Chapter 60 Part 2

Just before the talisman paper was ruined, Lu Wuqi’s spiritual power surged in, merging with the cinnabar and guiding Sheng Xu to keep drawing.

Perhaps because the spiritual power Sheng Xu used originated from Lu Wuqi, the two of them drawing together felt incredibly smooth. With the final stroke, a dazzling golden light flashed across the talisman paper.

“Th-this is a superior-grade talisman?” Sheng Xu’s tone held a trace of doubt. With Lu Wuqi’s guidance, she’d succeeded just like that?

“It is, but more than that—it’s superior-grade.” Lu Wuqi released Sheng Xu’s hand and picked up the Protective Talisman they’d drawn together. “Even though it’s low-tier, this one has one hundred percent completion.”

Lu Wuqi’s voice carried a hint of excitement. Her own success rate and completion were already excellent, but she’d never before achieved a full one hundred percent—always just ninety-nine at best.

“Xuxu, let’s try again?” There was now a touch of eagerness in Lu Wuqi’s expectation. “One hundred percent completion superior-grade talismans are one in a million. If we can stabilize this completion rate, we’ll be geniuses of the Mystic Gate!”

“Sure, Wuqi, give it a try.” Sheng Xu didn’t think drawing this talisman was her achievement at all.

“No, I want to do it with you, Xuxu. It might be because our spiritual powers share the same source that we accidentally produced this effect.” Lu Wuqi insisted.

Lu Wuqi had Sheng Xu grip the brush again, then covered her hand with her own. In one go, they drew three talismans.

“All one hundred percent! I have to message Uncle-Master Bufu and the sect master—they’ll be thrilled.” Lu Wuqi flashed a brilliant smile. “Xuxu, we can create miracles together.”

Hearing this conclusion, Sheng Xu instinctively felt something was off.

She was just a total newbie who’d failed three times in a row—how had she suddenly become a miracle creator?

Wasn’t Lu Wuqi’s reasoning a bit too hasty and assumptive?

But Lu Wuqi moved too fast. Before Sheng Xu could say anything, she’d already snapped a photo of the Protective Talisman, sent it to Yin Bufu and the Imprint Moon Sect’s sect master, and called the former.

“Uncle-Master Bufu, did you see the pictures I sent you? Guess what the completion rate of this protective talisman is?” Lu Wuqi said excitedly, like a child showing off her grades.

“That’s right, it’s one hundred percent. But I didn’t do it alone—I completed it together with my good friend.” Lu Wuqi continued.

“Yes, it’s Xuxu. The process was a bit complicated, but as long as I held her hand, I could draw perfect talismans.”

“I’ll leave reporting the good news to the Sect Master up to you, Uncle-Master. During this time before the exchange meeting starts, I’ll be sticking together with Xuxu. We’ll study some other talismans and aim to stabilize that one hundred percent success rate!”

“Once we’ve stabilized production, I’ll send some over to you by express delivery. Don’t worry, Uncle-Master Bufu.”

After hanging up the phone, Yin Bufu looked a bit dazed. He stared back and forth at the pictures Lu Wuqi had sent him for a long time.

Once he confirmed they were three perfect talismans drawn in one go, Yin Bufu didn’t care if it was ten or eleven o’clock—he headed straight for the Sect Master’s resting quarters.

–

“Wuqi sent me the pictures too. I can tell those are all talismans with one hundred percent completion.” The Sect Master stroked his white beard, which he kept for appearances.

“Did she tell you the same thing? That it was with Sheng Xu’s help that she successfully drew them?” the Sect Master asked.

Yin Bufu nodded. “That’s what Wuqi said. She said that after she held Sheng Xu’s hand, her pen moved like it was guided by gods.”

After he spoke, a conflicted expression appeared on Yin Bufu’s face. “Master, Wuqi places too much importance on Sheng Xu. I’m not sure if this is real or fake.”

The Sect Master didn’t respond right away. Instead, he frowned in thought for a full minute. “Whether some things are real or fake doesn’t matter. As long as we confirm those three talismans with one hundred percent completion are genuine, that’s enough.”

“Master, what do you mean?” Yin Bufu felt like he understood something.

“The girl from the Sheng Family has always had exceptional talent. Over all these years, the spiritual power accumulated in her body has reached a terrifying level. Who knows? Maybe what Wuqi said is true. Maybe just touching her grants an ability boost.”

The Sect Master stroked his beard half-jokingly. “Don’t spread this news around for now. But the word that Wuqi is my intended next Sect Master? Let more people hear about that.”

Yin Bufu bowed in acknowledgment, then added, “Master, Wuqi probably wants to snatch Sheng Xu away. If we take this stance, does that mean we’re opposing those people?”

“We’re already partners with the nation. Anyone opposing us is naturally someone who endangers the lives of the masses,” the Sect Master said righteously.

“The Mystic Gate has been acting more and more brazen lately. They targeted Bu Ji five years ago, and now they might go mad enough to target Wuqi too.” The Sect Master moved his hand away from his beard.

