"I'll take the second option!" Lu Yu made his choice.
He had improved a lot this time. If Arthur hadn't learned to suppress his demonic nature in the last few years of his Life Simulation, he wouldn't have been able to do this.
Right now, he might even be able to go one step further and become a better weapon. However, it was already good enough that he became a high-grade magic tool after one simulation.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the grade and rank from the Life Simulation. You've now upgraded to a high-grade magic tool."
Lu Yu could feel that his strength had significantly increased. His sword body seemed to be glowing with a faint light as if there was force surrounding it.
The sky was almost bright. Arthur was meditating to stabilize his new level.
Lu Yu observed Arthur and entered his mind. He wanted to test the new [Dream] skill he had received.
At the same time, he could also inform Arthur of his need for points.
Arthur, who was meditating, suddenly felt a powerful aura enter his mind. In his mind, he entered a vast realm he had never been to before. It was a sacred palace surrounded by golden lights. Gods flew around dealing with their matters.
This place was connected to the heavens above and the netherworld below. Even the imperial palace he had seen before couldn't compare to this aura.
This was a place only accessible to gods. Looking around, Arthur could vaguely sense a sword enshrined in the heavenly palace's main hall.
The sword emitted power as vast as the ocean and bright as the starry sky.
In front of such glory, Arthur felt like a speck of dust.
When he went to take a closer look, everything disappeared in a flash. All that was left was a worn-out iron sword.
"Was that your past experience?"
"May I ask what I need to do to help you?" Arthur looked at the scene in front of him, and his heart trembled.
Lu Yu nodded slightly. Then, an ethereal voice appeared in Arthur's ears.
"These are still too far away from you. The difference between heaven and earth is vast. Look at your own path, that's what you should be focusing on for now."
"If you really want to do something for me, then go and offer me more blood of creatures."
Shortly after, the voice disappeared.
Arthur's mind returned to its normal state. Nonetheless, the shocking scene just now would forever be engraved in his memory. He yearned for that kind of god-like power.
However, the divine artifact had already warned him. If one were to always look at others, it was very likely that they would lose themselves.
He looked down at his feet. He was on the path to becoming strong.
"I will give you everything, including my life!" Arthur solemnly saluted Lu Yu.
The sword in front of him might have an unimaginable background. Nevertheless, Arthur was pleased to receive its help.
After Lu Yu finished using [Dream], he didn't talk to Arthur anymore. As he was a high-grade magic tool now, he wanted to experience the strength and abilities he obtained properly.
On the other hand, Arthur also packed his things. He began to bury the bandit corpses.
He needed to avoid any sort of trouble in the future.
After walking in the wilderness for half a day, Arthur arrived at a small town. When they arrived at the town, Lu Yu could feel Arthur's body trembling slightly.
This was the small town he had once stayed in.
It was also where he had a conflict with another transcendent, which ended with Baron Spencer slaughtering his whole family.
After recollecting himself, Arthur used the money he took from the bandits to change his outfit before entering the town.
He had dressed up as a robust and boorish middle-aged man.
He didn't look anything like the initial Arthur. Even his deceased family members wouldn't be able to recognize him.
On the surface, the town didn't seem to have changed much. The buildings were the same as before. The only difference was that fewer pedestrians were on the road than before.
Lu Yu and Arthur saw some children who wanted to go out on the road but were stopped by their families when they stepped out of the door.
The children were scolded and punished as if they would be in big trouble after going out.
Suddenly, a beggar on the street attracted Arthur's attention. His clothes were tattered, his body was thin, and his eyes were dazed.
It looked like he hadn't eaten for many days and was begging for food.
Oddly enough, there weren't many people on the streets. Even the few people who were walking outside didn't stop at all and moved hurriedly. No one bothered to leave him money.
His begging was rejected countlessly, and sometimes he would even be pushed down. The beggar stood up shakily and began asking other people.
"Sir, please do me a favor. I haven't eaten for three days."
"Please, please…" the beggar stopped in front of Arthur.
Arthur observed the man for a bit before his eyes widened in shock. He cried out, "Verus?"
"You... How did you become a beggar? Where's your family?"
Arthur's eyes were filled with disbelief.
The beggar instantly quivered upon recognizing Arthur's voice!
"You… You're Arthur?" he asked. His body trembled as he couldn't believe his ears.
"It's me." Arthur lifted his beard that he had been using as a disguise.
"Why did you come back? They're all after you!"
Verus carefully observed his surroundings as he spoke to see if anyone was eavesdropping on their conversation.
"You can't be here! Hurry up and follow me!"
Seeing that no one was watching, he quickly pulled Arthur into a dark alley.
Afterward, they took a detour for half an hour. They stopped after going around more than ten intersections, panting heavily.
"Verus, how did you become a beggar? Answer me, what happened to this place? "Arthur looked at Verus and asked.
Verus was his friend who grew up in the same village. Although his family wasn't wealthy, they definitely weren't poor. Moreover, their family had been working very hard. Under normal circumstances, it would've been impossible for them to starve.
Furthermore, Arthur also noticed that Verus's walking posture was a little strange. It was apparent he had injured his leg and couldn't use much strength.
He took off Verus's rag-like clothes, only to see that scars covered his body in all sizes.
There were new and old ones, and his entire body was covered in green and purple.
Many of the wounds were already infected. If Verus wasn't treated in time, he likely wouldn't live long from inflammation.