"Should I go or not? That's the question," Wang Ping mused, feeling somewhat conflicted.
Based on experience, if he went, there was sure to be trouble.
However, by going, he would likely uncover some secrets that could pave the way for future simulations.
"I'll go. After all, there's not much room for improvement in my cultivation in this simulation," Wang Ping finally made his decision.
In this simulation, he had already reached the Saint level, achieving his goal. Further cultivation gains were limited, and even if he did gain more power, it wouldn't be of significant use.
Therefore, embarking on an adventure to explore what secrets lay within the Taiyuan Forbidden Zone seemed to offer more value.
Wang Ping had always been curious about the Taiyuan Sanctuary. The former master of the Dao Palace had entered it and obtained a divine stone, which helped him construct the divine platform and break through to the True God realm. However, it was likely that the previous Dao Palace master had only ventured into the outermost areas, as anything deeper would have been too perilous, even for a Saint-level expert like him.
Prior to the emergence of Saints, Saint Kings, and even Half-Step Great Saints on Taiyuan Ancient Star around half a million years ago, the most formidable individuals were only at the God King level. These God Kings knew that the Taiyuan Forbidden Zone was dangerous, but they didn't realize just how terrifying it was.
After all, Taiyuan Ancient Star had only been discovered half a million years ago and had just begun to develop the path of cultivation, officially connecting with the higher realms and giving birth to formidable Saint-level experts.
Before that, the strongest beings on Taiyuan Ancient Star were only at the God King level. Although these God Kings were aware of the dangers within the Taiyuan Forbidden Zone, they considered it on par with other dangerous restricted areas. However, when Saints, Saint Kings, and even Half-Step Great Saints ventured into it and never returned, the cultivators on Taiyuan Ancient Star finally understood the true extent of its danger.
Understanding its level of danger, later generations renamed it the Taiyuan Forbidden Zone, a land of no return for those who ventured too deep.
As for what secrets were hidden within the Taiyuan Forbidden Zone, neither the Dao Palace nor other forces on Taiyuan Ancient Star had any knowledge. Perhaps only individuals of Supreme level could have some insights into it. After all, at that level, they should be fearless of the dangers within.
Wang Ping even suspected that the Supreme who had come to Taiyuan Ancient Star, the one who had refined his Time-Space Dao Source during past simulations, had come here for certain hidden secrets. Otherwise, if he were a native of Taiyuan Ancient Star, his identity wouldn't remain undiscovered for so long.
"In rough seas, fish become valuable. I not only want the rewards from the Nine Stars Pavilion but also the potential great opportunities hidden within the Taiyuan Forbidden Zone. System, fast forward," Wang Ping muttered, signaling the system to skip ahead.
"Ding, fast forwarding."
The system responded, and the text appeared on the screen.
[After making your choice, you entered the Taiyuan Forbidden Zone with Lin Qinghe. During the process, you also consulted Lin Qinghe's second soul, the remnant soul of the previous Swallowing Immortal Demon Body, to see if she knew anything about the Taiyuan Forbidden Zone.]
[In response, the remnant soul of the previous Swallowing Immortal Demon Body shook her head, indicating that she had never been to such a remote place as Taiyuan Ancient Star and naturally knew nothing about its secrets. Moreover, her memories were fragmented, and she had forgotten many things.]
[Hearing her response, you felt some regret but didn't dwell on it. Soon, you both ventured into the outermost region. The Taiyuan Forbidden Zone was peculiar, with a bizarre energy permeating the air, causing confusion and even driving people to madness.]
[In addition, strange creatures occasionally appeared, ignoring the divine aura around you and Lin Qinghe, attacking you both. Such occurrences were impossible in the outside world.]
[After all, the aura of a Saint was not to be trifled with. Even the demonic beasts at the God King level, not to mention meeting a Saint, would either submit or flee. Attacking a Half-Saint or a Saint was simply impossible.]
[You studied these creatures and found them to be peculiar. Their power did not conform to the human or demonic beast cultivation systems; they relied solely on pure strength. Strangely, despite their significant power, they lacked intelligence, driven only by their instinct to hunt.]
