Zuo Mei returned home with a heavy heart.
She glanced toward the window.
Song Lin was intently studying the stock market trends, his face a bit pale. His vitality had been severely depleted before, and he still hadn’t fully recovered.
Perhaps it was because Qi Yingxue’s cold attitude last night had hurt him, adding a layer of gloom to his pallor.
The soft golden sunlight streamed onto him, casting a quiet loneliness around him.
He was a proud man, not one to easily show his emotions.
How could Zuo Mei not understand him?
She picked up the thin blanket on the sofa and gently draped it over Song Lin’s legs, her expression tender, eyes filled with concern. “You’re recovering quickly, but your body’s still weak. Don’t catch a cold.”
Song Lin obediently arranged the blanket and smiled faintly. “Mom, do you have something you want to say to me?”
Mother and son understood each other perfectly.
Zuo Mei hesitated for a moment, then asked with utmost seriousness, “Lin, are you really determined to completely cut ties with Qi Yingxue?”
Song Weisheng, sitting in the living room, keenly sensed something was wrong with her.
“Mei, did something happen?”
Zuo Mei had already checked the news online during her trip home.
She took a deep breath and said, “Qi Yingxue was detained by the police last night.”
The two Song men exchanged stunned looks.
“The internet is buzzing about it, and there’s even a video.”
Song Lin’s fingers paused mid-air. “I talked to her last night…”
“Right after the call ended, the police took her away,” Zuo Mei said coldly.
She wasn’t truly cold-hearted.
When Qi Yingxue’s public image collapsed and made headlines, Zuo Mei was too worried about her son being trapped in an elevator to pay much attention to the online rumors.
Later, when bigger troubles arose, she had even less energy to care about the online chaos. She still held onto the old image of Qi Yingxue.
It wasn’t that she genuinely liked Qi Yingxue—only that Qi Yingxue had always behaved particularly obedient and gentle in front of her, and her son truly liked her. So, in her heart, she accepted Qi Yingxue as her daughter-in-law.
Having experienced the pain of being forced apart by her own parents, Zuo Mei naturally did not want her son to suffer the same fate with any girl.
Last night, when Qi Yingxue’s attitude toward her son turned cold and he took the initiative to say he wanted to break off the engagement, Zuo Mei saw how gloomy he was. Worried that he might have spoken in anger, she went to the lakeside villa.
She tried to calm herself down this way.
If her son’s relationship was truly over, she would go to Qi’s family to cancel the engagement; if it wasn’t, then there was still hope.
But reality dealt her a harsh blow.
She had once bravely defied family pressure and worked hard with her husband, but that didn’t mean others would endure hardships alongside her son.
Still, the severed engagement line left her with only a trace of sorrow. Qi Yingxue’s detention was a complete and utter disappointment.
She never imagined that the daughter-in-law she once accepted could actually harm others!
On her way back, she carefully read through every online report about Qi Yingxue’s situation before finally understanding that Qi Yingxue’s public image had collapsed because she truly had fallen from grace.
It wasn’t just rumors!
Zuo Mei reached out and patted her son’s shoulder with a light sigh. “Lin, a girl like this—our family simply can’t accept her.”
“Last night, we already decided to call off the engagement,” Song Weisheng said in a low, firm voice. “Even if we do it now, some might accuse us of kicking someone when they’re down, but I have a clear conscience.”
He was always decisive, immediately picking up his phone to contact Qi Changrong.
Unexpectedly, Qi Changrong called first.
“Old Song,” Qi Changrong’s voice was a little hoarse but still calm, “You know about Qi Yingxue’s trouble, right?”
Song Weisheng put the call on speaker...
“I only know she’s been detained, but I don’t know the details.”
“She tried to harm someone—she tried to harm Qi Quan,” Qi Changrong’s voice carried a trace of restrained anger. “I admit the Qi family hasn’t wronged her, and your family hasn’t either. But now she’s done something wrong and is about to face trial. I don’t want to hold up A Lin. He’s a good kid. Let’s just end the engagement between our two families here.”
