Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

[Eighth year, twenty-four years old.]

Wei Qi, leading over a thousand loyal knights, incorporated them into his personal guard and ordered them to return to the central courtyard.

Before we parted, after discussing it with you, we felt it would be a great pity to abandon the intelligence network we had built over several years.

[At your suggestion, I will remain hidden, ready to be deployed at any time.]

[You've made all the arrangements, handing over the rendezvous code, intelligence transmission channels, and restart methods to Wei Qi.]

[A completely selfless attitude, one that delegates authority and delegates power.]

[This left Wei Qi deeply moved. He actually preferred to see you continue managing the intelligence agency, so that he could maintain contact and potentially recruit you into the military in the future.]

Now that you've completely let go, you've demonstrated your firm stance.

In reality, your demeanor is seven parts genuine and three parts feigned.

[Firstly, I don't want to be bound by intelligence agencies; secondly, taking over management would inevitably require relying on Wei Qi's resources to maintain operations, which would delay your simulated operation.]

[As for the three parts of emptiness, it's naturally due to the forbidden black effect of the "Succubus Body," meaning the intelligence agency has long since taken on your exact shape.]

[Plus the creation and management of "Intelligence Master".]

[I can take over anytime you want; it's just a matter of whether there's a need for it.]

[You, Pang Hai, Xu Hui, and I, parted ways with Wei Qi outside Yumen Pass.]

This is our farewell. Our next meeting may well be on the battlefield.

The three of you should ride at full speed, returning to Jinlin City from the west of Yongzhou.

After years of fighting, even Pang Hai, with his wild nature, was somewhat weary and wanted to rest for a while.

[Upon returning to Jinlin City, Pang Hai and Xu Hui displayed complex expressions.]

He left as a sixteen-year-old boy, and returned with the bearing of a hero.

[Dismount, lead the three proud warhorses into the city, and head straight for the courtyard next to the tofu stall.]

After you left, Zuo resumed his tofu stall.

Today, however, the business is temporarily closed, and people are already standing in the courtyard, eagerly waiting.

[After the intelligence agency was established, you maintained correspondence with Zuo through it, and she already knew that you were about to return.]

"Boss lady, three bowls of tofu pudding, all sweet!!!"

Pang Hai's bold voice echoed from afar.

Upon hearing this, Zuo's eyes lit up with joy, then she smiled gently, tears welling in her eyes: "Alright."

"I want it salty!"

"Not sweet, not salty, not spicy!"

Two voices, one calm and one refined, rang out.

[Xu Hui was a staunch supporter of the Xianyou faction, while you sought to avoid being implicated in the North-South conflict.]

A few words dispelled the awkwardness of years apart, as if we had returned to the old days.

Pang Hai's increasingly imposing presence and murderous intent subsided, replaced by a carefree and easygoing demeanor.

[Xu Hui's calm and rational demeanor crumbled, and a rare smile appeared on his face.]

In the courtyard, the three of you each held a bowl of tofu pudding, while Pang Hai recounted his years of military service in a rambling, almost effusive manner.

[It conceals the bloodshed and cruelty, focusing only on heroic ambitions.]

Suddenly, he looked curiously at your bland tofu pudding: "Brother Wen, can your plain tofu pudding even taste good?"

Xu Hui also agreed, asking, "Can you eat tofu pudding if it's not salty?"

[Ninth year, age twenty-five.]

[Having returned to Golden Scale City for a year, you have devoted yourself to cultivation, spending your days drawing your sword and thrusting forward, studying the "Predicting the Enemy," delving into martial arts, and perusing historical records.]

[Break through and connect the eighth meridian.]

Compared to your arduous progress, Pang Hai and Xu Hui's strength has increased dramatically.

After a year of honing their skills in battle, the two gained a clear understanding of their own martial arts essence, broke through the Innate Realm, and entered the Fifth Realm of Destiny.

[In the third year of the expedition, I stepped into the Six Realms Palace.]

