Chapter 57 Part 3

“Your guess might be right, but I believe her. I believe she’s very talented.” Sheng Xu’s voice was cool with a hint of magnetism, her tone flat, but the conviction in her eyes was unmistakable.

After Shi Siyuan left with a face full of existential doubt, Sheng Xu took out the letter she’d hidden earlier and slowly unfolded it to continue reading.

Wait for her a bit longer?

She’d smoothly reach level 3 celestial master soon?

What was Lu Wuqi thinking when she wrote this letter?

A trace of sadness flickered in Sheng Xu’s brows and eyes. When she first saw the protective talismans and letter, Sheng Xu had felt a spark of hope, thinking Lu Wuqi might create a miracle.

But that hope was fleeting. Once reason overtook her emotions, Sheng Xu calmed down.

In this era of increasingly scarce spiritual energy, her constitution doomed her to be fought over by many. Even if Lu Wuqi created a miracle, she’d at best lead the younger generation—nowhere near enough to stand against major powers.

If only she were just a regular rich person. She’d make Lu Wuqi her exclusive designer, slowly nurture their feelings, and wait for the little designer to take the next step.

But no ifs about it.

June was almost here. She’d be engaged before New Year’s. Time was running out.

Better to just stay friends with Lu Wuqi.

That unspoken mutual affection could stay buried in her heart forever.

–

Unaware of Sheng Xu’s thoughts, after shipping out the low-tier body protection talismans, Lu Wuqi started trying to draw low-tier attack-type talismans.

Thanks to the special privileges from Yin Budai, Lu Wuqi didn’t have to worry about wasting materials during practice. After morning lessons, she’d shut herself away drawing talismans until her spiritual power was drained dry before stopping.

Soon, she had mastered over a dozen types of low-tier attack talismans. The original morning lessons offered her little help anymore.

One day in June, Lu Wuqi took the initiative to stop her teacher Yin Bufu and handed over more than a dozen low-tier talismans.

“Uncle-Master Bufu, I want to learn mid-rank talismans and update my celestial master level.” Lu Wuqi’s voice was steady, matching the calm on her face.

Yin Bufu didn’t respond at first. Instead, he took the talismans from her hand and checked their completion rates one by one.

Finding them all at an astonishing ninety-nine percent, Yin Bufu slowly exhaled. “You were rated as a level 2 celestial master just a week ago. Per regulations, there must be half a month between evaluations. Wait until the time’s up for a re-evaluation.”

“Okay, Uncle-Master Bufu. Can you give me the mid-rank talisman manual? I want to try learning it myself.” Lu Wuqi’s gaze was firm. “Uncle-Master Bufu, I want to get stronger.”

Meeting Lu Wuqi’s eyes, the words Yin Bufu wanted to say caught in his throat.

Lu Wuqi was just a junior who wanted to grow stronger. Could he really tell her to stop?

“The Imprint Moon Sect’s founding ancestor was a talisman cultivator of exceptional strength and talent. She learned to draw talismans at six and reached level 6 celestial master before twenty.”

“There are many people who were jealous of the Ancestor, but no matter who they were, none of them could defeat the Ancestor who could draw high-rank talismans. In a one-on-one fight, every single one of them would be struck by the Ancestor’s thunder talisman until they fled in panic with their heads in their hands.”

“But the Ancestor, who lacked life experience, never imagined that those losers would band together out of jealousy against her and set up an extremely ingenious trap targeting the Ancestor. If the Ancestor hadn’t broken through to level 7 celestial master cultivation in time, she would have met her end there.”

“Although you had some body cultivation foundation beforehand and already possessed a certain amount of spiritual power in your body, your talent is in no way inferior to the Ancestor’s. Do you understand what I mean?”

Uncle-Master Bufu’s tone was unusually serious, and his expression was extremely tense. “The tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. Wuqi, your breakthrough speed is too fast. If you keep this up, you’ll become a target for everyone.”

Lu Wuqi listened intently. She knew Yin Bufu was saying all this for her own good.

But knowing that didn’t mean she would change her mind because of it.

“Uncle-Master Bufu, I remember you told me during our first phone call that I would be the next sect master of Imprint Moon Sect, the hope for its revival.”

Lu Wuqi stared steadily at Yin Bufu. Her tone wasn’t particularly serious, but there wasn’t the slightest hint of joking in it.

“A sect master capable of reviving the sect would naturally be a genius with exceptional talent. If I gave up on getting stronger just because of some dangers that haven’t even arrived yet, I’d be nothing more than a cowardly turtle hiding in its shell.”

“I know Uncle-Master Bufu is worried about me, worried that someone will target me and scheme against me. But villains won’t give up on attacking me just because I hide away. They’ll only strike silently when I’m still weak.”

