The slums clung to Shen Yue like a shroud, their air heavy with the reek of rot and despair. In the dim flicker of a single candle, he sat cross-legged on splintered floorboards, his mind a crucible of plans to topple the Cao family. A middle-grade clan by name, their true power lay in a web of cunning and connections—military officers, inspection hall officials, and government bureaucrats all danced to their tune. Shen Yue's fingers twitched, his pulse quickening at the thought of their influence. One wrong move, and his mother and sister would pay the price.
As he weighed his options, a voice cut through his thoughts—deep, resonant, and edged with urgency. It was his first clone, a creation of the enigmatic system that granted him dominion over powers mortals could only dream of.
Master, I bear critical information, the clone intoned, its mental presence taut. But beware—this may be a trap.
Shen Yue's eyes narrowed, his spine stiffening. The clone's grave tone was a rare warning, a beacon of danger.
What have you uncovered? he demanded mentally, his voice sharp.
The clone's response was measured, each word heavy with caution.
From whispers in taverns and shadowed alleys, I've pieced together the Cao family's true strength. Their middle-grade status is a facade; their influence burrows deep into the military, inspection hall, and government offices. They are serpents, Master, striking from angles unseen.
The clone paused, its tension palpable.
The fourth young master, Cao Jiang, is their sharpest blade. His lustful reputation masks a mind as cunning as a fox. Every step he takes is calculated. I believe he's unraveled the slums incident—your defense of our honor. That's why he sent men to probe your power. He's testing you, and I fear he's already crafting a counterstrike.
Shen Yue's jaw tightened, his nails biting into his palms. The slums incident—a clash born of necessity, where he'd crushed those who threatened his family—had rippled further than he'd intended. Cao Jiang's involvement was a thorn in his side, a predator cloaked in debauchery. Fury simmered in his chest, but he smothered it. Rushing in would only tighten the Cao family's noose.
The clone's voice softened, urgent yet steady.
Master, their connections make them untouchable for now. We must move with care, lest we stir a hornet's nest.
Shen Yue exhaled, his mind racing. His mother and sister's safety was paramount; he needed a haven beyond the slums' grasp. But power was the key—power he lacked. The system's cloning ability was his trump card, and a second clone could shift the tide.
I'll bide my time, he resolved, his gaze hardening. I'll grow stronger, master the system, and strike when they least expect it. The Cao family's days are numbered.
He addressed the clone mentally, his tone firm.
Gather every scrap of information. Watch their every breath. Leave nothing to chance.
Understood, Master, the clone replied, its voice resolute. I will be your eyes in the shadows.
As the connection faded, Shen Yue sat still, the slums' oppressive air mirroring his burden. The room's silence was a canvas for his resolve, painted with quiet determination. He couldn't falter—not when his family's lives hung in the balance.
Rising, Shen Yue's eyes gleamed with purpose. Other challenges demanded his attention—strengthening his foundation before facing the Cao family. He sank back into lotus position, closing his eyes to meditate. His breathing steadied, the world fading until only his will remained. An hour slipped by, his mind a fortress of focus.
At last, he whispered,
Activate Soul World.
His soul plunged into an abyss, the familiar path to the Soul World unfurling—a realm of shadows and boundless power. He strode forward, footsteps echoing in the void, until the Demonic Heart Pillar loomed before him. Its surface pulsed with ancient runes, their faint glow casting an eerie chill that prickled his skin. This time, Shen Yue stood unshaken, his voice ringing out.
Soul Summoning.
Dark energy swirled, coalescing into a figure both haunting and regal. The summoned soul shimmered, its ethereal form a paradox of menace and grace, its eyes glinting with a demonic rasp.
The soul bowed low, its voice rough yet reverent.
This servant greets the Master of Darkness.
Shen Yue's brow creased, irritation flaring.
Who do you call Master of Darkness? he snapped, his tone commanding.
The soul held its ground, its rasp deepening.
Only one who commands the Demonic Heart earns such a title. Master has tamed it fully—a feat beyond even primordial demons. Thus, I name you so.
Shen Yue's eyes narrowed, unsurprised by the system's ability to defy limits. He waved a hand.
Henceforth, call me Master. I name you Heart Demon. Do you know my purpose here?
The air grew dense, Heart Demon's voice trembling.
How could I fathom Master's grand designs? I live to serve your will.
Shen Yue's gaze sharpened, his posture exuding authority.
Do you retain your memories?
Heart Demon's rasp softened, tinged with regret.
Master, my low level clouds my past. But with time, my memories will awaken.
Shen Yue studied the soul, his calm eyes probing for deceit. Satisfied, he pressed on.
What of cultivation techniques?
Heart Demon's voice quickened, its ethereal form flickering.
As immortal demons, we need no techniques to gather demonic qi. Our Demon Heart absorbs and stores it, its speed tied to control. Master's full mastery allows you to wield our clan's ways.
