Shen Yue's heart thundered in his chest, a frantic rhythm that echoed the turmoil in his mind. The faint hum of his clone's vital signal pulsed through the system interface, a fragile thread tethering life to the brink of oblivion.
"Dead? No, it's not dead," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might sever that delicate connection. "The vital signal is present, but it's so low… he must be near death."
A heavy sigh escaped his lips, carrying a mix of relief and dread. "Phew…" Shen Yue leaned back against the grimy wall of his cramped slum room, the air thick with the scent of damp wood and desperation.
Losing his clone now would be catastrophic. Clones were his lifeline, his eyes and hands in a world far beyond the reach of his impoverished reality. Without a steady source of energy points, creating another would be impossible. His survival, his ambitions, hinged on keeping this clone alive.
With a steadying breath, Shen Yue activated the system's soul-connection feature, a marvel of his mysterious interface that allowed him to share senses with his clones or observe them from a third-person perspective. He chose the latter, seeking clarity over immersion.
As the connection solidified, his vision shifted, and the slum's oppressive gloom vanished, replaced by a breathtaking vista.
The clone's body lay motionless on a carpet of vibrant green grass, surrounded by a mystical landscape that seemed plucked from a dream. Lush medicinal gardens bloomed with exotic herbs, their petals glowing faintly under a soft, ethereal light. Crystal-clear ponds teemed with shimmering fish, their scales catching the sunlight in a dance of colors.
In the distance, rolling hills cradled a majestic river that wound through the valley like a silver ribbon. At the heart of this paradise stood a grand mansion, its architecture reminiscent of ancient dynasties, with sweeping roofs and intricate carvings that exuded timeless majesty.
This mansion anchored a sprawling city, its streets lined with elegant houses and bustling shops, all eerily silent. Not a single soul stirred.
The emptiness gnawed at Shen Yue's nerves, a silent warning that this beauty hid something sinister. As he guided his consciousness to explore the city, a sudden force gripped him—a powerful suction, like a vortex threatening to swallow his very soul.
Before he could react, the system's cold, mechanical voice blared in his mind.
"Warning! Warning! A powerful entity detected. For host safety, connection will be terminated."
The vision shattered.
Shen Yue found himself back in his slum room, the abrupt transition leaving him disoriented. His hands trembled, slick with sweat, and his mind reeled as if he'd been yanked from a dream into a nightmare.
He closed his eyes, willing his racing heart to calm. After a moment, he opened them, his voice shaky but resolute. "System, what just happened?"
The system's voice, devoid of warmth, responded, "Connection with Clone 2 terminated. A powerful entity was detected. Host life could be in danger. Probability of detection: 5%. For safety, the system severed the link."
Silence fell, heavy and oppressive.
Shen Yue's thoughts spiraled. A powerful entity… strong enough to force the system to cut the connection?
He clenched his fists, nails biting into his palms. The system was his ultimate safeguard, capable of feats bordering on the divine—like slaying a near-immortal being under the right circumstances.
Yet, it had deemed this entity a threat too great to face. Who—or what—was in that city?*The thought sent a shiver down his spine, but a spark of relief flickered within him. The entity hadn't killed his clone. Not yet.
"I need to be careful," he murmured, his voice steadier now. "If that person wanted my clone dead, it would've happened already."
He pushed aside the lingering fear, focusing on the practical. He could investigate later, perhaps access his clone's memories or question the system further. For now, he needed to strengthen himself and his clones.
Opening the system interface, Shen Yue navigated to the technique section, his eyes scanning the familiar list:
Skills :
- Literacy and Knowledge**: 0% (Photographic Memory)
- Hyper Sense**: 59% (Perfection)
- Calisthenics**: 2% (Small Success)
- Raging Wind Wolf Steps**: 23% (Small Success)
His Literacy and Knowledge skill, blessed with transcendent perfection, was a cornerstone of his intellect, but it offered no immediate combat utility.
Hyper Sense, honed to perfection through constant use, sharpened his perception to superhuman levels.
Raging Wind Wolf Steps showed steady progress, but Calisthenics remained stubbornly stagnant at 2%. Frustration gnawed at him. *If I can't improve my physical foundation, I'll be too weak to face whatever lies in that city.*
Determined, Shen Yue issued a command through the system. "Clone 1, Wolf, prioritize reading books and practicing Calisthenics in your free time while monitoring the Cao family's movements."
"Yes, Master," came the clone's immediate reply, its voice steady and obedient through the system link.
Shen Yue nodded, his focus shifting to his own training.
He began a series of Calisthenics exercises, his muscles straining under the effort. Each movement was deliberate, a step toward transcending his current limitations. But as he trained, a nagging thought lingered: *What was that entity? And why didn't it act?
