99: Chapter 99 Exhaustion After the Show Ends

As the figure of the last Cultivator disappeared at the end of the winding mountain path.

The string that had been pulled taut in Su Changge's heart for a whole day and night suddenly snapped.

His straight-backed posture collapsed instantly, as if all his bones had been sucked out.

He stumbled, his figure swaying violently, and his vision began to darken in waves.

"Exhausted... so exhausted..."

He steadied himself against a cold ancient tree beside him, barely preventing himself from collapsing completely to the ground, his chest heaving violently as he greedily gasped for air.

Every inch of his muscles was screaming in protest, and a needle-like stinging pain radiated from the depths of his Divine Soul.

This whole day and night, it had seemed like he was just moving his lips.

But maintaining that calm, unruffled Old Ancestor posture while simultaneously splitting his focus to control the System and release the most stunning effects at the precise moment—this mental expenditure was even more painful than having his Divine Soul torn apart.

Being an actor is difficult.

Being a top-tier actor who has deceived the entire world is even harder than ascending to the heavens.

Just then, a burst of hurried footsteps came from behind him.

"Old Ancestor! Are... are you alright?"

Qin Wudao ran over, his face full of anxiety, his eyes filled with worry and self-reproach, and he subconsciously reached out to support him.

Su Changge's heart skipped a beat; using his last bit of strength, he subtly turned his body to avoid the support.

As if.

How could he let a Disciple see him in this state of exhaustion, where he might faint at any moment? If his persona collapsed, how would he survive!

He forcibly swallowed the ragged breath that was about to escape, turned his back to Qin Wudao, and let his voice carry a hint of hoarseness and fatigue from over-preaching, yet it still contained unquestionable majesty.

"It is fine."

"Preaching to you all this time merely expended a little bit of mental energy."

Hearing this slightly weak voice, the look of guilt on Qin Wudao's face was almost overflowing.

He wanted nothing more than to slap himself.

"It is all because we Disciples are dull-witted! To think we made you, Old Ancestor, expend so much effort!"

"Old Ancestor, please return to the peak to rest!"

Su Changge nodded wildly in his heart: Finally, you hit the mark; I've been wanting to roll back and lie flat for ages!

But aloud, he merely gave a faint "Mn" from his nose.

"I need to enter secluded meditation for a period of time."

"From this moment on, Changge Peak is closed; no one is to step inside or come to disturb me."

"Do you understand?"

He had to find the perfect excuse to lock himself away completely; otherwise, if he had to face this kind of situation a few more times, he was truly afraid he would die of sudden exhaustion.

"Yes! This Disciple obeys!"

Qin Wudao responded firmly, "This Disciple will immediately pass down the order and set up triple Restrictions to ensure that not even a single insect or ant will dare to disturb your cultivation!"

He turned and gave a look to the few Golden Core Elders behind him who were also full of reverence.

The Elders understood immediately.

Soon, a luxurious jade palanquin, carved from a single piece of thousand-year warm jade, with Spirit Gathering Beads hanging from its eight corners and emitting a soft, precious light, was steadily carried over by eight carefully selected Core Disciples at the Foundation Establishment Stage.

This display was so exaggerated that Su Changge's eye twitched uncontrollably.

But right now, he didn't even have the strength to lift a toe.

Thus, maintaining that aloofness and indifference, under the fanatical and reverent gazes of the Disciples, he was "invited" onto the jade palanquin and, amidst the mountain-shaking cries of "Respectfully seeing off the Old Ancestor," headed grandly toward the summit of Changge Peak.

Returning to the familiar courtyard.

Su Changge practically rolled off the jade palanquin.

He waved away all the attending Disciples, used his last bit of strength to slam the courtyard gate shut with a "bang," and then, with a "clatter," locked the door.

After doing all this, he didn't even have time to take off his shoes before diving headlong into the soft, wide bed.

"Ah—! I'm alive again!"

Su Changge let out a long moan of relief, feeling his entire body stretch out.

He rolled around in the bedding without any shred of decorum until the exhaustion that had nearly made him faint finally receded slightly.

His eyes lit up, he rubbed his hands in excitement, and his Divine Thought sank into his mind.

"System, settle! Quickly show me the results of this time!"

The light screen unfolded before his eyes.

