Villain Simulator, Ch 353-356

[Entering immersive mode]

[Mission Completed: Extract Yin Energy from Shenhe]

Holy crap, this mission... isn't it a bit too challenging?!

Lucas braced himself and slowly opened his eyes, only to find himself in a simply decorated tavern. Sitting right across from him was a stunningly beautiful woman with black hair.

Indeed, her appearance was identical to Shenhe in reality, with the only difference being her ink-black hair, which lent her a slightly different aura compared to the real-world Shenhe.

Lucas was extremely familiar with this tavern. Here, he'd charmed countless innocent girls and successfully absorbed their Yin energy.

But now, to think that his target would actually be the woman who had once been most important to him.

"So, you're an exorcist?" Lucas picked up the conversation thread from earlier, smiling faintly as he asked, "To be honest, I'm rather doubtful. Do those so-called 'evil spirits' really exist in this world?"

Shenhe gave a gentle smile and responded, "Many people indeed don't believe in ghosts or spirits. It's actually a good thing. Those without ghosts in their hearts naturally don't need to believe in their existence."

"Oh?" Lucas subtly moved closer toward Shenhe, "Then, in Miss Shenhe's eyes, am I a good man without ghosts in my heart?"

"Chatting up a strange woman at night, inviting her for drinks…" Shenhe lightly swirled the wine glass in her hand and downed its contents in one gulp, then calmly said, "Whether your heart has ghosts or not, don't you know best yourself?"

Lucas had to admit, after so many years apart, Shenhe was no longer that arrogant, aloof girl he once knew. She had matured a great deal, becoming more of a "woman".

The alcohol had lightly colored Shenhe's cheeks with a faint flush, causing Lucas's heart to beat faster.

Memories of the past flooded his mind—they once chased down evil spirits beneath the moonlight, cultivated together, and... exchanged Qi through intimate methods.

Thinking of this, Lucas's gaze unconsciously fell upon the corner of Shenhe's lips.

He had used such methods countless times, making many girls fall genuinely in love with him. But now... he found himself becoming the one who was moved.

"It's already this late," Lucas glanced at the clock on the wall, softly suggesting, "It's dangerous for a girl to walk alone this late at night. Let me escort you home."

"Escort me home? Are you sure that's what you really want?" Shenhe rested her cheek on the back of her hand, smiling gently, "Just take me with you. Anywhere is fine, doing whatever you like. After the sun rises tomorrow, we'll pretend we've never met."

Although Lucas clearly knew Shenhe was deliberately tempting him, whether it was her words or the look on her face as she spoke, he felt his heartbeat quicken even more.

Even though there was no longer a human heart beating within his chest.

...

In the taverns and inns across Liyue Harbor, Lucas was already a frequent guest.

He had a principle—he never brought girls back to his own residence. On one hand, it was for safety; on the other, it was also his own form of self-reminder.

But tonight, he broke his own rule.

Supporting Shenhe's shoulder, Lucas brought her back to his own room, where he kept many "souvenirs" from girls who had become infatuated with him.

Of course, these weren't anything peculiar.

Earrings, jewelry, hair ribbons... even just strands of hair.

These were the tokens willingly given by those girls to Lucas, the "man of their dreams". Perhaps, when placing these items into Lucas's palm, they still held onto hope for another meeting.

Sadly, that "next time" would never arrive.

Wrapped in a misty haze, Shenhe stepped slowly out of the bathroom. Her black hair was tied back, with several wet strands sticking to her cheeks, dripping water droplets.

Lucas was all too familiar with this scene. He could even anticipate clearly what would happen next.

But this time, he hesitated and didn't make his move immediately.

Was it really necessary to go this far, just for the sake of the clan's mission?

Given Shenhe's personality, even if it risked identifying the wrong person, she might have already acted by now.

Or... could it be that she had genuinely fallen for the current "him"?

For some reason, this thought made Lucas feel a sudden pang of sadness. Shenhe clearly no longer cared about the brother she'd once remembered.

"I don't have much experience, but..." Shenhe suddenly spoke, "Are you planning to just stare all night?"

"Can I ask you a question?" Lucas, as if out of his mind, asked impulsively, "Do you... have a man you like?"

As soon as the question left his mouth, both Lucas and Shenhe showed subtly awkward expressions simultaneously.

Lucas wanted nothing more than to slap himself.

Asking such a question in this situation was a rookie mistake that even the most amateurish newcomer wouldn't commit.

Unexpectedly, after a brief silence, Shenhe softly replied, "I do. It's funny, actually. When I was young... I once liked my own brother."

