"Your experiences are truly... convoluted and full of twists and turns."
After listening to Li Wanshou's recount, even Xu Xi, who had simulated numerous times and witnessed various spectacles, couldn't help but pause for a few seconds. The story was simply too unbelievable, bordering on the absurd.
First, there was the chance encounter with an immortal pill, which altered fate itself.
Then, there was the witnessing of the explosion of the immortal realm, and yet, surviving against all odds.
Each of these events was extraordinary on its own, let alone occurring together.
"I never imagined that even a realm as powerful as the immortal world could face destruction and annihilation," Xu Xi commented.
While he was slightly surprised by the explosion of the immortal realm, that was the extent of his reaction. After all, it was impossible for the great being who destroyed the immortal realm to secretly set their sights on Earth, right?
It was common sense that such a thing couldn't happen.
After all, Earth was too insignificant.
Compared to the immortal realm, it was like a mere speck of dust.
How could a supreme being capable of annihilating the immortal realm possibly care about such an insignificant grain of sand?
Instead, Xu Xi was more focused on another matter.
"Master, could you tell me more about Mo Li, that child?" Xu Xi wanted to know what had happened after the first simulation ended.
[The Man Behind Her]
This was one of the achievements displayed by the simulator after the first simulation ended.
Xu Xi was puzzled and curious. What had his sister done to be referred to as "Her" by the simulator?
"Mo Li, that child?" Li Wanshou pondered for a moment, his expression complicated. "After that incident back then, she seemed like a completely different person. She avenged you, slaying demonic cultivators."
"She was too astonishing, too brilliant—so much so that she shouldn't have existed. The cultivation world simply couldn't contain her."
"Without even reaching the ascension realm, she was already invincible in the mortal world. With her sword techniques, she tore open the gates of heaven and forced her way into the immortal realm, ignoring my attempts to stop her."
"I, your master..."
"Sigh, I had hoped that after ascending, I would be able to find traces of that child. But with the chaos of the immortal realm's explosion, I ended up missing her again."
Li Wanshou's expression carried a hint of guilt.
He had promised Xu Xi that he would take care of Xu Moli, but the explosion of the immortal realm might have led to her demise.
"It's alright, Master."
"I think... Mo Li, that child, probably doesn't need us to worry about her."
Xu Xi comforted his master.
At the same time, his gaze subconsciously drifted to the Eternal Tear on his wrist.
Although he didn't know how powerful his sister had become, judging from the fact that a single tear could withstand an Immortal Emperor's attack, she had likely embarked on an unimaginable path.
That version of Mo Li...
Probably wouldn't be weaker than the mastermind behind the destruction of the immortal realm.
"I hope that child is safe and sound," Xu Xi silently thought to himself.
He had confidence in his sister, believing that she was strong enough to protect herself.
But inevitably,
every time he recalled Mo Li's frail and sickly appearance, Xu Xi would worry for her. He couldn't help but think: what if someone bullied her?
Perhaps this thought was too deeply ingrained, too nostalgic for the helpless and pitiful sister he once knew.
Xu Xi often felt
that his sister was by his side, just like in the first simulation, following him step by step, her gaze always on him.
"Perhaps I really should take a good rest."
Xu Xi poured himself a cup of spiritual water.
He drank it all in one go.
He figured it might be the aftereffects of continuously refining pills that had left his spirit somewhat drained. After all, his sister wasn't even on Earth—how could she be watching him all the time?
With a smile, Xu Xi resumed his conversation with Li Wanshou.
They talked about the past events of the Heavenly Sword Sect, the ever-changing developments on Earth, the Supernatural United Bureau, and the Boundary Ruins scattered across the globe.
"This world, though strange, is quite fascinating."
Li Wanshou stroked his beard in admiration.
Back in the cultivation world, there were many novel things, but when compared, the Earth—with its fusion of myriad realms—was truly superior.
Magic, battle aura, Xuanhuan, intelligent machinery, cultivation, necromancy...
There were too many.
Far too many.
"The convergence of countless realms here is something even a legendary Immortal Emperor couldn't achieve," the old man praised, nodding in agreement.
"It is indeed miraculous. I wonder what kind of power could have transformed Earth into this," Xu Xi chimed in.
Then,
the old man brought up the purpose of Xu Xi's visit.
Xu Xi didn't hold back, explaining that his original goal was to find suitable wood-attribute materials to craft a new weapon tailored to himself.
"However, it seems that's no longer necessary."
Xu Xi opened his palm,
revealing a branch of the World Tree that Li Wanshou had gifted him.
The World Tree, a divine tree that connected heaven and earth.
In some ancient texts, it was even referred to as the bridge between gods and humans. Its status and essence were on par with the World Tree of Western fantasy.
With such a divine tree as the raw material,
the power of the new weapon would not only multiply but also grow alongside Xu Xi's strength, eliminating the need for frequent replacements.
"Master, I've truly enjoyed our conversation today. I think it's time for me to leave."
"What? You're not going to stay and keep this old man company a bit longer?"
"Next time, definitely."
"Get out of here, you ungrateful disciple!"
The master and disciple exchanged a glance,
both bursting into laughter.
Though the reunion was pleasant, it wasn't wise to linger too long. Xu Xi knew that Li Wanshou valued his peace and quiet above all else and didn't like being disturbed for extended periods.
The reason they had talked so much this time was purely due to the emotions stirred up by their long separation.
If they continued any further,
Xu Xi wouldn't even need to say goodbye—Li Wanshou would start shooing him away.
"Then, I'll take my leave now, Master," Xu Xi said, turning to depart. But just as he did, a storage pouch suddenly flew into his hand.
The old man's voice followed immediately.
"There are some cultivation resources inside. They're useless to me, so take them and make use of them."
"Ungrateful disciple, cultivate diligently and don't slack off!"
"After all, I'm an immortal. How can my disciple only be at the Nascent Soul Realm? If word got out, where would this old face of mine go?!"
Li Wanshou snorted, clearly dissatisfied with Xu Xi's cultivation level.
With a flick of his sleeve,
an unstoppable immortal force twisted space and time, hurling Xu Xi out of that dimension.
By the time Xu Xi regained his senses, he was standing in a silver metallic corridor. The bamboo grove, the stream, and Li Wanshou's figure were all gone.
"Something feels... off."
Xu Xi stood still,
staring at the storage pouch in his hand, lost in thought.
In terms of personal strength, he had already benefited from his sister's influence—the power of the Eternal Tear was undeniable.
And now, in terms of official backing, he had also gained from his master's support. Not only had he become the direct disciple of the Supernatural United Bureau's director, but he had also received a wealth of cultivation resources.
Could it be...
that the script he was given was truly one of relying on others?
"Relying on others is good. I love relying on others," Xu Xi sincerely remarked as he stored the pouch away. If he could rely on others, why would he ever want to work hard?