Chapter 60: The Blurring Lines of Illusion

Within the mundane world of the illusion, Yue Feng continuously shifted identities, experiencing cycle after cycle of reincarnation.

Initially, he maintained his lucidity, aware that he was trapped in an illusion and that everything within it was false.

However, as the illusions continued to cycle, each one gradually eroding his Dao heart, the line between reality and illusion began to blur for him.

His identities within the illusions were entirely random, ranging from the destitute to the opulent, from an unknown commoner to an emperor or general wielding immense power.

The assigned tasks varied, and their difficulty escalated with each iteration. While Yue Feng initially handled them with ease, he eventually began to falter.

Yet, success or failure, each outcome merely initiated the next cycle of reincarnation, with the power of the Myriad Flames Earth Core Lotus continuously injecting itself into his body.

“He has already begun to lose himself,” Alice remarked softly from the illusion’s control room, observing Yue Feng’s transformations.

Time in the control room was fast-forwarded, so despite Yue Feng enduring countless cycles, only a moderate amount of time had passed there, much like watching a film.

“This is completely normal. No one is born with an eternal Dao heart. Didn’t Haotian Daoist Venerable also lose himself the first time he entered?”

Xiaoke crossed their arms over their chest. “What matters is whether he can find himself again.”

Shi Yang added, “I have faith in my disciple.”

Alice remained silent, her gaze fixed on Yue Feng within the illusion.

Xiaoke and Alice also noticed something particular: in every illusion, Yue Feng adhered strictly to one principle—he never engaged in romantic relations with other women and never married.

Even now, having forgotten reality, this seemed to be a subconscious drive, a way to avoid such entanglements. His first failure, in fact, was due to his unwillingness to marry an important NPC.

Since his family’s upheaval, Yue Feng had no relatives apart from Yue Cai and his mother, whom he had never met.

Later, he encountered Wang Yu, with whom he fell in love at first sight, and then learned of Yue Cai’s feelings for him. His heart was almost entirely filled by these two women, their importance surpassing even his own life.

To love only these two in this lifetime was Yue Feng’s solemn vow to Wang Yu and Yue Cai, his absolute bottom line. Should the day come when Yue Feng forgot even them, he would truly be beyond saving.

***

“Oh no, Master has finished cooking and is bringing the food over!” Alice suddenly exclaimed. “My clone will withdraw for now.”

With that, the Alice before Xiaoke vanished.

Meanwhile, Wang Yu pushed a dining cart into the living room, with Alice perched on her shoulder.

“Come quickly and taste my cooking!” Wang Yu said with a triumphant grin. “Huh? What is this?”

The living room was empty of both Xiaoke and Yue Feng. Instead, a door stood there, its interior swirling with a colorful vortex.

Xiaoke emerged from the control room and explained, “This… this is Haotian Daoist Venerable’s VR gaming machine. Yue Feng was itching to play, so he went in.”

Wang Yu stared at Xiaoke for a moment, making Xiaoke break out in a cold sweat.

“Is that so?” Wang Yu raised an eyebrow. “Are you playing with him?”

“No,” Xiaoke shook their head. “He’s playing, I’m just watching, haha.”

Wang Yu set down the cart and walked towards the door. “I’ll go take a look too.”

Xiaoke secretly exchanged a glance with Alice before following.

“Is Elder Shi here too?” Upon entering, Wang Yu saw Shi Yang’s soul form intently watching the large screen.

“Oh, Shi Yang is just curious. He’s never seen one of these either, so he’s taking a peek,” Xiaoke quickly interjected.

“Really?” Wang Yu asked.

Shi Yang, not wanting Wang Yu to worry, simply humored Xiaoke with a nod.

Wang Yu didn’t press the matter, joining them to look at the control room screen.

***

Within the illusion, Yue Feng was reborn as a newly appointed top scholar, renowned throughout the land and respected by all.

Admired by the emperor, he was granted high office and a generous salary, and even the princess secretly harbored feelings for him.

Yue Feng now stood in the courtyard bestowed by the royal family, gazing at the phoenix tree, lost in deep thought. Logically, his current life was one that everyone dreamed of, yet Yue Feng always felt something was missing.

‘Cai’er, Yu’er.’ He only knew these two endearing names, which constantly echoed in his heart. Whenever he thought of them, his heart swelled with joy and contentment, but he had no idea who they were.

He had inquired with his parents and even deliberately searched for them, but found nothing, no information about these two individuals. ‘Where are you two, exactly?’

“My lord, Her Royal Highness the Princess has arrived and is waiting in the main hall,” a maid suddenly announced, her eyes filled with adoration for the distinguished scholar, her tone tinged with affection.

“Understood, I’ll be right there.” Yue Feng rubbed his head in slight annoyance. He knew the princess was interested in him, but he had no feelings for her.

Stepping into the main hall, he saw an exceptionally beautiful young woman, graceful and poised, seated there. Upon seeing the object of her affection, she quickly rose, speaking shyly, “Young Master Yue, this humble one apologizes for the intrusion.”

“How could Her Royal Highness’s visit be an intrusion? It is my honor,” Yue Feng replied respectfully, treating the princess with utmost courtesy.

The princess frowned, saying, “Didn’t I tell you to just call me by my name from now on? Why are you still so formal?”

“The princess holds a noble status. How could I dare overstep?” Yue Feng replied, his tone still utterly devoid of emotion.

“You!” The princess exclaimed, seething with anger and shame. “Do you not understand anything at all?”

Yue Feng simply stated, “I come from humble origins, a world apart from the princess. I am unworthy of her. However, a princess as virtuous and dignified as you will surely find a suitable husband.”

