhearted among us. He’s the eldest legitimate son of the Xue family, yet never abuses his status—he loves to right wrongs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ziqian nodded: “Last year, at the provincial martial examination, Brother Xue was top in Bianjing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides the imperial examinations, the Great Qi also held a separate selection for martial cultivators, called the Martial Examination, similar in structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The civil examination had no age limit; the martial examination did—you must be under twenty-six.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was divided into: provincial examination, minor martial test, major martial test, and the Martial Assembly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The minor martial test was held in counties and prefectures; those who passed were called Martial Licentiates!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The major martial test occurred every three years, hosted in the thirteen prefectures, gathering martial talents from each province; those who passed became Martial Provincial Graduates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The following spring, the Martial Assembly was held in the Great Qi capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The top scorer of the Martial Assembly was the Martial Top Graduate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Martial Assembly differed little from the civil examination, except in content: it tested horsemanship, archery, swordplay, stone-lifting, and finally military strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in civil arts, there’s no first; in martial arts, there’s only one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Martial Top Graduate had to fight his way up, one opponent at a time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All through sheer personal skill!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The top scorer among the thirteen provinces was called “Wu Ling,” symbolizing a bird’s feather transforming into a phoenix’s plume—signifying soaring success.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jingshi Circuit, where the Nine Surnames held sway, was the top of the thirteen circuits; its minor martial test champion was not called Wu Ling, but “Wu Lin,” symbolizing a dragon’s scales emerging—foreshadowing a dragon’s rise across the four seas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your eyes darkened with thought—your father had once been first in the Bianjing provincial examination, and also the Jingshi Circuit’s “Wu Lin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this so-called martial examination had long since declined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, the martial examination wasn’t just a major imperial event—it was the grandest gathering in the martial world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Great Qi’s martial world, sects constantly fought over territory, seized trade routes, and seized control of river transport—deaths were common.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where there are people, there is the martial world—especially among martial cultivators, brimming with blood and vigor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The academies forbade it; with the Masters and Four Professors watching, the martial world was vast, yet also strangely small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless martial heroes and river dragons had no choice but to lie low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sects devised a plan: send disciples to compete for rankings in the martial examination to determine the hierarchy of sects and divide territories accordingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, for a time, it flourished—Bianjing’s commoners spoke of it eagerly; the martial examination became a battleground for sects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But later, during the conflict between the Third and Fourth Masters of the academy, many martial factions took sides, openly backing one camp or another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Jing, descendant of Su Xiang, kept the martial examination but issued new edicts: candidates must be of spotless reputation and must have official guarantees from the Great Qi government.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Martial folk lived by the blade’s edge; most carried blood debts—this rule barred many outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, even the Martial Top Graduate received no real appointment—effectively, the system was dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, though your father was a “Lin,” he never entered the final Martial Assembly; instead, he joined the army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He earned a marquis title through battlefield merit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To top the Bianjing provincial examination, Xue Hong is clearly extraordinary—and as the Xue family’s eldest legitimate son, he already surpasses Xie Yuan, Xie Qi Yue, and Sima Mumu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan may be favored, but he is not from the main house, nor is he the eldest son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eldest legitimate son of a great family is entirely different from mere sons or daughters of the clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eldest legitimate son holds supreme status—he inherits the family’s bloodline, lands, wealth, official posts, status, and honor; in the Great Qi, this is called the Eldest Legitimate Son Inheritance System.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that light, Xue Hong’s friendship with you is almost a condescension—perhaps it has something to do with your cousin Qi Yue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sima Mumu said: “Brother Xue spent his early years serving in the Demon-Slaying Bureau; he only returned to Bianjing two years ago. Others don’t know him well and think him reckless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what others don’t know is that Brother Xue, through his feats of slaying demons and purifying evil, has already been promoted to Battalion Commander.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ziqian’s expression turned surprised—the rank of Battalion Commander in the Demon-Slaying Bureau was no minor post; it held more real power than most officials in the court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ziqian frowned: “But as the eldest legitimate son, why didn’t Brother Xue join the Divine Concealment Bureau instead of the Demon-Slaying Bureau?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sending the Xue family’s heir to the Demon-Slaying Bureau was inherently risky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Demon-Slaying Bureau is no gentle place—demons and monsters are cold-blooded and merciless; they care nothing for whether you’re a noble of the Nine Surnames or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Concealment Bureau breeds or tames demons—its danger level is far lower than the Demon-Slaying Bureau’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Members of the Nine Surnames, if they avoid the civil examinations and military service, usually join the Divine Concealment Bureau to gain prestige.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ziqian sneered: “But whether it’s the Demon-Slaying Bureau or the Divine Concealment Bureau, it seems irrelevant to us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You felt slightly puzzled—Zhu Ziqian had come with Sima Mumu and still hadn’t left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ziqian bore the surname Zhu—he was not among the Nine Surnames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You had just wondered if he was a distant relative of the Sima family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Nine Surnames generally looked down on other surnames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ziqian’s words subtly mocked the Nine Surnames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You wondered—could he come from a lowly background?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sima Mumu, seeing Zhu Ziqian’s expression, seemed to know his situation, but only smiled: “Let’s not drift so far off topic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Guan, would you care to join us for the Qunfang Banquet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Sima family’s carriage is just ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ziqian turned to look—he understood this was Sima Mumu’s attempt to court this Xie family bastard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Hong’s approval had apparently swayed Sima Mumu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of this!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You recalled what Sima Ting had told you: at the Qunfang Banquet, the Sima family would send a carriage to fetch you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But today, you saw no sign of Sima Pan, the one who had delivered the secret manual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From your recent interactions, Sima Ting was no careless man—and just days ago, Sima Pan had visited your courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was today’s absence suspicious?