[This was a perplexing phenomenon. After all, even at the God King level in the lower realms, creatures with only innate strength possessed intelligence not inferior to that of ordinary humans.]
[Before long, you crossed the outermost region, preparing to enter the inner area. However, before you could do so, you felt a terrifying energy emanating from the sky, several times more frightening than the strange energy in the outer area. Even a Half-Saint would be shaken by this energy.]
[This was still the border area between the outer and inner regions. Considering the dangers you had faced so far, you couldn't even imagine what perils awaited further inside. This realization weighed heavily on your mind.]
[At this point, you felt that it might not be appropriate for Lin Qinghe to continue with you. Even though she could unleash the power of a Saint with her Swallowing Immortal Demon Body, it might not guarantee her safety.]
[However, you also worry that after Lin Qinghe devours these evil spirits, she may be affected by some unknown influence. Lin Qinghe shares this concern. Nevertheless, she believes that in a place like this, improving her strength is the top priority, and any side effects can be dealt with later.]
[You find her reasoning sound and don't stop Lin Qinghe from consuming the evil spirits. Soon, Lin Qinghe has the opportunity to become a Saint. However, you don't let her break through now, to avoid attracting the Saintly Tribulation in such a dangerous place.]
[Because achieving Saint status in this place is too perilous. Besides, you think that if you encounter a dire situation, you can let Lin Qinghe face the Tribulation, using it to intimidate the terrifying evil spirits.]
[You continue to venture deeper. During this process, even with the Black Abyss Demon Spear, you come close to falling. You realize that this place not only has evil spirits but also bizarre plants. Once they ensnare you, they release terrifying toxins that even Saints can't endure. You narrowly escape death.]
[Luckily, before entering this place, you had bound a God King-level cultivator with your Purple Talent - Puppetry, redirecting the toxins away. Otherwise, you'd have lost your life and entered the resurrection state.]
[At that time, without your presence, Lin Qinghe would have perished as well.]
[A day passes in this manner. During this day, you experience various battles and encounter various strange dangers. You become physically and mentally exhausted, and you both sustain severe injuries. Even though you're a Saint and Lin Qinghe is a Demigod, your injuries are difficult to heal because of the peculiar creatures in this eerie place.]
[Your Purple Talent - Blood Drinker and your stronger cultivation somewhat help you, but Lin Qinghe is in dire straits, her injuries near fatal.]
[You feel heavy-hearted but manage a wry smile. You had never planned to leave this eerie place alive, but now, it seems you might not even find the Taiyuan Saint Stone.]
[As you sigh, Lin Qinghe looks at you, seemingly urging you to leave her behind. In her current state, she's become a burden. However, you firmly refuse, carrying Lin Qinghe on your back and continuing forward, seeking a safe place to heal.]
[During your journey, you both faintly glimpse a massive dark silhouette roaring in the distance.]
[This sight shocks you. You can't discern the true form of the colossal dark silhouette, but you can sense its terror. This dark figure is definitely not a Saint.]
[Lin Qinghe's Second Soul, the remnant soul of the previous Swallowing Immortal Demon Body, confirms that this massive dark figure is not a Saint but a quasi-Emperor.]
[This revelation leaves you and Lin Qinghe utterly astonished. A quasi-Emperor appearing deep within the Taiyuan Forbidden Zone means this place is far more dangerous than you imagined.]
[However, in the midst of your astonishment, you suddenly sense an unusual aura from deep within the cave. This raises your apprehension. Based on your past experiences, a place devoid of other monsters usually means a far more terrifying creature is in control. Since it's their territory, other monsters dare not enter.]
[You feel a sense of foreboding and choose to investigate further into the cave. Eventually, you witness an astonishing sight at the cave's deepest point.]
[A colossal heart is sealed there within a mysterious formation. Despite the formidable seals and chains, they cannot conceal the terrifying energy emanating from this heart.]
[Moreover, you sense a power surpassing the laws of the universe within this heart. This leaves you profoundly shocked, wondering whose heart this is and why it has been sealed here.]