“Enough!” The princess stormed out, furious. “You’re nothing but a blockhead!”

Yue Feng watched the departing princess without attempting to stop her. A maid nearby, unable to bear it, said, “Young Master, why won’t you accept Her Royal Highness? You two are a perfect match.”

Yue Feng waved his hand. “You may withdraw.”

The maid reluctantly left.

In the control room, Alice and Xiaoke secretly glanced at Wang Yu, but her expression remained largely unchanged, her gaze still fixed on the screen.

Spring turned to autumn, and several years passed. Yue Feng, however, met with a great calamity. His family was discovered to be remnants of the previous dynasty, even plotting rebellion.

The current emperor was enraged, executing his entire nine generations and imprisoning him in the celestial dungeon.

The once-glorious top scholar was now a forgotten prisoner, subjected to severe torture, lying battered and bruised on the cold floor of his cell, on the brink of death.

In the control room, Wang Yu finally spoke, “What if he had accepted that princess?”

Alice explained, “If he had accepted, he would enter the imperial son-in-law route, then help the country eliminate a plague, resist foreign invaders, and finally marry the princess. That is one way to clear the game.”

“One way?” Wang Yu asked.

“Yes, this story has two routes,” Alice replied. “Master, watch.”

Inside the celestial dungeon, a figure in black infiltrated, knocking out the guards and rescuing Yue Feng.

The black-clad individual brought Yue Feng to a remote wooden cabin far from the town and nursed him back to health.

Under their care, Yue Feng’s body gradually recovered. He also learned that this person was the daughter of the rebel army leader, and his true identity was, in fact, a royal descendant of the former dynasty.

During their many days together, this valiant and spirited woman gradually fell for the extraordinary young master. After Yue Feng’s injuries healed, she confessed her feelings to him.

Yue Feng pondered for a long time before ultimately rejecting her, and the woman departed with a heavy heart.

“This is the second route?” Wang Yu asked from the control room.

“Yes,” Alice answered. “This is the restoration route. Accepting the rebel leader’s daughter would lead to restoring the former dynasty’s orthodoxy, and then resisting foreign invasion. That’s the second way to clear the game.”

“What if he chooses neither?”

“Then he has already failed this storyline. He will subsequently be killed by the rebel leader.”

Wang Yu fell silent for a moment, then looked at Alice. “I want to go in and talk to him at this point.”

Alice nodded. As a game administrator, she could manipulate everything within the illusion at will.

***

“What a fool,” Wang Yu said, appearing before Yue Feng with her face veiled.

“Who are you?” Yue Feng was startled by the sudden appearance, yet from this person, he felt a long-lost sense of nostalgia and contentment.

“Who I am isn’t important,” Wang Yu said softly. “Do you know you just gave up an opportunity to become an emperor?”

Yue Feng paused, bewildered. “Become an emperor?”

“Yes,” Wang Yu tempted. “How about it? Are you tempted? If you wish, I can help you rewind time, allowing you to choose again. Or, you could go back and choose the princess, becoming her imperial son-in-law.”

Yue Feng shook his head.

Wang Yu calmly said, “Don’t believe me? I’ll show you.”

Wang Yu waved her hand, and Yue Feng watched as the scenery around him rapidly shifted, returning him to the time when he first met the princess.

“How about it, do you believe me now?” Wang Yu smiled at Yue Feng. “Tell me, what is your choice?”

Yue Feng, witnessing this divine technique, suddenly grew excited. “Can you do me a favor? If you help me, you can even take my life.”

Wang Yu was taken aback. “What is it?”

Yue Feng excitedly asked, “Tell me, who are Yu’er and Cai’er? Where are they? I yearn to see them.”

Wang Yu fell silent. “Um, the emperor, and the imperial son-in-law?”

“No, I want neither,” Yue Feng said decisively. “I just want to see them. I’m going crazy thinking about them.”

“I can’t help you with that,” Wang Yu replied after a moment of silence, rejecting his request. Seeing Yue Feng’s face turn ashen, she felt a pang of pity. “However, the world is vast. If you travel more, you might discover something. I’ll accompany you on your search in this life.”

“Master?” Alice, hidden nearby, looked at Wang Yu in confusion.

“Go, design some easter eggs, easter eggs about me and Cai’er. I’ll tell you about Yue Cai’er’s matters,” Wang Yu instructed. “Also, postpone his failure deadline by one year.”

“Yes, Master.” Alice adjusted the settings.

Over the next year, Wang Yu guided Yue Feng through this game world. They admired its mountains and rivers, and Wang Yu subtly led Yue Feng to the easter eggs.

When Yue Feng discovered the clues and stories she had designed about himself and Yue Cai, he was filled with excitement, eagerly sharing them with Wang Yu, who listened to him quietly.

Time in this game world passed quickly, and after a year, Wang Yu and Yue Feng were drinking tea in a teahouse.

“You’re leaving soon,” Wang Yu suddenly said.

“Is that so?” Yue Feng replied. “This world feels just like a game.”

Wang Yu looked at Yue Feng, noticing that some of his true brilliance had returned to his eyes.

As the surrounding scenery rapidly dissolved, spreading to envelop both of them, Yue Feng suddenly said, “You’re Yu’er, aren’t you?”

Before Wang Yu could reply, Yue Feng had already entered the next reincarnation.

Back in the control room, Wang Yu remained in a daze. After Xiaoke roused her, she instructed Alice to incorporate easter eggs about both her and Yue Cai into every mission world, and to delay the world’s end by one year after a storyline failure.

After that, Wang Yu no longer interfered with the illusion. She had to go set the table outside, waiting for them to come out and eat.

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