However, the two firmly believed that as long as they kept a close watch, they would eventually uncover some tracesâunless, of course, their enemy wasnât human.
If they truly found nothing, they could still return to the clan when the time came and report in, allowing the family to proceed with its next step.
[Clan member Chen Tianlu has broken through to the mid-stage of the Blood Coagulation Realm. Simulation Points +2]
[Clan member Chen Qingxiu has broken through to the late-stage of the Body Tempering Realm. Simulation Points +1]
[Clan member Chen Tianmo has broken through to the mid-stage of the Blood Coagulation Realm. Simulation Points +2]
âŠ
Inside the ancestral hall, Ji Yang watched the continuous stream of notifications with a contented smile. Over the past month, thanks to the steady supply of cultivation resources, the cultivation progress of the family had significantly accelerated.
Those who had first broken into the Blood Coagulation Realm had now mostly advanced to its mid-stage.
Although other family members hadnât yet broken through to new realms, their strength had grown notably. It wouldnât be long before another wave of Blood Coagulation warriors emerged.
Among the dozen or so Blood Coagulation warriors currently in the clan, it was even possible that one of them might break into the Innate Realm.
To maintain this pace, however, a substantial amount of cultivation resources would still be necessary. These resources could only be acquired by trading blood rice, which was precisely why Chen Xingzhen had mobilized the clan to begin large-scale cultivation of it.
Elsewhere, Chen Qingyu, who was already at the Innate Realm, was on the verge of breaking through to its mid-stage, aided by the power of a few Tian Nan Star plants.
Innate Realm warriors still relied on vital energy and blood. As long as they had sufficient reserves, their realm progression wasnât slow. However, both the quality and quantity of qi and blood required at this stage far surpassed that of Blood Coagulation warriorsâdozens of times more, in fact.
Even with the assistance of Tian Nan Star, breaking through was no easy feat.
It was said that among certain major clans, there existed heavenly materials and earthly treasures capable of propelling a cultivator through an entire great realm. But such things were merely rumors.
As the notifications faded, Ji Yang opened his personal status panel:
[Name: Ji Yang]
[Race: Netherworld Locust Tree]
[Vitality: 1085]
[Divine Abilities: Eye of Insight, Reversing Dan Progress, Blindfolded Perception, Soul Condensation, Protective Armor, Thousand Mile Red Land, Spirit Awakening]
[Cultivation Techniques: Lunar Eclipse, Yin Gathering, Golden Body of Incense, Soul Consumption]
[Combat Skills: Taizu Long Fist]
[Qi and Blood: 142 (convertible to vitality)]
[Spiritual Power: 66]
[Simulation Points: 68]
[Available for Simulation]
[Status: Soaring with the Wind in a Single Day]
Seeing that his vitality had barely increased over the past month, Ji Yang felt a tinge of dissatisfaction.
At present, by absorbing moonlight and the underground blood spring, he could gain roughly four vitality points per day. Had this been a few months ago, he would have considered that quite satisfactoryâafter all, it wasnât a slow rate.
But times had changed.
Now, just to create armor for a single Innate Realm soul required a minimum of ten vitality points. Clansmen still suffered injuries from time to time, and with the clan enjoying better living standards, newborns were appearing more frequentlyâeach one requiring his help for spirit awakening.
Each of these activities didnât seem to consume much on their own, but together, the expenditure added up quickly.
He was earning more, yesâbut he was spending more, too.
As a result, his vitality had remained at a stable level these past months, without much true progress.
And this was just during peacetime. If another clan war erupted, he could easily be forced back to his original form.
Vitality was his foundation. Only by increasing it rapidly could he continue to grow, expanding his subterranean root network further.
The more ground those roots covered, the more Yin energy he could absorbâand the faster the soul bodies dependent on him could grow.
Most critically, the clan was no longer in a stable position. After claiming Yongâan City, enemies surrounded them from all sides. He had no time left to stay dormant.
That was why vitality had become even more important. Relying solely on the clanâs sacrificial offerings wouldnât suffice.
He needed a new methodâa cultivation technique or divine powerâto boost his vitality.
Ji Yang's gaze slowly dropped to the accumulated reserves of qi, blood, spiritual energy, and a comfortably abundant pool of simulation points.
This was the fruit of the familyâs diligence in making offerings over the past month. It was the very opportunity he had been waiting for. He hoped this round of simulation would yield something useful.
Otherwise, who knew when the next opportunity for a high-multiplier simulation would arrive?
[This simulation will consume: Qi and Blood Ă100, Spiritual Power Ă50, Simulation Points Ă50. Proceed?]
[Yes] [No]
(Note: This is a tenfold simulation. You will randomly carry nine of your own abilities into the simulation world.)
(Note: The higher the simulation multiplier, the greater the chance of unlocking rare maps.)
Seeing the familiar prompt, Ji Yang made up his mind and firmly selected [Yes].
The next moment, countless images flashed before his eyes.
Having undergone several simulations before, Ji Yang remained calm and composed, silently observing from the side.
Still, a faint, relaxed smile played at his lips.
After all, those who smiled usually had better luck. Or perhaps it was simply that the unlucky had long forgotten how to smile.
As the sequence of images slowed and stilled, Ji Yang was finally able to make out the scene in full.
It was a grand and bustling Taoist temple veiled in mist. Beside it stood a towering statue wielding a long sword. A white-haired elder held a horsetail whisk at the templeâs side. On the plaque at the center of the temple gate, several large characters were faintly inscribed.
The brushstrokes were vast and boundless, emanating a majestic auraâbut Ji Yang could not quite read what the characters said.
Before he could take a closer look, his consciousness plunged into darkness.
When Ji Yang regained consciousness, his surroundings had completely changed.
[You were born in the Floating Cloud View! In order to grow into a giant tree as soon as possible, you should begin striving to grow!]
A glowing prompt shimmered before his eyes, and Ji Yang blinked in surprise.
Floating Cloud View?
It sounded familiar. Wasnât that the Taoist temple heâd glimpsed just before fainting? Now that he focused, the architecture around him matched the same elegant yet imposing style. This place wasnât ordinary.
Before he had a chance to examine the details, a deep, resonant bell echoed through the air.
Dong!
Dong!
Dong!
With each toll of the bell, Ji Yangâs vision sharpened. In moments, he saw figures streaming toward him from multiple directionsâdozens of people clad in flowing Taoist robes, rushing straight toward the square where he stood rooted.
Panic prickled through his consciousness. But then he noticed something.
He wasnât the center of their attention. In fact, he wasnât even a person.
Ji Yang now realized he was growing right in the middle of the squareâplanted like a decorative tree, one of many embellishments enhancing the courtyard's symmetry.
That realization brought a measure of relief. These people werenât coming for him.
Still, he was surprised. This was the first time he had ever been transported into a world where other people were present. Up until now, each world had felt empty, artificialâdesigned solely for him.
He couldnât tell if this change was good or bad. But as a tree, he didnât have the luxury of choices. He could only hope that, before this world ended, heâd gain something of value from it.
Soon, the Taoist disciples filled the square, forming neat rows. Without delay, they began their morning routineâpracticing martial forms with synchronized precision. Palms sliced through air, feet shifted with quiet power, and their robes fluttered in rhythm with their movements.
A new prompt blinked in front of Ji Yangâs vision:
You notice the disciples of the temple engaged in morning training. What do you choose to do?
[Secretly Observe]â[Ignore Them]â[Actively Learn]
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