The simulator thoughtfully provided a detailed explanation for each reward, helping Xu Xi better assess the benefits of each option.
For instance, the peak cultivation reward in Option 1.
By choosing it, Xu Xi could instantly acquire the Golden Elixir cultivation realm from the simulation. This would grant him immediate self-defense capabilities in the real world, sparing him the agony of starting anew from the Qi Refining Realm.
“With an S- evaluation, I can select three rewards. It seems that for lower evaluations, the number of rewards would decrease, or the quality would significantly drop.”
“This means that future simulations must aim for high evaluations.”
Xu Xi contemplated this deeply as his gaze alternated between the five rewards.
Quickly, he decided on the first two: peak cultivation and Heavenly Spiritual Root.
Choosing the peak cultivation reward allowed him to skip years of effort, reaching the Golden Elixir Realm in an instant. Meanwhile, the Heavenly Spiritual Root ensured greater potential for future progress—both critical for his current needs.
The third reward, however, gave him pause. His eyes lingered on the last option: a sugar jar, seemingly unremarkable compared to the others.
He had bought it from a mortal market and left it in his storage ring as an “apology” to cheer up his sister. Now, it had reappeared among the rewards, marked with a peculiar note: “Never Expires Again.”
“So, it expired once before?” Xu Xi’s expression turned complicated. “It seems Mo Li was so upset with me that she never even opened it.”
With a faint sigh, he chose the sugar jar as his final reward.
Cultivation techniques could be relearned, resources could be reacquired, and power could be regained over time.
But the candy, however ordinary, was irreplaceable—a memento of a bond with someone he would never meet again.
[Ding! Reward selection completed. Distribution in progress…]
As the light curtain of the simulator refreshed, Xu Xi immediately felt a surge of energy course through his body. The sensation of power he had once experienced in the simulated world flooded him again.
The spiritual energy of the Qi Refining Realm and Foundation Establishment Realm condensed rapidly, forming a flawless Golden Elixir within him.
At the same time, the Heavenly Spiritual Root rooted itself in his core, enhancing his affinity for cultivation.
Lastly, the sugar jar materialized in his hands.
It was a simple cylindrical ceramic jar, its light cyan glaze faintly reflective. Removing the lid revealed an assortment of candies—soft candies, halva candies, hard candies, and others.
Xu Xi couldn’t help but smile as memories of Black Rock City resurfaced. Back then, the siblings had lived in poverty, and he could only afford cheap sweets for Mo Li.
For this last jar, however, he had been meticulous, filling it with every kind of candy he could find.
“It’s a pity… the candy waited, but the one it was meant for never touched it.”
Setting the jar gently on his bedside table, Xu Xi adjusted its position to keep it out of direct sunlight.
Taking a deep breath, he began circulating the Golden Elixir within him for the first time in reality. The gentle spiritual energy coursed through his veins, a comforting sensation of vitality.
And with the Heavenly Spiritual Root now integrated, his natal magical ability, Wood Reincarnation, activated.
This power could regenerate severed limbs, heal wounds, and restore vitality.
“It works… as expected!”
Excitement welled up within him as he tested his ability to channel the spiritual energy around him into mana reserves. Then, he directed this mana to his lame legs.
A faint sizzling sound filled the air as vitality flowed into his legs, mending old injuries and reshaping muscles and tendons.
Moments later, Xu Xi tried standing.
His legs moved effortlessly, bearing his weight without hesitation.
He took a step, then another, before breaking into a light jog. Every movement was smooth, natural, and free of pain.
“Finally… after all this time!”
In the privacy of his room, Xu Xi couldn’t contain his joy. He laughed, his voice carrying a mixture of relief and elation.
For years, he had been bound by his disability, reliant on others for even the simplest tasks. Now, with his legs healed, a new chapter of his life was beginning.
As his excitement settled, Xu Xi took note of the simulator’s interface.
On the light blue virtual panel visible only to him, a line of text caught his attention:
[Simulation cooldown: 9999 days and 6 hours.]
After a moment of calculation, he deduced that the simulator naturally restored one simulation every 10,000 days—a daunting figure.
Fortunately, there was an alternative.
[Recharge anchor media to obtain new simulation opportunities. Hosts are encouraged to recharge and create a better future!]
Ignoring the promotional tone, Xu Xi focused on the term “anchor media.”
“Anchor… media… Sounds like something related to positioning,” he mused.
After asking the simulator a few clarifying questions, he confirmed that anchor media were real-world items.
For now, he wasn’t in a hurry.
The first simulation had provided him with more than enough to digest. Future simulations could wait.
Xu Xi decided to focus on consolidating his newfound strength. He planned to rebuild his combat power to its peak Golden Elixir stage, then explore the rapidly changing world outside—a world transformed by the resurgence of spiritual energy.
With mobility restored, the once-confining walls of his home no longer held him back.
Now, the real world awaited him.
For Xu Xi, it was the start of a journey toward a brighter, limitless future.