Yanshan City.

The sky stretched like an endless lake, azure and serene.

Amidst the drifting white clouds, a breeze rustled through the lush foliage of the courtyard, allowing sunlight to pierce through the gaps and scatter dazzling patches of light across the ground.

Xu Xi sat in a corner of the courtyard.

Before him stood five Supreme Beings, dressed in varied attire, fully prepared.

"Brother, we're ready."

"Great Sorcerer, rest assured—I will protect you."

Xu Moli summoned a bloodstained wooden sword, Krisha conjured a charred magic staff, and the other Supreme Beings likewise manifested their preferred weapons or methods.

Their purpose was clear:

To safeguard Xu Xi during this simulation.

According to the deductions of Xu Xi and the five girls, this simulation likely involved the true nature of the Life Simulator. Even if not, something of immense significance was bound to occur.

Thus, $2he girls couldn't bear the thought of Xu Xi undertaking the simulation alone.

They resolved to accompany him, $2o witness the final outcome together.

"Thank you, everyone," Xu Xi said with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the faces of his sister, the sorceress, the noblewoman, the mechanical attendant, and the valiant warrior—expressing his gratitude.

Then, $2e turned his attention to the simulator panel before him.

The panel glowed faintly as the countdown steadily and relentlessly dwindled.

Thirty minutes, twenty minutes, ten minutes.

Soon, $2nly a few minutes remained on the panel.

The ticking seconds were like birds darting across the sky or lightning flashing in an instant—seemingly empty yet containing boundless possibilities.

Unbidden, $2emories and reflections surged through Xu Xi's mind.

He vividly recalled the days of helplessness in his wheelchair, the transformation after obtaining the simulator, and how the intertwining of reality and simulated experiences had shaped who he was today.

"Blackstone City, Heavenly Sword Sect, Allenson City, Apogu City, Qingniu Town..."

"Time is too thin, slipping through fingers too wide."

"In the moment, it felt uneventful—only now, looking back, do I realize how much time has passed. In my memories, it all seems like yesterday..."

Suddenly, a prompt from the simulator interrupted his reverie.

[Simulation cooldown complete.]

[Congratulations, Host. You have gained a simulation attempt. Will you proceed?]

[Current simulation attempts: 1]

On the panel, the countdown reset to zero, the numbers blurring before reforming into the familiar inquiry:

A question asking whether Xu Xi wished to begin the simulation.

Xu Xi noticed a change.

This time, the simulator no longer wished him a "wonderful simulated life."

"...Is it because I’m already living a wonderful life now?" he mused before nodding slightly to the girls, signaling that the cooldown had ended.

"Sir, hurry up and start! I can't wait any longer!"

The impatient Wu Yingxue urged.

"Alright, I’ll begin now."

Xu Xi paused briefly, scanning the simulator panel to ensure nothing was overlooked, then selected the button to start the simulation.

[Simulation initializing...]

[Worldline calculating...]

[Target world locked: ??? World]

[Trait generation complete. Please select a trait to serve as your character’s innate talent for this simulation.]

[Trait rank: Unknown]

[Trait information: Unknown]

[Only the ????? trait is available for selection. Confirm?]

There were no red or gold traits.

Not even the lowest-tier white traits.

All Xu Xi could see—and choose—was a single, utterly enigmatic trait, riddled with question marks and garbled text.

"What does this mean?"

"An unknown world, and an unknown trait?"

"Is there some condition needed to reveal the actual content?"

Xu Xi was puzzled.

This was the first time he had ever seen the simulator’s trait selection screen filled entirely with question marks and unknowns.

Yet it did not hinder the simulation.

If anything, the overwhelming uncertainty only reinforced his belief that this simulation would yield extraordinary revelations.

"Moli, Krisha, Yingxue, Ailei, Servia."

"I’m starting now."

Xu Xi gave a verbal warning, $2nsuring the girls were prepared to follow.

"Rest easy, Mentor," Krisha replied solemnly, her usually indifferent face bathed in sunlight, radiating an ethereal beauty.

The others likewise stirred, silently channeling the power of the Supreme Beings.

Space was sealed.

Causality severed.

The vast courtyard was cleaved from Earth itself.

Seeing this, Xu Xi swiftly selected the [?????] trait and, amidst the sea of unknowns, initiated the final simulation.

[Trait selection complete. Begin simulation?]

"Confirm."

As Xu Xi gave his confirmation, the world around him began to warp.

Rising.

Swirling.

From the center of his vision, an endless vortex spiraled, collapsing into an infinitesimal point of absolute darkness.

Xu Xi braced for the separation of consciousness.

But this simulation was unlike any before—not only were the world and trait unknown, but even the method of entry involved his physical body.

"Hum—"

Amidst the violent distortions of space-time, $2u Xi’s body and soul vanished from the courtyard, $2eaving only the girls behind, wide-eyed in shock.

[Simulation No. ?? commences.]

[You open your eyes to find yourself seated in the corner of the courtyard.]

[You see no sign of Xu Moli or Krisha. The Supreme Beings who should have followed you are nowhere to be found.]

[To your astonishment,]

[Your body retains its full power and authority.]

[You are perplexed.]

The world froze, locked in absolute stasis.

Just as the simulator had stated, $2u Xi stood alone in the desolate simulated Earth, his expression one of profound surprise. He couldn’t fathom why he was the only one here—and why he had entered in his true form.

"Should I call this the long-awaited simulation?"

"An unknown world, an unknown trait, and even the Supreme Beings barred from entry."

Xu Xi sighed, $2uickly regaining his composure.

Though he lacked the protection of the Supreme Beings, entering with his true form meant he had little to fear.

"By the usual sequence, the next step should be the 'stroke of fate,' right?"

Xu Xi murmured to himself, $2tanding still, waiting for the inevitable heavy truck to come crashing down from the heavens.

But after a while, nothing happened.

More accurately, the entire simulated Earth was locked in absolute silence.

No living creatures existed.

Only the echoes of nature—wind sweeping the land, tides rising and falling—remained.

"Strange. Does this simulation not require the 'stroke of fate'?"

Puzzled, $2u Xi stepped out of the courtyard.

With his full power intact, he traversed the simulated Earth effortlessly, each stride compressing vast distances.

"Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve explored the simulated Earth."

"In past simulations, I was quickly transported to other worlds, never getting the chance to observe."

Empty.

Silent.

The Earth was locked in perfect stillness.

Though devoid of life, an inexplicable order prevailed.

Flickering streetlights, soaring fountains, rotating Ferris wheels—all operated as if bound by an unyielding logic.

Hollow and pale.

Mechanical in its operation.

Xu Xi had wandered every corner of the world, yet found nothing. But upon returning to the courtyard in Yanshan City, he unexpectedly spotted an old "friend" parked at the gate.

Its lights were on.

Its horn sounded.

With a "click," the crimson door swung open automatically—as if inviting Xu Xi inside.