Chapter 68: Variables
Time flies.
Eight years have passed since Li Changsheng returned to Misty Valley with Ximen Xue.
In a pavilion next to Misty Valley's spiritual eye,
Li Changsheng's appearance remained that of a young man, unchanged. However, his cultivation had reached the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, with his true essence condensed to its limit. He was just one step away from breaking through to the Divine Transformation stage. In these eight years, he only simulated once and reached the peak of the Nascent Soul stage. He deliberately suppressed his cultivation level, hoping to find a profound inheritance to further his progress.
Unfortunately, despite using his status as a fifth-tier alchemist to befriend many prominent figures in the Tiannan Region, he still hadn't discovered any faction with inheritances beyond the fifth tier.
"Young Master, Manager Zheng from the Golden Mountain Auction House is here."
Bai Qing'er was attending to Li Changsheng. Her cultivation had remarkably reached the sixth level of Qi Refining.
Given her pseudo-spiritual root aptitude, it would have been impossible for her to reach this level in just eight years. Seven years ago, when Su Qingyu broke through to the mid Golden Core stage, she visited Misty Valley and brought the materials for refining the Marrow Cleansing Pill from the Su family.
Li Changsheng refined a batch of Marrow Cleansing Pills. One was given to Su Qingyu, and another was taken back to the Su family's ancestral land.
The other two pills were given to Bai Qing'er and Qin Yi. As for Zhao San, well, he had pledged his loyalty after Qin Yi and Bai Qing'er, so he missed out.
"Is he here for the Realm Breaking Pill? Go negotiate with him. The Golden Mountain Auction House has money, so try to sell it for as much as possible." Li Changsheng took a sip of tea and said calmly.
"Yes."
Bai Qing'er nodded and left the pavilion.
Shortly after, Qin Yi entered the pavilion.
Seeing Li Changsheng sitting cross-legged, Qin Yi bowed slightly and said, "Young Master, someone from the Su family has arrived."
"Bring them in."
Li Changsheng glanced at Qin Yi and spoke indifferently.
Every year, the Su family would send someone to deliver the annual spirit stones for Li Changsheng's role as a guest elder. After Li Changsheng revealed his Nascent Soul cultivation, the amount he received increased from 300,000 spirit stones to 800,000.
Li Changsheng was quite satisfied with Qin Yi. After consuming the Marrow Cleansing Pill, Qin Yi's talent improved to nearly the level of a triple spiritual root. With the abundant resources provided by Misty Valley, he had already reached the seventh level of Qi Refining.
Soon, Qin Yi brought in a Golden Core elder from the Su family.
Upon seeing Li Changsheng, the elder showed no arrogance. Instead, he bowed slightly and handed over a storage bag, saying respectfully, "Young Master Li, this contains your spirit stones for this year."
Li Changsheng took the storage bag and stored it away, then asked, "Why have you come earlier than usual this year?"
"Young Master Li, the opportunity in the Beast Forest is about to open. The First Lady asked me to escort you there," the Su family elder replied respectfully.
"Oh?"
Li Changsheng was slightly surprised. In the world of cultivation, time passed unnoticed. Over the past eight years, he had been refining pills and earning money, barely keeping track of the days. He hadn't realized that the opportunity was about to open.
However, he remembered from his simulations that he had gone to the opportunity site many times but always returned empty-handed.
"I'll return to the ancestral land once my disciple is back."
Li Changsheng nodded.
Ximen Xue had gained some fame in the cultivation world of the Tiannan Region and was nicknamed "Snow Fairy." Her cultivation surpassed her peers, reaching the mid Foundation Establishment stage. Recently, she had gone exploring ruins with a group of young elites from major factions in the Tiannan Region.
"Good!"
The Su family elder nodded. "There's still half a year before the Beast Forest opens. We can return a month in advance."
"Mm."
…
After settling the Su family elder,
Li Changsheng sat alone in the pavilion and activated all the surrounding formations.
