Shen Yue first used the appearance-change function of the system. A soft ripple passed over Clone 1's body, his facial features slowly shifting into that of Peng Lei—sharp brows, a rough jawline, and faint battle scars. Once the transformation was complete, Shen Yue retrieved Peng Lei's bloodstained military clothes from spatial storage and handed them over.
Clone 1 dressed in silence, adjusting the uniform with a seasoned soldier's precision. After a final check, Shen Yue circled him slowly, eyes narrowed in scrutiny.
"Perfect. You really look like Uncle Peng now. Let's move to the next step."
Clone 1 nodded and stood firmly in place.
Shen Yue took several steps back. Without any warning, he dashed forward and unleashed a punch—half of his true strength but condensed and brutal. The impact exploded into Clone 1's chest, sending him flying. He crashed to the ground, blood spurting from his lips. A deep fist imprint was left in his chest, and his Blood Qi circulation was completely disturbed.
Clone 1 groaned in pain, his limbs trembling from the force.
Shen Yue stood over him, his tone calm but satisfied. "This level of damage is convincing. Well done."
Struggling, Clone 1 pushed himself up on shaky arms, breath uneven. "I'm… fine. I can walk."
Shen Yue gave a slight nod, then focused on his own transformation. He changed into tattered, bloodstained clothes, attached a communication speaker to his chest, and activated Hyper Sense to suppress his aura. Even an expert would fail to detect his cultivation now.
They were ready.
Together, they set out. Alongside them, they carried the heads of one 9th-grade and three 8th-grade Blood Qi Realm barbarian cultivators—genuine trophies from Shen Yue's earlier battles.
After an hour of quiet walking through the outskirts, they arrived at the military base. The guards scanned them but didn't intervene. A defeated deputy leader and a worn-out cannon fodder—no one gave them a second look.
They made their way directly to the Military Management Department. Behind a wooden desk sat an officer who looked up sharply as they entered.
"Deputy Leader Peng… fate has dealt you a cruel hand. Your Blood Qi's been shattered. You can't serve in this state."
The implication was clear: useless soldiers had no place here.
Clone 1 offered a slight, bitter bow. "I came to settle the matter."
The officer's expression remained blank. "Do you want medicine? Equipment? Silver?"
"I'd like to exchange for silver."
"Badge."
Shen Yue had long retrieved Peng Lei's original badge and passed it to Clone 1. The officer scanned it. A pale light flickered.
"You have 5,600 contribution points. 3,000 from Captain Shen's legacy. 2,600 earned by you."
An older official stepped in—the elder responsible for contribution exchange. His eyes scanned the sack dropped at their feet.
"Four barbarian heads. That's another 400 points. Total: 6,000." He paused. "Silver?"
"Yes."
The elder nodded. "1 CP equals 10 copper coins. 100 copper coins equal 1 silver coin. So 10 CP equals 1 silver. You'll get 600 silver coins."
He handed over a heavy pouch. Silver glimmered within.
"For a family of four in the outer city," he muttered, "this much could last a decade."
Then his eyes fell on Shen Yue. "You too?"
Shen Yue stepped forward. "I was a cannon fodder. My duty's done. I'm here to exchange my points."
The elder checked a different ledger.
"Name?"
"Shen Yue."
He read quickly. "You ordered 20 days of food. 20 CP spent. 80 remain. That's 8 silver. Any objection?"
"None."
A smaller pouch landed in his hand.
"Take it and leave."
Outside, Shen Yue reunited with Clone 1. They exchanged nods and prepared to head toward the outer city.
But a name floated into Shen Yue's mind.
Meng Xue.
He paused, then turned to his clone. "We'll leave after a few hours. I have someone to see."
He left without waiting for a reply and headed toward the military infirmary.
Inside, Meng Xue was tending to a patient under Madam Xie's guidance. Her hands moved calmly, but the moment Shen Yue's footsteps echoed into the room, she turned. Her eyes widened. A flicker of surprise broke her composed face. Her breath caught.
Madam Xie followed her gaze.
A tall young man stood by the entrance—clothes torn, aura restrained, but unmistakably familiar.
Madam Xie chuckled. "You can go. I'll finish here."
"But Master—"
"He didn't come to see me. Go already."
Blushing slightly, Meng Xue nodded. She stepped outside.
As soon as she saw Shen Yue up close, emotion overwhelmed her. She threw herself into his arms.
He hugged her back tightly. A silence passed between them, full of everything left unsaid.
Moments later, she pulled back, cheeks pink. "What are you doing? Trying to take advantage of me?"
"You're the one who jumped on me. Now you're saying I'm the shameless one?"
Her face burned even more. "You—!"
Shen Yue didn't wait. One hand wrapped around her waist. The other gently cupped her cheek.
He kissed her.
Meng Xue stiffened. She resisted for a moment, then slowly softened. A strange heat surged through her—a fire that devoured hesitation. It was confusing but intoxicating.
Her fingers gripped his arms. Her lips responded shyly at first, then boldly.
Shen Yue felt it too. A burning sensation in his chest. Like his Yang energy wanted to melt into hers. His control slipped as the kiss deepened.
Just then, Madam Xie stepped out.
She froze.
Then she coughed. Once. Twice.
No response.
She coughed again—louder.
The two finally broke apart, gasping for air. Faces flushed, eyes averted.
"At least pick a better spot," Madam Xie scolded. "In daylight, outside the infirmary? You'd roll into the dirt if I hadn't come."
Meng Xue turned crimson. She genuinely wanted to dig a hole and disappear. Shen Yue, too, felt awkward. How had his Hyper Sense not caught her presence?
Then—
Ding.
System Notification: Detection Function Activated.
Holy Mother Immortal Body – Detected (Sealed)
Bloodline – Ancient Grade (Sealed)
Target Identified: Meng Xue
Shen Yue's heart skipped a beat. The words echoed in his mind like thunder.
Holy Mother… Ancient Bloodline… both sealed?
Could this be why he had felt so strange?
Confusion swept over him.
A storm was brewing—and this was only the beginning.