[{"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-615":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},2347630,4587,"Chapter 615: First Time Personally Participating: The Flower Queen with Hairpin!","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-615",615,"\u003Cp>Yu Ke slowly looked around and saw the theater illuminated by brilliant lights, bustling with activity, shadows moving everywhere, laughter and chatter continuous, as if transporting him back to the opulent, never-ending night city of his past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Women dressed in elaborate attire glided gracefully between tables or smiled demurely while conversing with guests, adding a touch of soft beauty and allure to the lively scene, leaving one unable to look away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yuner quietly approached, her bright eyes filled with concern as she whispered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Xie, are you alright?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She saw Xie Guan standing motionless like a statue, unresponsive even when she gently nudged him, and a wave of inexplicable worry rose in her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke slowly came to his senses, feeling the delicate touch on his arm, his gaze involuntarily settling on the woman before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wore an open-front bodice, revealing patches of pale skin that shimmered faintly in the lantern light; her eyes and brows radiated charm, and the small black mole beside her lips added a unique allure that made it hard to look away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This woman must surely be Zhou Yuner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Guan swiftly scanned the surrounding figures, and the woman in golden robes with a noble bearing was surely Li Xiangjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three Confucian scholars gathered around her—judging by their speech and mannerisms—were undoubtedly Jia Yu and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the round-faced, earnest middle-aged man, Xie Guan already knew: he must be Zhang Yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything matched precisely the scenario he had simulated in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But previously, this so-called “Heavenly Reincarnation” had felt like a meticulously designed game, requiring different choices to unlock subsequent plot paths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Direct Participation】 was entirely different—like being truly present, with everything within reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yuan looked at Xie Guan again, his eyes brimming with worry:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Xie, are you alright? Lately, many refugees have flooded beyond Bianjing’s walls, most afflicted by plague, their conditions severe. The capital is in turmoil; many have begun to fever and cough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some even fall into a daze, their eyes vacant, eventually foaming at the mouth and beyond cure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Guan gently moved his stiff limbs, cleared his throat, and spoke slowly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was just distracted—nothing’s wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze inadvertently fell upon the one who triggered 【Direct Participation】—Simapan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a tall man, but now his eyes were utterly vacant, as if his soul had vanished, standing mechanically and repeating the same phrase: “Please, Young Master Xie, grant us an audience!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yu Ke pondered, a strange vision suddenly surfaced in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An ancient, simple tripod quietly reflected within his heart-sea, emitting a faint glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke was startled—“Kunxu Ding” had also appeared!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A distant, deep chime sounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The characters atop the tripod gradually stabilized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Facing this matter, you decide…】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1. Refuse Simapan’s request. (Hint: May affect the future.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2. Agree to this, visit after the Qunfang Banquet. (Hint: May benefit the future.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>3. Agree to this, go immediately. (Hint: May affect the future.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>4. End Direct Participation. (1\u002F3)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke pondered slowly, curious why, after Direct Participation, the same options now carried different future implications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the hints, the best choice was:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2. Agree to this, visit after the Qunfang Banquet. (Hint: May benefit the future.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke cleared his throat, attempting to mimic Xie Guan’s tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tripod in his heart-sea chimed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Guan’s memories surged forth like moths drawn to flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke spoke in this “familiar yet alien” tone:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Sima, please inform General Sima that Xie Guan will come after the Qunfang Banquet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice, initially unnatural, gradually grew calm and confident. As the words settled, he felt as if he truly had become Xie Guan himself, a quiet stillness swirling within his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, in Yu Ke’s mind, he had always felt a detached, “watching fish in a pond” distance from this world—but now, that feeling seemed to be slowly fading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simapan’s eyes lit up upon hearing this; after a pause, he nodded and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Xie, don’t forget our agreement.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simapan tucked away the hairpin and took his leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke watched his retreating figure, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yuner, however, sensed that Young Master Xie now felt subtly different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she couldn’t quite say how.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke turned his interest toward the four directions stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four directions stage had already begun its second dance—a woman in red silk robes stepped onto the platform amid cheers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was around twenty, slender and tall, her ponytail reaching her waist, holding a light steel longsword upside-down; her fair, delicate features carried an air of martial vigor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd below erupted in cheers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s Lady Gongsun, haven’t seen her on the stage in years—the top flower of Zixiao Pavilion!