As it turns out, this world wasn't being particularly hard on Aaron.
When Aaron was wholeheartedly being a turtle in the Novice Village, he didn't encounter any major events.
Time flew by as he immersed himself in his cultivation.
Medicine King Mountain.
Inside the cave mansion.
Aaron sat cross-legged, with lights flashing on and off around him.
Suddenly...
He opened his eyes, and a bright jade-like light burst from them, extending several feet before slowly fading away.
Aaron stood up with a somewhat blank expression, stretched his body, and cast a "Dust Removal Skill," making his robe look as good as new.
Only then did he walk out of the cave mansion, looking at the bright sunshine outside, feeling it was somewhat dazzling, as if he were a thousand-year-old zombie seeing sunlight for the first time.
"I...how..."
Aaron cleared his throat, which seemed a bit dry from not speaking for a long time, and gradually regained his fluency: "How long have I been in seclusion?"