[Heart-Seeking Realm · Day Five][System Notice: Fate Trial Complete – All Participants Passed][Instance Rewards Now Calculating…]
Beams of spiritual light rained from the sky.
Xu Nian stood at the summit of the mountain, surrounded by five powerful, dangerous senior brothers… and a fluffy Snowball curled into a round ball in her arms.
It was an outrageously extravagant scene.
The system, for once, spoke with rare seriousness:
[Congratulations, Host. You've successfully shattered the "Fated Death Chain" and unlocked Destiny Choice – Lv.1.][You are no longer bound by the "Tool Character" framework. You now have the power to influence world logic and character fate.][Main plotline is reconstructing… Warning: As a variable outside the script, you are now considered a threat by the "Protagonist Team."]
"…Huh?" Xu Nian blinked.
[In short, you're now the number one suspect for stealing the protagonist's destiny.]
[Protagonist Team: Crisis Level MAX. Blackening risk rising.]
"I literally just survived my death trial. How am I already causing problems again?!"
The system offered comfort—if you could call it that:
[No worries. You've got five certified maniacs guarding you.]
Xu Nian glanced to the side.
Bai Qi was feeding her spiritual fruits.Xie Linyuan was draping his cloak over her shoulders.Lu Jin was calmly cleaning debris from her seat.Shen Wang was silently watching her every move.And Snowball was… licking its paws in her lap.
"…You're not wrong."
But before she could catch her breath—
[Ding! Hidden Quest Triggered — Emotional Trial: Pre-Confession Phase][Current Top Favorability: Shen Wang (88 Points)][Due to successful influence during his Heart Demon trial, Shen Wang is now entering "Emotional Awakening Mode."][Caution: Behavior during this state is unpredictable. Risk of "Emotional Outburst" imminent. Proceed at your own risk.]
"???"
That night, with the trial temporarily suspended for rest, Xu Nian sat alone beside the spirit spring, lost in thought.
Then—Footsteps.
Shen Wang approached.
Under the moonlight, he wore black robes, sword at his hip. He was calm as always, yet there was an unfamiliar tension in his aura.
"Niannian."
"…Hm?" She turned her head.
"Do you remember… the peach tree on the back mountain?"
Xu Nian blinked.
She vaguely recalled, in the year she first transmigrated here—still a young child—she had wandered into the back mountain and gotten lost.Shen Wang had been the first to find her. He'd given her a seed.
"You said… when it blooms, it means you'll come home."
Shen Wang's voice dropped to a murmur:
"It's blooming now."
Xu Nian turned, stunned—Down the hill, that lone peach tree was now in full bloom, petals soft and pink, glowing under moonlight like a dream.
She smiled gently.
"So it really bloomed."
But Shen Wang suddenly stepped forward, leaned close, and looked down at her with eyes burning under restraint.
"At first, I only wanted to be your senior brother."
"But every time I saw you smile, cry, or worry about someone else… I just—wanted to hide you away."
"You're weak, yet always trying to protect others."
"I hate seeing others look at you."
"And I hate it more… when you don't look at me."
He lowered his head, voice hoarse:
"Am I being too selfish?"
Xu Nian opened her mouth, unsure what to say—And the system popped up, screaming:
[Warning: Shen Wang's Emotional Value Rising — Now at 85%][Forced Confession State Imminent!][Please make a choice: Respond or Avoid.][Reminder: If no response is made in time, system will assume "ambiguous but not rejecting" and initiate Romance Route.]
"…System, are you trying to kill me?!"
[If you don't pick him, there are still four others waiting~]
A vein popped on Xu Nian's forehead.
She was trying to think of a way to tactfully deflect when—Shen Wang raised his hand, gently cradling her face in his palm.
His gaze was stubborn and tentative, filled with longing.
"Niannian."
"If I could… I don't want to just be your brother."
The world went still.
Even the wind held its breath.
But before she could react—A blinding light exploded in the distance, followed by a roar of thunder tearing the sky in two!
[System Alert: Protagonist Team Coordinates Shifted! Forced Activation of Canon Event: "Main Character Tribulation Breakthrough"!][Due to your interference, difficulty level has skyrocketed. Danger Level: S-Class.]
Xu Nian was jolted back to reality.
"What?! They're in danger?!"
The system was cold:
[In the original plot, you're already dead. You were never supposed to appear in this battle. If you go to help now—you'll completely destroy the protagonist's growth arc.]
Shen Wang's expression turned icy:
"You're going to save them?"
"I…"
"You can't."
His tone was sharp—like a blade laced with jealousy and fear.
"If you go save them, it means… they matter more to you than I do."
"Niannian. Just this once—Can't you look at me alone?"
[System Notice: Major Branching Decision Incoming]‼️ Current Split Path: Emotional Route vs. World Route Conflict
➤ Option A:
Go to the Protagonist Team — Trigger "Heroic Rescue" side quest.→ Further distort world logic, but unlock new destiny branch.→ Protagonists' attitude toward you will shift dramatically.
➤ Option B:
Stay with Shen Wang — Trigger "Confession Route."→ Unlock powerful protector bond.→ Lose your "moral high ground" evaluation in canon storyline.
➤ Option C:
Let the system take over — Trigger "Wildcard Plot Patch" route.→ Both love and fate on the table.→ High difficulty, but bonus plot rewards included.