While Hữu Duyên was sitting quietly in the boundless space, her gaze lingered on memories from her previous life. Images of loved ones, pain, and past events made her mind drift. But the tranquility was suddenly broken when the voice of Chip, the system, echoed through the space:
"Come on, let's check your talents!" Chip's voice was full of excitement and anticipation. It felt like a child eagerly waiting for a special gift.
Hữu Duyên snapped out of her daze and stood up. She knew this was an important part of her training process, and though she felt a little hesitant, she was ready to face it.
Chip quickly activated the testing system. Data, numbers, and graphs appeared before her eyes. The screen displayed her innate talents.
"High-level aptitude! You haven't even unlocked your spiritual power yet, and you're already this exceptional?" Chip couldn't hide his surprise. "Normally, newborns with such powerful spiritual energy would be at risk of their bodies exploding and dying. But of course, I've sealed a portion of your power to keep you safe. You'll be protected, but you must also fight to overcome this challenge."
Hữu Duyên showed no expression. She was used to being tested and understood that weakness was not tolerated in this world. But having such strong innate power made her wonder: Could she control it?
"Good." Chip said. "You'll start with basic training. Your body needs to be conditioned to develop strength. If you finish early, there will be a surprise."
---
Three months later:
Hữu Duyên continued her training in a virtual space. She had to build physical endurance, patience, and resilience. Despite the pain and exhaustion, she never gave up. At times, she listened to the words of Mai Lan — her mother in this life — telling her that she would now be her son.
Hearing this, Hữu Duyên couldn't help but be surprised and asked Chip:
"Why do I have to pretend to be a boy?"
Chip answered simply, but with plenty of information:
"The Vũ family is under increasing pressure from the upper ranks. Without a male heir, they won't be able to protect your father's military merits. And of course, the enemies won't let go easily. So, pretending to be a boy is the only way the Vũ family can survive and maintain its strength."
After hearing this, Hữu Duyên nodded. She began to understand the reason behind the decision.
However, what surprised her even more was Chip's capability. Chip could not only provide training, but also access deep data from the Vũ family, helping her uncover secrets and important details. And when she learned Chip only did this out of boredom, she was at a loss for words — but still couldn't help admiring him.
"Not bad at all," Hữu Duyên said, impressed. "To think I once believed you were just a cold machine."
As soon as she said that, Chip's voice took on a proud tone: "Of course, I'm a god in this hypothetical world. Even if I'm a machine, I'm a high-level one. I've been conscious for decades. By human age, I'm already an adult."
Hữu Duyên couldn't help but smile, feeling amused by Chip's arrogance. She reached out and pinched Chip's cheek — a completely odd action toward a system. But when her fingers touched the soft fur of the mechanical cat, the gentle sensation made her reluctant to let go.
"Ouch ouch!" Chip yelped in surprise and discomfort but couldn't resist.
At first, Hữu Duyên did it just for fun, but unexpectedly found it enjoyable. She smiled, then continued… creating a new kind of playful punishment for this arrogant system.
---
After three months, she finally completed basic training. However, there was a part of the process that made her uncomfortable and embarrassed — having to drink milk and use the bathroom like a baby. But she had no choice; it was a part of the learning process she had to endure.
"Congratulations, Hữu Duyên," Chip announced. "You've completed basic training and received a reward from me: a virtual teacher who will help you continue developing. Don't underestimate them just because they're virtual — they are great generals from different timelines that my master once collected."
"Do they have consciousness?" Hữu Duyên asked curiously.
"Well, I'm not sure about that," Chip replied while licking his machine cat fur that had somehow materialized. "They were gathered from various places and are all outstanding individuals chosen to serve the host. Of course, they were already dead, but if their consciousness was strong enough, maybe they're like me."
Hữu Duyên nodded silently, preparing for the next journey. She was no longer the weak girl she once was. Now, she had people she deeply cared for to protect. Even if her body had to endure great hardships, she would never give up.
---
Over the next three years, she continued training in the conscious space, combined with special medicine from the Vũ family. The system provided not only physical lessons but also combat secrets. All of this made her stronger each day.
Her first virtual teacher had a scarred face and always stood in a perfect sword-wielding posture. His cold face and overwhelming presence almost crushed her the first time they met. She couldn't believe that something hypothetical could exert such pressure. But gradually, she got used to the terrifying aura and the harsh training that helped her endure for 5 seconds in battle after a few months.
"Yes, 5 seconds — not 5 minutes," she thought with a bitter smile. "This teacher is way too strong, and his techniques are terrifying."
Thanks to his ruthless training and experiencing many simulated deaths under her teacher's sword, she developed an expression as cold as his. The three years of training under this hypothetical teacher, combined with the Vũ family's physical conditioning and drug enhancement, drastically increased her strength. When she eventually awakened her nano system, she surpassed even the best of humanity at the time — even surpassing the Vũ royal family.
But thanks to Chip, this secret remained hidden from everyone except Mai Lan and the housekeeper Uncle Đỗ. The two quickly sealed off all related information.
While Hữu Duyên worked hard to become stronger, the smaller factions within the upper military ranks did not give up on their attempts to seize the military achievements of General Vũ. They visited the house many times to probe, but always left empty-handed.
Meanwhile, on the dead planet, after saving the child and releasing the nano core, Vu Gia Hoang sensed that this planet had living beings with different nano abilities. Realizing they were humans, he didn't hesitate to head in their direction. Before fully exploring the dead planet, he sold the saber he always carried for a price that would allow him to live comfortably for several months. Without hesitation, he rented a small room for the child. Only after settling things did he feel at ease to start learning more about this planet.
Through his journey of exploration and getting to know the locals, he discovered that although the people here were kind, they still held onto ancient prejudices that hadn't changed. He also learned that the highest power level here was only Class B, with most people being Class D. But that didn't matter. He had discovered why people who entered this planet never returned. The planet appeared dead because it was surrounded by a strange nano energy wave that created the illusion of lifelessness. But once inside, it was clear the place was rich in resources. At the center of the planet was a rift between cliffs, forming a small vortex. It looked harmless, but his instincts screamed at him to stay away — it was dangerous, even deadly. Strangely, the locals worshipped this place like it was sacred. Outsiders like him would need to reach god-tier power just to enter it, and even then, they would suffer life-threatening injuries. Of course, no federation would be foolish enough to sacrifice a god-tier mecha warrior for it.
Once he understood all of this, he began to plan for the future and searched for a way to return. He wanted to go back quickly — Mai Lan and the children were waiting for him. He didn't know how they were doing now.
While deep in thought, he made his way to the small room where the three-year-old child he had rescued was staying. As he stepped inside, his instincts flared — danger. He swiftly dodged and then refocused, only to see a small figure gripping a fruit knife tightly, eyes wide like a cat's, watching him with guarded alertness. But behind those eyes was a killing intent and danger so real that even a battle-hardened soldier like him felt the warning bells ringing in his bones.