txolops Chapter 102 Retesting Aptitude
Chapter 102 Retesting Aptitude
Chapter 102 Retesting Aptitude
"Let's begin!"
Without any hesitation, Zhou Qing immediately chose to start the simulation.
I lived in the Purple Bamboo Forest for more than four months and watched the chickens under the alchemy tree pecking at each other for four months.
We've been waiting for this moment.
The buzzing sound came the instant Zhou Qing chose to activate the simulation.
The virtual font began to change rapidly.
[In the first year, you were seventeen years old. You had already mastered several second-tier skills, and your alchemy and talisman-making skills had reached the upper-tier second tier. Your cultivation had also reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage.]
You are full of ambition; at the beginning of each simulation, your talent and aptitude are at their peak.
You summoned Li Yan.
【"Owner......"
]
[Li Yan's palace attire was impeccable, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at you with tender affection.]
[After spending more than four months together, even without the "Demon Seed Technique," Li Yan has developed an indescribable trust and dependence on you.]
You pulled Li Yan into your arms, and your lips met.
[Li Yan's red lips are very soft. While you are enjoying the beauty, the demonic mark woven by your own divine consciousness is quietly taking shape.]
[In the simulation, there is room for error and a chance to start over. You begin to cast the "Demon Seed Technique" on Li Yan.]
[With almost no obstacles, you planted a demonic seed imprint formed from your own divine consciousness deep within Li Yan's soul.]
"It's done..."
You looked at Li Yan, whose eyes were slightly closed and who was still immersed in her thoughts, and a realization dawned on you.
[Because of the four months you spent together, Li Yan trusted you completely, and you progressed extremely smoothly during the most difficult "Demon Seed" stage.]
Next comes the meticulous work of grinding.
As time goes by, the demonic seed you planted will continue to influence Li Yan, and will never betray you for all eternity.
"This secret technique... has too many limitations."
[You made the assessment, and you, a dignified Foundation Establishment cultivator, expended so much energy to use it on a mere early-stage Qi Refining cultivator.]
[This is because you bought the Purple Bamboo Forest fairly, so Li Yan didn't feel any resentment or other negative emotions.]
[That is to say, Li Yan possesses the Primordial Yin Body, which is of great value to you, which is why you were willing to do this.]
[If it were any other downward revision, we could simply use life-or-death threats to control them.]
【"Owner....."】
[After only a few breaths, Li Yan opened her beautiful eyes and looked at you with a shy and charming expression.]
"Smoke..."
'
]
[Look at Li Yan and truthfully tell her that she possesses the Primordial Yin Treasure Body.]
[We're currently in a simulation. The demonic seed has already been planted. You have complete confidence in Li Yan.]
When harvesting Li Yan's first burst of Yin energy in the future, the other party will need to be aware and cooperate.
"So that's how it is. No wonder Yan'er always felt..."
[Li Yan nestled in your arms, her pretty face still bearing the soft glow of sunset, her beauty beyond compare.]
"By the way, Yan'er, you can practice these techniques from now on; they will accelerate the awakening of your precious body..."
..」】
[You take out a few jade slips and speak.]
These cultivation techniques were collected during your third simulation and are highly suitable for cultivating the Primordial Yin Body.
"Thank you, Master..."
[Li Yan was moved. You not only told her the truth about possessing a precious body, but also offered to provide her with cultivation techniques. Such selfless behavior made Li Yan trust you even more.]
"Master, rest assured, Yan'er will only ever have you in this life, and my primordial yin energy will remain only for you..."
[Li Yan said softly]
【"Um."】
You nodded slightly, then said, "I'll be leaving for a while. Until I return, Yan'er will be cultivating in the Purple Bamboo Forest."
"Furthermore, whatever happens during this time, wait until I return before discussing it further. Even if the Li family patriarch comes looking for Yan'er, do not see her."
[You instructed]
[At the same time, release six puppets to patrol the Purple Bamboo Forest.]
[Six puppets, one comparable to a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and five comparable to a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator]
In this area teeming with cultivators, this is nothing short of a dimensional reduction attack.
Moreover, it is protected by a second-tier defensive array.
"Yan'er understands."
Li Yan nodded, showing no resistance to your instructions.
Next, you left behind some cultivation resources.
[Under your guidance, given the cultivation speed of the Primordial Yin Body, reaching the Qi Refining Perfection stage won't take long.]
[Once Li Yan enters the Foundation Establishment stage, the first strand of primordial Yin energy she has cultivated will greatly assist you in your attempt to form your core.]