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Guan, what do you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sima Mumu gazed at you with soft, expectant eyes; as a woman of the Nine Surnames, such social maneuvering came naturally to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In your mind’s eye, you conjured the “Five Dragon Auspicious Talisman”—a scene of five dragons soaring through clouds, chasing a luminous pearl, a talisman capable of attracting fortune and averting disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint spiritual shimmer flickered in your gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In your eyes!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before you, the gentle woman’s eyebrows were wreathed in a thick, crimson-black aura, nearly obscuring her eyes entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those near her also bore it—each face shadowed by a layer of gray mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a dire omen!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet one exception: Zhu Ziqian, beside Sima Mumu, showed no trace of this deathly aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ziqian silently watched you, awaiting your decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1. Agree to accompany Sima Mumu and ride in the front carriage. (Warning: This may lead to great disaster, peril to life, likely no chance of survival.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2. Disagree with this matter, and follow the Xie family’s carriage. (Hint: You may encounter great disaster, crisis at the door, with slim chances of survival.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>3. Choose to go to the Qunfang Banquet alone. (Hint: Ten deaths, no life.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>4. Agree with this matter, but merely follow behind the Sima family’s carriage. (Hint: You may encounter great disaster, but fortune and misfortune are intertwined; it may also lead to favorable development.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>5. Participate personally. (0\u002F3)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten thousand zhang of radiant light poured forth from the great tripod, and the characters upon it slowly stabilized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke looked at the five options above and pondered slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the third option—this was the first time since Xie Guan’s simulation began that a “ten deaths, no life” hint had appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Qunfang Banquet does not seem simple!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke could only sigh—Xie Guan really had it hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qunfang Banquet hasn’t even begun, yet already at the Xie Fu’s gate, such danger looms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the simulation, it seems only Xie Renfeng harbors ill intent toward Xie Guan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where did this ominous sign come from?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eliminate participating personally!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the above options, both agreeing and disagreeing lead to crisis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There seems to be only one choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke did not hesitate—he made his selection immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>4. Agree with this matter, but merely follow behind the Sima family’s carriage. (Hint: You may encounter great disaster, but fortune and misfortune are intertwined; it may also lead to favorable development.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【You pondered briefly, then shook your head.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“This matter is likely inappropriate.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Simu Qing’s expression turned slightly disappointed; whether or not to ride in the carriage was unimportant—it was merely an offering of goodwill.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Xie Guan had indeed gained some reputation in Bianjing recently, but many still dismissed him as merely a Xie family bastard and paid him no mind; yet upon meeting him today, her impression of his speech and bearing was undeniably refined.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Of course, the most important point was!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Simu Qing knew that her fourth uncle, Sima Ting, had recently taken keen interest in this man.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Her relationship with this fourth uncle was neither good nor bad; Sima Ting’s appointment as Military Governor of Jiannan had been an unexpected turn of events, both within the imperial court and within the Sima family.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Simu Qing indeed harbored the desire to cultivate goodwill with this newly appointed Military Governor of Jiannan.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Seeing his refusal, she understood clearly: Xie Guan had no intention of forging ties. It was a pity.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Zhu Zhiqian also withdrew his gaze, turning toward another direction—the Xie and Li family caravans, already far down the road.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【The street rang with crisp hoofbeats!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【The Xie family’s Lady and Xie Yuan and others had already gone far ahead.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“However, Miss Muqing, I have one unseemly request.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【You looked up and smiled: “The day I made an appointment with General Sima at the Qunfang Banquet, he arranged a carriage outside the Xie Fu.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【You wore a look of slight embarrassment: “General Sima had arranged the carriage, but I misremembered the time, delayed its arrival, and thus missed the arrangement.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Could Miss Muqing help me secure a carriage? Would that be difficult?”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Simu Qing’s eyes lit up, and she laughed quickly: “That’s easily done! I’ve long heard that Young Master Guan and my fourth uncle are close friends.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Simu Qing called over a servant and gave orders; a carriage at the rear of the Sima family’s procession was promptly vacated.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Today, for the Qunfang Banquet, each family had brought extra carriages, just in case.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【For Simu Qing, within the Sima family, arranging a few carriages was no problem.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【You expressed gratitude: “I truly appreciate your help, Miss Muqing.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Simu Qing smiled: “You’re too kind. Not only because Young Master Guan is close to my fourth uncle, but also because of Qi Yue and Xie Yuan—I’ll help whenever I can.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Seeing the hour was late!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Young Master Guan, we’ll be off!”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Simu Qing and Zhu Zhiqian took their leave and boarded the lead carriage.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【You bowed slightly, watching them depart.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【A servant respectfully led you toward a carriage at the rear of the procession.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【The coachman was an old man, who quickly bowed.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Thank you.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【The servant hurriedly replied: “We dare not.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【You lifted your robe and stepped into the carriage.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【The cabin was small, able to hold four or five people, and a warm brazier had been thoughtfully placed in the center, lending a touch of warmth.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Once seated, you lifted the curtain and saw the main gate of the Xie Fu slowly closing, pushed by two servants.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【The coachman’s voice came from outside the curtain: “Young Master, be ready—we’re starting.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【You replied softly.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Giddy—”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【The carriage jolted into motion, slowly pulling away.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2482,"2026-06-21T01:33:01.587Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","bf2bbe9cb60beafc713739b1cebae5343f0641e886f9a4381d868af907ab355c","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-591","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-589",728,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsimulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-cover.jpg"]