Hearing these words, Lucas suddenly felt as if he'd been struck hard in the chest. He forcibly suppressed the surge of emotions and pretended to remain calm, "And... then what?"

"Then, nothing," Shenhe smiled bitterly, "Due to an incident, my parents suffered a massacre. Almost everyone in my family and sect was slaughtered. According to the survivors, the one who committed these atrocities was my own brother."

Lucas longed to tell Shenhe the truth behind the tragedy, but he knew he couldn't reveal his identity. Moreover, Shenhe... might not even believe him.

"Do you... hate him?" Lucas continued cautiously.

"Hate him? I don't know..." Shenhe said quietly, "So, when you brought other girls home before, did you also talk about these heartfelt matters?"

"Other girls?" Lucas blurted out instinctively, "I'm not the kind of man who casually brings girls home."

This sentence, at least, was not a lie. Shenhe was indeed the first woman he had ever brought home.

"No need to pretend anymore," Shenhe sighed softly, "Anyway, I don't care."

Before he could react, Shenhe was already sitting on the edge of the bed. Her hands cupped Lucas's face, and her usually cold, icy gaze turned tender like flowing water. She murmured softly:

"Do you know? Your eyes... really resemble his. Are you... my brother?"

Shenhe's eyes seemed to carry a faint glow, as if they could pierce through Lucas's inner thoughts.

For a fleeting moment, Lucas almost believed his identity had already been exposed by Shenhe. After all, the way she looked at him was far too deep for someone who had only met him a few hours ago.

"I don't mind..." Lucas whispered gently, "being his substitute."

At this moment, words somehow seemed weak and pale. He gently cupped Shenhe's face, just like he had done in those hazy, youthful days more than ten years ago.

Despite all these years, Shenhe's skills had not improved much; she was still rather inexperienced. The only difference was that she no longer transferred her internal energy to him.

A woman's pure Yin energy was always richest the very first time. That was precisely why Lucas usually chose pure, untouched women. Once a woman had lost her first cup of "fine wine," he could still absorb her Yin energy, but its quality would be significantly diminished.

Seeing Shenhe's brows slightly furrowed, Lucas immediately felt an immensely powerful Yin energy filling his body.

As expected... she was indeed Shenhe.

Like a starving wolf, Lucas greedily absorbed this abundant Yin energy. Thanks to her rare "Lone Star Calamity" constitution, Shenhe's Yin energy was undoubtedly the most delicious and potent he'd ever tasted.

"At last..." Shenhe murmured softly by Lucas's ear, "Brother, I've finally... found you again."

These words shocked Lucas deeply for a brief moment. But he quickly regained composure, smiling faintly, "Are you still mistaking me for your brother?"

"No..." Shenhe's voice lingered gently by his ear, like a soft serpent curling affectionately, "From the first moment I saw you, I knew it was you... Brother... After so many years, your kiss has indeed become much more skilled."

Yet at this very moment, an ominous feeling suddenly surged through Lucas. He sensed that the Yin energy within his body was rapidly draining away at the point of their union.

Alarmed, Lucas hastily tried to disengage himself, but found himself unable to move even an inch, as if his body had been fixed in place by some powerful suction.

"Brother, there's no use struggling anymore," Shenhe whispered, her forehead glistening with a thin layer of sweat. "I've placed a 'Spirit Blood Demon-Sealing Array' there, using my spirit blood as a sacrifice to absorb your Yin-energy techniques."

Lucas struggled fiercely several more times, but to no avail.

The Spirit Blood Demon-Sealing Array, cast by a woman using her most precious treasure as the "offering," was a powerful formation that could only be used once in a lifetime. Coupled with Shenhe's own formidable strength, even Lucas found himself completely helpless.

"Why..." Lucas's face darkened as he asked, "Why are you doing this to me?"

"Brother, the sea of suffering is vast, but turning back is shore," Shenhe soothed gently, trying to steady herself. "You've cultivated sinister methods and have long entered demonic madness. Rest assured, after I cleanse the evil Yin energy that has built up inside you, I will plead with the sect master to spare your life. With time, you can definitely recover!"

Hearing this, Lucas felt an indescribable mixture of emotions.

Of course, Shenhe meant well. But she had misunderstood from the very beginning, believing Lucas had fallen into darkness simply because he was influenced by wicked cultivation methods. She had no idea that Lucas had long since fused himself with evil entities. Draining away his Yin energy would effectively end his very life.

"I know, father and mother weren't killed by you," Shenhe continued softly, "All these years, you must have suffered greatly. It doesn't matter; no matter what happens, I will never abandon you."

Because of the Spirit Blood Demon-Sealing Array, Lucas was utterly unable to disconnect himself. He felt as if not only his Yin energy, but even his very soul, was gradually flowing into Shenhe.

