Death was supposed to be the end, but for Kaelen Vane, it was merely a transition into a nightmare of silk and gold.
As a high-stakes negotiator on Earth, Kaelen had spent his life reading people, breaking their wills, and seizing power through psychological dominance. When he opened his eyes, he expected the void. Instead, he found himself lying on a bed of translucent, shimmering gossamer in a room that smelled of heavy incense and damp earth.
He sat up, his head throbbing. His body felt lighter, more lithe, but when he looked at his hands, he froze. They were soft. Slender. Beautiful.
What the hell happened to me?
Before he could process the thought, a sharp, electronic chime resonated in the back of his skull.
[Initializing Divine Seed System…]
[Target World: Aethelgard — A Realm of Pure Yin.]
[Social Structure: Absolute Matriarchy.]
[Identity Synchronized: Kaelen Vane — Low-Grade Consort Candidate.]
Kaelen's silver eyes narrowed as a flood of foreign memories rushed in. Aethelgard. A world where women commanded the elements and ruled empires because their bodies could process the "Yin" energy of the world. Men were born with "Broken Meridians," unable to cultivate magic, relegated to being decorative "Spirit Furnaces"—slaves used to satisfy the whims of powerful women and provide the raw essence for their spells.
He was currently in the Jade Lotus Pavilion, a high-end training house where the most beautiful men were refined like cattle to be sold to the highest-ranking noblewomen.
[Warning: Host's 'Yang' essence is currently being suppressed by the pavilion's ambient Yin-array.]
[Divine Seed System Active: Reversing flow…]
A sudden heat ignited in Kaelen's lower abdomen. It wasn't the dull ache of a mortal; it was a volcanic, predatory fire.
[Core Function Unlocked:
Kaelen's lips curled into a cold, dangerous smirk. "So, I'm a toy?" he whispered, his voice vibrating with a new, dark resonance. "Let's see who plays with whom."
The heavy double doors of his chamber swung open with a bang. Two female guards in silver-scaled armor marched in, their eyes filled with the casual disdain one might show a piece of furniture.
"Number 47, stand," one of the guards commanded, her voice like cracking ice. "Elder Linne is arriving for the morning inspection. If your skin is pale or your scent is off, she'll have you whipped and sent to the breeding pits for the commoners."
Kaelen slowly rose from the bed. He stood tall, his lean, muscular frame catching the light. He didn't lower his gaze. He stared directly into the guard's eyes—a forbidden act for a man in this world.
"What are you looking at, trash?" the guard snapped, reaching for her whip.
[Skill Triggered:
Kaelen didn't move. He simply let a flicker of his new [Aura of Sin] leak out. The air in the room suddenly felt thick and electric. The guard's hand trembled on her whip, a flush creeping up her neck that she couldn't explain.
"I'm looking at my first conquest," Kaelen thought.
The doors opened wider, and a woman of immense presence walked in. This was Elder Linne.
Elder Linne stepped from the shadows as if born of them, her moon-white silks whispering over her skin with each sinuous stride. The garment left her arms bare, the fabric so gossamer it adhered to the swell of her breasts, the press of her hardened nipples faintly visible beneath silver embroidery that pulsed like captive lightning. A collar of frost winked into existence along her collarbones, jeweled flakes suspended an inch from her flesh, dancing to the rhythm of her pulse.
"Elder," the guards bowed deeply.
Linne walked straight to Kaelen, stopping only inches away. She took a deep breath, inhaling his scent, her eyes tracking the lines of his throat.
"This one," Linne said, her voice a sultry rasp that she tried to keep professional. "He's different. There is an… insolence in his blood. I will inspect him in my private quarters. Alone."
Kaelen felt the System hum in approval.
[Main Quest Triggered: The Corruption of the Lotus.]
[Objective: Impregnate Elder Linne and take control of the Jade Lotus Pavilion.]
He met her gaze, his silver eyes flashing with a promise of ruin. "As you wish, Elder. I look forward to being... inspected."
[ STATUS INTERFACE ]
[ Name: Kaelen Vane ]
[ Breed: Human (System Enhanced) ]
[ Cultivation: Mortal (Rank 0) ]
[ ________________________________ ]
[ System Points: 100 ]
[ Shop: [Unlocked] ]
[ Affinities: Absolute Yang ]
[ ________________________________ ]
[ Skills: