A Month Later, Simulation Begins

A month later,

Remains Continent, northwest.

Whoosh!

Amid the lush ancient mountain range, the sound of rushing wind rang out as a streak of light sped across the sky. The wind pressure generated by its immense speed pressed deep trails into the forest below.

Dense spiritual energy enveloped Lu Chen's body as he continuously crossed mountain after mountain, fleeing rapidly into the distance.

When he looked back, he saw a swarm of black-red ants relentlessly pursuing him. He could not help but curse, "These Demon Fire Crystal Ants are so damn annoying. I only took a few of their Ant Crystals. Do they really have to chase me like this?"

Seeing the insects refusing to let up, Lu Chen could no longer worry about the spiritual energy he was expending. He formed seals with both hands, flapped the wings on his back, and purple flames gradually covered his body.

After pausing briefly,

Lu Chen's speed suddenly surged. He transformed into a purple streak of light and, after several spatial traversals in succession, flashed tens of thousands of miles away.

Looking back and seeing that the annoying ant swarm was finally nowhere in sight, Lu Chen breathed a sigh of relief. His flying speed abruptly slowed, the hand seals dispersed, and his body trembled slightly. The purple wings behind him dissolved into streams of pale violet light.

Lu Chen slowly landed on the ground. Spreading his palm, he looked at the few crimson crystals resting there and revealed a faint smile. "I've finally gathered the last supplementary material for the Heavenly Flame Celestial Body."

"As expected of the Demon Abyss Mountain Range, known as the source of ten thousand ores."

That was right. The mountain range Lu Chen was currently in was called the Demon Abyss Mountain Range, located in the northwest of the Remains Continent. It was said to be the battlefield where the Ancient Spirit Insect Clan had once fought an Extraterritorial Demon Emperor.

In ancient times, the Spirit Insect Clan had been a powerful race that could be considered an overlord even across the entire Great Thousand World. Due to their unique nature, their corpses were usually difficult to decompose after death and would gradually transform into all kinds of strange ores.

With millions upon millions of corpses piled together and evolving over tens of thousands of years, the present-day Demon Abyss Mountain Range had formed.

"Unfortunately, there's still no clue about the Great Sun Golden Crystal. The Remains Continent is simply too vast. One short month isn't nearly enough to explore this whole continent. I'll still have to make a trip back to the Northern Azure Continent."

Lu Chen sighed, put away the Ant Crystals in his hand, dusted off his clothes, and walked toward a place ahead where the faint sound of water could be heard.

Nimbly weaving through the brambles in the woods, Lu Chen hurried onward for a while before the view before him suddenly opened up.

Before him, an enormous waterfall crashed down from a towering mountain like a silver ribbon. The water smashed against the boulders below, filling the sky with mist.

Steep cliffs stood on either side of the waterfall. Lu Chen swept his gaze around and, after confirming that there was no danger here, flicked out a wisp of purple fire onto the cliff face. Before long, it burned out a natural cave dwelling.

"I'll rest here for the night. The number of simulations for this month should refresh by now. It won't be too late to head back after the simulation."

Thinking this, Lu Chen stepped forward and instantly leaped into the cave.

After entering the cave,

Lu Chen took a Prayer Mat from his Sumeru Bracelet, arranged it, and sat down on it. He then crossed his legs, formed a cultivation seal with both hands, and slowly replenished the spiritual energy he had expended and his mental fatigue.

As time passed, his breathing gradually became steady. Amid his quiet cultivation, Lu Chen's consciousness sank into his body. Through that strange inner sight, he could clearly see the Supreme Sea within him, which had already expanded by an entire size.

After cultivating for this period of time, Lu Chen could clearly sense that the spiritual energy contained within his Supreme Sea had increased threefold compared to before.

By his estimation, if he cultivated like this for another three months, he should reach the peak of First Grade Sovereign and be able to challenge the Second Grade Sovereign realm.

Time slowly passed amid cultivation,

Before long, night fell.

Lu Chen's consciousness slowly withdrew from his body. He lazily stretched, and the feeling of being refreshed returned to him.

Just then, the familiar voice rang out in his mind once more.

Ding! Your current number of simulations is one. Would you like to begin the simulation?

