[Although you can't use your cultivation, you can still utilize the talent of the Eye of Insight, allowing you to discern his cultivation and identity at a glance.]
[You are astonished to discover that this person is actually Li Lao, a cultivator who has surpassed the seventh level of the Tribulation stage.]
[In the previous simulation, you learned that Li Lao would not normally leave Ridge Mountain.]
[His primary duty is to ensure the safety of the immortal cultivators and their families residing in Ridge Mountain.]
[You are filled with questions and confusion, unsure of the current circumstances.]
[As Li Lao approaches, he looks at you with a relieved expression and advises you to focus on breaking through. He assures you that he and other immortal cultivators will protect you with their lives if necessary.]
[After saying this, Li Lao performs several hand seals, and a transparent light shield instantly forms around you.]
[With that, Li Lao disappears, rejoining the battle against Shen Wuyou, the leader of the Xianlin Sect.]
[After Li Lao departs, several other immortal cultivators arrive and vigilantly guard your surroundings.]
[Observing all this, your mind is flooded with thoughts. Why does it seem as though Li Lao and his group have specifically come to protect you?]
[You can't help but feel bewildered.]
[However, given Li Lao's promise, you feel that your safety is likely secure.]
[From the previous simulation, it's clear that Li Lao is someone who genuinely cares about the well-being of ordinary cultivators in the Southern Region.]
[Thanks to his selflessness, ordinary cultivators in the Southern Region have not faced extinction.]
[If not for his altruistic nature, Li Lao, with his formidable cultivation, could have easily left the Southern Region. Except for the Xianlin Sect, no one could have stopped him.]
[These observations make you believe in Li Lao's character and trust his promise.]
[You compose yourself and concentrate on the changes happening within your qi sea.]
[In reality, as soon as the strange phenomenon appeared in the sky, it wasn't just the immortal slaves of the Xianlin Sect who took action.]
[Li Lao had also immediately rallied the immortal cultivators of Ridge Mountain.]
[As someone who has lived for thousands of years in the Tribulation stage, Li Lao possesses profound knowledge.]
[Upon witnessing the phenomenon, he instantly thought of someone achieving a tenth-grade golden elixir.]
[The spectacle of the dragon and the phoenix singing together had, according to ancient records, only appeared once a million years ago with Mo Jingtian.]
[Your breakthrough gave him hope of leaving the Southern Region.]
[He then mobilized all the immortal cultivators of Ridge Mountain, determined to protect you.]
[As the battle outside raged on, your breakthrough progressed slowly.]
[The breakthrough speed was far slower than expected.]
[You suspect this may be due to the blending of martial arts vitality.]
[Suddenly, a surge of momentum bursts forth from within you as you successfully advance to the Jindan stage.]
[When you open your eyes, you find Li Lao waiting outside the transparent light shield.]
[It is apparent that with Li Lao's presence, the immortal slaves were no match and had retreated.]
[Seeing your breakthrough, Li Lao urges you to leave with him quickly, warning that it is not yet safe.]
[Though puzzled, you choose to trust him and follow.]
[Meanwhile, in a town tens of thousands of miles away, carnage unfolds as Shen Wuyou and other immortal slaves slaughter the entire population.]
[Shen Wuyou gathers the blood of the townsfolk and places it upon a newly constructed altar, chanting incomprehensible spells.]
[Soon, a cold voice emanates from the altar: "You are using the blood sacrifice method. Why do you summon me?"]
[Shen Wuyou reports that you may have achieved a tenth-grade golden elixir.]
[After listening, the cold voice responds disdainfully: "Hmph, this insignificant place produces yet another genius. Were it not for the rules, I would have eradicated it with a single blow to save the trouble."]
[Shen Wuyou remains silent, not daring to interrupt. The voice then speaks again, declaring that it will handle the matter.]
[With those words, the altar explodes.]
[Relieved, Shen Wuyou sighs, glad to have passed on the burden.]
[At that moment, you are being led by Li Lao towards Ridge Mountain.]
[Li Lao's expression is tense, and he quickens his pace.]
[This makes you suspect that the danger might be very real.]
[Yet, you remain clueless as to what it might be.]
[Soon, Ridge Mountain comes into view.]
[Li Lao's expression relaxes slightly.]
[Believing that Li Lao may have hidden trump cards there, you assume the danger will lessen upon reaching Ridge Mountain.]
[However, a flash of purple light suddenly streaks across the sky.]
["Boom!" A deafening thunder reverberates throughout the heavens.]
[Heavenly thunder? The term flashes through your mind.]
[In an instant, the purple thunder strikes, and Li Lao uses all his strength to shield you.]
[Soon, you realize your assumption was incorrect.]
[This is heavenly thunder, yet it's more powerful than typical heavenly thunder.]
[Despite being at the seventh level of the Tribulation stage, Li Lao is severely injured almost immediately.]
[Li Lao looks at you and shouts: "Run! There's a formation in the belly of Ridge Mountain. If you hide there, you might survive!"]
[Another purple thunderbolt strikes Li Lao, leaving him utterly drained and unable to rise.]
[Grief-stricken, you hesitate but quickly activate the Wind Chasing Art, fleeing toward Ridge Mountain at full speed.]
[You recall the formation Li Lao mentioned, possibly created by the formation wizard Lu Wuya as noted in the previous simulation.]
[It is likely the same formation that allowed Li Lao to survive for thousands of years.]
[However, the speed of the heavenly thunder far surpasses your own.]
[This time, the thunderbolt is clearly aimed at you, and its power is immense.]
[Within moments, the purple lightning strikes you.]
[You die at the age of 20.]
[The simulation ends.]
[You may choose two rewards from this simulation: Formation Genius (Talent), Immortal Cultivation (First Layer of Jindan), or God Cultivation (First Layer of Jindan).]
[Formation Genius (Talent)]: Price: 100 Energy Points.
[Immortal Cultivation (First Layer of Jindan)]: Price: 100 million Energy Points; breakthrough to the Jindan stage with a tenth-grade golden elixir.
[God Cultivation (First Layer of Jindan)]: Price: 200 million Energy Points; breakthrough to the Jindan stage with a twelfth-grade golden elixir, the ancient path combining martial arts and immortal cultivation.
(Note: The early stages of divine cultivation mirror those of immortal and martial paths, but with interchangeable spiritual energy and vitality, resulting in greater combat power. However, breakthroughs are more challenging and require exceptional physical strength.)
This simulation did not last a year.
This surprises Jiang Yifeng.
He never anticipated Shen Wuyou being able to communicate with immortals beyond the heavens.
Nor did he expect that simply achieving a tenth-grade golden elixir would attract their attention.
Furthermore, Jiang Yifeng is perplexed by this simulation's rewards.
Why is there suddenly a mention of Shinto?
After reading the description, Jiang Yifeng begins to understand.
Shinto appears to be the practice of combining immortal and martial cultivation.
However, it includes an added condition: the gap between the immortal and martial paths must not be too great, and a sufficiently strong physique is required to break through.
Without hesitation, Jiang Yifeng decides it doesn't matter if it's challenging, as long as it's powerful enough.
But just as he is about to select his reward, a thought strikes him.
In the simulation, his breakthrough to the Jindan stage caused a grand spectacle.
Would this also happen in reality?
If such phenomena appear during his actual breakthrough, wouldn't it spell disaster?