Chat Group Crossover: My System Simulates Infinite Anime Worlds — Chapter 96

Chapter 96: The Last Run Was Too Short, Let’s Go Again

Meanwhile, in the world of Honkai Impact 3rd.

After Li Sushang held a small, solemn funeral for you, she finally sought out Fu Hua, desperate for answers.

Fu Hua told her some of the truth.

The weight of it all—your sacrifice, the centuries of struggle, the crushing reality of their war—was too much. Overwhelmed by a tidal wave of grief and rage, Li Sushang’s inner energy surged uncontrollably. She fell into a violent state of qi deviation.

Her sorrow twisted into fury, and she attacked. A desperate, grief-fueled storm of martial arts was unleashed upon Fu Hua, the master she once revered.

But this was a different Fu Hua. After receiving the last ember of your life, the Remnant Fire, a portion of her former strength had returned. With a heavy heart and movements that were both precise and gentle, she easily subdued her distraught student.

Just then, Otto Apocalypse appeared. He carefully lifted the unconscious Li Sushang into his arms. “I made a promise to Nagumo that I would protect her,” he stated, his voice even and devoid of any discernible emotion. “I will take her back to Schicksal. A cryo-chamber should stabilize her condition.”

Fu Hua said nothing, her silence a heavy shroud in the air. She watched him, and in that shared quiet, a number of unspoken agreements were forged between them.

Though she had accepted the power of Nagumo’s Remnant Fire, it was a finite gift. The flame would one day burn out. The burden of protecting Shenzhou alone, without the godlike power she once wielded, felt impossibly heavy. Perhaps this was the inexorable trajectory of fate, turning everything back onto this long, lonely path.

After watching Otto depart with her student, Fu Hua turned and entered a small, rustic hut. There, lying on a simple bed, was Cheng Lingshuang, her other disciple, hovering on the very brink of death.

Cheng Lingshuang’s voice was a fragile whisper. “Master… kill me. I was wrong back then, but I don’t regret it.” A faint, pained smile touched her lips. “You should be the one to do it. I think… that’s why Senior Brother saved me.”

Fu Hua gazed down at the disciple before her, her ancient eyes a storm of disappointment and far more complex emotions. A long moment passed in silence.

Then, she bent down and lifted Cheng Lingshuang’s now-lifeless body from the bed, carrying the corpse out into the fading light.

At that very moment, far removed from the grief of that world, Nagumo was starting another round.

He was ready to select his traits for the next simulation. Five options were laid out before his consciousness.

[Guide (Blue)]: Possessing this trait increases the speed at which you learn anything, allowing you to dabble in various fields of knowledge or skills, though you will not achieve deep mastery. However, under your instruction, your students can rapidly learn any ability you have acquired. To a certain extent, you can become a guiding star for others, illuminating the path forward for them.

Note: This trait can create cooperation with traits such as [Accumulate Over Time], [Rapid Growth], [Limit Break], etc.

[Accumulate Over Time (White)]: Every day brings a small reward. A far humbler version of Heaven’s Favor. As long as you remain alive and are given enough time, you will eventually become the strongest.

Note: This trait can create cooperation with traits such as…

[Limit Break (Blue)]: All beings have limits. Once you train to that limit, you can easily shatter it and push beyond.

Note: This trait can create cooperation with traits such as [Guide], etc.

[Environmental Adaptation (Blue)]: The law of survival—survival of the fittest. This is a lesser variant of the [Adaptive Evolution] trait. You will quickly adapt to changes in your environment, but the evolutionary aspect is relatively slow.

Note: This trait can create cooperation with traits such as [Guide], [Limit Break], etc.

[Agile Hands and Feet (Green)]: Can improve your reflexes. Your hands and feet are exceptionally nimble.

Note: This trait can create cooperation with traits such as [Accumulate Over Time], [Limit Break], etc.

Nagumo’s focus settled on the first trait.

‘A teacher, huh?’he mused to himself.’Let’s try that.’ He selected it.

His own subconscious combat experience, honed to perfection over countless lives and deaths, was an innate part of him now. It far exceeded the scope of a mere trait; it was a fundamental truth of his existence, and the bedrock of his confidence.

After careful consideration, he had to choose between the stability of [Accumulate Over Time (White)] and the gamble of [Limit Break (Blue)] for his second trait. The white trait was a safe, steady path. The blue one was a risk; it would only trigger when he pushed himself to an absolute boundary.

He thought about the [Guide] trait, which would allow him to learn many things broadly, but none of them deeply. What if the system determined that “broad but not refined” state was his limit? If he could then use [Limit Break] to shatter that very restriction… the potential profit was immense.

