A New Approach
Back in the system space, Strider sat cross-legged, his eyes closed as he carefully analyzed every event that had unfolded in the simulated world.
Unlike before, when he had acted mostly on instinct and brute force, this time, he had a different mindset.
He had learned the hard way that rushing into battles without preparation was not the key to success.
He exhaled slowly, his mind running through the system reminder once again.
[System Notification: You are dead.]
[Cause of death: Defeat after a fight.]
[Copy completion: 20%.]
[Hint: If you use your brain, you can reach 100% completion on your next attempt. You just have to use system points wisely.]
Strider clenched his fists.
"Use my brain, huh?" he muttered.
The 20% completion rate from the last attempt was too low.
Something was missing—something he had overlooked.
He replayed his last moments in the simulation.
He had reached Core Building Realm, but his breakthrough exposed him to the enemies beyond the Gate.
A powerful monster at the 9th Layer of Core Building Realm had been sent specifically to kill him.
Even after fighting with everything he had, he was defeated and killed.
That meant only one thing—
He had taken the wrong approach.
He had been so focused on strengthening himself, he had forgotten about the bigger picture.
Determined to find the missing piece, Strider opened the System Mall and began scrolling through the available options.
He still had 400 system points, and if there was something that could help him, this was the place to find it.
The store contained a wide variety of items:
High-level battle techniques—too situational.
Advanced spiritual artifacts—useful but wouldn't solve the core issue.
Temporary stat boosts—not a long-term solution.
Nothing stood out.
Then—
His eyes locked onto something unique.
[Everlasting Cultivation Manual]
A Qi cultivation manual that could be cultivated up to the peak of the Golden Core Realm, complete with powerful battle techniques.
Strider frowned.
His cultivation path had always been demonic cultivation and physical cultivation.
Qi cultivation was the opposite of what he had been practicing.
Why would the system suggest something so different?
The price: 1400 system points.
Strider sighed. Way out of my budget.
Then, something new happened.
A notification appeared.
[System Loan Available: 1000 System Points.]
Strider's breath caught.
"Loan?"
There had never been a loan function in the system before.
This was a clear sign—the system was practically pushing him to purchase this technique.
But why?
What was so special about this Everlasting Cultivation Manual?
Strider took a deep breath, his mind racing.
If the system was offering him a loan, it meant this manual was crucial to achieving 100% completion.
But why would he need a Qi cultivation technique when he had always relied on demonic and physical cultivation?
Then, he started to piece things together.
He thought about the simulated world—
A world experiencing spiritual energy revival.
A world where Gates were opening, allowing monsters to invade.
A world where martial arts had become mainstream, but true cultivation had yet to emerge.
He thought about his last experience:
He had been noticed by powerful beings the moment he broke through to Core Building Realm.
The world of Lumar was unprepared for high-level cultivation battles.
He had no allies strong enough to help him fight the invaders.
Then, it clicked.
The system was hinting at a long-term solution.
If he wanted to survive and reach 100% completion, he couldn't fight alone.
He needed to change the world itself.
And the Everlasting Cultivation Manual was the key.
Instead of fighting alone, Strider had to introduce Qi cultivation to the world of Lumar.
If he could establish a cultivation system, humanity would have a fighting chance against the incoming Gate invaders.
Instead of isolating himself, he needed to create a foundation—
A path for others to follow.
His new goal became clear:
Spread the Everlasting Cultivation Manual.
Teach others how to cultivate Qi.
Build a sect that could protect Lumar from invaders.
Ensure that when the strongest monsters arrived, humanity would already be prepared.
Strider's role wouldn't just be to fight—
He would become the ancestor of cultivation in this world.
Strider made his decision.
[Purchase: Everlasting Cultivation Manual]
His system points dropped to zero.
His loan balance increased to -1000 system points.
But he didn't regret it.
This was the right path.
[Simulation Restarting…]
The foggy system space dissolved once again.
The next moment—
Strider opened his eyes and found himself back in a forest.
But this time—
He had a new goal.
He wasn't just going to survive this time.
He was going to change history.
As he stood in the middle of the dense forest, the faint traces of spiritual energy in the air confirmed that he had returned to the early days of Lumar's spiritual energy revival.
He wasn't in a rush to gain power this time.
This time, Strider decided to take a high-profile approach. Instead of hiding in the shadows, he transformed his appearance, taking on the form of a handsome middle-aged man with an air of wisdom and mystery.
With his plan in mind, he soared into the skies, flying openly across different countries, ensuring that the entire world took notice of him.
His actions were not meant to intimidate but to intrigue and captivate the people.
He made sure not to harm anyone, simply gliding through the air, appearing like a celestial being descended upon the mortal world.
It didn't take long before the world's media caught onto the phenomenon.
Governments, scientists, and ordinary citizens all turned their attention to him, debating whether he was an alien, a superhuman, or a deity.
Eventually, when the curiosity reached its peak, Strider accepted an interview, choosing a global news channel to address the world.
With a calm and composed demeanor, he smiled politely and explained,
"I have lost my way home and found myself on this planet. Your modern technology and civilization fascinated me, so I ended up traveling across the skies, taking in everything. I apologize if my actions startled anyone."
His elegant demeanor and sincere tone created a gentlemanly image, putting people at ease.
Then came the biggest question—"How can you fly?"
Strider paused for a moment, then responded with a slight smile, "I am a cultivator. If anyone is interested, I can teach them."
His words sent shockwaves across the world.
The mere idea of humans learning how to cultivate sparked excitement, curiosity, and hope.
A new era was about to begin.