Chapter 3: Simulated Universe, Activated!

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[The pitiful wandering spirit slowly awakens, finding yourself within a fortress-like structure.]

[The room is in disarray, filled with a thick scent of blood. The wall hangings are splattered with crimson, clearly indicating that a brutal battle has recently taken place here.]

[Entering the Simulated Universe, you encounter this thrilling scenario right from the start, leaving you both exhilarated and anxious.]

"Numerous corpses litter the ground, most bodies mutilated beyond recognition; rarely can one find intact remains. Who is responsible for such brutal acts?"

"As merely a pitiful wandering spirit without a physical form, you cannot avenge them or grant them peaceful rest, nor even preserve their warmth."

"Do you wish to choose your belief within the Simulated Universe? Note: Please make this choice carefully, as once selected, beliefs cannot be easily changed."

"The chosen belief determines your faction inclination, the attitudes of other factions towards you, and also dictates the faction quests you will receive in the future."

"Oh, I almost forgot to mention, currently, you can only select from three Aeon Gods."

Option 1: Trailblazing Aeon Akivili

Belief Reward: Curio [Galactic Batting Hero's Bat]

Effect: Automatically learn skills [Farewell Hit] and [Resting Home Run], capable of inflicting a certain degree of physical damage and lacerations on enemies.

Description: Trailblazer: My bat, or just a firewood stick? Onlooker: It won't fit, no matter how you think about it!

In a way, Akivili sure knows how to add flair.

Option 2: Memory Aeon Fuli

Belief Reward: 1100 Cosmic Fragments + 2 Curios [Camouflage Cloak]

[Description 1: Cosmic Fragments serve as the universal currency within simulations. While not omnipotent, being without Cosmic Fragments is absolutely detrimental.]

[Description 2: Can't see me, can't see me, can't see me...]

[Effect: When wearing the Camouflage Cloak, the chance of detection by ordinary enemies decreases by 80%. Additionally, both elite and ordinary enemies' hatred towards you is fixed to decrease by 50%.]

Hmm, essential for survival-focused playstyle, not much else to say.

Option Three: Aeon of Joy, Aha

Faith Reward: Curio [Fool's Mask]

[Effect: Triples your chances of obtaining rare rewards upon defeating elite enemies.]

[There is also an extremely low probability of receiving double rare rewards, but simultaneously triples the hatred from specific faction enemies.]

[Description: The Fool's Mask symbolizes faith in [Joy].]

[Wearing this mask serves as an entry pass when gathering at the End of the World Tavern with other Fools.]

[The masks are heavy in texture yet vibrantly colored, bearing a reckless smile restrained in brushstrokes, awaiting each unrestrained prank.]

[Accompanied by the devout certification of the Masked Fools—though seemingly all stolen from the Mourning Actors' ship.]

Su Jinyan pondered his options.

Believing in the Trailblazing Aeon and Memory Aeon yields rewards primarily suited for earlier stages.

On the other hand, the Fool's Mask is clearly oriented towards mid-to-later stages.

In terms of value-for-money and long-term worth, there's no doubt that faith in the Aeon of Joy would be more suitable.

As for the negative effects brought by the Fool's Mask, Su Jinyan considered them negligible, easily outweighed by its positive benefits.

With this thought, he chose the Fool's Mask.

[Oh, it seems you've chosen the Fool's Mask.]

[My dear old friend, Aha will bless you—probably?]

[Your current abilities are insufficient to create a perfectly matching body; thus, you can only choose to attach yourself to existing ones.]

[Alternatively, you could try wandering the wilderness as a soul?]

"What happens if I wander the wilderness as a soul?"

[Excellent question! When your soul wanders the wilderness, all your attribute values will drop to their minimum, making it exceedingly difficult to inflict damage on enemies.]

[If your soul perishes in the wilderness, it will also affect your real-world soul.]

"...Then I'll still choose to attach myself to a body," said Su Jinyan.

[After conducting a thorough search, you discover there are only four relatively complete bodies nearby for you to select from.]

[Fool, which body will you choose?]

[Cloud Knight Soldier: Member of the Luofu Cloud Rider Ground Patrol Force, clad in light silver armor with their abdomen torn open by a monster's sharp claws.

By slightly bending forward, one can gaze through the abdominal wound and see the scenery behind—a truly chilling sight. Synchronization Rate: 70%]

[Abundance Sprite - Kui Mu: Deceitful wolf-like beast enveloped in mist, originally bred abundantly by Xianzhou people using arcane techniques.

Now transformed into an evil creature controlled by remnants of Abundance, even after death, its eyes remain fiercely menacing. Synchronization Rate: 3%]

[Chuihong Guard: Member of the Luofu Cloud Rider Ground Patrol Force, wearing leather armor and wielding a compound longbow.

