"Third simulation starting..."
This ti, Blade Carson was reborn into royalty! Thanks to his dismantling of the Great Martial Dynasty, he held imnse prestige. Other resistance groups, vying for legitimacy, claid descent from the Carson lineage. Thus, "Carson" beca the imperial surna! Twelve hundred years had passed since the dynasty's fall. Twelve hundred years of constant warfare, of unending conflict. Occasionally, a dynasty would briefly unify the land, only to crumble within 200 years. The people stumbled from one era of hardship to another.
It was against this backdrop that Blade Carson was reborn in the small kingdom of Lordaeron.
On the day of his birth, his father, the king, hunted down an exotic bird with remarkably vibrant plumage. Thus, he was nad Feather Carson.
Feather Carson was exceptionally intelligent and possessed a remarkable skill: sleeping!
In the previous two cycles, Mike frequently intervened through dreams, guiding Edge Carson onto the right path, helping Blade Carson escape death... With Feather Carson, Mike had even greater influence, more options.
But Mike was tired. He'd given up.
The last nesis was Maxen; there was a sliver of a chance of winning. Now, they'd brought in Apollo.
How could Feather possibly stand a chance against Apollo?
Mike checked out. Ironically, Feather Carson was more proactive than his predecessors, constantly contacting Mike through dreams.
At six months old, Feather Carson first t Mike in the dream world.
"Master Dream," he exclaid, "I've dreamt of you again!" He often had strange dreams, and "Master Dream" was the being he respected most, having saved him countless tis.
"Sigh," Mike replied, ignoring him.
"Master Dream, I will not disappoint your guidance and expectations!"
Mike: "Yeah, yeah, sure."
Feather Carson continued, "I will study diligently, cultivate tirelessly, and defeat all invaders, bringing peace to the people!"
Mike: "Yeah, yeah, sure."
"When I beco emperor, I will abolish exorbitant taxes and ensure everyone has food and a stable life!"
"Yeah, yeah, sure."
"Then, I will pursue the peak of martial arts, follow in Invincible Edge's footsteps, and ascend to godhood!"
"Yeah, yeah, sure."
After this dream conversation, Feather Carson returned to reality and, true to his word, dedicated himself to studying and martial arts, diligent and ticulous. Gifted and privileged as a prince, he had access to vast resources.
At two, he lifted a three-thousand-pound bronze cauldron, astonishing the world!
At three, Lordaeron was invaded by the Lich King and his undead army from another world. Feather Carson single-handedly defeated the Lich King, liberating Lordaeron.
At six, the Burning Legion invaded. Feather Carson, leading eight hundred n, annihilated them.
At seven, the Cataclysm struck...
"Yawn..." Mike, observing Feather Carson's life, yawned. Building on the foundations of the previous lives, Feather Carson was on a roll, like a cheat code had been activated, a fusion of legendary figures.
Naturally, he achieved his initial goals: defeating all invaders and bringing peace and prosperity to the people of all continents. He then abdicated the throne, abandoned his harem of five thousand concubines, and retreated to the Augus Mountains to cultivate.
This ti, it only took him 300 years to reach the peak of nine-star Lord!
Like before, Feather Carson rembered his past lives. His respect for "Master Dream" deepened.
The night before his tribulation, Feather Carson t Mike in a dream once more.
"Master Dream," he said respectfully, "I know who I am now."
Mike sighed. This Feather Carson was far stronger than Edge Carson, even surpassing Blade Carson. Among nine-star human Lords, he was already mid-tier. Unfortunately... his nesis was top-tier: Apollo. He had no chance.
Feather Carson said earnestly, "Tomorrow's battle, I know not whether I will live or die. If there is a next life, I will never forget your kindness, Master Dream!"
As Feather Carson turned to leave, Mike spoke. "Wait!"
Feather Carson brightened. "Master Dream, do you have instructions for ?"
Mike nodded. "Yeah, let's keep a positive attitude, think optimistically, and start preparing for the next life."
Feather Carson was taken aback. "Master Dream, you needn't be so pessimistic."
"It's not about pessimism. Your opponent tomorrow... how do I put this... he's really..." Mike struggled to describe Apollo. Finally, he sighed. "It's my third bro."
He added, "Just... dress nicely tomorrow. Be polite."
Feather Carson nodded solemnly. "Understood!"
The next day.
On the snowy mountain peak, the void cracked open once more. Before Feather Carson, a terrifying spatial rift appeared! On the other side, a butterfly flickered in and out of existence. The mont it appeared, the world trembled, as if it would shatter.
Feather Carson had never seen anything like this. This tribulation was different from the previous two! This was the real deal!
The opponent's re entrance confird Master Dream's words: prepare for the next life. Still, Feather Carson pressed on. "I am Feather Carson. I hear you are my Master Dream's third bro. It's a pleasure to et you."
The butterfly flapped its wings, its gaze piercing the rift, falling upon the simulated world. Behind Feather Carson, unseen by him, Mike waved at the butterfly, holding up a sign: [Yep,
this is my student].
"Oh," the butterfly nodded, looking back at Feather Carson. After a mont, Apollo's voice echoed through both worlds, reaching Feather Carson's ears. "Perhaps... you wish to live?"
At Apollo's words, Feather Carson's body began to disintegrate. Unlike what Mike had imagined, he turned to dust, vanishing like Thanos had snapped his fingers. The spatial rift closed, and the butterfly disappeared. It was like a dream, the kind that leaves you afraid to
move even after waking.
"Third simulation failed!"
Mike was forcibly ejected from the simulation, back to the thirty-first floor. With [Nine Lives Cycle], he still had six chances. He wasn't in imdiate danger of failing the challenge. But what did Apollo an by that question?
*Perhaps... you wish to live?*
Wishing was a thought, an idea. Mike sensed a deeper aning. If Feather Carson truly
wanted to live, he needed more than just a wish. He needed action!
re thoughts were useless! He needed to *do* sothing!
"Does Apollo an that Feather Carson has to succeed in his tribulation through his own
efforts, to truly live, to beco a real person?"
The more Mike thought about it, the more excited he beca. This had to be what Apollo
ant!
Mike had witnessed everything Feather Carson had done in his three lives. He had good character and a kind heart. If he could truly live, a nine-star Lord no weaker than Joseph... that would be a huge boon to humanity! This was a worthwhile gamble.
"Six chances left. Joseph, co through for !" Mike chanted Joseph's na in his mind.
[Current probability of drawing Joseph: 9.99%] *What? 99.9%? That's practically guaranteed!*
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