Chapter Eleven: Journey to the Eastern Peak Sect

[Character Card: Su Bailu]
[Skill Card: Frostfall Leaf Sword]
[Simulation Begins]
[Simulation Duration: Three Months]
...

A moment later, Lin Ze glanced at the Foundation Establishment Pills that had appeared in his palm, curled his lips, and casually placed them into a cloth pouch. A rough count showed there were at least twelve or thirteen pills inside, their rich medicinal aroma wafting out.

Yet he was not particularly satisfied.

It was already the third day. Lin Ze had invested all his simulation attempts into Su Bailu, thinking that with a trust level as high as fifteen, he could easily extract that sword intent, but his luck was simply abysmal.

[Remaining Simulation Attempts Today: Two]

Lin Ze hesitated. The Foundation Establishment Pills, at best, would only replenish his spiritual energy at this stage, offering no real advancement in cultivation. Should he use the remaining attempts to cultivate the Four Seasons Reincarnation Palm instead?

After a moment's thought, he got up to wash his face.

Through numerous simulations, Lin Ze had gleaned some experience. The simulator was not set in stone; it adjusted according to changes in the outside world, whether it was a formidable Golden Core demon king or a fleeting thought in someone’s mind.

For example, if Su Bailu suddenly experienced heartbreak and lost interest in cultivation, her simulated self would become utterly despondent.

To avoid such accidents, he needed to extract what he wanted as quickly as possible.

With that in mind, he picked up Su Bailu’s character card and inserted it into the simulator once more, closing his eyes.

Moments later, Xiao Bao, carrying a small bundle, skipped into the straw hut, ready to call out for his master, when a cold glint flickered in his wide, watery eyes.

He stared blankly at Lin Ze.

The Daoist in the green robe sat with eyes closed, forming a sword seal with his fingers, a strand of icy white light swirling around his fingertips—sharp and dazzling!

Sensing someone enter, Lin Ze gently exhaled, absorbing the white light into his palm.

[Reward Settled: Frostfall Leaf Sword Intent]
[All rewards in this scenario have been obtained; it cannot be reopened]

He quietly read the prompt on the panel. The first part was clear, but what did the second mean?

He pondered, then picked up Su Bailu’s character card again.

[No changes in the scenario; simulation failed]

It was only when he swapped out the Frostfall Leaf Sword for the Four Seasons Reincarnation Palm that the simulator resumed functioning. Lin Ze interrupted the simulation about to begin and fell into deep thought.

This meant he couldn’t repeatedly exploit a single person unless he equipped them with different skill cards.

However, the level one simulator had limited slots—only three, already filled by himself, Xiao Bao, and Su Bailu.

There was no indication of how to upgrade; perhaps it required a certain number of simulations?

After some deliberation, Lin Ze looked at Xiao Bao in the distance, who seemed lost, his gaze drifting.

“Hm?”

A faint strand of cold intent actually drifted from the child, barely perceptible, but Lin Ze instinctively glanced at his palm, the joy on his face slowly fading.

After over ten attempts and watching a film spanning three or four years, all he’d gained was this—while this little rascal had grasped it with a single glance! Though lacking spiritual power, and the sword intent was but a rudimentary wisp, such comprehension was truly astonishing.

Composing himself, Lin Ze's anticipation for that legendary character card in the simulator deepened even further.

“Is everything ready?”

“Yes, yes!” Hearing his master's question, Xiao Bao shook his head to clear his mind and smiled, nodding.

“Then let’s depart.”

Lin Ze had little attachment to the humble straw hut. Shouldering his belongings, he stepped outside, where Su Bailu and Zhao Ling were already waiting for him.

“Master.”

“Senior.”

Two crisp voices called out. Lin Ze nodded slightly, raising his gaze to the distant, shadowy outline of Demon Mountain.

After more than three months, he was finally leaving the novice village.

Once an ordinary, white-collar worker, Lin Ze felt a bit nervous to find himself in this unfamiliar world of cultivation—but even more, he was curious.

The two young women quietly stood behind the Daoist, holding Xiao Bao's hands.

Beyond the fence, a farmwife watched the little boy intently, discreetly wiping her eyes as she watched the group leave the village, their figures only disappearing at the foot of the mountains.

...

The mountains stretched endlessly, renamed Demon Mountain seven years ago.

The main reason was the rise of the Heavenly Demon Sect; several nearby immortal sects were already finding it hard to restrain them, and could only watch as their territories were annexed.

A few years back, Su Bailu, upon just reaching the Qi Refining realm, dared to venture alone to the East Peak Sect. Now, even accompanied by Zhao Ling, who was at the peak of Qi Refining, she had sustained some minor injuries.

This was only because the senior members of the sect had risked themselves to map out relatively safe routes, avoiding the lairs of truly fearsome demon beasts.

She had intended to lead the way herself, but saw her master walking with an air of leisure through the deep mountains—calm, composed, and seemingly more familiar with the terrain than she was herself. She couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

But then she recalled the letter and understood.

Lin Ze turned aside to avoid the territory of a Foundation Establishment stage demon beast, calmly picked a stalk of Thousand Breath Flower at his feet, and placed it in his pouch.

He had walked this path in the simulator no less than seventeen or eighteen times; he knew exactly where every demon beast lurked.

As they continued, even Zhao Ling began to sense something was off.

The surroundings were eerily quiet—was this really Demon Mountain?

Where were the demons?

She looked ahead at the slim figure, astonishment in her beautiful eyes.

This senior truly harbored many secrets.

A journey that should have taken two days was halved under Lin Ze’s guidance.

Day turned to night.

At the end of their sight, a massive blue stone appeared.

“Master, do you want me to call out the senior brothers?” Su Bailu stepped onto the stone, tapping her jade pendant twice in the air.

“Or perhaps you’d like to stay at my courtyard for a while before returning? I’ve learned some new dishes lately—see if they suit your palate.”

“Return?” Lin Ze looked confused. “Why would I return?”

“…”

Su Bailu froze, realizing his meaning, and exclaimed in surprise, “You’re not just here to drop off little brother?”

Xiao Bao blinked. “Master is bringing Bao’er to join the sect.”

“This…” Su Bailu choked, not unwilling for her master to join, but the news was simply too sudden.

Zhao Ling gripped her sleeve tightly.

If Senior Lin joined the sect, wouldn’t that make him the same generation as Su Bailu? And with Master Qingfeng present, if he heard that his disciple had another master, this secret would be hard to keep.

Before the two could speak, a three-zhang-tall bronze gate appeared out of thin air.

An ancient aura spread in all directions, and someone inside slowly pushed the door open, revealing a corner of an ethereal world—sheer cliffs, waterfalls like silver threads, layered white clouds in the distance, birdsong and the fragrance of flowers, a paradise fit for immortals.

Two young Daoists in blue robes and cloth shoes looked on impassively. “Senior sisters, please return to the sect.”