Chapter 158 – Bringing Out Rewards, Suxing’s Pursuit of the Dao! (5k)
by spirapira【You are greatly alarmed — this puppet’s physical durability is likely no weaker than a Void-Shattering Realm cultivator!】
【Your sword qi barely inflicts any damage on it, and within a single breath the puppet has already closed the distance, throwing a punch straight at you!】
【Seeing this, you hastily wrap primordial energy around both fists to block.】
【Fists collide. You are sent flying backward, slamming into a stone wall, threads of blood trickling from the corner of your mouth.】
【You can hardly believe it — this puppet’s raw physical strength actually surpasses yours, and its body’s durability exceeds yours by an unknown margin.】
【You are now certain: this is a puppet comparable to a Void-Shattering Realm cultivator!】
【After being blasted away by that punch, you use the faint glow emanating from the walls to finally get a clear look at the puppet’s appearance.】
【Its form is identical to a human’s, but its skin is unnaturally pale — like a vampire from Western legends. The withered wrinkles across its skin make it look utterly terrifying.】
【It appears to be a living corpse, refined by someone into a powerful puppet.】
【While you are still processing this, the puppet attacks you again.】
【After battling for dozens of rounds, your body is already covered in wounds.】
【The puppet’s offensive grows ever more ferocious, and the endless brute force emanating from its body becomes nearly impossible to withstand.】
【Your battle causes mysterious fluctuations to ripple continuously through the surrounding stone walls — some kind of defensive formation array, seemingly designed to prevent the ancient tomb from collapsing.】
【You hold on for another dozen or so rounds, but can no longer resist. This living corpse puppet’s strength surpasses Zong Laogou’s by an incalculable margin.】
【Knowing you are no match for it, you try to flee the ruins.】
【However, the living corpse puppet pursues relentlessly. After another several dozen rounds of combat, your physical body disintegrates, smashed into a pulp.】
【After your nascent spirit exits the body, you prepare to continue fleeing, but the living corpse puppet merely extends its right hand and seizes your nascent spirit.】
【It stuffs you into its mouth. You feel an enormous suction force devouring your nascent spirit.】
【You died!】
【Ding — this simulation has ended!】
After the simulation ended, Su Xing stared at the text before him, silent for a long time.
“As expected of a great sect that once produced immortals… even a single puppet possesses strength rivaling the Void-Shattering Realm?”
Su Xing felt somewhat fortunate that he hadn’t chosen to charge directly into the ruins earlier — otherwise he would have wasted an entire layer of Spirit Transformation cultivation.
But now, with the simulation’s twenty-five years fully spent, dying at the end cost him nothing.
Su Xing rubbed his chin and murmured:
“That puppet must be a guardian puppet for the ancient tomb ruins, right? Who exactly was the master of this tomb? For even a guardian puppet to rival a Void-Shattering Realm cultivator!”
“Hiss… at minimum, it would have to be a Void Return Great Perfection cultivator, or perhaps even a Body Integration stage cultivator?”
Su Xing sighed inwardly:
“What a shame. With my current strength, facing a Void-Shattering Realm expert, I can only hold out for a few dozen rounds at most…”
“If I want to defeat that puppet, I’ll probably need to reach the Void-Shattering Realm myself!”
“But that ancient tomb definitely conceals great secrets. If I achieve the Void-Shattering Realm, perhaps I can make another trip inside!”
Su Xing carefully recalled everything that had happened in the simulation and noted down several key points.
“First, these ancient tomb ruins are absolutely not simply a cultivator’s resting place. Otherwise, thousands of years ago, there wouldn’t have been Void-Shattering and Spirit Transformation stage cultivators dying there.”
“Second, there’s faint spiritual energy inside the tomb — perhaps from Spirit-Gathering Flowers, or perhaps it’s a spirit vein! Though… I’m more inclined toward the latter!”
“And finally, the most important point: what exactly is the identity of the tomb’s master? Could the Heaven-tier technique Myriad Wood Art be on the tomb’s master?”
At this thought, Su Xing took a deep breath.
Whether it was the Myriad Wood Art — the advanced form of the Eternal Spring Art — or the spirit vein within the ancient tomb, both held enormous temptation for Su Xing. Once his strength was sufficient, he absolutely had to make another trip!
“Unfortunately, my primordial energy still hasn’t advanced to the third layer, and reaching the Void-Shattering Realm remains far off…”
“Better to take things one step at a time and focus on what’s in front of me!”
Su Xing let out a sigh, then turned his gaze toward the simulation panel with some anticipation.
【Artifact Refining Prodigy】: Purple talent. Price: 1,000,000 energy points.
【Ten Years of Pill Refining Experience】: Pill refining insights. Price: 500,000 energy.
【Spirit Transformation Stage, Fourth Layer】: Qi Refinement cultivation. Price: 30,000,000 energy.
