Darkness.

A strange weight pressed against Shen Yue's chest.

Then came pain.

Not the dull ache of exhaustion.

Not the sharp sting of a cut.

It was a crushing agony that seemed determined to tear her soul apart.

Shen Yue gasped and sat upright.

Cold sweat drenched her body.

For several moments she simply stared blankly at the unfamiliar room.

The ceiling was carved from dark sandalwood.

Silken curtains hung around a large bed.

Moonlight filtered through lattice windows.

Everything looked ancient.

And very expensive.

"...What?"

Her voice sounded different.

Softer.

Colder.

More elegant.

Shen Yue froze.

That was not her voice.

A terrible suspicion appeared in her mind.

Slowly she turned toward the bronze mirror standing beside the bed.

A beautiful woman stared back.

Long black hair cascaded over her shoulders.

Pale skin.

Sharp eyes.

Delicate features.

The face was breathtaking.

And completely unfamiliar.

"What the hell?"

The moment those words left her mouth, a flood of memories exploded inside her head.

Pain shot through her skull.

Images flashed before her eyes.

Cultivators flying through the heavens.

Ancient sects.

Spirit beasts.

Demonic cultivators.

Endless battles.

A woman named Shen Yue.

A villainess.

A woman hated by everyone.

A woman destined to die.

"...No way."

She recognized it.

The world.

The story.

The character.

Years ago she had read a web novel called Heaven's Sword of Destiny.

It was one of the most frustrating novels she had ever seen.

The male protagonist was arrogant.

Every woman somehow fell in love with him.

The villains were stupid.

The plot armor was ridiculous.

And one particular villainess had received a miserable ending.

Shen Yue.

The woman whose body she now occupied.

The villainess was betrayed.

Humiliated.

Then executed.

Chapter 37.

That was her fate.

Shen Yue felt her face twitch.

"You've got to be kidding me."

At that moment a mechanical voice echoed in her mind.

[Ding.]

Shen Yue nearly jumped off the bed.

[Ding.]

[Villainess Survival System successfully activated.]

Silence.

Then:

"Oh, come on."

The voice continued.

[Host confirmed.]

[Name: Shen Yue.]

[Current Survival Probability: 4.2%.]

"...Only 4.2%?"

[Correction.]

[4.1%.]

"..."

[4.0%.]

"...Stop counting."

The System obediently stopped.

For three seconds.

[3.9%.]

Shen Yue rubbed her forehead.

"Why is it decreasing?"

[Because Host is still alive.]

"That explanation makes no sense."

[Host is currently participating in a death route.]

"Wonderful."

The System remained silent.

Then:

[Would Host like to hear additional bad news?]

"No."

[Delivering additional bad news.]

Shen Yue wanted to strangle it.

[Original fate indicates Host will die in thirty-seven chapters.]

[Current estimated lifespan: ten days.]

"..."

[Correction.]

[Nine days.]

"..."

[Nine days and twenty-three hours.]

Shen Yue collapsed backward onto the bed.

Maybe she had actually died.

Maybe this was hell.

The System spoke again.

[Main Mission Activated.]

[Survive.]

"...That's it?"

[Yes.]

"That's the mission?"

[Yes.]

"Do you have any useful rewards?"

[Remaining alive.]

Shen Yue stared at the ceiling.

She hated everything.

A knock sounded outside.

"Senior Sister Shen."

A female voice.

"Young Master Zhao requests your presence."

Shen Yue froze.

Zhao Tianming.

The original protagonist.

The arrogant scumbag.

The man who would eventually betray the villainess.

A memory surfaced.

Tomorrow.

There would be a secret mission.

In the original story, Shen Yue would risk her life to help Zhao Tianming obtain treasure.

After obtaining it, he would frame her for theft.

The beginning of her downfall.

The System suddenly spoke.

[Emergency Notice.]

[Target detected.]

[Zhao Tianming.]

[Threat Level: Extremely Annoying.]

Shen Yue blinked.

"Extremely annoying?"

[System evaluation updated.]

[Threat Level: Human Garbage.]

"Now that's more accurate."

A brief pause followed.

Then the System added:

[Recommended action: Avoid target.]

