The faint clatter of wooden bowls and the soft murmur of laughter filled the cramped dining space of Shen Yue's home. The evening meal, though meager, was a rare oasis of warmth in the heart of the slums.
Shen Yue, his mother, his younger sister Ninger, and his clone, Ren, lingered at the table, their voices weaving a tapestry of light-hearted banter. The air was thick with familial comfort, a fleeting escape from the decay and despair that clung to their surroundings.
Ren, with his dazzling charisma and honeyed words, had effortlessly endeared himself to Shen Yue's family. His presence was like a gentle breeze, stirring smiles and easing the weight of their hardships.
Shen Yue's mother, once a proud member of the illustrious Lan family, watched Ren with a quiet fondness. The slums' rancid stench and oppressive poverty had dulled her spirit over the years, yet she clung to dreams of a better life, especially for Ninger.
Her daughter's bright eyes and innocent laughter were a reminder of what she fought to protect. Ninger, oblivious to the world's harshness, giggled at Ren's playful teasing, her small frame bouncing with uncontainable joy.
As the meal wound down, Shen Yue cleared his throat, the sound slicing through the cheerful chatter.
"Mother, Sister, I have something to say." His voice was calm but carried an undercurrent of resolve that stilled the room. "I've decided we need to move. We're leaving this place to find a new home somewhere else."
His mother's breath caught, her heart swelling with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. The slums, with their rotting air and suffocating misery, had long been a cage she yearned to escape.
As a Lan, she had known refinement and dignity, and though she had adapted to this life, her soul ached for Ninger to grow up in a place free of such filth. Yet doubt crept in, gnawing at her hope.
"Their circumstances were dire—could Shen Yue truly have found a way out?"
"Yuer, have you really found a place for us?" Her voice quivered, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, torn between faith in her son and fear of disappointment.
Shen Yue offered a reassuring smile, sensing the unspoken worries in his mother's gaze.
"I've found a possibility, Mother, but it's not certain yet. It depends on whether we can secure it." His eyes flicked briefly to Ren, who sat silently, his expression unreadable. "If it doesn't work out, we can leave this county and settle in Donglin County. Don't worry—I'll make it happen."
His mother's heart clenched, not with fear but with trust. Shen Yue was no ordinary son. Time and again, he had defied the odds, solving problems with a cunning and capability that bordered on miraculous.
If he was sharing this now, it meant he had a plan, one he believed in. Her hope deepened, taking root in her chest.
"It would be a blessing to leave this place, Yuer. To find a true home for us, for Ninger…" Her voice softened, trailing off as she envisioned a life untainted by the slums' despair.
Ninger, who had been listening quietly, her small frame curled on a tattered cushion, suddenly leaped up. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she tugged at Shen Yue's arm.
"Brother, are we really going? I hate this place! I want to live somewhere pretty!" Her voice brimmed with childish eagerness, her tiny hands gripping his sleeve as if to anchor herself to his promise.
Shen Yue's stern features softened, a rare warmth flickering in his eyes as he ruffled Ninger's hair.
"We'll get there, Ninger. I'll make sure of it."
His gaze swept the room, lingering on the cracked walls and sparse furnishings. This place had sheltered them, but it was no home—not the kind his family deserved.
"Mother, take Ninger and rest. I'll handle everything."
His mother nodded, her exhaustion evident in the lines of her face. As she rose, Ninger yawned, her energy fading. Suddenly, the little girl darted toward Shen Yue, her voice sleepy but bright.
"Good night, Brother!" She clambered onto his lap as he crouched down, planting a soft kiss on his cheek. "This is a gift for Brother's hard work!"
Shen Yue chuckled, a rare sound that warmed the room.
"You little girl, getting cheekier by the day." He gently set her down, his heart lighter despite the weight of his plans.
Turning to his mother, he added, "Good night, Mother. Just wait for good news."
His mother smiled faintly, her eyes full of unspoken gratitude. "Good night, Yuer. Be careful."
With that, she led Ninger to their sleeping quarters, leaving Shen Yue and Ren alone in the dim main hall.
The warmth of the evening vanished, replaced by a chilling stillness.
Ren bowed deeply, his voice respectful but tinged with apprehension. "Master, what task do you have for me?"
Shen Yue's demeanor shifted, his earlier softness replaced by a cold, unyielding resolve. His eyes glinted like shards of ice as he spoke, his voice low and menacing.
"Ren, I need you to explore a secret realm discovered by Peng Lei. It's where he obtained the space item and the Heart Demon Soul. I'll transfer his memories to you. Your mission is to find the entrance." He paused, his gaze piercing. "I don't want any bad news. Do you understand?"
Ren's soul quivered under the weight of Shen Yue's command. The air grew heavy, oppressive, as if the shadows themselves were pressing down.
