Silence.
Deep.
Oppressive.
---
Shen Luo stared at the black fragment embedded in stone.
It pulsed.
Slow.
Heavy.
Like a heartbeat that didn't belong to this world.
---
"…You look important," he murmured.
No response.
Only that steady *thump… thump… thump…*
---
The system flickered.
> "Unknown Item Analysis Failed."
> "Warning: Contact may result in death."
---
Shen Luo sighed.
"Everything here results in death."
He tilted his head, studying it.
"…So what makes you special?"
---
He didn't move immediately.
That was the difference now.
Before—he acted casually.
Now—
He calculated.
---
"The pool tried to devour me," he muttered.
"And this thing remained."
"That means…"
His eyes narrowed.
"…either it's the source…"
"Or something even worse."
---
A faint smile appeared.
---
"Good."
---
He stepped forward.
---
### **The Interruption**
"STOP!"
A voice exploded from behind.
Sharp.
Panicked.
---
Shen Luo turned.
A figure stumbled into the chamber.
Outer sect disciple robes—torn, bloodstained.
A familiar face.
---
"Zhao Feng?" Shen Luo raised an eyebrow.
The same arrogant disciple from before.
But now—
His face was pale.
Eyes filled with fear.
"You're alive?!" Zhao Feng gasped.
Then his gaze snapped to the black fragment.
His expression changed instantly.
Greed.
Madness.
"…So it's here," Zhao Feng whispered.
---
Shen Luo watched quietly.
"…You know what this is?"
---
Zhao Feng laughed.
A dry, broken laugh.
"I don't need to know what it is."
"As long as it makes me stronger."
---
Shen Luo nodded slowly.
"Fair."
---
For a moment—
Neither moved.
---
Then Zhao Feng's expression twisted.
"You got here first…"
His voice dropped.
"…but that doesn't matter."
---
Spiritual energy surged.
Weak.
Unstable.
But real.
---
"Qi Condensation Level One," Shen Luo noted calmly.
"Congratulations."
---
Zhao Feng's face darkened.
"Still stronger than you!"
---
He rushed forward.
Fast.
Desperate.
---
Shen Luo didn't move.
---
Not until the last second.
---
### **The First Fight**
Zhao Feng's fist shot toward his chest—
Shen Luo stepped sideways.
Barely.
Just enough.
---
The punch missed.
---
Zhao Feng stumbled.
Confused.
---
"…Too slow," Shen Luo said quietly.
---
Before Zhao Feng could react—
Shen Luo's hand struck.
Not hard.
Not flashy.
---
Precise.
---
His fingers dug into Zhao Feng's throat.
Cutting off breath.
---
Zhao Feng's eyes widened.
He struggled.
Panicked.
---
"You're stronger than me," Shen Luo said calmly.
"But you don't know how to use it."
---
Zhao Feng clawed at his hand.
Desperate.
Terrified.
---
"Wait—!"
---
The word barely escaped.
---
Shen Luo paused.
---
For a fraction of a second—
His grip loosened.
---
A memory surfaced.
Laughter.
Outer sect courtyard.
Simple days.
---
"…We trained together once," Shen Luo murmured.
---
Zhao Feng's eyes lit up.
Hope.
---
"Yes! Yes—we—"
---
### **The System Speaks**
> "Karma Thread Detected."
> "Choice Available."
---
Everything slowed.
---
> "Spare Target → Outcome Uncertain"
> "Kill Target → Reward: Stabilized Cultivation + Karma Gain"
---
Shen Luo's expression didn't change.
---
"…Of course," he whispered.
---
A choice.
---
He looked at Zhao Feng.
Really looked.
---
Fear.
Desperation.
Selfishness.
---
"…If I let you go," Shen Luo said softly,
"You'll come back."
---
Zhao Feng froze.
---
"And next time," Shen Luo continued,
"You won't hesitate."
---
Silence.
---
Zhao Feng's eyes trembled.
Because he knew—
It was true.
---
"…I won't," Zhao Feng whispered.
---
Shen Luo smiled faintly.
---
"I know."
---
### **The First Kill**
His grip tightened.
---
A sharp crack echoed.
---
Zhao Feng's body went limp.
---
Silence returned.
---
Shen Luo stood there.
Still.
Unmoving.
---
> "Target Eliminated."
> "Reward Granted."
---
A surge of energy flowed through him.
Smoother this time.
Controlled.
---
His aura stabilized.
Stronger.
---
But his expression—
Didn't change.
---
"…So this is how it works," he said quietly.
---
He looked down at the body.
---
No regret.
---
No pride.
---
Only understanding.
---
"…Hesitation is death."
---
### **Aftermath**
The chamber felt colder.
Heavier.
---
The black fragment pulsed again.
Louder now.
---
*Thump.*
*Thump.*
*Thump.*
---
As if—
It had been waiting.
---
Shen Luo turned.
---
"…Now," he said softly,
"no distractions."
---
He stepped toward it.
---
This time—
Without hesitation.
---
End of Chapter 3