I Have a God Simulator

No one knew when Yan Jiu returned to Yan City.

He wore a tattered linen cloak and a straw hat. The string of garlic was gone from his neck. He looked just like any other old farmer.

This was a change he had made after his journey to the Eastern Continent.

There was no need to show off his status as an Ascetic or make a spectacle of himself. A firm and devout Cultivator should not waste energy on worldly things.

Standing before the Divine Hall, Yan Jiu raised his head, his cloudy eyes gazing at the ancient and solemn temple.

'Great Lord Yao God, my time is short, but I have already given my all.'

'Though I still cannot break through to a higher limit, those who come after me will surely find a way. I believe in them.'

...

Nearby, a female Adventurer with a large pack on her back was also sizing up the Divine Hall.

Yan Jiu stood there quietly.

A figure emerged from the Divine Hall.

It was a youth with his head covered by a black robe. He walked down the steps and stopped in front of the old man.

"You are Grand Elder Yan Jiu of the Ascetic Order, correct?"

Yan Jiu smiled, the wrinkles on his face deepening. "It seems you are the new Prophet. You're even younger than the rumors say."

Prophet Shi Bao smiled back. "You must be here to pray to the God. Please, come in."

"That won't be necessary."

The old man shook his head. "When the God is in your heart, every place is a Divine Hall."

"Your Wisdom is truly beyond that of ordinary people."

The young Prophet praised him, but his expression suddenly turned grave as if he'd just realized something. "Your injuries are serious. Please, go to the Sanatorium and rest for a while."

"They can't be healed."

Yan Jiu was completely calm. "I am already a dying man. I comprehended the [Holy Mark] through a revelation from the God, but in the end, I am still subject to old age, sickness, and death."

"I can clearly feel my life approaching its end."

He felt no panic, nor any regret.

His fate had been full of twists and turns, but compared to most people, he had been fortunate enough.

"I came to visit only to give you this. It contains some of my insights from my cultivation."

Shi Bao accepted the sheepskin scroll from the old man with both hands.

As he carefully read the text recorded on it, his face grew more and more astonished.

"From an introduction to [Theology], to cultivation as a [Martyr], and then advancing to the [Holy Mark]... Comprehending knowledge and oneself through pilgrimage, challenging Extraordinary Creatures to push one's limits..."

"This is... the method for an Ascetic to enter the Extraordinary Realm?"

"It's just some of my own unrefined experience."

Yan Jiu said peacefully, "This is just an outline I've pieced together myself. It might not be suitable for everyone. I'll be content if it can help those who come after me avoid some detours."

"You're giving this to me, and not the Ascetic Order..." Shi Bao seemed to realize something and left the rest of his sentence unspoken.

The old man nodded. "Yes. I hope you will be the one to manage it, so that everyone has a chance to read it."

"The Ascetic Order... Although I hate to admit it, many Ascetics don't want ordinary people entering this realm."

"In my presence, they put away their arrogance and are careful with their Disguise. But when they face others, they often act high and mighty, because they consider themselves to be extraordinary."

"My shallow Wisdom is not enough to solve this problem. So, after much thought, I decided to compile all the knowledge and experience I have so that everyone can see it."

"Perhaps if everyone can become an Ascetic, it will help them all remain humble and respectful. This was also an inspiration given to me by the Lord God."

Yan Jiu was suddenly wracked by a coughing fit, his withered body trembling uncontrollably.

Lie Yu gently patted the old man's back and handed him a waterskin.

The old man took a sip of water.

Shi Bao pondered for a long time before finally speaking. "I have even less of a clue about an answer you couldn't find for many years. However, I do have an idea. Why don't you rename this manual and make it completely public?"

"A cultivation path for ordinary people to enter the Extraordinary Realm is a magnificent feat in itself. You should give it a new name to completely separate it from the Ascetic Order. That way, it will be free of any Binding."

Yan Jiu thought for a moment. "Let's call it Martial Cultivator."

The old man bid farewell to the Prophet and traveled north, crossing mountains and passing through Yao City, finally arriving in the depths of a forest.

Here, there were continuous volcanoes, and the Black Mountain Range was teeming with powerful Fire Elemental Creatures.

As the wonder [Aegir's Fire] grew stronger by the day, the Volcanic Area had also become a forbidden zone that humans could not enter.

"Why do you keep following me?"

