Chapter 2: The First Female Protagonist
“You’re saying I have to stay here for 300 years before I can go back?”
[Yes, Host.]
“Do you know what my cultivation level is right now?”
[Foundation Establishment, early stage.]
“Since you know that, let me ask you—do you plan to take my ashes back after 300 years?”
This world’s cultivation system had eight major realms: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Soul Transformation, Void Refining, Dao Integration, and Great Vehicle.
Each realm was further divided into early, middle, late, and perfect stages.
The higher the realm, the greater the strength and the longer the lifespan.
But a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s lifespan was limited—even with longevity pills, they could only live to about 250 years.
[The system will continuously optimize the repair process and do its utmost to ensure the Host’s consciousness integrity and lifespan continuity…]
“Spare me the nonsense. I know what you’re about to say,” Luo Jiutian waved his hand, cutting it off. “Advance to Core Formation and hide somewhere safe for 300 years, right?”
[…Correct. That is the safest approach, as this is no longer the ten simulated scenarios but a real, independent ‘original world.’]
“It’s safe, but too slow,” he said coldly. “I don’t like waiting.”
[…]
[If the Host is unwilling to wait, the system can offer another option.]
“Let’s hear it.”
[This world’s Children of Destiny are favored by fate. If the Host can suppress them and shatter their dao hearts, the system will collect their destiny points, converting them into stable energy to shorten the wait time for returning to Earth.]
Luo Jiutian pondered for a moment, then looked up. “Why does that sound so familiar?”
The system didn’t respond.
“Isn’t this just the classic villain trope—stealing destiny, crushing the protagonist?” Luo Jiutian leaned back in his chair, his tone lazy. “I used to mock those protagonists for being absurd, and now it’s my turn.”
[Warning: This option is highly risky. Please choose carefully, Host.]
“High risk?” Luo Jiutian raised an eyebrow. “With my knowledge of the characters and plot, do those so-called risks even exist?”
After ten full strategy runs, he knew the main storyline, the Children of Destiny’s personalities, and their weaknesses inside out.
He was practically invincible!
[…]
[Understood. Since the Host has made a decision, I will fully cooperate.]
“What about my old stuff?” Luo Jiutian stood, flexing his wrist. “Still there?”
[Of course! All of the Host’s techniques, weapons, and innate abilities have been fully preserved. Would you like to inherit them now?]
“No rush.” Luo Jiutian waved dismissively, his expression calm.
“If I remember correctly, someone’s about to come looking for me, right?”
Sure enough, footsteps echoed from outside the inn.
Moments later, a middle-aged man in a green robe embroidered with the Luo family crest entered the hall, his gaze sweeping the room before landing on the少年 sipping tea in the corner.
“Young Master, the Patriarch requests your presence.”
His tone was neutral, lacking the respect of old or any strong emotion.
Luo Jiutian set down his teacup, his eyes lowering slightly. He said nothing, simply standing slowly.
Knowing the plot, he wasn’t surprised and saw no need to waste words.
He followed the man out of the inn, stepping into a waiting carriage on the street.
*
The streets bustled with people on both sides.
The carriage moved slowly, whispers drifting from the alleys.
“I heard the Luo family found their true Young Master, their real heir.”
“What about the old one… Young Master Jiutian?”
“Shh, keep it down, you want trouble?”
The chatter went on, some curious, some gloating.
Tianyuan Kingdom had four great families, and the Luo family was one of them.
For such a clan, even the slightest rumor was enough to spark street talk.
Luo Jiutian sat in the carriage, his face calm, as if he heard nothing.
Soon, the carriage stopped before the Luo family’s grand gates, flanked by stern stone lions, the plaque above bold and vigorous.
Tianyuan Kingdom’s four great families included the Luo family, whose status and power were immense.
The gatekeepers recognized him, bowing perfunctorily despite their formal gestures.
Luo Jiutian paid it no mind. Stepping out, he glanced at the gates and walked in without pause.
But he hadn’t gone far when he saw a woman standing under a corridor ahead.
She wore a pale blue dress, elegantly tailored, luxurious yet refined, her dark hair pinned in a bun with two delicate strands framing her face. Her features were delicate, her amber eyes gleaming softly in the light.
Luo Jiutian’s heart tightened.
Why was she here?
According to the original plot, she should be in the main hall, waiting for the Patriarch to announce the ‘true Young Master’s’ return.
He stopped, his gaze narrowing slightly.
Luo Yunlan, the Luo family’s eldest daughter and the first heroine he’d successfully won over in his past life.
She had trained alongside him since childhood. Despite their differing statuses, she never acted superior and was one of the few in the family who didn’t judge him by his lineage.
Her presence once made him feel he wasn’t alone in this family.
Seeing him, Luo Yunlan’s lips curved into a familiar smile.
“Xiaotian, you’re back.”
Her voice was soft but clear, her tone warm.
Luo Jiutian nodded lightly in response.
She was always like this.
No matter how others viewed him, she never showed any distance on the surface.
She had been this way before, and it seemed she still was.
She approached, her steps light and graceful.
Luo Jiutian instinctively stepped back to keep his distance.
But she was faster.
Before he could react, Luo Yunlan reached out and hugged him.
“You’re back… thank goodness…” she murmured.
Luo Jiutian could sense her unsteady breathing, her voice tinged with a faint sob.
Her grip was tight, her fingertips cold, her body trembling slightly.
Something felt off.
Very off—nine out of ten levels of off.
Based on the timeline, Luo Yunlan should only be superficially kind, inwardly reserved.
Even with her gentle nature, she wouldn’t lose composure like this in front of others.
Yet now, she poured all her emotions into this embrace, like someone who had regained something lost.
Luo Jiutian’s heart sank.
No way.
Did she… have memories from before?
The system chimed in, its voice hurried:
[Ding! Detected: Heroine ‘Luo Yunlan’ is in an abnormal state. Querying for residual simulation memories…]
[Error! Error! Due to unknown reasons, memory status cannot be confirmed.]
[Recommendation: Host must not reveal details of the simulation to avoid her learning the truth.]
Luo Jiutian cursed inwardly.
If these heroines realized all that affection was fake, that I was acting the whole time…
Wouldn’t I end up locked in some undetectable dark room?
No way!
He couldn’t show a single crack!
Luo Jiutian instantly switched to actor mode, his face showing slight confusion and concern: “Yunlan, what’s wrong? I’m fine, aren’t I?”
Luo Yunlan froze for a moment, her eyes red, but she forced her emotions down, shaking her head gently.
She reached out, patting his shoulder, her voice soft and restrained: “Father’s been waiting. Let’s go.”
“Alright.”