Meanwhile, in the secret realm, a figure stood motionless, her presence as commanding as the ancient city itself.
Lian Yao, the guardian of the Alchemy Saint Valley, frowned, her mature yet strikingly beautiful face etched with confusion. Her long, flowing hair shimmered under the mystical light, and her sharp eyes scanned the spot where Shen Yue's clone lay.
"Huh…" she murmured, her voice soft but laced with intrigue. "I sensed someone's presence, but it was so faint… If I hadn't been focused on this boy, I might've missed it entirely."
Her gaze lingered on the clone, Ren, who stirred at that moment. His eyes fluttered open, a groan escaping his lips.
"Ahh… my head hurts," he muttered, clutching his temples. Memories of the vortex and the system's warning flooded back, and he snapped upright, scanning the area.
"Where's that female demon?"
Lian Yao's lips curved into a playful smile. In an instant, she transported herself behind Ren, her movements silent and effortless.
Bending slightly, she spoke in a sweet, teasing tone, "What demon are you talking about? Me?"
Ren froze, a hiss escaping his lips. *Why now?* He turned slowly, bracing himself, but nothing prepared him for the sight before him.
Lian Yao was breathtaking—a vision of mature beauty with milky-white skin, long hair cascading like a waterfall, and curves that seemed sculpted by a divine hand. Her tight dress accentuated her figure, her cleavage drawing his gaze despite his best efforts.
His face flushed crimson, and a primal urge stirred within him, threatening to break free. With sheer willpower, he caged his inner beast, his breath hitching as he fought for composure.
Lian Yao's eyes sparkled with amusement. Noticing his struggle, she decided to toy with him further.
She tugged lightly at her dress, revealing a hint more of her cleavage, and pouted playfully. "Oh, what are you doing? Trying to take advantage of me?"
Ren's expression twisted, a mix of embarrassment and caution. If I didn't know how powerful she is, I'd be a fool to act, he thought, his heart pounding.
Pouncing on her would mean certain death, no matter how tempting she was. He forced himself to look away, his mind racing. *Stay calm. She's testing me.*
Seeing his restraint, Lian Yao clicked her tongue, straightening up. "Tch, you're no fun."
Her playful demeanor shifted, and she gestured at Ren's obvious discomfort, her eyes flicking downward with a mischievous giggle. "You can calm down now."
Ren's face burned as he realized what she meant. He hastily covered himself, mortified, and her soft laughter only deepened his embarrassment.
But her expression soon turned serious, the air around her growing heavy with authority. "Enough chit-chat. If you're ready, let's begin the trial."
Ren straightened, his own demeanor shifting to match her gravity. "What is this trial?"
Lian Yao's gaze softened, a hint of nostalgia flickering in her eyes. "My name is Lian Yao, guardian of the Alchemy Saint Valley Secret Realm, a place once home to the greatest alchemical force in ancient times—unrivaled, prosperous, unshaken. This trial is for the legacy of the Ancient Saint, a destiny reserved for those guided by fate."
Her voice carried a weight of centuries, tinged with longing for a lost era. "You're not the first to come here. Three others arrived before you, but they're all dead now, reduced to corpses."
Ren's throat tightened. *Three others… all dead?* The words echoed in his mind, stirring unease.
According to Pen Lei's memories, there was no record of this place—no mention of a city or a trial. He seized the opportunity when Lian Yao paused.
"Miss Lian, I have a question. Someone I know came to this realm but found only a temple, not this city."
Lian Yao waved a hand dismissively. "That's nothing unusual. This city is the main ground of the secret realm, accessible only to those with sufficient luck. Your acquaintance likely wandered into a lesser chamber with minor rewards. Anything else?"
Ren hesitated, then spoke respectfully. "Miss Lian, how many trials must I pass to claim the legacy?"
Her lips curved into a slight smile. "There are three stages."
She raised a hand, counting them off. "First, you must pay respects to the Valley Master, though he has long since passed. Then, the trials begin: the Destiny Test, to see if your fate aligns with ours; the Aptitude Test, to measure your potential; and the Alchemy Talent Test, to judge your alchemical prowess."
Ren's mind raced. *Three stages… and no one has survived them. The weight of her words settled over him like a storm cloud.
If I can claim the Valley Master's talent, I might survive this. But if so many failed, what chance do I have?
Lian Yao's voice cut through his thoughts, her tone playful yet edged with mystery. "Whether you survive depends on you. But if you succeed, I have a special gift you'll definitely like."
Her smile was enigmatic, hinting at secrets yet to be unveiled.
Ren's heart skipped a beat. A gift? The promise intrigued him, but the trials loomed larger.
As he steeled himself for what lay ahead, a single thought echoed in his mind: I have to survive.