After transforming into a fairy, I, in my simulation, wreaked havoc in the cultivation world.

Cultivating immortality transcends time; twenty years pass in the blink of an eye.

The cave was filled with spiritual energy. The previously scattered and wandering spiritual energy suddenly stopped, then rapidly surged to one point, instantly condensing into a rotating vortex of spiritual power.

At the center of the cyclone, the figure seated cross-legged had robes that fluttered without wind, as vast spiritual energy surged into his body like rivers flowing into the sea.

One by one, the spirit stones in the spirit-gathering array turned to ashes, until the consuming gravitational force suddenly subsided, and a powerful aura burst forth.

【"Buzz~!"】

A sudden gust of wind arose inside the cave, overturning all the tables, chairs, and desks, which shattered into pieces against the stone walls.

You slowly opened your eyes, gazing at the mess on the ground, a hint of emotion flashing across your gaze.

[Twenty years of monotonous cultivation, day in and day out, coupled with the depletion of most of his resources, have finally brought him the reward he deserves.]

"Mid-Foundation Establishment!"

[His internal spiritual power more than doubled, and his divine sense also climbed to a range of nearly six thousand meters.]

After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, each breakthrough is a transformative change.

Recalling the scene of slaying Wang Li that day, you couldn't help but sigh. Without the help of the peak second-tier Azure Phoenix Winged Wind Bird, even if you had achieved dual Foundation Establishment in both Dharma Body and Physical Body, there would have been absolutely no way you could have captured him.

At the same time, you have gained a clearer understanding of the difference between having two spiritual roots and having three spiritual roots.

Although in that simulation, Su Yu had an unlimited supply of resources from a late-stage Golden Core cultivator, and was likely to break through to the mid-stage Foundation Establishment within ten years, his speed was still much faster than yours.

After all, you still have the "Immortal of the Mortal World" attribute to boost your reputation.

Unfortunately, even though you have never slacked off in your cultivation of the "Twin Radiance Transformation Chapter," you are still quite a distance away from advancing to dual spiritual roots.

You slowly stretched, revealing your perfect curves beneath your clothes—a sight no one had seen for a year.

A year ago, Han Xuan received news from an unknown source that his family had suffered a major upheaval. He left in haste and has not been heard from since.

Fortunately, you've now become a disciple of Master Huoyan, and you have some influence on Qingheng Island; otherwise, that kid would have been labeled a traitor long ago.

However... I've been living a life of abstinence for a year now.

[For the sake of Han Xuan, your officially recognized Daoist partner, you have refrained from harming your fellow disciples. Although there was a slight reason of your seclusion to break through to a higher level, this has still saved him face, and a year has been more than enough.]

The twenty-year period has come to an end; in the end, I have no choice but to obey my master's command.

After all, you have no right to object.

But there is something more important right now.

Thinking of this, you slowly stood up, a crimson rune quietly appearing on your forehead. In the blink of an eye, a wisp of red light enveloped you, and your loose, plain white robe transformed into flowing light.

The light faded, and his clothes had completely changed.

[You wore a white, off-the-shoulder, wide-sleeved top paired with a turquoise long skirt, a dark black belt cinching your slender waist. The captivating aura you exuded just moments before, due to your breakthrough, was now imbued with a freshness and vibrancy.]

You raise your hand and create a mirror-like surface, admire it for a moment, and then nod in satisfaction.

[You're so cute~]

A moment later, a streak of red light shot straight into the sky; the Foundation Establishment cultivation level no longer needed to be concealed!

【...】

Qingheng Island is located to the east of the Thousand-Petaled Crimson Lotus. The entire island is shaped like a green leaf, floating above the spiritual mist.

[You didn't appreciate the magnificent scenery of verdant peaks and radiant sunsets along the way, but sped straight towards the tall tower in the center of the island.]

After about half an incense stick's time of flight, the towering structure on the horizon became clearly visible.

[Pitch black all over, the tower stands straight as a sword, reaching into the clouds. Its surface is covered with intricate runes, from which a faint, eerie light flows. This is the Heart Refining Tower, a place on Qingheng Island specifically for tempering one's Dao heart.]

