Shen Tian leaned against the splintered wooden wall of his room, his breathing uneven. The faint glow of the Heavenly Simulation Codex had dimmed, but its presence lingered in the back of his mind. The simulation had left him shaken, but more importantly, it had opened his eyes to the possibilities and the dangers of this world.
The Heavenly Essence Pond was a treasure that could change his destiny. Yet, to reach it, he needed strength, strategy, and preparation. A direct confrontation with the Ironclaw Bear was certain death.
"Strength…" Shen Tian murmured, clenching his fists. His arms felt weak, his body sore from the simple exertions of daily life. If he wanted to survive in this world, he couldn't remain this fragile.
He closed his eyes and focused, drawing from the memories of this body's former owner. Martial cultivation in this world began with the Body Tempering realm, the foundation of all martial arts. The goal of this stage was to refine the physical body, preparing it to endure the flow of Qi.
The Body Tempering realm consisted of nine stages:
Skin Tempering: Strengthening the outer body to resist minor injuries.
Muscle Tempering: Increasing physical strength and endurance.
Bone Tempering: Hardening the skeleton to withstand greater impacts. And further refinement stages.
Shen Tian's predecessor had barely reached the second stage, his body tempered just enough to lift modest weights or withstand a punch. At this level, he wasn't even strong enough to take on an ordinary wild beast, let alone a spiritual one like the Ironclaw Bear.
But strength required resources—precious herbs, Qi-rich foods, and guidance that he didn't have.
"This world really is merciless," Shen Tian muttered. He glanced at his calloused hands and felt a pang of bitterness. Talentless, resource-starved, and alone—this was his starting point. But with the Codex, he didn't need to rely on raw talent.
The first step was finding ways to strengthen his body.
The next morning, Shen Tian stepped out of his shabby home and into the crowded streets of Liuyun City. The air was thick with the scent of roasted meat, freshly baked bread, and herbal incense. Merchants lined the streets, their colorful stalls piled with everything from mundane wares to rare alchemical ingredients.
Shen Tian's gaze wandered, lingering on a nearby stall where a burly vendor displayed a collection of herbs. Among them, he recognized a few low-grade items: Ironwood Root, used for strengthening bones, and Qi Blossoms, which helped increase energy flow during training.
"How much for the Ironwood Root?" Shen Tian asked, his tone as casual as he could muster.
The vendor, a rotund man with a scraggly beard, squinted at him. "One silver tael for a bundle. Not cheap, lad. But it's worth every coin if you want stronger bones."
Shen Tian's heart sank. He didn't even have a single copper coin to his name. Still, he kept his expression neutral, nodding as if he were merely browsing.
As he turned away, he overheard snippets of conversation from nearby customers.
"...the Celestial Wind Forest has been more active lately. Spiritual beasts moving closer to the outskirts…"
"...a group of outer disciples from the Ironclad Sect headed there last week. Haven't returned yet…"
"...rumors of an old ruin hidden deeper in the forest. Dangerous, but who knows what treasures are inside?"
The mention of the forest made Shen Tian pause. He hadn't forgotten the simulation's warnings about the Ironclaw Bear, but the Codex had also hinted at opportunities. If he could gather low-level resources from the outskirts of the forest, he might be able to scrape together enough to afford herbs like the Ironwood Root.
Returning to his home, Shen Tian began strategizing. The simulation had already revealed several risks of venturing into the forest, but now he had the chance to prepare.
The Heavenly Simulation Codex shimmered, its ethereal voice echoing softly in his mind:
"Simulate potential preparations for a journey into the Celestial Wind Forest?"
"Yes," Shen Tian whispered, sitting cross-legged.
Initializing Simulation…
The golden light enveloped him, and a series of images unfolded before him:
Option 1: Enter the forest unarmed and rely on stealth to gather resources.
Option 2: Craft basic weapons from the surrounding area before venturing in.
Option 3: Seek help from others—join a group heading into the forest.
The Codex began simulating each scenario, showing Shen Tian the outcomes:
Option 1: He managed to gather a few low-grade herbs but was eventually spotted by a pack of Spirit Wolves, forcing him to flee empty-handed.
Option 2: Using a sharpened stick and a makeshift sling, he managed to fend off small predators, gathering enough herbs to make a modest profit.
Option 3: Joining a group provided safety, but the stronger members of the group took the lion's share of any spoils, leaving him with scraps.
Optimal Path: Option 2
Recommended Actions: Learn basic crafting techniques. Create rudimentary weapons to defend yourself. Focus on gathering Qi Blossoms and other easily accessible herbs.
Shen Tian opened his eyes, the Codex's suggestions clear in his mind. "Weapons first," he muttered, glancing at the small pile of supplies in his room.
Using what little he had, Shen Tian fashioned a crude spear from a sturdy branch and a sharpened scrap of metal he'd scavenged. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.
Two days later, Shen Tian stood once more at the edge of the Celestial Wind Forest. The towering trees loomed overhead, their jade-green canopies swaying in the wind. The air here was heavy with Qi, so thick it made his skin tingle.
He tightened his grip on the makeshift spear and took a deep breath.
The first hour passed without incident. Shen Tian moved cautiously, his eyes scanning for any signs of danger. He spotted a cluster of Qi Blossoms growing near the roots of a tree and crouched down to pick them. The flowers glowed faintly, their petals soft to the touch.
Just as he was about to move on, a rustling sound made him freeze. Shen Tian's heart pounded as he turned toward the noise. Emerging from the underbrush was a Greenfang Rabbit, its crimson eyes gleaming.
Though small, Greenfang Rabbits were known for their aggressive nature and sharp fangs. This one's Qi rippled faintly, marking it as a low-level spiritual beast.
"Alright," Shen Tian muttered, his grip tightening on the spear. "Let's see if all this preparation was worth it."
He took a defensive stance, his body tense as the rabbit lunged at him.
Hey everyone!
Thank you for reading the first two chapters of my novel. This is a story I've been planning and pouring my heart into, and I'm curious to know what you think so far!
Did you enjoy the pacing, Is the Heavenly Simulation Codex an intriguing addition to the story?
I'd love to hear your thoughts! Your comments, suggestions, and encouragement mean everything to me as a writer. Let me know,
Are there things you'd like to see in future chapters?
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Thanks again for reading, and I look forward to hearing from you! Let's create an amazing journey together!