Chapter 67

The output of the system has always been very effective, but Shen Cui really didn’t expect Wei Shu to get into the zone in the blink of an eye.

After all, Wei Shu had only been sitting down for less than a minute, and the environment inside couldn’t have really changed. This thing was more powerful than the holographic VR of later generations. VR still needed tools to deceive people’s vision and hearing.

The system quickly explained: [The principle of the simulated exam room is different from VR. Even if I explain it, the host may not understand. The host can think of it as being able to stimulate people’s imagination. The “simulated” nature also varies from person to person. The host can look at the imagination of cultivation target No. 3.]

Shen Cui checked Wei Shu’s various data and found that his imagination was incredibly high, almost at its peak.

So it’s no wonder the effect was so powerful.

[But won’t he find it strange afterwards?]

[No, it’s a system product, it will make him logically consistent.]

After thinking for a while, Shen Cui said: [So you also hid half of the reward from me. If the “imagination” is too low, like Mu Er Pang, whose mental age is still around ten, with an “imagination” value of 52, it probably wouldn’t have such a good effect, right?]

The system gave an affirmative answer.

As the daylight dimmed, Zhou Shi went home to prepare dinner.

In the afternoon, Wei Shu had been in the simulated exam room for half a day. Shen Cui thought he should have finished writing the two papers by now. His mood had been showing as highly tense, and his physique had dropped by 1 point. She couldn’t help but worry and went to find him.

At this time, Wei Shu in the utility room had indeed finished writing the two papers. Seeing that the daylight was fading, he pushed the stools in the utility room together, thinking about whether there were any mistakes in the exam questions and preparing to rest with his clothes on.

When the door of the utility room opened, Wei Shu subconsciously thought it was the invigilator coming and was about to stand up.

This movement also startled Shen Cui. The two of them stared at each other for a while. Shen Cui asked him, “It’s almost dinner time. I came to see you. What… what are you doing?”

Wei Shu also realized that he was participating in a simulated exam at the Cuiwei Academy. He slapped his head, feeling embarrassed and strange, “I don’t know what happened. I just had a moment of confusion, thinking I was really in the actual exam room. Seeing that it’s getting late outside, I thought I should rest.”

Saying that, Wei Shu glanced around the utility room. Although the furnishings were as simple as a real exam room, they were completely different. It was strange and inexplicable how he had confused himself.

“Well…” Shen Cui smiled awkwardly, “I guess you were too engrossed in writing the papers.”

Wei Shu pressed his temples. He also found himself amusing, saying logically, “That’s true. When I was young, I read ghost stories and got too immersed in them. I even scared myself sick. You told me to use my imagination, and I probably overdid it.”

Suddenly freed from the high-pressure environment, Wei Shu’s mood also returned to normal. Then his stomach growled a few times.

By the time dinner was ready, Wei Shu had eaten more than usual. He also went to bed early, and the next morning, he had a good appetite.

Wei Shu had been practicing horseback riding and archery since he was young, so his physique was slightly stronger than Shen Cui’s, with a specific value around 75. Yesterday, he dropped to 74 in the simulated exam room for half an afternoon.

After eating two hearty meals and sleeping particularly well, he had regained his physique to 75 the next morning.

Shen Cui questioned the system irritably: [Don’t tell me this is what you meant by the simulated exam room can increase a person’s physique!]

From her current observations, the simulated exam room didn’t actually strengthen the body when people entered. Instead, it put them in a highly tense state, reducing their physique by a bit. Then, after eating well and sleeping well, their physique would increase back to its original level.

Is this really the method of growth?!

This time, Shen Cui was truly angered. It wasn’t just a matter of saying half and hiding half. It was like playing with words and traps!

[Host, don’t get excited. It’s not just that. Look at the next few days!]

After hearing this, Shen Cui decided to observe for the time being.

When Wei Shu came over next time, she checked his information in the academy’s system and found that his physique had indeed increased by another point, now at 76.

Shen Cui and Wei Shu chatted, saying that they felt he looked better than before, and asked if he had been exercising recently.

Wei Shu thought for a moment and said, “Since I completed that simulated exam at your house last time, I felt relaxed when I came out. I ate well, slept well, and felt this way for several days in a row, so I looked a little plumper.”

For scholars, stress and worries weigh heavier than others. They use their brains excessively during the day, and before going to bed, they still think about their studies or books read during the day. Not many of them sleep soundly at night. Improving sleep quality can greatly enhance one’s well-being, right?

Shen Cui understood. The effect of this “simulated exam room” was probably similar to the challenge experience projects like haunted houses and bungee jumping in later generations. While experiencing it, one would naturally be frightened and highly tense. But it also served as a way to release stress. After coming out, one would feel relaxed all over, with a slight increase in physique.

However, this thing also had its quirks. She originally thought it was very suitable for Wei Xi to use, but Wei Xi was originally weak. Sending him suddenly to such a high-pressure environment might not wait for a rebound but would first drop his physique below the passing line. Although Shen Cui was there, she could stabilize his condition by spending shopping points to prevent him from getting seriously ill.

But this was also a bit of a trap!

