The peak was silent, veiled in mist. Lin Fang's robes fluttered in the mountain breeze as he stepped onto the stone path. A narrow pond lay ahead, its waters still and black as obsidian. At its edge sat his master, rod in hand, eyes half-closed as if asleep.
The supreme elder's white hair drifted in the wind, unmoving like a mountain but somehow still more alive than anything Lin Fang had ever seen.
Lin Fang stepped forward and bowed deeply, "Disciple greets Master."
The old man didn't speak. He simply lifted a hand and gestured for Lin Fang to sit.
He obeyed, folding his legs beside the pond. The two remained like that, silent as the clouds rolled above and the shadows shifted.
Time passed.
Then... the rod twitched. The elder's eyes opened instantly, sharp as sword light. In a single smooth motion, he yanked the rod.
BOOM!
The pond exploded. Water surged, and from its depths burst a massive silver-scaled fish, easily the size of a full-grown ox. It thrashed furiously in the air before falling with a loud thud next to the old man.
Lin Fang's brow twitched, 'that huge fish... was in that tiny pond?', he mused,' I still forget sometimes that I am in a fantasy world'
The old man finally turned his deep gaze on him, "Your space ring."
Lin Fang didn't hesitate. He removed it and handed it over. The elder's fingers glowed faintly as he held the ring. A moment later, he tossed it back.
Lin Fang caught it, and used his spirit sense to sweep through it. His heart skipped.
Hundreds of spirit stones. Dozens of pills, some he didn't even recognize. His heart felt warm. This was the first time that someone treated him so well in this world.
"You're going out for a mission," he said simply. "Good!"
Lin Fang blinked. "Master... you approve?", he had expected that he would have a hard time convincing him to be able to leave the sect. After all, he was the first mid-grade spirit root talent that the sect had in a long while.
A faint smile crept onto the elder's lips, "A rose grown in the shade cannot compare to a wild rose", he stated, "but as your master, I can't send you out there unprepared."
He reached into his robes and pulled out a necklace, a small, intricate pendant shaped like a sword, no longer than a finger. He placed it in Lin Fang's hand.
"This contains an all out strike from your master", he paused, continuing with a hint of pride, "if used at the right time, it can even heavily injure a first level golden core cultivator."
Lin Fang stood and bowed again, deeper this time. "Disciple shall return... stronger."
...
Lin Fang had one last errand before leaving the sect, to get as many spirit techniques as possible from the Whispering Wind Pavilion, so that once he starts simulating, he can make the most out of each simulation and cultivate multiple techniques at once.
With that in mind, he called up his status window.
[Endless Slaughter Simulator]
[Host: Lin Fang]
[Age: 18(37)]
[Cultivation realm: Qi refining level 4]
[Techniques: Brilliant Core Scripture (mastered), Flame Heart Technique (mastered), The Radiant Sun Technique (mastered), Falling Star Blade (small achievement)]
[Talents: Calm and Collected (blue grade), Superior Martial Body (blue grade), Sword Genius (green grade)]
[Souls: 429]
Seeing the number of souls, Lin Fang was dumbfounded; he had expected to find 30 souls.
A quick calculation made him understand that killing that Sun Yao guy got him 400 souls, ' Does that mean that killing cultivators would net me more souls', he thought, his eyes gleaming the way a wolf's might glint in the dark. up, 'but the risk is also higher than killing mortals'
The fleeting joy withered as another thought struck him, "how many souls do I need to simulate?"
[Does host wish to use 256 souls to simulate?]
Lin Fang's face fell,'So even with all this, I can only simulate once.'
He let out a long, tragic sigh, "Simulator, why do you have to make me work so hard, other transmigrators just lay down and reach the heavens in a couple of days, while I have to slaughter like no tomorrow."
He stared at the status window the way a disappointed father might look at a son who'd just failed the imperial exams.
He adjusted his robes and set his gaze toward the eastern side of the sect. That was where the Whispering Wind Pavilion stood, three elegant tiers of jade-green tiles glinting under the afternoon sun. From afar, the building seemed to sway gently, as though floating on an invisible breeze.
When he approached, the sound of wind chimes greeted him, each note crisp as fresh spring water. Delicate patterns of clouds and sword arcs were carved into the wooden pillars, and sandalwood fragrance drifted from within. The plaque above the entrance read: Pavilion of Whispers, Keeper of the Dao.
'Trying to sound all mysterious,' Lin Fang mused.
Inside, the air was cool and tinged with the faint rustle of parchment. Towering shelves of bamboo and lacquered wood lined the walls, filled with scrolls bound in silk and jade slips glowing faintly with spiritual light. Pale blue lanterns floated overhead, casting shifting shadows that danced like restless spirits.
Behind a long sandalwood desk sat a middle-aged elder in light-blue robes. His hair was streaked with silver, his gaze calm yet sharp as a sword's edge.
"You must be Lin Fang," the elder said without lifting his chin. "Supreme Elder's new disciple. To what do I owe the visit?"
Lin Fang clasped his hands and bowed. "Disciple wishes to learn spirit techniques."
The elder's brows rose slightly in curiosity, "How many?"
"As many as I'm allowed", Lin Fang answered instantly.
A dry chuckle escaped the elder's lips. "Greedy, aren't you? Since you got the supreme elder's badge, then you can take as many as you want, but remember", he paused slightly, "those who bite off more than they can chew often choke."