"I'm sorry..." A look of guilt crossed Lucas's face, but he hardened his heart and said, "I... can't go back anymore."

If things continued like this, with Shenhe absorbing his Yin energy, Lucas would certainly perish.

Death itself wasn't frightening to him. But if he died at Shenhe's hands, Shenhe would be devastated by guilt once she learned the truth.

Moreover, he still had unfinished business—Qiqi was still waiting, resting quietly in an ice-cold jade coffin in that cave, awaiting him to awaken her.

Determined, Lucas gathered all of his remaining Yin energy into one point, causing it to rapidly expand. Shenhe's eyes narrowed sharply as an agonizing pain shot through her, as if she were being torn apart from within.

She knew very well that this was Lucas's method of breaking free. Yet, gritting her teeth, despite the unbearable pain, she continued absorbing his Yin energy.

"Let me go..." Lucas warned, "If this continues, you... you'll tear apart."

"No..." Shenhe clenched her teeth tightly, "I can't let you continue making mistakes."

In mere moments, the Yin energy had expanded into a mass over a foot long, as thick as a child's arm.

Finally, Shenhe could no longer withstand the excruciating pain. Her grip loosened for an instant, and Lucas seized upon this critical opportunity, swiftly pulling away. In that instant, the pent-up Yin energy burst forth violently, throwing both their bodies more than ten feet apart.

Shenhe, though free of serious internal injuries, was in such agony that she was nearly unconscious and unable even to move. With desperation in her eyes, she reached out weakly toward Lucas, whispering, "No... don't go..."

Unlike Shenhe, Lucas had suffered no visible injuries, but the Yin energy he depended upon to survive had already been depleted by eighty or ninety percent, leaving him extremely weak. Fortunately, he had barely managed to absorb some of Shenhe's Yin energy during their exchange, just enough to sustain himself.

"Forget about me..."

Leaving behind this last phrase, Lucas turned away decisively, leaving Shenhe staring hopelessly into the distance.

The human form he had assumed was maintained by painstakingly accumulated Yin energy. Now that his Yin energy was severely depleted, Lucas's body began reverting to its original, horrifying appearance. The human-like skin peeled away rapidly like dried bark, falling off piece by piece.

Not daring to linger, Lucas fled swiftly out of the city. To prepare for unexpected situations, he had previously set up several hidden sanctuaries throughout Liyue, places where he could retreat to recuperate if needed.

However, just as he neared the closest hiding place, a figure dressed entirely in black suddenly appeared from nowhere, silently blocking his path.

The hiding places Lucas selected were always extremely secluded, where few people ventured. Thus, when someone appeared here in the dead of night, it was most likely with ill intentions.

Moreover, the newcomer carried an air of profound yet restrained inner qi.

"Good evening," said the stranger with a gentle smile, stepping out from the shadows, "Young friend, you appear lost. If you don't mind, this old man can guide you back."

Only then did Lucas clearly see the man's appearance: an elderly person around seventy or eighty years old, eyes narrowed into thin slits, with hair and beard completely white. Despite his age, he looked surprisingly hale and hearty, showing no signs of frailty at all. He wore a black robe and a black hat, with a bright red plum blossom pinned to the brim.

"Please step aside…" Severely injured, Lucas wanted nothing but to tend to his wounds as soon as possible. He answered sullenly, "I don't wish to stir up trouble."

"You're far too modest," the old man said calmly, "Over these years, haven't you caused enough trouble in Liyue Harbor already? If I'm not mistaken, the infamous 'Dream Lover'… is none other than yourself, correct?"

"As expected…" Lucas sneered coldly, "You're from the Zong family too?"

"Do you mean the exorcist clan?" The elder shook his head. "No, no. Our paths differ greatly. They drive away evil spirits, while I ferry them across. A single word's difference, yet worlds apart."

Lucas frowned. "Then who exactly are you?"

Removing his black hat politely, the old man introduced himself, "This old man is none other than the seventy-fifth master of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. The neighbors simply call me Old Hu."

Hearing this, Lucas felt a jolt of surprise. To think this seemingly ordinary and kindly old man was actually the master of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?

Legend had it that during the Archon War, humanity was plunged into utter misery, epidemics ravaging the lands as death engulfed the living world. In those dark days, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had emerged, taking ages to drive death back into its proper place. Eventually, balance was restored, the boundary between life and death clearly defined, leading to today's prosperous Liyue Harbor and the Funeral Parlor as it currently stood.

Lucas knew well that while Wangsheng Funeral Parlor might appear to be merely a funeral home on the surface, it hid many secrets, and its master was undoubtedly no ordinary man.