[Considering the time frame, it's highly likely this heart has been sealed here for millions of years, and the implications of this discovery are spine-chilling.]
[After leaving its original form, being sealed for a million years, and still pulsating with such power, it's truly terrifying. You even doubt whether an Emperor could accomplish such a thing.]
[Next, you make another discovery. The altars and pillars surrounding this grand array are made of Taiyuan Saint Stones. It's quite extravagant, considering that powerful individuals in the Nine Star Pavilion often issue missions to obtain Taiyuan Saint Stones, and here, there's a pile of them.]
[However, you find something frustrating—you can't even budge these Taiyuan Saint Stones, let alone take one with you.]
[In your helplessness, you spot a piece of Taiyuan Saint Stone hidden in a corner of the cave. This delights you, and you decide to absorb it into your inner world.]
[Now, you're contemplating your next move. You're eager to attempt breaking the grand array and touching the heart. If you could refresh it as a reward, that would be fantastic.]
[Since you've already obtained the Taiyuan Saint Stone, and you don't currently possess the ability to venture deeper into the Taiyuan Forbidden Zone to uncover the true identity of the colossal dark figure and the greatest secrets within, you might as well try your luck and see if you can gain the greatest benefits.]
[Without further ado, you take out a Breaking Array Talisman, intending to use its power to dismantle the grand array.]
[However, as you activate the talisman and attempt to break the array, the grand array engulfs you. It directly rebounds the talisman, destroying it, and simultaneously suppresses you.]
[Because of your revival talisman, you enter the countdown to resurrection. After you revive, you're once again suppressed.]
[Due to your death, this simulated experience comes to an end.]
[The textual simulation ends here, and Wang Ping's mind is filled with various images and insights. Finally, his figure appears back in the cave, where he sees the heart with its intricate patterns and powerful pulsations.]
"Alright, doing something reckless can lead to death. That's an undeniable truth."
After regaining his composure, Wang Ping couldn't help but sigh.
This thing was truly terrifying, and he couldn't imagine how powerful the entity that sealed it must have been. Breaking the array with a Breaking Array Talisman was simply impossible.
Even though the runic master was a genius, he was, at most, a Saint-level cultivator, and the gap between him and the being that set up this grand array was insurmountable.
"I just wonder, who is the owner of this heart and why was it sealed? Moreover, what are the secrets hidden in the Taiyuan Forbidden Zone?"
Various thoughts flashed through Wang Ping's mind, making it hard for him to focus.
He felt that knowing these secrets could bring tremendous opportunities.
"Unfortunately, no matter how great the opportunity, you need the strength to pursue it. Otherwise, it's like a low-level player trying to raid a high-level dungeon, just asking to get slaughtered, no matter how many resurrection coins you have."
Wang Ping shook his head and couldn't help but mutter inwardly.
Then, he felt his consciousness blur, his vision shifting, and he left the immersive simulation state, returning to the real world.
At the same time, the system's voice rang out.
"Ding, reward generation successful. Host can choose two rewards from the following:
1. First-level Saint cultivation.
2. Taiyuan Saint Stone.
3. Saint's remains.
4. Purple Talent - Blood Drinker."
"Two rewards, huh?"
Wang Ping examined the rewards, stroking his chin in thought.
First-level Saint cultivation was achievable through each simulation at his current level. It wasn't particularly rare.
Furthermore, once he reached Saint level, the resources needed for future simulations would increase dramatically. He might find himself struggling with resource shortages.
In this age of the Dharma's decline, resources were hard to come by.
As for the other rewards, the remains of a Saint could be disregarded as he had no use for them.
In other words, he could choose between the Purple Talent - Blood Drinker and the Taiyuan Saint Stone, or he could select both.
"Although I can choose cultivation in the next simulation, in the real world, a day or even several months might pass, and I might encounter dangers. If I'm going to take risks, I need to rapidly enhance my strength."
"I've been too worried about resources. With strength, resources become less of an issue."
"Besides, I can always ask Alpha to help me if needed."
However, Wang Ping quickly regained his composure, unable to help but palm his forehead.