In his mind, he thought, What a devil my master is. This mission is a death trap. Fear coiled in his chest, but he kept his face neutral, knowing defiance was futile.
Shen Yue continued, his voice unwavering. "The realm is 69 kilometers from here. You can reach it before dawn. Once there, enter the Soul World and learn the Primordial Demon Qi technique." His eyes narrowed, a dangerous edge to his words. "It's a vicious technique, Ren. You'll test it for me."
Ren's heart sank. He wants me to risk my life on that cursed technique? He's using me as a pawn! His thoughts raced, unaware that Shen Yue could hear every one.
Shen Yue's expression remained impassive, betraying nothing. He made a sharp gesture. "Go. Don't forget your mission. If anyone catches you practicing the demonic technique, kill them. Man, woman, child, elder—no mercy. Leave no evidence. If you face an opponent too strong… self-detonate. Take them with you. I can revive you, but that's the last resort."
Ren's blood ran cold. *What a heartless man. A saint before his family, but this is his true face.* He bowed again, masking his dread. "Yes, Master."
Shen Yue produced a bull mask, a conical hat, and a token from his spatial ring, items he had acquired earlier.
"Wear these. They'll hide your identity. Go now."
Ren donned the mask and hat, their weight settling like a shroud. With a final bow, he slipped into the night.
Shen Yue watched him vanish, his voice a low murmur. "One mission settled."
He sat in a lotus position, retrieving a worn book from his spatial ring. Flipping to a marked page, he began to read, his Literacy and Knowledge skill teetering at 98% of the Perfection stage.
A spark of excitement flickered in his chest. *I'm so close. What lies beyond Perfection?*
---
Ren moved swiftly through the slums, his steps propelled by the Raging Wind Wolf Step technique. Peng Lei's memories guided him, leading him to a vast lake 59 kilometers away in just two hours.
The water gleamed under the moonlight, its serene surface hiding secrets beneath. Ren's breath tightened, his fists clenching. The secret realm lay under this lake.
Steeling himself, he plunged into the icy depths, the cold biting his skin as darkness swallowed him.
He dove deeper, his senses straining in the pitch-black abyss. The water's weight pressed against him, but he ignored it, searching for the entrance.
His hyper-awareness detected a faint pulse—an altar, humming with energy. *This must be it,* he thought, retrieving the token from his spatial space, a talent inherited from Shen Yue.
As he placed it on the altar, a glow erupted, and the world shifted.
Ren found himself in a breathtaking realm, a paradise of emerald fields, crystalline rivers, and vibrant gardens. The air was crisp, invigorating, washing away his tension.
For a moment, he felt at peace, his mind lulled by the dreamlike beauty.
Then, a melodic voice broke the silence, sweet and enchanting, like a siren's call.
"Welcome, lucky one. I am the guardian of this secret realm. I'm delighted to meet you."
Ren turned, his breath catching. Before him stood a woman of unearthly beauty, her mature features radiating allure.
Yet something felt wrong—her presence was too perfect, too powerful. Peng Lei's memories held no record of this guardian, and a chill ran through Ren.
*She's stronger than the Heart Demon… maybe more.* His mind raced, instinct warning him of danger.
The guardian's voice flowed like a lullaby, each word dripping with enchantment. "The lucky one must be confused, but there's no need to worry. Everything will be clear soon."
The realm shimmered, and suddenly, celestial beauties appeared around Ren, their curves and grace otherworldly.
Their soft touches sent waves of indescribable pleasure through him, a sensation so intoxicating he felt himself slipping, drawn into their embrace.
*This is an illusion,* he realized, his heart pounding. He clutched his head, fighting to stay focused.
The pleasure was overwhelming, urging him to surrender. But then, the Heart Demon within him stirred, its dark power surging.
The illusion wavered, the beauties' faces twisting into something grotesque. The world spun violently, and Ren groaned, his voice raw.
"What's happening to me? What did you do?"
The guardian's smile widened, no longer enchanting but sinister.
"Hmm, you broke my illusion. You have some talent, lucky one. Don't worry—you'll understand soon."
With those final words, Ren's body collapsed, his vision fading as her devilish smile burned into his mind.
---
Back in the slums, Shen Yue closed his book, a surge of triumph coursing through him. The system's voice echoed:
*Host has broken the limit of Literacy and Knowledge skill and received the trait: Photographic Memory. The host can now remember everything seen for eternity.*
A rare smile curved his lips. *This power would change everything.*
But his joy shattered as a sharp pain stabbed his chest. His fist clenched, his jaw tightened, and his voice emerged in a weak whisper.
"Dead. My clone, Ren… he's dead."
To Be Continued