Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

[The black cat Xu Kun's constant praise for you makes its fluffy tail wag contentedly.]

"Meow~ Big brother, if you let me corrupt you, you can become a demon and never die again, right?"

[You see the long prelude laid by Xu Kun's Black Cat post.]

[Finally, she revealed her cat plan.]

【This is really... meow.】

A cold, indifferent smile curved your lips.

"Brother Two-Five's astonishing scheme has truly enlightened me, like a sudden awakening."

【"Meow meow meow~"

[The black cat Xu Kun raised its paw and scratched its head sheepishly.]

"Meow~ Big brother, we're brothers. Even if I corrupt you, I'll share the inner demons and mysteries with you. We're inseparable."

You're too lazy to waste any more time on this evil version of the black cat.

Suddenly I realize that even though the brainless version of the black cat is stupid, at least it can still be cute.

[This evil black cat, listen to your so-called "cat plan," is it even speaking human language?]

Oh, inner demons aren't human.

That's all.

No wonder you couldn't understand.

You kicked it away; like a round, plump ball, it arced perfectly across the path and landed in the mountains.

[Startled, a flock of birds and red leaves took flight.]

"Your suggestion is good, but I suggest you don't offer suggestions next time."

The black cat emerged from the pile of maple leaves, utterly bewildered.

I don't understand why you suddenly started kicking.

After hearing what you said...

Now I realize you were just brushing it off before.

[Immediately personified a mocking laugh.]

In the late autumn of the twenty-fifth year, my third senior brother passed away. The old Taoist priest said he would shield you from the calamity, and then disappeared without a trace.

[Until you go to the ancestral hall to offer incense.]

[Only then did I notice a square jade seal and a letter on the long altar where ancestral tablets were offered.]

Our ancestors all looked upon you with longing for your arrival.

[Zhang Xun's ancestor even abandoned his research on killing the master.]

Standing beside the long table, it seems to be glaring at you.

Feeling ashamed, honestly accept the criticism from your ancestors.

The situations of your three senior brothers are none of your concern; they are all predetermined by fate and their own choices.

[But the old Taoist... his fate was completely altered because of your introduction.]

[In the last simulation, you stormed into the capital in your twilight years.]

The old Taoist priest remained firmly seated at the Celestial Master's Mansion.

Even though the mortal realm had already permitted the existence of beings who had broken through to the void, and immortals were projecting their images across the heavens.

But the old Taoist priest remains the most unparalleled master among men.

Now, having withstood the calamity for you, the old Taoist's fate remains unknown.

[Of the direct lineage of the Celestial Master's Mansion, you are the only one left.]

And he probably won't live much longer.

[The final situation that the Celestial Master's Mansion faced.]

Perhaps they will be stationed at the very top of the world.

[This has created a predicament of generational gaps.]

[We really have to rely on our ancestors to maintain our prestige.]

You picked up a few sticks of incense and lit them with the ever-burning lamp that the old Taoist priest had specially lit.

After bowing in reverence, it was inserted into the bronze cauldron.

Then he went to the long table, his eyes lowered as he gazed at the jade seal and the letter.

[They're hesitant to open it.]

Because of the suspicions that surface in your mind, you can't bear to face it.

Finally, under the watchful eyes of your ancestors, you picked up the letter.

[Without any seals or restrictions, on ordinary Xuan paper, bold ink is used for brushstrokes.]

"Yu Jing, by the time you see this letter, your master will no longer be able to return."

Upon seeing the first sentence of the letter, your fingers suddenly clenched.

After a moment, he managed to suppress the emotions surging in his eyes and continued reading.

"Destined for slaughter..."

"You've really stirred up a hornet's nest."

"I can only do my best to delay for you. During this time, you must not step out of the ancestral hall."

[The image of the old Taoist priest shielding you from the killing calamity involuntarily flashes through your mind.]

He silently closed his eyes, turned towards the palace gate, and bowed deeply.

[When you straighten up and open your eyes.]

All that remains is calm.

[Continue reading the letter.]

"You always say you know what you're doing, but I've always scoffed at that. The amount of roasted chicken I've eaten (crossed out) is more than the distance you've walked..."

[You can almost see the old Taoist priest, head held high, hands on hips, gesturing wildly and pointing fingers at you.]

A gentle smile involuntarily appeared on his face.

"This time, I hope you truly understand."

"While I delay, I can find a way to resolve the calamity."

If not…

"Then we will select a suitable successor for the Celestial Master's Mansion."

"I have already failed my ancestors; I cannot allow the Celestial Master's Mansion to lose its lineage."

Your gaze falls upon the jade seal on the long table.

[The Celestial Master's Seal.]

[To assume the rank of Celestial Master.]

This serves as proof of the Celestial Master's Mansion's legitimate status.

The old Taoist priest did not pass the mantle to you.

[Besides the rebellious fate that binds you, it's also because of the calamity of killing you bear.]

[This old Taoist priest has already recklessly blocked the calamity for you, betraying his identity as a Celestial Master.]

If the position of Celestial Master is passed to you again, it would be tantamount to implicating the Celestial Master's Mansion in the matter.

The contemporary Taoist master has encountered a deadly calamity.

With our ancestors above, should we save them or not?

Can it be saved?

That might have truly pushed the Celestial Master's Mansion to its doom.

Therefore, he asks you to choose a suitable successor.

A smile tugged at the corner of your lips.

[He'd been eyeing it since the last simulation, and even declared he'd inherit half of the Celestial Master's Mansion.]

Now, the Celestial Master's Seal is so close to you, yet so far away.

[It's truly a cruel twist of fate.]

[Continue reading the letter.]

"It could take as long as twenty years, or as short as ten years..."

"The old Taoist priest can only hold on for a short time."

"If you can escape this calamity, please bring the old Taoist priest a pot of wine and a roast chicken regularly."

"The first and fifteenth of the lunar month, festivals and holidays, the changing seasons of spring and autumn, summer and winter..."

You did a quick calculation and realized that you brought him wine and roast chicken almost every day of the year.

I couldn't help but chuckle and shake my head.

[Continue reading; you'll reach the end of the letter.]

The smile on your lips froze.

"Yu Jing, the way you looked at my back that day when you controlled the heavens was filled with scheming."

"You said the old Taoist priest personally promised to take you as his disciple."

"Through three lifetimes, you have diligently cultivated the Five Realms of Destiny."

"You hold fast to your ideals, disregard life and death, and bear the weight of destiny, all in search of the Great Dao."

"In the past, I only found this conjecture utterly absurd."

"But now, hope is real."

"Because I believe in you."

"The look in your eyes that day has borne fruit today."

"Yu Jing, your teacher..."

"As you wish."

[Signature: Zhang Bingcheng]

Your eyes widened, and your pupils suddenly contracted.

[Through his clear, piercing eyes, seemingly calm as a still lake, a torrent of intense emotions surged within them.]

If ripples appear on the lake's surface, the water will shimmer and sparkle.

The four words, "As you wish," struck my heart like a boulder.

So... Master knew everything.