My longevity simulation

Although Zhao Wuji had not explicitly described the specific method of stripping away talent, the fact that those so-called geniuses from the Academy of Dao Attainment on the Immortal Ark in the past had never appeared in public view again suggested their fates were probably not good.

More critically, in his own dreams Zhao Xian had encountered nothing related to it.

This caused a momentary, irrepressible panic in him, who believed he could foresee events in advance.

However, he was no longer the simple and ignorant youth.

Soon a cold energy surged from his heart, allowing Zhao Xian to calm down quickly.

He pondered rapidly: “Indeed, exposing one’s talent would invite the covetous attention of the academy’s upper echelons. It might even cost me my life. But crisis often comes hand in hand with opportunity.”

“Now is not the time when the academy could cover the sky with one hand. The Immortal Ark has undergone major changes. The Severed Immortal Tower and the Celestial Pivot Court are fiercely contending for control of the Immortal Ark’s future. Even the Academy of Dao Attainment must consider the impact this struggle between the two sides will have on the Immortal Ark.”

“Talent is merely talent. As long as one can continue to survive, there will never be a shortage of geniuses.”

Zhao Xian felt his thinking had never been clearer. It was as if something in the dark was guiding him, allowing him to sift through the numerous chaotic clues and deduce the correct future.

“If I act timidly, the Immortal Ark will still face a doomed end. Only by confronting the three major forces of the Immortal Ark and seeking life amid death can I lead the Immortal Ark to find a way to survive.”

At this thought the fear in Zhao Xian’s eyes vanished completely. His previously chaotic aura became steady once more.

Zhao Wuji looked at his disciple’s change with some astonishment, not understanding the reason.

Zhao Xian took a deep breath and replied in a deep voice: “A petty man sacrifices himself for profit, while a sage sacrifices himself for the world. I have received favors from the academy, which is why I have achieved what I have today. If my talent is useful to the academy, then take it! Why should I begrudge it?”

“On the contrary, if I deliberately hide while cultivating with the academy’s resources, would that not be ungrateful and disloyal?”

These words were spoken with great righteousness. Standing on the moral high ground, Zhao Wuji found himself completely unable to refute for a moment.

He looked at this young disciple as if truly seeing him for the first time.

Zhao Xian’s sincere and resolute gaze even made Zhao Wuji feel a trace of shame in his heart.

The two confronted each other in silence.

In the end it was Zhao Wuji who yielded.

“Fine. Since you hold such convictions, it makes me seem petty instead.” Zhao Wuji sighed deeply and left in a daze.

Zhao Xian watched his master’s departing figure. A complex expression flashed across his face before it disappeared.

“I must save the Immortal Ark.”

In his mind this thought became even more resolute.

The master and disciple pair had not realized at all the reason for Zhao Xian’s stubbornness.

It was not because Zhao Xian possessed such noble character or firm faith.

It was purely because…

The clone hidden in his sea of consciousness was at work.

“Interesting. I did not expect that the Academy of Dao Attainment still has a method to seize others’ talents for themselves. As expected of the civilization that has survived in the Darkest Star Sea until now. It indeed has its merits.”

“Whether it is the secrets of the Academy of Dao Attainment or the control over True Immortal Seal Script by the Celestial Pivot Court and the Severed Immortal Tower, they all hold value for me. How could I let this kid Zhao Xian back down? Moreover, with me here, it is not that easy for anyone to harm him.”

The news that Zhao Xian had broken through to the Golden Core stage in such a short time spread throughout the entire academy three days later.

The academy had gone far too long without such a genius appearing. Now, with the storm about to break, under the deliberate fueling by certain interested parties, Zhao Xian’s fame quickly spread beyond the academy and grew increasingly exaggerated.

From barely breaking through to the Golden Core, it became directly entering the Golden Core and reaching perfection in seven days.

In the end, it turned into the exaggerated level of half-step Nascent Soul.

By this point, even if those who knew the inside story stepped forward to clarify, it was of no use.

Outsiders would only take it as the academy trying to conceal such a peerless genius.

The Severed Immortal Tower and the Celestial Pivot Court both sent people to inquire about Zhao Xian’s background.

Within the academy, opinions diverged on how to handle this rare cultivation genius who appeared once in several centuries.

Amid the surging tides of great momentum, Zhao Xian eliminated all distracting thoughts even more thoroughly.

He peacefully hid in the secret chamber specially opened for him by the academy and accelerated his cultivation as much as possible.

“No need to worry about whether spiritual energy is sufficient. So this is what it feels like. Is this the true treatment for the academy’s direct-line disciples?”

“Moreover, before the final decision on how to handle me is made, I can freely enjoy the vast majority of the academy’s resources.”

His divine sense intensity soared all the way, converting into his own cultivation.

After his realm advanced, it in turn nourished his divine sense to continue growing stronger.

Forming a perfect cycle, Zhao Xian’s cultivation speed had reached an unimaginable level.

Especially since there were essentially no bottlenecks or obstacles.

Zhao Xian felt his heart was as firm as a rock.

No distracting thoughts or inner demons could affect him in the slightest.

“I have never cultivated this rapidly even in my dreams. Could it be that I am truly a genius?”

“Was my previously slow cultivation progress simply due to scarce resources and not finding the right techniques?”

Such thoughts could not help but arise in Zhao Xian’s mind.

At this moment, however, Li Fan’s clone, which had blocked all the inner demons for him, was somewhat overexerted.

Even with the Immortal Heart Curse enhancing it, dealing with these breakthrough inner demons was no easy task.

The various extremely realistic illusions he experienced, although Li Fan could maintain his self-awareness, each time he escaped them it still took considerable effort. Especially since the process of confronting the inner demons seemed to be recorded, making the next encounter’s inner demons even stronger.

After all, it was only a clone; a bit of wear and tear was perfectly normal.

“One can imagine how difficult it was for cultivators to advance when the laws of the Darkest Star Sea had not yet shattered.”

“No wonder the new law of the Xuanhuang Realm could replace it.”

At this thought, an idea suddenly arose in Li Fan’s mind without reason.

The Darkest Star Sea could be seen as an enlarged version of the Xuanhuang Realm. The upper limit of its laws was higher here.

It was simply that they had been smashed to pieces by the power of the True Immortal Seal Script.

Since the Immortal Ancestor’s new law worked in the Xuanhuang Realm, did that mean that under normal circumstances, the new law could also be cultivated normally in this star sea?

“The corresponding requirements would all need to be scaled up to the level of the star sea…”

“Foundation Establishment wonder treasure, Golden Core methods, Nascent Soul Cave-Heaven, and so on; when you get down to it, they are all manifestations of the world’s laws. The laws of the Darkest Star Sea are shattered and filled with the power of the True Immortal Seal Script.”

“Thinking in reverse, the True Immortal Seal Script is precisely the current manifestation of the law power in the Darkest Star Sea.”

A flash of insight struck Li Fan’s mind, as if he had captured some crucial clue.

“The Severed Immortal Tower cultivates by relying on the True Immortal Seal Script. Perhaps its principle is the same as the new law of the Xuanhuang Realm.”