[If one enters the Core Formation stage, the first strand of primordial Yin energy cultivated will be beneficial to the breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage.]
Having arranged everything, you soared into the sky, heading towards the secluded mountain amidst the clouds.
"We cannot directly enter the world within the secluded mountain."
[What you secretly think]
[In the last simulation, you successfully entered the inner world of Youshan, which was a hundred or two hundred years later, and you even had Dachun leading the way.]
But that's not the case now. Not only does the timing not match, but you're also all alone.
[What if other unforeseen circumstances arise, such as being killed instantly because it's not the right time to enter the secluded mountain?]
Although you are currently in a simulation, and death would not affect your real-world self, you would naturally choose to stay alive if possible.
Each simulation requires a cooling-off period of several months.
"We still need to send Xiu Xian in to investigate first..."
.」】
You've made up your mind.
Of course, this downward revision is different from other instances of downward revision.
You must guarantee that the cultivator you are using will absolutely not be able to pass the aptitude test once they enter the inner world of Youshan.
If one could pass the aptitude test like Da Chun, and then begin the trials, reaching the Core Formation stage after decades or even centuries...
..
Not only will you fail to obtain specific information about the inner world of Youshan, you might also unexpectedly encounter an enemy.
Even in a simulation, you wouldn't do something like this, aiding the enemy.
[You begin to calculate, using divination techniques, to choose a suitable path for further study.]
Several days later, you successfully arrived at Youshan.
Even if you have already reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, gazing at this dark mountain range again will still cause your heart to flutter slightly.
The winding, secluded mountains, stretching for tens of thousands of miles, resemble a crouching giant dragon.
"Please spare me, senior! Please spare me, senior!"
The figure standing behind you immediately knelt down, begging for mercy.
[This figure is naturally the lower-level cultivator you chose to first enter the secluded mountain to test the waters.]
[He is also a cultivator who has undergone tribulation and cultivation around the Purple Bamboo Forest.]
Based on your experience in the inner world of Youshan during the last simulation, you should know...
To successfully participate in the trials within the secluded mountain, you need to pass a aptitude test.
The aptitude test is a comprehensive test, simultaneously assessing your aptitude for magic cultivation, physical cultivation, ghost cultivation, and more.
However, regardless of the type of aptitude, both must meet the prerequisites of normal potential and sufficient lifespan.
Even a cultivator with a Heavenly Spiritual Root is of little value if they are only at the early stage of Qi Refining, their potential exhausted, and their lifespan reduced to only a few days.
The cultivator you've captured fits these characteristics: he's only at the mid-stage of Qi Refining, has used forbidden techniques more than ten times, exhausting his potential, and is over a hundred years old with only a few years left to live.
From any perspective, even if someone truly possesses hidden talent, it's impossible for them to pass the aptitude test.
"After entering the secluded mountain, activate this secret technique."
You glanced at the terrified old man and secretly cast several tracking spells on him.
[And planted several strands of mountain and sea magic power in the heart meridian]
[If they don't reach you within a certain timeframe, those mountain and sea magical powers will explode.]
This was also a convenient measure to prevent extreme situations from occurring.
For example, after the old man who had been expelled from the mountain did not appear in the secluded mountain, but was immediately teleported to a place hundreds or thousands of miles away, etc.
【"good..."】
The old cultivator swallowed hard and quickly nodded in agreement.
As a Tribulation Cultivator, the old man worried that he might die at the hands of other Tribulation Cultivators.
But I didn't expect it to be a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
[No, the old cultivator who had undergone the Tribulation Realm cultivation also saw a Foundation Establishment cultivator from afar.]
The aura and pressure emanating from the other party are far less than yours.
"It's bitter..." The old cultivator felt a pang of bitterness in his heart. Under your watchful gaze, he steeled himself and stepped into the secluded mountain.
Then, within the secluded mountains, activate the secret technique you gave me.
[Whoosh—]
The old cultivator who had been robbing others has disappeared.
And your connection to the old man who had undergone tribulation has become hazy and indistinct.
"They're inside?"
You waited in secret.
[The passage of time]
[About half an hour later]
The old cultivator reappeared in the secluded mountain.
However, compared to his expression when he entered, the old cultivator was now filled with shock.
Clearly, the experience within the secluded mountain was unbelievable to the old cultivator.
Even though he was only a Qi Refining stage cultivator, the Tribulation Cultivator elder realized that the world within the Nether Mountain was an unprecedented opportunity.
【"come out."】
You stood outside the secluded mountain, yet your voice rang in the ears of the old cultivator.