"System, I choose ①. First-level Saint cultivation and ②. Taiyuan Saint Stone."
With that decision made, Wang Ping didn't hesitate.
As Wang Ping made his selection, his cultivation immediately began to skyrocket, reaching the level of a Saint in an instant.
His physical body, magical power, and spiritual soul all underwent a qualitative transformation, becoming extremely powerful.
It was shortly after Wang Ping made his choice and elevated his cultivation that a sense of danger suddenly emerged. His expression changed slightly, and without hesitation, he initiated spatial teleportation.
"Boom!"
Following Wang Ping's defensive action, a terrifying energy fluctuation abruptly appeared over the White Flame Divine City, completely obliterating it.
"Who attacked me? Why didn't such an event occur during the simulation?"
Wang Ping's face turned serious as he surveyed the surrounding space, trying to identify the assailant.
In his entire life simulation experience, such an attack had never happened before.
There were only two possibilities:
Either the attacker specifically targeted him, attacking him after his last immersion in the simulation, which would explain why such an event didn't occur in the simulation.
The second possibility was that this individual came from a place beyond the Upper Realm, making it impossible for the life simulator to simulate their presence.
Of course, there was also the possibility that some external factors led the attacker to target him suddenly.
In any case, it was troublesome.
After all, this was the first time he had been attacked in the real world.
This indicated that there might be dangers when he entered immersive simulations in the future.
During simulations, although he set up a grand array, he didn't have any personal defenses.
This was indeed a flaw in immersive simulations.
Furthermore, the time gap caused by immersive simulations was significantly longer than in previous text-based simulations, posing another issue.
"Hehe, I didn't expect you to become a Saint. It seems you have some significant secrets. I initially thought those fellows hired me to kill you as an overestimation of your abilities. Now, it seems they might have underestimated you after all."
As various thoughts flashed through Wang Ping's mind, a sinister voice rang out.
"Them? Are you referring to my predecessors?"
Wang Ping's expression turned cold as he cautiously inquired.
"Hehe, it doesn't hurt to tell you. Yes, it's them. They used a Heavenly Array Seal to track your location every once in a while. However, some time ago, they suddenly couldn't locate you, speculating that you might have used some method to block the Heavenly Array. That's why they decided on a whim to expend a considerable sum to hire me."
The sinister voice sounded eerie.
Wang Ping still couldn't pinpoint the attacker's exact location.
"This person is formidable. They're likely not an ordinary Saint, possessing high cultivation and expertise in assassination techniques. Additionally, they might have items acquired from other worlds."
Various thoughts crossed Wang Ping's mind as he became increasingly vigilant.
The attacker's methods were troublesome.
Moreover, the content of their words weighed on his mind.
Clearly, the Gold Talent - Heavenly Array Blockade had indeed been effective.
However, Wang Ping hadn't anticipated that the attackers would use a Heavenly Array Seal at intervals to locate him. When they couldn't locate him due to the effectiveness of the Gold Talent, they grew even more wary. Consequently, they made a sudden decision to hire a Saint from a transcendent power to assassinate him.
And it had come close to costing him his life.
This was the first time Wang Ping had faced an attack in the real world after heavily exploiting the life simulator.
He had been too careless.
After gaining the Gold Talent - Heavenly Array Blockade, he should have changed his location instead of remaining in the White Flame Divine City.
"Why are you telling me all this? Isn't protecting your employer's information the creed of assassins? Or do you believe I'm as good as dead?"
Various thoughts crossed Wang Ping's mind as he responded with a cold tone.
"Hehe, protecting the employer's information is what proper assassins do, not me. Honestly, I'm only in it for the money."
The sinister voice echoed once more.
"If you can provide me with more divine energy, I might consider abandoning the assassination. Perhaps even give you more information to help you kill them in return, isn't that possible?"
"You really have no professional ethics."
Wang Ping sneered.
If he actually handed over what was requested, the attacker would undoubtedly attack him without hesitation, kill him, and take the rest of the items.
Then, they would still be able to collect the reward, which would be quite enjoyable.
(End of this chapter)