As Sun Yi ascended to the next level, the simulation rendered a new environment. He stepped into a primeval forest, where towering ancient trees blocked out the sky. The scent of decaying leaves filled the air—the haptic feedback was incredibly realistic.

Suddenly, a black blur launched a stealth attack from his blind spot.

Proximity Alert.

Sun Yi spun around, his right fist lashing out instinctively.

Thud!

The impact forced Sun Yi back a few steps. The attacker, a grotesque beast covered in bone spikes, was sent tumbling backward, crashing through several trees before skidding to a halt.

“Bone-Eating Demon,” Sun Yi identified, accessing his database. Rank 2 mob. High physical defense due to exoskeletal armor. Threat level: Moderate.

Sun Yi didn’t waste time. He channeled the Gold Gate, pointing his right hand forward like a command prompt.

The Red Gold Sword shot out, expanding into a ten-meter blade of golden light that cleaved downward.

The demon’s reaction time was impressive. It side-stepped, and the golden beam struck the earth, splitting the ground and pulverizing the nearby flora. Dust billowed into the air.

Roar!

The Bone-Eating Demon detached the spikes from its armor. Under its telekinetic control, they transformed into a hail of bone-shrapnel, whistling through the air toward Sun Yi.

“Projectile spam again?”

Sun Yi activated Wind Thunder Step. He became a blur of motion, weaving through the bone rain. The spikes slammed into the ground where he had stood milliseconds before, puncturing the earth like paper.

Closing the distance, Sun Yi pointed again. The Red Gold Sword looped back for a second strike.

The demon howled, extending a bone spear from its spine. Infused with demonic energy, the spear shot out to intercept the sword.

Clang!

The spear shattered on impact, but the force knocked the Red Gold Sword off course.

Sun Yi used the distraction. He flashed to the demon’s flank, his right fist glowing with concentrated force.

Critical Hit.

His fist slammed into the creature’s side. Bone fragments exploded outward as the exoskeleton cracked under the pressure.

The demon staggered, but didn’t fall. Its defense stats were annoyingly high.

“Durable chassis,” Sun Yi noted. “Let’s test the penetration.”

While the beast was off-balance, he executed the Gold Sword Art again.

The Red Gold Sword descended from the sky like divine judgment.

The demon roared, its demonic energy surging. The bones on its back shifted rapidly, forming a dense, reinforced shield over its vitals.

It was futile.

Slash.

The golden blade sheared through the bone armor effortlessly. Crimson blood sprayed as the massive body was slammed into the dirt, creating a crater.

“Target eliminated.”

Sun Yi followed up with a rapid flurry of strikes, turning the demon into minced meat before the simulation faded.

Status Check: Integrity at 100%. Energy reserves stable. Difficulty rating: Tutorial mode.

“Next iteration.”

Sun Yi ascended.

The next floor threw two Rank 2 beasts at him simultaneously. A stress test for multi-tasking. Sun Yi dispatched them efficiently, treating the combat like a rhythm game.

He continued to climb. As the battle count increased, his optimization improved. The latency between his thoughts and the Gold Sword Art vanished. His DPS climbed steadily.

Before he knew it, he stood on the 21st floor of the Battle Tower.

If the Qingyun Sect HR department saw a mere Qi Refining disciple clearing the 21st floor of the Foundation Establishment tower, they would have accused him of hacking. Most middle-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators capped out here.

Sun Yi felt the strain on his stamina bar, but his motivation remained high.

He stepped onto the 22nd floor.

The environment shifted to a mist-shrouded valley.

Roar!

A deafening bellow echoed from the fog. A massive silhouette emerged—a silver-eyed ape standing over three meters tall.

“Silver Pupil Giant Ape,” Sun Yi murmured. Rank 2 Mid-Stage. High aggression, high strength. A proper mid-boss.

The ape didn’t wait for introductions. It roared, the soundwave rippling the air, and launched itself at Sun Yi. The ground beneath it exploded from the force of its takeoff.

It crossed the distance in a blink.

A fist the size of a wrecking ball descended. The wind pressure alone felt like a physical blow.

Evasion impossible. Brace for impact.

Sun Yi crossed his arms, activating every defensive buff he had.

Bang!

He was launched like a cannonball. Pain flared in his arms as he crashed into the valley wall.

“Impressive specs,” Sun Yi grunted, sliding down the rock face.

The ape didn’t let up. It leaped into the air, descending like a meteor with both fists raised for a smash attack.

“Predictable AI.”

Sun Yi scoffed and activated Wind Thunder Step. He vanished, leaving an afterimage.

BOOM!

The ape’s fists slammed into the ground, creating a five-meter crater. Cracks spiderwebbed outward, and dust choked the air.

While the ape recovered from its landing animation, Sun Yi hovered nearby, his expression cold.

“System execute: Decapitate.”

The Red Gold Sword expanded into a ten-meter blade of pure golden light, humming with lethal intent.

Slash.

The golden light descended.