Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

In the tranquil pavilion, moonlight filtered through the thin gauze, illuminating Lü Zhen's face.

At seventeen, he still retained some of his youthful naiveté.

[His bearing was handsome and refined, his brows sharp as swords, and his eyes shimmered with a sword-like intent.]

He stared at the line of black writing on the table.

[Like thick black smoke and fog, permeating a bizarre and inverted atmosphere.]

The meaning of life...

[Lü Zhen murmured softly.]

These words struck a chord with him, revealing his current confusion and distress.

During this period, I faced much criticism, disdain from my fellow disciples, and reprimands from my master.

No one understood him; no one comprehended his ideal of saving all people.

No one asked him what kind of person he wanted to become.

[All that's needed is to be born with a sword talent, ascend to the rank of Sword Immortal, and inherit the Canglan Sword Sect.]

He had never contemplated the meaning of life.

[At three, he first touched a sword; at six, his basic swordsmanship was superb; at eight, he studied top-level sword manuals; at twelve, he grasped the essence of swordsmanship; at sixteen, he understood the meaning of swordsmanship.]

With talent and nurturing, he followed the path of a peerless swordsman.

[Successfully reaching the summit, attracting widespread attention, surrounded by admirers, and the envy of all.]

[But at the time of the Sixteenth Ming Sword Intent.]

He engaged in a self-analysis and dialogue.

[Having grasped the essence of swordsmanship, I also understood my own ideals.]

[That unnamed sword intent.]

Like countless sparks igniting in the night, small yet steadfast, humble yet vibrant.

[Like a wildfire spreading across the plains, it will unleash a blazing inferno.]

From that moment on, he knew what he wanted to do and what kind of person he wanted to become.

Lü Zhen stared intently at the writing on the table.

Do you want to understand the meaning of life?

He thought.

[A deeply moving and empathetic experience.]

[What kind of being could leave words so silently before him without him even being on guard?]

Whether it was intentional or not is unclear.

Ignore the enigmatic fate conveyed by the handwriting.

He has a strong urge to confide in others.

Because no one is willing to listen to his inner thoughts.

[This only imposes preconceived notions on him.]

Tell him what he should do: cherish his sword-wielding potential and strive to reach the realm of a sword immortal.

[Lü Zhen's thoughts drifted, his heart stirred.]

Below that line of text, a series of strange symbols continued to appear.

【YES OR NO?】

[A look of doubt appeared in Lü Zhen's eyes, which held the flickering sword intent of starfire.]

These characters, imbued with a sense of rebellion and subversion, are mysterious and unpredictable.

Could it be a hint or a puzzle left to him by that person?

[Does he need to understand and interpret this before they're willing to appear and communicate with him?]

[Lü Zhen felt a long-lost sense of exhilaration.]

[Like touching a sword for the first time, facing peers around who all lamented the difficulty.]

He possessed a remarkable air of arrogance.

Now, although I want to forge my own path in life, I don't want to become the sword immortal that everyone expects of me.

However, he remained exceptionally confident in his natural talent and comprehension.

[Lü Zhen examined the mysterious symbols that did not resemble talismans or ancient script.]

[Thinking deeply, my fingertips hovered over the words.]

[When there's no clue.]

He suppressed his instinctive resistance and casually touched the characters.

【"Huh?"】

【"Huh?"】

[Lu Zhen suddenly exclaimed in surprise.]

He discovered that after touching the OR character, the YES and NO signs before and after it disappeared.

Moreover, at the moment of his surprise...

[Another exclamation of surprise rang out.]

You pull out the long-unused blue keyword "Hidden Shadows," transforming into darkness and lurking in the shadows.

[We quietly arrived at the foot of Cangshan Mountain, at the pavilion where Lü Zhen secluded himself to study.]

[He didn't look like someone in his twilight years; his face was aged, he seemed compassionate, and his mind was full of cunning and calculation.]

[He also lacked the deep melancholy and anguish of his youth, the kind that lingered between his brows as he buried himself in books.]

[The young and spirited Lü Zhen, though still somewhat immature.]

[I met my old friend, who had once plotted against the powerful clans in the central courtyard, and who saw me off on my final journey amidst the falling snow.]

[The last simulation of Lü Zhen was too tough.]

[Bearing the misunderstanding of their sect, and enduring the machinations and compromises of various parties.]

[Finally, he entered the cabinet and took control of the country.]

Ultimately, despite bearing eternal infamy and being condemned by all, he proposed a plan to measure the world.

You and he completed your final dance.

【pity……】

[Lu Zhen's last words in this world were:]

Oh, vast heavens, what have you done to wrong me?

Yes, Heaven is unjust, failing even the most loyal ministers.

Now, you've arrived.

[Given Lü Zhen's previous suffering, you've developed a wicked idea.]

[Defying fate, I left that question, most fitting for someone his age, on his desktop.]

[And options were provided.]

【result.】

Brother Lü, why didn't you choose YES or NO?

[I just had to choose OR.]

That's really... brilliant...

[Upon hearing your startled cry, Lü Zhen looked up and glanced at you.]

The starlight and sword intent within his eyes shimmered faintly, surveying all directions.

You did not continue to hide it.

[His figure emerged from the shadows.]

The long, dark robe fluttered in the wind, seemingly blending into the surrounding darkness.

The swirling black mist gave it an air of mystery, unpredictability, and eeriness.

[That overwhelming, defiant, and upside-down destiny.]

[This caused the sword intent in Lü Zhen's eyes to waver.]

At seventeen, Lü Zhen was originally in the stage of fastest progress in his cultivation.

But after he reached the sixteenth year and comprehended the sword intent, he understood his own thoughts.

Although he hasn't explicitly stated that he's given up swordsmanship for literature.

However, this has already delayed the sword repair.

Otherwise, with his talent, he would have already reached the level of a celestial being.

And your existence.

[To celestial beings, it would be something to be feared and disgusted by, yet they could resist it.]

But for those below the level of gods and men...

[This is simply a weapon of mass destruction.]

[Lü Zhen unleashed his sword intent, which he hadn't used in a long time.]

[Clang!]

A clear, melodious sword chant arose, and sparks of fire flickered around him.

[Gradually scorching the void, it transformed into countless long swords suspended in the air.]

The ethereal sword intent materialized into a tangible sword light.

[The sixteenth Ming Sword Intent was thus delayed in its comprehension.]

The sword intent has still reached such a profound level.

[His talent is clearly terrifying.]

[You're getting stronger even while lying down.]

[After Lü Zhen channeled his sword intent to resist your defiance of fate.]

[No action was taken, nor was there any hostility.]

Eyes illuminated by starlight gaze upon you.

Darkness and orange-red divide the pavilion into two worlds.

[Lü Zhen and you gaze at each other.]

He said expectantly, "I hope you will not hesitate to enlighten me on the meaning of life."

You looked at his youthful, spirited yet innocent face.

A sudden surge of emotion welled up within me.

[So this is the side of Brother Lü from before, with his childish and immature side.]

[But in the last simulation, you had known him for many years without noticing.]

The only thing I sensed was a heavy sense of responsibility on his shoulders.

[Holding its spine taut, daring not to collapse.]

Because he was afraid he would collapse.

There will truly be no one left to support the people.

【pity……】

He ultimately collapsed on a long street in the capital, amidst a blanket of snow.

[Look at how young Lü Zhen looked.]

[A whisper in my heart.]

This time it won't happen again...