The endless void, shrouded in darkness, stretched infinitely as the void bamboo journeyed through this abyss. Eventually, the bamboo reached the spatial coordinates it sought.
In a small, quiet village with only ten or so houses, life was simple. Children played in the open spaces, their laughter echoing through the air. Elderly folks sat together, engaged in conversation, while women cooked meals or washed clothes. Young men worked hard, splitting wood with their hands. Amid this peaceful scene, a small house stood in the most secluded area of the village.
Inside this modest house was a bare room with a simple bamboo bed and a pendant lying on the ground. The pendant looked identical to the one carried by the void bamboo. The bamboo floated toward the pendant, stopping just a meter away. It was as if the two pendants, separated for an eternity, were finally reunited. They seemed to move toward each other like long-lost lovers, embracing at last.
As they touched, a small white light emanated from the void bamboo, enveloping the pendants. In an instant, the two merged seamlessly, forming a single pendant glowing faintly in the quiet room.
The void bamboo, having completed its purpose, lost its luster. The vibrant energy that once sustained it faded, leaving it as nothing more than a dull, lifeless object. Slowly, it descended, falling to the ground with a soft thud, now just an ordinary piece of bamboo lying still in the quiet room.
Inside the pendant, Hai Long's soul floated in a dark, quiet void. He felt suspended in endless stillness until the space around him started to shift and grow larger. Suddenly, he realized he could move freely within this strange world. The pendant jolted, startling him, and soon after, he noticed something new—a small figure appeared in the darkness.
It was a girl, no older than five, her lifeless body floating in the void. She wasn't breathing, and her frail, blackened form contrasted starkly with her pristine white skin. Her eyes were closed, her clothing in tatters, and though malnourished, Hai Long could sense a faint trace of what could have been future beauty in her delicate features.
His heart ached as he approached her, attempting to touch the frail body, but his ethereal hand passed through her form. It dawned on him—this was the body he was supposed to take over. The realization filled him with dread. How could he, a grown man, inhabit the body of such a young girl? The thought felt selfish and wrong, and guilt overwhelmed him. Yet, when he recalled Zhāng Mèihú's warning—that the body would be destroyed without a soul to stabilize it—he looked again. Cracks had begun forming on the girl's body, spreading ominously. Despite his internal conflict, he knew he had no choice. If he didn't take over, both his soul and the girl's body would be lost forever.
He knelt beside her, bowing deeply in silent apology. "I'm sorry," he whispered over and over, his voice trembling with regret. His soul quivered, and if he had eyes, they would have been brimming with tears.
Gritting his teeth, Hai Long lay down beside her, aligning his incorporeal form with her fragile body. He closed his eyes and tried to connect with her, but nothing happened at first. Just as despair began to creep in, a faint pink light emerged from within the girl. The light reached out to him, gently pulling his soul into the body. He felt his ethereal form shrink and shift, molding painfully to fit the girl's frame.
The agony was beyond comprehension. It was as if his soul was being torn apart and stitched together simultaneously. He screamed, though no sound escaped into the void. The process felt eerily familiar, like the moment his soul had been ripped from his original body. The excruciating transformation lasted for hours, and though he eventually lost consciousness, the pain lingered, leaving his soul trembling even in the depths of unconsciousness.
Seven hours passed before everything finally settled.
Hai Long's soul began to merge with the young girl's body, slowly but surely attaching itself to it. The blood essence within her, carrying the will of Zhāng Mèihú, played a crucial role in facilitating the process. The cracks in the girl's fragile body gradually healed, and the pink light that had drawn his soul worked seamlessly to restore her. It wasn't just a restoration; the body began to transform.
Her appearance changed dramatically—her once-tattered and lifeless body turned vibrant and full of life. Her hair grew long and shiny, changing to a mesmerizing pink hue. The scars that once marred her delicate skin vanished, replaced by flawless, glowing beauty. An enchanting fragrance began emanating from her body. Two fox ears sprouted from her head, and a soft pink tail emerged above her lower back, signaling the beginning of a profound transformation.
As the process completed, Hai Long stirred. Slowly waking, he found himself disoriented and trembling. The memory of his soul's agonizing transformation lingered, but now he felt something new—physical sensations. When he tried to move, he realized his soul had fully integrated with the girl's body. The realization made him pause, his heart pounding with unease.
He cautiously attempted to stand, his legs shaky and unfamiliar. This new body was completely different, and he struggled to control it. Each movement felt alien, and his coordination was off. Over fifteen attempts later, he finally managed to stand upright, albeit unsteadily.
Taking slow, deliberate steps, Hai Long began to walk. The act of moving felt strange, as if his body and soul were trying to synchronize. He stumbled repeatedly, halting after every step to regain balance. Eventually, he made his way toward the kitchen, desperate to see his reflection and understand the changes he had undergone.
As he walked, a sense of familiarity began to build, his movements gradually becoming smoother. It was as if his soul and body were learning to cooperate, adapting to their new state. Reaching the kitchen, he braced himself against a surface, his heart racing as he prepared to face the mirror and uncover the full extent of his transformation.
Hai Long knew the girl didn't have a mirror, so that is why he walked to the kitchen in search of water. On the side of the kitchen, he noticed a bamboo bottle. Picking it up, he shook it gently, hearing the sound of water sloshing inside. He then looked around for a plate or pot to pour the water into. Spotting a small clay pot near the mud stove, he filled it with water and bent down to take a look.
What he saw left him speechless. Staring back at him was a pair of mesmerizing pinky eyes, strikingly similar to Zhāng Mèihú's. The face reflected in the water was delicate and ethereal, more beautiful than he could have imagined. The girl's hair, which was once black, had turned a lustrous pink, flowing smoothly like silk. Hesitatingly, he touched it, marveling at its softness. His heart sank as he realized how drastically the body had changed.
Then, he noticed something unusual on his head—two fox-like ears had appeared. Out of curiosity, he reached up and gently touched them. The moment his fingers made contact, a jolt of electric sensation coursed through his body. Every fine hair on his body seemed to light up, making him pull his hand away in shock. The ears were sensitive—extremely sensitive.
A sudden thought struck him. If there are ears like a fox… then there must also be a tail. Nervously, he reached behind him, searching for confirmation. His hand landed on something soft and fluffy. He grabbed it and pulled it into view. There it was—a small, pink tail. Holding it in his hands, he rubbed it absentmindedly, only to feel another wave of sensitivity flood his body. He quickly let go, realizing the tail was just as sensitive as the ears.
Hai Long sighed, lowering the tail gently. He looked up toward the ceiling, a hint of guilt in his expression. "I'm sorry," he said softly. "I promise to use this body for something meaningful. If you had a wish, something you wanted to accomplish before your death, I'll do my best to carry it out if I find a clue in this house."
Looking down at the reflection once more, he took a deep breath. It was now clear to him—he had transformed completely into a girl, and not just any girl, but one with fox-like traits. This realization hit him hard, and he understood that his life was about to change in ways he could never have anticipated.
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[From the next chapter onwards, I will refer to him as 'her']
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