"Master Hu, you and I have no prior enmity," Lucas cautiously said. "I kindly ask you not to seek trouble with me. You're advanced in years; why not retire peacefully and enjoy the company of your grandchildren?"

"Enjoying sweets with grandchildren, you say? Alas, that little girl Hu Tao doesn't even like candy," Master Hu chuckled dryly. "She's come of age now. Perhaps in a few years, she might become one of your targets."

"You didn't stop me just to discuss something this trivial, did you?" Lucas replied coldly. "Rest assured, I have no intention of harming anyone from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."

"Foolish child, you're neither human nor ghost, and should not linger in this mortal realm." Master Hu slowly opened his eyes, revealing a pair of piercing eyes as sharp and clear as plum blossoms. "Let me ferry you over, free your heart from obsession, and peacefully enter the afterlife."

"Ferry me? I doubt you have the ability!"

Lucas naturally had no intention of submitting quietly. Summoning the last remnants of his yin energy, he transformed into a gust of sinister wind, charging directly at Master Hu.

No matter how skilled this old man might be, Lucas reasoned, he was still just an elderly man at the end of his life. Even at one-tenth of his full strength, Lucas believed he could easily overpower him.

Unexpectedly, Master Hu began chanting an incantation. The black hat in his hand instantly expanded, becoming as large as a bowl and enveloping Lucas's spectral form entirely.

Alarmed, Lucas frantically struggled and battered against the hat's interior. Master Hu continued reciting the spell, but his aging body was clearly strained by the effort. Blood soon spurted from his mouth.

Without hesitation, he dipped his finger into his blood and swiftly drew several mysterious symbols onto the hat. Only then did it finally grow still.

Master Hu gasped for breath and patted his weary shoulders, mumbling to himself, "Truly, I'm getting old and useless. To seal away this stubborn spirit, I've burned through my lifespan. I hope you reflect well within this 'Harmony Hexagram Hat' of mine and soon find your way to paradise. As for these old bones of mine… who knows how long they'll last?"

...

Lucas felt his consciousness blur. When he opened his eyes again, the gloomy mountain forest was nowhere to be seen. Instead, he found himself in a paradise-like realm, a tranquil haven resembling a hidden land of immortals.

Surrounding him was a group of peculiar-looking beings, who quickly drew closer upon noticing he had awakened, smirking maliciously and exchanging meaningful glances.

Unfazed, Lucas calmly asked, "What is this place?"

A ghost with an exceptionally long tongue answered with a sinister laugh, "Hehe, naturally, you're inside that old geezer's hat. Over the years, he's trapped countless wandering spirits here under the pretense of ferrying us to the afterlife. Truth is, he's simply imprisoning us."

Realization dawned on Lucas. So, he had been trapped inside Master Hu's "Harmony Hexagram Hat" during their earlier confrontation.

Looking around, he saw only hostile ghosts. It seemed clear now: the old man surnamed Hu hadn't targeted him specifically, nor was he affiliated with the exorcist family. Instead, ferrying wayward souls was his life's mission.

"So…" Lucas continued, "How can one leave this place?"

"There are only two ways," the tongue-extended ghost grinned slyly. "The first is to relinquish all attachments, accepting peace and moving on to paradise."

"I doubt I can do that," Lucas shook his head immediately. "What's the second?"

"The second…" the ghost's face twisted into a sinister smile, "…is to have another spirit help you 'leave' here. For instance, if I devour your yin essence, you won't have to stay trapped anymore, right?"

As he spoke, the ghost abruptly lunged forward, mouth gaping wide, intent on swallowing Lucas whole. Yet Lucas merely sneered, swiftly grabbing hold of the ghost's long tongue. With a shrill, agonized scream, the creature dissolved into a cloud of yin energy, quickly absorbed by Lucas.

"Thank you for showing me a third option," Lucas murmured to himself, a faint smile forming at the corner of his lips. "Absorbing enough yin energy to break free of the seal."

Master Hu likely never imagined that the wandering spirit he sought to peacefully ferry would instead see this as a perfect opportunity to regain his strength. After all, for Lucas, the countless souls trapped here… were nothing less than an abundant feast laid out before him.

[Mission Completed: Extract Yin Energy from Shenhe]

[Reward Obtained: Cryo Elemental Mastery increased by 30%]

Usually, improvements in Elemental Mastery are closely linked to the corresponding character. Since Shenhe possesses a Vision of Cryo element, it naturally led to an increase in Cryo Elemental Mastery.

Among all the elements Lucas currently mastered, his Cryo Elemental Mastery was the highest, having already reached an impressive 180% increase.

