Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

You scrutinize her expression; a mysterious light flickers in her broken, mirror-like eyes.

Only on that face could one see the calm and rational mind hidden beneath the gentle and warm exterior.

[Unlike Xu Hui's detached and pure nature, untouched by worldly dust.]

The woman possesses a calm, rational, and stable demeanor, yet also a passionate drive for exploration.

[I seem to be drawn to the mysterious light flickering in your eyes.]

The eyes behind the lenses gleamed with curiosity, as if they had discovered a new research topic.

[From the words of this Demonic Sect Master, you intuitively sensed something filthy.]

[He was still weighing the options for a moment.]

A polite response: "I don't think the Sect Master is someone who will die young. How could he not have much time left?"

These words left you speechless.

The woman gazes at you silently.

[A soft laugh.]

"Michiko is quite witty."

[The dignified master of the Demonic Sect, a being who has at least reached the Celestial Realm.]

When she said "time is running out," she was not referring to the mundane understanding of the decay of time.

You don't mind the other person's teasing.

[I've made up my mind. It's not like I've encountered dirty stuff before.]

Intelligence is paramount.

Let's figure it out first.

"We hope Sect Leader Chen Ming will explain why you say such a thing."

The curve of the woman's lips faded, and she regained her restrained and aloof demeanor.

[He walked barefoot, reassembling the disassembled thunderbolt device.]

"Time is the dimension by which the universe defines an individual's existence, whether they are a martial artist, or a Confucian, Buddhist, Taoist, or immortal..."

"The two words 'spiritual practice'."

"What I seek is nothing more than to extend the constraints of the definition of heaven and earth, break free from the shackles of time, and pursue the path to immortality."

She casually placed the reassembled Thunderclap Instrument aside.

[Looking up at you: "Does Daozi know what the essence of time is?"]

[The profound truths of the universe that you comprehended during your last simulation resurface in your mind; your thoughts gradually expand, and you recall knowledge from your previous textbooks.]

[A casual remark: "The essence of time... is people."]

【"oh?"】

The woman was surprised by your answer: "I have never heard of Daozi's insight before; I hope you can enlighten me."

Your extraordinary insight has not yet been awakened, so naturally you cannot fathom these profound and mysterious essences.

But even rambling comes naturally to me.

"Whether it's time, space, or the existence of all things in the universe, their essence... all ultimately belongs to humanity."

The woman was shocked by your outrageous remarks.

Then I understood what you were thinking.

She talks to you about "science," and you discuss "philosophy" with her.

She seeks to understand the universe from a human perspective, while you define the universe within the framework of human cognition.

A feeling of melancholy welled up within you.

As a staunch materialist, I believe in seeking truth from facts.

[As a result, because their own wisdom had not been awakened, they resorted to idealistic arguments to evade responsibility when they should have been most able to demonstrate it.]

However, firmly believing in your future talents, you added a sentence.

"I firmly believe that one day, we will be able to completely deconstruct the world and understand the essence of all things."

"To pursue immortality with a mere human body, and to comprehend the universe with an insignificant individual."

"How can this be achieved without a firm belief that the essence of the world lies with humankind?"

The woman gazed at you silently for a moment.

[She murmured softly.]

"Michiko's faith is truly astonishing."

Because they believe they understand everything, they attribute the essence of all things to themselves.

This can no longer be described as confidence; it's more like arrogance and hubris.

Fortunately, his status as the current Daoist disciple of the Celestial Master's Mansion, with the old Daoist's blessing, carries considerable weight.

The woman intended to use the nature of time to introduce her viewpoint and argument.

As a result, you rambled on and on about things that went way off track.

We had to pull it back.

"I said I didn't have much time left... that I've violated a taboo of heaven and earth. I don't know how much longer I can persist on the path of research."

The word "taboo" immediately touches a nerve.

Even the leader of the Demonic Sect calls it taboo.

That definitely can't be clean anymore.

You didn't reply. The piercing light in your broken mirror-like eyes fell upon her face, a face so uniquely beautiful that it made one overlook its breathtaking allure.

If the other person wants to talk and is able to talk, then you don't need to ask further; you will already have the answer.

Otherwise, don't get your hands dirty and end up with nothing.

"Isn't Michiko curious?"

【"curious."】

"Then why are you so calm?"

"Born with exceptional temperament."

Your words elicited another soft laugh from the other person.

[A long white coat and skirt fluttered in the air as she paced, gesturing for you to follow.]

The building appears to have six stories.

But if you follow her upwards, you'll reach a height of at least several tens of feet.

[The pavilion may contain hidden, chaotic spaces.]

[A mustard seed can contain Mount Sumeru.]

[You've used spatial storage rings and experienced spatial teleportation talismans, but this is the first time you've seen this kind of application.]

[It is evident that this leader of the Demonic Sect possesses profound knowledge in the study of spatial principles.]

[Ascend another several dozen feet.]

You followed the Lord of the Demonic Sect to the gate.

The door is made of neither gold nor jade; at first glance, it appears as a gray stone carving, yet it exudes a warm, jade-like color and gleams with a cool metallic sheen.

The door was covered with intricate patterns.

[This forms a complex array of spells.]

Simply observing gives one a sense of chaotic overload due to information overload.

"Behind this door lies the taboo I have touched."

[The Lord of the Demonic Sect introduces you, his tone cold, his gaze shifting from gentle warmth to reveal madness, obsession, and smugness.]

[It's like showing you your most satisfying research findings.]

Her mysterious demeanor piqued your curiosity.

Just as I was about to ask her if I could come in.

[Buzz...]

The Demon Lord lightly touched the ground with her jade-like foot, and a spatial array spell bloomed, its faint light distorting space and time.

The scene before them shifted, and they were now in a quiet room.

She sat down gracefully and began to boil water and make tea.

"Daozi, I have already shown you around the Holy Sect, which can be considered as fulfilling the proper hospitality. Now, it is time for you to state the purpose of your visit."

Your calm gaze followed her transformation from a highly intelligent scholar to the leader of the demonic sect.

[A thought couldn't help but cross my mind.]

The other person didn't take you to see that door aimlessly.

You suspect that door might hold some secret.

[Once witnessed and understood, it can become a bargaining chip, influencing subsequent conversations and confrontations.]

【But……】

Even if you forcibly memorize those intricate array formations using your "extensive knowledge and strong memory," it would still take a very long time.

Not to mention understanding and enlightenment.

[The other party's ulterior motives, such as trying to seduce a eunuch, are utter nonsense.]

You've seen similar things before, more than once.

That is the legacy relief from the tomb of the God of War.

However, the exquisite carvings on the relief are far more concise and refined than those on the fan of the Demon Lord.

That is true simplicity.

[If the tomb of the Immortal Soldier is carved and passed down in the same way as the other party.]

[You wouldn't be able to see it clearly, let alone remember it, without decades of time.]