Failure is the Mother of Success

Unlike the previous two simulations.

As soon as Xu Xi emerged from his secluded cultivation, he was greeted by his younger sister and the enchantress.

This martial arts simulation required everyone to focus on their own tasks. During Xu Xi's seclusion, Wu Yingxue took charge of the army in his stead, while figures like Ah Niu and the other junior scholars also fulfilled their respective duties.

The seclusion was quiet.

The emergence was equally quiet.

All that welcomed Xu Xi was the gentle warmth of the sunlight and the soft rustling of leaves stirred by a light breeze.

This was enough.

"I truly wish this tranquility could last forever," Xu Xi thought as he stepped out of the official residence. The sunlight, cut into slants by the eaves, left only a faint golden glow on his shoulders.

The sunlight was so warm.

It seemed to breathe life even into the cold stone bricks and silent roof tiles, making them glimmer in the dust-filled light.

The next day.

Xu Xi remained in Pingshui County, waiting for the autumn harvest to conclude. Meanwhile, a young girl, upon hearing of his emergence, rushed over from another county.

"Master, have you grown stronger again?!"

In contrast to the enchantress's calm tone, Wu Yingxue's voice was filled with excitement, brimming with blessings and joy, making it clear just how much happiness her words carried.

"Yes, a small breakthrough," Xu Xi replied.

In the fields on the outskirts of Pingshui County, Xu Xi and the girl met.

Standing side by side, they gazed at the endless expanse of golden rice paddies, watching the rice stalks sway in the breeze like undulating waves, rising and falling, concave and convex.

Amid the pure gold, the girl's red-and-white robes stood out vividly.

The pale green dress she wore on New Year's Eve was never truly to the young noblewoman's liking.

After repairing her martial attire, she returned to her usual image, becoming the "Little Martial Scholar" known for slaying demons and monsters in the eyes of everyone.

"Master, are you very strong now?"

"A bit stronger, but I still stand little chance against those in the third realm of the innate stage, let alone the martial artists who have reached the human immortal stage."

"Well, you're still much stronger than me."

"Yingxue, did anything go wrong in the other counties while I was away?"

"Hehe, don't worry, Master. With me around, everything was handled perfectly!"

"That's good to hear."

On the winding ridges of the fields, Xu Xi stood, listening to Wu Yingxue's proud report. When she finished, Xu Xi handed her a stalk of grass.

"Want to try this, Yingxue?"

"What is this...?"

"A 'candy' the children from Qingniu Town specially gave me."

Xu Xi handed one to the girl and picked out another for himself, placing it in his mouth and chewing gently.

"This..."

The girl hesitated for a moment, then imitated Xu Xi, placing the grass stalk in her mouth.

A breeze blew, causing the base of the stalk to sway, but the part in her mouth released a faint sweetness as she chewed.

How magical.

Wu Yingxue's eyes slowly widened.

Sweetness brings joy, and even a bold and unrestrained heroine could not resist being captivated by this fleeting delight.

"Master, this is so good!"

The girl finally understood why the grass stalk was called candy.

She couldn't get enough of it.

She kept chewing new stalks.

Until every last one in Xu Xi's hand was gone.

"Though it's delicious, you shouldn't overindulge," Xu Xi patiently reminded her, and the girl obediently agreed.

For the rest of the time, the two watched the undulating rice fields while discussing the development of the Survival Army and the distant future.

They spoke of hopeful wishes.

And the nightmares of failure.

Of struggling people, bloodthirsty demons, mindless monsters, and the martial arts that could shatter it all.

Amid the rustling of grass and flowers, they talked about many things.

Gradually, Wu Yingxue's mood grew somber.

"Master, can we... can the Survival Army really make it to the end?"

Her voice was filled with uncertainty, her emotions lost.

The young noblewoman had once been a part of the Great Qian's aristocracy.

She understood better than anyone just how terrifying the true power of the seemingly crumbling Great Qian was—far beyond what the Survival Army could currently handle.

Even without the intervention of human immortal experts, the Great Qian could crush all the foundations of the Survival Army.

The girl hoped to find encouragement in Xu Xi's words.

But what Xu Xi said was not what she expected.

"Yingxue, do you think there is such a thing as complete failure or complete success in this world?" Xu Xi met her gaze and asked in return.

"Probably... not," the girl hesitated before shaking her head.

"Yes, nothing in this world remains completely unchanged."

Xu Xi affirmed her answer.

After a pause, he continued, "The Great Qian isn't necessarily the winner, and we aren't necessarily the losers."

"Our current situation is indeed unfavorable. Even a single prefecture among the thirteen provinces could ruin everything we've built."

"But—"

"Yingxue, there are many things in this world that have nothing to do with winning or losing."

"Some things, even if we know we might fail, are worth striving for."

"Only then can we catch a glimpse of the dawn's light."

Xu Xi's voice was as gentle as ever.

He made no promises of victory.

Nor did he paint a bright future.

But in his calm words, Wu Yingxue sensed a certain strength. She suddenly smiled, recalling a phrase Xu Xi had once taught her.

"Master is right."

"After all, failure is the mother of success!"

"Even if we fail in the end, it's nothing to regret. We can always start over!"

The girl raised her fist, her fighting spirit blazing.

Xu Xi, however, fell silent.

It seemed this phrase was beyond correction.

"Master, I'm not afraid of anything now! Even if I die tomorrow, I won't bat an eye!"

"Yingxue, turn your head."

"Ah, okay."

Xu Xi bent his middle finger.

And lightly flicked the girl's smooth forehead.

"Ouch!" Wu Yingxue winced, covering her forehead and rubbing it with her palm.

"Stop saying such unlucky things, understand?" Xu Xi said.

"I understand..."

The girl didn't dare argue.

But based on what Xu Xi knew of her, she would likely do it again.

Her fiery personality, while a force against evil, also made her impulsive and reckless, rarely considering consequences.

"Yingxue, I remember your cultivation technique is incomplete, right?"

"Yes, why do you ask, Master?"

"You've come at the right time. I want to help you deduce a new technique to replace the incomplete royal family technique."

"R-really? Can you really do that, Master?"

"It's just an attempt. Also, I have some questions about the royal family I'd like to confirm with you."

...

[Wu Yingxue's cultivation technique is incomplete. Due to losing her status as a noblewoman, she can no longer access the later stages of the royal family's techniques.]

[This incompleteness deeply affects her ability to progress in strength.]

[You decide to use the unique properties of your own Qi and Blood Realm to deduce a new technique for the girl.]

[This is a bold endeavor.]

[Confident in your Martial Deduction ability, you believe it's worth a try.]

[You decide to start with the girl's existing Azure Dragon Aura, aiming to refine or create a new technique. The girl follows your instructions and releases her Azure Dragon Aura at close range.]

[As you gaze at the lifelike Azure Dragon Aura, you fall into deep thought.]