Chapter 3: Second Spirit Source - Hysilens Takes the Stage

So much pain!

My whole body aches!

Ke Lu forced open her eyes, which felt glued shut, and surveyed her surroundings.

The walls were covered in anime murals, and the shelves displayed delicate princess figurines—Su Rou's room.

Struggling, Ke Lu turned toward the mirror on the bedside table. The person reflected back had changed considerably, yet seemed even colder and more refined.

[Cerydra Template LV0: Host has acquired Cerydra's appearance and demeanor.]

[No one will suspect the Host's altered appearance.]

The System's notification echoed clearly in her mind.

Ke Lu silently studied her reflection. She had indeed changed, but the transformation wasn't unfamiliar. Her original features had already borne a resemblance to Cerydra's; now, it was merely a matter of hair color and subtle refinements.

The door creaked open.

"Ke Lu! You're awake?!"

Su Rou's voice trembled with tears as her face suddenly loomed into view.

She whirled around and shouted, "Doctor! Come quick, she's awake!"

A doctor in a white coat hurried into the room. After a thorough examination, he spoke gravely:

"Her vital signs have stabilized, but..."

He trailed off, but everyone in the room understood the unspoken weight of his words.

She was ruined, forever unable to cultivate again.

"Thank you for your hard work, Doctor," Su Rou said, forcing a smile as she saw him out. Tears glistened in the corners of her eyes as she turned back.

"I'm so sorry... Ke Lu. If my dad had arrived just a little sooner..."

Ke Lu shook her head, her voice hoarse but calm. "It's not your fault."

She slowly pushed herself up, her gaze sweeping across every corner of the room before settling on Su Rou's face. "What... happened after that?"

Su Rou's expression flickered with surprise. "You remember?"

Ke Lu nodded and retrieved a pendant from her pocket. "My mother's keepsake protected me then."

"That makes sense. The Ke Family's cultivation techniques specialize in mental attacks. As a master of those arts, Aunt must have had safeguards in place."

Su Rou's heart ached as she thought of Ke Lu's mother. "Aunt was such a good person. How could she have ended up with a scumbag like your dad?"

She took a deep breath to compose herself.

"Your father... Uncle Ke, he tampered with everyone's memories. Now everyone believes you only awakened an F-Rank Talent," Su Rou said softly, her fingers unconsciously gripping the hem of her dress. "Your Talent... it's been completely destroyed by the medicinal pills."

"Hmm," Ke Lu replied with a faint murmur, her face betraying no emotion. "Where's Ke Yang?"

Su Rou pointed downstairs. "In the living room, helping my father entertain a VIP. I think her name is Hysilens."

Hysilens? Isn't that the System's reward? So the System gave Hysilens an identity in this world too?

Ke Lu said, "Then take me down there. I want to meet her too."

The two descended the spiral staircase, step by step. Ke Lu silently observed the luxurious decor of the Su Family mansion.

The architecture of the High Martial World far surpassed anything she had seen in her previous life. Here, the power of Martial Artists had replaced machinery, making the impossible possible.

If only I could bring such power back with me...

She reined in her thoughts and turned her gaze toward the living room.

As Ke Lu descended the stairs, she saw her younger brother carrying plates, helping in the kitchen. Seated at the head of the table was a black-haired, black-clad woman with hair as dark as ink and eyes like the deep sea. Who else could it be but Hysilens?

"Little Lu, Little Rou, you've arrived just in time," Father Su said, rising to introduce them. "This is Miss Hysilens of the Divine Radiance Knight Order. She's currently traveling the continent for training."

The siblings greeted her in unison. Su Rou discreetly nudged Ke Lu with her phone, the screen displaying a newly searched message:

[Divine Radiance Knight Order: The Imperium's most elite organization, featuring 20-year-old Master-level powerhouse Hysilens.]

Ke Lu maintained a neutral expression, though her heart skipped a beat.

The System's voice chimed in at the opportune moment:

[Hysilens is fully aware of the System and the Host's identities, and she is 100% loyal to you. Please be mindful of your surroundings and maintain your disguise.]

Ke Lu thought, So Hysilens's identity in this world is that of a highly skilled member of the Knight Order.

Little did they know, Hysilens had actually been summoned by the System for her.

Meanwhile,

Su Rou leaned against her father, her voice softening into a coaxing tone. "Dad, is there any way to help Ke Lu recover?"

"Alas, there's no way," Father Su sighed regretfully. "Such a rare S-Rank Talent... wasted like this."

"I discussed this with Miss Hysilens earlier," he continued. "She believes it was the Insulation Pill."

Hysilens' clear, icy voice cut in: "The Insulation Pill's power lies in severing already awakened Spirit Sources. If taken by someone with an unawakened Spirit Source, it has no effect—it's like drinking plain water."

Silence descended upon the living room.

In the kitchen, Ke Yang, who had been eavesdropping, froze mid-motion with a plate in his hand.

Now that my sister can no longer cultivate, avenging her will be my responsibility.

She's already suffered so much. From now on, the burden of our family's fate will fall on my shoulders.

Yet, amidst the silence, Ke Lu let out a soft laugh.

"But what if... there's a second, unawakened Spirit Source?"

"What?!" Father Su shot to his feet.

Su Rou's eyes widened, and she nearly leapt up. "A twin Spirit Source?! Ke Lu, you—?!"

The kitchen door burst open, and Ke Yang rushed out, his voice trembling. "Sis... are you serious?!"

Ke Lu gazed at her younger brother's teary, red-rimmed eyes, and a soft spot in her heart was gently touched.

Though the power was actually a reward from the System, that didn't stop her from telling a benevolent lie.

She nodded, her voice calm and steady.

"I sensed it during the Awakening Ceremony... Besides my S-Rank Talent, another force was surging within me."

"But I kept it hidden—especially from Ke Jie and his ilk."

She lifted her gaze, her eyes meeting Hysilens's across the room.

"Now it seems... that caution saved my life."

Father Su slammed his hand on the armrest, roaring with laughter. "Excellent! What a brilliant contingency plan! Su Rou, look at her!"

Su Rou mumbled, "I know, I know," but her smile was brighter than anyone else's.

Ke Yang threw his arms around his sister, tears finally spilling down his cheeks. "You scared me to death..."

Ke Lu, trapped in his embrace, pressed her face against his chest.

Damn this short body!

Clap, clap, clap.

Crisp applause suddenly rang out.

Hysilens had risen to her feet unnoticed, her eyes shimmering with admiration.

Her gaze fixed on Ke Lu, Hysilens said with genuine admiration, "To be frank, I've been traveling the continent on the Knight Order's orders, tasked with recruiting promising talents for their ranks."

"If your second class-change Talent proves exceptional, I'll consider recommending you to the Knight Order."

She paused briefly, her voice flowing like cool, all-encompassing water:

"Of course, the Knight Order doesn't solely value cultivation-oriented individuals. With your composure and courage, Miss Ke Lu, even if your Talent is ordinary, you'd be well-suited for other positions within the Order."

Su Rou seized Ke Lu's hand excitedly, shaking it nearly incoherently. "This is an incredible opportunity! It's like a pie falling from the sky!"

Ke Lu met Hysilens' gaze and nodded slightly:

"Thank you for your recognition, Miss Hysilens."

Father Su waved his hand grandly, his voice booming:

"Butler! Bring the Awakening Instrument! Everyone except core personnel must leave the residence immediately!"

He turned to Ke Lu, his eyes now burning with renewed hope:

"Perfect timing! Little Rou hasn't awakened yet either. You two can go together."

"Today, let's finally see... what future lies hidden within your second Spirit Source."