My Longevity Simulation

Chapter 1246: Fruit Tree Inception

Sun Erlang remained hidden and observed the battle between the Five Elders Association cultivators and the giant ape. Gradually a sense of gravity arose in his heart.

“So strong…”

This was his evaluation of the team of cultivators before him.

There were no spiritual energy fluctuations, and the destructive range of both sides’ techniques was confined to a certain space, so Sun Erlang could not perceive their exact cultivation levels.

Yet merely from their coordination during combat, their fearlessness in battle, and their calm handling of every crisis and other combat qualities, the level of this team of cultivators was truly unprecedented in his experience.

Even when compared to the opponents he had encountered in the Dao Deviation Stone simulated worlds, this team remained an extremely top-tier existence.

What surprised Sun Erlang even more were their attack and healing methods.

Besides various artifacts, the team occasionally used some rather peculiar items, such as books, wine cups, and even necklaces. These provided buffs to their own side while imposing various negative effects on the giant ape.

Moreover, their healing speed was frighteningly fast.

New Method cultivators who housed Cave-Heavens in their bodies would require at least several breaths to rebirth from the Cave-Heaven after their physical body was destroyed.

But for these people, a flash of white light was all it took, and no matter how severe the injury, they could instantly recover. One moment they were struck by the giant ape’s attack and on the verge of death; the next second, under the illumination of white light, they were once again full of vigor.

No matter how tough and thick-skinned the giant ape was, it could not withstand such attrition.

Strangely, this demonic beast seemed stubbornly fixated and did not know to flee.

It fought until its last breath before collapsing with a boom.

The moment the giant ape died, it transformed into dazzling golden light and surged into the bodies of the team of cultivators that had slain it.

The group immediately burst into cheers.

“This boss we farmed this time was really damn tanky. Good thing we brought enough supplies; otherwise we would have been done for.”

“The experience points given are quite a lot too. I’m about to break through to the next realm.”

“Unfortunately, its Snow Ape Sacred Armor didn’t drop in the illustrated handbook; otherwise we would have really struck it rich this time.”

These words drew agreement and sighs from the rest of the team.

Sun Erlang, however, listened to this completely incomprehensible speech with a somewhat subtle expression.

“Let’s go. There’s nothing good left around here. Head back to the [Paradise] first.”

“This Xuanhuang Realm really isn’t a place for people. If not for the mission, I wouldn’t want to come here at all.”

The team of cultivators filed into the warship in the sky, chatting animatedly.

The warship was enveloped in colorful light and vanished from the sky as if teleporting.

Sun Erlang stared at the spot where they had departed. In his mind, the Dao Deviation Stone continuously replayed the recorded scenes.

“Paradise…”

“It should be the territory of that Carefree Heavenly Sovereign. It seems somewhat different from the rest of the Xuanhuang Realm.”

“They actually call the Xuanhuang Realm ‘not a place for people’… Interesting.”

“I should report this matter to Master.”

Thinking this, Sun Erlang did not pursue the peculiar warship.

He remembered his master’s assigned mission and continued heading toward the Land of Truth.

Three days later, after crossing a white mist barrier, Sun Erlang clearly sensed that something in the world had changed.

“The prefecture I was in earlier belongs to the Human Dao Heavenly Land. This place should be the Land of Truth.”

Sun Erlang knew that within the Land of Truth, under the coverage of the Heavenly Sovereign’s principle of Truth, no cultivator could fabricate lies.

Thus he became even more cautious and careful.

As a newcomer, everything here was completely unfamiliar. Sun Erlang decided to first gather information before seeking a way to meet the Truth Heavenly Sovereign.

Compared to the Human Dao Heavenly Land, the Land of Truth appeared more peaceful. Patrols by Five Elders Association cultivators were rarely seen.

The boundary between mortals and cultivators within the realm was also not particularly distinct.

One could even see them living together in the same cities from afar.

“Those are indeed mortals without any cultivation. It seems the power of the immortal-mortal miasma is suppressed here.”

After careful observation, Sun Erlang reached this conclusion.

What felt even more novel to him was that status here was not determined by cultivation level.

He even witnessed a young Golden Core cultivator respectfully bowing to a mortal elder.

This made him click his tongue in wonder.

After secretly observing for three days, although he had gained a general understanding of the Land of Truth’s customs and people, he still had not found a suitable opening.

“I can’t just shout in the middle of the street that I’m here to seek an audience with the Truth Heavenly Sovereign, can I?”

Just as Sun Erlang was at a loss, on this day he suddenly noticed several outsiders like himself.

“People from the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance?” Sun Erlang narrowed his eyes.