[Alternative action: Hit target with a rock.]

"...You can say that?"

[I am a premium system.]

Shen Yue laughed despite herself.

For the first time since awakening, some of her tension disappeared.

She stood and walked toward the mirror.

The woman reflected there looked powerful.

Confident.

Dangerous.

But the memories told another story.

The villainess was nothing more than a pawn.

A stepping stone.

A disposable character.

A woman whose only purpose was to make the protagonist look impressive.

Shen Yue narrowed her eyes.

Not anymore.

If fate expected her to obediently die for some arrogant protagonist, fate could go to hell.

A sudden chill ran through her body.

She frowned.

Something felt wrong.

Very wrong.

For a brief moment she thought she saw a black shadow move beneath her feet.

Like something alive.

She looked down.

Nothing.

The floor remained still.

The strange sensation disappeared.

"Did you see that?"

[Yes.]

Shen Yue stiffened.

"What was it?"

The System was silent.

Unusually silent.

Several seconds passed.

Then:

[Error.]

[Unknown lifeform detected.]

[Scanning.]

[Scanning.]

[Scanning.]

A warning suddenly flashed inside her mind.

[Warning.]

[Warning.]

[Warning.]

[Host identity inconsistent.]

Shen Yue's heart skipped a beat.

"What does that mean?"

The System's voice became serious.

[Host is not entirely human.]

The room fell silent.

A cold feeling spread through Shen Yue's body.

"What?"

[Further information unavailable.]

[Unlock conditions not met.]

Shen Yue frowned.

"What exactly am I?"

Before the System could answer, another knock sounded outside.

This time it was impatient.

"Senior Sister Shen!"

"We are leaving!"

Shen Yue took a deep breath.

The original story had begun.

The gears of fate were already turning.

Somewhere outside, Zhao Tianming was waiting.

The protagonist.

The chosen one.

The man destined to stand above all others.

Shen Yue smiled coldly.

Not for long.

She opened the door.

Moonlight illuminated the courtyard.

Disciples moved between buildings.

Spiritual lanterns glowed softly.

And standing in the center of it all was Zhao Tianming.

Handsome.

Confident.

Smug.

Exactly as she remembered.

The moment he saw her, his eyes briefly flashed with possessiveness.

It made Shen Yue immediately dislike him.

"You're late," he said.

No greeting.

No concern.

Only criticism.

Just like the novel.

Shen Yue's smile widened.

"Then leave without me."

The courtyard became silent.

Zhao Tianming stared.

Several disciples looked shocked.

In the original story, Shen Yue worshipped him.

She would never speak like that.

The System suddenly announced:

[Achievement Unlocked.]

[Made Zhao Tianming Confused.]

[Reward: 10 Survival Points.]

Shen Yue nearly laughed.

Perhaps this world would be entertaining after all.

Far away, hidden beyond mortal sight, destiny itself began to shift.

And deep beneath the earth...

Something ancient slowly opened its eyes.

Something covered in countless sleeping tentacles.

Something that had waited for thousands of years.

Something that recognized Shen Yue.

The true story had finally begun.

welcome to my new story 😉

The night wind swept across the Azure Mountain Range.

Shen Yue followed the group of disciples down a narrow stone path.

Moonlight illuminated the cliffs surrounding them.

Behind her walked several disciples from the Heavenly Sword Pavilion.

Ahead stood Zhao Tianming.

As always, he occupied the center of attention.

Several female disciples gazed at him admiringly.

Shen Yue nearly rolled her eyes.

The novel had described him as a peerless genius destined to shake the heavens.

In reality?

Arrogant.

Self-important.

And completely convinced the world revolved around him.

The System suddenly spoke.

[Observation.]

"What?"

[Target Zhao Tianming has spent the last thirteen minutes admiring his own reflection in a sword.]

"...You're joking."

[System does not joke.]

Shen Yue glanced ahead.

Sure enough, Zhao Tianming was staring at his sword blade.

Using it as a mirror.

She sighed.

Maybe the System was right.

Human garbage.

The group eventually arrived at a mountain valley.

Ancient ruins rested between the cliffs.

Broken stone pillars stretched toward the sky.

