36: Chapter 36 Trouble

Seeing the look on his Face, Su Jiuchuan knew there was no hope.

"For such worldly possessions, this temple can manage ten thousand taels, but any more than that, we do not have." Even with Abbot Dao Qi's exceptional self-restraint, he was a little annoyed at this moment.

"I was just saying it casually," Su Jiuchuan said hurriedly, and continued to ask, "Could you see if I might be able to join the Xuanxian Sect?"

In his previous simulated lives, the Xuanxian Sect was a pretty good backer; even a random branch temple had Xiantian Martial Artists. If he could really manage to get in, it wouldn't be bad at all.

Abbot Dao Qi examined him carefully, even patting his body with his hand, before shaking his head and saying, "Strange. You are already at the Third Grade Realm at such a young age; logically, your innate talent should be quite good. Yet, your Spiritual Root is in Chaos, a sign of dull Aptitude. With such Aptitude, our sect cannot accept you."

It was intentional; it definitely was intentional.

Su Jiuchuan cursed inwardly. This old man must have felt that asking him for money just now caused him to lose Face, so he was deliberately disparaging his Aptitude to his Face.

In reality, he didn't stop to think that his current cultivation was entirely built up over time. If you added up all the time from his simulated lives, it had been over a hundred years; even a pig might have reached the First Grade by now.

He could only force a laugh and say, "This won't do, that won't do—is this token actually useless?" He still wanted to try using reverse psychology.

"This temple's capabilities are limited. Since I cannot satisfy you, I shall take back the token!" Abbot Dao Qi smiled faintly and actually reached out to tuck the token into his robes.

What an old fox. He wasn't affected at all. Su Jiuchuan sighed and said, "Daoist, taking back the token for no reason isn't very honorable."

"How about this: my older brother and second older sister will stay in the temple for a period of time. Could I trouble the Abbot to protect them?"

Abbot Dao Qi had already put the token away before saying, "I can agree to that request."

At this point, Abbot Dao Qi couldn't be bothered to deal with him anymore and sent him away immediately.

Xuande Temple had many rooms but very few people. Dao Yuan was very generous and let them choose as they pleased.

Su Yunxia and Su Yuanjiang chose two adjacent rooms, and thus they were finally settled.

"Big Brother, Second Sister, I have offended too many people right now. You two should stay here for the time being. Once I have stabilized my situation, I will come to fetch you."

"Mm... you must also take care of yourself!" Su Yunxia said with some reluctance, but she knew she would only be a burden to her younger brother, so she didn't say anything to try and hold him back.

Su Yuanjiang feigned a relaxed tone and said, "I think it's very peaceful here; it's much better than struggling in the chaotic world outside. Don't worry, we can take care of ourselves."

...

After staying in the temple for two days, Su Jiuchuan and Zheng Xinyue returned to Fuyuan Escort Agency, because the deadline for those three to pay the money was approaching.

The two waited in the escort agency until noon, but still, no one came.

Su Jiuchuan knew something was wrong and quickly simulated again.

[At eighteen, you become a Third Grade Martial Artist. You settle the Su siblings in Xuande Temple and wait for the three great families to deliver the money from the land sale.]

[The next day, you go to the Lian Family to demand the silver. The Lian Family refuses to pay, and you fight them. The Lian Family head, Lian Qi, makes a move, but he is no match for you and is injured by you. Just as you are preparing to deal with the Lian Family the same way you dealt with the Lu Family, the Lian Family Ancestor comes out of seclusion.]

[You only last two moves against this First-grade Martial Artist before being severely injured. Just as the opponent is about to take your life, Vice City Lord Cao Xinghe appears and saves your life.]

[You become a guard at the City Lord's Mansion.]

[Three years later, you encounter Guo Fan outside the city and kill him. King Yu sends men to hold you accountable, and City Lord Guan Lin kills you to give King Yu an explanation. You die at the age of twenty-one.]

Su Jiuchuan was a bit depressed. Was the Lian Family really willing to risk their lives rather than part with their wealth just because they had a First Grade Ancestor?