After tailing them and eavesdropping for a while, Sun Erlang immediately understood.

These four cultivators had been captured during the conflict between the Five Elders Association and the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. They were now assimilated individuals in their probation period.

Their freedom was not restricted, and they were permitted to travel through the three major lands of the Five Elders Association except for the Carefree Paradise Land.

“Brother Xu, what do you think of the Five Elders Association compared to the Immortal Alliance?”

All four wore the same conspicuous greenish uniforms resembling prison garb. One middle-aged man with a long beard asked his companion.

The Xu-named cultivator seemed not yet recovered from heavy injuries and had a pale face. He coughed lightly before replying: “Compared to the Immortal Alliance, it is indeed much freer and more relaxed.”

“Although we have to sign that divine soul contract, even without the contract binding us in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, we still couldn’t refuse the Alliance’s orders, right? In my opinion, there’s actually no difference.”

Another young cultivator chimed in: “Moreover, once the contract is signed here, there is no shortage of cultivation techniques or resources. As long as one’s talent is sufficient, there is unlimited room for development. No one will obstruct or suppress you. Unlike the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, humph…”

Although the long-bearded man’s expression looked somewhat unpleasant, he could not help but agree with the others’ views.

“It seems Brother Wang Yang still harbors illusions about the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance!” The Xu-surnamed man, seeing the expression on long-bearded Wang Yang’s face, could not help but sneer.

“You remember the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, but does the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance remember you? I have never heard of any cultivator captured by the Five Elders Association who successfully escaped back to the Immortal Alliance. Moreover, even if you were lucky enough to escape, the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance would probably treat you as a spy and arrest you directly.”

Wang Yang’s expression shifted between gloom and uncertainty. In the end, he could only let out a long sigh, unable to refute.

The four of them fell into an awkward silence for a moment.

“By the way, when that lord previously introduced the situation of the Five Elders Association, he mentioned that cultivators from every prefecture here have the opportunity to directly meet a Heavenly Sovereign. I wonder if that is truly the case.” The young cultivator once again stepped forward to smooth things over.

“Brother Zhang, rest assured on this point. I have inquired beforehand, and it is absolutely true. However, the methods to meet a Heavenly Sovereign differ from place to place, and without exception they are all extremely difficult. Only peerless geniuses can achieve it.”

“For example, in the One Heart Immortal Sect, those who achieve twenty consecutive victories in arena battles with no equal have a high probability of being guided before the One Heart Heavenly Sovereign.”

“Another example is the Land of Truth here. It is said that one only needs to sit and comprehend the Dao beneath the Truth Fruit Tree. The longer one persists, the greater the chance of receiving guidance from the Heavenly Sovereign.” The Xu-surnamed man explained enthusiastically.

“I have also attempted the test of the Truth Fruit Tree before…” The Xu-surnamed man said, deliberately pausing.

Only when the gazes of the others had all focused on him did he continue: “Difficult! Difficult! Difficult!”

“You all know that no lies exist within the Land of Truth. Yet the test of the Truth Fruit Tree is to weave lies as much as possible!”

The Xu-surnamed cultivator’s expression turned somewhat strange: “Sitting beneath the fruit, one feels as if one has become an omnipotent creator god. One must create something from nothing and fabricate an illusory, alternate world. The richer and more realistic the details of the world, the longer one can persist under the fruit tree’s cleansing.”

“Wait…” Upon hearing this, Wang Yang could not help but interrupt the Xu-surnamed cultivator.

“Is there any restriction on weaving this world? Otherwise, wouldn’t it be easy if one simply used the unique small world customs from the Xuanhuang Realm as a substitute?”

The Xu-surnamed cultivator shook his head: “At the very least, small worlds that truly exist within the Xuanhuang Realm cannot be manifested in the fruit’s illusory realm. It is like…”

He pondered for a moment and said slowly: “It is somewhat like the principle that technique cannot be cultivated simultaneously. Any world copied by imitation will turn to ashes the instant it takes shape. Only completely fictional ones can exist stably and withstand the fruit’s test. Describing it in words is indeed somewhat profound. However, once you experience it personally, you will understand.”

“Even if one ultimately cannot meet the Truth Heavenly Sovereign, merely sitting in meditation beneath the Truth Fruit Tree is an enormous opportunity for us cultivators. Weaving a world involves countless great Daos. It is truly difficult to achieve relying solely on a cultivator’s own power. During the test, one mostly borrows the power of the fruit tree. It is like the Heavenly Sovereign lending a brush to help us splash ink and paint…” The Xu-surnamed cultivator’s expression became distant, as if reminiscing about that wondrous experience.

