[{"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-603":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},2347618,4587,"Chapter 603: The Carriage Has Arrived—How Are You Going to Speak to Young Master Guan?!","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-603",603,"\u003Cp>The three leading Qingyin troupes dominating the West Wing Pavilion were:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qimo Chunfang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuehua Xuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zixiao Ge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This year’s Qunfang Banquet was held at Qimo Chunfang; due to its unprecedented scale, a grand stage was specially constructed, and all three troupes spent heavily to purchase nearby land to ensure open space, with the Ministry of Public Works overseeing construction and renovations for over three months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the banks of Zhi River, a stage capable of accommodating ten thousand spectators rose from the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At its center stood a square opera platform for the courtesans’ performances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Directly in front of the stage stood a four-story building, the prime viewing position reserved for academy masters, high-ranking court officials, noble ladies of the Nine Surnames, imperial concubines, and distinguished scholars of Da Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above it hung a plaque: “Yaoxian Tower.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding areas, lined with tables and chairs, were divided into four grades—Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding—mostly occupied by wealthy merchants from various regions, junior members of the Nine Surnames, and mid-level court officials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the common people of Bianjing, they watched from afar along both banks of Zhi River—this had been the custom every year, and the cries from the crowds on both shores were thunderous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The place was illuminated in brilliant light, the lanterns winding like a glowing dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A string of dazzling lanterns floated upon the waves of Zhi River, while two-story lantern boats drifted lazily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crowds from both banks surged forward, tens of thousands gathered; from above, heads swarmed densely, like a sea of motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Husbands and wives lifted their children onto their shoulders, peering through the sea of bobbing heads toward the stage now ablaze with light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They waited with bated breath!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Already, many of the Nine Surnames had entered Yaoxian Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lower seating areas were also filled with guests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that remained was for the Qunfang Banquet to begin, after which the courtesans would take the stage, and the scene would grow even livelier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the opera platform,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the courtesans of the three troupes had arrived long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The performance would open with song and dance—long rehearsed, with practice held the day before—followed by the courtesans taking turns to display their talents and recite poetry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>～\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>～\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a small lodging within the West Wing Pavilion,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie, Li, and Sima families had rented the space as a temporary waiting area for the Qunfang Banquet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Hong and Xie Lao Taijun, along with the heads of the other two families, had already gone to the grand tower before the stage—Yaoxian Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan paced back and forth in the first-floor hall, unable to stand still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xie Yuan, why are you walking around like that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Qiyue snapped, “You’re making this lady’s head ache.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan ignored her, watching the servant he had sent out, wringing his hands in anxiety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Qunfang Banquet started over an hour ago—how could they still be gone so long!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is Guan Brother? The servant we sent hasn’t returned with any word.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also present was Zhang Yunzhi, her brow furrowed, silently worried—so much time had passed, yet the person in the carriage behind had not appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them was another noble figure: Lady Xu of the Sima family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her husband, Sima Changfeng, was Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Public Works.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had it not been for Su Xiang’s messenger arriving just now, Sima Changfeng would still be waiting here, anxious for his wife and daughter, his face equally tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The imperial guards and Demon-Slaying Bureau had sealed off the West Wing Pavilion with layer upon layer of guards—no one could leave now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s lockdown is absolute!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the three families had already departed for the Qunfang Banquet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few people remained in the tavern hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside Zhang Yunzhi sat another woman: Li Shuwan, the girl Xie Guan had met at Hongjing Courtyard—originally introduced to him by Xie Yuan’s mother as a potential match from an outside family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, Li Shuwan had dressed with great care, appearing graceful and poised, her features like a painted scroll, her phoenix eyes radiating gentle warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two women had long been close confidantes, having planned to attend the banquet together; waiting here was no cause for haste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zhang Yuzhi’s furrowed brow, Li Shuwan comforted her: “It’s probably just heavy traffic on the road—don’t worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today’s Qunfang Banquet draws the academy and Da Qi’s top ministers—no bandit would dare cause trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yuzhi slowly nodded; Bianjing had been peaceful for a long time, and her heart eased slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside Li Shuwan sat a man, tall and well-built, dressed in purple sable, handsome of face, idly playing with a golden-furred lynx, his features pale and delicate, his peach-blossom eyes tinged with softness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wiped his mouth with a handkerchief after a prolonged cough; those around him hurried to pat his back and help him breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man raised his hand slightly, signaling it was nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others in the hall paid no mind—this eleventh