Mike closed his eyes and initiated the fourth simulation. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
“Simulation world accelerating…”
“His nemesis in this life is named Zephyrus.”
Zephyrus!! Joseph’s ID!
“Yes!” Mike jumped for joy, practically a child again, tears of happiness welling up.
He’d been waiting for this since the second simulation! This round was in the bag!
Brimming with excitement, Mike entered the fourth simulation.
…
“Fourth simulation starting…”
He was born into a wealthy family and named Illidan Carson.
At 1, Illidan Carson lay in his cradle, staring at the ceiling. His favorite activity was drinking his mother’s milk.
At 2, Illidan Carson continued drinking his mother’s milk.
At 3, Illidan Carson was still drinking his mother’s milk.
At 4, Illidan Carson had grown; he now needed milk twice a night…
At 5…
Mike: “???”
*What was going on? What was wrong with Illidan Carson? Why was he obsessed with breast milk, showing no signs of protagonist potential? This wasn’t going according to plan!*
Mike, unable to stand it any longer, intervened.
He met Illidan Carson in the dream world. Although Illidan had no memories of his past lives, the scene felt familiar. He felt a natural affinity for Mike and instinctively said, “Master Dream!”
Mike, looking at the well-behaved Illidan, asked, “Illidan, can you tell me why, at five years old, you do nothing but drink milk all day?”
Illidan Carson replied earnestly, “Because I want to live like a normal child.”
Mike froze.
So that was the problem! Oh no, Apollo’s aftereffects!
Mike realized his luck was truly terrible today.
Apollo’s supposed help had backfired spectacularly. Or… had Apollo simply done as Mike asked, saying whatever came to mind without holding back? The latter seemed more likely. Mike patiently explained, “Even if you want to live like a normal child, you can still cultivate! Have you forgotten your ambition? To shatter the void, to ascend to godhood?”
This was something Illidan Carson had strived for in three lifetimes. How could he give it up so easily?
“I remember some of it. I haven’t forgotten,” Illidan Carson replied respectfully. “But in this life, I was born with only one thought: to live. I have a little talent in cultivation, but I don’t want to be distracted.”
A little talent?
With the accumulated experience of his past lives, even without any training, Illidan Carson could reach nine-star Soldier just by drinking milk! With a little cultivation, he could easily become a Chief, a Lord even!
Mike wasn’t asking for much. Half of Feather Carson’s strength would be enough to beat Joseph!
Besides, thanks to the groundwork laid in the previous lives, this world was teeming with powerful individuals. There were even two nine-star Lords on the verge of their tribulation! With such potential rivals, Illidan Carson could only grow stronger!
Moreover, his opponent was Joseph, relatively weaker than the others.
The problem lay with Illidan himself! Immense talent, perfect environment, yet no desire to cultivate!
Mike tried again. “Wouldn’t greater strength increase your chances of survival?”
Illidan Carson shook his head. “The stronger you are, the more fake the world becomes. I don’t know how to describe it, but you should understand… In this world, the weaker you are, the more real it feels, the more like living.”
Mike fell silent. From that perspective, Illidan Carson was right.
The simulator could simulate an ordinary person with near-perfect accuracy. But simulating a nine-star Lord consumed vast resources, and many aspects became distorted. And to a nine- star Lord, the world *did* feel fake.
That was why Illidan Carson preferred the simple pleasure of milk to the pursuit of power. To live, to truly live. He needed to experience life, death, and everything in between before he could understand what he truly sought.
Mike never expected this. Illidan Carson, in this life, had chosen to… slack off. He completely ignored Master Dream’s earnest teachings.
Every night, they met in the dream world. Mike pleaded, “The nemesis in this life is weak! The tribulation difficulty is at an all-time low! This is a golden opportunity, don’t miss it!”
Illidan Carson: “Yeah, yeah, sure.”
…
Since Illidan Carson was determined to give up, Mike stopped trying to persuade him after a few failed attempts. He could see that Illidan Carson’s path was the right one for him.
To experience the joys and sorrows of life, the ups and downs, the struggles… this was Illidan Carson’s chance, his only chance to truly “live.”
Without Apollo’s words, no amount of introspection would have granted him this
opportunity.
Illidan Carson was weaned at six and left his mother at fifteen. He had no interest in cultivation, not even reaching Soldier tier.
Mike sighed, taking a swig of his drink. “Illidan, you were an emperor in your past life. Can you at least try to be someone in this one?”
Giving up cultivation didn’t mean Illidan Carson had to live a meaningless life. That would be a waste of this precious opportunity.
Illidan Carson chuckled, sitting down opposite Mike. “Master Dream, please try this wine. My mother made it with water from the Moonwell.”
Mike took a sip. “Meh.” He pocketed the cup and pulled out a bottle of fine wine from Wolf’s Den. “Try this. A guy named Maxen gave it to me. This is good wine!”
Illidan Carson respectfully took the bottle, poured a small glass, and drank it in one gulp. His expression remained blank. “Master Dream,” he said faintly, “I can’t taste anything.”
As a simulated being, he couldn’t experience the flavors of the real world. Mike paused. “It’s normal for young people not to appreciate strong liquor. You haven’t
experienced the hardships of life yet. Maybe you’ll understand later.”
Illidan Carson replied respectfully, “You are wise. I will remember that.”
At 20, Illidan Carson met a beautiful priestess named Tyrande.
At 21, they married.
At 22, they had a son.
At 24, they had a daughter.
…
At 99, Illidan and Tyrande were old, their bodies frail, but their love remained strong.
At 100, Illidan Carson reached the end of his life, facing imminent death. That day, as he lay in
bed, someone appeared beside him. It was the first time Illidan Carson had seen Mike outside
the dream world.
“Master Dream…” The aged Illidan Carson, his face wrinkled, his lips barely moving,
whispered, “Spicy…”
“What are you saying?” Mike asked.
“Cough, cough.” Illidan Carson coughed, his spirit rallying in a final burst of clarity, his body
feeling lighter, like a final flicker before the flame died out. He propped himself up, a tearful
smile on his face. “Spicy… such spicy wine.”
The strong liquor he’d tasted ninety years ago finally made sense. Spicy. So very spicy.
Mike’s expression faltered, then returned to normal. He sat beside Illidan Carson’s bed, silently watching over him.
Ten minutes later, Illidan felt sleepy, his eyelids heavy. He seemed to return to the snowy mountain, seeing his past selves, cultivating, facing their tribulations. Failing, then trying again. His previous lives had all revolved around one destiny: the tribulation!
Only in this life had Illidan Carson lived for himself, free from the burden of ascension. He’d lived a fulfilling life with the woman he loved. He was content.
But if he wouldn’t go to the tribulation, the tribulation would come to him.
Before the dying Illidan Carson, the void cracked open, and a familiar figure emerged. Joseph, radiating immense power, could kill Illidan Carson with a breath.
Illidan Carson didn’t look at his nemesis. Instead, he looked at Master Dream, guilt in his
eyes. “Master Dream, I lived a selfish life this time. I’m sorry.”
Mike waved his hand. “Being selfish is what makes us human.”
Illidan Carson smiled like a child. “In the next life, I will…”
“Don’t talk about the next life when you’re still living this one.” Mike stood up, blocking
Illidan Carson’s view, shielding him from Joseph.
Illidan Carson, his vision blurring, murmured, “Master Dream, I…”
“Save it for later.” Mike raised his hammer, crackling with terrifying lightning. “I’ll help you
through this tribulation first.”