[This is also one of the tracking spells you left on the other party. Within a range of dozens of miles, it can not only clearly sense their precise location, but also transmit sound in a specific direction.]
"Sen...senpai..."
The old cultivator was startled, hesitated for a moment, but still rushed towards your location.
[The main reason is that you're not far from the old man who cultivated through tribulation.]
[And the fact that your voice could directly reach the ears of the old cultivator clearly indicates that you possess some kind of skill.]
Even disregarding the methods you secretly used on the old man who had undergone the tribulation.
Light is the visible distance.
Even if the old cultivator wanted to run, he couldn't.
"Senior, I just entered..."
The old cultivator's eyes flickered, unsure whether he should tell the truth about his experiences or selectively reveal them as a bargaining chip in exchange for benefits.
[The Next Moment]
[Place your right hand on the old man's forehead and begin the soul search.]
[Foundation Establishment Perfected, Soul Searching and Qi Refining Mid-Stage, with no omissions]
Soon, you will witness all the experiences of the old cultivator who had entered the inner world of the secluded mountain.
After meeting the puppet guardian, the old cultivator, following your instructions, expressed his desire to participate in the trial.
Then the puppet guardian began the aptitude test.
The result was naturally that the old cultivator failed the qualification test and was expelled.
[You also know the specific test results of the old man who was involved in the Tribulation Cultivation. Whether it was body cultivation, magic cultivation, or other ghost cultivation or soul cultivation, he didn't have much talent.]
"As expected, it's a puppet, devoid of intelligence. It didn't seem to have any doubts about how it was able to get in."
You thought to yourself.
[In the third simulation, you were able to enter only because Da Chun taught you a secret technique.]
[However, this simulation didn't involve Da Chun, and suddenly a cultivator was able to enter... This is obviously very strange, but the puppet guardian didn't react at all.]
It appears unusually mechanical.
This is the difference between a puppet and a living being.
[But it is precisely because of this kind of machinery that the puppets are free from the worry of a short lifespan and can continue to exist.]
Any being that develops sentience will face the risk of a limited lifespan.
Even the spirits of legendary magical artifacts eventually lose their sentience, though it will be a very, very long time before they do.
"Since that's the case, it's my turn..."
You casually dealt with the old cultivator who had been afflicted by tribulation, then slowly walked into the secluded mountain.
[The deep mountain was shrouded in mist. Once you entered, immediately activate the secret technique of the Great Spring Sect.]
In an instant, your aura became infinitely close to that of the secluded mountain, as if you had merged with the surrounding environment.
At the same time, you perceive the world turning upside down, and your senses become incredibly blurred.
When they recovered, they had already entered the world within the secluded mountains.
[I am still in a vast space, with ancient buildings faintly visible in the distance.]
[His divine sense was suppressed, only able to cover a radius of several tens of meters around him]
In the distance, there is a white jade platform, with tiered steps forming its edge.
You are observing your surroundings.
[In the last simulation, when you entered this place, you were old and frail, your potential exhausted, and your lifespan nearly over.]
[But now? You're at your peak. Not only are you only seventeen, but your potential, physical condition, and everything else are at their absolute best.]
You strode forward, arriving at the foot of the white jade platform. Following the steps along the edge, you finally stepped onto the platform once more.
The armored guardian deity looks at you.
[Since the old man who had just been expelled has been driven away, this armored guardian has not yet had time to fall asleep.]
You approach the armored guardian and, following the procedure from the previous simulation, say, "I wish to participate in the trial."
]
The armored guardian deity stated calmly, "Any living being that enters this place is qualified to participate in the trial."
"But the prerequisite is passing the qualification test."
"After passing the aptitude test, rewards will be given based on the level of aptitude, and then the trials will begin..."
The armored guardian looked at you, his voice completely flat, and asked, "Can you accept this?"
[You notice that, compared to when you entered with Da Chun, the armored guardian is now much colder and more indifferent in both tone and attitude.]
"Can I see what the reward is?"
You tentatively inquired.
"Do you accept?" The armored guardian asked coldly, offering no answer to your question.
You are surprised; when you made this request during the last simulation, the guardian deity granted it.
"Could it be because Da Chun is nearby?"
You secretly guess that Da Chun, as a trial participant, must have a higher status than you, who haven't even undergone the aptitude test yet.
"Since you were brought in by Da Chun, you might be seen as Da Chun's subordinate," which is why you're likely to receive some responses?
"Accept it."
Without hesitation, you nodded and said...
【Buzz】
The eyes of the armored guardian god faintly glowed red.
A strange fluctuation surged forth, enveloping you.
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