Chi Village Misty Fog

As Wang Ping selected the reward, he felt a sudden clarity in his mind, a soothing sensation.

At the same time, the elusive aspects of swordsmanship became easy to grasp.

"So this is the effect of the Green Talent, Sword Dao Prodigy? Truly remarkable." Sensing the change within himself, Wang Ping marveled.

He had a gut feeling that as long as he didn't die too early, he would one day comprehend Sword Intent like Bai Tianhong and become a peerless swordsman.

"System, I want to start a new simulation."

With that, Wang Ping composed himself and spoke inwardly.

"Ding, this simulation requires 32 Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Proceed with the simulation?"

The system's voice rang out.

This made Wang Ping's heart ache.

Thirty-two Low-Grade Spirit Stones this time.

Next time, it would likely cost sixty-four, and after this simulation, he'd only have forty-seven left—nowhere near enough for another round.

So, this time, he had to find a way to survive.

"Proceed." Wang Ping said inwardly.

"Ding, Life Simulator activated. Talents are being refreshed."

The system's voice echoed.

"Talent refresh successful. Congratulations, host, you've obtained White Talent: Business Genius and Green Talent: Pill Dao Prodigy."

White Talent: Business Genius—With this talent, the host's business acumen will be enhanced.

Green Talent: Pill Dao Prodigy—With this talent, the host's pill dao aptitude will be elevated, making you a prodigy in the eyes of ordinary people.

"System, I choose Green Talent: Pill Dao Prodigy."

Wang Ping's eyes gleamed as he made his choice.

An alchemist—no matter which Xianxia World, that was a profession dripping with wealth.

If he could master alchemy, he'd never lack spirit stones again.

Then he wouldn't have to awkwardly beg the Village Chief for spirit stones.

Sure, he could hunt demon beasts for spirit stones, but that was far less efficient than alchemy—and far more dangerous.

So this Green Talent, Pill Dao Prodigy, came at just the right time. Its potential was staggering.

Ding, talent selected. Life simulation begins.

The system's voice rang out again.

Great Xia Calendar, Year 480, Month 3, Day 11—Your cultivation reaches Acquired Realm Tenth Level Peak, stunning everyone in Chi Village. You then join the Village Chief and others in the hunt.

Great Xia Calendar, Year 480, Month 3, Day 12—You tell the Village Chief you have talent in alchemy and ask if he can procure some Pill Formulas and herbs. The Village Chief is surprised, thinks it over, and hands over his treasured Pill Formula while also gathering herbs for you.

Thus, you begin your alchemy training.

Over the next few months, you display astonishing alchemical talent. After two months of study, you can already refine First Grade Pills. The villagers are overjoyed, believing that with you around, Chi Village will grow stronger.

Because of your focus on alchemy, your cultivation lags, and you only break through to the Innate Realm on Great Xia Calendar, Year 480, Month 8, Day 5.

However, after breaking through, you ponder your next move. Unless you venture deep into Blackwind Forest and use stronger demon beasts to deal with Li Huai, you can't kill him. But even killing Li Huai won't solve the problem. To truly save Chi Village, you must destroy the Li Family.

After thinking it over, you come up with a plan: reveal both your swordsmanship and alchemy talents to seek protection from a stronger power.

Ultimately, you decide to visit the Sword Spirit Sect, a behemoth in the Xia Kingdom. Without telling the villagers, you leave Chi Village alone and head for the Sword Spirit Sect.

Great Xia Calendar, Year 480, Month 8, Day 7—You arrive at the Sword Spirit Sect's Mountain Gate and state your purpose. Because you're only in your twenties and already an Innate Realm expert with alchemy skills, the Sword Spirit Sect Leader takes you seriously and meets you in person.

In the end, you successfully join the Sword Spirit Sect as a Guest Elder. Over the next few days, you deliberately showcase your swordsmanship and alchemy, earning even more of the Sect Leader's regard.

Believing the time is right, you reveal your true purpose, telling him about the people of Chi Village and asking for the sect's protection.

You expect things to go smoothly. After all, to a sect like the Sword Spirit Sect, a Li Family is nothing. But you never expect that upon hearing about the Chi Village people, the Sword Spirit Sect Leader becomes ecstatic, his demeanor shifting entirely as he demands their location.

You sense something is wrong, realizing things have spiraled beyond your control, and refuse to reveal the village's whereabouts.

Seeing your defiance, the Sect Leader subdues you, cripples your cultivation, and forces you to swallow a Truth Pill, compelling you to speak. The drug leaves you an idiot, and the Sect Leader disposes of you.

Your death ends this simulation.

"What's going on? Why did the Sword Spirit Sect Leader get so excited hearing about Chi Village? He forced me to talk, crippled me without hesitation, and made me swallow a Truth Pill."

Wang Ping's face was grim, his fists clenched.

He suddenly realized that the secrets of Chi Village ran deeper than he'd imagined.

This wasn't just a Li Family problem.

What secret did the Chi Village people hold that even a colossus like the Sword Spirit Sect would target them so ruthlessly?

"As much as I want to ask the Village Chief, he probably won't tell me."

Wang Ping frowned, deep in thought.

The secret of Chi Village was tied to their very survival.

The village chief now valued him highly, but there was no way he would reveal something so crucial to the clan's survival.

Since that was the case, he would have to figure it out on his own.

"Ding, this simulation has ended. Rewards generated successfully. The host may choose one of the following:

①. Innate Realm, first level cultivation.

②. Green Talent: Pill Dao Prodigy.

③. Alchemy experience."

"System, I choose ②."

Looking at the reward list, Wang Ping spoke.

As Wang Ping made his choice, he felt his mind clear up once again.

"Now, I don't have any Spirit Stones left to continue simulating. Getting stronger is out of the question."

Wang Ping walked out holding A'Huang and shook his head.

Still, Wang Ping wasn't in a hurry for now. After all, there was still plenty of time before the attack.