In the Shen family's main hall, the atmosphere was tense. All the family members were gathered around, all silent and uneasy, waiting for the man seated at the head of the table to open his eyes. Even the elders dared not speak.
Everyone's faces were solemn and scared, clearly grappling with problems they couldn't solve.
"First Elder… this can't go on. I mean no disrespect to the patriarch, but we need to wake him up," someone urged, their voice tinged with desperation.
The First Elder didn't respond immediately. Lost in thought, he stroked his beard before saying, "We wait. The family head is clearly not feeling well."
His gaze swept over everyone as he continued, "Besides, we can still hold on for half an incense stick. Let's give the patriarch a few more minutes of rest."
"First Elder," the Second Elder, who had been silent, finally spoke up. "The enemies are already at our doorstep. If we don't act soon, we may all perish. We're already facing death; what use is resting now?"
The Second Elder meant no disrespect, but the truth had to be said: resting now was equal to giving up. The Shen family was not that kind of family. Though they were weak, their spirit was not.
The behavior of the patriarch only further fueled the others' panic and sense of hopelessness in the situation.
"That's right, Elder. We're racing against time; we can't afford to wait!"
"It's do or die, First Elder!"
The others voiced their agreement, their concerns evident in their expressions.
Hearing this, the First Elder sighed, caught in a dilemma. On one hand, he didn't want to interrupt the family head's rest, knowing well the immense pressure he was under. In the family, he was the one who understood the patriarch the most.
On the other hand, he couldn't ignore the urgent pleas of his family members.
He planned to at least give the patriarch some time to calm his heart so he could fight the battle with full spirit and not fall into his Heart Demon.
But the others were right; they couldn't afford to wait any longer.
The First Elder looked around.
Everyone was on the verge of breakdown. Except for the three elders and the family head, everyone here was a mortal. The force behind the enemy's attack, which made the ground tremble, had instilled fear and weighed heavily on their hearts. Thankfully, the protection array was buying them some time.
"I apologize, family head," the First Elder said, taking a deep breath as he gazed at the ceiling. Countless memories flooded his mind, a mix of nostalgia and nightmares. He floated toward the family head, who was still sleeping. Just as he was about to send his qi to wake him, the man suddenly opened his eyes.
The first words that came out of his mouth left the First Elder confused and speechless.
"Who are you? Wha... what the heck! Where in the hell am I?!" the family head exclaimed, his voice filled with bewilderment.
The family head quickly stood up in alertness, scanning his surroundings. Then, he turned to the old man before him. "Who are you, old man?"
The First Elder's eyes went blank as he rubbed his beard, muttering, "Fuck..."
…
..
.
Shen Alexander, an ordinary young man, had been studying for his entrance exams when tragedy struck. Despite his usual reluctance to risk his life for strangers, he didn't hesitate when he saw a speeding truck heading towards a girl.
It wasn't just any girl; it was his little sister!
In a split-second decision, he pushed her out of harm's way but ended up being struck by the truck himself, losing his life in the process. However, instead of an ending, it marked a new beginning, as he found himself transmigrated into another world once again.
Shen Alexander quickly calmed himself down. Transmigration wasn't unfamiliar to him; he had experienced it before. He was just momentarily shocked, especially by the resemblance of the old man's face to someone from his previous life.
'They sure looked alike. Damn crazy monk, you're still haunting me today!' Shen Alexander cursed in his mind, his mind still reeling from the uncanny resemblance.
After erasing the crazy monk from his memory, Shen Alexander delved into the memories of this new body, reviewing them like watching a TV show. After a few minutes, he sighed, leaned back in his chair, and then glanced at the First Elder.
This man, Shen Alexander thought, was quite pitiable. Just a few months ago, their family had provoked a strong enemy, resulting in his Core Formation realm ancestor being killed in an enemy ambush. As the second head of the family, losing the ancestor meant he couldn't rely on anyone anymore, as the ancestor had been the strongest cultivator of the family.
Not only that but when they were planning to relocate to another city to escape, the enemy sent assassins to kill his children and grandchildren. His wife couldn't bear the grief and fell into depression, soon following the patriarch's children and ancestors into the afterlife.
And now, on the day when the enemy was finally going to destroy the Shen family, the patriarch couldn't take it anymore. His inner self crumbled, and he fell into a Heart Demon, deciding to commit suicide by destroying his dantian.
The destruction of the dantian caused a violent release of internal energy, resulting in catastrophic damage to the patriarch's body and ultimately leading to his death.
And that's where Shen Alexander takes over.
"These people still don't know their patriarch has already died... truly ignorant is bliss." Shen Alexander rubbed his temples and asked the First Elder, "How's the situation?"
Even though he already knew, he needed to ask to avoid suspicion.