Yan Jiu looked at the towering Black Mountain Range ahead and took off his straw hat.

Lie Yu was no longer laughing and joking. She said seriously, "At first, I wanted to learn Extraordinary Power from you."

"Later, I'm not sure why, I just felt it would be a huge shame if you died just like that."

"Many years ago, my great-grandfather, Nong Ang, died simply because he fell in a field and no one was there to treat him in time."

Yan Jiu was taken aback. "Nong Ang... The Hero Nong Ang, who invented ale... So you're his descendant."

"Yes."

Lie Yu said, "After my great-grandfather passed away, my grandfather continued Farming. When Slave Traders occupied Yan City, my grandfather gave up the farm and went back to being a Hunter... I inherited the profession as well."

"But our family's Brewing skills were passed down. My great-grandfather was always researching Honey Wine, and I'm also trying to perfect it. I want to create a truly unforgettable Honey Wine."

The old man suddenly had a thought. "You've reminded me of something. Could I trouble you to make a trip and tell Prophet Shi Bao that it's best for a Martial Cultivator's training to be accompanied by a companion? It would be even better if this companion is skilled in healing or is a Scholar."

"Otherwise, this dangerous method of cultivation could easily lead to death."

"Understood."

The old man extended a withered, calloused hand to the young woman and said earnestly, "Thank you for taking care of me on this journey. I am deeply grateful."

Lie Yu shook his hand.

"Let's part ways here. May Yao God protect you."

Yan Jiu took off his hat and strode toward the forbidden zone that represented death. The Fire Elemental Creatures quickly spotted him and swarmed in his direction.

Lie Yu was reminded of the stories her father's generation told of her great-grandfather.

The raging flames ahead looked like a brilliant and magnificent field of red wheat.

...

After recounting Yan Jiu's story all in one breath, Lie Yu felt a wave of fatigue, almost to the point of exhaustion.

"Please, have some ale. It will help you feel a bit better."

The man sitting across from her ordered a drink.

"No, thank you. I'm used to drinking what I brew myself."

Lie Yu took a sheepskin waterskin from her pack. When she pulled out the cork, a heady fragrance wafted out.

Pawa sniffed the air. "Is this the Honey Wine you mentioned?"

"Yes, it's still a work in progress. Would you like to try some?"

"If I may."

The taste of the Honey Wine made Pawa close his eyes, a look of bliss on his face. "A wine this good... Miss Lie Yu, you should really produce it in large quantities. I'm sure many people would love it."

"It's not good enough yet. The proportion of honey still needs adjustment. But let's get back to business, Mr. Pawa."

"Ah, right. My apologies. This wine completely carried me away."

Pawa sat up straight. "So, the last time you saw Grand Elder Yan Jiu was in the Volcanic Area, is that correct?"

"Yes."

"Understood. He's been out of contact for a year. For now, we'll consider Mr. Yan Jiu to be missing. I will record Mr. Yan Jiu's battles on the Eastern Continent, as well as his personal story, in the newest volume: *Pawa's Wondrous Adventure: Heroic Chapter*."

"That would be wonderful." Lie Yu breathed a sigh of relief.

"Miss Lie Yu, I have a small proposal."

Pawa put away his notebook. "I have a group of Dwarf friends. They adore fine wine and have the utmost respect for master brewers. If you don't mind, you could go to the [Dwarf Fortress] in the south. The Dwarf Adventurer Group, the [High Furnace Wonders], is resting there now. They're all old friends of mine."

"Since you can make Honey Wine, you'll be able to get all the help you need from them."

"Since you plan to introduce your Honey Wine to everyone anyway, why not use the [Dwarf Fortress] as your brewery? The environment there is simple and pure, and the Dwarfs are straightforward folk. They will provide you with the necessary funds, and it's a very suitable place to live, as long as you don't mind the sound of smithing... Of course, it's up to your personal preference."

"I'd love to!"

Lie Yu's eyes widened, her face unable to hide her delight. "Dwarfs have an excellent reputation. If it's possible, of course I'd love to."

"That's wonderful! I'm sure the Dwarfs will be overjoyed."

Pawa smiled. "Then I'll write you a formal letter of introduction right now."

"Okay, thank you!"

Lie Yu accepted the letter of introduction and left Yan City.

She glanced back at the Black Mountain Range to the north.

'I will brew the best Honey Wine.'

'And you have to do your best to stay alive, Teacher Yan Jiu.'