Chapter 12

Han Zhao returned to Blackrock City and headed straight for Xinqiao District.

When he got home, he closed the door tightly and muttered, “System.”

[Current Balance: 8 taels of gold.]

[40 Notification Fragments have been collected. Do you want to synthesize the Trait?]

The number of Notification Fragments was decreasing. Although the notifications usually appeared only at critical moments under Han Zhao’s deliberate control, it was still unavoidable for them to appear when his emotions fluctuated.

Because of the black bead, Han Lin and his predecessor were both dead. The danger was probably very deep, and Han Zhao didn’t dare to pursue it yet.

[Synthesized once. Consumed 20 Notification Fragments and 3 taels of gold. You will definitely obtain a one-time Basic Trait ‘Life Simulation’. The probability of obtaining a White Trait will increase by 2%. The probability of obtaining a Green Trait will increase by 1%.]

“The price has gone up.”

Han Zhao looked at the information displayed on the system interface and was already mentally prepared.

Because the Life Nurturing Technique had been upgraded to the Second Level, which was almost the Bone Tempering Realm of the Internal Force cultivation method, the price of synthesis had increased again. This was also within his expectations.

However, it was not a bad thing to increase the probability of obtaining a Trait.

Han Zhao thought to himself, “If I continue to add points like this, when I reach the Second Level of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique and break through to the Bone Tempering Realm, will the Life Nurturing Technique be about to reach the Third Level?”

After reaching the Second Level of the Life Nurturing Technique, his cultivation progress in the past half a month began to slow down, but the power of his true qi had indeed increased.

It did not matter if his cultivation was slow. When the power of his true qi increased, his combat strength would naturally increase, and it would be easier to earn money.

“Synthesize.”

[You have obtained the Basic Trait ‘Life Simulation’. Do you want to start the simulation?]

“Yes.”

[16 years old. You joined the Mountain Shaking Fist Academy to cultivate the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique. You used three months to break through to the Skin Tempering Realm.]

[17 years old. Your Life Nurturing Technique has broken through to the Second Level, and your actual combat strength is comparable to the Bone Tempering Realm. You helped Edge Sharpening Manor solve a small problem, but in the end, you provoked the bandits of the Flying Dragon Stockade on Nine Links Mountain. After further investigation, you found that things were not simple and decided to leave.]

[20 years old. Your Mountain Splitting Saber Technique has reached the Second Level. Your realm has broken through to the Bone Tempering Realm.]

[You were roped in by the gangs and families in the city. You registered your name in a few small and medium-sized forces and earn 40 taels of silver a year. You continued to do the work of the Saber Hunter behind their backs.]

[Due to the Bone Shrinking Technique, you have perfectly concealed your identity. In about two years, Saber Hunter Song Que became famous in Blackrock City. However, there are fewer and fewer wanted criminals nearby, and your income has begun to decrease.]

[22 years old. You have perfected the second move of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique and reached the peak of the Bone Tempering Realm. In order to prevent your breakthrough from failing, you wanted to make more preparations. Lu Yi also gathered some precious herbs for you.]

[In the same year, Xu Lingxu asked you to support her in the competition for the family business after breaking through to the Blood Tempering Realm. You agreed to her request.]

[At the end of the year, everything was ready. You started to break through to the Blood Tempering Realm at home. Just as you were about to succeed, you were suddenly attacked by a quasi-Martial Master at the Blood Tempering Realm. Your breakthrough failed, and your blood qi was greatly damaged.]

[You relied on the Second Level of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique and the Second Level of the Life Nurturing Technique to hold on bitterly against the other party. In the end, another expert at the Blood Tempering Realm appeared and killed you.]

“It’s true that humans die for wealth and birds die for food. Is the Xu family’s danger so deep?”

The Xu family had actually sent two Blood Tempering martial artists to deal with him. What a move.

In other words, Xu Ling had lost the competition for the family business.

The Xu family had three quasi-Martial Masters at the Blood Tempering Realm. From the looks of it, two of them supported the second young master of the Xu family.

He remembered that this second young master’s name was Xu Jin. His talent was not as good as Xu Ling’s, but because he was an only son, he was more favored.

“Since you don’t care about morals, I won’t be polite. I have to think of a way to kill this Xu Jin.” A cold glint flashed across Han Zhao’s eyes.

[After Xu Ling inherits the family business, you can marry her and save 20 years of hard work. If you make two kids in three years, you will obtain great authority. At that time, you can use the entire Xu family’s fortune. You will definitely advance by leaps and bounds.]

The notification in his vision made the muscles on Han Zhao’s forehead twitch.

This system was really thinking of ways to get him to make money at all times.

Was he such a freeloader?

He would never steal someone else’s business.

In this simulation, the speed at which he broke through to the Bone Tempering Realm was two years ahead of time. Clearly, as the Life Nurturing Technique improved, the effect of cultivation methods on the outside world became greater and greater.

[The simulation is over. You can choose one of the following.]

[1: Obtain Trait (Not Selectable)]

[2: Obtained attribute points]

[3: Obtain any part of the life experience.]

[Current Balance: 5 taels of gold]

Han Zhao looked at the options in front of him. The first option was still gray. Could it be that his luck had run out?

Without a Trait, there was no need to think about it.

“Two.”

[Attribute Point +2]

It was still two points.

Was it because his cultivation level had not increased?

His Life Nurturing Technique had already broken through to the Second Level.

