Chapter 2: The First Heroine

“You mean I have to stay here for three hundred 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, then let me ask—do you plan on sending me back in three hundred years with nothing but my ashes?”

This world’s cultivation system was divided into eight great realms: Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Spirit Transformation, Void Refinement, Unity, and Great Ascension.
Each realm was further split into early, mid, late, and perfected stages.
The higher the realm, the greater the strength—and the longer the lifespan.

But a Foundation cultivator’s life was limited.
Even with longevity elixirs, their maximum lifespan was only two hundred and fifty years.

【This system will continue optimizing the repair process, ensuring the Host’s consciousness integrity and extending lifespan as much as possible…】

“Save the nonsense. I know what you’re about to say.” Luo Jiutian waved his hand impatiently. “Break through to Core Formation, find a safe place, hide for three hundred years, right?”

【…Correct. That is the safest option. After all, this time is no longer one of the ten simulations, but an actual independent ‘original world.’】

“Safe, maybe. But far too slow.” His voice was cold. “I don’t like waiting.”

【……】
【If the Host is unwilling to wait, there is… another option.】

“Let’s hear it.”

【In this world, the Children of Destiny are favored by heaven. If the Host suppresses them, shatters their Dao Hearts, the system can recycle the lost destiny value, convert it into stable energy, and shorten the waiting period for return.】

Luo Jiutian narrowed his eyes, then asked slowly:
“Why does that sound so familiar?”

The system remained silent.

“Isn’t this just that tired old trope? Robbing luck, stepping on the protagonist, walking the villain’s path?” Luo Jiutian leaned lazily back in his chair, his voice mocking. “I used to roast these cliché protagonists… and now I’ve become one myself.”

【Warning: This plan is an extreme option. High risk. Host must consider carefully.】

“High risk?” Luo Jiutian raised a brow. “When I already know the characters and the entire plot… do you really think there’s any risk left?”

After ten complete runs, he knew the main storyline, every Child of Destiny’s personality, and their weaknesses like the back of his hand.
He was practically invincible!

【……】
【Understood. Since the Host has decided, this system will fully cooperate.】

“And my old things?” Luo Jiutian stood, stretching his wrists. “They’re still here, right?”

【Of course! All of the Host’s cultivation techniques, weapons, physique abilities—they are fully preserved. Would you like to inherit them now?】

“No rush.” Luo Jiutian waved it off, his gaze calm.
“If I’m not mistaken, someone should be coming to find me soon?”

Sure enough, footsteps sounded outside the inn.
Moments later, a middle-aged man in a blue robe embroidered with the Luo family crest entered the hall. His gaze swept around before landing on the youth quietly drinking tea in the corner.

“Young Master, the Patriarch requests your presence.”
His tone was flat, devoid of respect or warmth.

Luo Jiutian set down his cup, lowered his eyes, and rose silently.
Knowing the plot, he wasn’t surprised, nor did he waste words.
He followed the man out of the inn and climbed into the carriage waiting by the street.

The streets bustled with people on either side.
As the carriage rolled forward, hushed whispers drifted from alleys and corners.

“I heard the Luo clan has found their true young master—the blood heir.”
“Then what about the other one… Young Master Jiutian?”
“Shh! Keep your voice down! Do you want to die?”

Curiosity, mockery, and malice mingled in the air.
In Tianyuan Kingdom, the Luo clan was one of the four great families.
Even the slightest disturbance became fodder for gossip.

Inside the carriage, Luo Jiutian sat calm and expressionless, as if he hadn’t heard a thing.

Soon, the carriage arrived at the gates of Luo Manor. Twin stone lions flanked the entrance, fierce and imposing, while the plaque overhead bore bold, forceful calligraphy.
The Luo clan—one of the four great houses of Tianyuan, wielding immense influence.

The gate servants recognized him, bowing perfunctorily, their gestures half-hearted.
Luo Jiutian ignored it. Alighting from the carriage, his eyes swept over the gates before stepping inside.

But before he had gone far, he spotted a woman standing beneath the covered walkway ahead.
She wore a pale blue gown, cut with elegance—luxurious yet refined. Her black hair was arranged in a graceful bun, with two slender locks falling loosely by her temples. Her features were delicately beautiful, and her amber eyes glimmered under the shifting light.

Luo Jiutian froze.
Why is she here?
By the original plot, she should be in the main hall right now, waiting for the Patriarch to announce the true heir’s return.

He halted, his gaze sharpening.
Luo Yunlan—the Luo family’s legitimate daughter, and in his previous life, the very first heroine he conquered.

She and Luo Jiutian had trained together since childhood. Though their statuses differed, she had never once looked down on him. Unlike most of the clan, she never judged him by his bloodline.
Because of her, he once believed he wasn’t completely alone in this family.

When Luo Yunlan saw him, her lips curved into a familiar smile.
“Xiaotian, you’ve come back.”
Her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried clearly, gentle and warm.

Luo Jiutian gave the barest nod—a simple response.
She was always like this.
No matter how others treated him, she never once distanced herself outwardly.
It had been that way before.
And it was the same now.

She walked toward him, steps light and measured.
Instinctively, Luo Jiutian stepped back, trying to widen the gap.
But she was faster.

Before he could react, Luo Yunlan reached out and wrapped him in an embrace.
“It’s enough that you’re back… it’s enough…” her soft voice trembled.

He could feel the unsteady rhythm of her breath, hear the faint catch in her throat.
She was holding him tightly—her fingertips cold, her entire body trembling slightly.

Luo Jiutian’s heart jolted.
Something was off.
Utterly, impossibly off.

By the timeline, Luo Yunlan should be outwardly close yet inwardly reserved.
No matter how gentle, she would never display such unrestrained emotion in public.
But right now, she was pouring all her feelings into this embrace, like someone reclaiming something lost.

A chill crept up Luo Jiutian’s spine.
No way…
Could it be… she retained her memories from before?

The system suddenly blared, its tone urgent:

【Ding! Detected anomaly in heroine Luo Yunlan. Checking for residual simulated memories…】
【Error! Error! Unknown cause. Unable to verify her memory state.】
【Recommendation: Host must not reveal anything regarding the simulation, lest she learn the truth.】

Inside, Luo Jiutian cursed.
If the heroines discovered that all those so-called affections had been nothing but an act—
That he had been pretending from beginning to end—
Wouldn’t they throw him into some hidden torture chamber no system could detect?

No!
Not a single flaw could show!

Switching instantly into performance mode, Luo Jiutian’s expression shifted to one of confusion and worry.
“Yunlan, what’s wrong? Look at me, I’m fine, aren’t I?”

Luo Yunlan paused, eyes rimmed red, but forced her emotions down and shook her head.
She smoothed his shoulder gently, her voice soft but restrained:
“Father has been waiting for you. Let’s go.”
“Alright.”