Seeking a way

Ling Tian sat cross-legged, a look of deep contemplation on his face as he reviewed the latest simulation. In this simulation, he had chosen to stay with the clan, hoping to develop it into a formidable force. However, the Blood Demon Sect's pervasive influence had once again shattered his efforts. After the destruction of the Fiery Fire Sect, the Blood Demon Sect's domain expanded, enveloping his clan's territories and subjecting them to constant fear and oppression. Eventually, the clan perished, with only a handful of survivors escaping.

"This Blood Demon Sect is truly an eyesore," Ling Tian muttered, his eyes narrowing with determination. "Always popping up and ruining my life in the simulations. When my strength is enough, I will go and get rid of this scourge."

Turning his attention to the rewards from the simulation, Ling Tian carefully evaluated his options. The 'Natural Leader' reward, which could help him gather followers quickly, seemed enticing. However, he reasoned that with enough strength and prestige, followers would naturally flock to him. The other reward, 'Comprehension and experience of Weapon Refining till the Advanced Refiner,' would allow him to quickly become an Advanced Refiner capable of refining Tier 4 Weapons, saving many years of hard work. Decisively, he chose the latter.

As he absorbed the reward from his life simulation, a torrent of knowledge surged into his mind. The intricacies of weapon refining, the profound movements, skills, and techniques he had spent countless years using and mastering in the simulation, became part of his consciousness. He felt the experiences of refining weapons from Tier 1 to Tier 4, each step becoming clearer and more intuitive.

After assimilating all the knowledge and experience, Ling Tian rested for a while, drinking the remainder of the tea he had brewed. Feeling rejuvenated, he decided to visit the marketplace in the city to gather the necessary materials and equipment for weapon refining. He got up and left to the outside of the clan and headed towards the marketplace of the city. He strolled through the bustling market, searching for a weapon refining furnace and materials. After a while, he found a store selling furnaces. After some haggling with a store owner, he purchased a Tier 1 furnace for 10 low-tier Spiritual Stones. Then he continued searching through the marketplace and finally purchased Tier 1 materials for 4 low-tier Spiritual Stones. The reason why he only purchased Tier 1 materials is simply because his current budget only allowed for Tier 1.

Returning to his residence, Ling Tian set up the furnace in his room and prepared the materials. He raised his hand, summoning a purple flame—a Tier 4 Weapon Refining Flame possessed by Advanced Refiners. On the Azure Continent, weapon refiners were distinguished by the color of their flames: red for Novice, blue for Apprentice, indigo for Intermediate, purple for Advanced, yellow for Expert, green for Master, and black for Grandmaster. Each increase in the weapon refining level will bring considerable change to the quality of the flame possessed and change its color, giving it a higher temperature and degree of control and precision. Although Ling Tian has not refined any Tier 4 weapons in real life, in terms of experience and knowledge, he can already be considered one hence the presence of the Purple Flame.

Controlling the purple flame to land underneath the furnace, he proceeded to put the Tier 1 materials into the furnace. Ling Tian controlled the heat of the purple flame and carefully melted the Tier 1 materials in the furnace. Once the materials were molten, he merged them into a single lump and skillfully molded them into a sword embryo using the meager spiritual energy flowing in his meridians. After a few minutes, the sword embryo was finally complete. Next, he engraved the Tier 1 Patterns onto the embryo with precision. Scooping the sword from the furnace, he walked to the pond in his backyard and quenched the sword, producing wisps of steam as the hot metal met the cold water. He swung the refined Tier 1 Sword Weapon, creating bursts of wind with each movement. As expected from an Advanced Refiner, he could refine a Tier 1 Sword in a matter of minutes. Ling Tian was excited. A few days ago, he was still lamenting the fact that his talent was mediocre and he was destined to live an ordinary life in this world. Now, he has already reached the peak of the Awakening Stage of the Innate Realm, acquired the Nine Heavens Primordial Body, and became an Advanced Refiner.

Despite his excitement, he quickly calmed himself, placing the sword on a weapon rack.

Satisfied with his progress, Ling Tian went to his room and decided to conduct a paid simulation, seeking a way to escape the Blood Demon Sect's relentless pursuit as even not going to the Fiery Fire Sect and staying in his family didn't allow him to escape from the threat of the Blood Demon Sect. He sat cross-legged in his room and initiated the simulation.

[Ding, discovered 16 low-tier spiritual stones in the host's possession. Do you want to pay 16 low-tier spiritual stones for one paid simulation?]

With only 16 low-tier Spiritual Stones left after his purchase of the Furnace and Tier 1 materials, Ling Tian had just enough for one paid simulation. Taking a deep breath, he replied, "Pay."

[Ding, Simulation starting...]

A new screen appeared, displaying a refreshed talent pool.

[Ding, Talent Refresh Successful, congratulations to the host for refreshing no Talents.]

Ling Tian's face twitched with irritation. "System, are you kidding me?"

The system remained silent, and Ling Tian suppressed his anger, beginning the life simulation.

[Ding, Simulation Starting …]

[Year 1: At 16, you are at the peak of the Awakening Stage of the Innate Realm and an Advanced Refiner. Your clan hails you as a genius, and the entire city knows your name. The clan provides you with abundant resources. You purchase many materials and start refining weapons.]

[Year 2: At 17, with your talent "Resilient Body" and resources, you begin opening and clearing your first meridian, advancing to the Connection Stage of the Innate Realm. You are still refining weapons and studying the Weapon Refining book.]

[Year 3: At 18, your talent 'Craftsman' activates, and you get a flash of inspiration from your previous life's memory. You decide to try to make devastating bombs just like nuclear bombs in your previous capable of destroying cultivators.]

[Year 5: At 20, your cultivation increases steadily. You are refining weapons steadily for your clan and you are experimenting with various methods to make powerful bombs. Your clan is becoming more and more prosperous.]

[Year 7: At 21, your younger brother reaches the Awakening Stage of the Innate Realm. You and your brother are called the Twin Stars of the Ling Clan.]

[Year 8: At 22, your clan opens a store for selling the weapons that you refine and is accumulating many resources. Your name becomes renowned within the city.]

[Year 11: At 24, many clan members achieve breakthroughs in their cultivation because of the increased resources provided by your weapon refining. Your father gets promoted to the Integration Stage of the Innate Realm. You find a way to make bombs and start making them.]

[Year 13: At 26, you clear all your body's meridians, establishing a stable connection between your Dantian and them. This allows for a smooth flow of spiritual energy throughout your body, and you advance to the Integration Stage of the Innate Realm.]

[Year 15: At 30, disciples from the Fiery Fire Sect arrive in the city to recruit new members. You qualify to enter the sect with your brother as outer disciples. This time, you decide not to go and convince your younger brother to stay with you. Eventually, your younger brother stays within the clan.]

[Year 17: At 32, With the help of the many resources provided by you, your younger brother reaches the Connection Stage of the Innate Realm. You finally successfully create a Tier 2 bomb and you estimate that it's capable of inflicting serious injuries to Innate Realm cultivators. You decide to try it, activate it, and throw it far away from you on the training grounds. It starts to activate and from its sheer activation, you realize that you far underestimated its power. Before you can escape, the bomb explodes and you get blown into smithereens. You are dead.]

[Evaluation: Although it seems that you finally found a way to protect yourself from the Blood Demon Sect's threat, you far underestimated your invention and ended up being blown up by it.]

[Ding, Simulation ended. Generating rewards…. Please select one reward from the following options:]

- [Cultivation at the Integration Stage of the Innate Realm.]

- [Tier 2 Halberd.]