Who Would You Choose

"Let's go out, Ailei."

After learning about the experiences of the mechanical servant.

And understanding everything that had happened after the fourth simulation ended.

Xu Xi no longer had any doubts.

He gazed out the window, where the morning sun was gradually rising, its golden warmth dispelling the coldness of the courtyard, a sign that it was already late in the morning.

The red and green intertwined dragonblood grass swayed in the wind, forming dreamlike waves of grass.

If only it could be watered with more fresh dragon's blood.

Its growth would surely be even more impressive.

Xu Xi gripped the doorknob, ready to push the door open and leave, but the loyal mechanical servant stopped him.

"Please wait a moment."

Amidst the desolation of autumn, the mechanical servant quickly ran to Xu Xi's side, her calm eyes swiftly scanning the three supreme "soft meals" on his body.

A teardrop-shaped bracelet.

A star-like red string.

An all-encompassing necklace.

Different givers had bestowed different protections, ensuring Xu Xi's life was safe from harm.

After a moment, Ailei finally looked up, her silver-blue eyes, seemingly calm but with ripples of emotion, fixed on Xu Xi's face.

"Ailei, you—"

Xu Xi had a guess as to what the loyal mechanical servant was about to do.

"Master, Ailei will always protect you."

As expected.

The mechanical servant raised her hand, and a grand and sublime power manifested at her pale fingertips—an infinite cycle of a singularity's explosion.

At the same time, a blue-purple flower rested quietly in her palm.

Its petals were layered in an orderly fashion.

The sunlight reflected off it, revealing clear textures.

It resembled the fleeting trail of a shooting star.

During the fourth simulation, the mechanical servant had wanted to give this flower to Xu Xi, but it had been returned instead.

Now, after countless years of waiting, the mechanical servant had once again encountered the light and decided to return the flower.

The vibrant flower and the nascent universe.

Perfectly merged in this moment.

In a flicker of light, it transformed into a blue-purple star-shaped brooch.

"Master, please accept... my... apology."

Ailei's voice was soft, filled with guilt—guilt for not having protected Xu Xi in the past, causing him to exhaust his life.

The blue-purple star brooch glowed brightly, shimmering.

Freedom, loyalty, eternal love.

The language of the meteor flower.

It was the heart that Ailei wished to express to Xu Xi, as well as an atonement for past mistakes.

She knelt down, as she had done before, her hands cupped together, gently grasping one of Xu Xi's hands.

She placed the brooch into Xu Xi's palm.

[Ding—]

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining a special item: The Starflower Companion]

[The Starflower Companion]

[Item Description]: The meaning of the flower's language has never changed, just as her loyalty has never wavered. She only wishes to serve a certain peculiar person forever.

[Item Effects]: Mechanical power increased tenfold, mechanical soul's joy effect increased tenfold, technological comprehension efficiency increased tenfold, high-dimensional observation effect increased tenfold, damage to insectoids increased tenfold, damage to technological civilizations increased tenfold, technological weapon power increased tenfold, research efficiency increased tenfold.

Daily refresh of Civilization's End: Can designate a technological item's civilization to instantly lose its existing technological system.

Daily refresh of Life's Backbone: When the user's life is in critical danger or has already ended, time will automatically rewind, restoring the body and soul to their peak condition.

Daily refresh of Causality Barrier: Can nullify causal or logic-based targeted attacks.

Permanent reduction of damage from the material plane.

Permanent reduction of damage from the energy plane.

Permanent reduction of damage from the time plane.

Permanent reduction of damage from the space plane.

[Usage Requirement]: You must personally cradle her shattered form and wipe away the stardust for her.

Huh?

Another fresh "soft meal"?

Xu Xi opened his palm, looking at the brooch Ailei had given him, momentarily stunned.

In truth, by this point in the simulations.

Whether it was his own strength or the three previous "soft meals," they were more than enough to ensure Xu Xi's safety.

But who would ever complain about having too many "soft meals"?

"Truly delicious."

After reading the brooch's attribute panel, Xu Xi couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

The omnipotent tenfold amplification, the domineering numerical protection, and the unparalleled mechanism-based blessings.

Yes.

This was the noble "Ailei-brand soft meal"!

"Master, do you like it...?" Ailei stood still, her hands clasped in front of her, quietly waiting for Xu Xi's response.

"Thank you, Ailei. I really like this gift."

Xu Xi smiled warmly.

Under the mechanical servant's gaze, he fastened the brooch to his chest, where it emitted a soft blue-purple glow, radiant and splendid.

As soon as it was worn, The Starflower Companion automatically activated its effects.

An invisible yet tangible protection.

Enveloped Xu Xi's body.

The material, energy, time, and space planes were perfectly defended, and a precious resurrection opportunity was provided.

Moreover—

Xu Xi reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.

Mechanical power surged, the mechanical soul awakened, structures reconfigured, and technology ascended.

Though the phone's exterior appeared unchanged.

Internally, it had undergone multiple technological upgrades.

"In this life, not only have I cultivated diligently in the mystical arts, but I have also strived to master the technological field."

A human-shaped tech tree, instantly achieved!

The numerical amplification from Ailei's "soft meal," combined with Xu Xi's own mechanical power, created an unimaginable miracle.

From this moment onward.

Xu Xi possessed both mystical and technological prowess, setting foot on a more comprehensive and glorious path.

"Soft meals are good. Soft meals are worth eating," Xu Xi sincerely remarked.

"Thank you, Ailei."

After marveling at the brooch's miraculous effects.

Xu Xi couldn't help but reach out and ruffle Ailei's head, thanking her for the "soft meal" she had provided.

"There's no need to thank me..."

"This is... what I should do..."

Ailei's face remained expressionless, but her ears twitched rapidly.

She was still easy to read.

...

After accepting the mechanical servant's gift and expressing his gratitude, Xu Xi pushed open the door once more.

This time, Ailei did not stop him.

Walking down the empty corridor.

Sunlight streamed in from the side, illuminating Xu Xi's clothes and the four supreme accessories of vastly different styles.

For a fleeting moment, Xu Xi felt as though he wasn't worth as much as the four "soft meals."

The Life Simulator.

Perhaps it could be renamed the "Soft Meal Simulator."

"With four supreme soft meals, my invincibility is inevitable," Xu Xi thought, his mood bright. In his eyes, even the desolation of autumn seemed charming.

This state of mind lasted until he entered the kitchen.

Where it abruptly ended.

"Master, here is your breakfast."

The silver-haired witch, Krisha, was as considerate as ever, having prepared breakfast for Xu Xi early in the morning.

It was still warm, with wisps of steam rising.

A faint aroma spread through the air.

It looked like a truly appetizing meal.

But as soon as Xu Xi sat down, the loyal mechanical servant also brought over a plate of breakfast: "Master, this is the breakfast I prepared for you."

Ailei smiled gently.

Krisha's expression remained stoic.

The golden sunlight formed a clear dividing line, neatly separating the mechanical servant and the witch.

They both watched Xu Xi, saying nothing, quietly waiting for his choice.

Xu Xi: ...

Suddenly, he didn't feel hungry anymore.