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once there was a beauty, Lady Gongsun; one sword dance stirred all four corners.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman in red silk began her sword dance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body was supple, yet her sword flashed with cold radiance, slicing like a dragon, illuminating the entire stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sword dance was breathtaking—every motion brimming with power and grace, leaving viewers spellbound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Xiao and others stared intently, eyes alight with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Gongsun’s sword dance was rare indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had not been seen in Bianjing for years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke shifted his posture, settling comfortably into his chair, stretching languidly, appearing utterly at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked up the fruit and pastries already prepared, took a small bite, and savored it slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was his first time trying to eat during Direct Participation; he felt both curious and expectant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His first Direct Participation, he tried bringing an item out of Kunxu Realm—when it ended, everything vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His second Direct Participation, he tried bringing an item from his original world into Kunxu Realm—the object in his hand disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two realms cannot communicate!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, eating fruit—what would happen?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke had assumed he’d feel nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, it felt exactly like eating in his original world—just without the exquisite flavor of celestial fruits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was undeniably real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke moved his hands again, touched his own face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sense of unreality lingered—the meaning of “Zhuang Zhou Dreamed of a Butterfly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One day in the mortal world, ten years within the Ding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recalled an old tale he’d read in his past life: a woodcutter climbed a mountain and met immortal children playing chess and singing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the children urged him to return, he found his axe handle completely rotted—and when he reached home, the world had changed beyond recognition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Yu Ke’s mind wandered: if he cultivated for ten years inside the Ding, would only one day pass in Shenxiao Sect?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that couldn’t be right!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His first simulation of Lu Chen corresponded to the Warring States period, according to this world’s records.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His second simulation of Xie Guan occurred three thousand years after Lu Chen’s time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previous simulations suggested this world had expanded further—the map grew larger, with new regions and powers emerging to the north: Changsheng Tian, and to the south: Buddhist kingdoms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What other changes had occurred?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke fell into deep thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft, delicate voice came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Xie, don’t you enjoy watching Lady Gongsun’s sword dance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke looked up—it was Zhou Yuner, noticing he hadn’t been watching the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yuner walked slowly forward, lifting a cup of wine from the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuner, I offer this to you, Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She then drank it all herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yuner blushed and said: “Young Master Xie, shall I feed you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke froze, quickly refusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For he had seen the boldly dressed Zhou Yuner preparing to gently unfasten the “twin peaks” binding her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Guan’s memories surfaced—he recalled Xie Yuan mentioning that courtesans, when smitten, often acted boldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Feeding wine” was one such method; the elegant term for courtesan tea gatherings was “High Mountains and Flowing Water.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone understood “High Mountains.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, under the gaze of many, though Zhou Yuner would cover it with a light veil,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke still dared not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss Yuner, I can manage myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yuner’s eyes flickered with a faint, barely noticeable disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep within her heart, she had quietly developed admiration for Master Guan, an emotion she could not suppress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet when she gazed at Master Guan, she saw only his calm expression, as if her feelings meant nothing to him, causing her heart to sink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She bit her crimson lips, unwilling to let this fleeting chance slip away, and thus made that bold move—her first time ever, abandoning all modesty, just to draw closer to him by a fraction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xiangjun, though watching the four stages, kept her beautiful eyes fixed on Xie Guan and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Zhou Yuner truly has a crush on Master Guan—she’s been so forward for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yuner moved to sit beside Xie Guan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke felt a fragrant scent waft toward him; since a beauty was accompanying him, he made no refusal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the four stages, Lady Gongsun’s dance had just ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The audience below burst into applause, thunderous and unceasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Gongsun did not immediately leave the stage; she stood there, fists clasped, elegant and spirited, like a martial heroine wandering the rivers and lakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The host above spoke: “Lady Gongsun, today’s opening poem theme is—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Gongsun smiled faintly, her voice clear and melodious: “Heroic Women.