If it didn’t work, it wasn’t a major loss. He could always fall back on training his physical body, something the conceptual limits of the [Guide] trait shouldn’t affect. He chose the gamble. He selected [Limit Break].

For his final trait, he chose [Environmental Adaptation (Blue)].

He recognized it as a lesser version of [Adaptive Evolution], which, based on his experience with traits like [Accumulate Over Time], was likely a Golden-tier ability. The combination of [Environmental Adaptation] and [Limit Break] was promising. As long as he didn’t get a disastrous starting scenario or die instantly upon arrival, he should be fine.

Nagumo felt a surge of confidence. Even if he were dropped on a deserted island, he was certain he could thrive. If his judgment was correct, these two traits working in concert could allow him to bootstrap himself to incredible heights. He remained realistic, however. He was still dealing with Blue-tier traits. Environmental factors or a simple lack of food could easily halt his “meteoric rise.” They couldn’t compare to the law-defying, game-breaking power of a true Golden trait.

After he confirmed his three choices, a new notification appeared.

[Host has selected traits that create a cooperation effect. Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the title: Strict Teacher, Excellent Student (Blue).]

[Strict Teacher, Excellent Student (Blue)]: Possessing this title causes you to release an inexplicable aura that makes others more inclined to trust and be convinced by you. The learning ability of any student under your instruction is increased.

[Grants a Full Heal ability that can be used once per day, but only on one of your students.]

Nagumo rubbed his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face.

‘A full heal, once a day, but only on a student… How interesting. This means I won’t have to worry about whether they live or die during training.’

In fact, another use for this combination immediately came to mind. The [Guide] trait, combined with the unique persuasive aura from his new title, could produce an unimaginable chemical reaction. It wasn’t just about brutal training; it was about influence.

As he contemplated the possibilities, his consciousness was pulled into the familiar abyss, and the simulation began.

[You awaken to the smell of salty, humid sea air and the sound of crashing waves. You push yourself up, brushing damp sand from your body. You glance back at the depression you were just lying in, then at the much larger, crater-like pit you seem to have crawled out of on the beach.]

[Looking at the scene, you get the distinct feeling that this awakening was a bit… dramatic. As if you were in some kind of shipwreck.]

[Putting yourself in another’s shoes, you suppose you have indeed suffered a disaster.]

[You look down at your tattered clothes and try to recall your name, only to discover that not much of your memory remains this time. You are a blank slate.]

[Fortunately, you do remember the Breathing Technique you practiced, as well as the fundamentals of cultivation. This feels like a blessing in the midst of misfortune; at least you won’t need to fumble around trying to rediscover a cultivation method.]

[The most important thing now is to find shelter. Spotting a few small, weathered boats pulled up on the shore nearby, you surmise that this island is inhabited.]

[Suddenly, a pleasant surprise blossoms in your mind—an information packet. As you receive it, you understand the full scope of your current abilities. You can become someone’s teacher, your disciples will learn at an accelerated rate, and you even possess the ability to fully heal one of them once per day.]

[A wicked smile immediately touches your face. If you can fully heal a student, then any disciple you take on can be trained to the very brink of death, day after day, so long as they don’t actually die.]

[First things first, however. You need to find a place to live and begin the task of becoming stronger. It would be troublesome to try and teach disciples otherwise.]

[After all, you recall, when the old master Confucius took on students, he sometimes had to rely on his fists and a bit of martial force to subdue them. You feel you should learn from his example. It’s a cultural tradition passed down by your predecessors. You decide then and there: this time, you are prepared to be a teacher.]

[And the first prerequisite for being a teacher is that you, yourself, must be strong.]

[You find a small, overgrown path and follow it inland, soon coming upon a dilapidated village. As soon as you enter, you are approached by an old man with a determined look in his eyes and a missing left hand.]

[He comes straight up to you. You explain your situation, and he explains his; everyone here drifted to this small island after their own misfortunes.]

[You learn that the old man’s name is Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra.]

[You find that you get along with him remarkably well. As you talk, a friendship forms between you, bridging the gap between generations.]

[You also learn of the monster that plagues the islanders. A creature they call the Leviathan, possibly some kind of mutated beast, lives in the nearby waters. Its presence has prevented them from going out to sea to fish for a long time.]

[You know you must make thorough preparations before you can even think of heading out to sea. You bid a temporary farewell to the old man who came to greet you.]

[Relying on your sharp intuition, you find a prime plot of land and begin to build your own house. Before long, the other villagers come over one by one to help.]

[Although this persona’s memory is missing, your own inherent knowledge and skills are still preserved.]

[With the help of the villagers, your house is built with surprising speed. Following that, your days fall into a simple, regular pattern: you either chat with the old man, Miguel, or you venture out to search for food, slowly acquainting yourself with this new, temporary home.]