“What is the purpose of the Heavenly Sovereign doing this?” Wang Yang frowned slightly.

“Purpose? Why bother thinking about that? All I know is that completing the test brings no loss whatsoever and instead offers an extremely high chance of enlightenment and breakthrough. Such a good thing would only be enjoyed by a select few in the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. Yet here in the Five Elders Association, everyone has the opportunity to try.”

“The Truth Fruit Tree takes root and sprouts within illusion and blooms in every city. Anyone interested can sit cross-legged and meditate beneath the tree.”

“This time the fruit’s appearance in the world also seems not far off. You may all experience it personally. If it were not that each person only has one chance in a lifetime, I would definitely try the opportunity to create a world again.” The Xu-surnamed cultivator said with some regret.

The other three showed varying expressions.

Meanwhile, Sun Erlang, who had been eavesdropping from afar, narrowed his eyes.

“So coincidental? Just as I was dozing off, someone delivers a pillow? Could it be that I have been discovered, and this is some kind of scheme?”

This thought flashed through Sun Erlang’s mind first.

“No, it must be that Master already knew in advance that there are methods in every region of the Five Elders Association to directly meet the various Heavenly Sovereigns, which is why he sent me on this errand. Otherwise, under normal circumstances, what opportunity would an outsider cultivator have to meet a Longevity Immortal realm ruler at the pinnacle?” After pondering for a moment, Sun Erlang suddenly understood.

“The Truth Fruit, huh?”

Sun Erlang’s heart stirred.

He possessed the Dao Deviation Stone in his mind, as well as the experiences of another life in the simulated world. Participating in this so-called world-creation beneath the fruit tree should give him some advantage.

“First, I will give it a try. If it really doesn’t work, then I will think of another method.”

Having made his decision, Sun Erlang waited patiently.

More than twenty days passed. On this day, the peaceful city suddenly became somewhat restless.

A shadow rapidly spread across the ground from the center of the city.

It enveloped the entire city.

Then a lush, verdant giant tree rose from the shadow.

It seemed both real and illusory.

On its branches hung many emerald fruits that looked tender and juicy, drawing one’s gaze irresistibly at first sight.

“The Truth Fruit Tree has appeared in the world and will remain for seven days and seven nights. All living beings within the land may seek enlightenment beneath the tree.”

Ding!

A crisp chime of a bell rang out, spreading into the distance.

A resounding voice descended from the sky and appeared in everyone’s ears.

“Thank you for the Heavenly Sovereign’s grace!”

Countless living beings within the Land of Truth kowtowed in thanks together.

They repeated it three times, the echoes lingering.

After the ceremonial formalities concluded, cultivators began walking one after another to the shadow beneath the Truth Fruit Tree and sitting in meditation with closed eyes.

The city instantly fell very quiet, as if afraid of disturbing the cultivators undergoing the test.

The group of Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance defectors whom Sun Erlang had encountered earlier also walked slowly toward the Truth Fruit Tree.

Sun Erlang hurriedly followed.

Along the way, they encountered no one conducting inspections.

The Heavenly Sovereign’s words that all living beings could attempt it were indeed not empty talk.

Beneath the branches of the fruit tree, Sun Erlang even saw not only humans but also some flying insects and beasts occupying patches of ground in the tree’s shade.

This peculiar scene left Sun Erlang somewhat emotional.

“It is said that the ancient sages taught without discrimination. Not only humans, but all living beings of the world could receive their guidance. This Truth Heavenly Sovereign indeed carries a bit of that flavor.”

Sun Erlang also followed the others’ example and sat directly on the ground.

He closed his eyes.

In an instant, Sun Erlang felt the surrounding world vanish.

The faint rustling and small sounds that had existed in the city previously all disappeared.

Although his eyes were closed, Sun Erlang felt as if he had opened them.

Before him was a vast expanse of white nothingness.

“Create a world…”

Numerous rules and information surfaced one after another in Sun Erlang’s mind.

“First, the general situation of the world.”

Sun Erlang thus set it according to the simulated world he had experienced before in the Dao Deviation Stone.

The blank world gained color.

However, something unexpected happened. Just as the world was about to take shape, it collapsed with a rumble like a sand sculpture.

It returned once more to blankness.

“Even a world adapted from the Xuanhuang Realm as the prototype doesn’t work?”

“A completely fictional world?”

Sun Erlang could not help but frown slightly.

However, the next moment, inspiration struck. He recalled a world that his master had used as an example when instructing him previously.

He immediately had an idea.

“The immortal path does not manifest; only materialism endures.”