A surge of mysterious energy poured into my body the moment I made my choice: "Level 4 Qi Refining" and the "Qi Refining Art of Stars". My cultivation began to rise, a powerful force pushing through the bottleneck, advancing steadily.
_1st Level of Qi Refining..._
_2nd Level of Qi Refining..._
_3rd Level of Qi Refining..._
Finally, I reached the "4th Level of Qi Refining". My dantian swirled with new power, the flow of Qi growing smoother and more potent. At the same time, an unfamiliar yet profound knowledge appeared in my mind, almost as if I had known it all along. It was the method of the "Qi Refining Art of Stars", a mysterious and ancient cultivation technique. Each detail etched itself deep into my soul, the secrets of the stars becoming mine to command.
A refreshing sensation washed over me. My body felt lighter, filled with a vibrant energy I had never experienced before. My eyes cleared, and for the first time, I felt like I could truly see the world. Every breath felt purer, my muscles brimming with newfound strength.
I clenched my fists, feeling the Qi circulate within me, steady and powerful.
"So this is the power of the stars..." I whispered to myself, a hint of excitement building in my chest.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the excitement swirling within me. _"Don't get ahead of yourself. You're still at the bottom among cultivators."_ Even though I had reached the "4th Level of Qi Refining", compared to those at higher realms, I was still insignificant.
But my thoughts drifted back to the "red pearl". That eerie shadow of the ancient demon that had emerged during the Simulation lingered in my mind. It had aided me before, but its true nature was still unclear. Was it an ally or a hidden threat, biding its time?
I pulled the red pearl from my storage and held it in my palm. Its crimson glow pulsed faintly, but no matter how much I focused on it, I couldn't sense anything unusual. No demonic aura, no ominous signs. It was just... still.
"What exactly are you?" I muttered to myself, staring at the pearl.
The image of that shadowy figure from the Simulation flashed in my mind again. It had helped me during that crucial moment, but could I trust it?
After a while of examining it, I sighed, still unable to figure anything out. Reluctantly, I put the pearl aside. "Maybe the "Immortal Simulation System" can provide more answers," I thought, opening the system once again. If this mysterious artifact held any deeper secrets, perhaps the Simulation could reveal them.
As I activated the Immortal Simulation System, a familiar blue screen materialized before me. My excitement was immediately met with shock as the Status Panel appeared.
[Host Status Panel]
Name: Chen Wu
Age: 8
Cultivation Level: Qi Refining - Level 4
Skills: None
Talents: [Blessing of Stars] (A rare talent that grants enhanced cultivation speed and greater fortune under the night sky.)
Simulations Available: 1 per year
Next Simulation: 365 days remaining
"One simulation per year?!" I muttered, a mix of disbelief and frustration creeping into my voice. In all the simulation novels I had read, the protagonist could simulate far more frequently, often weekly or monthly. But I was stuck waiting a whole year between each one.
Just as I began to feel frustrated, the next section of the panel caught my eye.
[Immersive Simulation Mode: Activated]
● Rewards brought into reality at no extra cost.
● Cultivation experience gained directly from the simulation.
● Skill and Talent Enhancement available through immersive simulations.
Suddenly, things didn't seem quite as bad. Not only could I bring rewards back into reality for free, but I could also gain real cultivation experience and enhance both my skills and talents.
"Well," I sighed, looking at the countdown for the next simulation, "I'll just have to make every simulation count."
After gathering all the information from the "Immortal Simulation System", I had accepted my new life. Time passed, and I became familiar with the villagers. They were kind and hardworking, and life in the village was peaceful, if a bit quiet. I found myself blending in with the village's daily routines as the seasons came and went.
One year passed in the blink of an eye.
Now, sitting alone in my small hut, I felt a rush of anticipation. The time for my second simulation had finally arrived. I opened the system panel, my heart pounding with excitement.
[Immortal Simulation Available: 1 Simulation Per Year]
[Do you wish to begin the simulation? Yes/No]
Without a moment's hesitation, I tapped [Yes].
The system hummed to life, and a new prompt appeared before my eyes.
[Immortal Simulation Begins]
Please choose a talent:
1. Common Grade Talent: Little Farmer
- Increases host's talent in farming.
2. Common Grade Talent: Quick Learner
- Increases host's learning abilities.
3. Rare Grade Talent: Low-Grade Yin and Water Dual Spiritual Root
- Increases host's cultivation speed by several times, particularly effective for yin and water-based cultivation techniques.
My gaze was drawn instantly to the third option. A "Low-Grade Yin and Water Dual Spiritual Root"! A rare-grade talent that would significantly accelerate my cultivation, especially if I focused on yin and water techniques. The first two options didn't even stand a chance.
"I choose the rare-grade talent," I whispered, my voice steady.
[You have chosen the Rare Grade Talent: Low-Grade Yin and Water Dual Spiritual Root.]
Suddenly, another prompt appeared.
[Immersive Simulation Mode Available]
Do you wish to enter Immersive Mode?
Yes/No
(Note: Immersive Mode will allow you to gain real cultivation experience and bring rewards directly into reality.)
I didn't need to think twice. Immersive simulation meant I could gain real cultivation experience and choose other important things from simulation rewards.
"Yes," I confirmed without hesitation.
[System Notification: Immersive Simulation Mode Activated. The simulation will now begin.]
I don't fell anything strange. As I attempted to summon the system panel, but it stubbornly refused to appear.
This lack of interference was oddly reassuring. It reinforced his sense that the Immortal Simulation System granted him a unique freedom—he could fully control the development of his simulation, unlike the restrictive paths often faced by protagonists in other stories. Now, at Qi Refining Level 4, he was determined to cultivate until he reached Level 6 before leaving the village at age 16.