novelraw Chapter 17 – All in!
Chapter 17 – All in!
Chen Shi pondered deeply.
He felt there was a high possibility that the traitor was the old maid.
After all, it was just the two of them in the courtyard, and the spirit wine was sent under Lin Manqing's name, giving her the perfect opportunity. After he drank and fell asleep, she could have colluded with Elder Wang from the Innate Stage to perform a soul search on him.
This could also explain Elder Wang's testimony about the Heaven-Grasping Vase in the simulation.
It was likely provided by the old maid.
But then again.
Chen Shi found some inconsistencies.
Lin Manqing had kept the matter of the Heaven-Grasping Vase hidden from even the Song family, yet she didn't hide it from the old maid, even letting her monitor him daily. It was clear she was a trusted confidante. Could such a person really betray her?
"Sigh, this might be the closest answer to the truth..."
Chen Shi sighed softly.
He couldn't help but recall a famous line from a detective novel in his past life:
"When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth..."
In a way.
It was best if this was the truth, because if not, it would be terrifying.
It would mean that the Mastermind might have some incomprehensible means to obtain information, much like his simulator.
[Ding! Simulation rewards are being generated. The host can choose one.]
[①, Perfected Bone Refining Stage cultivation (including Low-Grade Iron Bones).]
[②, White Talent · Emotional Master.]
[③, Drunken Immortal Brew (Profound Grade - Low Quality Spirit Wine).]
[④, Four Body Tempering Pills (Yellow Grade - Low Quality Alchemy Pill).]
[⑤, Eight-Level Collapse · Beginner (Yellow Grade - Low Quality Martial Technique).]
[⑥, Slight enhancement of bone structure.]
[⑦, Proficiency in riding.]
"This time the rewards seem quite generous!"
Chen Shi was a bit surprised.
But soon, he fell into a dilemma.
He could immediately dismiss the White Talent; he was very resistant to talents that altered one's personality, even if the effects were positive.
The martial technique and alchemy pills could also be overlooked, as they weren't particularly valuable.
As for the slight enhancement of bone structure.
That could be dismissed as well.
Although he wasn't sure why this option was there, judging by his useless self in the simulation, it probably wouldn't improve much, like trying to fill a cup with a drop of water.
What remained were the Drunken Immortal Brew and the cultivation level.
He had a hunch that if he drank the entire bottle of Drunken Immortal Brew, in the next simulation, he might directly reach High-Grade Iron Bones, or even Supreme Iron Bones.
After all, this was Profound Grade spirit wine.
Priceless.
It required a Profound Grade Alchemist to possibly brew it.
In this continent, a Profound Grade Alchemist was the pinnacle of alchemy, with every one being sought after by various factions. Some powerful Profound Alchemists were even more revered than Heaven-Human powerhouses.
If he took this bottle of Drunken Immortal Brew to an auction to exchange for gold and silver.
It would probably be enough for him to simulate hundreds of times.
However, he didn't plan to do that. First, there were too many uncontrollable factors, he lacked the channels, and it could easily lead to leaks. If the Mastermind discovered he could casually produce Profound Grade spirit wine to sell, would they continue to slowly boil him like a frog in warm water with their cautious approach?
Would they act rashly?
Directly instruct Elder Wang to kill him at all costs?
This was a very likely scenario!
In reality, he had to be extremely cautious and not take even the slightest risk.
Moreover, now that he was under Lin Manqing's protection, he wouldn't lack gold and silver, and he had a feeling that as his cultivation increased, gold and silver would gradually be replaced.
Exchanged for the currency among cultivators in this world
— Spirit Stones.
This was likely to happen, after all, the simulator's price also increased, indicating it followed the principle of energy conservation to some extent.
"What I'm lacking now is mainly strength. As long as I display enough talent, so-called Profound Grade - Low Quality spirit wine won't be lacking, and there will even be people eager to offer it. After all, a genius is always the best investment no matter where they go."
Having made up his mind.
Chen Shi decisively chose the cultivation level.
In an instant, Chen Shi could clearly feel a powerful force rampaging within his body, stimulating every part of him.
It was a very peculiar experience.
Both exhilarating and painful, itchy yet satisfying.
Like water flowing into the ears during a bath, mixing with the dried dirt inside, creating a slippery, sticky liquid that stirred on the eardrum, like a clogged faucet painfully overflowing with clear water...
It felt as if his brain fluid was flowing, the sound of a babbling spring, cool and slippery substances passing through his brain nerves, electrifying, stimulating his brain cells' vitality...
His body seemed to be awakened by an invisible force.
At this moment.
Chen Shi felt as if his mind was growing.
He wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but he felt his perception had become sharper.
Closing his eyes, he carefully sensed.
"It seems like there's a colorful gas in the world..."
"Could this be spiritual energy?"
Chen Shi muttered to himself.
Li Ping had mentioned that only Iron Bone martial artists were qualified to step into the Spirit River Stage. He hadn't understood the basis for this before, but now he had a vague understanding.
Only by tempering Iron Bones could the body sense the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.
And the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.
Might be the key to advancing to the Spirit River Stage.
But as for how to advance, Chen Shi was still in the dark. This issue would have to be consulted with Li Ping in the simulation.
With this in mind, Chen Shi opened the simulator again.
[Talent · Life Simulator.]
[Balance: 650.24 taels.]
[Destiny Points: 130.]
[Would you like to spend 500 taels to start the simulation?]
"The price increased again?"
Chen Shi's brows furrowed into a frown.
Initially, he wanted to simulate again to see if he could find a path to longevity and then go all-in with destiny points.
That idea was now out of reach.
Getting silver now wasn't very convenient either, with Lin Manqing not at the residence. Asking Li Ping for it would probably be difficult; he was only responsible for his training, not a housekeeper or nanny.
Moreover, Chen Shi could sense that Li Ping seemed a bit displeased with him.
Asking for money would likely result in a cold reception.
Getting training resources from Li Ping to sell privately seemed more reliable, but going back and forth would waste too much time, and he didn't want to wait.
If he could find Lin Qiushui in advance, he might be able to get a lot of silver.
After all, the simulation mentioned that she ran a restaurant in Liangzhou City and could provide Song Fan with over a dozen ungraded precious herbs, indicating considerable wealth.
With the "secret" he held now.
He wasn't afraid of failing.
But the current problem was, he didn't know the name of that restaurant, as the simulation text didn't specify. The simulated version of himself who spent so much time with Lin Qiushui might know, but as an "outsider," he had no clue.
"This time in the simulation, I need to find a way to specifically inquire about the name of the restaurant Lin Qiushui runs in Liangzhou City."
Chen Shi silently gave himself a mental note.
Then, he immediately started the simulation.
[Please choose the amount of destiny points you want to invest.]
Without hesitation.
Chen Shi went all-in, betting 130 destiny points.