Deep within the cave, layers of restrictive wards lit up.
Chen Fan sat cross-legged. With a slight stirring of his spiritual sense, he connected to the Borrowed Attunement mark in his Sea of Consciousness that linked him to the [Chen Family Ancestor].
There was no elaborate ritual. He merely sent over the thought Disperse, and the slightly insubstantial [Foundation Establishment] rank that did not belong to him receded like a tide.
The total amount of spiritual power within him remained unchanged, but his perception of the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth instantly dulled. The range of his spiritual sense shrank from three thousand zhang to barely a foot.
The solid foundation of [Qi Refining Perfection (Ninefold Limit-Breaking)] remained, but he had lost that vantage point of "standing high and seeing far."
He immediately looked at the [Simulator] interface.
[Current rank]: Qi Refining Perfection (Ninefold Limit-Breaking) [Simulation cost]: [One Heaven and Earth wonder] [System version]: Upgraded (Golden Talent pool, seven Talent slots, multiple new functions unlocked and permanently retained)
It worked! Chen Fan's heart settled. Beyond his delight, everything became clearer.
The [Simulator]'s "upgraded state" had not reset when his rank fell, yet the cost had returned to its normal level.
This meant he had found the ideal balance
—enjoying the highest-version system functions at the lowest cost.
Once the joy faded, the practical issue of resources remained.
One [Heaven and Earth wonder] was no small expense for the Chen Family.
He contacted the [Chen Family Ancestor] again.
"Ancestor, is there a [Heaven and Earth wonder] in the lineage's stores that I could use for now?"
After a brief wait, the ancestor's dry, hoarse reply came: "There is. But I won't give it to you for nothing."
Clearly, he wanted something in return from Chen Fan,
and as