Jiang Chen looked at Chu Xun with anticipation.
After a brief moment of contemplation, a strange expression appeared on Chu Xun's face.
An idea had already formed in his mind.
Reading ten volumes had rewarded him with three things:
[Realm-Breaking Pill]
[One Life Deduction Opportunity]
[One Villain Investment Opportunity]
The Realm-Breaking Pill had already been used. As for deducing his own life, there was no urgency. After a short pause, Chu Xun's eyes flickered as he said calmly,
"Close your eyes. I'll grant you a chance to deduce your life."
"Oh?"
Jiang Chen was momentarily puzzled, but still obediently closed his eyes.
Some people didn't understand what life deduction meant—
Until the next second.
It felt as though his consciousness had fallen into a vast, detached world of observation.
---
[Life Simulation Begins]
[Year One:]
You are born into the ancient Jiang family. Your father is the head of the Jiang clan. Deeply cherished, you display extraordinary talent from a young age, astonishing the elders. They believe you are destined to bring prosperity to the family.
[Age Six:]
You meet the woman who will change your life—Ye Qingcheng. Love strikes at first sight, and you are unable to free yourself from it. You follow her path all the way until you enter Donglin Holy Land.
[Age Twenty-Seven:]
You face the darkest moment of your life. The goddess in your heart becomes entangled with a boy from a border town. Your mindset gradually collapses. You repeatedly deliver opportunities to him, even sending your junior brothers to serve as his stepping stones, allowing him to grow stronger step by step.
[Age Thirty:]
Unable to endure any longer, you attempt to kill him. Unfortunately, he has already fully grown. Not only do you fail—you even bring disaster upon your father.
[Age Thirty-One:]
You are beheaded.
[Life Evaluation: Miserable.]
---
"Pfft—!"
As the simulation ended, Jiang Chen's blood surged violently. His chest tightened, and he nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. Intense grief and overwhelming rage filled his eyes, flames burning within his pupils.
"I'll kill you!"
The words were squeezed out through clenched teeth.
In the simulation, that dignified, upright, magnanimous father—
Had died because of him.
The goddess he had devoted himself to for years—
Had cost him everything.
And that boy's smug, victorious expression—
All of it—
Like an unending nightmare.
"Quiet."
Chu Xun spoke a single word.
As his voice fell, the scarlet hostility and murderous intent in Jiang Chen's eyes slowly dissipated. He staggered back, his gaze turning vacant and lost, and murmured hoarsely,
"Elder Chu… was everything I just saw… real?"
Chu Xun merely smiled.
And said nothing.
Jiang Chen fell silent.
His eyes dimmed.
He had never imagined that the goddess he had pursued for so many years would so easily be taken by a boy from a border town. Nor had he imagined that the other's rise was built step by step—by his own hands.
Thinking of how cold and disdainful she had been toward him, Jiang Chen's face turned deathly pale. But when the image of his most respected father dying because of him surfaced again—
His eyes hardened.
If he could choose again—
The ending would be completely different.
He would no longer show mercy.
And—
He would never again be a pitiful, lowly舔狗.
"So it turns out…"
"I was the clown all along."
Jiang Chen muttered bitterly.
Buzz!
At that very moment—
A wave of clarity surged through Chu Xun's soul.
The system's voice rang out loudly.
"Ding!"
"Congratulations to the host on a successful investment!"
"The life trajectory of a Destiny Villain has been altered!"
"Rewards granted!"
"Advanced Life Deduction Card obtained!"
…
Chu Xun glanced at the advanced life deduction card in his hand and calmly put it away.
On the surface, he remained tranquil.
Inside, he was shouting with joy.
Huge profit.
With a composed expression, he said evenly,
"Whether what you saw becomes reality depends on the choices you make. Those were possibilities—paths that may happen, and paths that may not."
Jiang Chen understood.
After offering his thanks, he turned and left.
As he descended the stairs, his body trembled uncontrollably.
If the life simulation was accurate, then he himself was the Destiny Villain—
And the boy who had been pestering him nonstop was the true Protagonist of Destiny.
At that moment, fierce flames burned in his eyes.
So what if you're the protagonist?
He would make him understand—
Just how terrifying a villain could be.
…
…
After Jiang Chen left, Chu Xun lowered his gaze to the life simulator in his hand and muttered with a strange expression,
"Let's try my own life."
---
[Life Simulation Begins]
[Year One:]
You become the elder of the Sutra Pavilion of Donglin Holy Land. You spend your days reading scriptures within the sect, receiving system rewards as your cultivation advances by leaps and bounds.
[Year Three:]
You break through to the Sage Realm and gain fame across the Eastern Region. Even major figures from Zhongzhou extend goodwill, seeking to befriend you.
[Year Seven:]
You master the Great River Sword Intent. With cultivation at the Third Heaven of the Sage Realm, you charge toward the peak of the Sage Realm, sweeping across the Eastern Region and establishing Donglin Holy Land as the sole hegemon.
[Year Eleven:]
Your disciple offends the Zhenwu Great Sage. You engage him in a decisive battle. After hundreds of exchanges, both sides suffer grievous losses.
[Year Twelve:]
Gravely injured and unable to recover, you pass away.
[Simulation Complete]
[Rating: A]
Chu Xun frowned slightly, staring at the words "Zhenwu Great Sage."
In his memories, the original owner had been shattered by this very man—his Dao heart broken, his spirit ruined. He had confined himself in the Sutra Pavilion for sixty years, fading into mediocrity.
Unexpectedly—
Even after reincarnating and cultivating anew, he still failed to bypass the Zhenwu Great Sage.
And in the end—
Died at his hands.
[Rating Reward:]
This simulation is rated A. The host may choose one random reward.
1. Great River Sword Intent
2. Soul Talent
3. Alchemy
These were abilities he would eventually obtain in his life. The reward allowed him to master one of them in advance.
"Extraction complete."
"Congratulations!"
"You have obtained: Great River Sword Intent!"
In an instant, a terrifying sword intent flooded his mind.
At this moment, Chu Xun did not rush to assimilate it. Instead, he quietly thought,
"If I were to simulate life again now… would the ending change if I faced the Zhenwu Great Sage?"
Huu—
He exhaled slowly.
The future was still far away.
Twelve years.
Anything could happen.
Even now, he was already different from the previous simulation. With the Great River Sword Intent in hand, he could skip countless years of detours. He could clearly sense the surging power contained within it—once fully comprehended, it would surely become a supreme sword art.
"No rush."
"Read the scriptures first."
"Then practice the sword."
Calming his mind, Chu Xun picked up the scripture in his hands once more and began to read slowly.
As comprehension deepened, his cultivation advanced again.
A top-tier sword intent was no small thing.
It needed to be mastered—
Just like reading a book.