Simulate Again, the Mysterious Black Shadow

A month later,

Nine Nether Palace.

Inside a lavishly furnished cultivation quiet room stood three golden stone pillars arranged in a triangular formation. Beside the stone platform extending from the pillars were three jade-like prayer mats.

Lu Chen sat cross-legged on one of the prayer mats. The golden stone pillars around him rippled with golden light as dense spiritual energy flowed from them into the stone platform beneath him.

These golden stone pillars were among the few Spirit Gathering Pillars in the Nine Nether Palace's Spirit Gathering Array. It was said that Da Luo Territory had specially invited a High Human Grade Spirit Array Grandmaster to set them up.

In the Great Thousand World, there was a special profession known as Spirit Array Masters. In the early stages, Spirit Array Masters were divided into Levels One through Five, corresponding respectively to the Spiritual Rotation Stage, Divine Soul Stage, Heaven Merging Realm, Heavenly Transformation Realm, and Sky Passage Realm.

Beyond that were Spirit Array Grandmasters, divided into the Human, Earth, and Heaven Grades. Each grade was further divided into low, middle, and high levels, for a total of three grades and nine levels, corresponding exactly to the nine grades of the Supreme Realm.

Finally, Spirit Array Ancestors and Great Spirit Array Ancestors corresponded respectively to the legendary Earthly Supremes and Heavenly Supremes. Every one of them was an elusive figure, glimpsed only rarely.

Even a top Northern Region power like Da Luo Territory did not have a Spirit Array Ancestor stationed there, which showed just how scarce they were.

"Although I haven't taken any spiritual pills, wondrous medicines, or heavenly treasures, with the aid of this High Human Grade Spirit Gathering Array, I'll reach the peak of the Heaven Merging Realm in less than two months."

A trace of delight flashed through Lu Chen's eyes. Ever since consolidating his Heaven Merging Realm cultivation, his cultivation speed had become vastly different with the aid of the Eight Divine Meridians and the Ancient Divine Technique. Combined with this luxurious Spirit Gathering Array, it was simply astonishing.

In just one short month, he had already broken through to the middle stage of the Heaven Merging Realm. One minor realm per month, one major realm every three months. At this rate, it would probably take him less than three years to reach the Supreme Realm.

"The simulation attempts have refreshed this month. I'll simulate first, then make detailed plans afterward."

With a thought from Lu Chen, an illusory panel appeared in his mind. He silently said, "Begin."

Ding! Future Life Simulator activated!

Future life simulation in progress—

Year One: You cultivated diligently. With the aid of the High Human Grade Spirit Gathering Array, you quickly passed through the Heavenly Transformation Realm and Sky Passage Realm, reaching the peak of the Sky Passage Realm. You began preparing to break through to the Supreme Realm...

Year Two: Facing the Three Minor Tribulations of the Sovereign, you knew that absorbing spiritual energy alone would make a breakthrough difficult. You emerged from seclusion and sought Nine Nether's help. Nine Nether readily agreed and soon found many precious resources for you. You easily passed the Fleshly Body Tribulation and Spiritual Energy Tribulation...

Afterward, with the terrifying power of the Undying Fire, you leaped across the three stages of Divine Soul tempering by fire, passed the Divine Soul Tribulation, and arrived at the gates of the Supreme Realm. You began preparing to open up your Supreme Sea...

You sought Nine Nether's guidance. Nine Nether told you that the key to opening up the Supreme Sea was Sovereign Spiritual Liquid. When shattering the Qi Sea, you needed to promptly use Sovereign Spiritual Liquid to reforge the Supreme Sea. If there was insufficient Sovereign Spiritual Liquid, you could only form an incomplete Supreme Sea and become a Half-Step Sovereign. Though it could be remedied afterward, it would ultimately be imperfect...

Year Three: Nine Nether consolidated her Third Grade Sovereign cultivation. In order to fight for the Sovereign Spiritual Liquid rightfully belonging to Nine Nether Palace, she headed to Great Lo Peak to attend Da Luo Territory's semiannual Nine Kings Meeting...

At the meeting, she fought fiercely with the Blood Eagle King. However, due to the gap in their cultivation, Nine Nether was still slightly inferior and was severely wounded by the Blood Eagle King. Fortunately, the Sky Vulture Emperor intervened in time and saved her...

