I cultivate immortality through The Sims.

Three hours later, you are physically and mentally exhausted.

You can only marvel at how terrifying Foundation Establishment cultivators truly are!

Just as you were still feeling sentimental, a sword was already pressed against your throat.

But in the end, the saintess sheathed her sword.

[And the saintess flipped her hand and tossed you a pill.]

This is a Foundation Establishment Pill.

The Holy Maiden turned her back and coldly said, "When the Nascent Soul Realm opens, I will go to Wuyue Fortress to find you. You must help me seize the treasures of the Nascent Soul Realm."

Otherwise, I will grind you to dust.

You are overjoyed; this is a completely unexpected delight.

[I've obtained Foundation Establishment Pills and learned a method to increase the probability of Foundation Establishment.]

Seeing that you remained silent, the saintess coldly replied: This is what you owe me!

You don't truly agree with the saint's words.

It's really hard to say who suffers in this kind of situation.

However, you know you can't afford to offend the saintess at this time.

[At the saintess's command to "Get out," you disregarded everything else and slunk away from her cave.]

When you returned to your thatched hut, Tan Yanrao was not there.

You might as well start practicing the "Yin-Yang Harmony Technique."

By evening, you had mastered the second level of the "Yin-Yang Harmony Technique."

Before long, Tan Yanrao arrived at your thatched cottage.

[You can use Tan Yanrao to test whether the "Yin-Yang Harmony Technique" can improve your cultivation.]

[The misty pool is naturally beautiful.]

Two hours later, you were pleasantly surprised to find that your Qi Refining level ten had actually taken a step forward.

You are beginning to feel a surge of anticipation for Foundation Establishment.

However, this is not the time to think about these things. After quickly packing, you took Tan Yanrao and headed towards the Thousand Clouds Sect's mountain gate.

Having experienced the first simulation, you know this trip should be safe.

However, as soon as you arrived at the mountain gate, you smelled a faint scent of blood.

[You immediately went on guard, and even after you used the imitation token to activate the sect's protective array, nothing unexpected happened.]

Freedom was just a step away; you could no longer care about anything else and immediately left the Thousand Cloud Sect.

Tan Yanrao followed closely behind, exiting the sect.

[Just a moment before the Thousand Clouds Sect's protective formation was to be reactivated.]

[You heard the Holy Maiden's voice transmission:]

Remember, you owe me!

Yang Mu was also taken aback when he saw this.

What is the saint doing here?

Based on the results of the first simulation, there shouldn't be anything here.

Could that faint smell of blood be because I'm currently at the tenth level of Qi Refining, a higher level than during the first simulation?

Only now did you realize it?

No wonder, during the first simulation, it felt eerily quiet here.

Presumably, it was the Holy Maiden herself who took action to deal with those disciples who were hiding in the sect and waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Looking at it this way, it seems I really do owe the Holy Maiden something.

You were startled, but accepted the saintess's words.

[After leaving the sect, Tan Yanrao asked you: Where are you planning to go?]

[Wuyue Fortress.]

You know, Wuyue Fort is just a temporary place for you.

Or rather, it's the place where you've settled down amidst the misty pools.

[The Myriad Flowers Sect offers an opportunity; you will undoubtedly seek it out to join.]

Having learned from the first simulation, you know you can't keep Tan Yanrao.

[For now, your relationship with Tan Yanrao is only based on exchange; you don't intend to become obsessed with it.]

As you predicted, Tan Yanrao has decided to go to Wuyue Fort with you.

You escaped unscathed on your journey to Wuyue Fort.

[You still haven't shown Tan Yanrao your Qi Refining Level 10 cultivation.]

Upon arriving at Wuyue Fort, you will be greeted by Tang Yi, the same person from Wuyue Fort.

[Having learned from the first simulation, and with the help of the Saintess, you've prepared quite a few spirit stones.]

For some reason, Tan Yanrao didn't elaborate on her public identity this time.

[But you still considered Tan Yanrao's feelings; to outsiders, you two are cousins.]

You now have the means to rent a room for each of you.

But at this point, only one room remained of Wuyue Fortress.

You sigh, perhaps it's all fate.

Soon, you and Tan Yanrao settled down in Wuyue Fort.

Just like in the first simulation, you chose to work as a helper, learning alchemy, weapon crafting, and formation techniques.

This time you weren't stingy; you hand-copied a copy of "The Art of Yin-Yang Harmony" and gave it to Tan Yanrao.

Perhaps, with this cultivation technique, her cultivation will improve faster, giving her more strength to protect herself when she leaves in the future.

[Six months later, you've taken a big step forward at the tenth level of Qi Refining, but you're still quite a distance from Foundation Establishment.]

[In fact, Tan Yanrao's cultivation level has advanced by leaps and bounds in the past six months, reaching the ninth level of Qi Refining.]

However, your alchemy and weapon crafting skills have reached the first rank.

[You know, it's most likely because you're currently at the tenth level of Qi Refining.]

In the third year, you are 21 years old.

[You plan to find an opportunity to join the Myriad Flowers Sect this year, and see if you can seize the position of Holy Son of the Myriad Flowers Sect.]

As for Tan Yanrao, do you intend to leave her at Wuyue Fort?

You know that if you leave, Tang Yi will definitely take action.

Tan Yanrao will likely follow Tang Yi.

After all, you and Tan Yanrao don't have much of a connection.

That way, you'll have fewer burdens.

Initially, Tan Yanrao planned to leave with you.

But you refused me outright.

[You can tell that Tan Yanrao has developed some feelings for you.]

You don't know if this is a case of feelings developing over time.

However, because it was your first simulation, you didn't have high expectations for it.

You gave most of your savings to Tan Yanrao.

[This includes spirit stones, as well as Qi Refining stage pills obtained from the Thousand Cloud Sect.]

This is enough for her to cultivate.

As for that Golden Core Secret Realm, the opportunities at the Myriad Flowers Sect are still safer in comparison.

Before leaving, you didn't ask Tan Yanrao to wait for you.

[I'm just saying, barring any unforeseen circumstances, you'll be back in two to three years at the shortest.]

[As for whether Tan Yanrao should go with Tang Yi to explore the Golden Core Realm, you don't care.]

You even harbored a sliver of hope for it.

Anyway, you no longer owe Tan Yanrao anything.

You know the address of the Myriad Flowers Sect.

When you arrived at the Myriad Flowers Sect, a considerable number of people had already gathered outside its gates.

After some inquiries, you learn that the Myriad Flowers Sect had already announced its intention to select a Holy Son.

[The Holy Son must meet several conditions.]

First, it must possess one of the five spiritual roots.

Second, one must be in the late stage of Qi Refining.

Third, applicants must be under 30 years old.

You immediately felt confused.

Other sects, when recruiting disciples and selecting their holy sons, prefer those with the best innate talent and potential.

Why is it that the Myriad Flowers Sect is recruiting disciples with useless spiritual roots like the Five Elemental Roots?

However, you didn't think much of it, simply believing that the practice of the "Yin-Yang Harmony Technique" didn't place much emphasis on innate talent.

Moreover, anyone who can cultivate to the late Qi Refining stage before the age of thirty, despite having only five weak spiritual roots, is undoubtedly a person of great fortune.

[You guessed that the Myriad Flowers Sect was after this.]

However, now that you're here, there's no reason for you to back down.

Even if the Myriad Flowers Sect has some shady plot.

To build your foundation, you'll have to take some risks.