Lin Fang stepped out of his room, the morning light casting soft shadows on the hallway walls. He narrowed his eyes as he spotted someone standing quietly nearby. A maid, dressed modestly in plain garments, was waiting there. Her features were delicate, and her presence carried an air of quiet humility. She was close to his age, likely in her late teens, just like him. Recognizing her immediately, Lin Fang smiled faintly.
"Oh, Big Sister Yue," he said, his tone light with a hint of surprise. "Why are you standing here?"
The maid, Yue, looked up at him, her expression shifting rapidly from surprise to sadness. Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke, "I... I... am sorry for what happened to Young Master yesterday."
Lin Fang let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "Don't be. It wasn't your fault. You didn't even know why they called for me. If anything, it was my own mistake. I acted recklessly, without consulting Mother first."
Despite his reassurance, Yue's sorrowful gaze lingered, guilt etched into her features. Lin Fang sighed, his tone softening further. "Haah, don't dwell on it. Let me guess—Mother sent you to keep an eye on me, didn't she?"
Yue hesitated for a moment before nodding, her hands clutching the hem of her dress nervously. Lin Fang gave her a faint smile and said, "Then follow me. Don't trouble yourself with unnecessary thoughts."
As he walked, Lin Fang closed his eyes, focusing inward to sense the strange threads of energy in his sea of consciousness. He needed to find the source, to understand where the fleeting golden thread from earlier had been leading. But as he shut out the world to concentrate, Yue's gaze fell on him, and her breath hitched.
Her wide eyes roved over his features, and for a moment, she froze. It was as if she were seeing him for the first time. Lin Fang, already handsome by any standard, now seemed almost otherworldly. His skin appeared luminous, softer and fairer than she could have imagined—so much so that envy briefly sparked in her heart. His chiseled jawline, elegantly shaped eyelids, sharp nose, and inviting lips all seemed like works of art.
The loose white robe he wore only added to the effect, teasing glimpses of his collarbones and hinting at the well-sculpted body beneath. Every movement of his, every slight turn of his head, carried a magnetic allure that was impossible to ignore. Yue felt her face flush as thoughts—thoughts she had never allowed herself to entertain—began creeping into her mind.
'What is happening to me?' she wondered, her heart pounding. Her Young Master, whom she had always respected and cared for, now seemed to draw her in with an irresistible force. It wasn't just his appearance; there was something deeper, something intoxicating about his presence. She tried to shake off the thoughts, but they clung to her like shadows.
As Lin Fang opened his eyes and glanced back at her, Yue quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks burning with shame and confusion. Unaware of the storm brewing in her mind, Lin Fang simply gestured for her to follow.
"Stay close," he said simply, his voice calm yet commanding.
Yue nodded wordlessly, her thoughts in disarray as she silently trailed after him.
Lin Fang's smile deepened as he resumed walking, his steps measured and deliberate. He knew Yue well enough to guess what might be crossing her mind. She had been by his side for years, one of the few constants in his life. Even if she had tried to resist, the changes in him—his scent, his presence—were bound to have an effect.
'She's already starting to fall under my influence,' he thought, his eyes glinting with a hint of amusement.
Yet, unbeknownst to him, the transformations he had undergone were far more profound than he realized. The black impurities that had been purged from his body were just the surface of the changes. His appearance, aura, and even the subtle energy coursing through him had been reshaped into something extraordinary.
As he walked with his eyes closed, focusing inward, his attention was drawn to his sea of consciousness. The two familiar golden threads revolved gently, their light faint but steady. But then, something new caught his attention—a third thread. Unlike the others, this one was significantly thicker, its golden hue far more vivid, almost radiant.
'What is this?' Lin Fang thought, his brow furrowing. The sheer presence of the third thread was different, more intense, more... alive.
He opened his eyes, hoping to trace the origins of the threads. For a brief moment, he could see the two thin lines stretching ahead of him, leading toward an unseen destination. But as he concentrated further, he became acutely aware of the third thread—its direction was not forward but behind him.
Instinctively, Lin Fang turned around. His gaze fell upon Yue, who was following him closely. For a split second, he saw it—a brilliant golden line connecting the two of them, shimmering faintly before vanishing from view.
Lin Fang's eyes widened in shock, his mind racing as realization struck him like a thunderbolt. 'The third thread... it's connected to her!'
His expression shifted as the pieces of the puzzle clicked into place. The threads weren't just random manifestations of energy. They were connections, bonds that his transformed physique had started to form with others. His very existence now seemed to affect those around him, pulling them into his orbit.
'So this is it,' he thought, his lips curling into a faint, knowing smile. 'I underestimated what my new physique is truly capable of.'
He glanced at Yue once more, who looked up at him with an innocent yet slightly flustered expression, oblivious to the golden thread binding her to him.
'If she's already linked to me, then what about the others?' The thought sent a thrill through him, equal parts curiosity and anticipation.
Lin Fang turned back around and continued walking, his resolve stronger than ever. He needed to understand these threads, their purpose, and the power they could grant him.