บท 2: Simulating Again

Ling Tian awoke the next morning with a newfound sense of purpose. Ling Tian couldn't shake the memories of the simulation from his mind. The thought of spending his entire life stuck in the Body Tempering Realm was unbearable. He had to find a way to accelerate his cultivation speed, to avoid the fate the simulation had shown him.

The previous day's simulation had opened his eyes to the potential paths he could take and the pitfalls he needed to avoid. Stepping into the small courtyard, Ling Tian began his daily training routine. The morning air was crisp, and the sun's rays filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground. As he moved through the familiar motions, his mind was already planning his next steps.

He knew that relying solely on his current training methods wouldn't be enough and the simulation has proved that. The simulation had also shown him the importance of resources as without the support of the clan resources, he doubted whether he would have even reached the peak of the Body Tempering Realm. Ling Tian decided that his priority should be to seek out methods to enhance his cultivation, or he would stay in the Body Tempering Realm his whole life. Ling Tian couldn't help but shudder at that thought.

After his morning practice, Ling Tian rested for a while and sat cross-legged in his courtyard. One afternoon, as Ling Tian was carefully navigating through a thicket, he spotted a glimmer of light among the trees. Approaching cautiously, he found a small clearing where a rare herb, known as the Azure Leaf, grew. Its leaves shimmered with a faint blue glow, a sign of its potent medicinal properties. The Azure Leaf was known for its ability to enhance the body's natural healing processes, making it a valuable resource for his cultivation

Then, Ling Tian activated the daily free simulation, his heart filled with a mixture of hope and apprehension. The familiar sensation enveloped him as the simulation began.

[Simulation Starting …]

[Year 1: At the age of 16, you decide to venture into the nearby forest, hoping to test your luck and find something that could aid your cultivation. Armed with basic supplies and your meager cultivation, you set out early in the morning. The forest is dense and full of life, its canopy casting a cool shade over the undergrowth. You navigate the familiar trails, alert for any signs of danger.]

[Year 2: You spend the year exploring the forest, encountering various beasts and rare plants. Your knowledge of herbs grows, and you manage to gather several medicinal plants that slightly enhance your physical strength. However, your progress in cultivation remains slow. You practice diligently, but your talent remains a significant barrier.]

[Year 3: One afternoon, as you were carefully navigating through a thicket, you spotted a glimmer of light among the trees. Approaching cautiously, you found a small clearing where a rare herb, known as the Azure Leaf, grew. Its leaves shimmered with a faint blue glow, a sign of its potent medicinal properties. The Azure Leaf was known for its ability to enhance the body's natural healing processes, making it a valuable resource for his cultivation. You store it in your bag and continue your journey.]

[Year 4: At 19, while exploring a deeper part of the forest, you hear rumors from a group of wandering cultivators about a legendary herb that can enhance talent. Intrigued and desperate, you decide to seek it out.]

[Year 5: You continue your search for the legendary herb. The deeper you go into the forest, the more perilous it becomes. You encounter stronger beasts and harsher conditions. Your body grows stronger from the constant battles, but your cultivation progress is still painfully slow.]

[Year 6: At 21, you finally catch sight of a glimmering plant at the edge of a steep cliff. Your heart races with anticipation as you carefully make your way towards it. Just as you reach out to pluck the herb, the ground beneath you gives way, and you plummet into the abyss.]

[Year 6: You survive the fall with serious injuries, finding yourself at the bottom of a hidden valley. The air is filled with the fragrance of unknown flowers, and the environment seems untouched by human presence. The Spiritual energy in this place is many times denser than the forest. Despite your pain, you force yourself to move, determined not to let this opportunity slip away.]

[Year 7: As you explore the hidden valley, you discover a small cluster of the legendary herb, known as the "Heaven's Vein Grass". Recognizing its immense value, you carefully harvest a few stalks and begin the process of refining them into a consumable form. The process is painstaking, and your injuries slow you down, but your resolve remains unbroken.]

[Year 8: You consume the refined Heaven's Vein Grass along with the Azure Leaf. Immediately, you feel a surge of energy coursing through your body. The herbs enhance your talent slightly, allowing you to absorb spiritual energy more efficiently. Your cultivation speed increases marginally, and you finally break through to the Muscle Tempering stage.]

