Xu Clan, Mystic Power, Third Stage

【In the Beginning, the Emperor Transmitted the Dao】

【In the Primordial Chaos, the Sage Illuminated the Path】

【Congratulations! Due to your lingering resentment over narrowly escaping a collision with a Da Yun truck, you have been granted a lucky transmigration package】

【You have crossed over into a magnificent and extraordinary world】

【Here, there exists an ancient Great Emperor who once preached three thousand Daos, single-handedly severing eternity】

【Here, there are human sages who once waged war across the stars, safeguarding their kin with their own laws】

【This is a world of untamed wilderness, where only strength determines all】

【Countless races stand tall, shaking heaven and earth—a single blade of grass can cut through time, a single grain of sand can manifest countless realms】

【As you marvel at the grandeur of this world, you slowly open your eyes】

【Ding—】

【"Destined Protagonist" trait activated】

【Your body has reverted to the appearance of a 16-year-old, an orphan with no parents】

Blazing sunlight.

Vibrant vitality.

The clamor of a bustling crowd.

When Xu Xi opened his eyes, this was the lively scene that greeted him.

"Well, what can I say…"

"This opening definitely has the flavor of a web novel protagonist."

"Underdog rising? Rebirth after betrayal? Mortal cultivating to immortality?"

"I wonder which trope my 'Destined Protagonist' trait leans into."

Xu Xi slowly rose to his feet and surveyed his surroundings.

He seemed to be in a training ground, its worn stone tiles covering the ground. The air was filled with the sounds of fists and feet cutting through emptiness as groups of young boys sparred and practiced martial arts.

Occasionally, a formidable expert would stride across the sky, traversing vast distances in a single step, vanishing into the horizon under the envious gazes of the onlookers.

"That's…"

Xu Xi frowned, pondering which variation of the Xuanhuan genre this simulated world belonged to.

Unlike the structured progression of Qi Condensation and Foundation Building in Xianxia, or the Apprentice-to-Mage hierarchy in magic-based worlds, the Xuanhuan genre was far more chaotic.

There was no unified system or terminology.

A Xuanhuan world featuring realms like "Emperor" and "Saint" was hardly unique—there were at least eight hundred similar settings, if not a thousand.

"Next, Xu Xi!"

A sudden shout interrupted his thoughts.

Responding to the call, he stepped forward and mimicked those around him, throwing a full-force punch at a bluish-black stone.

"Is this a strength-testing tool?"

"Perfect. Let’s see just how overpowered my 'three-red' starting buff is."

Whoosh—!!

Xu Xi poured all his strength into the strike, his fist tearing through the air before slamming into the stone with a resounding impact.

A nearby attendant promptly announced the result.

"Xu Xi—Third Stage Profound Power!"

Xu Xi fell silent.

He was beginning to understand exactly which protagonist script he had been handed.

……

【You have taken your first naive steps】

【On the public training ground, your Third Stage Profound Power drew hushed murmurs from the crowd】

【Some pitied you, some scorned you, others remained indifferent】

【Just as you expected, your identity is that of a fallen genius—once a rising star in everyone’s eyes, now nothing but a cripple】

【A cripple who has been stuck at Third Stage Profound Power for years, unable to advance】

【Your expression remained impassive】

【You decided to return to your residence to sort through the available information】

……

Nightfall.

Xu Xi entered a slightly dilapidated house.

He gave a small nod—reality, at least, had some decency. There were no absurd tropes like being forced to sleep in a woodshed or a doghouse.

"In past simulations, I always started as a nobody, building everything from scratch."

"But this time, thanks to the 'Destined Protagonist' trait, I’ve got a basic setup. No need to live in some leaky hovel."

With a sigh, he stepped into what was now his home in this world.

He had already confirmed it.

Though the people around him recognized "Xu Xi," none had actual memories of his past.

In other words, Xu Xi didn’t truly exist in this world.

The whole "fallen genius" backstory was just a fabricated identity, courtesy of the trait’s influence.

"Of course. The 'Destined Protagonist' and other traits were generated because of Moli and the others."

"The highest level of power has long reached the realm of creation."

"Forging an identity for me is child’s play."

As he summarized his situation, Xu Xi moved deeper into the house.

Soon, he uncovered more details.

The combination of the three traits—Destined Protagonist, Misfortune Before Fortune, and Gaze of the Supreme—had not only given him an initial identity but also shaped key events in his backstory.

Such as the reason for his fall from grace.

"Let’s see… Ah, so in this world’s narrative, I was a genuine prodigy before the age of 11."

"Fame, wealth, status—everything was on the rise."

"And the reason I fell…"

"Was because I adopted a younger sister, who then coldly dug out my innate Profound Bone??"

"Why does this plot sound so familiar…"

Xu Xi rummaged through the house.

Before long, he found several useful records—and promptly fell silent.

The surprises didn’t end there. More jaw-dropping revelations flooded his mind like a storm.

"My sister’s name is Xu Moli. After stealing my Profound Bone, she became a supreme genius and is now the personal disciple of the Cloud Sea Sect’s leader?"

"And I have a fiancée from a martial family, Wu Yingxue, who’s about to break off our engagement because I’m a cripple??"

Xu Xi was utterly speechless.

In the dimly lit wooden house, the flickering candlelight and dripping wax only accentuated his bewilderment.

Who am I?

Where am I?

What am I doing?

With a long sigh, Xu Xi realized that what he had assumed would be a thrilling Xuanhuan simulation—one where he would eventually dominate eternity—had instead turned into another instance of being pampered by the Supreme.

"Speaking of which…"

"If Moli and Yingxue are here, then the others must be around too."

"Where are Krisha and the rest?"

Xu Xi sank into deep thought.

Back at the training ground, he had half-expected to receive a mysterious mentor—a "grandpa in a ring" to guide him to the pinnacle of power. But reality had defied his expectations.

"Wait a minute…"

"I think I actually do have…"

In the dim corner of the house, a faint candle flame flickered.

Its light illuminated half of Xu Xi’s face—and the bone ring on his left hand’s ring finger, silently devouring his Profound Power.

Xu Xi’s expression turned wry.

He now had a pretty good idea of Servia’s role in this Xuanhuan simulation.

"That just leaves Krisha and Ailei unaccounted for."