Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

You suddenly turn around, your red hair fluttering in the wind, and gaze at the old Taoist's figure.

He looked up at the sky, at the bolt of lightning that struck on a clear day.

[His ancient face is etched with a deep sense of helplessness.]

"My third senior brother..."

[You've never seen this third senior brother since you joined the sect.]

The only communication was relayed through the old Taoist priest.

The old Taoist priest never spoke of any details about his situation or circumstances.

【"well……"】

The old Taoist priest sighed softly, his eyes filled with reminiscence.

[Seemingly seeing scenes from the past, a smile curved his lips.]

"On the day he entered the sect, I taught him the Jade Thunder Technique, and he instantly attained enlightenment and entered the ninth realm of Thunder Technique."

【Uh……】

You seemed slightly distracted upon hearing this.

[Having just received the inheritance of thunder magic, he's already entered the ninth realm?]

[Then what did it mean that you only reached the fifth realm of thunder magic under the blessing of the Heavenly Punishment Thunder Authority?]

Only the third senior brother is truly skilled.

In recent years, you have occasionally used your heightened wisdom to comprehend meditation, golden light, and thunder magic.

[The level of meditation has reached the realm of the eldest brother's chanting of Daoist scriptures.]

Jin Guang did not spend time going deeper.

[Because the Rebellious Body Technique is strong enough to support your physical strength.]

[And his mastery of thunder magic stagnated from the day he entered the sect.]

The black-labeled "Azure" attribute elevates the level of lightning magic to the realm of the celestial.

The old Taoist priest was lost in memories.

[After he gained enlightenment on the nine realms of thunder magic, he asked me what the strongest path of thunder magic was.]

"I demonstrated to him the authority of divine retribution and lightning punishment."

The old Taoist priest suddenly chuckled as he finished speaking.

"From that day on, your third senior brother kept saying that one day he would surpass Lei Quan and forge his own unique path in thunder magic."

Did he...fail?

You witness the thunder gradually dissipating in the sky, and ask in a low voice.

The old Taoist priest withdrew his gaze and looked at you.

"He transformed himself into lightning; I cannot determine whether it was a success or a failure."

Upon hearing this, you fell silent once more.

[To transform oneself into thunder.]

To some extent, this can be considered a unique path to harmony.

So, was it a success or a failure?

That depends on how the third senior brother perceives it.

The old Taoist priest put away his reminiscence and sorrow.

His solemn expression and piercing gaze exuded an invisible sense of pressure.

"Yu Jing, your calamity is already brewing."

Your gaze narrowed slightly, concealing a chilling intent.

"Is it finally coming?"

The old Taoist priest is helpless in the face of your choice.

[He turned and walked into the woods.]

A low, deep voice came from behind.

"After your eldest brother, second brother, and third brother all passed away, now your impending doom has manifested..."

"They really think they can take advantage of me, an old man, and manipulate me at will."

[Through the old Taoist's calm voice, there seemed to be rolling thunder, a murderous rage emanating from it.]

"Master! What are you doing?!"

You sensed his resolute intention from his experienced words and tone.

[He quickly pressed for more information.]

The old Taoist priest did not answer; his figure disappeared into the mountains and forests.

Your expression was somber, your eyes gleaming with a mysterious light, creating a surreal and unsettling atmosphere around you.

In fact, there's no need to ask any more questions.

[Eldest brother, second brother, third brother.]

Although the path of cultivation is planned.

Ultimately, however, it was a choice that the three of them insisted on.

[It was only that the sublime and ineffable existence that pushed their choices and plans to extremes.]

[This has led to their current situation and outcome.]

Your situation is different.

Your choice has nothing to do with the path of spiritual practice; it stems entirely from the practice of a steadfast ideal.

[This affected the so-called overall situation, thus inviting disaster.]

[The old Daoist cannot forcefully interfere with the situation of his three senior brothers, for that is their choice regarding their own path.]

[Your unwavering ideals, even from an old man, will not stop you from pursuing them.]

【but!】

Those who will bring you calamity because of this.

[Before I made a move against you.]

[Then we must first ask the old Taoist priest about his authority over divine retribution and punishment, and whether he agrees.]

You understand what the old Taoist priest is going to do.

This even aligns with your plan to send him away.

However, I still feel a little guilty and reluctant.

[After a moment, your emotions calmed, and you returned to a state of calm and rationality.]

[His gaze, shifting and unraveling, reveals the profound mystery of all things.]

The old Taoist priest went to shield you from the killing.

This does not mean the crisis is over, or that we are now safe and sound.

On the contrary.

This is just the beginning of the real crisis.

You shouldn't underestimate Jiang Bofu's resolute attitude.

[The expert's actions, and even the various parties involved around you.]

They were all within their calculations.

A situation woven from a complex web of factors and high-level combat power.

Ultimately, Jiang Bofu concluded that your death was predetermined.

Then the other party's preparations might be beyond your comprehension.

[They've reached a dead end.]

You stand quietly in the mountains, gazing at the autumn leaves that have once again painted the peaks crimson.

A serene smile played on her lips.

[Don't even mention desperate situations; you've experienced plenty of truly insurmountable predicaments.]

[This time, however, you're facing a truly unprecedented level of competition.]

[I usually play a lot of high-level games.]

Experiencing the peak tournament might just be a fun thing to do.

At worst, consider it gaining experience.

[The black cat Xu Kun is quietly crouching behind you.]

He heard the entire conversation between you and the old Taoist priest.

[Understand that the impending calamity you face will be of an unprecedented and sublime level.]

[Ever since the Immortal Sects began their life-or-death struggle.]

For the first time, it didn't sense that confident, all-encompassing control from you.

[Meow~ We're doomed. Even the big brother with unlimited backup plans is at a loss this time...]

[Xu Kun, the black cat, was internally meowing wildly.]

Then I suddenly woke up.

[To their astonishment, they discovered they were actually a noble and enigmatic extraterrestrial demon.]

[When did this forbidden being, who once battled with the God of War in ancient times, suddenly become nothing more than a howling cat?]

A sudden realization.

[Let Xu Kun, the black cat, regain his senses.]

[The black cat's tiny head was about to burst with its unpredictable scheming.]

Finally, it came up with its ingenious idea.

"Meow~ Big brother, I have a meow plan."

【"oh?"】

[You see, my little brother, ever since he got fat, he's completely lost his brain.]

[It's as if he's had an epiphany, like Xu Hui, and has retrieved his stored brain.]

"Tell me about it?"

Your eyes narrowed slightly.

[If we're talking about Xu Kun, the black cat when he's thoughtless, then there's a plan he has.]

You'll just think it's stupid.

But Xu Kun, the black cat who had regained his senses, proposed a "cat plan."

Whether it's even useful or not is another matter, but it's definitely incredibly underhanded.

The black cat's eerie green eyes darted around.

"Meow~ Big brother, I am the noble and mysterious inner demon, right?"

【"Um."】

"Meow~ That noble and mysterious inner demon, it's immortal, right?"

"That's right."

"Meow~ Since the noble and mysterious inner demon is immortal, wouldn't you also be immortal if you became the inner demon, big brother?"

"That makes sense, so..."

You narrowed your eyes slightly, staring expressionlessly at the black cat, Xu Kun.

"What exactly do you want?"