Over the past eight years, he had refined the pavilion, setting up countless killing formations. When fully activated, even a Return to Void cultivator would find it difficult to enter.
"Fill all the balance."
Li Changsheng opened the system panel and said in a deep voice.
[Recharge successful. Balance: 18.13 million gold coins.]
[Would you like to use the Life Simulator immediately? Each use costs 100,000 gold coins.]
Looking at the balance on the panel, Li Changsheng smiled. Over the past eight years, he had tirelessly refined pills, crafted talismans, made array plates, and forged artifacts, earning Misty Valley a formidable reputation. Even disciples from the three major factions of the Tiannan Region frequently appeared in Misty Valley's market to purchase goods.
"Misty Valley products are guaranteed to be top-tier" had become a brand effect in the Tiannan Region.
Of the 20 million spirit stones, aside from the few million from the Su family, the remaining 10 million were earned by him.
However, each recharge now cost the system several million spirit stones.
A look of pain flashed across Li Changsheng's face.
"System, oh system, you're not even intelligent. What's the point of earning so much money?"
Shaking his head, Li Changsheng whispered:
"Simulate!"
[Simulation begins.]
[Three months later, you return to the Su family's ancestral land.]
[Another three months later, you go to the Beast Forest to seek opportunities but find nothing.]
[A year later, you leave the Su family and go to the secret realm in the Devil's Sea to cultivate the Divine Demon Nine Transformations. Progress is slow.]
[…]
[Age 159, you go to the outer sea of the Starry Sea. A Great Ascension demon snake discovers you, swallows you whole, and you die!]
"Choose option two!"
…
Li Changsheng's expression remained calm as he said indifferently:
"Continue."
[… Age 159, the mysterious youth finds and kills you!]
[… Age 165, you are killed by a Great Ascension tiger demon in the Endless Forest!]
[… Age 161, you encounter an endless sandstorm in the Endless Desert. You are engulfed by the sandstorm and die!]
[… Age 119, you successfully reach the mid fifth transformation.]
After a total of 39 simulations, he had finally reached the mid fifth transformation!
"Choose option two!"
As Li Changsheng made his choice, an invisible pressure emanated from him.
Boom!
Li Changsheng looked inward. His bones, which had only a faint golden sheen before, now glowed with a more pronounced golden hue. Even his blood carried a faint golden light, hinting at immortality.
"The more I cultivate the Divine Demon Nine Transformations, the more I resemble a divine demon, huh?"
Li Changsheng whispered to himself, sensing the miraculous changes within his body.
He increasingly resembled a young divine demon, though he wondered if this golden blood would be passed down to his descendants.
…
"Again!"
Without hesitation, Li Changsheng continued to improve.
He had only used thirty or so simulations, leaving over a hundred opportunities. It should be enough to advance the Divine Demon Nine Transformations further.
[Simulation begins.]
[You seclude yourself and cultivate the Divine Demon Nine Transformations, but make no progress.]
[… Age 159, the mysterious youth finds you. You battle him for twenty rounds but are ultimately killed.]
[You died!]
"Choose option two!"
Countless experiences of cultivating the Divine Demon Nine Transformations flooded his mind.
"Without spiritual treasures to temper my body, the fifth transformation is the limit?"
Li Changsheng couldn't help but frown.
This was unexpected. He had thought the hundred-plus simulations would at least allow him to reach the peak of the fifth transformation.
…
"If that's not possible, focus on improving my cultivation level!"
[Simulation begins.]
[You diligently cultivate in the secret realm. Age 159, you die!]
[… Age 137, you consume the Divine Transformation Pill and successfully break through to the Divine Transformation stage!]
"Choose option one!"
Boom!
An invisible aura enveloped Li Changsheng.
If not for the protective formations, the buildings around the spiritual eye would have been crushed by this aura.
…
"Again!"
[[Consumed 1 million gold coins. Simulation begins.]
[Three months later, you return to the Su family's ancestral land.]
[Another three months later, you go to the Beast Forest to seek opportunities and are led into a mysterious place!]
There had been a change?