The morning sunlight filtered through the academy windows, but the air inside felt heavier than usual. Three golden threads pulsed faintly around him, each vibrating at a different intensity: Xiao Wu's playful curiosity, Ning Rongrong's restless anticipation, and Zhu Zhuqing's analytical caution. The system had been hinting all week that the first multi-copy convergence was ready. Today, it would happen.
He walked into the courtyard deliberately, Mandala Snake coiling tightly around his ankle, its black-and-purple aura faintly shimmering. His eyes scanned the three copy holders, noting their body language. Xiao Wu stretched casually, masking her curiosity with an almost imperceptible twitch of her fingers. Ning Rongrong's posture betrayed impatience; she had stayed up late, rereading his diary entries, and the urge to act upon them now simmered beneath the surface. Zhu Zhuqing's sharp gaze scanned him and the surroundings, her instincts quietly alert but internally questioning.
He took a deep breath and activated the diary.
"Three threads intersecting," he wrote deliberately. "Each emotional resonance now influencing the others. Multi-copy convergence in effect."
The diary flared violently.
[Multi-Copy Interaction Event Triggered][Emotional Synchronization: 48%][Reward: Spirit Power +2 Levels][Current Rank: 18][Hidden Condition: Network Influence Expansion +15%]
The moment the diary pulsed, subtle shifts occurred in the courtyard. Xiao Wu's playful movements slowed slightly, her gaze drifting to him without realizing why. Ning Rongrong's usual composure fractured for just a second; a thought about leaving her clan earlier popped unbidden into her mind. Zhu Zhuqing's analytical restraint momentarily faltered, her curiosity about him overtaking her caution.
He allowed the interactions to continue naturally. No words were necessary — the system translated his diary entry into an invisible force, nudging their emotions and thoughts just enough to synchronize without overt manipulation.
During practice, Xiao Wu found herself sparring against Zhu Zhuqing. Their strikes collided, and she noticed how Zhu Zhuqing reacted differently than before — faster, sharper, yet subtly hesitant. Xiao Wu's confidence surged. She felt as if she could predict his intentions now, though she had no idea why.
He observed silently, letting the system calculate emotional resonance.
[Multi-Copy Emotional Feedback Detected]
Xiao Wu: Curiosity → Trust
Ning Rongrong: Anticipation → Decision Impulse
Zhu Zhuqing: Respect → Attachment Emergence[Reward Multiplier x2.2 Applied][Spirit Power Compression Increased][Current Rank: 19]
That evening, Ning Rongrong made her decision. Her diary glowed faintly in her hands as she quietly requested permission from her clan to leave early. The golden threads pulsed — she hadn't fully realized it, but her choice had been influenced by the diary's subtle nudges. The seed planted weeks ago had finally sprouted.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu sat awake in her dormitory, cheeks flushed as she thought about his calm expression during sparring. Something about him — his composure, his control — had left a mark. She didn't understand why her heart raced when she imagined him in danger.
Zhu Zhuqing's room was quieter, but she, too, felt a strange pull. She found herself analyzing his every movement from earlier practice sessions, realizing that she respected his skill — more than she had respected anyone else at her age.
The system buzzed with activity as he wrote again.
"Emotional threads synchronized. Attachment and respect levels rising. Multi-copy influence confirmed. This is only the beginning."
[System Expansion Progress: 60%][Network Stability: High][Reward: Spirit Power +1 Level — Current Rank: 20][Hidden Feature Unlocked: Predictive Emotional Mapping]
He closed the diary and leaned back. With the network now solidifying, the next step would be controlled interference in canonical events. Tang San had begun noticing subtle anomalies, but he was still unaware of the diary's existence. That made him perfect — a rival whose path could now be subtly guided without suspicion.
Far away, in the high halls of Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong sensed faint distortions in fate currents. Multiple individuals had begun deviating from canon timelines in a concentrated area — Notting Academy. Though she could not yet pinpoint the cause, the system's manipulation was strong enough to register on her radar. Her eyes narrowed.
The game board was expanding.
And the pieces were beginning to move themselves.