Caught unprepared during the onset of disaster, their throat was swiftly bitten through by an Abundant Evil Creature. Synchronization Rate: 60%]

[Fox Shaman: Beautiful foxfolk maiden and physician of the Xianzhou Alliance, whose internal organs have been hollowed out by an Abundant Evil Creature. Synchronization Rate: 60%]

[Synchronization rate affects your control and coordination with the body's strength. Please select carefully.]

Based on this information, it seems I should choose the body with the highest synchronization rate.

After a moment of hesitation, Su Jinyan opted for the Cloud Knight Soldier.

[You have chosen to possess the deceased cloud knight, Guan Feng.]

[An overwhelming wave of fatigue and pain engulfs your body, as sorrow and anger surge within you—these are fragmented memories from the departed cloud knight.]

[In Star Calendar 8072, the Third Abundant War erupted.]

[Led by the abundant folk 'Buli Ren', a combined army attacked the Xianzhou Alliance. Additionally, the rogue planet 'Ji Dou Mirage' reactivated, threatening Xianzhou's Fang Huo territory.]

[The Xianzhou realms Yu Que and Luofu urgently dispatched reinforcements to aid Fang Huo.]

[As a distinguished cloud knight of Luofu, defending the alliance's honor was your unquestionable duty.]

[Yet your fate should have been a noble death on the battlefield, not at the hands of a traitor.]

[The betrayal came too suddenly; caught unprepared, a remnant of Abundance disguised as a cloud knight pierced your chest.]

[Although the treacherous remnants are now dead, it is your rightful obligation to inherit the fallen cloud knights' aspirations and return to the battlefield for battle once more.]

[Do you wish to inherit the legacy of Cloud Knight-Guan Feng? Accepting will increase your body synchronization rate by 10%.]

"Inherit."

[You have inherited the legacy of Cloud Knight-Guan Feng, resolving to return to the battlefield and fight the Abundant Evil Creatures until your final breath.]

[Shell: Cloud Knight-Guan Feng]

[Shell Level: 0]

[Shell Quality: Worn-out]

[Synchronization Rate: 80%]

[Status: Continuous Bleeding]

[Talent: None]

[Skills: Jump Slash, Parry, Uppercut, Full Moon Slash]

[Fool, what is your course of action?]

[Option 1: Push open the door and engage the Abundant Evil Creatures in a decisive battle.]

[Option 2: Stay indoors, clinging to survival, secretly praying someone will come to rescue this pitiful soul.]

[Option 3: Commit suicide with your blade; if I die swiftly enough, they won't be able to kill me.]

Hmm, following conventional logic, Option 1 should be the correct choice.

As a distinguished cloud knight from Luofu, surely mowing down enemies like cutting grass would be within his capabilities, right?

After brief consideration, Su Jinyan chose to push open the door and confront the Abundant Evil Creatures in a decisive battle.

[BANG—]

[You kick open the red house's main door, and the loud noise attracts the attention of Abundant Evil Creatures.]

What the f*ck do you call this "pushing"? Su Jinyan couldn't help but internally criticize.

[Facing numerous ferocious Abundant Evil Creatures, you show no fear whatsoever.]

[With head held high and chest puffed out, you grip your long blade tightly, roaring to the heavens, "Come on, if you dare, step over my dead body first!" ]

[Several cunning and vicious Quimuwolves exchange glances, coalescing their ghostly wolf shadows, and swiftly howl as they charge towards you.]

[Their movements are swift as lightning, bloodstained claws gleaming with lethal intent, determined to tear you apart on the spot.]

[Undaunted, you roar and surge forward towards the pack of Quimuwolves, knowing that your blade thirsts for blood.]

[Ha! Watch me cleave you all into mincemeat with a leaping slash!]

[However, overwhelming fatigue leaves you weak and drained.]

[Just as you leap, darkness clouds your vision, causing you to stumble and collapse onto the ground.]

[The ruthless pack of Quimuwolves seize this perfect opportunity, surging forth and tearing you to death in a frenzy.]

[It's no surprise; your chest wound has yet to heal, making even walking strenuous. How could such vigorous movements be feasible? Falling was inevitable.]

Su Jinyan blinked in disbelief. Wait, I'm dead already? Did I come here for battle or just to serve as Quimuwolf appetizers?

[The Fool's comical death would have made Aha burst out laughing uncontrollably if he were present.]

[Considering you're a newcomer, it's somewhat understandable.]

[As a first-time entrant into the Simulated Universe, you are granted one free resurrection opportunity.]

[Victory and defeat are common occurrences in warfare. Young hero, please start anew.]