"The ancestor left a strong array for us. Fortunately, I activated it on time. It can still hold on for half an incense stick unless a Core Formation intervenes," the First Elder responded respectfully. He then paused before asking, "But patriarch, are you really okay?"
"I'm fine," Shen Alexander waved his hand as he glanced at the people below. "Open the protective array. We are going to fight to the death."
"As for the children, elderly, and women, you know what to do, right?" he continued.
Based on his memories, all the escape routes for the family were already blocked by the enemy. Outside the mansion, another formation had been set up by the enemy to prevent anyone from escaping. This formation could detect any movements; even ants would not be safe from it.
Additionally, considering the enemy's rank as a Fifth Rate family, they probably sent a Core Formation cultivator. The situation had already backed them into a corner
A cornered rat.
"What?!" The First Elder was stunned for a moment before realization hit him. He too had entertained the same thought as Shen Alexander. In this dire situation, suffering at the hands of the enemies, death seemed like a merciful outcome.
"Alright...." The First Elder reluctantly nodded.
As Shen Alexander watched the figure of the old man leave, he muttered, "Too bad I don't have my cultivation right now. And this jackshit destroyed his dantian. Why not just take a poison pill? What a worse day to live. I hope I'll transmigrate back to Earth again."
Even though he had taken over another person's body, the emotions and attachments of the previous owner had disappeared along with him.
So Shen Alexander was free from the constraint of the feelings of the previous owner of this body.
It didn't mean that he didn't feel bad about his decision, but considering the enemy's cruelty, the Yin family, a Fifth Rate family, was made up of members of a fallen devil sect.
According to the information the family had gathered, the Yin family cultivated a cultivation that required blood and flesh. In such circumstances, death would indeed be a mercy.
Thinking about this, thinking about dying again…
"This shit and that shit, fuck this shit!" Shen Alexander suddenly exclaimed, feeling the frustration build within him. His previous life had been too good, with a peaceful existence, delicious food, and all the comforts.
"Fuck god! Whoever shitdog put me in this curse!" he cursed, his anger boiling over.
[Ding!]
[Detected the host family was facing a critical situation!]
[Searching for a solution!]
[Solution found]
[Lending 500 Family Fortune]
"Huh?" Shen Alexander came to a halt as he gazed at the blue holographic screen that suddenly appeared before him, narrowing his eyes. Slowly, a smirk formed on his face.
"System? Interesting..."
Of course, he was familiar with this concept, but he never expected he would get one as well.
"Let me take a look…" he couldn't help but be curious.
---
-Status-
Name: Shen Alexander
Ager: 34
Occupation: Head of the Shen Family
Cultivation: (broken)
Cultivation Technique:
Skills: Tigers Fang Technique, Iron Body
-
Family Path: Beast Tamer
Family Fortune: 500
Achievement: LVL 1
Card Slot: 5
Items:
---
"Oh, nice, thank God, I didn't know you still looking for me..." Shen Alexander laughed, feeling relieved, and then suddenly, a wave of information about the system was sent to him.
He then opened his Card Slot.
There were two types of Cards Slot: a normal one and a Card Slot exclusive to his Family Path. However, opening such a card required 100 Family Fortune, so he opted for the latter.
Five cards slowly emerged before him, floating, all of them glowing white.
He picked one of the cards.
[Healing Pill
Effect: When activated, the Healing Pill instantly restores a portion of the user's health. The amount of health restored depends on the level or rarity of the card.
Usage: User can activate the Healing Pill card during their turn to replenish their health and continue battling with renewed vigor.
Rarity: Common
Rank: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐]
Cards contain items, powers, or special effects that can be used to self. This was like a shop but in the form of cards, but Shen Alexander didn't like all these cards. He needed to use Shuffle to get a new set of cards.
As Shen Alexander stood in the main hall, he contemplated using the Shuffle ability to get a new set of cards. Disliking the current selection, he hesitated, knowing that shuffling would cost 50 Family Fortune. With trembling hands, he decided to proceed.
However, before he could see the new set of cards, a voice rang out in the main hall.
"Shen Alexander, get out of there, you trash!"
"Fuck... I forgot!" Shen Alexander cursed inwardly, realizing that the enemy was still outside. His gaze shifted to the First Elder, their eyes meeting.
The First Elder's gaze was resolute, and his aura broke out, revealing his power as Mid-Stage Qi Condensation. Shen Alexander's gaze, however, held a different determination.
Now equipped with the system, he didn't want to die. Getting a system was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and he didn't know if he would get another chance. Without hesitation, he quickly Shuffled the cards, hoping for a stronger set.
With each shuffle, the number of his Family Fortune decreased, causing a pang of pain in his heart.
"Damn you, Yin family! I'm going to destroy your entire bloodline if I get Legendary cards!" he vowed silently.