Hearing that pleasant voice, Lu Chen smiled and silently said in his heart, Begin!

Future Life Simulation—

Year One: After gathering all the supplementary materials for the Heavenly Flame Celestial Body, you returned to the Northern Azure Spiritual Academy. You asked Tai Cang Dean to help you find the Great Sun Golden Crystal, and Tai Cang Dean immediately agreed.

A few days later, Holy Spirit Mountain opened. The Northern Azure Spiritual Academy sent Mu Chen to participate while also issuing an academy mission, dispatching other students to search for clues about the Great Sun Golden Crystal for you.

You and Tai Cang Dean used the Mirror of Judgment to observe the situation within Holy Spirit Mountain, as well as the battles among the top geniuses of the major Northern Azure powers. You watched with great interest, occasionally discussing matters with Tai Cang Dean while keeping an eye out for news of the Great Sun Golden Crystal.

Not long afterward, Mu Chen, who had been competing perfectly well, suddenly encountered a spatial storm. You and Tai Cang could no longer see him. You were immediately astonished because, at the instant Mu Chen disappeared, you seemed to see a flash of golden light...

Several days later, the battle for Holy Spirit Mountain entered its final stage. At last, someone began climbing the "Nine Heavens Ladder" atop the mountain. It was said to be the test of a Heavenly Supreme. Only those who ascended the nine levels of the heavenly ladder could receive the "Sacred Spirit Baptism" and lay a solid foundation for future cultivation.

Suddenly, another spatial storm arrived, and Mu Chen's figure appeared atop the mountain at precisely the right moment.

You revealed an envious look, a vague guess forming in your heart. You knew that lucky kid might have obtained part of the inheritance of that deceased Heavenly Supreme. After all, the Nine Divine Meridians sealed within Mu Chen might deceive others, but they absolutely could not deceive a Heavenly Supreme.

Before long, Mu Chen indeed defeated the geniuses of the other major powers and obtained the Sacred Spirit Baptism. After the baptism ended, everyone was teleported outside. You failed to find any clue about the Great Sun Golden Crystal and felt somewhat disappointed.

However, at that moment, Mu Chen mysteriously came to find you and handed you a golden crystal. It was precisely the Great Sun Golden Crystal you had dreamed of obtaining!

After listening to his account, you learned that the Heavenly Supreme who had perished on Holy Spirit Mountain was called the Great Sun Emperor. He was a descendant of the Golden Crow Clan and possessed the Great Sun Heavenly Fire. He had exhausted his strength fighting an Extraterritorial Evil Clan Demon Emperor and perished here.

The so-called Great Sun Golden Crystal was the origin crystal formed after a Golden Crow fell, containing boundless power. In fact, the entire Holy Spirit Mountain was a massive Great Sun Golden Crystal!

The piece in your hand was merely a fragment he had picked up in a mysterious space. Before an origin object formed from the death of a Heavenly Supreme, even a peak Earthly Supreme could do nothing. He could only find this much for you.

You said it was enough. Holding the Great Sun Golden Crystal, you immediately entered seclusion. As for the other materials, you had gathered them long ago on the Remains Continent.

Three months later, you emerged from seclusion. You had finally mastered the Heavenly Flame Celestial Body!

The next day, you eagerly returned to the Remains Continent. You went to the Demon Abyss Mountain Range, found the swarm of Demon Fire Crystal Ants that had once chased you, and began testing the power of the Heavenly Flame Celestial Body.

Just as you were slaughtering them to your heart's content, an aged voice suddenly rang out in your mind. Only then did you learn that this swarm of Demon Fire Crystal Ants actually had an owner.

Before you could explain, in your daze, you seemed to see an enormous black scythe sweep past.

You died!

This simulation has ended—

You may choose one item from your future life:

1. Great Sun Golden Crystal

2. Demon Fire Crystal Ant Ant Crystals

3. Your memories at the moment of death at age eighteen

Please make your choice.

Looking at the simulation results, Lu Chen let out a long breath and smiled faintly. "I finally gathered everything. What a Heavenly Flame Celestial Body. Cultivation truly isn't easy..."

There'll be another chapter during the day. I can't stay up any longer. You should all get some sleep early too.