Xi Sai’s expression was twisted with extreme displeasure.
Xilika was no better.
In Lai En’s eyes, she had matured far more than before, becoming a reliable adult, completely different from the girl who once huddled in a corner and stared at him with pitiful eyes.
“Captain, we still have other matters to attend to.”
Fortunately, a scout was quick to remind them, and only then did the two avoid escalating into further conflict.
“Hmph—”
Xi Sai let out a cold snort, clearly unwilling to back down, but he could only leave in frustration.
After Xi Sai left, Xilika and her attendants stayed behind to help tidy up the scattered items and restore them to their original state.
“Saintess, this… we’ve truly put you to too much trouble.”
“It’s no trouble at all. Your child has a lovely name.”
Xilika said with a smile.
Hearing Xilika’s words, Lai En’s heart skipped a beat.
‘She couldn’t have figured it out, could she?’
But on second thought, it was completely impossible. Xilika was probably just making casual conversation.
“Saintess, please accept our humble thanks.”
Nina retrieved the Prayer Book from the warehouse and presented it to Xilika.
“Oh? A Prayer Book, is it?”
Xilika seemed to genuinely like the gift, turning the Prayer Book over and over as she examined it.
“Saintess, I have a request. I wonder if you might grant it.”
After a moment of deliberation, Nina made her request to Xilika.
It was to ask Xilika to recommend a Paladin who could participate in the Duel Tournament.
“That’s a small matter. I’ll recommend a Paladin to you when the time comes. You just need to prepare enough Gold Coins.”
And just like that, the problem that had been troubling Nina and Ailuo Wen was finally resolved.
But Lai En had far more to consider.
How could people from the Otherworld Simulation appear in reality?
The only explanation was that this Simulation and the real world were the same world.
There was also an obvious issue. Xilika looked much older than she had during the Simulation.
Time was likely randomly distributed in the simulated world.
That meant the time period in the Otherworld Simulation could be the future of reality, or it could be the past of reality.
Lai En gained a new understanding of just how powerful the System was.
“Regardless, good deeds bear good fruit. If I hadn’t saved Xilika, that Xi Sai would have had me killed just now.”
Someday, you’ll thank the version of yourself that worked so hard!
Lai En never expected that kind of inspirational drivel would actually happen to him.
However, things never develop the way you expect them to.
……
[The Duel Tournament is approaching]
[On a pitch-black night, a black-robed mage steps into Ailuo Wen’s accident-prone courtyard]
[“This is… the mana of seventh-tier magic?!”]
[Under the moonlight, dozens of dark shadows writhe like demons]
[Countless dark magic circles appear around the black-robed mage, yet they emit no magical fluctuation at all, as if they were invisible]
[All you can see are these dark circles constantly spewing out bizarre shadows. Like monsters, they howl silently before entering the courtyard]
[And you are completely unprepared. Even if you were prepared, magic of this seventh tier is not something you could withstand]
[You can only use Lightning Magic with all your might to try and block the enemy’s assault, but it’s all futile]
[In the end, the shadows ignore your Lightning Magic and rush into the bedroom]
[You desperately want to warn Ailuo Wen and Nina. It would be even better if you could get Xilika to come, but that’s impossible]
[Xilika will participate in the Duel Tournament, but right now, she’s probably at the palace’s guest hotel]
[“Wh…y…”]
[You die with that question, killed by Shadow Magic]
[The moonlight is bright, and the shadows retreat]
[You die without a sound]
[Reality Simulation ends]
……
[Simulation complete]
[Level at end of Simulation: LV.40 Fetus]
[Achievements unlocked: The Unsettled Inner Palace, Reunion After Long Separation, Silent Death]
[An Antidote can neutralize the toxins flowing through your veins, but the true venom was already buried in Ailuo Wen’s humble origins. Beneath the towering towers scattered throughout the Kingdom of Tianyue, civilization hides the law of the survival of the fittest.]
[The girl who once lived under your protection can now stand on her own. It’s a pity you didn’t reveal yourself to her. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?]
[You died without knowing why. Fortunately, this isn’t the first time. Are you starting to get used to it?]
[Overall Rating: C]
[Reward obtained: Treasure Map of Tianyue Kingdom (Purple)]
“It’s over again…”
This Simulation left Lai En feeling frustrated. The death was far too sudden.
“Could it be Meiluxina’s doing again?”
After thinking it over, Lai En realized that was impossible.
Perhaps the two Talents, Poet’s Vision and Exceptional Wisdom, had taken effect. Lai En suddenly understood the reason behind the assassination.
“The Tian Yue Judgment, or rather the Duel Tournament, is extremely important to the kingdom.”
“And yet Ailuo Wen brought in a Paladin from another country to participate. That alone is already a provocation toward the royal nobles.”
“Add to that the fact that the Paladin the Saintess found could genuinely defeat the champions sent by the royal family. Those nobles would certainly want Ailuo Wen dead as soon as possible…”
After understanding what was going on, Lai En finally calmed down.
“It’s just a failed Simulation. Nothing to be upset about.”
He shifted his gaze to the System’s reward.
“A treasure map!”
[Treasure Map of Tianyue Kingdom (Purple)]
[An unknown individual has buried treasure within the Kingdom of Tianyue. With this map, you can locate his hidden wealth.]
Lai En thought to himself that a purple treasure map would surely yield purple-tier rewards. That was a considerable boost in power.
However, this map couldn’t be put to use just yet.
Lai En could only store it in his warehouse, holding onto hope.
“Come on, the upgraded Otherworld Simulation!”
The System had just been upgraded, which meant Lai En could now bring back up to three items from his next Otherworld Simulation.
Aside from the Safe’s upgrade, the System had also improved the level cap for the race he could transmigrate into.
These two upgrades had undoubtedly elevated the Simulation experience by more than just a notch, and it was clear that each Simulation would speed up Lai En’s growth far more quickly than before.
Lai En was already looking forward to the next Otherworld Simulation. Who could resist a cheat that upgraded itself?
“Let’s go, starting the next Simulation!”
[Simulation start]
[Selecting transmigration target……]
[Success!]
[Transmigrated race: Flame Hatchling LV.8]
[The Dragons spread their wings across the sky, spewing world-ending flames, like symbols of annihilation itself]
[Dragons are among the most powerful races in the world, and you are a young hatchling that has just broken free from your dragon egg]
[Transmigration coordinates: Forbidden Abyss]
[A land without light. Any creature that falls into this place almost never walks out alive, for terrifying beings beyond description dwell here……]
“A dragon! It’s a dragon!”
“But why is this Simulation location so strange?”