Chapter 57 Part 2

Don’t misunderstand—the female disciple wasn’t blushing at Lu Wuqi’s striking features or her single small ponytail. She was purely excited, thrilled to find an idol.

The female disciple’s intense gaze made Lu Wuqi slightly uncomfortable. Realizing she couldn’t face certain forces alone, she slowly extended her hand. “If you think it helps.”

“Thanks, Senior Sister!” The female disciple grasped Lu Wuqi’s right hand with both of hers, took a deep breath, then rushed back to her seat. Bursting with confidence, she swiftly drew.

Was this mystical behavior legit?

A question mark popped up in the other disciples’ minds. Then they saw the girl who had touched Lu Wuqi’s hand dash off five strokes, a faint golden light flashing on her paper.

Success! Just a low-grade protective talisman, but a success!

“Senior Sister, I want to touch too?” With a living example, more stepped up.

Realizing she had become a hot commodity, Lu Wuqi flashed a hint of helplessness in her eyes. In the end, she only let five female disciples touch her hand.

Of those five, three succeeded in drawing low-grade protective talismans. The other two failed but improved from twenty or thirty percent to over fifty.

And just like that, after her first lesson, Lu Wuqi became famous among the younger generation in the weirdest way.

The video of Lu Wuqi successfully drawing a Supreme Body Protection Talisman in one go also spread widely among the new disciples, indirectly leading to a bunch of friend requests for her.

However, Lu Wuqi didn’t approve them all. She only passed the ones from disciples whose Daoist names looked familiar.

–

One week later, after looking at the thick stack of finished talismans on the table, Lu Wuqi took out her phone and snapped a photo of them.

She set it to visible only to Sheng Xu, then posted her first Moments update since joining the Imprint Moon Sect.

Three minutes later, notifications for likes popped up, followed by a message from Sheng Xu.

Sheng Xu: Little designer, did you go to a temple? Weren’t you supposed to come travel in my city?

Lu Wuqi: I was originally planning to, but I ran into a little accident on the way. A certain Daoist said I had remarkable bones and wanted to take me as a disciple.

Sheng Xu paused upon seeing the message, hesitating for a moment before typing her reply.

Sheng Xu: And then? You didn’t actually take him as your master, did you?

Lu Wuqi: No, but that Daoist told me my mom was his senior sister and asked if I wanted to learn some interesting stuff.

Lu Wuqi: He said he’d seen me as a kid and could tell me some things related to my mom, so I went with him. Now I’m officially a cultivator with a certificate.

Sheng Xu swallowed silently, her fingers hovering over the screen, unsure what to reply.

Did the little designer’s parents have ties to the Mystic Gate? Would she one day hear her own name from someone else and learn about her situation?

For some reason, Sheng Xu didn’t want Lu Wuqi to know about her current predicament. She didn’t want to show her vulnerability and pathetic status in front of her.

Sheng Xu gripped her phone without replying, but it kept vibrating as Lu Wuqi sent more messages.

Lu Wuqi: Xuxu, I’m already starting to learn how to draw talismans now. The teacher even praised my talent.

Lu Wuqi: [Image]

Lu Wuqi: Xuxu, this is my highest completion low-tier Body Protection Talisman. The teacher said it can block attacks from a level 3 celestial master.

Lu Wuqi: But protective talismans are the most basic kind. I’m planning to try attack-type talismans tomorrow, like Wind Control or Fire Summoning. I’ll work hard to get stronger.

Sheng Xu: Does that mean I have to change how I address you now? Can’t keep calling you little designer?

Lu Wuqi: Of course you can call me designer. I’m taking commissions now too. Xuxu, got any ideas? I’m not busy usually and have plenty of time to draw designs.

Lu Wuqi: Xuxu, you can also call me Wuqi. That’s my Daoist name too—the one that’ll be famous in the future.

Sheng Xu licked her dry lips. After a swirl of complicated thoughts in her mind, she let out a soft sigh.

Sheng Xu: No ideas for now.

Sheng Xu: Little Daoist Wuqi, are you considered an ordained cultivator now?

Lu Wuqi: Nah, there aren’t really any rules here. They just told me not to go down the mountain casually until I’ve learned enough.

Sheng Xu: Did your teacher tell you not to talk about this stuff with ordinary people?

Lu Wuqi: Doesn’t seem like it. The teacher said we’re officially recognized inheritors of traditional culture. Said he’d take me to get certified soon too—the kind with the national emblem.

Lu Wuqi: Xuxu, mind giving me your home address? I haven’t reached the sect’s standard for going out on training yet, but I want to send you this batch of protective talismans I drew.

Lu Wuqi: I know this stuff isn’t very materialistic, but there are things in this world science can’t explain. My protective talismans are pretty useful. They can really ward off some dangers. If you don’t believe me, you can test them out a bit.

Sheng Xu: Okay, thanks. I believe you.

Sheng Xu: Actually, my family has cultivators too. I get what you mean.

