Genshin Impact: Life Simulator

After Xiao's interruption, Shenhe and Nathan continued their planned journey.

With frequent stops, it took three full days to reach Jueyun Karst.

"Nathan, look..."

On steep mountain paths, Shenhe pointed at surrounding mists.

Uninhabited peaks everywhere, their majestic views calming the soul.

The more isolated, the happier Shenhe became. (Bro wanna rizz every girl)

These moments alone with Nathan, undisturbed, were her dream.

"Shenhe, let's continue up!"

Nathan understood her feelings, but this was still a simulation.

Eventually, he'd return to reality.

The deeper her dependency, the more painful their parting.

Fearing she might do something rash,

He needed a reliable guardian before leaving.

The prime candidate: his master from the previous simulation.

Cloud Retainer was Shenhe's teacher in the original story.

But with Nathan's interference, Shenhe wasn't found by adepti, needing to seek apprenticeship herself.

"Nathan... I don't want to go up..."

Shenhe resisted visiting the adeptus.

Finding one would break their world together.

"Be good... didn't you say you'd go anywhere with me?"

"But I..."

Shenhe hesitated, remembering her words.

But she sensed something ominous, feeling Nathan would leave after finding her guardian.

"Nathan, don't leave me!"

"Don't think that way, I won't leave you..."

Their heartbreaking dialogue showed her crystallized dependency.

Nathan couldn't finish his words...

Even parting would be temporary, they'd meet again in future.

Following Mount Aozang's path, compared to the previous simulation,

A millennium changed the mountain road significantly.

Though still rough, it suited normal travelers.

"We're here..."

At the peak, the familiar pool remained.

Under the central maple tree stood the game's stone table and chairs.

Unlike a thousand years ago, Cloud Retainer's test waited.

"Nathan, these are..."

"Tests before entering the adeptus's abode. Cook three offerings at three spots..."

The game's quest: players found three cooking spots and ingredients,

Making Jewelry Soup, Matsutake Meat Rolls, and Mora Meat.

Offering them showed sincerity, opening the adeptus's dwelling.

"Too troublesome, let's go back Nathan!!!"

Hearing they must cook for the adeptus, Shenhe immediately backed out.

In her mind, Nathan should only cook for her.

"Not troublesome at all, we can skip this test!"

Nathan's voice rang cheerfully in Shenhe's mind.

At the entrance, Cloud Retainer's barriers stood as expected.

These were trivial to Nathan, having lived here in the previous simulation.

Among the barriers remained his backdoor,

Further proving connections between simulations.

"So... amazing!!!"

Shenhe marveled as Nathan controlled her body, instantly breaking the barriers.

"See, not troublesome at all!!!"

Nathan disconnected, returning control to Shenhe.

Using his backdoor easily breached the entrance barriers.

"Shenhe, when meeting the adeptus, follow their tone.

Cloud Retainer is, well, somewhat tsundere!"

Entering, Nathan mentally advised.

"What's tsundere???"

"Tsundere means... acting tough to hide shyness. Showing harsh pride to mask true feelings!"

That chatty adeptus embodied maximum tsundere.

"Wait, is the adeptus female?"

Shenhe suddenly caught this detail.

"Yes... yes!"

"Then Nathan, how do you understand girls so well!"

Mentally, Nathan felt Shenhe's displeasure.

"She's an Archon War veteran, thousands of years old, don't misunderstand."

Nathan explained helplessly.

But this led Shenhe to stranger conclusions.

"So... Nathan likes older women..."

"Shenhe... it's not like that, I only respect Cloud Retainer!!!"

Nathan responded desperately. Though tsundere remained trendy and the crane's personality endearing,

He was Cloud Retainer's disciple.

How did Shenhe transform respect for his master into romantic interest? He wasn't some rebellious disciple!!!

A/n - Read 40+ Chapters ahead on my patreon

[patreon.com/nneol]