【Mystic Yellow Art】: Profound-tier technique. Can be cultivated up to the Void Return stage. A component of the Heaven-tier technique Myriad Wood Art. Price: 1,000,000 energy.
【Fleeting Life Art】: Profound-tier technique. Can be cultivated up to the Void Return stage. A component of the Heaven-tier technique Myriad Wood Art. Price: 2,000,000 energy.
【Low-Grade Spirit Liquid, 10,000 Drops】: Condensed from extremely concentrated spiritual energy. Can nourish the dantian, promote cultivation, and is extremely easy to absorb. Price: 1,000,000 energy.
【Eight Trigrams Divination Art (Incomplete)】: Heaven-tier secret art. Contains the lower volume’s chapter on Human Destiny, capable of divining fortune and fate. Less valuable than the National Destiny chapter. Price: 30,000,000 energy.
【Spirit-Gathering Flowers x2,300 (Mature), Spirit-Gathering Flower Seeds x1,500】: Price: 245,000,000 energy.
【Primordial Energy Cultivation Insights (Entanglement Level)】: Though no breakthrough in realm was achieved, comprehension of primordial energy has deepened. Price: 8,000,000 energy.
This simulation had yielded Su Xing a bountiful harvest.
Not only had his Qi Refinement cultivation made great breakthroughs, he had even explored the Immortal Martial Era instance and found the path to the Void-Shattering Realm for his future.
“So then, with all these rewards, how should I choose?”
Su Xing fell into deep thought as he studied the rewards before him.
The Artifact Refining Prodigy talent was decent, but Su Xing currently had no plans for artifact refining, nor did he possess any artifact refining manuals.
He could set it aside in the talent pool for now and draw it out when the time was right.
The Mystic Yellow Art and Fleeting Life Art, though Profound-tier techniques, were not worth wasting a simulation opportunity on since Su Xing was already cultivating the Eternal Spring Art.
Perhaps in the future he could obtain the complete Myriad Wood Art directly within a simulation and bring it out then — that would be far more efficient.
“As for the low-grade spirit liquid…”
Su Xing shook his head slightly.
The low-grade spirit liquid originated from the spirit field grotto-heaven, which meant it indirectly came from the Spirit-Gathering Flowers.
Choosing the liquid directly would be putting the cart before the horse.
Moreover, ten thousand drops wasn’t that much. Perhaps he could accumulate more over time and bring out twenty years’ worth of spirit liquid all at once — that would truly accelerate his cultivation significantly.
He had already memorized the Eight Trigrams Divination Art, so there was naturally no need to waste a selection on it.
And his primordial energy cultivation hadn’t triggered an epiphany, making it not worth choosing either.
After a moment’s hesitation, Su Xing made his decision:
“I’ll choose the Spirit Transformation Fourth Layer cultivation and the Spirit-Gathering Flowers!”
As his words fell, the simulator’s notification chimed in Su Xing’s ears.
【You have successfully brought out Spirit Transformation Stage, Fourth Layer cultivation. Cost: 30,000,000 energy. Remaining energy: 455,430,000 points.】
【You have successfully brought out Spirit-Gathering Flowers x2,300 and Spirit-Gathering Flower Seeds x1,500. Cost: 245,000,000 energy. Remaining energy: 210,430,000 points.】
Watching the simulation energy in the simulator plummet, Su Xing’s heart bled.
But all of it was worth it!
The next second, the aura around Su Xing’s body began to surge!
Spirit Transformation, First Layer… Spirit Transformation, Second Layer… Spirit Transformation, Third Layer!
Finally — Spirit Transformation, Fourth Layer!
In the span of just a few breaths, Su Xing’s cultivation had broken through three minor realms in succession.
It ultimately settled at the Fourth Layer of the Spirit Transformation stage, and even the Fifth Layer wasn’t far off!
“Hiss… mid Spirit Transformation stage… the density of spiritual energy within my body has increased by more than fifty percent compared to before!”
“This means I can refine pills and force-ripen spirit herbs even better now!”
The corners of Su Xing’s mouth curled upward. The Fourth Layer of Spirit Transformation didn’t have much impact on his combat strength.
But it could still further enhance his money-making ability.
“Now then… what about the Spirit-Gathering Flowers?”
Su Xing focused his thoughts, and looking up, he beheld a mountainside blanketed in small white flowers.
Clustered together in bunches, these lovely Spirit-Gathering Flowers instantly lifted his spirits!
“Hahaha… nearly three thousand five hundred Spirit-Gathering Flowers! With this many, it’s enough to upgrade the spirit field blessed land into a grotto-heaven!”
Su Xing eagerly approached the Spirit-Gathering Flowers, and sure enough, he watched as these adorable little white flowers diligently breathed in and out spiritual energy.
