Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

This is the first time you have witnessed the true face of Emperor Xuanwu.

That was a skull possessing the most superior bone structure among mortals.

Yes, the head.

Its flawless white jade-like luster, shimmering with golden light, exudes supreme majesty.

[Merely gazing upon it is like looking up at the heavens, making one willingly bow down in worship.]

Within the empty eye sockets, countless tiny, dark, grotesque hands, like maggots, snaked and clung to the surface.

[On the white jade skull, mottled and strange patterns formed.]

[I noticed you were looking at me.]

The little hand in the eye socket swayed like wild grass in a gust of wind.

[Subtly, my gaze is fixed on you.]

The skull's white, jade-like teeth clicked and clashed, producing a sound like a jade chime.

[The remaining thin layer of skin in his throat gurgled and churned.]

[It emitted a thick, moist sound, yet possessed a contradictory air of authority.]

"Surprised?"

[A bizarre environment, indescribable forms, and chilling sounds.]

[His majesty as the ruler of the mortal realm remains undiminished.]

[In response to his question.]

You shook your head, brushing aside a few strands of scarlet hair that had fallen over your eyes.

A slight smile played on her lips: "Not unexpected."

Compared to what I witnessed at the end of the last simulation, the scene of immortals standing in endless rows was truly breathtaking.

[The current form of Emperor Xuanwu is still within your acceptable range.]

The countless black hands that had been crawling and snaking within Emperor Xuanwu's eye sockets swayed gently.

[This seemed to reveal a change in his expression.]

A sigh, like the surging of mud, arose.

"On your deathbed, you spared no expense to venture into the Abyss and behold my holy countenance. Will this disappoint you?"

[You heard this and answered immediately.]

[Seated regally on the imperial platform, gently stroking his long robe, he leaned on the sword, ready to kill his master, two swords held horizontally.]

[Still shaking his head.]

Then, in a cold tone, she questioned, "What are you doing?"

The black hand in the Xuanwu Emperor's eye socket spread outwards, then converged, pointing towards your location.

"A very peculiar and mysterious phenomenon, it can actually end the process, reaching complete cessation."

[The forbidden black term "already" has been detected, implying that this place contains a hidden secret.]

The Xuanwu Emperor seems to be gradually becoming more patient in talking to you.

The black hand in the eye socket flared wildly, then stopped.

"What am I doing? And what are you doing?"

The Xuanwu Emperor's bony fingertips lightly tapped the armrest of his throne, producing a metallic sound.

"Plotting schemes across the human realm, destabilizing the overall situation, resisting calamity, and now, defying imperial authority..."

He reminisces about your past.

The black hand in the eye socket suddenly erupted like a thousand snakes emerging from their lair, its fangs snapping and tearing.

A barrage of arrows is aimed at you.

Finally, just as it's about to touch your eyes, it suddenly tenses and trembles slightly.

A dazzling spectacle is reflected in your eyes.

"Wen Yu, you shouldn't exist here..."

[The Xuanwu Emperor's remark drew your gaze.]

[Through the dense array of black fingertips before my eyes, I gaze upon the white jade skull of the Xuanwu Emperor.]

He stiffly twisted his head, and the black hand that had been unleashing a thousand snakes from their lair retracted.

The violent impact caused his head to snap back.

【then……】

[Click!]

With a sharp crack, Emperor Xuanwu's spine snapped, and his white jade head fell onto the throne.

Then it rolled to the ground, tumbling and rolling right in front of you.

【earn!】

The horizontal sword shifted slightly, obscuring the white jade head, and continued rolling down the steps of the throne.

The sword's edge clashed with the skull, producing a soft murmur.

[Click click click...]

The head opened and closed its mouth, teeth clashing, and black hands emerged from its eye sockets, wrapping around Jian Er.

[Using the leverage, he positioned his head firmly on the throne.]

[Then it continued to open and close, the head throbbing lightly and emitting absurd sounds.]

"Could you please retrieve my head?"

The inexplicable turn of events left you momentarily stunned, your gaze unfocused.

[Apart from flies.]

This is the first time I've ever seen someone play their own head off.

You don't want to touch this indescribable thing.

[He plunged the sword into the eye socket of the skull, then lifted it up.]

Then, leaning on his lap, he struggled to his feet, having killed his master.

[Amidst the fluttering of his black robes, he wielded a sword, planting it on the ground in one hand, while the other held the head of the mortal ruler.]

[Step by step, he ascended to the throne.]

Such a scene is something that even if people rack their brains, they still cannot imagine.

[This includes the old Taoist priest and others who are stalling for time for you.]

Your heterochromatic eyes are recording this entire scene into your mental database.

[We'll find an opportunity later to gather everyone and show it to them.]

Isn't this much more interesting than a horror movie?

[Ding! Glug! Ding! Glug!]

The sound of your sword striking the ground, mingling with the sound of your footsteps treading through the mud, echoes alternately.

You are like a decaying, withered tree, struggling to reach the throne.

[Sword Two carried the severed head and presented it to Emperor Xuanwu.]

[He weakly scolded, "Watch your head, don't let it wander off."]

The head of the Xuanwu Emperor, hanging on Sword Two, seemed amused by what he heard.

[His eyes were circling the sword tip, his head rotating like a wheel.]

[The friction between bone and sharpness produced a chilling sound.]

He shakily reached out his withered hand, took the head, and placed it back on his neck.

And you, seemingly using your last bit of strength, sat down again.

This time, however, the throne is within reach.

[They even disregarded the dignity of imperial power.]

[By directly relying on the throne for support.]

Then, in a blasphemous act, he took the second sword and lightly brushed it against the long hem of the Xuanwu Emperor's robe.

Wipe away the freshly picked-up black mud.

[She said weakly, "Let's continue our previous topic... You said I don't belong here, why?"]

You naturally don't believe that Emperor Xuanwu saw through your identity.

[It should be as my aunt once thought.]

[I've mistaken you for some kind of second-rate demon from beyond the realm.]

The Xuanwu Emperor is quietly observing your actions.

[Without the emperor's imposing rage, he seemed to be quietly watching the show.]

I have heard your inquiry.

[Mouth opens and closes, teeth clashing.]

[The absurd sound conveys extremely complex emotions.]

【"because……"】

He hesitated for a moment before continuing.

"No one would defy the will of Heaven for the sake of the people."

[These are the words of Emperor Xuanwu.]

[This reveals the most cruel essence of this ghostly world.]

Yes, mortals are like ants, insignificant as dust.

[Let alone those beings high in the heavens, or celestial beings of exalted status.]

From the moment I began my spiritual practice, I felt that I belonged to a different social class than ordinary people.

[The words of Emperor Xuanwu.]

[This directly addresses your incomprehensible behavioral logic, which contradicts the very nature of this world.]

[Use the harshest truth to verify your identity and origins.]

You lean against the throne.

This is the supreme position in the human realm.

[Suddenly he laughed.]

【fine……】

You've arrived.