Chapter 7: The Steward

"Xiao Yi, I've completed this task. Shouldn't I get a reward?" Fang Jueyu exited the live-streaming platform, eagerly asking for his prize.

"Stage task completed, Level 1 permission unlock task completion increased by 2%, total completion 2%, additional reward, double enhancement of physical fitness!"

It felt as if a current was flowing through his body. Fang Jueyu sensed a mysterious energy surging in every cell, strengthening his muscles, fortifying his bones, and even sharpening his mind.

"Awesome!" The exhilarating sensation filled his soul, making him shout out loud.

This state lasted for a full five minutes. Fang Jueyu felt as if he had changed bodies. Perhaps, rebirth would be a more fitting description?

"Host, your muscle strength, bone density, brain cell activity, and other bodily metrics have all doubled from their original levels!"

"This is real!" He knew his own body; although he hadn't conducted thorough tests, Fang Jueyu could fully sense the difference in his physique. "What was that warm sensation just now?"

"It was released by your ancestors while unlocking their potential. The excess energy was absorbed by the system, allowing me to feed it back to help strengthen your body!" Xiao Yi explained.

"Is there more of this energy?"

"Of course, the energy accumulated over 99 generations is enough to transform the host from an ordinary person to an almost omnipotent superhuman," Xiao Yi knew what Fang Jueyu was thinking, "but your father has instructed not to excessively use this energy, as it may adversely affect your future growth."

"My dad's thought this through." Fang Jueyu understood; such sudden enlightenment style enhancements only had short-term advantages. Truly becoming powerful would only happen when his permissions were elevated.

"Wait, what's that smell?" Suddenly, a foul odor rushed into his nostrils.

"These are impurities from the host's body. While assisting in your enhancement, I took the liberty of cleansing them. You might want to take a bath now!"

"You should've said so earlier!" Fang Jueyu exclaimed while stripping down and rushing to the bathroom.

The cleansed impurities amounted to quite a lot. Fang Jueyu scrubbed for ages to remove the gunk. Even the floor was left with a puddle of disgusting black liquid. After several more washes, the odor finally dissipated.

He wiped away the mist on the mirror and looked at himself, suddenly feeling slightly unfamiliar.

Fang Jueyu had an ordinary appearance, wasn't tall, and his build was slim. But in the mirror was a face with extremely defined features, resembling Fang Huai a bit, and his height increased by about five centimeters, surpassing 1.8 meters. Even more astonishingly, what was once a skinny body now boasted defined muscles!

"Oh my gosh, am I dreaming?" Fang Jueyu touched his body, hardly believing this was truly him if not for recognizing his original facial outline.

"While enhancing the host, I also improved the host's genes, leading your appearance to approach the perfect human state!"

"Are my parents the same?" Fang Jueyu finally understood why his parents, nearing fifty, still maintained enviable looks and physique.

"Your parents went through proper potential development, so naturally their genes are more perfect. They won't age, and you can achieve that too in the future."

"By the way, you're passed down through the Fang Family generations. What about my mom? Can this potential development be taught to others?"

"That's naturally possible, although there are prerequisites. You'll learn about it later," Xiao Yi said. "Oh, I've contacted a butler for you. He's already waiting outside. Would you like to meet him now?"

"A butler? Our family has a butler?" Fang Jueyu seemed numb with surprise.

"He's someone helped by the 98th host, your grandfather. Their purpose is to manage part of the Fang Family's assets and be ready to serve you at any time."

"He's here already?"

"Yes, right at the doorstep!"

"Then I'd better go meet him!" It didn't seem polite to leave someone waiting at the door. Fang Jueyu dried his body and immediately headed for the entrance.

The door opened, revealing two people standing outside, one looked like a 60-year-old man, and the other was a girl about his own age.

The old man dressed in traditional Chinese clothing, despite his age, exuded an aura of authority seen only in business or political leaders.

The girl was about 168 cm tall, and the word "beautiful" didn't do justice to her appearance, especially her long and shapely legs, which made Fang Jueyu glance twice.

"So alike, really too alike!" The old man became so excited upon seeing Fang Jueyu that he spoke incoherently, "You must be Young Master Fang!"

"What? Young… Young Master Fang?" This form of address felt really awkward to Fang Jueyu; what era was this to call someone a young master?

"So… Who are you, elder?"

"Oh, my apologies, Young Master Fang," the old man said. "My name is Zhuang Hanzhong, and this is my granddaughter, Zhuang Ying. Part of your assets have been managed by our Zhuang Family. We recently received word that you've officially inherited all Fang Family assets, so I've come to brief you on this portion of your assets!" The old man spoke respectfully.

"Oh, I see. Elder, do come in. It must be tiring standing like that," Fang Jueyu stepped aside to usher them in.

"He seems to be quite nice!" thought Zhuang Ying, relieved that Fang Jueyu seemed approachable, fearing he might be difficult to get along with.

"Elder, take a seat. I just found out yesterday that our family owns so many assets," Fang Jueyu admitted. "You'll probably have to explain everything to me in detail!"

"Young Master Fang, just call me Old Zhuang, or Uncle Zhuang if you prefer!"

After some conversation, Fang Jueyu learned that Zhuang Hanzhong had been helped by his grandfather Fang Su in his youth, so he diligently managed the portion of assets Fang Su entrusted to him.

"My age is catching up, and I'm not as capable as I used to be. Those assets are now managed by my children, but young master, you should have an assistant by your side. I believe my granddaughter Zhuang Ying could be of assistance to you!"

"What? An assistant?" Fang Jueyu waved his hands in refusal. "I'm not some company boss, just a college student. What would I need an assistant for?" With such a pretty girl around, how could he handle that?

"Hahaha," Zhuang Hanzhong laughed, "Young Master Fang, even if you don't have work to handle, you'll need help when managing funds, right?"

Promoting his granddaughter, he continued, "Despite her youth, Xiaoying has already completed a master's in economic management at Oxford. You can leave these matters to her."

"That's not a bad idea," Fang Jueyu nodded. With little knowledge about his fortune, he genuinely wouldn't know where to find funds if needed. Who knew what costly tasks Xiao Yi would assign next? The remaining 900 million seemed significant but wouldn't last long.

"Alright then," Fang Jueyu extended a hand toward Zhuang Ying. "I guess I'll be relying on you for these matters!"