“Uncle-Master Bufu, the times have changed now. Instead of worrying about me, why don’t you help me with a few things? I have ways to mitigate the risks.”

As Lu Wuqi spoke, she smiled lightly, and her gaze deepened. “For example, help me join the National Special Action Bureau.”

–

“Hey, have you all heard? Imprint Moon Sect has produced a genius. She’s been a disciple for less than two months and is already a level 3 celestial master. She’s even been specially recruited by the official agencies.”

“I know a bit about this. She’s not really a genius, is she? I heard she’s a descendant of body cultivators and talisman cultivators, and she started forging her body very early on.”

“No, no, not early at all. I heard she only gradually got in touch with the Mystic Gate side after reaching adulthood. If we’re talking realistically, it probably took her five years to smoothly become a level 3 celestial master. That’s pretty average talent.”

“That’s not what I heard. Wasn’t that Imprint Moon Sect genius able to draw perfect talismans in her very first lesson? Afterward, she started cultivating under Imprint Moon Sect’s sect master. I heard she’s very likely to be the next sect master!”

“Hey, what I heard is completely different from what you’re all saying. Apparently, Imprint Moon Sect’s sect master felt indebted to this junior, so he used pills to pile up her cultivation. Her own talent is actually terrible.”

At the Mystic Gate internal exchange conference, the younger generation suddenly had a common topic: debating whether Imprint Moon Sect’s new genius was real or fake, and whether Lu Wuqi’s celestial master rank was legitimately earned or just piled up with pills.

Even Sheng Xu, who was basically kept at home, had heard about it. She also saw many posts on the internal forum that had racked up hundreds of replies.

The contents were a mix of truth and falsehoods, making it hard to tell what was real. But one thing was certain: Lu Wuqi was now a level 3 celestial master proficient in all low-tier talismans.

Lu Wuqi had also accepted an official special recruitment and was now a member of the Special Action Bureau. Her photo had even been used by the officials as the cover for an article, making her known to almost everyone.

Before Sheng Xu could click into the internal forum to check the related posts, a new message from Lu Wuqi popped up first.

Lu Wuqi: Xuxu, I’ve taken a mission and will be heading to Haishi. Are you free to meet up?~

Sheng Xu: Sure, when do you arrive? I’ll pick you up at the airport?

Lu Wuqi: Tomorrow morning’s flight. Should land around 11 a.m.

Lu Wuqi: This mission comes with a subsidy. I’ll treat you to dinner when I arrive! You can pick anything you want! It’s reimbursable!

Seeing the messages on her phone, a hint of amusement appeared in Sheng Xu’s eyes.

Sheng Xu: Alright then, I won’t hold back. I’ll book a place where it’s several hundred per person!

Lu Wuqi: No problem at all. Xuxu, go ahead and reserve the spot. We’ll head there together.

After sending the messages, the smile on Lu Wuqi’s face gradually faded. With a glance from the corner of her eye at Yin Wuming nearby, she beckoned him over.

“Junior Sister Wuqi, do you have any instructions for me?” Yin Wuming hurried over with quick little steps, his attitude extremely eager.

The reason was simple. Yin Wuming knew Lu Wuqi truly had exceptional talent. It wouldn’t be long before he had to start calling her senior sister.

If there were no accidents, in another ten or so years, he might even have to call her sect master. Being eager now would only benefit his future self, elevating his status along with hers. He might even become an elder!

“It’s not really an instruction. I have too few points in my account right now. Senior Brother, could you help me buy some materials needed to draw mid-rank talismans? Once I complete the mission and get the points, I’ll pay you back,” Lu Wuqi said.

Although Imprint Moon Sect’s storehouse could be freely used, it was limited to materials for low-tier talismans. Mid-rank and high-rank materials were generally provided by masters or purchased and gathered personally.

Lu Wuqi’s official identity was brand new, so the points in her account were pitifully few, and her purchasing permissions were quite low.

“No need to talk about borrowing or paying back. Just consider it my welcome gift to you, Junior Sister,” Yin Wuming said, patting his chest. “If you really feel bad about it, you can give me some mid-rank protective talismans later to cover the material costs.”

“By the way, Junior Sister Wuqi, if you’re short on points, you could also sell some of the low-tier talismans you’ve drawn. Perfect low-tier talismans are still in high demand,” Yin Wuming added.

“I probably won’t have much time to handle the shipping and sales myself,” Lu Wuqi thought for a moment. “If Senior Brother has time, how about you manage it for me? We can split it eighty-twenty?”

“No need for eighty-twenty. Ninety-ten is fine,” Yin Wuming said, waving his hand. “Just give me a little for running errands. Fellow sect disciples are supposed to help each other out anyway.”

Lu Wuqi nodded. “Alright then, I’ll leave it to you, Senior Brother.”