Faded symbols glowed faintly across cracked walls.

The disciples immediately became excited.

"Ancient inheritance!"

"There must be treasures inside!"

"Perhaps spirit techniques!"

Zhao Tianming raised a hand.

Everyone instantly fell silent.

His expression was proud.

"Remain calm."

"As the strongest disciple present, I shall lead everyone."

Shen Yue resisted the urge to laugh.

The strongest?

There were elders in the sect who could flatten him with a sneeze.

Yet he spoke as if he were already immortal.

The group entered the ruins.

The air immediately became colder.

Shen Yue felt a strange sensation.

Something was watching her.

The feeling came from deep underground.

Ancient.

Hungry.

Patient.

Her heartbeat accelerated.

"System."

[Yes.]

"Do you feel that?"

A brief pause followed.

Then:

[Unknown presence detected.]

[Recommendation: Do not die.]

"Very helpful."

[Thank you.]

Shen Yue rubbed her forehead.

The ruins became increasingly dark as they advanced.

Ancient stone corridors twisted beneath the mountain.

Torchlight flickered against the walls.

After nearly an hour, the group reached a massive underground chamber.

Everyone gasped.

At the center stood a crystal altar.

Golden light radiated from its surface.

Floating above it was a jade token.

The inheritance treasure.

Exactly as described in the novel.

Shen Yue's eyes narrowed.

This was where everything began.

In the original story, she would help Zhao Tianming obtain the treasure.

Afterward, he would accuse her of stealing other resources.

Her reputation would be destroyed.

The road toward death would begin.

Not this time.

Zhao Tianming stepped forward confidently.

"The inheritance belongs to me."

No one objected.

Most disciples already believed he was destined for greatness.

As he approached the altar, ancient symbols suddenly illuminated.

The chamber shook violently.

Cracks spread across the floor.

Several disciples screamed.

A stone guardian emerged from the darkness.

The creature stood nearly four meters tall.

Its body was covered in ancient runes.

Golden eyes glowed like flames.

"Guardian puppet!"

Someone shouted.

Panic erupted.

The stone guardian attacked immediately.

Its massive fist smashed into the ground.

The impact sent several disciples flying.

Blood sprayed through the air.

The inheritance trial had begun.

Just like the novel.

Except one detail was different.

The guardian turned.

Its glowing eyes locked directly onto Shen Yue.

The temperature in the chamber dropped.

An unfamiliar voice echoed inside her mind.

"Found..."

Shen Yue froze.

Nobody else seemed to hear it.

The voice continued.

"Found you..."

Cold sweat appeared on her back.

"What the hell?"

The System reacted instantly.

[Warning.]

[Unknown consciousness attempting contact.]

[Emergency Mission Activated.]

[Mission: Survive.]

[Reward: Continued existence.]

"That's not a reward!"

The stone guardian suddenly roared.

Instead of attacking Zhao Tianming, it charged directly toward Shen Yue.

The entire chamber erupted in shock.

"Why is it targeting her?!"

"Run!"

Shen Yue cursed internally.

She dodged sideways.

The guardian's fist shattered the ground where she had been standing.

Debris exploded everywhere.

The impact nearly knocked her off balance.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

None of this happened in the original story.

Another attack followed.

Then another.

The guardian ignored everyone else.

It only wanted her.

Zhao Tianming frowned.

Instead of helping, he stepped backward.

Shen Yue wasn't surprised.

The novel constantly praised his righteousness.

Yet whenever real danger appeared, he conveniently let others take the risk first.

The guardian swung again.

This time Shen Yue couldn't completely evade.

The attack struck her shoulder.

Pain exploded through her body.

She crashed into a stone wall.

Blood appeared at the corner of her mouth.

Several disciples gasped.

They clearly expected her to die.

The guardian advanced slowly.

Its eyes remained fixed on her.

"Found..."

"Found..."

"Found..."

The voice became louder.

Something deep inside Shen Yue responded.

A strange warmth spread through her chest.

Then she heard another sound.

A heartbeat.

Not her own.

Something ancient slumbered within her.

And it was waking up.

The System suddenly shouted.

[Host!]

[Control yourself!]

"What do you mean?"

