What Exactly Did You Update?

Cao Xueyan stared at the message popping up on the panel.

Especially the evaluation section.

She frowned and couldn’t help saying:

“This simulator is too scammy, isn’t it?

I worked hard for a whole month, bowed and scraped in front of that fox-woman Lu, endured humiliation, and still had to deal with Qin Ximo.

Do you think that was easy for me?”

【Host, perhaps you should reflect on your own actions.】

Unlike before, the simulator now seemed faintly… human.

It even responded to her complaints.

“Nonsense!” Cao Xueyan protested.

“I did everything I was supposed to!

How could any of this be my fault?

It’s clearly because you’re stingy!

You can’t stand seeing me do well, yet you still ‘wish me early ascension.’

How am I supposed to ascend without cultivation points!?”

She glanced at the panel:

Host: Cao Xueyan

Realm: Foundation Establishment – Stage 1 (3000 / 0)

Talisman Crafting: Uninitiated (1000 / 787)

Sword Dao: Uninitiated (2000 / 6)

Simulation Count: 0

Cultivation Points: 1500

The so-called “new module” was merely the addition of a Sword Dao talent tree.

Nothing else had changed much.

Just like how she awakened the Talisman Crafting module after losing her virginity.

The problem was—there weren’t enough cultivation points!

After breaking into Foundation Establishment, advancing a single level now required a terrifying three thousand points.

Meaning she’d have to be pressed under Xiao Menglan for at least thirty nights…

And in quick simulations, be tormented back and forth thirty rounds!

Cultivation is hard, sure.

But does it have to be this hard?!

She had 1500 points.

Enough to enter the Talisman path.

But the remaining points were too little to meaningfully upgrade her realm or Sword Dao.

It felt… useless.

【I know you’re anxious, but Host, please don’t be anxious.】

Cao Xueyan replied calmly:

“I’m not anxious.”

【Host, don’t lie. You were clearly very anxious just now.】

“Just say what you need to say.

Or do you still want to mock me a few more times?”

【During your 30-day real simulation, in order to ensure you reach ascension quickly and embrace three thousand fairy maidens, the simulator has updated certain features related to your cultivation.】

Cao Xueyan read this and felt something… very wrong.

“Hold on.”

She interrupted.

“When did you update anything?

Why didn’t I know?”

【This is not important.】

“And what does ‘embrace three thousand fairy maidens’ mean?”

【A literal description.】

Cao Xueyan froze.

Her body trembled, hands and feet turning cold.

Her teeth chattered.

“T-three thousand people…?”

She clutched her chest.

“I would die, right?”

【Host, have some confidence in yourself.

Besides, the number was merely a figure of speech.

Ancient texts say the Human Emperor of antiquity ‘visited three thousand fairy maidens nightly.’

In truth, his harem held far more than that.

And every woman was at least Golden Core realm—none inferior to your current love interests in beauty or cultivation.】

“So what are you implying…?”

She had heard the title “Human Emperor” before.

A figure from ancient times, when Golden Core cultivators were everywhere, and Nascent Soul cultivators were commonplace.

One of the most brilliant beings of that age.

【Meaning, Host—if you wish to ascend, you should learn from the Human Emperor.】

“You’re insane, aren’t you?”

Cao Xueyan felt the sky collapsing.

She finally realized—the simulator had intentions.

Very suspicious intentions.

Could it be… all those earlier signs were deliberate?

Was the simulator trying to mold her into a female Human Emperor?!

Impossible!

This could not be allowed!

Cao Xueyan felt dizzy.

“Fine, forget that for now.

Just tell me—what exactly did you update?”

【Very well, Host. The updates include the following:】

【1. A scoring system has been added to quick simulations.
When you encounter or interact with romantic targets, your score increases.
Higher score = more cultivation points.】

【2. During quick simulations, the simulator will provide choices at appropriate moments.
These options will influence the direction of events and help you gain more cultivation points.】

【……】

“That’s it?” Cao Xueyan said in disbelief.

【That’s it.】

Cao Xueyan felt her whole body tense in frustration.

If the simulator had a physical form, she would have punched it already.

“You updated… just this little?”

But she exhaled slowly.

Forget it.

She comforted herself inwardly.

She already had far more than she ever dared dream of.

Once, she didn’t even dare hope for Foundation Establishment.

Now she had not only built her foundation—but accomplished a Heaven-Dao Foundation Establishment.

Golden Core was no longer an illusion.

She looked again at her panel.

For the first time, she felt rich in cultivation points.

Though she couldn’t spend them freely, the best use was clear.

She should max out her talisman path.

And then… what would Xiao Menglan reward her with?

Her cheeks flushed crimson at the thought.

She hadn’t tasted Xiao Menglan’s “methods” for a while.

Qin Ximo had better temperament—but in technique?

Her junior sister was superior.

That sweet, coaxing mouth—Cao Xueyan had no idea where Xiao Menglan learned such lines.

Each encounter left her embarrassed… and wanting more.

Leaving the secluded chamber, she found Yaoyue Palace still as cold and quiet as a moonlit temple.

Few humans ever entered.

Most attendants were puppet maids cleaning the place.

Everything looked the same as when she had entered closed-door cultivation.

Not surprising—this palace had been like this for hundreds of years.

“Strange.”

Cao Xueyan walked through the halls, taking the chance to familiarize herself with spiritual sense.

She passed the training grounds.

Walked through the corridors.

Finally arrived at Xiao Menglan’s bedroom door.

But she hadn’t sensed Xiao Menglan anywhere.

“Master is out?”

She looked at a nearby puppet maid.

It could not speak, only nod or shake its head.

Hearing her question, it simply tilted its head up and down.

So she really wasn’t here.

Cao Xueyan stepped inside the long-absent room.

Nothing had changed.

Furniture, screens, incense burners, ornaments—all in the same place.

Even the bedding on the bed was neatly folded.

Not the sign of someone leaving in a hurry.

Cao Xueyan removed her shoes, her white, delicate feet touching the cool floor.

She climbed onto the bed and buried her face into the comforter and pillows.

Soft.

Warm.

Fragrant.

But it was only the natural scent of the luxurious materials.

Xiao Menglan’s unique fragrance had faded.

Meaning she had been gone a few days.

But where to?

Lying on the bed, drowsiness surged through her.

Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator could not resist the combined force of a soft bed, warm blankets, and deep exhaustion.

After a month of struggle, she deserved a proper rest.