With each cycle of breathing, they released even more spiritual energy!
In this virtuous cycle, the spiritual energy concentration across the entire hilltop was rapidly increasing!
Su Xing watched the scene with satisfaction and nodded:
“Not bad. At this rate, it might not even take half a month before the spirit field blessed land upgrades to a grotto-heaven!”
The upgrade from blessed land to grotto-heaven wasn’t instantaneous — it required the spiritual energy within the blessed land to reach a sufficient threshold.
Over three thousand Spirit-Gathering Flowers frantically releasing spiritual energy, like tireless spiritual energy production machines, slowly driving the blessed land’s evolution.
When that happened, not only would Su Xing’s cultivation speed increase dramatically, but even the spirit plants and spirit pets in his portable spirit field would grow faster.
“And of course, the most important thing — the spirit liquid!”
Su Xing carefully collected the Spirit-Gathering Flower seeds without rushing to plant them. After tidying up, he prepared to leave the spirit field blessed land.
According to the trajectory from his simulation of the future.
Today would be the last class gathering of his university years.
Although Su Xing wasn’t close with most of his classmates, attending would improve his state of mind. So there was no harm in going.
Before long, Su Xing emerged from the spirit field blessed land and returned to the dormitory, where he found Fatty Yu waiting for him.
Fatty Yu looked to be in quite a good mood. He walked over, clapped Su Xing on the shoulder, and said:
“Little Su! Don’t you go running off tonight — this is the last class gathering, and I came specifically to get you!”
Fatty Yu looked the same as always, though after not seeing him for a while, his round face seemed to have grown even rounder.
Su Xing nodded upon hearing this. He had intended to attend the gathering anyway.
After a moment’s thought, Su Xing asked:
“Fatty, where are you planning to go after graduation?”
Fatty Yu glanced around, then gave Su Xing a mysterious look and said:
“Your boy’s planning to head to Demon-Sealing Pass to kill some enemies!”
“Strange thing is, my strength has been improving really fast lately. I’ve already broken through to Grandmaster-stage… I’m going to head to Demon-Sealing Pass and show those demon beasts what’s what!”
Su Xing frowned slightly upon hearing this.
According to Fatty Yu’s original life trajectory, he shouldn’t have broken through to Grandmaster-stage yet.
It was likely those Essence Nurturing Pills Su Xing had given him that helped him achieve the breakthrough.
But when it came to the dangers of Demon-Sealing Pass, Su Xing understood them better than anyone.
Would Fatty Yu be in mortal danger if he went to Demon-Sealing Pass?
Su Xing’s heart stirred and he was about to warn him, but on second thought, the current Demon-Sealing Pass wasn’t as dangerous as it would be ten years from now.
If he didn’t perish there, Fatty Yu’s strength would likely improve even further at Demon-Sealing Pass.
With Fatty Yu’s talent, it wasn’t impossible that he could complete a life transformation within a few years and even ascend to the Heavenly King-stage!
Thinking this, Su Xing didn’t try to dissuade Yu Yan. Instead, he took a bottle of pills from his pocket and handed it to Fatty Yu.
“Fatty, these are pills I happened to obtain in a dungeon. They can slightly increase your spiritual attributes. They’re useless to me… so I’ll give them to you!”
Fatty Yu grinned ear to ear upon hearing this, and accepted them without ceremony.
Then he shot Su Xing a look, waggling his eyebrows suggestively:
“I get it, bro! Don’t worry, I’ll be the only one taking these pills!”
Seeing Fatty Yu’s self-satisfied expression, Su Xing was somewhat taken aback. Had this guy actually figured something out?
But then Fatty Yu threw an arm around Su Xing’s shoulders and led him out of the dormitory, heading toward the gathering venue.
“Let’s go, the guys are getting antsy waiting!”
Before long, Su Xing and Fatty Yu arrived at a well-known street food stall across from the school.
The prices weren’t expensive, but the food was excellent. Su Xing occasionally came here to eat as well.
About twenty-some classmates had come to the gathering. Apart from Fatty Yu, the rest were merely nodding acquaintances to Su Xing — he couldn’t even name some of them.
“Come on, come on, let’s all drink together!”
“Hahaha! I heard you broke through to Master-stage recently? You’re paying for this meal!”
“Little Liu’s doing pretty well too, right? I heard he got recruited by a big trading company — he might even have a shot at reaching Grandmaster-stage someday!”
A group of young people in their early twenties gathered together, drinking until their faces were flushed red.
Just then, a tall, thin young man stood up, raised his glass, and said:
“Haha, I bet you guys don’t know yet — Fatty Yu recently broke through to Grandmaster-stage Class User! In our entire class, his strength ranks in the top three!”
The moment these words came out, the other classmates cast envious glances and raised their glasses to toast Yu Yan.
The atmosphere at the gathering was quite pleasant.
