Chapter 157

Zhang Ming, cultivating in the Taichu Immortal Palace, was deeply immersed in his enlightenment.

Suddenly, he felt a mysterious disturbance quietly approaching, prompting him to naturally focus on the Heavenly Court chat group.

As his gaze settled on the chat group, Zhang Ming noticed that, unbeknownst to him, a brand-new interface had emerged.

Combat Simulation!

The four words struck him like thunder, resonating deeply within his heart.

When his divine sense probed into it, he instantly comprehended the mysteries of this divine ability.

Immediately.

Zhang Ming felt his surroundings change, finding himself in the vast sea of stars.

Before him appeared a virtual-real interface listing various challenge targets, encompassing all levels from the first to the seventh tier.

Suddenly.

Zhang Ming's gaze locked onto the seventh-tier column, where only two choices were available.

Star Behemoth (Early Seventh Tier)

Sage of Shenxiao (Late Seventh Tier)

"Sage of Shenxiao?"

Zhang Ming was slightly taken aback when he saw this name.

He remembered this name vividly.

The Sage of Shenxiao was the existence he encountered when he first ventured into a secret realm.

Although he had explored many secret realms since then, none could compare to the one left by the Sage of Shenxiao.

"Rumor has it that the Sage of Shenxiao could rival a young Immortal Emperor. Today, I shall see how vast the gap between us is!"

Zhang Ming's heart was filled with eager anticipation.

He possessed a combat body and had reached the early stage of the sixth tier. His cultivation was undoubtedly formidable, making him a prominent figure among the younger generation in the Taichu Cave Heaven.

With no saints currently appearing in the world, Zhang Ming also longed to know how far he was from the legendary saint-level powerhouses.

"Simulating the Sage of Shenxiao requires a million offerings?"

As soon as Zhang Ming's thought settled, the Heavenly Court chat group immediately provided a prompt. After a brief contemplation, he gladly accepted.

He was no longer the rookie he once was. A million offerings were now insignificant to him.

As a sixth-tier cultivator with the support of the Taichu Cave Heaven.

Zhang Ming had countless ways to earn offerings.

A million offerings were not a trivial amount but certainly not a challenge either.

As the million offerings dissipated, the figure of the Sage of Shenxiao gradually appeared in the void, his oppressive aura like a deep abyss, instantly making Zhang Ming's bones tremble as if under immense pressure.

This overwhelming pressure caused Zhang Ming's face to change dramatically.

However, before he could react, the Sage of Shenxiao struck with a palm from the air.

Zhang Ming let out a fierce shout, activating the power of his combat body, his fists striking towards the sky like thunder.

Yet.

Before a saintly powerhouse, a true lord was like an ant.

Under the palm strike of the Sage of Shenxiao, Zhang Ming was instantly obliterated.

…

Simulation terminated!

Emerging from the combat simulation, Zhang Ming remained dazed for a long time, the power of that palm strike still echoing in his mind.

After a long breath, Zhang Ming finally exhaled, a bitter smile appearing on his face.

"So, the power of a saint is truly this terrifying!"

The strength of the Sage of Shenxiao far exceeded Zhang Ming's expectations.

In front of him, Zhang Ming's sixth-tier cultivation was as fragile as paper.

Despite his combat body, and his confidence in his strength within the Taichu Cave Heaven.

Even when facing peak sixth-tier powerhouses, he could put up a fight.

However.

Such strength crumbled instantly before the Sage of Shenxiao, showcasing the might of a seventh-tier saint.

Next, Zhang Ming turned to the early seventh-tier Star Behemoth and initiated another combat simulation.

Not long after.

Zhang Ming exited the combat simulation once more.

Unlike the instant defeat by the Sage of Shenxiao, this time against the Star Behemoth.

He barely lasted a few breaths before being killed.

At this point.

Zhang Ming completely abandoned the idea of contending with saints.

Whether it was the Star Behemoth or the Sage of Shenxiao.

Both exerted immense pressure on Zhang Ming, clearly belonging to different tiers.

However.

These two battles gave Zhang Ming an initial understanding of the strength of seventh-tier saints and made him value the newly discovered combat simulation divine ability even more.

The Heavenly Court chat group was already mysterious and unfathomable, and the emergence of the combat simulation divine ability.

Made Zhang Ming regard it with even greater awe.

The Sage of Shenxiao had perished long ago, yet the Heavenly Court chat group could simulate and recreate him, a feat nothing short of astonishing.

Zhang Ming even speculated whether the chat group possessed the power to transcend time and space, capturing the Sage of Shenxiao before his demise as a simulation target.

Regardless.

Such means were beyond Zhang Ming's imagination.

Henceforth, he once again entered the combat simulation, this time not focusing on the seventh-tier interface, as saints were beyond his current capability.

The sixth-tier interface unfolded, and numerous names appeared before his eyes.

Among them, Zhang Ming recognized familiar faces like Peak Lord Yin Hong of the Taichu Cave Heaven, Gu Tiangang of the Ancient Desolate Cave Heaven, Autumn Chengfeng of the Tianyang Cave Heaven, and Ye Taixian of the Taixu Cave Heaven.

"It is said that Gu Tiangang possesses the Ancient Desolate Body. Now let me see how I compare to a sixth-tier peak Ancient Desolate Body!"

Zhang Ming quickly selected Gu Tiangang's name, initiating the simulation of a sixth-tier powerhouse with a hundred thousand offerings.

As Gu Tiangang's form condensed from the void, Zhang Ming unhesitatingly launched a fierce attack.

At the very beginning.

Zhang Ming exerted all his might.

The manifested Gu Tiangang reacted swiftly, responding with the composure of a battle-hardened warrior.

"Boom——"

In the starry sky, the two figures clashed fiercely. The actions of Gu Tiangang and Zhang Ming were as swift as lightning, with afterimages intertwining and lingering for a long time.

Suddenly.

The afterimages dissipated.

Gu Tiangang's punch penetrated Zhang Ming's protective spiritual light, striking heavily on his chest.

The ferocious force caused his chest bones to cave in instantly, his heart shattering.

Zhang Ming's figure immediately turned into a stream of light and vanished, his soul returning to his body.

"No wonder he is hailed as an unparalleled true lord. Gu Tiangang's strength is indeed extraordinary!"

Recalling the recent battle, Zhang Ming's eyes gleamed with admiration for Gu Tiangang's strength, which had consistently suppressed him.

Although this battle did not end as swiftly as the one against the seventh-tier saint, it was still far from prolonged.

After a brief rest, Zhang Ming once again entered the combat simulation.

This time, he targeted other sixth-tier powerhouses, and another intense battle erupted.

4o