Joining Forces

On the light screen.

Simulation Yun Ming's upper garment had been torn to the point where it could barely cover him. Horrifying wounds crisscrossed his muscles like a grim painting.

His once-handsome face was now covered in blood and dust, leaving him utterly bedraggled. His hair hung loose and disheveled, adding to his forlorn, wretched appearance.

Blood continually spilled from his mouth. Every cough seemed to tear apart his already exhausted body.

Across from him, Yuan Tiangang's mask had shattered beyond recognition, revealing a face like a skull. The shocking sight left all the spectators dumbfounded.

They had originally assumed the mask was meant to conceal his identity. They had never expected its true purpose was to hide such a terrifying face.

Yuan Tiangang was not faring well either. Scarlet wounds covered his body, and more than half of his lipless teeth had been knocked out, making him look exceptionally savage.

Despite his severe injuries, however, he appeared to be in far better condition than Simulation Yun Ming.

"This Marshal truly did not expect you to possess such strength." Yuan Tiangang clutched his chest, his tone filled with astonishment and unwillingness. "This Marshal has cultivated for three hundred years. How many years have you cultivated, yet you have nearly caught up to me already?"

He watched Simulation Yun Ming, who could barely remain standing, and a complicated emotion flickered in his eyes. "This Marshal truly underestimated you and misjudged you. In three hundred years, you are the first person to impress This Marshal so deeply."

"You should have endured for another ten years. Perhaps in ten years, you could have defeated This Marshal. But you were too impatient. Far too impatient."

Having witnessed his opponent's strength, Yuan Tiangang was genuinely shocked.

He had cultivated for three hundred years.

Yet the man before him, even if he had begun cultivating in his mother's womb, had cultivated for no more than thirty-odd years.

And yet, he now possessed seventy or eighty percent of Yuan Tiangang's power.

What talent was this? What a heaven-shaking genius.

Even he could not help but be moved.

He felt the urge to cherish such talent and spare his life.

But—

Yuan Tiangang's tone was filled with deep regret as he slowly said, "If your nature were good, perhaps This Marshal would generously give you everything, even the entire realm. But you... govern with brutality and possess a sinister temperament. If the realm fell into your hands, how could its people live in peace and prosperity? How could the realm remain tranquil? How could a golden age be created?"

"Cough, cough..."

Simulation Yun Ming continued coughing up blood, yet a cold sneer appeared on his pale face.

With difficulty, he said, "I am already thirty-six years old. How much time can Heaven grant me? If I do not fight for it now, then when should I wait? Ten thousand years is too long—I fight only for today!"

"Tomorrow I shall roam the royal garden; urgently tell spring of my arrival. Let every flower bloom overnight—do not wait for the dawn breeze."

He spoke coldly.

"That is a poem by the Martial Emperor," Yuan Tiangang said gravely.

"Great Marshal, do you understand?"

"Cough, cough..."

Blood poured from Simulation Yun Ming's mouth like a breached flood. He seemed unable to support himself any longer and could only collapse on the ground, vomiting blood without end. The sight stunned every spectator present.

Had he... reached the end of the road?

Though many people disliked the protagonist on the light screen, they had to admit that great villains could sometimes be irresistibly charismatic.

Because people inherently admired strength.

"Is he really going to die?"

Yun Ming's heart was filled with complicated emotions, along with a surge of excitement.

Once his simulated self died, the simulation would end. He wondered what kind of reward he would receive.

He was astonished that Simulation Yun Ming had been able to contend with Yuan Tiangang for so long. The combat power he had displayed was simply off the charts.

If he could obtain Simulation Yun Ming's strength... At the thought, Yun Ming's heart filled with anticipation and excitement.

Meanwhile, after hearing Simulation Yun Ming's words, Yuan Tiangang could not help falling silent.

It seemed the other man's words had touched him, prompting him to reevaluate the young man he regarded as an enemy.

After a long while, Yuan Tiangang finally said softly, "You truly are remarkable. But all of this is fate."

"It is time for you to be on your way." Yuan Tiangang slowly walked toward Simulation Yun Ming, who had collapsed on the ground.

"It is not over yet!"

Simulation Yun Ming struggled to open his bloodstained mouth and let out a wild laugh. "Gangzi, I have a few matters to share with you. Are you willing to hear me out?"

Could there still be a twist?

The spectators, who had believed the story was about to reach its conclusion, were all stunned and widened their eyes.

"What trick are you trying to pull now?" Yuan Tiangang's voice was cold and distant, as though he could not be bothered by any move Simulation Yun Ming made.

"Qiao'er's ashes." Simulation Yun Ming casually uttered those words.

Yun Ming in reality was stunned.

"What did you say?" Disbelief seeped into Yuan Tiangang's voice. Then his face rapidly darkened, rage blazing within him. "How dare you know of such a thing?"

"What I know goes far beyond that." A teasing smile curled across Simulation Yun Ming's lips, turning Yuan Tiangang's face ashen.

"You think This Marshal will believe your nonsense?" Yuan Tiangang's tone was full of chilling menace.

"Then do you dare make a wager?" Simulation Yun Ming slowly rose to his feet, a sinister gleam flashing in his eyes. "And Li Xingyun—do not forget him either."

"Li Xingyun?" Yuan Tiangang's eyelid twitched, as though the name had struck a sensitive nerve.

"Have you not noticed? Mobei is already close at hand." Simulation Yun Ming revealed a savage, arrogant smile.

"Yuan Tiangang, did you think I came to find you without any preparations? Or did you think your three hundred years of power could solve every problem?"

As a familiar figure slowly entered everyone's sight, Yuan Tiangang's expression grew increasingly ugly.

"You actually colluded with Duokouhuo?" His voice was full of fury and disappointment.

"You are wrong!" Simulation Yun Ming burst into laughter, as though he had heard the funniest joke in the world. "Mobei and I have long since become one family."

The Great Shaman calmly looked at Yuan Tiangang and gave a slight nod, as though declaring that a storm was about to descend.

Behind her, Aogu tightly held Li Xingyun, who had already fainted and was covered in blood. The scene was exceptionally grim.

"You seem to have arrived a little late." Simulation Yun Ming spoke between ragged breaths, his tone carrying fatigue and dissatisfaction.

"The Four Great Corpse Ancestors gave us some trouble." Aogu glanced at him and said flatly, "They are all dead."

Simulation Yun Ming's expression shifted slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. "Then they are dead."

"Yuan Tiangang, I will give you a choice." Simulation Yun Ming turned toward Yuan Tiangang, his gaze cold and resolute. "Hand over the Elixir of Immortality, then take your own life. In exchange, I will cripple Li Xingyun's martial arts and spare his life. I will also return Qiao'er's ashes to where she originally rested."

"You think I would believe you?"

Yuan Tiangang's face twisted with rage. He glared at the Great Shaman, his voice filled with fury and incomprehension. "You dare interfere in this matter? Do you know what this means?"

"How could I commit such an unrighteous act as murdering Shan Degong?" Simulation Yun Ming threw back his head and laughed mockingly, his laughter brimming with contempt and provocation toward Yuan Tiangang.