Reviewing the Past, Starting Another Simulation, and a Third Blue Talent

Chen Fan forced himself to calm down and began carefully reviewing the [Fourth Simulation].

There had to be a crucial turning point behind that eerie, death-filled ending—something absent from the previous two simulations.

Because he had chosen option two, every scene from the simulation remained crystal clear, as though he had experienced it firsthand.

His thoughts first settled on his newly acquired talent—[Eye of Illusion].

"A loophole..." He keenly realized where the problem lay.

The description of [Eye of Illusion] explicitly stated that, when viewing targets a major realm above his own,

he could obtain only partial information. But there was a deeper limitation: it could not discern interference or concealment by beings whose rank far exceeded his own.

Third Elder Chen Ming was a striking example. When Chen Fan had examined his profile early in the simulation, its assessment had been, "No great fortune throughout his life, nor any great calamity."

But what had actually happened?

Not only had Chen Ming died, he had been refined into a puppet, and the entire Chen Family had been wiped out!

How was that "no great calamity"? It had clearly been a disaster that swallowed them whole!

This meant that, perhaps even before he had examined the profile, Chen Ming—and possibly the entire Chen Family—

had already been manipulated or destroyed through incomprehensible means by that [Golden Core Powerhouse], or the being behind him,

and [Eye of Illusion] had been completely unable to see through that disguise.

"In other words, even if a [Golden Core] or [Nascent Soul] being casts a Heavenly Net around me,

as long as they don't want me to know, my [Eye of Illusion] is as good as blind..."

Chen Fan felt a chill. This Talent was a sharp weapon, but he could never trust it blindly.

Then, back to the central question: why had the previous two simulations been peaceful, while the fourth had plunged him into the abyss?

Each timeline had begun with him leaving the lineage at twenty and traveling for several years.

The only variable seemed to be Chen Fan himself

—he was the only one who possessed memories of the simulations.

"The problem must lie with me." Chen Fan was certain of that.

Had his frequent use of [Eye of Illusion] drawn the attention of certain beings?

Or had [Twice the Results with Half the Effort] allowed him to touch upon forbidden territory far too efficiently?

Or was it... He racked his brains, but it was like gazing at flowers through the fog.

Perhaps it was just as he suspected: his rank was too low and his knowledge too limited. He simply could not comprehend the connections and karma hidden behind the scenes, just as an ant could not comprehend human warfare.

"I can't figure it out..." Chen Fan rubbed the space between his brows and decided to abandon this pointless expenditure of energy. Since he could not reason it out, he would use the most direct method—keep simulating!

When in doubt, quantum... No, let the Simulator pave the way!

This time, the speed at which he gathered Spirit Stones reached an astonishing level.

An informational advantage: the many low-risk opportunities, hidden treasures, and crucial Black Market mission details he remembered from the Fourth Simulation.

Talent boost: [Twice the Results with Half the Effort] always helped him find the optimal route, avoid wasted effort, and double his efficiency.

[Eye of Illusion] could easily distinguish true information from false, see through traps in transactions, and ensure that every move yielded the greatest possible return.

Combined, the three produced a terrifying chemical reaction.

Just three days later, when Chen Fan finished counting the last storage pouch full of Spirit Stones, the total had already reached one hundred thousand low-grade Spirit Stones!

If word of this speed got out, it would leave any cultivator below [Qi Refining] gaping in disbelief.

Looking at the small mountain of Spirit Stones before him, wreathed in spiritual light, Chen Fan's eyes held no excitement, only quiet calm.

"Recharge with one hundred thousand Spirit Stones. Begin the Fifth Simulation."

He did not know what awaited him in the next simulation. Would it repeat the fourth one's bloody ending, or would a new variable emerge?

But no matter what, he had to keep going. Only by running countless simulations, acquiring more information, stronger Talents, and a higher [rank],

might he eventually escape this seemingly predetermined game of chess and see the true hand moving the pieces behind the scenes.

