Two Years

Xiao Ming had long coveted the Flame Mantra, a cultivation method that could evolve.

Unfortunately, Old Man Yao had not even given it to Han Feng, whom he had raised since childhood. How could he possibly give it to an outsider like Xiao Ming?

Only Xiao Yan, the protagonist favored by fate, might have a chance of earning his favor.

Xiao Ming had originally hoped the Life Simulator would draw the Flame Mantra for him, but now that he had the Spirit Nourishing Technique, his desire for the Flame Mantra gradually faded.

Though the Spirit Nourishing Technique did not explicitly state whether it could evolve, the difference between cultivation methods lay in the boost they provided to the cultivator. Taking the most basic example, cultivators of the same level who practiced high-grade cultivation methods possessed several times the Dou Qi reserves of those who practiced low-grade ones, not to mention their other advantages. Yet for the Spirit Nourishing Technique, which allowed dual cultivation methods, such differences were not a problem at all.

The more Xiao Ming considered it, the more overwhelmingly powerful he found the Spirit Nourishing Technique.

"How does the Spirit Nourishing Technique, with its dual cultivation methods, seem even more powerful than the Flame Mantra? How could it only be an Earth Tier High Grade Cultivation Technique? It should at least be Heaven Tier. Could this rank only refer to practicing one method?"

As he stroked the jade slip containing the cultivation method, its smooth texture brushing against his fingertips, Xiao Ming felt he might be right.

It was not easy to practice the Spirit Nourishing Technique through dual cultivation methods. The first method required a Special Item to assist in cultivation, and such items were not easy to find. Without one, he could only use the second method.

The second cultivation method did indeed match the performance of an Earth Tier High Grade Cultivation Technique.

"Heh heh heh, luckily, I don't need to look for this Special Item anymore. Otherwise, I wouldn't even know where to find such a thing."

The Special Item required by the Spirit Nourishing Technique was called Spirit Nourishing Jade. The Spirit Nourishing Technique provided by the Simulator was inscribed upon a piece of Spirit Nourishing Jade, saving Xiao Ming a great deal of trouble.

"Still, a Secret Realm that possessed such a cultivation method truly wasn't simple." Xiao Ming remembered that the Life Simulation had produced quite a few good things.

"Unfortunately, that Secret Realm is a huge trap. Once you enter, you can never leave. No matter how many treasures are inside, they're useless. Otherwise, when the Secret Realm really opens in the future, I could go in and loot the place."

Xiao Ming shook his head and firmly memorized the small town mentioned in the Simulator. It would be best if he never went there in the future, lest the Secret Realm happen to open one day and he accidentally entered it. Wouldn't that leave him dead without a whole body?

With a sigh, he stopped dwelling on it. After putting the jade slip into his Na Ring, Xiao Ming followed the path away from the back mountain.

Flowing water passed eastward, leaves fell one after another, and the fleeting years quietly slipped away amid cultivation.

"Huff." In the dim room, Xiao Ming used Internal Sight to observe the milky-white Qi Cyclone within his body and let out a soft breath. "I've successfully broken through to Three-star Dou Zhe. If I count the days, Jia Nan Academy's recruitment should be starting soon, right?"

Nearly two years had passed since his first Life Simulation.

During that time, he had conducted dozens of Life Simulations and accumulated quite a few good things.

Because the Northwest Continent was relatively remote, and Xiao Ming was quite satisfied with the speed of his Dou Qi Power cultivation, the Life Simulator had not produced any medicines capable of increasing cultivation speed.

His cultivation level had risen more or less according to the results of his first Life Simulation, progressing step by step and being only minimally affected by the Life Simulator.

Knock, knock, knock!

The sound of someone knocking on the door handle came from outside.

"What is it?"

"Young Master Xiao Ming, the Clan Leader and the elders request your presence."

"Got it. Wait for me a moment."

Over the past two years, Xiao Ming had learned through the Life Simulator that exposing his talent would not bring much danger as long as he kept a low profile. When the time was right, he directly revealed his cultivation level.