Unlike in the game, Elemental Mastery here represented a much broader and comprehensive effect, not only enhancing control over the elements but also substantially increasing corresponding elemental damage.

Furthermore, similar to stats such as attack and defense, the base value of Elemental Mastery would also rise as the user's strength grew. Thus, the percentage-based boosts in Elemental Mastery would only become stronger over time.

[Exit Immersive Mode]

[Enter Text Mode]

[You have been sealed inside the Harmony Hexagram Hat by the 75th Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. He intended for you, like other resentful spirits, to recuperate and achieve reincarnation within the hat, never expecting it would turn into a blessing in disguise for you.]

[First, hiding within the hat's internal world allowed you to evade pursuit by the Zong family. They could never have imagined you would be subdued by Director Hu.]

[Second, after Shenhe drained your Yin energy, you desperately needed large amounts of Yin energy to replenish your losses. Countless spirits dwelling within this hat's world became your ideal sustenance.]

[Age 26: You had to admit, Director Hu had indeed subdued many powerful evil spirits. Although his intentions were good—hoping these unwilling souls could repent in the Harmony Hexagram Hat and achieve reincarnation—he failed to foresee that most of these spirits harbored immense grudges. Instead of reincarnating, they accumulated strength through constant battles, forming multiple factions within the hat's inner world.]

[Though your strength was formidable, your internal injuries forced you to start cultivating from scratch. Fortunately, your innate ability to absorb evil spirits allowed you to rapidly regain power. Within just a year, you had established your footing in this world.]

[Age 27: Of course, surviving in such a perilous world by yourself was impossible. Thus, you gradually built your own faction, quietly developing your power in a secluded corner of the hat's inner world.]

[All spirits trapped within the hat believed that as long as they continued to increase their strength, there was a chance to break free and re-enter the real world. Though no spirit had ever succeeded, even the smallest hope drove them to madness.]

[You took advantage of their desperation, continuously provoking and manipulating conflicts, employing strategies of "driving tigers to devour wolves" to weaken rival factions.]

[Age 28: Fighting, devouring, growing stronger, and repeating the cycle—this became your entire existence inside the Harmony Hexagram Hat. Although your Yin energy had once been severely damaged, your foundations remained intact. Starting anew, you progressed rapidly.]

[By the time you realized it, you had already become the undisputed ruler of the hat's internal world. Countless evil spirits bowed at your feet, available for consumption whenever you pleased.]

[To justify openly absorbing their powers, you even established an arena within the hat. Any spirit capable of defeating you could replace you, but those who failed would be "purified" by you.]

[In this brutal, survival-of-the-fittest world, your method gained immense popularity. Every day, challengers would come forth, only to become nourishment for your ever-growing strength.]

[You weren't concerned about the declining number of evil spirits because Director Hu continued tirelessly performing rites to guide new lost souls into the Harmony Hexagram Hat.]

[Although Director Hu couldn't directly observe the hat's internal conditions, he could sense the decreasing number of spirits inside. Perhaps he believed these spirits were peacefully reincarnating as he had hoped. Little did he know, the hat he treasured had long become a Gu-raising vessel, and you were the strongest Gu insect that emerged victorious from the slaughter.]

[Age 29: Gradually, you noticed fewer spirits entering the Harmony Hexagram Hat. This was understandable; after all, the hat's owner was now an elderly man nearing the end of his life. As time passed, his strength inevitably waned.]

[Moreover, the evil energies sealed within the hat continuously corroded Director Hu's body and mind. Frankly speaking, it was remarkable he had held on this long.]

[For you, this was excellent news. As his power diminished, yours grew. The moment Director Hu could no longer suppress the Yin energies within the hat would mark the day you broke the seal.]

[Age 30: The day came without surprise. For three entire months, no new souls entered the hat, and you realized Director Hu's health was rapidly deteriorating. Finally, on an ordinary morning, you felt the seal's strength drastically weaken—signaling his imminent death.]

[Although you couldn't yet fully break the seal, you could now glimpse the world outside the hat.]

[Indeed, you saw Director Hu lying weakly on his bed, clearly at the end of his life. Before him stood a black-haired young girl, holding his hand tightly. She appeared to be his granddaughter.]

["My dear granddaughter," Director Hu gently patted the girl's head and smiled weakly. "From today onward, you shall become the 77th Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Grandpa's funeral will be your first duty. I believe in you—you can surely handle it well."]

[The girl remained silent, constantly sniffing. Clearly, neither the imminent loss of her loved one nor the sudden heavy responsibility placed on her shoulders was something she could immediately accept.]

----