[Current Rank]: Embryonic Breath Realm (Great Perfection)

[Simulation cost]: 10,000 low-grade Spirit Stones/run

[Remaining energy]: 100,000

[Begin simulation?]

"Yes!"

Drawing Talents

[Ding! Draw successful...]

Choose any one of the following Talents

[Blue Talent: Beloved Object]: Upon using this Talent, you will obtain the object you need most in your current circumstances,

(Note: Anything involving too great a difference in [Rank] will not be included. This is also a single-use Talent and can only be used once per simulation.)

[Blue Talent: Question and Answer]: Regardless of any difference in rank, you may ask any target one question. You may ask whatever you wish, but the target's answer will always be completely accurate.

(Note: Can only be used once per target, and the target must be within your field of vision.)

[Green talent: Transcendent Comprehension]: Greatly enhances comprehension and is considerably useful for comprehending [Qi Refining] [Spellcraft].

Three Talents again, but in truth, only the blue Talents are of much use to you.

On the Light Screen, three new Talents slowly appeared, radiating halos of different colors.

[Blue Talent: Beloved Object]

[Blue Talent: Question and Answer]

[Green talent: Transcendent Comprehension]

Chen Fan's gaze immediately passed over the green [Transcendent Comprehension].

Although it was considerably useful for comprehending Qi Refining spellcraft, it was clearly inferior to the two blue Talents in both immediate impact and strategic value.

The real choice lay between [Beloved Object] and [Question and Answer].

[Question and Answer]... The Talent's description made Chen Fan's heart race despite himself. *

Regardless of any difference in rank," "one question," "completely accurate answer"—together, those words exuded an almost fatal allure.

He had far, far too many questions, tangled together like a mess of hemp:

What exactly happened to Chen Qingyan? Is he really the [Supreme Wuji Dao Venerable]?

Who exactly is the [Golden Core Powerhouse] controlling the Chen Ming Puppet behind the scenes? What is his objective?

What was the true source of that terrifying death trap in the Fourth Simulation?

Why did I live peacefully to old age in the previous two simulations, only for everything to change so suddenly afterward?

And just where did my Simulator come from?

An answer to any one of those questions might unveil a corner of the truth in this fog-shrouded world.

His finger almost moved toward [Question and Answer] on instinct. The desire to know was one of humanity's most primal instincts.

But just as his fingertip was about to touch the Light Screen, he abruptly stopped.

Once you know the answer, then what? An icy voice rang out in the depths of his mind, like a sudden revelation pouring down upon him.

Indeed, what would happen after he knew?

If he learned that Chen Qingyan was a reincarnated Dao Venerable, could he save him? He would be nothing more than a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

If he learned the Golden Core Powerhouse's identity and plans, would he have the strength to oppose him? He would still be an ant gazing up at the heavens.

If he learned the Simulator's origins, would that let him immediately escape his fate as a pawn?

No!

In the face of an absolute gulf in strength, the truth would not grant him power. Instead, it might become a summons to his death!

The more he knew, the sooner he would die!

He never wanted to experience that despair from the [Fourth Simulation] again—that helplessness, unable to resist, left at another's mercy!

"Strength... What I need most right now is real, tangible strength I can hold in my hands!"

Chen Fan's gaze grew sharp and resolute once more, and he forcibly suppressed all his confusion and curiosity.

At this stage, what was his most essential need?

To break the shackles of the Embryonic Breath Realm, forge a supreme foundation for the Dao, and gain the means to establish himself in this cruel world—achieving [Heaven-grade Qi Refining]!

Compared with that, all his questions could be set aside for now.

His gaze turned fully toward [Beloved Object]. This Talent's description was equally formidable—"obtain the object you need most in your current circumstances."

Although it had a single-use restriction and a caveat about differences in Rank, it aimed to solve problems rather than merely obtain information.

I need a heaven and earth wonder that can help me safely break through to Heaven-grade Qi Refining! That thought occupied his mind with absolute clarity.

No more hesitation, no more wavering.

Chen Fan focused his mind and decisively made his choice:

"I choose [Beloved Object]!"

[Ding! Selection successful. Simulation begins...]