Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

[The ethereal energy caused strange celestial phenomena, with streaks of deep blue, almost like silver lightning, winding across the sky.]

[To completely illuminate the night.]

You and Xu Kun stared in disbelief at the old Taoist priest before the campfire.

The black Taoist robe danced wildly, coated with a layer of silvery-white light; as the hem swayed, fragments of photons scattered from its edges.

At this moment, you truly understand what it means to be an immortal, what it means to be a terrestrial deity!

The old Taoist priest concealed his aura.

The surrounding area returned to the tranquility of the mountain temple under the cover of night.

Still reeling from the shock, you looked at the old Taoist priest with a sense of unfamiliarity.

[The old Taoist priest is thoroughly enjoying the look in your eyes right now; he's finally regained his dignity as a master.]

"Master, a terrestrial immortal... is this why you can remain in the mortal realm?"

Those who reach the seventh realm cannot remain in the mortal world, let alone those from the eighth realm.

You initially thought that the Celestial Master's Mansion, like other forces possessing celestial beings, was based on factors like fortune, destiny, and fate.

[Find a way to compromise and restrain within the rules established by the Emperor.]

[In the end, the old Taoist's words, "a terrestrial immortal," refuted your guess.]

[Besides seeking a powerful backer, you have other goals in mind when you become an apprentice of the old Taoist priest and join the Celestial Master's Mansion.]

One of these preparations is to remain in the human realm when one ascends to the celestial realm.

You believe the Celestial Master's Mansion has the means to achieve this.

Now, the old Taoist has told you why he was able to remain in the human world.

[A terrestrial immortal.]

A celestial being among mortals.

Why can't we keep it?

Others follow the rules, compromise, and are constrained, but the seasoned veteran goes beyond the rules and creates his own.

[His eighth realm, "Land Immortal," is different from the eight realms in other cultivation systems.]

[Let's set aside the question of who is stronger or weaker for now.]

The very word "land" reveals this level of profound understanding of the rules of heaven and earth.

Moreover, even among those at the same eighth realm, the 'Land Immortal' might actually be the weakest in combat.

That depends on the location.

[Those from the other eight realms who wish to come to the mortal realm can only do so secretly through projection, just like in the last simulation.]

[Yet the old Taoist priest remained intact, his peak combat power still present in the mortal realm.]

[Even the weakest of the Eight Realms can easily defeat a projection of a strong Eight Realms being restricted.]

Moreover...

[This is an old master. Given his arrogant and self-centered personality, would he allow his eighth realm to be so weak as to be at the bottom?]

[Leaving aside everything else, just the power of divine retribution and lightning punishment that I hold in my hands.]

[This is already the most terrifying and awe-inspiring attack in the world.]

Your gaze toward the old Taoist priest grew even more fervent. Now everything was settled; with this great immortal protecting you in the mortal realm, who would dare bully you?

The old Taoist priest strikes a pose, basking in your shocked and admiring gaze.

[Secretly pleased with himself, he maintained an air of composure and nodded casually in response.]

Suddenly, I felt a chill run down my spine and noticed that your gaze was becoming increasingly strange.

He suddenly realized.

[Given this young apprentice's personality, the higher his displayed combat strength and rank, the more reckless and unruly he will likely become.]

Before even joining the sect, they dared to provoke that filthy Empress Wei Zhi and that damned eunuch from the Western Regions.

[Now that I've entered the basics, I also know he's an eighth-realm terrestrial immortal.]

The next moment, he wasn't surprised that his youngest disciple returned to the ancestral hall wielding the Killing Master, then swept through the capital like a streak of fire and lightning, storming into the dynasty.

【"Cough cough..."】

The old Taoist priest coughed twice, abandoning his pretentious demeanor.

"Well, although I have entered the eighth realm and created the 'Land Immortal' realm, I have broken free from the rule of the tripartite division of power between the human and emperors, allowing me to remain in the mortal world."

【"but……"】

His face was weathered and ancient, his expression dignified and solemn.

"Don't think that this gives you the right to act recklessly and run rampant in the world."

"Do you know what it means that the rule of the Human Emperor's establishment of the Three Kingdoms forces all beings in the heavens to retreat and forbid them from setting foot on the mortal realm?"

[You noticed the old Taoist priest was unusually serious and composed, having abandoned his usual cynical demeanor.]

[His eyes gleamed with a mysterious light as he dissected and analyzed his problem.]

The old Taoist priest smirked. "Speaking of which, compared to your current state..."

He still prefers your usual carefree attitude.

[Occasionally, it might make him furious and want to eliminate his entourage, but it's also full of popularity and energy.]

However, to keep you in line and prevent you from causing trouble, he had to make you deeply analyze and understand the situation yourself.

You will soon understand the meaning behind the old Taoist's words.

He spoke slowly, his voice clear and deep.

"In the ancient times ten thousand years ago, the Human Emperor suppressed all the heavens, and the mortal realm held the true right."

"That's right."

The old Taoist priest has confirmed your analysis.

"Ten thousand years ago, the Human Emperor was able to command the heavens to retreat and establish rules. As for why he still allowed Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and immortals to leave their legacy in the mortal realm..."

The old Taoist's eyes held a hidden depth, giving him a mysterious ability to discern the secrets of the universe.

"The Great Dao is fifty, Heaven evolves into forty-nine, and humanity escapes to the last one."

He withdrew his gaze, his eyes sweeping over your thoughtful expression.

"Humans... are the unpredictable force of nature."

"Even with the Human Emperor's overwhelming power over the heavens, which is beyond question, he still cannot suppress this variable."

[You vaguely caught some clue.]

[Guo Ran suddenly understood: "Therefore, the Human Emperor allowed Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism to spread their teachings in the mortal realm, while reserving a place for the immortal sects to reside."]

【"For the sake of..."】

"It's a derivative of controlling variables."

"That's right."

The old Taoist nodded, sighing softly, "The Human Emperor will undoubtedly desire to make martial arts the sole supreme path in the mortal realm, but if that happens, once unforeseen circumstances arise, it will become an uncontrollable unknown."

Therefore, the systems of Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and immortality have survived to this day.

"This will allow us to guide the variables to this point."

"Keep it within an acceptable range."

"So..."

The old Taoist priest gave a bitter smile and sighed wistfully.

"By the time your master understood, it was too late."

He looked at you with expectant eyes.

"The moment I accepted you as a disciple, I saw a potential for change within you, and therefore I hoped you could completely forge your own path."

"Although I created the Eight Realms of Land Immortals, due to limitations, I have not yet achieved the seventh realm of Dao Integration."

"Like a castle suspended in the air, its foundation is constrained by the Daoist cultivation system."

"Therefore, I broke free from the restrictions, only to fall into even greater ones..."

He sighed leisurely, "This is the Emperor of Man; his strategies are so profound, it's hard for mortals to leave him."

You sensed the expectation and hope in his eyes.

But some dared not agree.

[To forge your own path?]

Based on tonight's conversation, it is the right and inevitable path to survive in the world by breaking free from the reliance on luck, fate, and destiny.

Instead, it transcends the limitations of rules through one's own level of attainment.

【but……】

Which path do you want to take?

[A mind shrouded in darkness, a sword realm shrouded in gloom, a rebellious spirit glowing black, martial arts techniques accompanied by black smoke effects...]

[And the red-haired boss mode is waiting to be unlocked.]

Is he going to turn to organized crime?

This question is truly difficult for you.

[Forget it, I'll leave it to my late-blooming self when I unleash my full potential.]