Heavenly Simulation Codex: Rewriting Fate

The Greenfang Rabbit lunged, its crimson eyes gleaming with aggression. Shen Tian's grip on the crude spear tightened, his heart pounding as the spiritual beast closed the distance between them in a blur.

Instinct screamed at him to run, but he gritted his teeth, planting his feet firmly. "If I can't even handle this, what's the point of dreaming about changing my fate?"

The rabbit's claws slashed through the air, aiming for his leg. Shen Tian twisted his body awkwardly, narrowly dodging the strike. His spear thrust forward, but the rabbit's nimbleness allowed it to dart aside, its sharp fangs snapping at the wood.

Drawing from the simulated experience granted by the Heavenly Simulation Codex, Shen Tian steadied his breathing and recalled the patterns of movement he had seen. Greenfang Rabbits were agile, but they often hesitated for a split second after each lunge.

The rabbit bounded forward again, its sharp claws aimed higher this time. Shen Tian sidestepped, bringing the spear around in a sweeping arc. The blunt end caught the beast in its side, sending it tumbling across the mossy ground.

Seizing the opportunity, Shen Tian thrust his spear toward the fallen rabbit. The tip grazed its flank, drawing a thin line of blood. The rabbit shrieked, its movements becoming more frantic.

"Not enough to kill it…" Shen Tian muttered, frustration creeping into his voice.

The rabbit leaped at him once more, but this time he anticipated its path. He sidestepped again, but instead of a wild swing, he planted the spear into the ground and angled it upward. The rabbit impaled itself on the crude weapon, its body convulsing before collapsing lifelessly.

Panting, Shen Tian stumbled backward, his hands trembling. The faint smell of blood mingled with the earthy scent of the forest.

"I… did it."

It wasn't a grand victory, but for someone who had never fought in his previous life and barely survived his first real fight here—it was a monumental step forward.

Kneeling beside the Greenfang Rabbit, Shen Tian examined its corpse. Spiritual beasts often had valuable components—bones, fur, and especially beast cores, which were condensed nodes of spiritual energy. However, lower-level beasts like this one rarely had cores.

Still, the rabbit's claws and sharp teeth could be sold for a modest sum, and its meat, suffused with faint traces of Qi, would help his body recover and grow stronger.

Using the sharpened edge of his spear, Shen Tian worked to harvest what he could. His hands were clumsy, and it took longer than he expected, but eventually, he gathered a small bundle of claws, teeth, and meat wrapped in leaves.

"This should fetch enough for a bundle of Ironwood Root," Shen Tian thought. The prospect of earning even a small resource to enhance his cultivation filled him with cautious optimism.

He glanced at the Qi Blossoms he had picked earlier and stored them carefully. These flowers were worth far more, and if he could find a few more without attracting larger predators, he might even afford better resources.

As he trudged deeper into the forest, Shen Tian allowed himself a moment to reflect. The fight had revealed just how weak his body still was. Every movement felt sluggish, every strike lacked force.

He recalled the basics of cultivation in this world. In the Body Tempering realm, cultivating wasn't just about training—it was about refining the body to the utmost limits of human potential. Resources like the Ironwood Root accelerated the process by providing nutrients and Qi to fortify the body.

"Without resources, even the most diligent training can only take you so far," he muttered. "But resources require strength to obtain. It's a vicious cycle."

The Heavenly Simulation Codex flickered faintly in his mind, as if agreeing with his thoughts.

As the sun dipped lower, Shen Tian decided to consult the Codex before venturing further. He leaned against a tree, placing the spear within reach, and focused inward.

The Codex unfurled in his mind, displaying a new prompt:

"Simulate next steps?"

"Yes," Shen Tian answered silently.

The Codex glimmered, and three possible scenarios appeared:

Continue gathering herbs cautiously while avoiding spiritual beasts.Explore deeper into the forest for potentially higher-value treasures, risking encounters with stronger beasts.Return to the city to sell the harvested items and prepare for another trip with better equipment.

The simulations unfolded vividly in Shen Tian's mind:

In the first option, he managed to collect a few more Qi Blossoms but narrowly avoided being ambushed by a group of Spirit Wolves.

In the second option, he stumbled across a rareSilver Spirit Mushroom in the deeper forest, but an encounter with a mid-level beast left him severely injured.

In the third option, he returned to Liuyun City safely, selling his spoils for a modest sum and purchasing basic herbs to improve his cultivation.

Optimal Path: Option 3

Recommendation: Focus on steady growth rather than immediate risks. Prepare for future opportunities with a stronger foundation.

Shen Tian opened his eyes, nodding. The Codex's guidance aligned with his instincts. "Survival first, strength later," he muttered.

The journey back to Liuyun City was uneventful, though Shen Tian remained on edge, his spear always at the ready. By the time he reached the city gates, the sky had darkened, and the bustling streets were quieter than before.

He headed straight for the market, seeking out the herb vendor he had seen earlier. The burly man squinted at Shen Tian's offerings—a small bundle of Greenfang Rabbit claws, teeth, and Qi Blossoms.

"Hm, decent haul," the vendor said, stroking his beard. "I'll give you ten copper coins for the lot."

"Fifteen," Shen Tian countered, keeping his tone firm. He'd seen the vendor overcharge others and wasn't about to let himself get shortchanged.

The vendor grunted but eventually nodded. "Fine. Fifteen it is."

The coins clinked in Shen Tian's hand, a satisfying weight. He immediately purchased a small bundle of Ironwood Root, leaving him with five copper coins to spare.

That night, back in his room, Shen Tian boiled the Ironwood Root into a bitter concoction and drank it slowly. Warmth spread through his body as the herb's properties took effect, reinforcing his bones and improving his physical resilience.

He sat cross-legged, focusing inward as he began a simple breathing technique to guide the herb's energy through his body. The Qi flowed sluggishly at first, but as his concentration deepened, it began to circulate more freely, strengthening his bones and muscles.

Hours passed, and by the time he opened his eyes, the first hints of dawn crept through the cracks in the wooden walls. Shen Tian clenched his fists, feeling a subtle yet noticeable improvement in his strength.

"I've stepped closer to the third stage of the Body Tempering realm," he thought, satisfaction flickering in his eyes.

It was a small step, but it was progress nonetheless.