At this time, he still didn't know that the masked man in the forest was the Lian Family's second-in-command. He just felt that this Lian Family would rather have people die than pay their debts; their character was truly detestable.

Later on, City Lord Guan Lin taking him in was merely treating him as a tool; when things actually came to a head, he would just be pushed out to take the blame.

It seemed that the Qian Family and the Lin Family hadn't sent the money over either, likely watching the Lian Family's reaction. If the Lian Family wiped him out, they would just happen to get the shops and land for free. Of course, if the Lian Family fell, they would naturally obediently admit defeat.

[Simulation ended. You can choose to retain one of the following items.]

[1. Martial arts Realm at age twenty-one.]

[2. Martial arts experience at age twenty-one.]

[3. Life wisdom at age twenty-one.]

He didn't expect the Lian Family to have a Second Grade Martial Artist as well. It seemed he had to find a way to break through. Su Jiuchuan chose 1.

The True Qi in his body increased once more; this time, he gained three years of cultivation.

Again.

[At eighteen, you become a Third Grade Martial Artist. You sell off the Lu Family's assets. When the agreed time arrives, the three families do not come to deliver the silver to you.]

[You do not intend to go and demand the silver; instead, you focus on cultivation.]

[Half a month later, the Lian Family Ancestor comes out of seclusion and comes to find you, saying you killed the Lian Family's second-in-command and demanding you pay with your life. You are suppressed on the spot. Vice City Lord Cao Xinghe appears and saves you.]

[You become a guard at the City Lord's Mansion. Every time you complete a task assigned by the City Lord, you immediately return to the City Lord's Mansion to Cultivate.]

[Twelve years later, a Xiantian Martial Artist passes through Xuzhou and, believing City Lord Guan Lin is poisoning the people, intends to eliminate the harm for the people. City Lord Guan Lin orders you to hold them off while he secretly escapes. You are killed casually by the Xiantian Martial Artist. You die at the age of forty.]

Looking at the results of this simulation, Su Jiuchuan couldn't calm down for a long time. He had already realized why the Lian Family Ancestor wanted to kill him; that masked man must have been the Lian Family's second-in-command.

Now that the grudge had been formed, even if he didn't go to their doorstep, the Lian Family wouldn't let him go.

The City Lord is truly not a good thing; in both simulations, he was tricked to death by this guy.

[Simulation ended. You can choose to retain one of the following items.]

[1. Martial arts Realm at age forty.]

[2. Martial arts experience at age forty.]

[3. Life wisdom at age forty.]

There was nothing to say about this; it was twelve years of internal energy. Su Jiuchuan felt that by accumulating small amounts, there would eventually be a qualitative change.

He chose 1.

Experiencing the surge of True Qi once again, Su Jiuchuan clearly felt this time that he had reached the Peak state of a Third Grade Martial Artist. What he needed now was an opportunity, an opportunity to break through to the Second Grade.

Su Jiuchuan looked at the System again and saw that only 7688 points remained; he could only simulate three more times.

These three opportunities might not be enough to successfully break through.

[At eighteen, you become a Third Grade Martial Artist. You sell off the Lu Family's assets, but the three families in Xuzhou City do not deliver the silver on time.]

[You do not act impulsively because of this; that very night, you flee Xuzhou City overnight. You head to Xishui City, where you begin to Cultivate in seclusion.]

[At nineteen, Chief Escort Master Zheng Nanhai comes to find you and persuades you to join the imperial court. He also betroths Zheng Xinyue to you. Thus, you become a secret agent for the imperial court.]

[At twenty, a Zhenfu Bureau Banner Commander comes to Xishui City, appreciates you highly, and promotes you to a Zhenfu Bureau Lieutenant. He allows you to enter the Zhenfu Bureau's Scripture Pavilion.]

[At twenty-four, you read many cultivation notes from predecessors and gain some insights.]

[At thirty-one, the prairie Hu people invade. You go to spy on military intelligence and are killed by a First Grade expert of the Hu people. You die at the age of thirty-one.]