Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

"You didn't even know?"

You can't help but be astonished; Pang Hai has already reached the pinnacle of martial arts in the world and ascended to the throne of King of Chu.

His understanding, shaped by his own level of knowledge, perspective, and social status, rarely left him without comprehending certain things.

But now, a demon he didn't even know about has suddenly appeared, causing Xu Hui to become possessed by it.

Suddenly, a cold glint flashed in your eyes; something seemed to have occurred to you.

"Could it be related to the Tranquil Sword Sect? The Tranquil Sword Sect is skilled at manipulating consciousness and mind. During that time, Xu Hui even discussed Dao with Pei Qingyu."

This led to a scheme being devised, causing a demonic possession within him.

Pang Hai sighed softly, "Whether that's true or not, the whole story is no longer important."

He turned to look at you, his eyes filled with an indifference I'd never seen before.

[The untamed spirit of youth, the arrogant arrogance of youth, the helplessness and majesty upon ascending the throne.]

[At this moment, everything has turned into the deathly silence and coldness of a deep night.]

A sense of sadness welled up in your heart.

[This is the resolute look in someone's eyes, ready to face death.]

[With rational analysis, you understand the current situation.]

Even at his peak, Pang Hai could probably only hold out in Xiangyang, barely surviving. Now that he's fallen from grace, what hope is there for him?

Your situation is equally dire.

As the third most powerful figure in the Chu state and the head of the Censorate, he could not escape the fate of accompanying the Chu state in its downfall.

[Not to mention Pei Qingyu's covetous gaze.]

You can guess what the other person is thinking.

If someone can disregard their own most powerful and fundamental means, then they undoubtedly have a path to their demise.

Therefore, you have no choice but to risk your life and accompany Pang Hai to the very end in this final, decisive battle.

"Big brother, take Sister Zuo with you."

You smiled silently, took out a bottle of wine, poured two glasses, clinked them together, and drank them in one gulp.

"A long time ago, I secretly ordered my assassins to send Zuo Shi out of Xiangyang City, so I have no more worries."

We are brothers, how could I, as the elder brother, not accompany you on your final journey?

Pang Hai gazed intently at you, then suddenly burst into wild, unrestrained laughter, rekindling his defiant and indomitable spirit.

【"good!

My elder brother is risking his life to accompany me, so I certainly won't spoil the fun!

The whole pot of wine was drunk.

Your expression is calm yet puzzled: "Why have you fallen from the realm of the celestial beings?"

Pang Hai exhaled a long breath, his breath reeking of strong alcohol, his expression complex.

"Brother, do you remember the nine shackles of the Celestial Realm?"

[You clearly recall from distant memories the conversation you had with Gong Si after they escaped her pursuit in Golden Scale City.]

"I remember you said that to reach the realm of the celestial being, one must break nine shackles. The number of the first eight shackles that need to be broken varies depending on the cultivation method, martial arts, natural talent, comprehension, and so on."

Only the last shackle that imprisons the brain's innermost secrets must be shattered.

Otherwise, one can only be considered a half-step Celestial Being.

"That's right."

Pang Hai nodded, his eyes flashing coldly: "My mental storage has been bound again."

Your eyes gleamed slightly.

"Such methods exist in this world?"

"It was I who imprisoned and bound myself."

Pang Hai's answer surprised you. Your brow furrowed slightly, a hint of doubt in your eyes, but you didn't press for details, awaiting his reply.

"Celestial beings are those who dwell high in the heavens, transcending the mortal realm. Therefore, if they break the ninth shackle of the divine brain, they will no longer be able to remain in the human world..."

Forced by the laws of heaven and earth, it ascended and departed.

Pang Hai's words have reshaped your worldview once again.

"Ascension?"

"Yes, ascension."

Pang Hai nodded, grinned, a smile that was both unrestrained and mocking.

What suddenly occurred to you?

["Then why aren't you and Huizi bound by the rules of heaven and earth? And what about all those heavens in the world...?"]

A flash of inspiration crossed your mind.

The changes in the global landscape over the past few decades, and the seemingly inexplicable ambitions of various factions, appear to have found their answers.

Pang Hai sincerely praised: "Brother, you are really smart. It seems you have already figured something out."

Indeed, good fortune can bring celestial beings down to earth.

These words confirm your suspicions and explain why Pang Hai imprisoned the Ninth Divine Treasury on his own.

Because the State of Chu lost Yuzhou and Jingzhou, its country was destroyed and its land shattered, leaving only the city of Xiangyang to defend itself to the death.

Pang Hai's luck has dissipated.

If he still wishes to maintain his celestial state, the only way is to conform to the rules of heaven and earth and ascend to heaven.

【"wrong."】

You've realized the contradiction.

"Before the State of Chu was established, or even before the conquest of Yuzhou, you and Huizi had already stepped into the realm of the Celestials. With just one state, you were enough to forge two Celestials."

If that's the case, with the Great Cang Imperial City's millennia-old foundation and the combined fortune of the thirteen states, wouldn't there be dozens of Celestial Beings?

Pang Hai wasn't surprised by your sharp reaction and smiled.

"The fortune of a single state is naturally insufficient to support two celestial beings, or even one."

Therefore, Huizi and I were able to remain in the human world even after ascending to the heavens.

It's not about luck, but destiny.

What did you immediately realize?

"The Tomb of the God of War!"

Pang Hai's eyes revealed a look of reminiscence: "Yes, the Tomb of the God of War. From the moment we each resonated with the three reliefs and comprehended the way of war, we were burdened with the destiny of a military strategist."

Teacher imparts knowledge, rebels rise up, and is appointed king and prime minister...

That is fate.

Once we complete the preordained path, our destiny disappears.

Therefore, the state of Chu later maintained a state of harmony between heaven and man.

As he spoke, he realized something: "The fortunes of the two states of Chu will also have difficulty supporting the two of us, because they are too strong..."

[You didn't make any sarcastic or teasing remarks, firstly because you weren't in the mood, and secondly... because it's the truth.]

"Therefore, most of the time, Huizi maintained a clear and untainted mind, shielding his mind from the mysteries of the universe, existing between a celestial being and a half-step celestial being."

Perhaps that's why inner demons can slip through the cracks and corrupt one's mind.

Otherwise, given his rationality, composure, and cunning, it would have been impossible for him to fall into demonic possession.

You have figured out the cause and effect, the whole story.

The states of Qi and Wu orchestrated a northern expedition through an alliance, aiming to break up the near-invincible duo of Pang Hai and Xu Hui.

Then, through some unknown means, he allowed inner demons to corrupt Xu Hui's mind, causing him to become possessed by demons.

At the same time, Xiang Che did everything he could to restrain Pang Hai.

[The entire nation mobilized its military, sparing no expense, to conquer the State of Chu and seize Yu Province and most of Jing Province.]

[This caused Pang Hai's fortune to collapse.]

When he broke free of his restraints and returned to Xiangyang, he had also lost the ability to fight back with all his might.

[Because he was forced to imprison his divine treasures, he fell from grace.]

Without the support of his martial arts prowess, even with his unparalleled military strategy, Pang Hai could not reverse the tide of fate.

[Xiang Che, Chen Chaomang.]

The alliance between the Hegemon and the Dragon-Slaying Serpent of Chaos has completely dragged the State of Chu into its doom.

Perhaps in the future, only four faded words will remain in the vast annals of history.

The two sides are clearly divided.