And if Mu Er Pang, who had a high physique but low imagination, were to use it now, it wouldn’t have much effect.

It was fortunate that Wei Shu, who had high attributes in this area, took the lead and didn’t make any mistakes.

Shen Cui calculated in her mind and felt that this thing was not really needed for the time being. When the children were really ready to participate, Wei Xi’s physique would be higher, and Mu Er Pang’s imagination would be sufficient, so it wouldn’t be too late to use it then.

That’s what she thought. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Wei Shu, she went to the utility room herself.

Shen Cui asked him why he didn’t go to the main hall.

Wei Shu said somewhat embarrassedly, “I quite like the environment there.”

Under high pressure, although it brought tension and thrills, it could also stimulate one’s potential.

For example, those two papers he wrote before, when he looked back, he felt that they were better than usual!

Later, when Luo Buyu found some time to help with the simple evaluation, he praised him for performing beyond his usual level.

Today, the homework in the Qingzhu Academy was just right, so he brought it over to see if he could stimulate himself again.

Before pushing open the door of the utility room, Wei Shu closed his eyes and muttered to himself, “Imagination, unleash my imagination…”

In the original plot, he was the second talented male character after Mu Yunchuan. Suddenly acting like this made Shen Cui feel very strange.

But since he was willing to learn there, Shen Cui didn’t bother him and continued to write her own characters, occasionally observing his various values.

It was from then on that every time Wei Shu came over, he would dive into the Exam room.

Once every ten days, although not particularly frequent, Shen Cui didn’t have to worry about him having any problems. But Wei Xi felt that his eldest brother’s mind was not quite right—he would occasionally go into the Exam room when it was time to bring the dining table, which was simple and had no end.

Even he couldn’t stand studying in such an environment. He didn’t know why Wei Shu, who was usually quite particular, was so fond of studying here.

His personality was not as dominant as Wei Shu’s, and he didn’t force others to do things his way. He thought about asking the servants to buy another desk. Currently, all four desks in the main hall were in use. If they got another one and placed it in the utility room for Wei Shu, the dining table could be moved to the kitchen.

To change the arrangement in the academy, Wei Xi naturally went to ask Shen Cui first. Shen Cui had no objections and said to do it according to his wishes.

But Wei Shu refused. He felt that the utility room was too good, with an indescribable charm. Although he knew every time before entering that it was a simulated exam, as long as he used his “imagination,” the next moment he would feel as if he was really in the exam room, with his thoughts flowing and his writing spirited. Moreover, for several days after coming out, he would feel physically comfortable, eat well, and sleep well.

What if changing the layout caused his “imagination” to fail?

Then he would have nowhere to blame!

“His mind is becoming dull like a stubborn donkey,” Wei Xi muttered to himself with a smile.

This was something Wei Shu used to say to him often, so Wei Shu didn’t get angry. He cracked his knuckles and said, “Don’t underestimate me. I really feel more comfortable physically recently. Come, let me practice with you.”

Although the twins were of the same blood, Wei Xi’s overall physique had increased by a few points under Shen Cui’s secret care, unlike before when he was weak. But compared to Wei Shu, Wei Xi was no match at all!

Wei Shu didn’t give him a chance to refuse. He came up and gave him a bear hug, holding Wei Xi tightly, trying to lift him up from the desk.

Wei Xi grabbed onto the desk with both hands and shouted for help! He shouted from the headmaster to the master, and then to the senior brother…

At that time, it was the break time between classes. Shen Cui and Luo Buyu knew that the two brothers were playing around, so they didn’t pay any attention.

Mu Er Pang went to the outhouse. When he heard Wei Xi’s call for help, he thought something had happened and rushed into the main hall.

He found that they were just playing around when he rushed in, so Mu Er Pang also joined in with a smile, “Don’t be afraid, junior brother, senior brother is here!”

He also hugged Wei Shu in the same way, trying to pull him away from Wei Xi.

Wei Shu refused to let go of his hold on Wei Xi’s hand, turned his head and teased, “I gave you a bow and arrow to practice, and you’re using it against me like this?”

“Yeah, Big Brother Wei is ready. I’m going to use my strength!” With that, Mu Er Pang increased his strength a bit. He hugged Wei Shu and tried to walk out, naturally hugging Wei Xi as well. Wei Xi laughed until he was weak and simply gave up resisting.

The three of them tugged and pulled, moving from the main hall to the open space in the courtyard. Finally, Mu Er Pang stumbled and sat on the ground, then one after another, they all sat down, pulling Wei Shu and Wei Xi into a squat.

Only then did the three of them let go, sitting on the ground rubbing their buttocks, laughing heartily.

After the fun, the three of them competed to go back to the house to change clothes.

Luo Buyu laughed with Shen Cui in the main hall, “These three children, usually one is more reserved than the other, but when they play, they add up to less than ten years old.”

They had a great time playing, and their focus dropped to zero. But it was almost dark now, and it was time to “rest.” Shen Cui deliberately didn’t intervene and said with a smile, “It’s good.”

It really was good. They were lively and spirited, and just watching them made people feel hopeful for the future.