[{"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-678":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},2347693,4587,"Chapter 678: The Pressure-Skirt Knife: Sword Intention, Wind Chime—The Banquet Ends","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-678",678,"\u003Cp>Su Yun said cautiously, “Lord Guan, please think carefully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Tingting, who was playing the qin, gently advised, “A gentleman does not stand beneath a crumbling wall. Lord Guan is learned and wise—do not act rashly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Huang’s eyes flickered as she recalled the strange sight of the two Zhaoming Luans perched affectionately on the boy’s shoulders. Those divine birds understood spirit and feared neither water nor fire; only a truly gifted soul could earn their favor. Yet as she gazed at the boy’s slender back, curiosity still stirred within her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But why had the Zhaoming Luans come and gone just now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan’s face showed concern, yet he knew your nature—you never engaged in such petty rivalries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lan Zhen Shu also warned, “Lord Guan, if you withdraw this challenge now, I’ll pretend I never heard it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pei Feng may be a waste, but his sword has taken lives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sneered coldly, “You, a pampered nobleman raised behind silk curtains—have you even seen blood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yuan chuckled, “Why anger yourself, Lord Guan? My mansion still has several fine horses from the Great Sui—let them serve as your apology.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You merely said, “Thank you, Crown Prince, for your kindness, but life is short—no matter how many sage texts one reads, one ultimately seeks—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clarity of purpose!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan, hearing this, knew further persuasion was useless and simply said, “Lord Guan, be careful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No harm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yuan frowned slightly and fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lan Zhen Shu’s eyes glinted coldly: “Since Lord Guan insists on a contest, Pei Feng, show your true skill—don’t disgrace this Crown Prince.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And remember, the contest is minor, but if you truly injure Lord Guan, I’ll hold you accountable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words carried a chilling chill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lan Zhen Shu had targeted Xie Guan today, even arranging a killing trap within the banquet—using Pei Feng’s sword dance as cover for assassination—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dagger was revealed when the map was fully unrolled!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He and Xie Guan had no personal grudge, but the Xie clan among the Nine Great Families wanted this illegitimate son dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Xie Guan been backed by the Xie family, he might have hesitated. But now that the Xie clan had tacitly approved, a neglected bastard—kill him and be done with it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killing him would earn the Xie clan a favor, and this was precisely the moment he needed to reclaim his status as a hostage in Changsheng Tian. The Great Qi court’s stance remained ambiguous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The support of one of the Nine Great Families was undoubtedly crucial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thought this opportunity slipped away, but now Xie Guan himself sought death—and so brazenly, like a pig charging into a slaughterhouse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Feng grinned wickedly as he accepted the order. Slowly rising, he dragged his thumb across his lip, smearing a crimson streak. His eyes blazed with murderous intent—he understood his master’s meaning perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, on the training ground, Xie Guan must die here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Guan, this is the death path you chose for yourself!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun turned his head subtly and whispered to the three sword-wielding guards before him. The black-clad men nodded silently, fingers already pressing against their sword hilts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Su Yun’s heart eased slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd silently retreated, leaving a circular space of several feet on the blue stone ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A light wind curled fallen leaves between the two men; fish stirred in the lake, sending faint ripples across its surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Shishi’s eyes filled with worry—how could she have foreseen that this small gathering would turn into such a scene?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Feng seized the ground sword with his five fingers—it flew into his palm with a “zing.” Its blade gleamed like water; though struck by arrows, it showed no bend, only a white notch along the edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fine sword indeed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He casually spun a sword flourish—the blade sang shrilly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You stepped into the arena, empty-handed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean to barehandedly block my blade?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Feng narrowed his eyes, the tip of his sword trembling slightly. A cultivator of equal realm wielding a weapon against an unarmed opponent already carried an advantage—let alone—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scrutinized your frame: your steps were unsteady, not those of a martial artist; your knuckles were pale, devoid of calluses; your entire body emitted no trace of primordial qi. Who was this supposed to be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You scanned the crowd—if you had no sword, your Primordial Spirit cultivation would be exposed; otherwise, you had only three forms of the Great Ancestor Sacred Monkey Stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I borrow a sword or knife?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lan Zhen Shu crossed his arms and sneered, showing no intention to help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Guan, you use a sword but carry none—what is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan was equally puzzled—he had never seen you wield a sword, nor knew when you had learned swordplay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun was about to gesture to a servant when a clear female voice came from his side—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have no sword, but I do have a short blade.