Chapter 32: I am Cursed!
In a cruel twist of fate, all of Xuan Ji's determination and resolve to live seemed futile as the snake's tail delivered a devastating blow to his head, causing him to black out. As his consciousness slipped away, the last thing he saw was a golden line of words shimmering before his eyes.
[Age 5: Tragically, you met your end at the hands of a fearsome snake beast.]
Back at home, Xu Han had just returned and witnessed Xuan Ji's untimely and tragic demise, leaving him utterly shocked. He almost tripped in disbelief. "Why does it seem like Celestial Simulator is always targeting Xuan Ji? He keeps dying in such absurd ways, like worlds collapsing, falling off cliffs, or getting poisoned."
As Xu Han pondered over the situation, he couldn't help but think that this time, Xuan Ji's demise might have been avoidable. If only he had been a bit more patient and waited for the snake to leave before attempting to pick the precious herb, he might have had more time and a better chance of success.
Regret filled Xu Han's heart as he realized that sometimes, even in the world of cultivation, it was not just power and skills that determined one's fate, but also careful planning and timing. He hoped that in the next simulation, Xuan Ji would learn from this experience and make wiser decisions to ensure his survival and success.
After pondering over the situation, Xu Han let out a deep sigh, a hint of sorrow in his voice as he spoke, "With him passing so early this time, the rewards will probably be reduced."
As a mixture of emotions swirled inside him, Xu Han's gaze shifted to the golden line of words that marked the end of Xuan Ji's current journey.
[The candidate you invited, Xuan Ji, has spent 5 years, 6 months, and 12 days in the Celestial Simulator. You need to wait 24 hours before you can invite again.]
[You have received the following rewards --]
[Reward 1: 25 Spirit Stones.]
[Reward 2: Pigeon Whistling Talent.]
[Please choose one of the rewards!]
Xu Han wasn't shocked or disappointed when he saw the rewards, as he had already accepted the outcomes beforehand. However, the talent of Pigeon Whistling caught his attention, and he fell into deep thought.
After pondering for a while, he spoke to himself, "This talent, which initially seemed useless, can be quite valuable if used cleverly. One of its potential uses could be for spying. Instead of risking a person's life to infiltrate the enemy's circle, I could use an ordinary pigeon to gather information discreetly. It's a much safer and more inconspicuous approach."
With a determined expression, he continued, "Of course, I'll need to figure out how to train and control the pigeons effectively, but I can research that later. Yes, Pigeon Whistling talent is the one I'll choose."
Looking at the two rewards, he confidently declared, "I choose Reward 2."
As for Reward 1, he didn't even give it a second thought, as he had plenty of spirit stones left from the wealth he obtained from the family.
…
[You have survived for 5 years, 6 months, and 12 days in the first simulation of the Celestial Simulation. You are eligible to receive a reward! There is a 24-hour cooldown period before the next simulation.]
[You have received the following reward ––]
[Reward: 25 Spirit Stones.]
Sitting on his bed, Xuan Ji stared ahead with lifeless eyes, as if his soul had been drained from him. Even when 25 spirit stones mysteriously appeared before him as a reward from the simulator, he remained unresponsive.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke, his voice filled with despair: "I am cursed! How could that snake appear just when I was picking the orchid? If these absurd situations had happened only once, I could call it a coincidence, but it keeps happening again and again – like that time when the small world collapsed while I was cultivating."
"That world had stood for god knows how many centuries, but it chose to collapse only when I was inside. And that beggar, a mere Body Tempering level 1 cultivator, had such a potent poison that turned a cultivator's body into liquid! And when I tried to flee, a cliff conveniently appeared out of nowhere," Xuan Ji exclaimed, recounting these bewildering events.
He couldn't help but feel like some unseen force was toying with his life, orchestrating these bizarre and deadly scenarios. Each time he embarked on a journey in the Celestial Simulator, he met his end in the most unimaginable ways.
Xuan Ji's mind swirled with confusion and frustration as he tried to unravel the enigma of his ill-fated existence. "Yes, I must be cursed. But how did this curse befall me?" he questioned, feeling the weight of the strange occurrences that had plagued his life.
Doubt gnawed at him, and he couldn't help but wonder if his misfortunes were a product of mere coincidence or if there was indeed a malevolent force conspiring against him. "Am I truly cursed, or am I just a fool being toyed?" Xuan Ji contemplated, struggling to discern whether he was merely victim to a series of unfortunate events or if there was a deeper meaning behind it all.
…
As Xuan Ji was lost in doubt, Xu Han, on the other hand, was in high spirits as he headed towards the Archive Hall to seek information on controlling pigeons.
"Hey, isn't that Zhu Ying?" Xu Han exclaimed upon spotting Zhu Ying nearby.
As Zhu Ying was heading home after preparing for seclusion, Xu Han's call reached her ears. Her anger, stoked by the absurd rumors circulating about her, was still burning, and hearing the voice of the person she despised the most only added fuel to the fire.
Zhu Ying took a deep breath, forcing herself to suppress her anger. She knew all too well about Xu Han's volatile temper, and showing any sign of agitation would only lead to trouble. So, with a determined expression, she decided to confront Xu Han and get to the bottom of the rumors once and for all.
If there was any truth to the gossip about Xu Han trying to win her over, she thought, it would be an opportunity for her revenge. She couldn't let her emotions get the better of her, not now.
With a composed demeanor, she turned around to face Xu Han, ready to face whatever he had to say. But as Zhu Ying turned around to face Xu Han, her eyes widened in horror as she saw a fist coming straight at her.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone