[{"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-633":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},2347648,4587,"Chapter 633: The Jade Capital Above, Twelve Towers, Five Cities!","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-633",633,"\u003Cp>Yu Ke sat quietly in the room, his gaze fixed on the back of the crippled old man at the door, a subtle thought stirring in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A poem on the theme of “Immortals”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, this building happens to be named “Inviting Immortals Tower.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of this is too coincidental, leaving him with a faint sense of unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he sank into thought, the great cauldron in his heart suddenly trembled, spilling forth ten thousand rays of rosy light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Facing this, you choose…】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1. Refuse to write a poem, not a single character. (Hint: May be unfavorable to the future.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2. Agree to write a poem, but wait until after the Gathering of Beauties. (Hint: May be unfavorable to the future.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>3. Agree to write a poem, and compose it before the Gathering of Beauties. (Hint: May be favorable to the future.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>4. End direct participation. (1\u002F3)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke looked at the options; it seemed the poem could not be avoided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, he made his choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>3. Agree to write a poem, and compose it before the Gathering of Beauties. (Hint: May be favorable to the future.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke slowly lifted his brush, his thoughts wandering between past and present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of all poems on immortals, whether from this age or bygone eras, only that one man’s verses came to mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he were to write that man’s poem, how could he put brush to paper without a surge of boldness in his chest?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said, “Someone, grind my ink.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crippled old man froze, his brow furrowing as he glanced around—the quiet chamber held only the two of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xie Guan, you’re not asking me to grind your ink, are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a note of displeasure in the old man’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke smiled faintly. “Then I’m in your debt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a pause, he added, “And bring me a flask of wine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crippled old man’s brow tightened further as he studied Yu Ke’s calm composure, his tone a mix of coldness and heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xie Guan, think carefully—if you fail to produce a poem, death is your only path.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke’s smile did not fade. “There’s no help for it—without wine, how can there be poetry? A golden goblet of clear wine costs ten thousand taels, and only then come a hundred poems.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the old man resented it, he remembered this was Master Su Jing’s order and dared not delay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man snorted, turned, and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xie Guan, wait!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crippled old man carried a flask of wine to the table and set it down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wine rippled faintly within the flask, reflecting a clear, crisp gleam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The wine’s here. Write quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s tone was cold, his eyes betraying impatience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over the wine flask and the untouched inkstone, speaking calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The wine isn’t warmed yet, the ink isn’t ground—why the rush?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, the old man’s face darkened, his eyes growing colder as he snapped:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you dare mock me, I’ll break your limbs and leave you immobile—forget writing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke paid no mind, merely smiling lightly as he selected a brush from the rack, his movements unhurried and composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crippled old man snorted and turned to warm the wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He returned with the warmed wine and began grinding the ink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inkstone rubbed slowly beneath his hand, emitting a faint scraping sound, yet his gaze never left Yu Ke, sharp as blades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke remained utterly composed, as if the old man did not exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed his eyes and pondered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, the eunuch in the crimson robe, holding the imperial seal, noticed the crippled old man coming and going from the quiet chamber and grew suspicious, stepping inside to investigate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He froze in astonishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this an illusion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A ninth-rank martial cultivator, serving beside Master Su Xiang, was grinding ink for Xie Guan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene before him was simply unbelievable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That crippled old man was Chang Lao of the Su family—a ninth-rank martial cultivator who had long served beside Master Su Xiang, and now he was grinding ink for Xie Guan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Know this!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Lao was ruthless, his hands stained with countless lives, his aura brimming with murderous intent—ordinary people fled at his mere presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A ninth-rank martial cultivator was rare in Bianjing City, and in the Thirteen Provinces, he was a force capable of dominating regions and scoffing at princes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the eunuch stood stunned, the handsome youth lifted his brush and moved—his tip touched the paper with fluid, composed grace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch could not help but step forward, his eyes fixed on the paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brushwork was powerful, like a black dragon dancing, a phoenix of ink circling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch held his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such brushwork and calligraphy was exceedingly rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crippled old man, too, felt surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This level of calligraphic mastery confirmed that Xie Guan’s reputation was no empty boast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His performance earlier at the carriage pavilion had also been astonishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could Xie Guan truly be no ordinary man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the Divine Concealment and Demon-Slaying Office, he was linked to the Three True Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Guan shifted his brushstroke, and a line appeared on the paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch held his breath, his eyes following the brush’s every movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brush danced like a dragon, and slowly, the characters emerged:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Above, the jade capital of heaven, twelve towers, five cities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The characters seemed like a dragon soaring through the gates of heaven, a tiger resting upon a phoenix pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ethereal, yet carrying an ineffable aura of immortality, as if an ancient dragon beneath a deep pool had stirred from slumber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most astonishing was the opening couplet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though plainly stated, it stirred boundless imagination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Celestial palaces, a jade capital city, twelve towers towering, five cities arranged in orderly splendor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jade Capital was the legendary immortal city, the dwelling of immortals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that, layered above the clouds, truly stood twelve towers and five cities?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke continued writing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An immortal strokes my crown, ties my hair, grants me immortality.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch’s eyes gleamed as he savored the line—its meaning profound, its imagery enchanting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An immortal gently touching the head, awakening the mortal form, tying the hair to receive eternal life—its depth was intoxicating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke shifted his brush again, writing anew:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I chased worldly pleasures, lost myself in chaos and reason.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ninety-six holy kings, empty names hung like floating clouds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I dabbled in the art of kingship, hoping for glory and rank.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My sword is not fit to defeat ten thousand, yet my writings steal the voice of the four seas.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Child’s play, unworthy of note—five sighs left Bianjing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I sigh for your noble talent, unmatched among heroes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who now sweeps the golden terrace? The road is hard—return home!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke set down his brush on the rack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ink was still wet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch hurriedly blew on the ink, afraid his breath might disturb its fragrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly, brushstroke born of mist and smoke, the entire paper brimmed with brilliance!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the poem were forgotten, this calligraphy alone deserved careful preservation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention the poem—this handwriting alone demanded reverence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch said, voice trembling with excitement, “Chang Lao, Young Master Xie has finished his poem. It may be presented to Master Su Xiang and the Third Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crippled old man asked, “How is the poem?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though a martial cultivator with no understanding of poetry, the old man sensed the eunuch’s sudden reverence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could not help but ask: “Just how good is this poem?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch studied poetry and books within the palace, even learning under great Confucian scholars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing this, he paused briefly, gazed at the poem on the paper, and sighed slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Had I not seen it with my own eyes, I would have thought the lines were written by the Poet Immortal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the lame old man’s gaze sharpened instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was just about to take the paper and deliver it to the fourth floor for Su Xiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yu Ke gently pressed his hand against the rice paper and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is the warmed wine not yet cold?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lame old man frowned, his expression darkening: “Xie Guan, don’t push your luck.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke merely smiled faintly. “Kindly pour me a cup of wine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1399,"2026-06-21T01:33:03.787Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a8dc920b2f7488f088ab0aae09f2d153ef44651eb3238abb6c4a4a86ed4af638","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-634","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-632",728,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsimulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-cover.jpg"]