Lin Yi stood there for a moment, a rare, genuine smile softening his features as he watched her receding back. He touched his cheek lightly, a subtle warmth lingering where she had kissed him. The moment of familial ease passed quickly, replaced by his usual focused intent.
He turned and walked toward the main residence courtyard. He found his mother, Lin Yun, within their private quarters. Lin Xiao was, as expected, not present, busy arranging the newly recruited Heavenly Yuan experts and integrating the liquidated assets of the Blood Cloth Sect into the Lin Family's structure.
"I must leave, Mother," Lin Yi said, his voice gentle but firm, masking the fact that he was already a major power in the world. "Yi pavilion requires my presence again, but I promise to return before the year's end."
Lin Yun's face clouded with maternal worry, but she merely nodded, understanding the necessity of his path. After a brief, warm exchange and a final, tight embrace, Lin Yi quietly slipped away from the Lin Family compound.
The journey back to Yan City was swift and silent. He spent the remainder of the day making the final, crucial arrangements for the Yi Pavilion's temporary transition.
…
The next morning, Lin Yi stood inside the private room atop of his Yi Building. He stood before a polished, obsidian mirror, examining his transformation.
His familiar gray eyes were gone, replaced by pupils of vibrant, blazing red, which seemed to capture and intensify the morning light. His normally dark, charcoal-black hair now flowed around his face in rich, fiery waves of the same deep red. This was the outward manifestation of one of his new powers.
This temporary change was a function of the Blazing Ancestral Symbol Pattern integrated into his symbol master path.
Each of the eight integrated Destiny Symbols granted him the perfect ability to transform his Yuan and mental power, completely with a corresponding physical change in appearance.
This 'Blazing' form imbued every aspect of his power with pure, supreme Yang fire… a perfect tactical guise.
Just as he was scrutinizing the flawless nature of his new appearance, the door to the room slid open and Elder Mu appeared, his expression one of guarded deference. Zi Yue, the Mayor's daughter, followed closely behind him, her usual composure somewhat strained.
"Pavilion Master," Elder Mu said, bowing slightly. "Miss Zi Yue is here, as per your request."
Lin Yi merely nodded, his red eyes blazing with an imperceptible internal light. "You may wait outside, Elder Mu."
Elder Mu bowed and retreated outside leaving behind Zi Yue. Lin Yi then turned around and gestured toward the couch and said, "Please, take a seat."
Zi Yue, who had been expecting the usual young man in the charcoal robe, was visibly startled looking at the new appearance of Lin Yi, her expression shifting from apprehension to profound curiosity.
"Pavilion Master Yi?" she asked, her voice tinged with hesitation, unsure if she was addressing the right person.
Lin Yi's red lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. He nodded and explained calmly. "Indeed, Miss Zi Yue. I alter my appearance a little before leaving the pavilion, as I do not wish for anyone to see my actual appearance."
Zi Yue, though clearly curious about such a dramatic transformation and the underlying power it implied, as a governor's daughter she understood the concept of concealment.
She merely nodded, accepting his explanation without question, then composed herself, her posture becoming solemn. "Pavilion Master, why have you called me here?"
Lin Yi took a seat on the edge of the central table and said, "Firstly, congratulations, Miss Zi Yue. Your city has won the first Tower Battle, and your Mayor's House stability has been greatly improved. The threat of the Blood Cloth Sect has been neutralized, and the balance of power is now firmly in your favor."
Zi Yue inclined her head, "Thank you pavilion master Yi."
"I have asked you to arrive for two specific things," Lin Yi continued, his red eyes fixed on her. "First: I will be leaving this Yi Pavilion for a while. I want you to act as an intermediary, passing the Pavilion to the Lin Family, and managing the entire process for me. Let the Lin Family manage it, and tell them the reason for this inheritance is that I am going to accept one of their members as a disciple and will take him away with me."
Zi Yue's eyes widened, a wave of profound shock washing over her features. The Yi Pavilion, a commercial empire which possesses considerable wealth, influence and power, was being given away? And to the Lin Family? She immediately realized the massive political implications.
"The… the person you refer to, Pavilion Master, is it Lin Dong?" she asked, her voice low and silent.
Lin Yi shook his head. "No. It is another member of the Lin Family, it's his brother, Lin Yi."
Zi Yue's expression froze, a deep daze filling her pupils as her memory instantly matched the subtle facial features of the 'Pavilion Master' before her to the Lin Dong. She immediately realized that Pavilion master Yi is Lin Yi.
The truth of the entire structure… the concealed power, the sudden rise of the Lin Family, the recommendation of the Pavilion master Yi… slammed into her.
Lin Yi saw the profound realization in her eyes and a smile appeared on his face, he spoke,
"It seems you realized the whole story, Miss Zi Yue. I remind you that I am hiding my identity because I do not wish to interfere with my brother's path, or cast a shadow over his achievements. He must rise on his own merits."
Zi Yue, having processed the magnitude of the secret she was now privy to, nodded quickly, her voice regaining its firmness. "I understand, Pavilion Master Yi. I will complete this task with absolute secrecy, ensuring the Lin Family is managed and the pavilion is successfully transferred."
Lin Yi nodded in satisfaction. He raised his hands, and two exquisitely crafted jade boxes, radiating faint spiritual power, appeared and flew gently toward her.
"There are treasures in these boxes, Miss Zi Yue," Lin Yi said. "A gift for your discretion and services. You may open them later. And the second thing I wanted to tell you is that, soon I will send a strong man to guard this Pavilion in the absence of the Lin Family's full control. Before that individual arrives, the Mayor's House can take care of its security. I trust your house for my pavilion safety."
Zi Yue gently caught the boxes, her expression hesitated and then she nodded firmly, "Thank you master Yi, We will ensure its complete security."
…