With Cultivation Simulator in a Chaotic World-Chapter 51: What a Pity

Zhu Chen was nothing more than an ordinary Five Spirit Roots.

In terms of aptitude, Zhu Chen was already at the lower limit of cultivators, and there were many like him.

However, it’s not only those with great aptitude who can become strong; there are many examples of underdogs prevailing in the Cultivation Realm.

But the ratio of such success stories is too small compared to the total number.

The vast majority of those with Five Spirit Roots will never break through to Foundation Establishment in their lifetime.

Zhu Chen didn’t have any significant advantages; he had no backing, unique inheritance, or special physique.

What Zhu Chen had were merely three things: first, the identity of an Innate Martial Artist, which was very helpful at the early stage of Qi Refining, but the more advanced, the weaker the Martial Artist instincts and martial arts’ compatibility with magic became.

Second was the combination of Celestial Demon Heart Devouring Technique and Meditation Technique, a Mortal Supreme Demon Technique from the Mortal Martial World, which could even assist cultivation techniques. Still, like the Innate Martial Artist identity, as Zhu Chen’s cultivation improved, the auxiliary function of the Celestial Demon Heart Devouring Technique weakened.

Zhu Chen felt greater resistance after breaking through to Qi Refining Fifth Layer.

The time from Fifth to Sixth Layer might take over ten years, and Zhu Chen was already sixty-one years old, having cultivated for seventeen years.

At this point, the third thing Zhu Chen relied on emerged, which was the previously unnoticed Talent: Micro Operation Master.

This talent showed itself once Zhu Chen mastered skills; he could better control magic, reduce ineffective loss, and even accelerate mastering high-tier skills.

Combined with the Blazing Fire Technique, Zhu Chen’s proficiency in fire attribute skills far exceeded that of an average cultivator.

"Severing Flame!"

A jade-like palm lifted, fiery serpents danced, and the blazing True Essence quickly turned into fierce flames.

The elders supervising on the platform, once bored, could not help but open their eyes.

They saw glimpses of the Fireball Skill and Fire Serpent Skill in Zhu Chen’s strike, and it even included some Mortal Martial Arts, combining into a close-range skill nearly two levels stronger than the Fire Serpent Skill.

Only two levels stronger, but the Fire Serpent Skill is a high-tier skill, hard to master even in mid-stage Qi Cultivation, let alone late-stage Qi Refining.

Zhu Chen’s opponent was an elderly-looking senior brother at the sixth layer of Qi Refining, stalled for nearly thirty years.

At this moment, Zhu Chen manipulated Wind Control, combined with Wind Chasing Leg, sticking close to the senior brother’s side as fiery light exploded near.

The next moment, the outer sect senior brother was knocked away.

The True Essence Shield shattered in an instant.

An inner sect disciple immediately stepped forward to catch him, the residual scorching fire tongues around him made even this disciple change expression slightly.

"I concede!"

Zhu Chen bowed and then left without expression.

He knew his opponent needed to enter the inner sect, using its resources to push into late-stage Qi Refining.

The opponent was old, possibly nearing ninety, with only a few decades left.

The older one is, the harder it is to break through.

In the next decade, this senior brother might not be in better shape, possibly dying of old age in the outer sect, perhaps using the remaining thirty years to start a family, hopelessly pinning longevity hopes on descendants.

But what of it?

Zhu Chen’s eyes were cold.

Jiang Ming was the same. "Option B, defeat him."

Jiang Ming’s lips moved slightly, declaring his choice without hesitation.

On the day of the Dragon Gate Conference, Cyan Cloud Sect taught Jiang Ming the true rules of the Cultivation Realm.

[You won the top sixteen match, entering the top eight, drawing the attention of sect elders.]

Above the high stage, these people looked at Jiang Ming solemnly returning to the ranks, most eyes flashing with approval.

"Old Tan, you had a good eye this time."

"I didn’t expect such a promising student."

"Senior Brother Qin, you’re holding back on us!"

The elders on the platform laughed.

The "Old Tan" the elders referred to was naturally Master Fuyang.

Master Fuyang stroked his beard with satisfaction, but then thought of something, his joyous look faded, and his expression remained calm, though his Divine Sense conveyed: "It’s a pity this child is just Five Spirit Roots and halfway through his journey. Not to mention that Foundation Establishment Pill won’t be allocated to a Five Spirit Roots. This child cultivated for a short time, initially progressing faster than others due to being an Innate Martial Artist, but the later journey..."

"Cultivation is not easy; our sect has been around for two thousand years, and we have developed only twelve Foundation Establishment Elders slowly..."

"This child’s battle and magic talent is... a pity..."

"I think this young man excels at external affairs. Master Fuyang, if you don’t want this disciple, you can pass him to me."

"Old Zhao, get aside!"

The elders on stage exchanged looks, expressions varied, communicating much in seconds through Divine Sense.

Foundation Establishment is not easy; Cyan Cloud Sect excels in Alchemy and Talisman, often relied upon by distant sects.

Thus, Cyan Cloud Sect can possess more Foundation Establishment Pills than average sects.

But the Foundation Establishment Elders are only these.

The gaze at Zhu Chen carried regret.

Zhu Chen knew only to push forward bravely.

Jiang Ming knew Zhu Chen still had a chance.

But for others, it would be the end of their path.

"Zhu Chen, Qi Refining Fifth Layer versus Ren Ji, Qi Refining Sixth Layer!"

.........

"Zhu Chen wins!"

.........

"Zhu Chen wins!!"

.........

True Essence crazily surged from Zhu Chen’s dantian.

The shield wreathed with a few flames.

His eyes displayed a battle hunger uncommon among sect Qi Refining disciples. Fireball Skill, Fire Serpent Skill, Great Fireball Skill, Wind Control Skill, Repulsive Force Skill constantly combined, Wind Chasing Leg freely stretched.

Layers of flame surged.

In front of Zhu Chen stood a composed young man.

"Junior Brother Zhu, I’ll take the first place!"

The young man’s hand waved, splashing water scattered, water and fire collided, countless vapor erupted.

Three sharp water swords flew in from three tricky angles.

Zhu Chen’s expression changed slightly, then grit his teeth to endure the attack.

The cost was his shield shattering, sending him flying back.

Nonetheless, Zhu Chen agilely steadied mid-air using Wind Control Skill and body technique, surprising the assisting inner sect disciple.

The outcome was clear; Zhu Chen failed.

Not everyone can reverse in adversity.

"I concede!"

"Still, senior brother’s cultivation is profound."

The two exchanged courteous concessions, and the position was decided.

Zhu Chen was second, exceeding Master Fuyang’s expectations.

Many spectators below showed amazement.

Sect disciples have stable resources, but less combat experience than loose cultivators, so high-quality bouts like this were rare.