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, she drew from a thigh-binding on her male-style martial attire a three-inch golden-inlaid dagger, its scabbard inlaid with jewels or carved patterns, its hilt adorned with tassels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Bianjing, noblewomen wore such small knives along their skirts, decorated in gold and jade—called “pressure-skirt knives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You nodded. “Thank you, young lady.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She drew the blade and tossed it to you; you caught it behind your back, your fingertip brushing the blood-groove carved into the steel—the razor-sharp edge gleamed coldly, clearly stained with blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine blade!” You tapped the blade lightly with your knuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Qinlan suddenly realized she had foolishly lent her personal dagger to Xie Guan and quickly lowered her gaze to hide her emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps… she could not bear to see this young man bullied by the crowd; this short blade was indeed sharper than the standard swords of ordinary guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Feng paid no mind—he merely readjusted his breath, ensuring no repeat of the earlier mishap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lan Zhen Shu said, “Begin!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes tightened on the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before He Lan Zhen Shu’s words had fully ended, Pei Feng’s blade flashed like a streak of frost straight for the throat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Coward!” Xie Yuan roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Qinlan was tense—this strike would reveal everything—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this merely youthful arrogance—or was the true master hidden?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the golden dagger carved a crescent arc. “Zing!” Sparks flew as metal met metal—Pei Feng’s certain killing thrust was cleanly blocked!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Guan… can you truly wield a sword?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan’s eyes widened. The two figures were now locked in combat—blade and dagger flashing, yet Xie Guan’s wrist turned lightly, the three-inch dagger moving as if it were an extension of his arm, each parry precisely intercepting Pei Feng’s lethal strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun’s tense shoulders finally relaxed slightly—at least now, Xie Guan would not be publicly humiliated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Feng’s sword technique shifted abruptly—his three-foot blade twisted into three phantom swords, raining down like a storm. This was his famed technique; now fully unleashed, he clearly intended to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They exchanged over a dozen strikes!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet strangely—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Feng’s palms went numb, his heart recoiling in shock. His strike could shatter the arm bones of ordinary martial artists and hurl a giant ox into the sky—yet the boy’s right hand, gripping the dagger, remained utterly still!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Interesting…” Liu Yuan tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest, a shadow flickering in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You calmly parried the torrent of sword shadows, the golden dagger spinning lightly in your palm. His blade was fast, yet between each flash lay infinitesimal gaps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, you understood. The eighth sword intention, which had always guided you in past duels, now revealed itself with perfect clarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Feng’s dazzling killing techniques appeared to you as crude as a child waving a wooden stick—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your martial cultivation was evenly matched, but your Primordial Spirit realm far surpassed his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The struggle of the Six Martial Realms remained bound by technique. Only upon entering the Upper Three Realms could one achieve the subtlety of qi resonance and sword intention flowing freely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You had condensed sword intention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You had seen the Demon Master and others fight—Pei Feng’s moves were childish, still trapped within technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lan Zhen Shu’s face darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Feng twisted his sword again, flipped his wrist—and the blade flew from his left sleeve, accelerating violently toward you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hundred-Paces Flying Sword!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan cursed inwardly—this was Pei Feng’s famed technique, a killing move that had claimed countless lives in the black markets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You swung the dagger, executing one of the Second Master’s Nine Swords, its form only three-tenths similar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint, birdlike trill echoed from the pressure-skirt knife—as if a Lu bird circled above, wings ready to soar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the Seventh Sword—the Wind Chime—that the Second Master had conceived when he entered the grasslands of Changsheng Tian, moved by the vast winds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Nine Heavens’ Lu bird pierces the clouds; ten thousand miles of wind hear the wind’s chime.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sword’s speed was like the Lu bird piercing clouds—arriving in an instant. Yet you did not fully unleash its power; you merely pressed the dagger lightly and tossed it casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You sidestepped the flying sword—it kept its speed, piercing the thick willow tree behind you, splitting it halfway through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, its power was immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan exhaled in relief—seeing you unharmed, he turned back and froze in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Feng staggered back three steps, pupils shrinking violently. He stiffly raised his head—half the golden dagger was embedded in his brow. The hilt still trembled, a hot crimson line tracing down his nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh… huh…” His throat gurgled like a drowning man, hands clawing uselessly at his neck. The famed swift-sword assassin now emitted the same cries his victims had made: “No… no… I lost!