prince, Chen Yong, had been frail since childhood, and everyone was accustomed to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Nine Surnames and the imperial clan had intermarried for generations, so they held no special regard for princes or princesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, many young scions of the Nine Surnames had bullied imperial princes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yong and Li Shuwan were cousins, and he, too, remained calm, untroubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, an out-of-place, familiar female voice sneered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s there to worry about? He’s just a bastard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young girl entered through the hall’s entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was tall, her skin as white as snow, her jet-black hair flowing smoothly down to her hips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Li Yutong of the Li family, who had stood at the Xie family gate—she had disliked Xie Guan from the start and now voiced her scorn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind Li Yutong came Xie Renfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng smiled faintly as he stepped into the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew each other, and some were at odds, yet none greeted one another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng nodded to Li Shuwan and Prince Chen Yong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yong gave a slight nod, stroking the lynx in his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan, however, had no appetite for banter—he stared toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, his eyes lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The carriage has arrived!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crisp sound of hooves rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servant sent earlier rushed over, shouting: “Young Master Yuan, the Sima family’s carriage has arrived!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Guan—he came with the Sima family’s carriage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yunzhi immediately rose from her seat and hurried to the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng froze for a moment, then shook his head—how could the assassin from Xuexue Hall fail to kill a powerless, lone bastard from the Xie family?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several gathered at the door to watch the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sima family’s servants also looked delighted: “Yes, it’s Lady Xu’s carriage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet strangely!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Xu’s carriage was not leading—it was a plain carriage that came first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yutong, though present, secretly worried about Xu Xi—the woman who had abandoned her. She harbored resentment for her mother’s desertion, yet as a child had clung to her; her feelings were tangled, impossible to articulate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yong, the eleventh prince, gently lifted the lynx and walked to the door, curious about this “Xie Guan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage rolled slowly forward!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sima family’s driver, seeing so many noble sons and daughters watching him, broke into a sweat, his heart pounding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had felt uneasy when Lady Xu ordered him to drive ahead—he was but a driver, how could he lead a Xie family young master?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he dared not disobey her command; having survived today’s ordeal, he could not help but feel a strange sense of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under everyone’s gaze, he grew timid, flustered, and stood stiffly, chest out, eyes fixed ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoa—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old driver tugged the reins; the steed snorted and halted before the tavern door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan was about to call out, “Guan Brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Xi had already lifted the carriage window, revealing a dignified face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan, Zhang Yuzhi, and others bowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sima family servants beamed and hurried to say:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greetings, Lady Xu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady, you’ve finally arrived—Master just left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sima Muqing stepped forward to help Xu Xi descend from the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sima Muqing, having steadied her emotions along the way, now wore a calm expression, smiling and greeting Zhang Yunzhi and Li Shuwan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yutong let out a cold snort at the sight of her mother and daughter so harmonious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng stared at the carriage ahead—he had a bad feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>～\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>～\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You had read through the entire Golden Immortal Body Divine Art given by Master Lianchi and the demonic art Yin Devil Embryo Mysterious Force from beginning to end, inside the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though you possessed perfect recall, you read them several more times until every detail was etched into your mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You gently pinched your fingers together, igniting a flame of heart-lung fire that set the cassock and silk handkerchief ablaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When reduced to ash, you lightly gestured; a faint breeze stirred, lifting the curtain and carrying the ashes away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two martial arts, both reaching the ninth rank of martial cultivation—the Buddhist Golden Immortal Body Divine Art—focus on refining the self, pushing physical cultivation to its absolute limit, becoming as unbreakable as diamond, achieving the pinnacle of power in this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At its peak, it can unlock the “Power Treasury,” granting strength beyond ordinary comprehension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Yin Devil Embryo Mysterious Force cultivates the soul-body within, each strike infused with Yin Devil internal force, immensely potent; it forms a celestial robe of water and fire outside the body, impervious to flame or water, immune to oil, and possesses extraordinary regenerative power—so long as the soul-body endures, the true spirit cannot perish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It can even release the soul-body known as “Yin Devil,” allowing one to fight two opponents at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both martial arts are among the supreme heavenly scriptures of this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As you pondered, you had already reached the fourth realm of martial cultivation—Qi Nurturing—cultivating this primordial energy within your body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Buddhist circles, it is called “Nurturing the Holy Embryo”; in demonic sects, it is known as “Feeding the Devil.