[Year 10: You spend the next few years recuperating and cultivating in the hidden valley. The isolation allows you to focus entirely on your training. With the boost from the Heaven's Vein Grass, you make steady progress. By the age of 26, you reach the peak of the Muscle Tempering stage and begin the arduous process of Bone Tempering.]

[Year 15: Your progress through the Bone Tempering stage is slow but steady. The hidden valley provides a haven, allowing you to focus on cultivation without external distractions. By the age of 31, you reach the mid-level of Bone Tempering. Your body becomes more resilient, and your strength increases significantly.]

[Year 20: At 36, you finally reach the peak of Bone Tempering. Your body is now much stronger, capable of withstanding greater strains. You begin the process of Blood Tempering, knowing that the road ahead will be even more challenging.]

[Year 25: Progress through the Blood Tempering stage proves to be difficult. The process requires a deep understanding of your own body and the ability to manipulate your blood essence. Despite the enhanced talent from the Heaven's Vein Grass, your progress is slow. By 41, you reach the mid-level of Blood Tempering.]

[Year 30: At 46, you finally reach the peak of Blood Tempering. Your body is now significantly stronger, and your control over your power and strength is more refined. You start to focus on Marrow Tempering, the final stage of the Body Tempering Realm.]

[Year 35: The Marrow Tempering stage is the most challenging yet. It requires you to cleanse and strengthen your bone marrow, enhancing your body's ability to produce blood and store spiritual energy. Your progress is agonizingly slow, but your determination keeps you going. By 51, you reach the mid-level of Marrow Tempering.]

[Year 40: At 56, you finally reach the peak of Marrow Tempering. Your body is now a fortress, capable of withstanding tremendous physical strain and channeling vast amounts of spiritual energy through your blood. You prepare yourself to attempt the breakthrough to the Innate Realm.]

[Year 45: The breakthrough to the Innate Realm is fraught with difficulties. The process requires a deep understanding of spiritual energy and a profound connection with the natural world. Despite your enhanced talent and strengthened body, the breakthrough eludes you. At 61, you remain at the peak of the Body Tempering Realm.]

[Year 50: At 66, your health begins to decline. The years of struggle through the dangers in the forest and slow progress have taken their toll. You decide to return to the clan.]

[Year 51: Upon your arrival at your clan, you feel that it has become more prosperous. After you find your fathers, he sheds tears of joy and relief after seeing you safe and sound. After reminiscing for a while, you were surprised to find out that your brother reached the Innate Realm long ago and was accepted into a first-rate sect, the Fiery Phoenix Sect.]

[Year 52: You decided to stay in the clan. You focus on passing your knowledge and experience to younger family members. Despite not reaching the Innate Realm, your perseverance and dedication leave a lasting impact on your family.]

[Year 55: You attempt one last time to break through to the Innate Realm. You reach the last step where you are only one step away from reaching the next realm, but you fail to cross it and damage your vitality]

[Year 60: At 76, your vitality is rapidly draining away and you are awaiting your death. One day, you hear about a secret realm that was discovered by cultivators in a neighboring city. You decide to test your luck one last time and head towards this secret realm]

[Year 61: You arrive at the entrance of the secret realm where you find many cultivations waiting for the opening of the entrance. Upon its opening, you rush through the entrance with the other cultivators. After crossing into the secret realm, you find out that the Spiritual energy inside is many times denser and purer than the outside world. You feel something huge above is heading towards you. You raise your head to get a clearer view. You are dead.]

[Simulation Complete.]

[Evaluation: Though your progress in cultivation was slow, your unwavering determination, explorations through dangers, and acquisition of precious herbs allowed you to reach the peak of the Body Tempering Realm earlier than the previous time.]

Ling Tian opened his eyes, absorbing the information from the simulation. The discovery of the Heaven's Vein Grass and Azure leaf provided slight enhancement to his talent which was a crucial breakthrough. He knew that in reality, finding such herbs would be incredibly difficult, but the simulation provided him with hope and direction.

After Ling Tian closed the system interface, he found that it was already afternoon. So he decided to finish today's practice and prepare for tomorrow to enter the forest and acquire the herbs that could enhance his talent.