Only Su Xing sat alone in a corner, occasionally sharing a few drinks with Yu Yan, occasionally drinking by himself.
There was none of the imagined face-slapping drama. While his classmates weren’t exactly warm toward Su Xing, they weren’t hostile either.
Perhaps out of respect for Fatty Yu, a few classmates even came over to toast Su Xing.
Su Xing responded to each one in turn.
Looking at these young faces before him, Su Xing couldn’t help but recall the scene from four years ago when school had first started.
Back then, Su Xing had been riding high — hailed as a once-in-a-decade genius at Capital Academy!
With the formidable physique of a Body Tempering cultivator, Su Xing had even crushed those proud sons of heaven who were merely at the Bronze-stage.
He had seized first place in the freshmen tournament…
Yet the world is unpredictable. Soon, Su Xing discovered he couldn’t level up — his strength could hardly improve at all.
Those once-eager friends gradually drifted away.
Even his teachers had completely given up on Su Xing…
It wasn’t until just over half a year ago, when Su Xing obtained his golden finger, that he truly began to grow.
“In barely half a year, from a minor cultivator at the first layer of Qi Refinement… to a Spirit Transformation stage powerhouse… what a truly extraordinary journey!”
Su Xing thought to himself, and for a moment, his heart was filled with profound understanding.
“Yet whether it’s Qi Refinement or Spirit Transformation… Bronze or Legendary… without becoming the mightiest existence in this world, one will ultimately perish in that catastrophe!”
Su Xing silently took a sip of wine, recalling everything he had experienced during the five trials of Spirit Transformation.
He sighed, “For a cultivator who seeks the Dao, if one wishes for eternal life… how can one be constrained by petty concerns? All these years of cold stares, of great rises and falls…”
“They are merely… a bit of frost along the path of cultivation!”
He drained the last of his wine in one gulp. Su Xing’s resolve to pursue the Dao grew ever more steadfast.
In this moment, Su Xing’s state of mind improved…
Late at night, the gathering ended. Su Xing helped the drunken Fatty Yu back to the dormitory.
Looking at the soundly sleeping Yu Yan, Su Xing silently entered his portable spirit field and used spiritual energy to dispel the effects of the alcohol.
“Ah well, back to pill refining!”
Su Xing smoothly settled back into his pill refining routine.
A week passed quickly.
During this week, most of Su Xing’s classmates graduated and left the school.
But Su Xing’s life remained as regular as ever. Unsurprisingly, he was notified by Liu Xiaodong that he’d been held back a year. Su Xing didn’t mind at all and simply continued refining pills.
Soon, July 8th arrived. Su Xing brought his pills and met with Jin Congxue.
Jin Congxue wore a stunning red dress today — bold and vivacious.
“Hehe, big boss… congratulations on graduating!”
Jin Congxue said with a smile.
Su Xing rolled his eyes and said:
“Give me a break — this young master got held back!”
Jin Congxue was puzzled, thinking in surprise, “No way — with your strength, you still got held back? Are Capital Academy’s standards really that high?”
Su Xing gave her a brief explanation.
Then, thinking of something, he said to Jin Congxue:
“Oh right, could you arrange some cushy position for me at Capital Academy? Something like a librarian!”
“The new semester starts in September, and I really don’t want to share a dormitory with the underclassmen… It’d be best if I could get a single room — much more convenient for me!”
Jin Congxue gave a slight nod, understanding Su Xing’s meaning.
“Don’t worry, it’s a small matter — leave it to me. You can report to the library tomorrow! Dead last in the class, are we?”
With that, Jin Congxue covered her mouth and giggled softly, looking quite enchanting.
Su Xing chuckled too. After chatting with Jin Congxue a bit more, he took the new week’s goods and returned to his now-empty dormitory.
“That guy Fatty Yu… he should be fine at Demon-Sealing Pass, right?”
“Demon-Sealing Pass is still relatively safe for now. In the future, when the opportunity arises… I can send him some more treasures. It should be fine…”
Su Xing shook his head slightly, then entered the spirit field blessed land.
Converting the new week’s goods into simulation energy, Su Xing’s energy increased by another 16 million points.
It was a decent amount, but for someone like Su Xing who had handled “big deals” before, it was merely passable.
On the afternoon of July 8th, New Era 2024, Su Xing promptly initiated a new round of simulation.
“Begin simulation!”
【Ding! This simulation consumes 4,400 energy points. Remaining energy: 226,380,000 points. Remaining simulations: unlimited.】
【Simulation begins!】
【Drawing a green talent costs 1,000 energy points, a blue talent costs 10,000 energy points, a purple talent costs 100,000 energy points. Would you like to draw?】
“Draw a purple talent!”
Su Xing said silently.
【Congratulations! You have obtained the purple talent: “Small is Cute Too~”!】