Man, I've Got My Eyes on You

The night dwelling.

Furniture outlines flickered faintly in the darkness.

The dim candlelight seeped through bamboo blinds, casting a hazy glow that blended seamlessly with the myriad lights outside—a perfect harmony.

Xu Xi pondered in silence.

He finalized the tone for his sixth simulation.

"In the last simulation's wizard world, I pursued the path of sorcery to study death and souls."

"But now, in reality, I've already become a True Immortal and Divine Being, with essence, energy, and spirit transcending mortality, reaching an indestructible realm."

"Back when I first obtained the simulator, the supernatural powers of the XuanHuan system were indeed useful to me."

"But now, they're merely optional."

"Strength isn't the focus of this simulation."

"The true priority lies in uncovering the essence of the 'Beautiful Life Simulator.' Relying solely on myself isn't enough, but with Mo Li and the others joining, they can compensate for my shortcomings."

Pouring a bowl of water, Xu Xi drank while gazing at the bright full moon outside.

This simulation was different from before—with the participation of five girls, Xu Xi believed they could uncover something significant.

After all, at this very moment,

the three red-tier traits he possessed were the best proof.

They represented supreme power, capable of truly interfering with the simulator.

Finishing the cool water, Xu Xi instinctively glanced at the bone ring on his left hand. He could sense a familiar presence stirring within.

This was the external advantage granted by the "Chosen Protagonist" trait—

a common trope in cultivation novels: the ring-bound elder, meant to guide the destined hero to greatness.

But now—

"Servia, are you alright?"

The bone ring trembled twice.

It seemed to respond to Xu Xi's words, but no further movement followed.

"Is there some restriction? Like having to follow the protagonist's progression, waiting for the ring to unseal?" Xu Xi summoned the simulator panel, deep in thought.

No matter.

He could afford to wait.

...

[You begin to understand your situation.]

[Through inquiries and personal research of ancient texts, you discover you've transmigrated to the Tianxuan Realm.]

[Divided into East, South, West, North, and Central regions, the Tianxuan Realm spans five domains.]

[You marvel at this.]

[Truly fitting for a XuanHuan world where a Chosen Protagonist resides.]

[Even the naming conventions for territories follow familiar tropes.]

[Further investigation reveals your current location—a small city called Cangwu City, within the Eastern Ruins Territory.]

[The "original you" was once Cangwu City's peerless genius.]

[But now, "trash" has become your label. Whenever you step outside, you sense the odd glances.]

[Some even whisper, discussing your humiliating annulment.]

"Look, that's the fallen genius."

"What? That’s Xu Xi?"

"Tsk, what a pity. So young, yet his body’s already ruined."

"Poor kid. I heard he’s about to be publicly shamed."

[The people of Cangwu City express pity over your downfall, though some secretly mock you.]

[You remain expressionless.]

[You cultivate at your own pace, striving to awaken the bone ring soon.]

[Leisurely, unhurried, neither arrogant nor impatient.]

[With serene composure, you await reunion with the Supreme Ones.]

[Simulation Year 2, Age 17]

[Your relentless cultivation loosens your bottleneck. You keenly sense your impending breakthrough—from Tier 3 Profound Power to Tier 4.]

[You realize—]

[The loosening signifies the bone ring’s nearing unsealing.]

[As the Chosen Protagonist, you’re about to obtain your first golden finger, embarking on a legendary journey.]

[The Tianxuan Realm’s cultivation stages: Profound Power, Human Profound Realm, Earth Profound Realm, Heaven Profound Realm, Severing Path Realm, Saint Realm, Emperor Realm.]

[As the realm’s Chosen Protagonist, your future is immeasurable.]

[Plucking stars, seizing the moon, ascending to sainthood, proclaiming emperorship.]

[What countless dream of, you see clearly ahead.]

[Finally, Simulation Year 3, Age 18]

[On your coming of age, the bone ring nears its awakening. You distinctly hear the soul within radiating affection.]

[Chosen Protagonist activating… Misfortune Reversed activating… Gaze of the Supreme activating.]

[Your life reaches a pivotal turning point.]

[You are publicly annulled.]

...

Tianxuan Realm · Eastern Ruins Territory · Cangwu City.

Mountains and valleys stretched endlessly.

Beasts roared across the land.

Ancient relics carried mountains on their backs, while aberrant immortals waged war against the heavens.

The blazing sun hung high, casting boundless solar flames upon the realm, igniting the skies with radiant light.

Xu Xi opened his eyes, retracting his aura back into his dantian, restoring silence.

"Profound Power, Tier 4."

"Still trash among trash."

"But from this year onward, as my traits activate, my growth will surpass even the Magic World’s pace."

"‘Mortal’s Wisdom,’ a mere red-tier trait, once made me the strongest beneath divinity."

"Thus,"

"it’s easy to imagine the heights I’ll reach with three red-tier traits this time."

Xu Xi calculated silently.

Yet he felt no joy.

Compared to power, he prioritized exploring the simulator. Reuniting with the girls was his true objective.

"By my estimate, Wu Yingxue should arrive soon."

"Following the web novel trope, she’ll humiliate me, and I’ll vow to rise stronger."

Xu Xi rose with a sigh.

Never had he imagined becoming a protagonist.

Alas, age had tempered him—no more "biting till his gums bled," "digging nails into his palms," or "stubborn defiance."

Thankfully, these were trivialities.

A mere annulment ceremony would suffice.

Enough to trigger his Chosen Protagonist trait.

And set him on the path of invincibility.

"Afterward, once Servia awakens from the ring, reuniting with the two Supreme Ones will allow deeper simulator exploration."

Suddenly—

Commotion erupted outside.

Tigers roared, dragons cried, horses neighed.

The azure sky mirrored the crimson sun’s radiance.

Amidst Cangwu City’s gasps, a grand procession emerged on the horizon—riding savage beasts, armored and armed, radiating overwhelming pressure.

"T-that’s—!"

"Divine Steeds! The Wu Family’s Divine Steeds!"

"Terrifying! Using Earth Profound Realm beasts as mere carriage pullers! Wu Yingxue is monstrous!"

"What? That’s Wu Yingxue?!"

"Hisss—"

The crowd paled, collectively inhaling sharply.

When Xu Xi stepped outside,

this was the sight before him.

The streets lay barren, pedestrians split to either side. At the road’s end, a carriage drawn by beasts thundered forth, their stomps cracking the air.

"The annulment, then?"

Xu Xi waited calmly for the plot to unfold.

The onlookers played their part perfectly—

at this pivotal moment, they showered the protagonist with malice.

Mockery.

Scorn.

Derision.

Then—silence.

A figure clad in red-and-white martial robes fluttered in the gale.

A fiery silhouette flashed from the carriage to Xu Xi’s front in an instant—

then lifted his chin with slender fingers.

"Man, I've taken a liking to you. Marry me."

Wu Yingxue's lips curled into a smirk, radiating an air of domineering confidence.

Xu Xi: ?

What happened to the promised annulment?