4 Chapter 3: Another Genius

Pei Xuanjing sat in his room with a gloomy face. He didn't immediately choose a reward, but was instead deeply pondering over the result of this recent simulation.

This simulation was completely different from the last, the trajectory of his life had undergone many changes.

Perhaps it was due to that initial change - since he was a ninth-grade martial artist at the age of sixteen, his life track had been altered and he no longer solely devoted himself to cultivation.

However, the final result didn't seem to have changed. Once again, Pei Xuanjing died at the hands of those bandits and this time, without even taking the initiative to strike.

For a ninth-grade martial artist, it wasn't that difficult to acquire wealth, so why would a group capable of killing an eighth-grade martial artist be willing to stoop to being bandits?

Pei Xuanjing frowned, these bandits seemingly proving to be a hurdle in his life.

But there's still plenty of time to prepare for this, he thought, no need to rush.

Setting this thought aside, Pei Xuanjing once again focused on the reward from this simulation.

After deliberating for a while, he finally chose the first option - Martial Arts Realm.

Upon making his selection, Pei Xuanjing immediately felt his body's blood and Qi, under the guidance of his Inner Qi, begin to circulate rapidly.

The severe pain coursing through his body's meridians from the movement of Inner Qi caused him to grimace, but he clenched his teeth, not making a sound. His enormous body began to tremble as sweat dripped down his forehead and his body emitted a hazy mist.

The sun began to rise.

Only then did Pei Xuanjing's body slowly calm down. He slowly opened his eyes, stood up, and quickly walked to the backyard of the Taoist Temple. He stood in front of a wooden post, adopting a horse stance and punched out.

Thud!

The wooden post, three feet in diameter, was punched right through by him, revealing a hole as big as a bowl.

The symbol of an Eighth-grade martial artist: tense muscles like strings. All the muscles and fascia in the body are tight as bowstrings, strong and flexible, with explosive power and agility.

Pei Xuanjing smiled. With his current explosive power, even without using any martial techniques, unless it's a born superhuman ninth-grade martial artist who cultivated horizontally, others can be suppressed only by the pure power of his body.

After returning to his room and freshening up, Pei Xuanjing summoned a man in his forties.

The man's surname was Xu. His given name wasn't often mentioned, and those familiar with him regularly referred to him as Mr. Xu. He was responsible for purchasing matters within the observance.

"Master Guan, you're out of seclusion," Mr. Xu greeted Pei Xuanjing with a smile.

Pei Xuanjing nodded, "I've been in seclusion for a while. Was there anything interesting happening in the city lately?"

Hearing Master Guan's question, Mr. Xu thought for a moment, immediately remembering the most commonly discussed matter in the city.

"I've heard that the Zhang family in the east of the city has a Qilin, a prodigy who showed extraordinary talent at just ten years old. Just in these few days of your seclusion, that Qilin of the Zhang family was taken as a disciple by an elder of the Tie Sect. I've even heard people say..." Mr. Xu paused at this point, glancing at Pei Xuanjing, looking as if he wanted to say something but stopped short.

Pei Xuanjing had an idea of what Mr. Xu wanted to say, and signaled him to continue, "Go on, it's alright."

"They say that the prodigy's natural aptitude is higher than yours, Master Guan, and it's estimated he could break through to the level of a ninth-grade martial artist by the age of fifteen," Mr. Xu said indignantly. "I think those people are just jealous. They're just bragging. How could that kid from the Zhang family compare to you, Master Guan?"

For Mr. Xu, all his hopes rested on the Everlasting Observance. He was the kind of person whose interests were tied to those of the observance.

Even though the Master of the Observance was young, he was already a ninth-grade martial artist. This was a rare occurrence in the entire city, which naturally filled him with pride.

So, upon hearing people belittling Pei Xuanjing, he would instinctively defend him.

"Alright, I understand. You can go back to your tasks," Pei Xuanjing dismissed Mr. Xu.

Left alone, Pei Xuanjing sat in deep contemplation.

Tie Sect!

A first-rate sect in the martial world, boasting numerous experts and a resounding reputation in the Northwest Dao.

However, compared to those top sects, even as a first-rate sect, its period of inheritance is relatively short. Up until now, the Tie Sect has been established for no more than a hundred years, spanning only four or five generations of disciples.

But just thirty years ago, an extraordinarily gifted individual named Tie Qianshan emerged from the mediocre Tie Sect. He perfected the Iron Palm Skill inherited by the sect, and then innovated further, taking it to new heights.

From then on, there was an additional 'Iron Palms Invincible' Tie Qianshan in the martial world. His palms could crush gold and break iron, known as the 'Primacy of Fierce Palm Techniques' among the various Martial Schools, famous throughout the Northwest Dao.

It is said that this man had already stepped into the third-grade of the ninth-grade martial arts twenty years ago, beginning the process of blood transformation. Now, twenty years later, it's unknown how much his skills have improved.

Compared to the Tie Sect, which is virtually the host of the provincial governors in the Northwest Dao, the town where Pei Xuanjing lived seemed like an insignificant land of mud pills.

Having such a strong backing, it's no wonder the Zhang family is starting to have ambitions of dominating one side.

Pei Xuanjing smiled. If at the time he himself doesn't need these things, then why not just give them away to avoid enmity with them?

But if they interfere with my path, even if the Zhang family has the support of the Tie Sect, so what?

Some things he can give, but they cannot take by force.

With the simulator in hand, Pei Xuanjing had the confidence to refuse, even if the Tie Sect was behind them.

Setting aside these thoughts, Pei Xuanjing calmed his mind and once again picked up his reading materials.

[Discovery of a Taoyun item, do you want to Refine it?]

"Yes".

As one of the people who have caused quite a stir in the small town recently, Pei Xuanjing, against everyone's expectations, still spends every day in the observance reading and practicing martial arts, and seldom makes public appearances.

This move of his made those who wanted to take the opportunity to build a relationship or those with ulterior motives to test their depth feel quite helpless.

As his strength increased, Pei Xuanjing found that the Taoyun he needed for the next step was as high as five hundred points.

Therefore, he put everything aside, sat quietly in the Everlasting Observance, reading, practicing martial arts, and calmly observing the changes of the seasons.

Five months passed in a flash, and finally, Pei Xuanjing managed to accumulate enough Taoyun.

[Taoyun: 514 points]

[Do you want to use the Life Simulator? Using it once requires 500 Taoyun.]

Without any hesitation, Pei Xuanjing chose 'Yes'.