My Longevity Simulation Chapter 5: Flatland Ripples
Previously on My Longevity Simulation...
[End of simulation]
...
As Li Fan regained consciousness, the overwhelming power of Dao Xuanzi's sword still occupied his mind.
“That was a Foundation Establishment cultivator?" Li Fan's heart shook with profound shock.
Li Fan had previously marveled at Kou Hong's solo destruction of Xuanjing City, but Dao Xuanzi's final strike made him feel truly insignificant.
From Li Fan's perspective, he was like a cricket facing a tsunami; he couldn't even begin to comprehend that sword, much less grasp its full essence.
Even a mere glimpse was sufficient for Li Fan to realize the massive chasm separating a mortal from the Foundation Establishment Stage.
"Without the Immortal-Mortal Miasma, I fear that even with a hundred reincarnations and countless strategies, I wouldn't be able to threaten them at all." While Li Fan felt a secret sense of relief, he was also deeply perplexed and cautious.
"What exactly is this Immortal-Mortal Miasma? Aren't all Immortal Cultivators originally mortals? Why does the blood of mortals exert such a terrifying restraint on them?" The implications behind this caused Li Fan's mind to wander.
Nevertheless, Li Fan soon pushed these thoughts aside.
"First, let’s review the successes and failures of this life."
Watching the images flickering across the light screen, Li Fan reflected internally.
"The ambush on Dao Xuanzi and Kou Hong went largely as expected. I began by using blood-soaked bullets from death row inmates to drain their strength, then utilized the Golden Core method to shake their mental state. Finally, I used the blood rain for the decisive blow, capturing them alive once they were weakened to the limit..."
"I didn't anticipate that the Immortal-Mortal Miasma's effect on cultivators would be so potent that it would kill Kou Hong outright."
"Even more surprising was the brotherhood they mentioned. I initially thought their talk of a century-long bond was just talk, but their relationship was truly exceptional. Dao Xuanzi spoke up to warn Kou Hong during the attack, and when Kou Hong realized he couldn't escape death, he gave the technique to Dao Xuanzi of his own accord."
“Moreover, seeing Kou Hong die in the trap caused Dao Xuanzi to abandon his own survival for a suicidal revenge strike. This proves an extraordinary friendship existed between them…”
"If that's the case, why would they ever kill each other over a Golden Core technique?” Li Fan's confusion grew.
Suddenly, he remembered the scene of their first meeting.
“A Golden Core technique with no other practitioners…” Li Fan pondered, "Is it impossible for Immortal laws to be practiced together?”
“If brothers this close fight to the death over one technique, what is the state of the cultivation world?”
Li Fan sensed that the cultivation world might differ entirely from his expectations.
"I will not waver, regardless of the danger. Besides, with [Truth] assisting me, no obstacle can stop me as long as I remain sufficiently cautious."
After a brief moment of hesitation, Li Fan's determination returned.
"To seek the Immortal Dao in this so-called Land Immortal Extinction, I must still use Kou Hong and Dao Xuanzi. I attacked them simultaneously last time, but perhaps I can divide them this time.” With his thoughts racing, Li Fan quickly devised several strategies to handle them.
Despite the status of his opponents as powerful Foundation Establishment cultivators, Li Fan felt little intimidation. In truth, he didn't view them as insurmountable foes.
This wasn't due to arrogance, but because the ability of [Truth] to restart repeatedly was truly heaven-defying!
How could a simple Foundation Stage cultivation compare to fifty years of foresight and endless chances for trial and error?
Following the simulation, Li Fan opted once more to accelerate the recharging process.
Name: Li Fan
Realm: Mortal
Physical Age: 20/86
Mental Age: 216/1080↑
Charging Progress: 30%
"The upper limit of my mental age only rose by a few decades this time, so it seems I'm nearing the cap." Li Fan expected this and didn't mind much.
"Including the life before I transmigrated, this is my fifth life. The path to immortality is truly arduous.” Li Fan sighed. "I hope these fifty years aren't wasted."
Once again, Li Fan initiated his fifty-year plan.
Everything proceeded systematically, as if following a script.
He took the imperial exam, passed, and became a scholar.
He served as a county magistrate, managed mines, and manufactured firearms.
However, after executing the king of Langya and taking his place, Li Fan grew slightly impatient.
Waiting a full decade to seize control of the nation felt too slow, especially while hiding in a place like Jiangnan. He believed that having an extra ten years to harness the world's resources would significantly improve his chances of capturing the Immortals.
Consequently, Li Fan dispatched a loyal agent to infiltrate the palace and slowly poison the emperor.
He didn't expect this single decision to cause such a disturbance.
Though the poisoning went undetected, the emperor was in his prime, and his sudden physical decline made him paranoid.
He suspected foul play and directed his suspicion toward his most trusted ally, Prince Langya.
Because of this, the emperor bypassed Prince Langya and named the carefree Prince Runan as his successor when he died in the 7th year.
Fortunately, Li Fan's palace spy delivered the news quickly, allowing Li Fan to act immediately.
He sent assassins after Prince Runan while simultaneously claiming in Prince Langya's name that the court had betrayed the emperor. Leading his advanced army to the capital under the banner of Prince Langya, Li Fan seized the imperial court by force and declared martial law before anyone could respond.
These aggressive tactics naturally caused problems.
First, the court ministers were unconvinced. Since the official edict named Prince Runan, they viewed Prince Langya's ascension as a rebellion. While they couldn't openly defy Li Fan's oppression, they resisted secretly through bureaucratic sabotage. Some even reached out to feudal lords, inviting them to march on the capital to "restore order." Li Fan showed no mercy, executing dozens to intimidate the survivors. He also relied on the Chief Grand Secretary to help stabilize his rule.
Nonetheless, these months of chaos sparked unrest across the nation. Feudal lords established independent territories and ignored imperial decrees.
Li Fan was forced to deploy troops to subjugate them one by one.
Even with powerful firearms, their numbers were limited, and the vastness of the territory required immense effort to control.
Li Fan remained occupied with the demands of war and governance.
It wasn't until the 22nd year that internal and external threats were fully neutralized.
Because of this, his control over the world was established several years later than in his previous lives.
“I must remain patient and cautious. After things settled, Li Fan could only reflect on the lesson. "Small changes can create massive ripples. Too many variables will diminish the advantage of my foresight."
Fortunately, these were just minor setbacks that didn't ruin the overall plan.
As things returned to a steady pace, time moved quickly, and the 35th year soon arrived.
In that year, Li Fan departed from Xuanjing City and traveled thousands of miles to visit the eastern Ruins Abyss in person.