Dual Cultivator with a cultivation system Chapter 603: Ch-603: Simulation End

[Quest: Become a Core Disciple]

[Description: Ascend all 100 stairs]

[Rewards: A single pass for any item from the system shop, free of charge. Applicable up to Cultivation Shop Level 4.]

’This… I absolutely must obtain it.’ His gaze had been fixed on numerous items within the shop. Securing this pass would allow him to conserve a substantial quantity of points, which could then be allocated to acquiring other essential items.

"Incredible," a voice from the assembled crowd remarked, prompting everyone to turn their attention to Tian Chenyu with wide, astonished eyes, as though he were a lunatic.

"A lunatic, this fellow is an utter madman," another observer stated, shivering slightly as they regarded Wang Ming with palpable fear.

He continued his advance, his physical form beginning to violently rupture and then meticulously reform.

Gulp.

A collective gasp was heard from the onlookers; even the Sect Master, observing from a distance, swallowed audibly when they witnessed his entire body disintegrate, leaving only his head intact. Subsequently, from that solitary head, his body regenerated. On another occasion, merely a single hand remained whole, yet it too underwent regeneration. It was an astonishing spectacle, akin to observing an undying, monstrous entity.

97th step.

98th step.

99th step.

100th step.

For several moments, the entire assembly remained frozen, their gaze fixed upward towards the staircase, eyes wide with disbelief. Some individuals opened and closed their mouths, appearing on the verge of speech yet utterly silenced, as if their very voices had been forcibly removed. Even the elite Core Disciples and respected Elders observing the scene were visibly stunned, their expressions betraying the profound shock of the moment.

Woosh.

"Sect Master!"

A wave of shock rippled through the crowd as he materialized, and they swiftly bowed their heads, offering greetings with cupped hands.

"Everyone, let it be known that no one is to utter a word about what transpired today. Any individual who breaks this silence will be executed without leniency. Furthermore, I wish to make an announcement: I am personally taking him as my disciple," Du Hai declared, his words instantly igniting a furor among the assembled multitude.

Wang Ming, however, remained oblivious to the commotion, his focus entirely captured by the screen before him.

[Ding dong]

[Quest Complete]

[Redeemable Ticket Acquired]

[Ding Dong]

[Simulation period concluded]

[Consciousness will be withdrawn from the simulation]

"Huh, it’s finished?" Wang Ming’s eyes widened, and he then perceived an abrupt force that forcefully extracted his consciousness.

-----

Outside the simulation chamber, onlookers observed the participants whose souls had departed their physical forms to inhabit the simulated realm. Their bodies lay encased in a substance resembling hardened diamond, appearing as if coated in a protective layer of sword intent.

"How much longer do you anticipate it will take for them to awaken?" inquired a patriarch from one of the prominent families, directing his question to Wu Junhao.

Wu Junhao consulted a crystalline orb filled with golden liquid. "It should be nearly time."

"Indeed, I wonder how many among them will manage to grasp Sword Aura," mused one of the patriarchs, stroking his long beard.

"Perhaps a select few, or possibly none. There have been numerous occasions where all participants have ultimately failed," another patriarch offered.

"Old Wu, you would do well to prepare yourself. A great many of them will undoubtedly voice complaints, asserting that had they been granted more time within the simulation, success would have been within their grasp," the patriarch of the Mu Family commented with a hint of amusement.

"Haha, that is certainly accurate," the Tang Family patriarch echoed with a hearty laugh.

"Hmph, my actions are purely for their ultimate benefit," Wu Junhao retorted dismissively. While their agreement held some truth, all present were compelled to accept the established protocol. Remaining beyond the allotted duration risked the permanent severance of their souls from their bodies, necessitating the expenditure of immense resources for retrieval, and in some cases, resulting in death.

Previous rulers had attempted to extend simulation times, unaware of the perilous repercussions. They later came to regret these decisions when numerous individuals required substantial resources for recovery, and many perished. Following these regrettable incidents, no monarch has dared to permit anyone to remain within a simulation beyond the designated time limit.

Thirty minutes elapsed.

One by one, the crystalline casings began to fracture, and individuals started to emerge. Their immediate actions upon exiting the simulation were universally characterized by complaints.

"Damn it, if only I had more time, I would have certainly comprehended Sword Aura."

"Yes, the same applies to me. The allotted time was far too brief."

"Did anyone actually manage to succeed?"

Tang Ning sighed and murmured, "I did not succeed."

He then turned his attention to his sister, who was approaching, and inquired, "Did you succeed, Nian’er?"

"Indeed, I did," Tang Nian replied, releasing her aura, which immediately commanded the attention of everyone present.

"Ah, it appears members of your distinguished family have achieved success, Elder Tang," Wu Junhao observed, glancing towards the elder standing beside him, whose face was alight with a beaming smile.

"Haha, it seems our Tang Family prodigy is the most exceptionally talented," Elder Tang proclaimed, stroking his beard with satisfaction. However, his smile abruptly froze in the very next instant.

Howl!

"That is a Sword Phantom! Who is responsible for this manifestation?" Wu Junhao sprang to his feet, his gaze darting towards the source of the disturbance. He saw a wolf-like apparition hovering behind a young lady. "Is that not the gifted young prodigy, Nang Rongni?"

"Damn, she actually managed to manifest a Sword Phantom." Tang Nian's elation vanished instantly, a surge of disappointment washing over her as she herself had failed to comprehend even a single phantom, with a wolf being considered a high-rank phantom.

The surrounding spectators took notice, their voices a low hum of admiration.

"As anticipated from the Sword Prodigy, Fairy Nang."

"Hah, I never harbor any doubts about her abilities."

"Tsk." Min Li, who had stumbled in her attempt to cultivate Sword Aura, clicked her tongue in clear annoyance.

"Where has Wang Ming disappeared to?" Wu Jing mumbled, her gaze sweeping the area as she spotted one diamond shell seemingly intact, although fine cracks had begun to spiderweb across its surface.

Nang Rongni, basking in the chorus of praise, offered a smile that faltered, freezing mid-expression.

Howl!

The wolf phantom accompanying her trembled with stark terror.

Roar!

Abruptly, a deafening roar reverberated through the expanse, and the phantom of a colossal, fifty-meter golden dragon burst forth from the encasing diamond. Every cultivator present abruptly fell to their knees, great gouts of blood erupting from their mouths.

"Damn it, what in the world is happening?" Wu Junhao, also spewing blood, found himself sinking to the ground. He observed the other patriarchs, noting their equally dire condition.