In an instant, Chu Chen felt his mind become clearer, and his sensitivity to the surrounding spiritual energy greatly increased.
"Although it's only a Cyan-grade talent, it corresponds to the Qi Transformation realm. I'm currently only at the Foundation Establishment realm, so its usefulness is undeniable."
Chu Chen was overjoyed. With this Heaven-defying talent, his current cultivation progress would nearly double.
However, the content of the simulation process once again troubled Chu Chen.
Judging from the outcome, agreeing to follow Princess Yunting seemed quite good. Not only was it his first time marrying a woman in a life simulation, but he also had a child.
However, this approach would be unfair to Princess Xinyue. Chu Chen was conflicted.
After nearly a year, if Chu Chen claimed to have no feelings for Princess Xinyue, he would be deceiving himself.
In the past, his identity as a fake eunuch prevented him from going further. But now that his true identity was revealed and he was starting anew, there was a possibility between them.
"Alas, let's see what happens if I refuse and continue to choose Princess Xinyue."
Chu Chen shifted his posture and continued to feign contemplation.
[Simulation loading complete, Protagonist: Chu Chen!]
[You have just been released from the prison. Invited by Princess Xinyue's confidante, you are asked to join the merchant association.]
[While drinking and feasting, Princess Yunting arrives upon hearing the news, attempting to persuade you to join her faction with high officials and generous salaries.]
[You refuse Princess Yunting's kind offer. Princess Yunting repeatedly invites you, but you still refuse.]
[Princess Yunting is angered and leaves in a huff.]
[You continue to refuse Shao Lili's invitation, purchasing a hundred acres of land and living a leisurely cultivation life.]
[In March of the 3242nd year of the Qingzhou Continent, the Empress, who is not adept at business, appoints Shao Lili as the Royal Merchant to assist in royal trade.]
[Shao Lili invites you again, and you refuse once more.]
[In April, during the planting season, you go out of the city to inspect your land and guide the tenants in planting new crops.]
[You are assassinated, but without Princess Xinyue's burden, you single-handedly kill three hundred assassins.]
[You learn that the mastermind behind the assassins is none other than the current Third Princess, Princess Yunting. You furiously swear revenge.]
[In May, you meet Princess Xinyue through Shao Lili and present the method of steel smelting.]
[You verify the superiority of the steel smelting method. Princess Xinyue presents it to the Empress, and you gain the Empress's favor. With this merit, you return to the imperial court.]
[You are appointed as a seventh-rank official in the Ministry of Works, in charge of one of the twelve casting workshops.]
[In July, you are the first in the Ministry of Works to complete a military order. The newly formed Imperial Guard is very satisfied with the equipment cast by your workshop.]
[In August, you are promoted to the sixth-rank official, Director of the Armaments Department.]
[In September, you reform the Armaments Department.]
[In December, all thirty thousand soldiers of the Imperial Guard use weapons forged by your department. You are rewarded for your merit.]
[You are promoted to the sixth-rank official, Director of the Manufacturing Division in the Ministry of Works.]
[In February of year 43, you present potatoes and corn to the Empress, highlighting their high yield. The Empress orders you to be transferred to the Ministry of Works as a sixth-rank Director of the Agricultural Division, responsible for piloting the cultivation of new crops.]
[In March, you begin piloting potato cultivation.]
[In April, you begin piloting corn cultivation.]
[In June, the yield of the potatoes you piloted shocks the imperial court. You are appointed as a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works for your merit.]
[In July, the yield of the corn you piloted shocks the imperial court. You are appointed as the Minister of Works.]
[You begin to promote the cultivation of late-ripening new crops in the southern regions.]
[In the spring of year 44, the new crops are harvested with great success. The tax revenue of Yunyue Kingdom increases significantly, and the country has sufficient grain, transitioning from importing to exporting.]
[In the summer of year 44, Chen Kingdom, in alliance with Qin Kingdom, invades. You are swiftly appointed as a second-rank General of Western Pacification, leading an army of one hundred thousand to resist Qin Kingdom in the northwest.]
[In year 45, Chu Kingdom, Qi Kingdom, and Yan Kingdom invade.]
[Half a year later, a multi-national coalition captures Shuangyue City. The Empress commits suicide, and the princesses are successively defeated and die.]
[In year 46, Qin Kingdom launches a full-scale invasion. You are short of troops and generals, struggling with supplies, and are defeated and killed.]
[You have died at the age of 27.]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining 70 points. You now have 10,970 points.]
[Congratulations to the host for successfully completing the life simulation. You may choose one of the following three rewards.]
[... ]
After reading the process of this life simulation, Chu Chen's expression changed, and he felt indignant.
"In this life simulation, the assassins were sent by this Princess Yunting. Then, were the previous assassins also sent by her?"
"Good, playing both sides, pretending to be bad while doing good, failing to kill and then trying to win over. This is a well-calculated plan."
Chu Chen thought to himself.
Without a trace, he glanced at Princess Yunting, who was casually chatting with Shao Lili and Chen Shengnan.
"Since that is the case, it seems I have multiple choices, but in reality, there is only one!"
Chu Chen made up his mind. He glanced at the rewards, finding them all to be trash, which made him even more upset.
However, his expression remained normal as he cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, after careful consideration, I find my abilities to be limited and unable to shoulder such a heavy responsibility. I beg Your Highness to find someone else."
"What?"
Princess Yunting and the other two women were stunned.
They could never have imagined that Chu Chen would refuse such a promising opportunity.
Upon recovering, Shao Lili was overjoyed and was about to speak when Chu Chen preempted her, saying, "Miss Shao Lili, I have no intention of joining you either."
"Why is that?"
Princess Yunting and Shao Lili asked in unison.
"I have experienced enough palace intrigue and found it exhausting. Now that I am free from official duties, I realize how wonderful life is and wish to live a leisurely life for a while."
Although displeased in his heart, Chu Chen said sincerely and earnestly on the surface.
Seeing Chu Chen's demeanor, Princess Yunting and Shao Lili knew that they could not recruit Chu Chen for the time being. They felt regretful but were also relieved that Chu Chen had not joined the other party.
Princess Yunting sighed and said, "Young Master Chu, such great talent, yet you do not wish to return to the imperial court. This is truly a loss for Yunyue Kingdom."
Shao Lili and Chen Shengnan nodded in agreement.
Princess Yunting secretly glanced at Chu Chen. Seeing that Chu Chen showed no reaction, she knew that this matter could not be forced.
She sighed again and said, "Since that is the case, I shall take my leave."
Princess Yunting cupped her hands, rose, opened her fan, and walked to the door, smiling, "I have acquired a small residence in the city. If Young Master Chu changes his mind in the future, you may send someone to inform me, and I will personally welcome you and fulfill this promise."
After saying that, she left the private room.
After Princess Yunting left, Shao Lili immediately asked, "Young Master Chu, is this truly your genuine thought, or...?"
How could Chu Chen not understand her underlying meaning? She was undoubtedly guessing if this was a polite refusal.
He replied, "This is indeed what I am thinking, so I regret to decline Miss Shao Lili's generous invitation."
"Alas, if that is the case, then we shall also take our leave."
Shao Lili sighed, stood up, and left with Chen Shengnan.