The Third Simulation Ends!

Just as Fu Ze fled for his life toward the deepest reaches of the Star Dou Great Forest with the half-mad Tang San in tow, trying to shake off any possible pursuers—

The simulated "Tang San," tucked beneath his arm, had initially struggled and howled madly in overwhelming grief over Xiao Wu's sacrifice and towering hatred for Spirit Hall. Yet as they drew farther and farther from that horrific battlefield, the force of his struggles gradually weakened.

An indescribable unease and trembling, as though arising from the depths of his soul, seized his heart without warning.

Tears silently slid down his ashen cheeks, beyond his control.

Those tears were not only for Xiao Wu, but also for a deeper, more terrifying premonition...

As if to confirm that dreadful feeling, a small pouch he kept close to his body suddenly became scorching hot without warning!

In the next moment, a gentle yet resolute dark-blue glow forcibly pierced through the pouch. Before his and Fu Ze's stunned eyes, it transformed into a streak of light, leaping out and landing upon the gnarled roots of an ancient tree ahead.

The light swiftly condensed and stretched, outlining the silhouette of a person.

Silver hair, black robes, and a tall, straight figure—only, the image was somewhat illusory and transparent, as though it might scatter with the wind at any moment.

It was Fu Shiyan!

Or rather, an Avatar formed from a strand of his primordial consciousness and Soul Power that he had left within that life-saving vegetation seed!

"M-Master?!"

The simulated "Tang San's" pupils shrank abruptly as he cried out. He struggled to break free from Fu Ze's arm.

Fu Ze immediately stopped as well, dropping to one knee and lowering his head in respect and grief. "Young Master!"

Fu Shiyan's illusory figure slowly turned around. His gaze first fell upon Fu Ze, and his tone was calm but carried unquestionable resolve.

"Fu Ze, your Martial Soul, the Destruction Tiangang Halberd, is one of the core inheritances of my Beichen Fu Clan. With your rank ninety-five cultivation, you are more than capable of dominating a region."

"I know of both your loyalty and your strength."

"From here on, protect Xiao San. Take him somewhere safe, until he possesses the strength to protect himself."

"Young Master! This subordinate is willing to follow you unto death! Please..." Fu Ze's eyes brimmed with tears, his voice choked with emotion.

"This is my order."

Fu Shiyan cut him off, his tone brooking no argument. He then turned his gaze toward "Tang San," who had broken free from Fu Ze and staggered toward him.

At that moment, tears still stained "Tang San's" face. His eyes were filled with disbelieving terror and the panic of being about to lose the person most important to him.

He stretched out a hand, yet did not dare touch his master's illusory form.

Seeing his disciple like this, Fu Shiyan revealed a gentle smile on his phantom face, no different from usual.

Fu Shiyan's projection lifted an almost transparent hand, seemingly intending to ruffle Tang San's hair as he normally did, but he could only make the motion of an empty caress.

Just like at the entrance of Nuoding Academy years ago, just as he had during these recent days of cultivation guidance, he gave him a comforting pat.

"Xiao San," Fu Shiyan said in a warm, clear voice, as though he were merely giving ordinary household advice. His voice was soft, yet every word reached Tang San's ears clearly.

"Don't be sad. Fu Ze is a rank ninety-five Title Douluo. His Martial Soul, the Destruction Tiangang Halberd, is one of our family's top-tier assault-type weapon Martial Souls.

"He is steady by nature, loyal and reliable. He can protect you and take you away from here."

He briefly introduced the powerful man beside him, who had fought bloody battles all the way to protect him.

Fu Ze came from a branch family of the reclusive Fu Family in the Beichen Mountain Range. He had displayed exceptional talent with the halberd from childhood and had been chosen to train as the Young Master's personal guard. Resolute and decisive by nature, he was a man of few words who obeyed only Fu Shiyan's commands.

"After Master is gone, remember to eat properly and rest on time. You are not allowed to stay up late cultivating and damage your foundation.

"Cultivate seriously, but learn how to relax too. Get along well with your friends...

"Be happy every day. Live an energetic, wonderful life without regrets, understand?"

Those rambling instructions, utterly lacking the bearing of an expert, tore "Tang San's" heart apart more than any grand declaration could have!

He shook his head fiercely, tears bursting forth like a breached dam. "No! Master! You'll be fine! We'll leave together! We..."

"Be good."

Fu Shiyan softly stopped him. His illusory body flickered like a dying candle in the wind, becoming increasingly transparent.

"Remember, your Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul possesses the world's most supreme life essence.

"Cultivate it well. In the future... perhaps we may meet again."

"Master—!!!"

"Tang San" let out a heart-wrenching cry, futilely trying to embrace that figure about to vanish.

At the very last moment before Fu Shiyan's Avatar completely dissipated, he looked at Fu Ze and left behind one final mental transmission. Then the light and shadow utterly shattered, turning into specks of blue starlight that merged into the earth beneath their feet, as though he had never appeared at all.

"Master!! Master!!!"

"Ahhh—!!!"

"Spirit Hall!!!!"

The simulated "Tang San" fell to his knees, both hands plunged deeply into the soil as he let out a beast-like howl. His mind, already on the verge of collapse from Xiao Wu's sacrifice, was now completely swallowed by the despair of losing a second beloved family member.

The observing Tang San felt the same pain. An immense grief and helplessness gripped his heart as the despairing emotions from the simulation battered him.

That incomparably familiar gesture instantly shattered all the strength "Tang San" had forced himself to maintain. It also pierced through the barrier of the simulation and deeply moved the observing Tang San!

At that moment, a violent tremor also rose from the depths of the observing Tang San's soul!

Master Fu Shiyan's familiar, indulgent gesture of stroking his head.

Even though it had merely been an empty caress, those plain words of concern allowed him to instantly cross the barrier of the simulation, overlapping it with reality!

Only a few days ago, at the entrance to Nuoding Academy, Master had also ruffled his hair like that, making him feel for the first time the warmth of being cherished by an elder.

In this cold world, it was a delicate and direct affection he had never felt from anyone other than Tang Hao.

And now, his future self in the simulation was suffering the bone-deep agony of soon losing that affection!

Had he changed his karma with Yu Xiaogang and saved his father, only to lose his master in the end? This price...

Just as the simulated "Tang San" was overwhelmed with grief, and the observing Tang San's emotions surged as the simulation was about to forcibly end from the violent fluctuations—

Fu Ze, still kneeling on one knee, suddenly raised his head. He gripped "Tang San's" violently trembling shoulder, his voice grief-stricken yet carrying an absolute certainty.

"Young Master Tang! Calm down! The Young Master... has not truly fallen!"

"What?!"

The simulated "Tang San" jerked his head up, his bloodshot eyes fixed fiercely on Fu Ze as though he had seized his final straw.

Fu Ze explained rapidly, "The Young Master bears the inheritance trial of the Life God King. His Blue Silver Tree Martial Soul has long undergone an essential transformation and is closely linked to the source of life!"