the simulation mechanics are cool but that plague is just depressing

actually finished the first big arc and I'm still wrapping my head around how messed up the world building is because of that immortal plague thing. Usually these stories are just about getting stronger but the fact that a cultivator basically enters a countdown to death just by accidentally bumping into a normal person at the market makes the stakes feel way too high for my anxiety, and honestly it makes the main character seem like a total jerk sometimes for how he treats the non-magical people. I really liked the bit where he first triggers the simulation and starts counting his lifespans like spare change, but it feels like the author forgot how the plague actually spreads halfway through because he was standing way too close to that one merchant in the third city without losing any of his core power. It's a solid read if you're bored of the usual power fantasy tropes where everyone is just a punching bag. Just wish the side characters didn't feel so disposable since they're basically walking biohazards.