3: Where the sword points, the destiny chart is reopened.

Su Wanzhao's sword tip pressed against Chen Feng's throat, the cold sensation causing his Adam's apple to twitch slightly.

Her gaze was colder than the blade.

"Answer me."

Chen Feng could distinctly feel the sharp killing intent emanating from her—this was not a threat, but a genuine warning of death.

"Calm down..."

He slowly raised his hands, signaling he had no hostility, while his mind raced.

"I cannot expose the Simulator!"

He took a deep breath, deliberately lowering his voice, which carried a perfectly timed tremor:

"I... I came to the mine yesterday to fetch tools and accidentally saw Elder Zhao and Senior Sister Wang arguing..."

Su Wanzhao's sword remained completely still, her gaze scrutinizing him.

"And then?"

"I hid and heard Senior Sister Wang say... Zhao Kun was colluding with demonic cultivators, and the evidence was in the sachet." Chen Feng swallowed and continued fabricating, "I originally wanted to report it to the Sect, but Zhao Kun is an Elder, and I'm just a menial worker... who would believe me?"

Su Wanzhao's eyes flickered slightly.

Chen Feng seized the opportunity, his tone earnest:

"So early this morning, I came to the mine to look for the sachet, hoping to hand it over to someone trustworthy... and then, I ran into you."

Silence.

Only the sound of dripping water echoed inside the mine.

Finally—

"Zheng!"

Su Wanzhao sheathed her sword.

"Your luck is good." she said coldly. "If you were lying, you would be a corpse now."

Chen Feng secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but immediately afterward, Su Wanzhao's next sentence made him tense up—

"Come with me."

"What?"

"Elder Li wants to see you."

Qingyun Sect, Hall of Enforcement

Inside the solemn great hall, Elder Li sat high in the main seat, his gray-white beard hanging down, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's.

"You are the menial worker who discovered Zhao Kun's criminal evidence?"

Chen Feng bowed with cupped fists: "Yes."

"Raise your head."

Chen Feng slowly raised his head, meeting Elder Li's gaze—in that instant, he felt as if he was pierced by some invisible force, and the hairs on his body stood on end!

"What powerful oppression... Is this the might of a Core Formation Cultivator?"

Elder Li stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly raised his hand and waved!

Om—

A spiritual light flashed, and the sachet in Chen Feng's arms automatically flew out, landing in Elder Li's hand!

"It is indeed Wang Yun's handwriting..." Elder Li unfolded the note, his eyes dark. "Zhao Kun deserves death ten thousand times over!"

He put away the note and focused his attention back on Chen Feng:

"You have performed a great service. According to the Sect rules, you can be exceptionally promoted to an Outer Disciple."

Chen Feng's heart leaped!

Outer Disciple!

This meant better cultivation resources, freer movement authority, and even... access to true Immortal Cultivation methods!

But before he could rejoice, Elder Li's next sentence plunged him into an ice abyss—

"However..."

Elder Li narrowed his eyes.

"You are just a menial worker, so why were you able to uncover Zhao Kun's conspiracy? And why did you happen to run into Su Wanzhao?"

Cold sweat instantly broke out on Chen Feng's back!

"He suspects me!"

His mind raced, and just as he was about to explain, Su Wanzhao, who was standing nearby, suddenly spoke:

"I was the one who asked him to keep an eye on Zhao Kun."

Elder Li raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"

Su Wanzhao was expressionless: "Senior Sister Wang entrusted me to investigate Zhao Kun before she died, but my status is sensitive, making direct action inconvenient, so I found this menial worker to assist."

Chen Feng looked at her in astonishment, not expecting her to cover for his lie.

Elder Li pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled:

"So that's how it is... Good! Chen Feng, starting today, you are an Outer Disciple!"

He flicked his finger, and a Cyan Token flew toward Chen Feng.

"Take this token and go to the Hall of Stewards to receive your clothes, pills, and cultivation method."

Chen Feng took the token, suppressing his excitement: "Thank you, Elder!"

Elder Li waved his hand: "You may withdraw."

Outer Gate, Disciple Residence

Chen Feng sat cross-legged on the brand new wooden bed, holding the 《Qingyun Qi Refining Art》 he had just received, his heart surging.

"Finally... I've stepped onto the path of Immortal Cultivation!"

He couldn't wait to open the cultivation method and study it carefully.

"Draw in the Spiritual Energy of Heaven and Earth, temper the body and condense the spirit, open the Dantian..."

However, when he tried to cultivate according to the method, he discovered—

The circulation of Spiritual Energy within his body was incredibly sluggish!

"Pseudo Spiritual Root... Cultivation is indeed difficult!"

He gave a wry smile, but wasn't discouraged.

"With the Simulator, I will definitely find a way to break through!"

He closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into his mind.

The gray [cosmic destiny plate] was still suspended, but the light around its edge was slightly brighter than before.

"Deduction requires energy... Now that I have an Outer Disciple's monthly stipend, I should be able to get Spirit Stones!"

Just as he was pondering, footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.

"Who is it?"

The door was pushed open, and Su Wanzhao stood in the moonlight, her white clothes like snow.

"You..." Chen Feng was taken aback.

Su Wanzhao entered the room, closed the door behind her, and looked straight at him:

"Now, tell me the truth."

Chen Feng's heart tightened: "What truth?"

Su Wanzhao sneered: "Did you think I would believe that story of yours? Senior Sister Wang never entrusted me to investigate Zhao Kun."

—She had seen through the lie long ago!

Chen Feng was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled:

"Then why did you help me?"

Su Wanzhao said lightly, "Because I want to know how you foresaw Zhao Kun going to the mine."

She took a step forward, lowering her voice:

"You didn't stumble upon it by chance... you knew ahead of time."

The air in the room seemed to freeze.

Chen Feng met her gaze, suddenly realizing—

This woman was extremely dangerous, but she might also be his greatest asset!

He took a deep breath, deciding to take a gamble!

"If I told you... I can see the future, would you believe me?"

Su Wanzhao's pupils contracted slightly.

Chen Feng didn't explain, but pulled out a Low-Grade Spirit Stone from his robes—this was part of the monthly stipend he had just received.

"Watch closely."

He held the Spirit Stone in his palm and communicated with the life plate using his mind—

"Consume one Low-Grade Spirit Stone to simulate the next ten days!"

Buzz!

The Spirit Stone instantly turned to dust, and the gray life plate suddenly began to spin!

Su Wanzhao abruptly stepped back, her eyes filled with shock!

"What is... this?!"

Chen Feng did not answer, because his consciousness had already been pulled into the Simulated World—

[Simulation begins!]

[Selectable Talents:]

1. Sword Dao Comprehension (Green): Your comprehension of sword techniques is slightly increased.

2. Alchemy Dao Initiation (White): You grasp basic pill refining knowledge.

3. Luck Infusion (Blue): The probability of you encountering fortuitous opportunities slightly increases within the next ten days.

Chen Feng chose without hesitation—

[Luck Infusion (Blue)!]

[Simulating deduction...]

(End of Chapter 3)

Chapter 4 Preview:

During the simulated deduction, Chen Feng glimpses Su Wanzhao's tragic future! Her true identity turns out to be...? The demonic cultivator conspiracy hidden within the Qingyun Sect gradually surfaces, and Chen Feng's choice will completely change the trajectory of their destinies!