Chapter 40

Gu Yang had already confirmed that the treasure map was real, and the treasures it led to were still there. However, without the strength of a Third Rank, it would be impossible to get past Cao Yiyi.

Third Rank...

He still had twelve more simulation opportunities left. Reaching Fourth Rank would be quite good.

"It's fine, there's still time."

He consoled himself.

In the previous simulation, Cao Yiyi waited for several months, clearly waiting for him to take the bait.

With a few months, as long as he could get enough money, breaking through to Third Rank wouldn't be a problem.

After all, less than a month ago, he was just an ordinary person.

Now, he was already at Fifth Rank. Such a speed would scare a lot of people if he told them.

Continue.

[At the age of twenty-two, you took Ling Ling to Yuzhou City. On the way, you saved Jiao Shumo and obtained a treasure map. However, you were discovered by Cao Yiyi, leading to a conflict.]

[After returning to Pingjun City, you focused on cultivation.]

[Two years later, you forcibly took Su Qingzhi from Qingxuan Sect and went into hiding in the Lianshan Mountains with Ling Ling, living a secluded life.]

[Three years later, one night, a monster suddenly appeared and attacked you. Su Qingzhi died on the spot. Despite your combined efforts with Ling Ling, you were no match for the monster and were killed one after another. You died at the age of twenty-seven.]

That monster again!

Gu Yang's brows furrowed as he saw the outcome of this life simulation.

This monster was likely the one from the swamp behind Wangjiagou. He didn't know what it was, but he had died several times at its hands.

However, compared to staying in Pingjun, he had lived two more years.

That meant two more years of cultivation.

[The simulation has ended. You can retain one of the following.]

[1. The martial realm at the age of twenty-seven.]

[2. The martial experience at the age of twenty-seven.]

[3. The wisdom of life at the age of twenty-seven.]

"I choose one."

...

"Here it comes again!"

Ling Ling, who was in the room, once again felt Gu Yang's true qi surge. The overflowing aura was clearly perceptible to her.

Although she couldn't determine exactly how much his strength had increased, the repeated occurrence of this abnormal situation had turned her initial shock into fear.

She knew that something extraordinary must have happened to Gu Yang.

With her knowledge, she couldn't come up with an explanation.

Perhaps, she could only ask Grandpa Er.

Ling Ling was thinking about this when, after a while, she felt Gu Yang's aura surge again, and she subconsciously swallowed.

Her heart also tightened, "Can his body withstand this?"

...

Gu Yang conducted another simulation. This time, he chose a different hiding place, a small town near Tianshui City.

But he still died at the age of twenty-seven, this time because of Ling Ling's enemies.

After retaining the martial realm at the age of twenty-seven, his true qi reached its limit, achieving the peak of Fifth Rank.

Next, he needed to break through the limit and enter the Fourth Rank.

This was the most challenging part.

Gu Yang decided to stop for the day.

Using five simulations in one night was quite draining, and he decided to rest and digest the gains.

Ling Ling, who was in the room, saw him finally calm down but couldn't fall asleep. She kept thinking about what had happened to him.

...

The next morning, Gu Yang was surprised to find that Ling Ling was looking at him differently.

Although she usually didn't show it, she would occasionally reveal a hint of disdain, the attitude a martial artist had towards someone weaker.

But now, she clearly looked more serious.

Gu Yang knew she must have noticed his sudden increase in strength.

This couldn't be hidden.

Ling Ling wasn't like Su Qingzhi; her strength was still above his, making it easy for her to notice the abnormality.

Gu Yang pretended not to know and, as usual, set out with her after breakfast.

In the life simulations, he and Ling Ling had shared life and death many times, and most of the time, she had been loyal to him.

He still trusted her.

On the way, Gu Yang suddenly asked, "When we get to Pingjun City, do you have any ways to make money?"

Ling Ling casually replied, "Find a merchant guild. As long as you are willing to protect them, they will naturally offer silver."

"Can you make more than a thousand or two thousand taels a year? Is there a better way to make more money?"

"How much do you want?"

"The more, the better."

"What do you need so much money for? Do you know that silver is the most useless thing in the world."

To me, silver is the most useful thing.

Gu Yang didn't say the last sentence; it was his biggest secret.

He continued to think.

As the saying goes, a man without unexpected wealth will not become rich, and a horse without night grass will not become fat.

To become rich quickly, one must have unexpected wealth. The deal with Su Qingzhi was like this, and the treasure map was also like this.

Otherwise, finding a corrupt merchant in Tianshui City and extorting them would also be a good choice, with low risk.

Ling Ling suddenly said, "Actually, if you can win the favor of Cao Yiyi, even a mountain of gold and silver would not be difficult to obtain."

"That lunatic? Forget it."

Gu Yang felt he hadn't fallen that low.

A woman who could be affectionate one moment and stab you in the heart the next was best avoided.

He decided to be straightforward and asked, "Do you have money? Can you lend me 100,000 taels? I'll pay you back 150,000 taels in a year."

Ling Ling was taken aback by his strange request and shook her head, "I only have 17 taels and 3 qian of silver, which you gave me."

Gu Yang, hearing her words, didn't seem to be lying, and gave up on the idea.

"Then, how about borrowing some from Qingxuan Sect?"

He then thought about borrowing from Qingxuan Sect.

Qingxuan Sect was a significant force in Pingjun City and could probably come up with several thousand taels.

...

That night, they returned to Pingjun City, saving a whole day compared to the trip there.

With his greatly improved strength, his speed was naturally much faster.

Zhang Xiaohai had rented a courtyard, cleaned it thoroughly, and purchased all the necessary items, making it ready for immediate move-in.

After living in a thatched hut for two years, the conditions were poor, and now they finally had a good house.

Gu Yang first took a bath, changed into new clothes, and then returned to his room, sitting cross-legged on the bed.

[Do you want to use the life simulator? One use costs 2000 gold.]

"Yes."