You were deeply ashamed and decided to leave on your own to seek an opportunity to break through...

You left Nine Nether Palace. Suddenly, a black shadow attacked. You died!

Within Nine Nether Palace, Nine Nether, who was in seclusion recovering from her injuries, suddenly tilted her head and died as well...

This simulation has ended—

You may select one item from your future life.

One: Spiritual item, Divine Wood Gang Lightning

Two: Spiritual item, Scarlet Flame Jade Marrow

Three: Your memories at the moment of death at age nineteen

Please make your choice.

"Blood Eagle King..."

Lu Chen's expression turned ugly as he looked at the simulation results in his mind.

There was no need to guess. That black shadow had likely been arranged by the Blood Eagle King. Among the Various Kings, he had the deepest grudge against Nine Nether Palace, making him the most likely to launch a sneak attack from the shadows.

"Something's not right..."

Lu Chen pondered for a while, then frowned and muttered to himself, I'm just an insignificant person who hasn't even reached the Supreme Realm. How could I possibly have attracted the Blood Eagle King's attention?

The Bloodline Link between Nine Nether and me is something only the two of us know about. We've never revealed it to anyone else...

Rumor has it that the Blood Eagle King is a Fifth Grade Sovereign. Logically, even if I broke through to the Supreme Realm, I shouldn't have been able to threaten him!

Lu Chen narrowed his eyes. He knew there had to be something suspicious going on. He passed over the Divine Wood Gang Lightning and Scarlet Flame Jade Marrow. He had heard of both spiritual items before, and they were highly effective for overcoming the Fleshly Body Tribulation and Spiritual Energy Tribulation.

But he could not concern himself with them now. Nine Nether could find them for him later anyway. With a thought, he chose the third option: his memories at the moment of death at age nineteen.

Lu Chen's body shook as a memory scene suddenly appeared in his mind.

Outside Nine Nether Palace,

A man in black robes gripped Lu Chen by the throat. A vicious glint flashed through his eyes as he said with a savage expression, "Kid, blame your bad luck. You just had to join Nine Nether Palace, and you even dared to break through to the Supreme Realm..."

"Who exactly... are you..."

His face flushed red as he asked before dying.

"Remember this. I am Cao Feng. In your next life, be born into a better family and learn to read the situation."

The last thing he heard was an extremely young, arrogant voice.

After watching the scene, only one thought surfaced in Lu Chen's mind: Traitor Cao Feng!

"What a fine dog..."

Lu Chen narrowed his eyes, and at that moment, his killing intent toward Cao Feng reached its peak.

He knew that with the Blood Eagle King's status, he would not stoop so low as to deal with an insignificant figure like him, someone who had not even become a Sovereign. This had to be Cao Feng acting on his own initiative.

To curry favor with his master, that man truly stopped at nothing.

"No wonder people say traitors are the most hated. These people leave no room at all for the factions they once belonged to. They don't even want to leave anyone from Nine Nether Palace a chance to break through to the Supreme Realm."

A thoughtful look flashed through Lu Chen's eyes. If that was the case, his breakthrough into the Supreme Realm would have to be delayed by many years. Relying on Nine Nether to obtain Sovereign Spiritual Liquid, who knew how long he would have to wait?

"Strength. In the end, I still lack strength. A mere First Grade Sovereign can leave me completely helpless. In the next simulation, I can only leave with Nine Nether. Otherwise, I won't escape that bastard's clutches."

Lu Chen sighed, closed his eyes again, and resumed cultivating.

For now, rapidly increasing his strength was the most important thing.

With the simulator, he had limitless chances to make mistakes. He would always find a solution.

A month later,

Lu Chen broke through to the late stage of the Heaven Merging Realm. He slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air and released his hand seals. The spiritual energy around him gradually dispersed, while the glowing Spirit Gathering Pillars once again dimmed their light.

Lu Chen stood up and stretched his limbs. Feeling the abundant spiritual energy within his body, he nodded in satisfaction.

Then, an illusory panel appeared in his mind, and the simulator's prompt sounded as expected.

Current simulation attempts: One

Begin simulation?