"Edge Carson deceased. First simulation failed!"
Consciousness receded like a tide, pulling Mike from the simulator and back to the thirty-first floor. Thanks to [Nine Lives Cycle], the challenge wasn't over yet.
There was a waiting period between simulations. The world needed to reset, and Edge Carson needed ti to reincarnate.
You had to give the guy a little ti to, you know, breastfeed.
Mike used this downti to reflect on the simulation, gleaning valuable insights. He figured it would take a few tries to succeed; this needed careful planning.
First, setting Ares as the nesis was a non-starter. Even Mike, at level 989, only saw a 50/50 chance against Ares. Edge Carson had zero chance!
In fact, if Mike wasn't mistaken, Edge Carson's level 989 in that simulation was inflated. His actual power level was... severely lacking.
How lacking? He probably couldn't even beat a level 981 Joseph...
From this perspective, regardless of the nesis, Edge Carson was dood to fail in that lifeti!
This highlighted an important lesson: strength and achievent weren't solely about personal struggle. The backdrop of the era played a crucial role. While individual effort was important, so shaped an era, while others were shaped by the era.
In a way, Edge Carson *had* shaped an era. Before him, the world's power ceiling was nine- star Soldier. He'd single-handedly raised it to 989!
To his contemporaries, this was a miracle! Hence, the title "Invincible Edge."
During his ascension, Edge Carson left behind nurous manuals, scrolls, and treasures, significantly boosting the world's overall power level.
People broke through to General, and so even reached near-Chief levels! But they were still miles behind Invincible Edge, unable to even see his shadow.
And Edge Carson's nesis? A genuine Supre Being. Supre powers were absolute powerhouses!
A level 989 Edge Carson probably couldn't beat a level 500 Thor, let alone a level 989 Ares.
After his analysis, Mike looked forward to the next simulation. He hadn't gained nothing from the first run.
If he hadn't held back, he might have even grasped a new skill. Ever since breaking through with the Soul Elent creation move, he'd been exercising restraint in this area.
During the simulation, Mike frequently sent dreams to help Edge Carson. Partly because Edge Carson's life was so crappy - low birth, no chance to change his fate, stuck as a millstone- pushing workhorse. If left to his own devices, he'd never escape that life.
The other reason? Mike didn't mind having a stronger enemy!
He'd checked with the Eye of Truth: Edge Carson's world was a world of martial arts.
In other words... Edge Carson had zero magic resistance! Thor's lightning would wreck him!
Shortly after Mike finished his analysis, the simulator screen displayed new text:
"Simulation world acceleration complete. Second simulation ready!"
Acceleration? Did that an it was the sa world? He'd expected an anthology series; instead, he got a sequel!
A large chunk of text appeared on the simulator screen:
Invincible Edge (Edge Carson) reigned supre for two thousand years, a legendary figure. After his failed ascension, countless martial arts prodigies erged!
Twelve years after Invincible Edge's death, a legendary master (Chief) unified the world, establishing the feudal Great Martial Dynasty, proclaiming himself the Heavenly Martial Emperor.
In the 46th year of the Great Martial Dynasty, the Heavenly Martial Emperor abdicated, entering seclusion to cultivate.
In the 112th year, a legendary master rebelled, attempting to overthrow the dynasty. The Heavenly Martial Emperor erged from seclusion, beat the rebel to death, and returned to seclusion.
In the 146th year...
...
Skimming through the simulated history, Mike saw one recurring the: 'Heavenly Martial Emperor erges from seclusion to crush rebels.'
The Great Martial Dynasty's rule was nothing short of brutal. Before, people lived like beasts of burden. Now, they lived *worse* than beasts of burden. A feudal dynasty was backward enough, but this guy went straight for full-blown slavery.
The Heavenly Martial Emperor, the first Chief-tier powerful after Invincible Edge, was utterly despicable, delighting in nipping promising talents in the bud. Anyone who seed stronger than him? Kill first, ask questions later!
Reading about the emperor's deeds made Mike grind his teeth. He wanted to jump into the simulation and kill the guy himself!
In short, Edge Carson's second simulation would take place in this oppressive environnt. Mike sighed. Poor guy. With the Heavenly Martial Emperor around, it was questionable whether any newborn Supre Being seeds would even survive to 18.
For the simulation to succeed, Mike would have to help Edge Carson as much as possible.
New text appeared on the simulator:
"World Power Limit: 989"
"He will be born into a slave group..."
Seriously? Mike stared at the simulator, wondering if Afterskin had sohow cursed him.
Afterskin had been on the thirty-first floor; it was theoretically possible.
After the background introduction, it was ti for the most nerve-wracking part - the nesis draw!
Mike stared at the screen, chanting, "Not a Supre Being, not a Supre Being..."
There were currently four Supre Beings, including Thor. Drawing any of them ant
almost certain defeat. The good news was, once a nesis was drawn, they wouldn't reappear
in the pool!
The answer was revealed... not a Supre Being!!
Mike's relief was short-lived. Seeing the na, he plunged into despair.
"His nesis in this life is nad Maxen."
"Second simulation officially starting..."
Mike's heart was heavy; he'd abandoned all hope in his luck.
There were three Supre Beings; encountering any of them ant instant ga over. (Thor
would not be chosen.)
Add Nathan, Maxen, Cedric, Foreskin, and Ace to the mix, and that made eight! Eight wrong
answers for Nine Lives Cycle.
Seriously?
"Is it going to take until the ninth life to get Joseph?"
[Impossible, absolutely impossible!] a prompt popped up.
[Current probability of drawing Joseph: 2.64%]
[The more simulations run, the higher the probability of drawing Joseph!]
||||
Mike's vision blurred as he entered the simulated world.
