If there is a true protagonist in this world, then there is and can only be one: Gu Chengyu.
The romantic affairs and beautiful companions that the world so fondly gossiped about were, in the context of his long and brilliant life, nothing more than insignificant embellishments.
His true radiance and contributions were poured entirely into the field of science and technology.
He was a once-in-a-century genius, and even more so, a discerning talent scout with a keen eye.
The Gu Technology Empire he single-handedly built not only gathered the world's top scientific research talents but, with his vision and boldness that transcended the era, propelled the entire world forward at a staggering pace.
By his later years, S City had already begun to take on the form of a space colony.
Gu Chengyu, his merits and virtues were boundless.
He single-handedly elevated the entire world's level.
However, even the greatest life must have an end.
After Gu Chengyu's death, his soul should have returned to heaven and earth.
But the vast universe is infinitely mysterious.
For those who have made outstanding contributions to the world and possess great merit and virtue, at the moment their souls are about to vanish, they are protected by their own accumulated virtue. They are not immediately assimilated by the cosmos but instead coalesce into a true spirit consciousness, which does not dissipate with death.
There exists a place beyond the mundane world, called the Soul Guidance Department.
Its mission is to receive these spirit consciousnesses of the greatly virtuous.
Clearly, Gu Chengyu was one of them.
His spirit consciousness slowly coalesced, appearing in the form of his most handsome peak in his twenties. The arrogance and sharpness between his brows remained undiminished, though his eyes held a newfound stillness born of a life fully lived.
Just then, the white light before him twisted, and a figure suddenly jumped out.
The newcomer wore a large white robe, his eyes wide and round, his hair a rare bright blue. His face was a picture of curiosity, like a sprite who had just learned to take human form and couldn't wait to run out and join the excitement.
"Hey! You're Gu Chengyu?"
The blue-haired envoy floated a circle around Gu Chengyu's spirit consciousness, clicking his tongue in wonder. "Wow! You're even more handsome in person! No wonder so many people liked you!"
Gu Chengyu's spirit consciousness gave him a cold glance and said nothing.
He knew nothing about anything right now, was in an extremely bad mood, and couldn't be bothered with this bizarre character.
The envoy, however, paid no mind to his coldness, drifting closer and lowering his voice with a suggestive wink. "Hey, seriously, buddy, I read your life record. Seriously impressive, truly!"
He rubbed his hands together, eyes gleaming. "But what I'm most curious about is, you had so many beautiful companions, all shapes and sizes, every kind of beauty! Which one did you like the most? What's it really like being with a woman? Is it really that enjoyable?"
An expression of yearning and confusion appeared on his face. "I've been... ahem, kind of wanting to try it out lately, so I specifically grabbed this job of fetching you!"
"Ask the one who played the most, that's the surest way!"
Gu Chengyu, thoroughly annoyed by this noisy fellow, frowned tightly. "Cut the nonsense."
"Don't be so cold!" The blue-haired envoy pouted but floated back a little, continuing on his own. "Alright, alright, business first."
"I am an envoy of the Soul Guidance Department. You can call me Xiao Qi!"
"I'm responsible for guiding you to your next world for reincarnation—the Nine Spheres Cultivation World. It's a really fun place!"
The Nine Spheres Cultivation World?
Eternal life?
Gu Chengyu's heart beat a little faster. If one could live like an immortal, free from the mortal cycles of birth, aging, sickness, and death, then this cultivation world was definitely a place he would conquer.
He looked at the erratic envoy, already thinking about how to scheme against him and secure some benefits.
His face resumed its usual arrogant indifference as he spoke. "You want to know how to please women?"
Xiao Qi's eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously.
"I can tell you," Gu Chengyu said leisurely.
Facing such a novice, his tone carried a condescending edge. "I can even teach you a few tricks."
Xiao Qi was so excited he almost jumped on the spot. "Really? That's great! Buddy, you really are the best!"
Gu Chengyu shifted his tack. "However, I have one condition."
"Name it! Name it! As long as I can do it!" Xiao Qi thumped his chest in assurance.
"Reincarnation is fine, but you must leave my memories with me."
"Ah?" The excitement on Xiao Qi's face stiffened, replaced by a troubled look.
"That's against the rules, fellow Daoist. Usually, past-life memories have to be wiped..."
Gu Chengyu interrupted him. "Rules are rigid, but beings are flexible."
He spoke persuasively. "The understanding from a modern, small world is a hundred thousand miles different from the cultivation world. What difference does keeping it make? It won't affect anything."
"Or is it that you don't want to learn how to enjoy yourself anymore?"
His final sentence carried an obvious temptation.
Xiao Qi was torn, scratching his head and ears. He looked at Gu Chengyu's devastatingly handsome face, thought about his own restless little desires, and pondered again—keeping a set of irrelevant memories probably wasn't a big deal, right?
Finally, he gritted his teeth and stomped his foot. "Fine! Deal! But you have to keep your word and teach me more than a few tricks!"
Gu Chengyu looked at this clearly rather unreliable envoy before him, a profound glint flashing in his eyes.
His memories, he must keep them.
The awareness of someone who has experienced death is different from that of a newborn infant.
"Come closer, I'll tell you which positions are the most pleasurable..."