Shen Yue sensed more, catching Heart Demon's unguarded thoughts—awe at his power, speculation that he was a reincarnated immortal wielding forbidden arts. A faint smile tugged at his lips. Let him wonder, he thought. Fear breeds loyalty.
His tone grew stern.
Your clan's method is enough? No technique to hasten progress?
Heart Demon flinched, its rasp frantic.
Master, forgive me! Our method is our pride, but there's another—Primordial Demonic Qi. It accelerates cultivation, demanding absolute control over the Demon Heart. Master, you can wield it safely.
Shen Yue's eyes glinted, his composure unbroken.
Good. I'll learn it… in time. I'll summon you when needed.
Heart Demon's form shimmered with relief, but Shen Yue caught a flicker of ambition in its eyes—a seed of desire for freedom. He noted it, his mind already shifting.
Returning to the slums' foul air, Shen Yue's nose wrinkled. This place is a cage, he thought, his resolve steeling. I must free Mother and Ning soon.
Evening's glow filtered through the window. Using his hyper-sense, he confirmed his mother and sister were safe, lost in a poetry book. A soft warmth bloomed in his chest, and he chose not to disturb them, instead summoning the system.
A panel flickered into view, its cold interface displaying his stats:
System Interface
Name: Shen Yue
Age: 14
Bloodline:
Cultivation:
Skills:
Spiritual Root:
Talents:
Unique Traits:
Spirit Energy: 3.7
Shen Yue's eyes darkened. His spirit energy hadn't budged, stalling his plans for a second clone. Frustration gnawed, but he pressed the system.
How do I increase spirit energy?
To his shock, it answered, its tone icy.
Host can increase spirit energy by consuming heavenly and earthly materials.
Shen Yue's heart leaped, but his follow-up—What are these materials?—met silence. Undeterred, he asked,
How much spirit energy for a second clone?
Host requires 1 spirit energy, the system replied.
Why didn't you say before? Shen Yue demanded, irritation flaring.
Because host never asked, it retorted, almost taunting.
Shen Yue's frustration surged, but time was his enemy. The Cao family's shadow loomed, and he needed power now.
Sitting in lotus position, he commanded,
System, initiate cloning.
The process unfolded—bones, muscles, veins, organs, skin, and spiritual roots forming in sequence. Shen Yue watched, unfazed, as the room's heat rose. The clone sat naked in lotus position, its presence a quiet storm.
The system prompted a personality. Unlike his first clone's mirror of himself, Shen Yue crafted this one with extreme calm, cunning, caution, and a demonic edge—a shadow to strike from darkness. The air grew eerie, but Shen Yue remained steady.
He assigned the same abilities and cultivation, naming it Clone 2. Using body-altering, he gave it silver hair, abyss-like eyes, and a face of quiet menace, tossing it a black-and-purple robe.
Clone 2's eyes opened, their depths unnervingly calm.
Master, it said, bowing.
Shen Yue nodded.
Prepare dinner. I'll send memories.
Clone 2 glided to the kitchen, its movements precise. Shen Yue entered the room where his mother and sister sat, poetry book open.
Shen Ning's face lit up.
Brother! This book's amazing! And your necklace—it makes my mind so sharp!
Shen Yue's heart softened, a smile breaking through.
That's good, Ning. Embrace it.
His mother smiled warmly.
You two need more time together. I'll make dinner—
No need, Mother, Shen Yue said. I've asked someone to handle it.
Her eyes twinkled with curiosity.
Always that Wolf, Yue?
Shen Ning bounced.
Brother Wolf? Where is he?
Shen Yue chuckled.
Not Wolf—he's away. This is a friend from a village I saved. He's… strong, and follows me.
His mother's brow arched.
How many friends do you have? she teased.
Before he could answer, Clone 2 entered, his silver hair and dark eyes striking.
I am Ren, he said, bowing smoothly. Big Brother Shen saved me. Forgive any unease.
Shen Yue's mother softened.
No apologies, Ren. You're welcome here.
Ren's voice was silk.
Thank you, Auntie. You're as radiant as Big Brother said, and Sister Ning's charm outshines his tales.
Shen Ning giggled, blushing, as their mother shot Shen Yue a playful glance. He flushed, deflecting.
Let's eat.
As they dined, laughter filled the room, a fleeting balm against the slums' grimness. Shen Yue's heart swelled, but a shadow lingered—the Cao family's threat.
In a dark chamber, far from the slums, two figures schemed. A young man, voice venomous, leaned forward.
Elder, our plan failed. But his pride will draw him to us.
An elder, his aura foul with decayed qi, nodded, eyes glinting.
Patience, Jiang. He'll walk into our trap—his family will be his undoing.
The night deepened, Shen Yue's resolve a flame against the gathering storm.