"The stars are sparse tonight, and how fleeting life is."
"Oh, I forgot. There's no moon in this world."
Chen Pingchuan stared idly out the window at the night sky. In the morning, he had firmly decided not to run a simulation today, but after tossing and turning in bed for ages, he still couldn't fall asleep. His mind was completely occupied by the image of Xia Qingxue; her every smile and frown lingered, impossible to banish.
This is toxic!
The more Chen Pingchuan tried to suppress his thoughts, the more impossible it became. It made him wonder if being cooped up for three years after transmigrating had finally driven him mad. But that shouldn't be the case. After all, he'd had that intimate encounter with his landlady just two years ago.
Forget it. Everyone has their own destiny. The reward for suffering is just more suffering, so I just have to get on with it!
Chen Pingchuan stopped trying to force himself. Since sleep was out of the question, he might as well start another simulation. He hoped that it might calm the restlessness in his mind.
"Choose your simulation reward: Pet, Federation Coin, Jewelry."
[Deducting 202 Simulation Points]
[Remaining Simulation Points: 196]
[Remaining Simulations: 7]
This time, Chen Pingchuan didn't choose to inherit his physical stats as he had previously planned. Based on the information from the last simulation, he had developed a tolerance after taking about twenty-odd gene serums. Thirty gene serums cost 60 Simulation Points, while mastering eighteen types of weapons could be achieved in reality, making that option practically free.
Saving dozens of Simulation Points was, by his estimation, basically rounding up to a hundred thousand. Feeling smug, Chen Pingchuan suddenly noticed the Federation Coins stored in his virtual space, and his expression instantly twisted.
Pain! So much pain! My heart aches so much I can't breathe.
Unfortunately, there were no do-overs in life. Chen Pingchuan could only accept the fact that his brain had malfunctioned.
"BOOM!"
Suddenly, a spatial black hole appeared at the edge of the bed in his rented room. A pitch-black, humanoid monster tumbled out of it, crashing to the floor. Black skin, sharp claws, white teeth, red eyes, and a forked tongue—it was unmistakably Black Demon One.
In fact, Chen Pingchuan's decision not to inherit his physical stats was definitely related to choosing this pet. And Black Demon One's timing couldn't have been worse.
"AWOOO!"
Adhering to the principle that it was better to torture others than himself, Chen Pingchuan expertly and familiarly began to torment Black Demon One. Even though his real-world self didn't possess the formidable attributes from the simulation, Black Demon One still held a natural fear of him. Of course, it was mostly just resignation to its own miserable fate.
Having such a moronic master is suffering!
Suddenly, a crisp female voice sounded from outside the door.
"Chen Pingchuan, you rascal, still awake? Don't you know how important sleep is for a woman?
"Open the door. I want to see what's going on.
"Hey... don't think I don't know you're in there just because you're quiet.
"You rascal, rent is due on the fifth of next month. You know the terms I've offered. Think it over and let me know."
Chen Pingchuan quickly bent down, clamping a hand tightly over Black Demon One's mouth as he stared grimly at the door. The thrilling incident from two years ago was still fresh in his memory. They had agreed it was just a transaction, but she insisted on bringing feelings into it, which had scared him so much that he'd pulled up his pants and bolted.
I have to move out. Soon.
It wasn't that he had anything against his landlady. It was just that a terrifying creature like Black Demon One, a full size larger than a human, was completely unsuitable for keeping in a rented room.
Chen Pingchuan let out a long sigh of relief when he sensed that it had fallen silent outside again. He didn't know why he was so afraid of his beautiful landlady. In a way, she was half a benefactor to him. But given Huang Yujia's straightforward personality, he knew if they got together, the ending would be disastrous. Their relationship would sour, and the endless push-and-pull would lead to them becoming enemies. These were outcomes Chen Pingchuan wanted no part of.
After ordering Black Demon One to be quiet, Chen Pingchuan first retrieved the Federation Coins and jewelry from his storage space, then changed into a pair of lucky red underpants. Finding a comfortable position on the bed, he muttered under his breath, "Equip the 'Quick Gunner - Wild Tiger' title!"
With all preparations complete, Chen Pingchuan began tonight's simulation.
[Enter Simulation?]
[Yes]
[This simulation costs 10 Simulation Points. Remaining Points: 196]
[Remaining Simulations: 6]
[Detected carried talents: Strength Doubled (Green), Heavenly Dao Rewards the Diligent (Green)]
[Random talent draw in progress. Please choose the number of Simulation Points to invest. 0 points for a White talent, 10 points for a Green talent, 100 points for a Blue talent. All options have a chance to yield lower or higher-grade talents.]
Chen Pingchuan didn't hesitate, directly investing 100 Simulation Points. Thinking of the thirty-four energy crystals still waiting for him at Wang Mazi's second-hand repair shop, he felt a sudden surge of wealth. A hundred Simulation Points was practically nothing.
[You have invested 100 Simulation Points. Drawing talent!]
[Ding! The God of Luck is with you, and your fortune is heaven-defying! Congratulations, Host, you have acquired the Purple Talent: Parasite]
[Parasite]: (Purple Talent) An extremely terrifying, dark-type talent that comes with four perfect attribute tags.
Description: It takes root deep in the flesh and soul of its target, continuously absorbing their vital essence until it ultimately replaces the target completely, completing its transformation.
Parasite Seed: A magical seed used for parasitism. This terrifying seed can invade any carbon-based organism, but it is fragile and must be handled with care. The rates of seed generation depend on the target's rarity:
• White Tag: Can parasitize organisms with a white tag. Rate: one seed per day.
• Green Tag: Can parasitize organisms with a green tag. Rate: one seed per month.
• Blue Tag: Can parasitize organisms with a blue tag. Rate: one per year.
• Purple Tag: Can parasitize organisms with a purple tag. The host can permanently sacrifice ten of their own attribute points to gain one purple seed.
Puppet Doll: The mind of a parasitized subject remains unchanged, but their soul and willpower are gradually eroded until they come to view the host as their one and only master.
Attribute Sharing: The host can select any parasitized individual and share the value of their strongest attribute.
Revival by Borrowed Body: Each parasite seed is a second life for the host. Unless every single seed is destroyed, the host can resurrect using the body of a parasitized subject.
Note: To you, time is as insignificant as a drop in the ocean. As long as you wish it, not even a god could truly kill you. You are like an indestructible virus, eternally rooted in this land.
Holy hell!
Chen Pingchuan leaped off the bed and began pacing back and forth in the narrow hallway, his steps urgent and forceful. He occasionally trod on Black Demon One's large feet. He rubbed his handsome face vigorously, confirming that he wasn't dreaming. He decided to set aside the philosophical question of whether a reborn version of himself would still be "himself" for later. For now, just obtaining a purple talent with four perfect tags was enough to make him ecstatic.
So, was it the luck from the red underwear, or was it that girl...?
Chen Pingchuan shook his head, driving the image from his mind. He then leaned close to Black Demon One, patted its head affectionately, and broke into a wide grin.
The smile left Black Demon One completely stunned.
Has Master gone mad again?