This ti, Edge Carson was born into a slave group. His father was unknown, and his mother, weakened by years of hard labor and malnutrition, died shortly after his birth. This child, born into slavery, had no na, no parents, and was raised on mare's milk, destined for a life of
servitude.
Before he was three months old, this bright child understood human speech, but chose not to
speak.
At six months, he could read. At one, he overturned a stallion in the stables, revealing his imnse strength, thankfully unnoticed.
At two, he was sold. Guided by Mike's dream, he escaped, fleeing into the Augus Mountains to survive in the wilderness.
At three, he killed a demon tiger with his bare hands, becoming the king of the mountain. All the beasts bowed before him, and he had plenty to eat.
At four, guided by another dream, he snuck into a town and stole hundreds of history books. At five, having read the books, he realized the dynasty was a disaster.
Standing proudly on a cliff, the young king of the Augus Mountains, his childish face held a
maturity beyond his years.
"That Heavenly Martial Emperor, undefeated in his life, dares not challenge Edge Carson. He even forbade people from having 'Carson' in their nas!"
The child scoffed, deciding to do the opposite. "In that case, I shall take the na Carson!"
"After Invincible Edge, everyone worships blade techniques. I say the sword is superior!"
"Edge Carson... Invincible Carson... While invincible, the na is a bit... unrefined. I will not only defeat Heavenly Martial Emperor, but I will surpass Edge Carson, ascend, and beco
truly invincible!"
Finally, he chose a na for himself: Blade Carson!
Blade Carson declared, "Since Edge Carson's ti, the Great Martial Dynasty has wreaked
havoc for a thousand years. All those with righteous hearts have risen up against it. I, Blade
Carson, born a slave, lost both my parents to the dynasty's tyranny. This blood feud cannot
stand!"
After his declaration, a purple light descended from the sky, bringing a magnificent sword to
his side.
From the age of six, Blade Carson practiced swordsmanship in the mountains, reaching
General tier strength.
At seven, he reached the peak of General tier and broke through, becoming a Chief!
At eight, he successfully assassinated the emperor but was pursued by the Heavenly Martial Emperor for thousands of miles, falling off a cliff, gravely injured. Luckily, he was rescued by
a kind soul.
At eleven, Blade Carson broke through again, reaching peak Chief strength! He fought the
Heavenly Martial Emperor for three thousand rounds, neither gaining an advantage. In a
critical mont, the emperor broke through to the Tribulation Realm (Lord tier), nearly killing Blade Carson!
Blade Carson escaped into the Augus Mountains, vanishing without a trace. Rumors spread that he'd died at the emperor's hands, and his legend began to fade.
360 years later, when Blade Carson was 371, the Heavenly Martial Emperor's power had grown, reaching the pinnacle of the Tribulation Realm. He was about to face his heavenly tribulation and beco a god!
Just as he was about to succeed, a sword fell from the sky, killing him instantly.
In the 1466th year of the Great Martial Dynasty, the Heavenly Martial Emperor was
assassinated, and the dynasty fell. Blade Carson was hailed as a saint, worshipped by countless people.
Having delivered that stunning blow, Blade Carson reached the peak of the Tribulation Realm, ready for his own heavenly tribulation.
At 800, walking on a snowy mountain peak, visions of his past life flooded his mind. "Edge
Carson is , and Blade Carson is also ..."
The most unforgettable mory was Ares behind the void, that casual sword strike! It was a peak he couldn't yet surmount!
Rembering his past life, Blade Carson finally faced his final challenge: the heavenly tribulation! A crack appeared in the void, but this ti, it wasn't a swordsman who erged,
but a hulking figure wielding a flail.
Blade Carson's fighting spirit burned as brightly as ever. "Fight!" he roared.
At his challenge, the figure attacked.
*Boom!*
Blade Carson spat blood, his sword covered in cracks, his right arm hanging limp and useless.
"That blow..." It nearly killed him! Yet, he laughed. A laugh filled with pride.
"I didn't die!" Compared to his past life, this was imnse progress! Edge Carson hadn't even
seen the sword strike before he died. If he could withstand one blow, eventually, he could
withstand two! One day, he would defeat his nesis!
As long as there was light, there was hope...
"What was that?" the figure behind the void scratched his head, saying sheepishly, "I was just
warming up. That was, like, 3% power."
Blade Carson didn't understand what "3%" ant, but he got the gist. "Only three-tenths of your power..." His expression dimd slightly as he shifted his sword to his left hand. Looking up, he said, "I will use my strongest attack. I hope to witness your strongest as well."
The figure considered this, then nodded. "Alright." Blade Carson took a deep breath, recklessly channeling all his life force, entering a berserk state! Countless sword lights erupted, soaring towards the heavens! Within the light, Blade
Carson beca the sword!
A black dot appeared before him, growing rapidly larger. He heard a roar: "Payday!"
*Boom!*
Body and soul annihilated, Blade Carson ceased to exist.
"Second simulation failed..."
...
Back in the Tower, Mike sighed. He'd expected this. Still, the defeat stung. It wasn't Blade
Carson's fault; his opponent was simply too strong.
Undeterred, Mike prepared for the third simulation. With two runs under his belt, he was now
a seasoned veteran.
Each cycle in [Nine Lives Cycle] laid the foundation for the next, building strength upon
strength. Both the environnt and the individual would benefit.
Thanks to Edge Carson and Blade Carson, the background of the third cycle didn't matter. He
would rise to prominence, reach level 989, and beco even stronger!
The mont of truth arrived. Mike took a deep breath, ready for the nesis draw.
[Current probability of drawing Joseph: 4.99%]
Five percent? That practically rounded up to 100%!
"Joseph, don't let down!"
The world shimred, and a slightly blurry line of text appeared:
"His nesis in this life is nad Apollo."
Oh my god!
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