“Back then, Bu Ji had been away from the sect too long, so it wasn’t convenient for me to pursue it in the sect’s name. They got off with an apology and compensation. But this time is different. You need to let more people know that Wuqi is extremely special and important to our Imprint Moon Sect.”

“Isn’t this the exact method Wuqi came up with? Instead of hiding, better to appear openly and make her weight heavy enough that even if some people suspect, they won’t dare act.”

“The officials are already promoting Wuqi as a role model for the younger generation. Our Imprint Moon Sect can’t show less sincerity than the officials. Wuqi is my direct disciple’s disciple, after all.”

As he spoke, the Sect Master let out a soft breath, his voice turning somewhat distant. “The Young Sect Master’s requirement is to be a Level 4 celestial master. Keep an eye on Wuqi’s cultivation progress lately and make sure she successfully advances before the exchange meeting starts.”

“Master, Wuqi has only been in the sect for two months. At her cultivation speed, becoming a Level 4 celestial master might only take one more month. Going from entry disciple to Young Sect Master in three months—isn’t that a bit too rushed?” Yin Bufu asked.

“Not rushed at all. Didn’t you divine it? Wuqi is the one destined to lead the Imprint Moon Sect to glory.” The Sect Master slowly closed his eyes. “In recent years, more and more cultivators have taken an interest in the path of talismans. This is our opportunity. Bufu, you have too many misgivings in your heart. Learn more from the young ones.”

Yin Bufu’s lips moved slightly. Seeing that his master had already closed his eyes, he knew the man had long since made up his mind. Tonight’s news had only prompted him to voice those decisions early.

“Yes, this disciple will keep watch on Wuqi’s cultivation.” Yin Bufu bowed. “This disciple takes his leave.”

–

Lu Wuqi had no idea what was happening inside the Imprint Moon Sect, but when she saw her name trending on the forums again, she knew the Sect Master had accepted her conditions.

That’s right—Lu Wuqi’s actions last night had been her secretly negotiating terms with the Sect Master.

If the Sect Master was willing to stand behind her and support her in snatching Sheng Xu back, then she, Lu Wuqi, would forever be a member of the Imprint Moon Sect.

The bargaining chip Lu Wuqi offered was simple: herself. A talented individual with exceptional aptitude in the path of talismans, not to mention decent scheming and foresight.

From the forum posts, it seemed the Sect Master had understood Lu Wuqi’s intent and accepted her terms.

This development was within Lu Wuqi’s expectations. After all, she was the one divined to be the next Sect Master. The Imprint Moon Sect wouldn’t go wrong choosing her.

As for how much of it was exploitation versus sincerity, Lu Wuqi didn’t care right now. Because she was using the Imprint Moon Sect too.

“Xuxu, how do you feel? Want me to send you some more spiritual power?” When she noticed the eyelashes of the person in her arms fluttering slightly, Lu Wuqi quickly turned her attention to Sheng Xu.

“Hm?” Sheng Xu hazily opened her eyes.

Last night, Lu Wuqi had seemed especially excited. She dragged Sheng Xu to draw over a dozen low-tier talismans and even tried to have her draw mid-rank ones directly.

If Sheng Xu hadn’t been rational enough to use the excuse of being tired and needing rest, those materials might have all been used up wildly.

“No need. I don’t feel like my spiritual power was depleted much.” Sheng Xu tried sensing the spiritual power inside her.

Then Sheng Xu froze. Her eyes widened, her sleepiness vanished in an instant, and she nearly forgot to breathe.

“Xuxu? Is something wrong with your spiritual power? Did it disappear?” Seeing Sheng Xu’s odd reaction, Lu Wuqi panicked.

“Wuqi, I should have used up quite a bit of spiritual power last night, right?” Sheng Xu asked, her tone laced with clear uncertainty.

“Yes, you said you were tired and your spiritual power was more than half depleted, so that’s why we went to bed.” Lu Wuqi spoke softly to comfort her. “Xuxu, even if your spiritual power is gone, it’s fine. I can just send you more.”

“No, the spiritual power in my body hasn’t decreased.” Sheng Xu blinked, then couldn’t help pinching her own arm. She looked at Lu Wuqi with delight.

“Wuqi, the spiritual power in my body seems to have increased. The portion you gave me has grown a little. It’s only a tiny bit, but…” Sheng Xu took a deep breath and hugged Lu Wuqi tightly.

“Wuqi, you really are special. You’re different. You’re incredibly different.” Sheng Xu was so excited she didn’t know what else to say.

Last night’s change had already thrilled Sheng Xu. Though she could only rely on Lu Wuqi to channel spiritual power to her, she knew a method to pass both her spiritual power and cultivation to Lu Wuqi.

That way, the spiritual power she couldn’t control could be transferred to Lu Wuqi via that cultivation method. After Lu Wuqi digested and absorbed it, she could send the spiritual power back.