Could it be calculated based on his external cultivation, or both?

Or did he not charge enough?

Han Zhao suddenly became suspicious of himself.

Martial Arts: Mountain Splitting Saber Technique (First Level Small Mastery 99%, Upgradeable; Special Effect: Explosive Level 1), Life Nurturing Technique (Second Level Entry Level 4%, Upgradeable; Special Effect: Body Strengthening Level 2)

After coming back to his senses, Han Zhao looked at the martial arts column.

Since the Life Nurturing Technique was so powerful, all he had to do was increase the attribute points.

This way, he would definitely be able to advance faster in the next simulation.

“Upgrade the Life Nurturing Technique.”

A comfortable feeling emerged, but unlike the last time when he broke through, he felt as if his entire body was soaking in a hot spring.

Martial Arts: Life Nurturing Technique (Second Level Small Mastery 85%. Upgradeable; Special Effect: Body Strengthening Level 3)

Suddenly, all the muscles in Han Zhao’s body spasmed. Accompanied by the intense pain in his body, cracking sounds came from his bones.

However, this pain came and went quickly. In an instant, it disappeared without a trace.

‘My strength has increased significantly again. My true qi has increased by half.’

According to his performance in the simulation just now, as long as he cultivated the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique to the Second Level, he would probably be the strongest small group of people in the Bone Tempering Realm. As for whether he could fight someone in the Blood Tempering Realm, he did not want to try.

Although it didn’t sound good, he still liked to hide his strength and erupt at the critical moment.

It was best to rely on one’s realm to crush the enemy. He did not like to challenge those above his level.

After adapting to the changes in his body, Han Zhao prepared to continue simulating. This time, he would definitely be able to advance faster.

However, he did not take action immediately. Instead, he got up from the bed and stood in front of the table against the wall.

A memorial tablet and an incense burner were placed on it.

In the end, he had taken advantage of the other party, so he made Han Lin a memorial tablet.

Han Zhao lit three incense sticks and inserted them. He pressed his palms together with a pious expression and muttered, “Oh father of the other Han Zhao, bless me with a Trait. I’m not greedy. I don’t want the green one. Just a white one will do.”

After praying, Han Zhao muttered to himself.

“System.”

[20 Notification Fragments have been collected. Do you want to synthesize the Trait?]

[Synthesized once. Consumed 20 Notification Fragments and 3 taels of gold. You will definitely obtain the Basic Trait ‘Life Simulation’…]

The price did not increase.

“Synthesize. Beginning simulation.”

[16 years old. You joined the Mountain Shaking Fist Academy to cultivate the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique. You used three months to break through to the Skin Tempering Realm.]

[19 years old. Your Mountain Splitting Saber Technique reached the Second Level and you have broken through to the Bone Tempering Realm. Lu Yi began to focus on nurturing you.]

[Many forces in the city extended an olive branch to you. You were still secretly working as a Saber Hunter.]

[21 years old. Your Mountain Splitting Saber Technique reached the peak of the Bone Tempering Realm. Half a year later, your Life Nurturing Technique broke through to the Third Level. Your overall strength was comparable to a Blood Tempering Realm martial artist who had undergone the first Blood Qi Breakthrough.]

[Lu Yi has begun to gather some precious medicinal herbs for you. At the same time, he has opened the basic diagram of the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique to you so that you can familiarize yourself with the Mountain Splitting Force in advance.]

[22 years old. You successfully broke through to the Blood Tempering Realm and reached the first Blood Qi Breakthrough. Then, you shocked everyone in the martial arts school competition. In order to prevent the Life Nurturing Technique from being exposed, you finally lost to an expert who had reached the second Blood Qi Breakthrough in the Overlord Fist Academy. However, your strength has already caused a sensation. In order to fight for you, the large factions in the city all offered generous conditions.]

[Xu Ling successfully inherited the family business with your help. She provided you with a large number of resources every year.]

[The county magistrate of Blackrock City personally held a banquet to entertain you. He wanted to rope you in to the city guards and guaranteed that he would recommend you to join the Heavenly Prefecture Martial Arts Academy in two years.]

[During a mission, you and the city guards encountered a Blood Tempering Realm murderer. You cut the other party in half with a single slash. Everyone called your attack a move from heaven and labeled you as ‘Heavenly Saber’. You found a sword technique manual called ‘Demonic Tiger Force’ from the other party, but unfortunately, it lacked the basic diagram to grasp Internal Force.]

[23 years old. You felt that your cultivation speed was getting slower and slower. The flattery, wine, and sex from the various large factions in the city made you indulge in luxury for a moment.]

[Lu Yi advised you to settle down and marry his daughter, Lu Yingxuan, to you. Lu Yingxuan was already a Force Tempering Martial Master and didn’t agree to this marriage, but she promised that if you could become a Force Tempering Martial Master within three years, she would marry you. You rejected all social engagements and focused on cultivation.]

[26 years old. You cultivated diligently for three years and actually managed to grasp Internal Force in one go, becoming a Force Tempering Martial Master. Lu Yingxuan fulfilled her promise and married you. She also agreed to move her entire family to the Heavenly Prefecture after you got married.]

[On the day of the wedding, someone from the prefecture capital’s martial arts academy came to congratulate you. That night, a black-clothed person barged in and interrogated you about the whereabouts of the Essence Soul Bead. You and Lu Yingxuan joined forces, but you were still not a match and both died.]