In truth, he could not have hidden it even if he wanted to. At the time, the Xiao Family had required all children of the appropriate age to go On Stage for testing, and Xiao Ming naturally had to take part as well.

Xiao Ming still remembered the scene. The other Xiao Family juniors were all at Dou Qi Power Stage One, while only Xiao Yan had reached Dou Qi Power Stage Two. When it was Xiao Ming's turn, the Magic Stone Tablet displayed Dou Qi Power Stage Seven, leaving the deacon beside the stone stele responsible for announcing names speechless.

Every onlooker immediately began questioning their lives, thinking the Magic Stone Tablet had broken.

When it was later confirmed that the Magic Stone Tablet was not damaged, their faces flushed red and their gazes turned vacant as they stared at him, making goosebumps rise all over his body.

Xiao Ming understood their thoughts. Xiao Yan becoming a Dou Zhe at twelve had been enough to make his name resound throughout the Jia Ma Empire. Xiao Ming had reached Dou Qi Power Stage Seven at five; at this rate, he would certainly become a Dou Zhe by six. The gap was beyond comparison. Forget becoming famous throughout the Jia Ma Empire—he could make his name shake dozens of surrounding nations. With such a genius appearing in the family, it was no wonder they were all practically beside themselves.

After that, the title of the Xiao Family's number one genius, which Xiao Yan had not held for long, fell upon Xiao Ming. Xiao Ming's treatment within the Xiao Family soared. He moved from the communal sleeping quarters to an independent courtyard, and his monthly allowance rose rapidly as well.

"The treatment for a genius truly is different. Back then, the Clan Leader and elders never cared about someone as invisible as me. Even if they summoned me, they wouldn't have used the word 'request.'"

The benefits of revealing his talent were obvious, but Xiao Ming did not lose himself because of them or become arrogant and overbearing. He had long anticipated this treatment. If he could not endure even a little flattery and praise and became blindly conceited, then what was the point of cultivating at all?

Besides, such talent could be called exceptional in the Jia Ma Empire and the Northwest Continent, but before certain people, what difference was there between it and trash? For example, the Woeful Poison Body or a God-tier Bloodline.

After getting dressed and pushing open the door, Xiao Ming found Old Butler outside, the man who had come to deliver the message. Speaking of Old Butler, Xiao Ming did not know his surname. He only knew that Old Butler had served the old Clan Leader, Xiao Lin, for many years. Everyone in the Xiao Family called him Old Butler, so Xiao Ming did the same.

Following behind Old Butler, Xiao Ming asked, "Butler, why have the Clan Leader and elders called for me?"

"Cough, cough. This old servant isn't too sure either, but they probably wish to ask Young Master Xiao Ming about your future cultivation."

"My cultivation?" Old Butler's aged voice made Xiao Ming fall into thought.

The Life Simulation from three days ago had not mentioned this matter, but Xiao Ming was not surprised. There was something called the butterfly effect. Ever since obtaining the Simulator, he had known that the simulated lives could only serve as reference.

The Xiao Family's Council Hall was not far away. Both of them were cultivators, so they soon arrived at the entrance.

"Heh heh, Young Master Xiao Ming, the Clan Leader and elders are inside. This old servant has matters to attend to, so I won't accompany you in."

"Mm, thank you, Butler. Go take care of your business."

"Young Master Xiao Ming is too polite." Old Butler chuckled as he slowly departed.

Xiao Ming looked up at the plaque above the entrance. He knocked on the door first, then strode in with his head held high.

The hall was spacious, but there were not many people inside. Only the seats at the very front were occupied—just four people in total: one middle-aged man and three elderly men with indifferent expressions.

Xiao Ming recognized them. They were Patriarch Xiao Zhan and the three elders.

"Xiao Ming, you're here?"

When they saw that the arrival was Xiao Ming, the indifference on the elders' faces immediately vanished, replaced by exceedingly warm smiles.