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the words ended, blood burst from all seven orifices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a skin emptied of bones, he collapsed heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You stepped forward slowly, gripped the broken blade, and slowly pulled it from Pei Feng’s brow. You wiped the blood casually on his robe—the blade regained its cold, gleaming sheen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, a wisp of gray-white soul-light drifted from the corpse. Your fingertip twitched slightly—the “Vulture Feeding on Corpses” method from the Yin Fu Jing activated silently; the soul-light flew into your spiritual platform like a swallow returning to its nest. Pei Feng’s hard-won Primordial Spirit cultivation now nourished your divine flame like lamp oil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Xie Yuan had seen death before, he still felt nauseous, his throat rising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several courtesans covered their faces with sleeves, refusing to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, Su Shishi’s expression remained calm—this former princess of the Great Sui had seen plenty of swordlight and blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lan Zhen Shu looked at you for the first time with genuine scrutiny. He cared nothing for Pei Feng’s death—a broken sword meant nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Qinlan’s lips parted slightly, her eyes filled with disbelief—Xie Guan was not yet twenty, yet he had already touched the threshold of sword intention! That “Wind Chime” strike, though delivered with a dagger, clearly contained the true essence of swordcraft—already reaching the realm of “intention precedes the blade.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers unconsciously traced the dagger’s scabbard. She knew that even with her full strength, victory would be fifty-fifty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet according to rumor, the Xie family’s illegitimate son should have had not a shred of martial cultivation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You strolled forward, “Thank you, Miss Li, for lending me your blade.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun snapped out of his daze and regarded you with a complex gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized he had greatly underestimated this Lord Guan—not only did he possess poetic talent, but his martial cultivation was also formidable among the young elite of Bianjing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Guan had hidden himself well!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun smiled, “A beauty gifts me a blade to weigh down her skirt—how shall I repay her with jade of exquisite worth?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Qinlan took the short blade, she heard these words; the lingering warmth on the hilt made her cheeks flush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun turned to He Lan Zhen Shu, “Prince He Lan, what do you make of this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lan Zhen Shu clapped his hands and laughed, “Outmatched by a rival? I deserve to die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, guards dragged Pei Feng away like a dead dog, leaving a dark red trail of blood on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lan Zhen Shu looked at you, his smile “sincere,” and said, “Lord Guan, you won’t hold a grudge against me, I hope?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With Lord Guan’s magnanimity, of course you wouldn’t dwell on such a minor misunderstanding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You nodded. “Of course I will.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lan Zhen Shu’s face froze; his brow furrowed. “You truly mean to oppose me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You spoke slowly, “A gentleman repays injury with virtue—how then shall he repay kindness?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lan Zhen Shu said no more, merely gave you a cold glance before leaving with his men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yuan, seeing this, sighed helplessly. “This matter began because of me, yet ended in discord—I deeply apologize. Lord Guan, this was meant to be a refined gathering of poetry and verse, not such a dismal affair.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tomorrow, I shall bring a generous gift to make amends.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through this exchange, he had already discerned Xie Guan’s character.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some people are simply destined never to become friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yuan’s choice not to stop He Lan Zhen Shu had already been a choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Guan is not worth it now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yuan bowed and took his leave; his attendant Kong Du pushed his wheelchair away with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun watched Liu Yuan’s retreating figure and let out a long sigh. He admired his talent and respected his integrity, yet he had forgotten that in the imperial court, one is never truly free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seems that differing positions inevitably lead to opposing stances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You and Xie Yuan were also preparing to take your leave when the girl in the colorful skirt opened her mouth but hesitated, finally saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Tingting called out to you, head bowed shyly, clutching two items tightly in her hands. “I deeply admire your literary talent. I have nothing else to offer, only this ‘Five-Color Brush’ and this incense pouch—I pray they bring you success in the imperial examinations and soaring advancement.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Five-Color Brush symbolized inspired writing in the imperial examinations, capable of producing splendid prose; the incense pouch was commonly regarded as a token of romantic commitment—in brothels, gifting an incense pouch was a woman’s way of pledging her heart for life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yuan glanced at you and winked. Song Tingting was the courtesan queen—her figure and beauty ranked among the finest in Bianjing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You merely shook your head gently and declined politely: “Thank you, Miss, for your kindness, but Xie Guan has no intention of taking the imperial examinations nor of marrying or establishing a household.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Yun, hearing this, was taken aback—he had not expected you to have no desire to sit for the imperial exams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2475,"2026-06-21T01:33:03.787Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","1440d2df4aba15c1306d393fbcebfea57a9c4717f87d545139ee323944fbe624","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-679","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-677",728,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsimulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-cover.jpg"]