[You turned and landed directly in front of the tower gate, carrying a powerful aura.]

The powerful shockwave sent the disciples queuing back staggering. They were about to reprimand the newcomer, but sensing the imposing aura, their expressions changed drastically, and they hurriedly bowed and clasped their hands in greeting.

"Welcome, Martial Uncle!!!"

You nodded slightly and walked straight towards the Heart Refining Tower.

Seeing this, the gatekeeper immediately inserted the token, and the black stone door slowly opened.

Temples are easily destroyed, but the spirit of the heart is hard to break.

You paused before the door, softly reciting the couplet above the lintel, your brow furrowing slightly before relaxing again.

【You are a pure sword cultivator; if temple gods can be destroyed, then so can the mind.】

[They're just different forms, ultimately nothing more than provisions on the path; why pretend to be so profound?]

The next moment, without hesitation, you took a step forward, and your figure swiftly disappeared in front of the tower.

"Gulp~ Who is this Foundation Establishment Grandmaster? Such a terrifying aura!"

[Only after you left did the crowd begin to murmur.]

"I've heard of her! Twenty years ago, this woman... no, this martial aunt was ranked number one on the beauty list of Qixia Garden."

"Pshaw! That's nothing. I was even charged protection money by Uncle Shen back in the day!"

"Hiss~! There's such a relationship?"

Envious glances immediately followed from those around them.

"Fellow Daoist, what is this protection fee?"

"...You'd better not ask questions you shouldn't!"

【...】

[Inside the Heart Refining Tower. 】

You are currently in a completely dark space. In the distance, specks of light slowly emerge, gradually forming a white silhouette.

The Tower of Refining the Heart offers two ways to temper one's mind. The first is to repeatedly experience the most painful or fearful events of one's life.

The second option is to step into the battlefield of the mind's mirror.

The Refining Heart Tower will condense a spirit of comparable cultivation, immune to injury and fatigue, to fight against you, seeking a breakthrough in your mental state amidst life-or-death struggles.

[This is somewhat similar to when I was comprehending sword intent in the secret realm of Qingfeng Valley, except that the sword monument only tempered my mind with the pressure of death, while here it is real combat with swords and spears.]

[While the tower spirit will protect your life, it will not alleviate your pain in the slightest; the injuries are real.]

[Compared to being masochistic, you still prefer the second type: fighting! It's so much fun!]

The instant the white light and shadow took shape, you flashed forward and, without hesitation, brought your sword down in a downward slash.

[The sword, raised in a flash, parries the attack; its technique is remarkably similar to yours.]

【"when!"】

The crisp sound of metal clashing echoed in the quiet space. Knowing full well the power of the light and shadow, you unsurprisingly spun away to avoid a direct confrontation, then unleashed another sword strike from a tricky angle.

This is not your first battle against light and shadow; you have entered this place more than ten times in the past twenty years.

Although he always returned battered and bruised in defeat, you could sense that the second stage of Sword Heart Clarity—Intent Condensed into a Thread—was on the verge of a breakthrough.

"Clang! Clang!"

The speed of their fight between the two figures increased rapidly; their sword light intertwined like a torrential downpour, transforming into a dense web of afterimages.

As your spiritual energy gradually depletes, new bloodstains appear on your body, but your state of mind becomes increasingly serene.

A glint of light flashed in your eyes; as the sword's energy was drawn, its weak points became increasingly clear, while the sword intent in your hand grew ever more refined.

"Flaws! Flaws! Flaws everywhere!"

[Until a certain moment, you feel your mind and sword intent become one, and the invisible sword energy instantly condenses into an incomparably sharp thread.]

Then, as if struck by inspiration, you casually slashed with your sword, effortlessly piercing through the impenetrable net of swords before you without any earth-shattering effect.

Only a single white sword thread remained between heaven and earth.

【"Hiss~!"】

The light and shadow, along with the sword in his hand, were split in two and slowly dissipated...

...