Lu Wuqi: Xuxu, I’ll cultivate hard. Once I can come down the mountain, I’ll come find you. Can you wait for me?

Sheng Xu: Okay.

After editing and sending her address, a bitter smile tugged at Sheng Xu’s lips.

Looks like she didn’t need to guess anymore. Lu Wuqi definitely knew about her awkward situation in the Mystic Gate. Otherwise, she wouldn’t send these messages. Pretending not to know and explaining so much was just to spare her fragile pride.

But this was fine too. If the little designer turned into a little Daoist, then she wouldn’t have to worry about how to tell her about the engagement.

Those feelings the little designer thought she’d hidden well would probably fade once she saw Sheng Xu getting engaged to someone else, right?

Sheng Xu wasn’t stupid or oblivious. She’d long noticed the emotions Lu Wuqi hid behind her clumsy overtures.

But knowing she couldn’t reciprocate, Sheng Xu had pretended not to notice and continued being friends with her.

–

On the other side, after smoothly getting the address, Lu Wuqi memorized it right away. She even pulled out her phone to check the distance between her and Sheng Xu.

Nearly a thousand kilometers? Guess she’d have to fly over. Shipping would take days anyway, right?

Lu Wuqi quickly put her phone away and drew three low-tier Supreme Body Protection Talismans in one go. She planned to hit a hundred before shipping them out tomorrow.

Why only protective talismans?

First, because Lu Wuqi hadn’t learned many talismans yet, and protective talismans were the best she could draw.

Second, protective talismans didn’t need spiritual power to activate. Just carrying them—whether around the neck or in a pocket—made them work. Perfect for Sheng Xu.

Low-tier protective talismans had limited effects, but Lu Wuqi believed quantity could lead to quality.

If she sent a hundred at once, by the time they ran out, she might be able to draw mid-rank protective talismans already.

–

“Xuxu, how do you have so many low-tier Body Protection Talismans?” Shi Siyuan, who had come to visit her friend, widened her eyes slightly at the thick stack in Sheng Xu’s hands. “Are these for the Sheng Family juniors?”

Sheng Xu looked at the protective talismans in her hand with a faint smile. “No, a friend gave them to me.”

“A friend? A suitor?” Shi Siyuan frowned, a hint of sarcasm in her eyes. “Those people are so stingy. Trying to win with quantity?”

Before Sheng Xu could explain, Shi Siyuan looked indignant and started venting on her behalf. “Even supreme body protection talismans only go for about two thousand bucks each. How do they have the nerve to send these? Who do they think they’re looking down on!”

“Xiaoshi, it’s not those people you think. It was a real good friend who sent them.” Sheng Xu explained.

Recalling what Lu Wuqi had said earlier, the smile on her lips deepened a bit. “She was probably worried I’d get bullied, so she sent me all the talismans she could draw.”

Understanding Sheng Xu’s meaning, Shi Siyuan awkwardly rubbed her nose. “Oh, a friend, huh? Then I take back what I said. If she’s willing to draw so many for you, she must be sincere.”

“They’re low-tier body protection talismans, but top quality—supreme grade with high completion rates. If I’m not wrong, your friend studies under the Imprint Moon Sect, right? They’re famous for talismans.” Shi Siyuan asked, changing the subject to avoid more awkwardness.

“Yeah, she does.” Sheng Xu nodded lightly. “I mentioned her to you last time you were here.”

“Last time?” Shi Siyuan raised an eyebrow. “Weren’t we talking about your designer friend? You were worried she’d get bullied back then.”

Meeting Sheng Xu’s smiling gaze, clear surprise flashed in Shi Siyuan’s eyes. “The one who sent you the protective talismans… isn’t that your designer friend, is it? I remember she designed two outfits for you. How’d she suddenly become a talisman cultivator?”

Shi Siyuan felt her brain short-circuiting and muttered, “I recall the Imprint Moon Sect has rules. Cultivators below level 3 celestial master can’t leave the sect grounds. If she could go out to work, she’d have been at least level 3 already, right?”

“But level 3 celestial masters are already guests of honor for regular rich folks. Why would she go be a designer instead? Was becoming a talisman cultivator not her intention? Was her dream to be a designer?” Shi Siyuan tried to piece it together.

Sheng Xu laughed at Shi Siyuan’s wild theories. “I just met her last month. She must’ve joined the Imprint Moon Sect recently. Before that, she was just an ordinary person.”

“Just joined?” Shi Siyuan’s voice rose involuntarily. “Xuxu, I’m no talisman cultivator, but I know the value of low-tier supreme body protection talismans. From the day you start, drawing them within a year makes you a genius.”

“Your designer was ordinary last month, and this month she’s sending you a ton of supreme body protection talismans?” Surprise was plain on Shi Siyuan’s face; she clearly didn’t buy it.

Shi Siyuan said carefully, “Xuxu, I don’t mean anything bad about your friend. But could these protective talismans be ones your designer bought from her sectmates and sent as a bundle?”