[Unknown bloodline activity increasing.]

[Warning.]

[Warning.]

[Warning.]

Black shadows flickered beneath Shen Yue's feet.

For a brief moment, something moved inside them.

Like tentacles.

Then the phenomenon vanished.

Nobody appeared to notice.

Except one person.

A young woman standing near the back of the chamber.

Simple white robes.

Ordinary appearance.

No extraordinary aura.

No powerful cultivation.

Yet her clear eyes widened slightly.

She had seen it.

Shen Yue noticed immediately.

Their gazes met.

The young woman quickly looked away.

Lin Qingxue.

The future female lead.

The mortal cultivator.

The girl who should have been nothing more than a background character.

Why was she here?

In the original story, Lin Qingxue didn't appear until much later.

The plot was changing faster than expected.

The guardian attacked again.

This time Shen Yue prepared herself.

She forced spiritual energy through her meridians.

Pain shot through her body.

Then she moved.

The attack barely missed.

She slid beneath the guardian's arm.

For a brief moment she reached its blind spot.

A memory surfaced from the villainess's body.

Sword techniques.

Battle experience.

Instinct.

Shen Yue immediately struck.

Her sword flashed.

Cracks spread across the guardian's leg.

The giant stumbled.

The surrounding disciples looked shocked.

Even Zhao Tianming seemed surprised.

Nobody expected Shen Yue to fight this well.

The guardian roared.

Then something unexpected happened.

A small figure rushed forward.

Lin Qingxue.

The mortal girl.

Without hesitation she threw a spirit talisman toward the guardian.

The talisman exploded.

Bright light filled the chamber.

The guardian staggered.

An opening appeared.

Shen Yue reacted instantly.

She launched herself forward.

Her sword pierced directly into a crack near the guardian's chest.

The entire chamber shook.

The guardian froze.

Then thousands of cracks spread across its body.

Boom.

The massive construct collapsed.

Silence followed.

Everyone stared.

The inheritance trial had ended.

The treasure remained floating above the altar.

Zhao Tianming immediately stepped forward.

As if he had contributed the most.

As if he had defeated the guardian himself.

Shen Yue almost laughed.

Typical.

However, before he could touch the inheritance, another voice echoed throughout the chamber.

Ancient.

Powerful.

Terrifying.

"Heir..."

The entire mountain trembled.

The voice was not directed at Zhao Tianming.

It was directed at Shen Yue.

Every disciple looked confused.

Zhao Tianming's expression darkened.

The floating jade token suddenly abandoned the altar.

Instead of flying toward Zhao Tianming...

It shot toward Shen Yue.

The inheritance chose its owner.

The chamber erupted.

"Impossible!"

"Why her?!"

"Senior Brother Zhao should receive it!"

Zhao Tianming's face became ugly.

For the first time, Shen Yue saw genuine hostility in his eyes.

Not affection.

Not possessiveness.

Hostility.

The kind that eventually killed people.

The jade token landed in her hand.

A flood of information entered her mind.

Ancient symbols.

Forgotten languages.

Fragments of memories.

Then she saw it.

An enormous creature sleeping beneath a black ocean.

Countless tentacles stretched endlessly through darkness.

Golden eyes slowly opened.

And stared directly at her.

The vision vanished.

Shen Yue nearly lost her footing.

The System immediately activated.

[Congratulations.]

[Hidden Quest Completed.]

"What quest?"

[Survive long enough to confuse destiny.]

"...That was a quest?"

[Yes.]

"How was I supposed to know?"

[Host never asked.]

Shen Yue wanted to scream.

Instead she took a deep breath.

Across the chamber, Lin Qingxue quietly watched her.

Unlike everyone else, there was no greed in her eyes.

Only concern.

A strange feeling stirred inside Shen Yue's chest.

Perhaps because she had spent years reading stories where everyone betrayed the villainess.

Seeing genuine kindness felt unfamiliar.

The mountain trembled again.

The ancient voice echoed one final time.

"Heir..."

"We shall meet again."

Then everything became silent.

Nobody understood what had happened.

Nobody except Shen Yue.

Whatever monster slept beneath this world...

It knew her.

And sooner or later...

It would come for her.