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four characters were spoken!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd erupted in cheers once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yuan was puzzled—Nihuang had not announced an opening poem theme earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Xiao, seeing this, seemed to guess Zhang Yuan’s thoughts and explained:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady Nihuang already has poems composed by Master San; there’s no need for others to add theirs. Besides, today Master San himself is here at Yaoxian Pavilion—Lady Nihuang’s place among the top three courtesans is already assured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xiangjun’s face carried a touch of melancholy; she too had once hoped to be one of the courtesans competing on stage today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sighed enviously: “Today, Lady Nihuang needs only Master San’s presence—she need do nothing else; the top three courtesan spots are already hers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man’s name, a tree’s shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master San’s reputation can lift a courtesan to the clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is a blessing no one can beg for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling those years, Master San, drunk, had met Nihuang in the western chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since then, Nihuang had held the top spot at Yuehua Pavilion for ten years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Yu and the others paid no heed to these tales; they were lost in thought over Lady Gongsun’s current poem theme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, they didn’t need to think at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind Lady Gongsun stood the Sixth Prince, who had already founded a poetry society, filled with scholars from the Imperial Academy and academies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had gathered a portion of Bianjing’s most talented literati—this man was Lady Gongsun’s greatest patron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His disciples had long known the opening poem theme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Planned for ages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet over the past few years, Lady Gongsun’s opening themes had nearly always been something like “Women Need Not Be Inferior to Men.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though some Bianjing poetry gatherings hadn’t been informed in advance, they had guessed it nearly perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Yu and the others had already drafted similar verses and felt some confidence in their poems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All they needed to do was submit their prepared poems to the host, who would conduct an initial screening before passing them to Lady Gongsun to select three final entries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of these three, the poem receiving the most hairpin flowers would be chosen as the opening poem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each hairpin flower required ten taels of silver to purchase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The total number of hairpin flowers a poem received would represent the courtesan’s final tally in the Gathering of Beauties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The courtesan with the most hairpin flowers would be crowned the top courtesan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Bianjing, there was a saying: “Poetry brings fame; hairpin flowers decide the courtesan’s rank.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unveiling of the opening poem was traditionally held after the second courtesan took the stage—this was an age-old custom of the Gathering of Beauties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Yu sat by the table, pulled out rice paper, dipped his brush in ink, and slowly wrote his poem: “Do not mock women as lesser than men; their veils rival men’s might. Delicate beauties outshine beards; powdered faces hold wisdom and worth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xiangjun glanced at the poems composed by Jia Yu and the other three; she found nothing outstanding—only stale, uninspired clichés.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such verses would hardly win the courtesan’s favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Yu and the others had finished their poems, blown dry the ink, and handed them to the approaching host.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yuan was enthusiastic about composing poetry; as a literatus, he naturally cherished such refined pursuits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, he felt different—he cautiously glanced at Feng Yaya beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He feared writing poetry for a woman might anger Feng Yaya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Yaya sensed his unease: “Zhang Lang, write your poem freely—how could I lack such grace?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, warmth surged in Zhang Yuan’s heart; without thinking, he reached out and gently wrapped his arm around Feng Yaya’s waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Yaya blushed at this sudden gesture and whispered softly: “We’re in public, Zhang Lang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yuan realized his lapse and quickly withdrew his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xiangjun glided over, gazing at the boy seated on the chair beside her, his sleeve fallen to reveal a pale arm, one hand propping up his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked relaxed and at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spoke slowly: “Master Guan, why not compose a poem?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yuan also smiled: “Master Guan, why not join the fun?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Yu also turned his gaze toward him; just moments ago, the three of them had dismissed Xie Guan’s poetry, believing his earlier fragment was mere luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now they wanted to see what he could do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke was about to speak—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When a great cauldron echoed in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Faced with this, you decide…】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2315,"2026-06-21T01:33:03.787Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","fdc9dcb77b713095048e4388e8419431b5bdf8bcc1ef6b5570a9ac7081039336","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-616","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-614",728,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsimulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-cover.jpg"]