“Finally!” Lu Chen exclaimed. “After so many simulations, I finally got a purple-grade talent!”
Talent rarity ranged from low to high in this order: green, blue, purple, red, and gold.
Previously, Lu Chen had gained three green talents and two blue ones. None were particularly rare, and their effects were mediocre. Worse still, the talent [Fated with Peach Blossoms] had even backfired, nearly draining him dry at the hands of seductive demonesses.
“Open Status Panel.”
As Lu Chen silently commanded, a translucent interface appeared before him:
[Name: Lu Chen]
[Lifespan: 25 / 25.9]
[Identity: Eldest legitimate son of the Grand General of the Great Xia Empire]
[Status: Qi exhaustion, suffering from a terminal illness]
[Talents: Fated with Peach Blossoms (Blue), Undead Knight (Green), Grassroots Hero (Green), Insect Manipulator (Green), Righteous Valor (Blue), Exceptional Constitution (Purple)]
[Simulation Points: 0 (You can consume lifespan to perform simulations!)]
Seeing his lifespan maximum drop from 26 to 25.9 years, Lu Chen sighed helplessly. The last time, he had consumed one month of his lifespan just to re-enter the simulation world. If he entered again, his remaining lifespan would surely continue to decrease.
“It seems I must find a way to extend my lifespan!” he muttered. He didn’t have much time left—after a few more simulations, he might truly die.
“Fortunately, this time’s simulation gave me the purple-grade talent, [Exceptional Constitution]. Tomorrow, I’ll try martial cultivation. Maybe I can increase my lifespan through training.”
With his plan decided, Lu Chen closed the panel and soon drifted off to sleep.
…
Meanwhile, inside the sleeping palace of the Female Emperor of the Great Xia Empire, a tall, regal figure suddenly awoke from her phoenix bed.
She appeared to be in her early twenties, with a breathtakingly beautiful face—enough to captivate both men and women alike. Yet despite her beauty, she exuded an invisible pressure. No one, no matter how bold, dared to meet her gaze directly.
This woman was none other than the Female Emperor, Jiang Zhao.
The character “Zhao” was one she had personally created to immortalize her achievements. Across the empire, no one dared utter her true name. From high-ranking ministers to common citizens, all addressed her as the Holy Divine Emperor or simply the Female Emperor.
“Your Majesty, what’s wrong?” The maidservant on night duty hurriedly approached and draped a silken robe over her shoulders.
The Female Emperor furrowed her brows slightly. “It’s nothing. I just had a nightmare.”
“Your Majesty works too hard every day,” the maidservant said softly. “You should rest more. Would you like me to massage your shoulders? Perhaps it’ll help you sleep better.”
The Female Emperor waved her hand. “No need. You may leave.”
“As you command.” The maidservant bowed and carefully retreated from the chamber.
When her figure disappeared, Jiang Zhao murmured to herself, “Strange… why do I keep dreaming of the same person?”
Last time, she had dreamt of herself as a ten-year-old girl in Luo City, meeting a young boy about her age in an alleyway. This time, she had dreamt of that same boy again. The two of them spent nearly a year together—until they were both killed by members of the Wild Wolf Gang.
Everything in the dream felt too real, as if it had truly happened.
“Years ago, when I was suppressing the rebel army, I suffered a severe head injury and lost a portion of my memories. Could these dreams actually be fragments of my lost past?”
“But… does someone named Lu Chen really exist in this world?”
She suddenly recalled Grand General Lu Qingshan—but quickly shook her head. “The Grand General does have two sons, but one is named Lu Wen, and the other Lu Wu. None are named Lu Chen. And besides, there are countless people with the surname Lu in the empire. The name Lu Chen is far too common. It can’t possibly be him.”
She sighed softly and murmured, “Perhaps Wan’er was right earlier—I really do need more rest.”
Massaging her temples, the Female Emperor lay back down on her phoenix bed and gradually drifted off again.
…
At the same time, within the Prime Minister’s Estate, a middle-aged scholar in a blue robe stood at the door of his daughter’s room, patiently consoling her.
“Ruqian, stop crying. It’s just an Annulment Document, nothing worth shedding tears over.”
“That boy was just a beggar Lu Qingshan picked up from the streets. What right does he have to be the son-in-law of our Liu family? It’s better this way. There are many talented young men in the world—I’ll find you someone far better.”
Inside the room, Liu Ruqian sobbed softly. “Father, it’s true I never wanted to marry that man named Lu. But if there’s to be an annulment, it should’ve been me writing it, not him! How dare he make me sign the Annulment Document? That man not only humiliated me—he humiliated our entire Liu family!”
Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Liu Juzheng’s eyes turned cold. A faint sneer appeared on his face. “Don’t worry, my daughter. Your father will see to it that this insult is repaid in full. When the time comes, not just Lu Chen, but everyone in the General’s Manor will suffer for this!”
Liu Ruqian stopped crying, quickly opening the door and asking, “Really, Father?”
Liu Juzheng smiled indulgently, patting her on the head. “Of course. When have I ever lied to you?”
She smiled through her tears and threw herself into his arms. “Father, you’re the best.”
…
The next morning, Lu Chen rose early, washed up, and changed into a neat, fitted training outfit. After finishing breakfast, maidservant Jin’er arrived with the steward.
“Young Master, you wished to see me?” the steward asked respectfully at the door.
Lu Chen quickly invited him in. “Steward Zhao, I asked Jin’er to fetch you because I need a favor.”
“Please, speak freely, Young Master. I’ll do everything within my power.”
Lu Chen got straight to the point. “It’s nothing difficult. I’d like you to teach me martial arts.”
“Martial arts?” The steward immediately lowered his head. “This old servant is crippled. I wouldn’t dare mislead you.”
Lu Chen smiled faintly. “The General’s Manor has you.”
The steward froze for a moment, glancing toward Jin’er, who shook her head slightly, signaling she hadn’t said anything.
The steward chuckled. “Young Master, you’re truly perceptive—no wonder the Grand General values you so much.”
After a few polite exchanges, the steward began teaching Lu Chen a basic cultivation technique for nurturing Qi.
Thanks to his [Exceptional Constitution] talent, Lu Chen learned it after just one try. After practicing a few rounds, lines of glowing text appeared before his eyes:
[Congratulations, Host. You have successfully mastered the Evergreen Technique at the beginner level!]