Chapter 2 Changing Trajectory

"The most important thing next is to accumulate Taoyun (the Taoist rhythm)."

Pei Xuanjing was thinking in his heart.

After all, with enough Taoyun, he can continue his simulation.

If the first simulation of life allowed him to break through the realm and step into the ninth-grade, what would be his gains next?

This undoubtedly made him more expectant.

The following morning, after completing his early routine, Pei Xuanjing continued to study a text about the cultivation of martial artists.

Although his current abode, the Everlasting Observance, had declined, his ancestors had once been prosperous. According to his master's words, the founder of Everlasting Observance had come from a large sect and came to this small city in the border county later in life to establish the Everlasting Observance.

Now he was reading a memoir left by the founding master about his insights into martial artists who had just stepped into the Qi Refining Realm.

It so happened that when he picked up this memoir in the early morning, a prompt appeared on his simulator.

[Found Taoyun item. Do you wish to refine it?]

Of course, Pei Xuanjing chose to refine it without hesitation.

But contrary to what he expected, the simulator did not directly refine it. Instead, he had to read and comprehend it slowly. The simulator would only help him judge whether it was valuable and would not accelerate the process.

With no other option, he had to abide by the simulator's instructions and carefully read and comprehend all the contents.

"The so-called cultivation of True Qi, the external refining of muscles and bones, and the internal refining of internal organs, in my view, all serve as the foundation for the transformation in the Upper Three Realms. The deeper the foundation laid in the early period, the higher the chances of making a breakthrough in the future..."

Just as he was engrossed in reading, a group of people arrived at the observance.

"Greetings, Master Guan."

The crowd spoke.

Pei Xuanjing nodded slightly, "Please take a seat, shopkeepers."

Once they were seated, a servant from the observance came to serve them tea.

Looking at the serene Pei Xuanjing, the group exchanged glances. A white-haired old man, in his 50s, offered his respects to Pei Xuanjing and spoke, "Master Guan, we have a matter we wish to discuss with you."

Pei Xuanjing looked at the speaker. He recognized him as Shopkeeper Liu who was under the protection of Everlasting Observance.

Seeing Pei Xuanjing's silence, Shopkeeper Liu had no choice but to continue, "The matter we wish to discuss is about this year's annuity."

Just as I thought! Thought Pei Xuanjing. He pretended not to know, "Hmm? What could be wrong with the annuity?"

As he spoke, Pei Xuanjing meticulously circulated his Inner Qi. His skin puffed up, and the symbol of a ninth-grade Martial Artist was revealed.

"This is….a ninth-grade Martial Artist..."

Everyone was shocked. They didn't want to believe that this young Master Guan was already a Martial Artist. Considering that he was only 16 years old, this….

Shopkeeper Liu unexpectedly swallowed his words. He swallowed his saliva, "What we mean is, the quantity of annuities for this year might be more than usual. We wonder whether Master Guan would like it all converted into gold and silver or some cultivation medicines."

In this small city in the border county, ninth-grade Martial Artists were considered superior. No one could go against their will, at least not ordinary merchants like them.

So, when Pei Xuanjing showed the strength of a ninth-grade Martial Artist, Shopkeeper Liu knew all their plans had failed. There was no need to mention it again, and they couldn't afford to bring it up either.

Thinking of his failed plan and the fact that he had to pay even more annuities than before, Shopkeeper Liu felt a bit distressed.

However, thinking about the fact that such a young man could protect them for a longer time, Shopkeeper Liu felt that the lost money was worth it.

Pei Xuanjing withdrew his aura and smiled, "Such a small issue, and yet the shopkeepers are kind enough to come in person. I am really sorry for the trouble. But since Shopkeeper Zhu has reminded me, I'll have to trouble Shopkeeper Liu to convert some of it into cultivation medicines for me."

......

"Hehe, what a pack of profit-driven guys."

Pei Xuanjing looked at the retreating figures of the shopkeepers, his mouth curling in disdain.

As expected, these merchants were the kind to prey on the weak and feared the strong. If he had not made a breakthrough, the other party would probably follow the simulation and switch their allegiance to others.

Shaking his head, he cast away thoughts of these unreliable fellows to the back of his mind. Once again, he picked up the memoir and began to read.

In the past, he did not have much choice. But now that he had the simulator, he no longer needed to waste effort over trivial things. He only needed to accumulate Taoyun continuously to build up his power, and these people could not cause any disturbances.

After this incident, originally, due to the death of the old Master Guan of Everlasting Observance and the inheritance of the new Master Guan who was not a Martial Artist, there might have been a reshuffling of forces within the city.

But when Pei Xuanjing revealed his strength as a ninth-grade Martial Artist, the people and forces that were eager to take action all retracted their ambitions temporarily, dissipating all the brewing tumult.

A few days later, with Shopkeeper Liu at the forefront, a group of people not only brought the full amount of Everlasting Observance's annuity but also some additional medicinal herbs for replenishing qi and blood.

As time went by, a few weeks later, during the night, the simulator panel once again showed that enough Taoyun had been accumulated.

[The refining of Taoyun items is complete. You obtained 205 Taoyun points.]

[Do you want to use the life simulator? The use of it once requires 200 Taoyun points.]

Without hesitating at all, Pei Xuanjing chose 'yes'.

[Among the fifty paths of the Great Tao, Forty-Nine Heavenly Paths are revealed. As decreed, all the things in the world have a trace of vitality to survive!]

At the age of sixteen: Your master passed away, and as a ninth-grade martial artist, you inherited all the assets of Everlasting Observance.

Becoming a ninth-grade Martial Artist at the age of sixteen, you became almost the most genius figure in the history of this small town. You are greatly expected, and many seniors think that you may be able to break through to the sixth realm before the age of thirty. At this time, Qilin, a child of Zhang Family in the city, showed his talent. He was appreciated by a senior from a big sect and accepted as a disciple. The senior rewarded Zhang Family with some spiritual medicines to help Zhang Family's head breakthrough in the realm.

At the age of seventeen: With the breakthrough of Zhang Family's master, and the emergence of an eighth-grade Martial Artist, the power balance in the small town was immediately broken, and Zhang Family began to oppress every party. As the Martial Artist with the most potential, you were targeted by Zhang Family.

You fought with the head of the Zhang Family, but after failing, you escaped from the small city.

At the age of twenty-three: After a lot of hardships and self-cultivation outside, you finally managed to break through to the eighth grade, then staged a triumphant comeback.

You personally killed the aging head of the Zhang Family, and recovered everything that belonged to you.

At the age of twenty-eight: The grandchild of Zhang Family, who was accepted into a large sect, came back after learning martial arts. You found out that he was a seventh-grade Martial Artist at just twenty years old. Knowing that you were outmatched, you didn't hesitate to evacuate and escape before the opponent arrived, taking all your property with you.

Shortly after leaving, you encountered bandits. Knowing the danger you were in, you chose to stand aside. But accidentally, you were discovered by the bandits. They wanted to kill you to silence you. Despite being an eighth-grade martial artist, you were still outnumbered and were killed by the bandits.

[End of this life.]

[Simulation ended. You can choose to retain only one of the following rewards.]

[1. Martial Arts realm at the age of twenty-eight.]

[2. Cultivation experience of 'Yi Wood Skill' at the age of twenty-eight.]

[3. Familiarity with 'Yin Wood Sword Skill' at the age of twenty-eight.]