The sun had barely risen over Notting Academy, painting the training fields in soft gold, when he noticed Tang San's gaze lingering on him a little too long. It wasn't just curiosity this time. There was calculation. Suspicion. The first hints that Tang San, calm and composed as always, had begun sensing anomalies.
He smirked faintly. Tang San was smart — smart enough to notice that something had shifted in the academy, but not yet aware of the diary. That made him perfect: a future rival whose natural instincts could amplify system rewards if guided correctly.
Before training began, he activated the diary.
[Multi-Copy Network Status Check]
Xiao Wu: Attachment Rising → Trust Level 65%
Ning Rongrong: Independence Emerging → Anticipation 72%
Zhu Zhuqing: Emotional Curiosity → Respect 68%[Reward: Spirit Power +2 Levels][Current Rank: 35][Hidden Condition: Predictive Interaction Reinforcement +10%]
He began writing deliberately:
"Tang San is observing. Subtle interference required. Do not reveal intentions. Let his instincts guide responses."
The diary pulsed brightly.
[System Alert: High-Fate Rivalry Thread Engaged][Reward Multiplier x2.5 Applied][New Passive: Rival Insight Enhancement Unlocked]
Training commenced. He allowed Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing to pair up, letting their earlier multi-copy interactions spark subtle competition. Xiao Wu's playful aggression clashed with Zhu Zhuqing's disciplined precision. Each strike, each hesitation, each reaction reinforced the network.
Ning Rongrong observed from the sidelines, fidgeting, clearly torn between her natural caution and the impulse to intervene. The diary had predicted this perfectly: her internal conflict would increase her anticipation and emotional resonance.
He finally joined the fray, not to dominate, but to subtly influence the flow. His movements forced Xiao Wu to adjust defensively while pushing Zhu Zhuqing to adapt her strategy. Tang San's eyes narrowed as he watched.
"Something's… off," Tang San muttered under his breath.
He didn't respond. Instead, he allowed Tang San to observe, letting natural suspicion grow without revealing the diary's manipulation.
[Multi-Copy Network Feedback — Maximum Efficiency Detected][Emotional Resonance: 85%][Reward: Spirit Power Compression +3 Levels — Current Rank: 38]
Later that evening, he sat alone beneath the academy's oldest tree, Mandala Snake coiled at his side. The diary glowed gently in his hands. He wrote carefully, documenting every subtle interaction from the day.
"First subtle confrontation complete. Tang San is aware of anomalies. Emotional responses of all copy holders synchronized with predictive mapping. Continental ripple has strengthened. Multi-copy network now fully active."
[System Expansion Progress: 70%][Reward: Spirit Power +2 Levels — Current Rank: 40][Hidden Condition: High-Fate Entity Alertness Increasing]
Across the continent, minor anomalies registered with Spirit Hall. Bibi Dong furrowed her brow. She could now sense the invisible web linking multiple influential individuals — threads she had not yet fully traced.
"This is no ordinary disturbance," she murmured. "The player is manipulating emotional currents on a level I did not anticipate."
Back in the academy, the copy holders began to notice subtle changes in one another. Xiao Wu felt a strange warmth whenever he was nearby. Zhu Zhuqing's analytical mind began questioning why she found herself unconsciously adjusting her attacks around him. Ning Rongrong's anticipation of events made her restless, yet excited.
Each reaction fed back into the diary, strengthening the network and multiplying his system rewards.
[Multi-Copy Emotional Convergence Achieved][Attachment Levels — All Copy Holders Increasing][Reward Multiplier x3.0 Applied][Current Rank: 42]
He leaned back, eyes half-closed, a faint smile on his lips.
The web was tightening. Tang San was beginning to question the natural flow of fate. Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing were all reacting — emotionally, instinctively, predictively.
And somewhere far away, Bibi Dong's piercing gaze lingered on the continent, senses alert. The first continental ripple had been detected. The next wave of influence would not be subtle.