【Host: Su Changge】

【Surface Cultivation: Unfathomable, Dao Returning to One (Augmented by Dao Mist)】

【True Cultivation: Qi Refining First Layer】

【emotion points: 235,841,987】

【Mastered Effects: ... (List Expanded)】

【Items: Effect Customization Card*1, True Damage Conversion Card*1, Eye of the Heavenly Emperor*1】

"Two hundred thirty-five million, eight hundred forty-one thousand, nine hundred eighty-seven!"

Looking at that long string of numbers for his emotion points, Su Changge's breath hitched for a moment.

He was rich!

This wave was a huge profit! He felt like he was wealthier than an entire nation right now!

However, what really made his heart race was the update the System had hinted at earlier.

"System, new feature! Quickly show me the new feature!"

【Ding! System 2.0 version core feature unlocked—Effect Materialization (Elementary)】

【Feature Introduction: The Host can consume emotion points to temporarily convert some visual effects into entities with real physical interference capabilities.】

【Note 1: Currently in the Elementary stage; the effects that can be materialized are limited and their power is weak. Please keep up the good work, Host.】

【Note 2: Materialization cost is proportional to the complexity, duration, and power of the effect.】

【Note 3: This feature holds infinite possibilities; it will be your only bridge from falsehood to reality.】

Effect Materialization!

Su Changge's pupils constricted violently, and his heart began to beat uncontrollably.

This...

This meant that he was finally no longer just a pure "actor" who could only play a slideshow?

Although the note said "power is weak," this was a qualitative change from "nothing" to "something"! It was a huge step toward tearing apart the world!

He "whooshed" up from the bed, his face full of impatience.

"List! Quickly show me what can be materialized!"

A virtual list unfolded before his eyes.

【Current List of Materializable Effects:】

【1. great dao golden lotus (Lighting Version): Materialize a golden lotus with weak light and heat, usable for indoor lighting. Cost: 10 emotion points/minute.】

【2. Spiritual Qi Rain (Potted Plant Version): Materialize a miniature spiritual rain covering an area of one square meter, containing extremely thin Spiritual Qi, can be used to water ordinary flowers and plants. Cost: 100 emotion points/minute.】

【3. Fingertip Flame (Cigarette Lighting Version): Materialize a flame the size of a fingertip, can light ordinary firewood. Cost: 1 emotion point/time.】

...

Su Changge looked at the list, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.

The great dao golden lotus used as a desk lamp?

Spiritual Qi Rain used to water flowers?

Fingertip Flame... used to light a cigarette?

This style, no matter how you look at it, reeks of an indescribable shabbiness.

But this did not affect his excited mood in the slightest.

Because it proved one thing—his power could finally touch reality!

He tremblingly extended his finger and whispered in his heart.

"Materialize, great dao golden lotus!"

【Consume 10 emotion points, confirm?】

"Confirm!"

The moment his voice fell, a cluster of soft golden light gathered and solidified in his palm.

As the light dissipated, a palm-sized, lifelike golden lotus floated quietly above his palm.

The lotus petals were layered, the textures were clear, and it emitted a faint golden halo, illuminating the entire dim room with warmth and brightness.

A real sense of warmth radiated from the lotus, dispelling the slight chill of the night on the mountain peak.

Su Changge held his breath, reached out his other hand, and with a touch of pilgrimage-like reverence, gently touched the golden lotus.

A touch as warm and smooth as jade came from his fingertips.

It... it was real!

This lotus was a real, tangible entity!

"Haha! It worked! I succeeded!"

Su Changge could no longer hold back; he laughed in a low voice, his laughter filled with a hint of unbelievable ecstasy.

With a thought, he placed this "great dao golden lotus brand nightlight" on the bedside table.

The golden radiance illuminated his excited face, making it flicker between light and shadow.

Like a child who had just received a beloved toy, he tried "Fingertip Flame" and "Spiritual Qi Rain" one after another.

He successfully lit a candle that hadn't been used in a long time, and then, toward a pot of orchids on the windowsill that were about to wither, he bestowed a "sweet rain" that moistened things silently.

Although these functions seemed ridiculously weak at the moment.

But in Su Changge's eyes, a magnificent future was reflected.

Today he could materialize a lamp, a drop of rain.

Then tomorrow, could he materialize a sword? A shield?

The day after tomorrow, could he materialize a Dragon? A Phoenix?

Or even... materialize that Taiji diagram that covered the sky?!

He lay back down on the bed, pillowing his head with his arms, and quietly watched the golden lotus emitting a warm glow.

From this day forth, he, Su Changge, had finally taken the first step from falsehood toward reality.

That night, he slept exceptionally soundly.