Now that the palace realm is complete, the goal is to reach the seventh realm.

The seventh realm is for celestial beings.

[Without reaching the corresponding level of cultivation, even if two people describe it to you, you will find it difficult to understand.]

[But seeing the two of them display such serious and solemn expressions for the first time regarding the path of cultivation.]

Clearly, the realm of celestial beings is not so easily attained.

Pang Hai, never one for idleness, would seek adventure when his cultivation encountered obstacles. He gathered together the small and medium-sized gangs of Golden Scale City, becoming a rising new force.

[During this period, friction with the old power and aristocratic families of Jinlin City was inevitable.]

However, with their combined strength at the peak of the Six Realms, coupled with your intelligence support, they will bring absolute crushing dominance to the entire Golden Scale City.

[Tenth year, twenty-six years old.]

[You have reached the pinnacle of power, breaking through and opening the ninth meridian.]

Pang Hai's career is thriving, and he has fulfilled his promise. You and Zuo Shi have moved into a luxurious mansion.

The overcast and slightly chilly weather blurred the view.

[In the mansion, you hold a book of miscellaneous anecdotes, sipping tea and turning the pages.]

Zuo Shi, doing needlework nearby and preparing winter clothes for the three of you, sighed softly, "You should try to persuade Xiao Hai more often. Too much rigidity leads to breakage; if pushed too far, those people are capable of anything."

You closed the book and reassured him, "Huizi is here; he'll keep an eye on him."

Zuo nodded, her eyes lowered as she focused intently on her needlework.

Suddenly, the rain seemed to freeze, and an inexplicable sense of oppression enveloped the entire Golden Scale City.

Your expression is calm as you look up, and the familiar changing celestial phenomena appear before you once more.

[You foresaw this all along; it was Gong Si, the most outstanding successor of the Demonic Sect in three thousand years, who fought against Pang Hai and Xu Hui.]

The reason is simple: Pang Hai has infringed upon the interests of the Demonic Sect, and even more people.

[As you learned in the last simulation, the Yan Family Chamber of Commerce is the Demonic Sect's money bag, and the Demonic Sect's influence extends throughout the Great Cang Dynasty.]

[It has complex relationships with all parties.]

[Chen Chaomang, whom the Demonic Sect later supported, was merely one of many they chose.]

[You speculate that the current Demonic Sect, through the Yan Family Merchant Guild in Xilong County, is likely intricately connected with the Western Regions.]

[That son of the late emperor, Yin Qian, who later vied for the Mandate of Heaven, was perhaps also a candidate considered by the Demonic Sect, but for some unknown reason, he gave up and chose Chen Chaomang instead.]

Pang Hai's expansion has already damaged the interests of the Demonic Sect in Xilong County.

[With the addition of two suddenly emerging young powerhouses, it's perfectly reasonable for the Demonic Sect to send their current successor, Gong Si, whom they value highly.]

The dark clouds, obscuring the sky, swirled and twisted like a vortex, which Pang Hai and Xu Hui fought together to resist.

[You already knew the outcome; you rose and led Zuo away.]

[Zuo was surprised, but without asking any questions or disturbing you, she obediently followed you into the secret passage and was transferred to the prepared safe house.]

[Pass down your orders: all personnel must break up into smaller groups, go into hiding, and preserve their strength.]

Pang Hai and Xu Hui were no match for Gong Si, but Gong Si was also powerless against the two. With one attacking and the other using strategy, combining orthodox and unorthodox tactics, they could only flee when they were outmatched.

Soon after, seeing that Gong Si had stopped pursuing them, the two took a detour and secretly entered the city.

Following the escape route you left behind, I quietly arrived at the safe house.

"What bad luck! How did such a vixen suddenly appear at our door? And she's incredibly strong. Luckily, Brother Wen, you were prepared, otherwise we might have been completely wiped out this time."

[Pang Hai returned and immediately began to complain, baring his teeth.]

Xu Hui remained calm, his aloof demeanor growing increasingly pronounced.