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though names differ, both refer to distinct applications of this primordial energy dispersing through the limbs and meridians, each with its own merits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Buddhist path begins by opening the seven orifices—the seven apertures of the head: both eyes, both ears, both nostrils, and the mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, through the principle that the liver opens into the eyes—the eyes are the liver’s aperture—sufficient liver blood ensures normal vision; the nose opens into the lungs, the mouth into the spleen, and so forth, like water naturally flowing along a channel, though progress is slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonic path does the opposite: it first opens the kidneys, lungs, and the five zang and six fu organs, achieving rapid advancement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither is superior—the demonic path breaks through early realms swiftly, while the Buddhist path gently nourishes the body like a slow stream, making later breakthroughs easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As you contemplated this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the carriage came to a slow halt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver, caught off guard, momentarily forgot to remind you to alight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Xiyue, the Xu family lady, had already stepped down from the carriage and nodded to the assembled group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan waited for the occupant of the carriage ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yunzhi looked tense; if Lady Xu had arrived, something serious must have occurred behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she possessed Primordial Spirit cultivation, she sensed nothing within the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You gently lifted the carriage curtain; the driver finally snapped back to awareness and hurriedly said: “Young Master Xie, we’ve arrived!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You stepped down slowly and greeted Xie Yuan with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry to keep you waiting, Sixth Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan exhaled in relief and smiled: “Xie Guan, you’ve finally arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did something urgent happen on the road?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a long story—delayed me considerably.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng’s expression changed abruptly, surprised: “Xie Guan, you’re unharmed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You turned to look at Xie Renfeng and suddenly smiled: “Why, Third Cousin, you seem displeased.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng’s face darkened; realizing his slip, he fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yunzhi, hearing this, fell into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You smiled and greeted: “Miss Yunzhi, Miss Shuwan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuwan smiled: “Young Master Xie, it’s been a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since their last meeting at Hongjing Courtyard, she had been deeply impressed by him—his calligraphy bore a hint of Second Master’s style, and his poetry was exceptional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Qiyue, standing behind Zhang Yunzhi, peeked out from behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your gaze fell upon an unfamiliar gentleman in the crowd, holding a lynx in his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shuwan introduced: “This is His Imperial Highness Prince Chen Yong, the eleventh prince, and also my cousin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You were unfazed; among the Nine Great Clans, no one was ordinary—a prince was commonplace. You bowed: “Your Highness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yong stroked the lynx, nodded slightly, and cast several lingering glances at you—your appearance was indeed admirable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yutong, who had already been impatient, now sneered at you:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You, a bastard of the Xie family, dare stand before His Imperial Highness without kneeling in salute.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What right do you have to stand here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan was about to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Yutong, how dare you speak to Young Master Xie like that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A commanding female voice rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning to look, they saw it was Xu Xiyue, the Xu family lady of the Sima clan, who had stepped down from the carriage and stood quietly aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Xiyue’s elegant brows lifted slightly; her tone was stern, her face now colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yutong froze—since Xu Xiyue remarried into the Sima clan, her mother had always felt shame toward her, never scolded her, only sent gifts during festivals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When had she ever scolded her for a stranger?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yong’s eyes widened slightly; he knew well the ties between Lady Xu, the Li family, and the Sima clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That she would rebuke her own daughter in public over a Xie family bastard…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Xie Guan was no ordinary man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan was astonished—Lady Xu held immense power within the Sima clan; most of their business in Bianjing was managed by her, making her the clan’s purse-bearer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was close friends with the Empress; even the Yuehua Pavilion in Xixiang Pavilion bore her business interests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Li Yutong’s father, head of the Li family, had remained unmarried for her—complex ties, tangled beyond unraveling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Lady Xu would speak up for Xie Guan? Xie Yuan knew Xie Guan had never left his courtyard in thirteen years—how could he possibly know a Sima clan lady?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Xiyue’s expression darkened: “Li Yutong, apologize to Young Master Xie immediately. As a daughter of the Li family, how could you be so disrespectful?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned to you with a gentle smile: “Please forgive her, Young Master Xie.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You smiled faintly and waved your hand: “Lady, you overstate it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yutong’s eyes filled with tears, her teeth clenched, her face flushed with indignation; she lifted her skirt, her silken hair swaying gently behind her as she turned and climbed back into the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng followed suit, glancing at you before leaving—his mind muttered: You got lucky this time; next time, you won’t be so fortunate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2532,"2026-06-21T01:33:03.787Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","0bb31cde6b9009017426feaddda7887c0970dcaf5a14f67e03afaddf1164aa68","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-604","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-602",728,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsimulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-cover.jpg"]