Here we go again

In the embrace of the tranquil wilderness, stood young Xuan Ji, a mere child of 4 years old, perched upon a cliff that seemed to reach out with open arms, surrounded by a lush sea of verdant greenery. The air was filled with the sweet aroma of nature, and the distant calls of birds formed a gentle symphony that played in harmony with the rustling leaves.

Xuan Ji looked out from the cliff's edge; his small form silhouetted against the expanse before him. His gaze swept over the landscape that stretched away, a mesmerizing picture painted in shades of vibrant green.

Yet, amidst this sea of foliage, a small pocket of contrast caught his attention. Nestled within the embrace of the greenery, a collection of structures emerged like tiny islands in a sea of leaves. These structures formed a village, a place that once held Xuan Ji's dreams, laughter, and cherished memories.

"In just 2 days, the demonic cultivators will attack the village. I can't risk going there – the villagers would recognize me. It's a small village, and everyone knows each other. Besides, it's not like tourists visit often, so showing up out of the blue would raise suspicion. Plus, my youthful appearance wouldn't help me blend in," Xuan Ji thought aloud.

"Getting noticed is dangerous. The ones chasing that demonic cultivator might come to the village for answers. If they find out about me, they'll hunt me down too, since I will possess the skill, the demonic cultivator stole from them."

"The smartest thing to do is wait here until the attack happens. Once chaos erupts, I'll slip into the village, grab their space bags, and vanish." Xuan Ji thought before continuing.

"Right now, I'm to the south of the village, while the demonic cultivator will attack from the north and the righteous cultivators will come from the northeast. Chances are, I won't run into them," he pondered.

…

A resounding "Boom!" pierced the silence of the night, jolting Xuan Ji from his deep state of cultivation. Swiftly, he leaped down from the tree he had been perched upon. His gaze turned towards the direction of the village, now bathed in an eerie glow as flames danced and flickered in the encompassing darkness.

"The Demonic Cultivator has arrived. It's time for me to move as well," Xuan Ji decided, urgency coursing through him. He swiftly left his spot, vanishing into the encompassing greenery with ease.

After a span of time, Xuan Ji found himself standing before a modest brick wall, far from grandiose but solid in its construction. The wall, double the height of an average person and two bricks wide, had been erected as a safeguard against the wild inhabitants of the land.

Xuan Ji, cautious not to attract attention, chose not to use the main entrance. Instead, he scaled the wall with agility, his nimble form moving with a silent grace. Once on the other side, he alighted softly. Xuan Ji proceeded to the spot where the Righteous Cultivator was expected to land and settled into a vigilant wait.

…

The night faded into daylight.

In the present moment, Xuan Ji had sought refuge within a cave he had stumbled upon during his travels. As he sat within its protective confines, his mind was an embroidery of thoughts and plans.

"Everything unfolded smoothly, much like in my previous simulations. I managed to acquire the space bags of both the Righteous and Demonic Cultivators without encountering any obstacles. Now, as for the road ahead, my immediate goal is to advance to Body Tempering level 1. Once that milestone is reached, I can proceed with my plan to acquire the herb from the snake," Xuan Ji's thought.

With his goals set firmly in his mind, Xuan Ji took a deep breath and began his cultivation.

...

[Age 6: After two years of dedicated cultivation, you've achieved a breakthrough, reaching Body Tempering Level 1. This success came few months sooner than in the previous simulation.]

…

Perched on a tree, Xuan Ji watched as the snake elegantly slithered into the heart of the forest. With a determined resolve, he gracefully descended from the tree, his footsteps deliberate as he approached the coveted herb.

This time, he had meticulously prepared, waiting an entire week to gauge the snake's patterns – its hunting times, its return, and its habits. Now, having meticulously calculated his moves, he knew today was the day.

Stepping forward, he stood face-to-face with the precious herb, his focus unwavering. Without a moment's delay, he carefully began the process of uprooting it. Each movement was deliberate, cautious, and precise. After what felt like an eternity, he finally succeeded in freeing the herb from the earth's grasp. Swiftly, he transferred the herb into a jade box he had readied, ensuring its preservation.

With this crucial task accomplished, Xuan Ji's heart raced with a mix of triumph and relief. Without pausing to catch his breath, he sprinted toward the cliff's direction, the world around him blurring as he covered the distance in a matter of minutes. Before long, he stood once again before the familiar cliff, the place where his journey had unfolded.

Similar to his second last simulation, he began to prepare himself for the descent down the cliff.

…

Standing in the cave, Xuan Ji's couldn't help but say: "Ah Sh*t, here we go again." [1]

…

[Age 7: Instead of immediately taking the herb, you chose to strengthen your foundation, so you carried on with your cultivation.]

[Age 9: You finally consumed the herb, after 2 years, you had stolen from the snake, aiding in your advancement to Body Tempering realm level 2.]

...

[1]: The starting Quote of Popular game GTA: San Andreas.

Author's Note: Dear readers, I've chosen to skip the repeated ventures of Xuan Ji in this chapter to maintain the flow of the story. However, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Do you prefer including these repeated ventures for added depth, or would you rather continue with the streamlined narrative? Your feedback will help shape the direction of the story. Please feel free to share your opinions in the comments.