Song Weisheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief and felt touched by Qi Changrong’s initiative to end the engagement.
When the Song family fell, Qi Changrong said nothing; now that Qi Yingxue was in trouble, he took the first step to break off the engagement.
No matter what, Song Weisheng and Zuo Mei were grateful to him.
“Alright,” he replied solemnly.
The bond between Song Lin and Qi Yingxue was completely severed.
At the Linhu Villa.
After Mrs. Song left, Qi Quan released the Three Ghosts.
Su Rong went to prepare ingredients, Xue Hong read a book, and Ji Shengzhe ran off to watch TV in his room again.
[Boss, you really should update today, right?] The system seemed eager enough to hold a little whip.
Qi Quan: [Alright, alright.]
She stood up and went back to her room. Just as she opened her computer, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Ling Sheng stepped in.
He was holding a thick stack of talisman papers.
Qi Quan: [This scene feels familiar.]
The system chuckled: [Last time it was a bunch of dust-removal talismans. What’s it this time?]
With curiosity in her eyes, Qi Quan watched as Ling Sheng handed over the talismans along with a note: [Make money.]
Qi Quan: “...”
She reached out to take the talismans and suddenly froze.
On top was a Level Six Thunder Talisman!
This was an offensive talisman—not too difficult to draw, but a Level Six Thunder Talisman required a high level of skill.
Whether in sects or noble families, raising a Level Six talisman master took enormous resources.
And she just happened to pick one up casually?
Looking further down, there were Level Six Spirit Talismans, Level Six Binding Talismans, Level Six Exorcism Talismans... except for a few that were Level Five, the rest were all Level Six!
Qi Quan couldn’t help but sigh: [Ding Ji is truly wasting talent like this—such a gifted person is only being used as a power bank.]
System: [...]
The boss was as sharp as ever.
Facing Ling Sheng’s expectant gaze, Qi Quan couldn’t find a single word to refuse, so she earnestly praised him, “You draw them very well, but I’m not very familiar with the talisman market in the Xuan Sect. Let me ask around and calculate how much you can make.”
Ling Sheng nodded.
Qi Quan sent a message to Li Guoyan: [What’s the market price for Level Six Xuan Sect talismans?]
Li Guoyan immediately called.
“Master, why the sudden question?”
Qi Quan finally understood how happy Xue Hong must feel—having a genius student really gave a huge sense of accomplishment.
In her past life, she had taught countless disciples, yet none could draw talismans directly from the manual without her holding a class and explaining carefully.
Qi Quan’s voice was calm, but the corner of her eyes held a smile.
“Just asking casually.”
Li Guoyan didn’t expose her and patiently explained, “Level-six talismans are considered high-grade in the Daoist sect and aren’t cheap. However, the value varies by type—some talismans are in higher demand and thus more expensive, while others, with less demand, cost less. Take the most common offensive thunder talisman, for example: a level-six thunder talisman sells for eleven thousand per piece. But for rare talismans, like spirit talismans, one piece can fetch fifty thousand.”
“Got it, thank you.”
Li Guoyan said, “Alright, I’ll send you a price list for various talismans later.”
“Okay, much appreciated.”
“Master,” Li Guoyan hesitated for a moment but decided to speak up, “If you have any spare talismans, would you consider selling them to the Investigation Department? We’re willing to buy at market price. Last time in Longlin City, you gave the local head a level-six imprisonment spirit talisman, and even low-level investigators were able to easily capture Wei Huanyang. It really brought great convenience to the department.”
Qi Quan replied, “Let’s talk about this in person tomorrow.”
“Alright.”
The call ended.
Qi Quan didn’t make decisions on her own and asked Ling Sheng, “Are you willing to sell talismans to the Investigation Department?”
Ling Sheng typed on his phone: [It’s all yours.]
He used talisman paper, cinnabar, and other materials—all provided by Qi Quan. The talisman manual was also gifted by her, so he considered all the talismans he drew as hers.
That was his logic.
Qi Quan smiled and asked, “You don’t want money? I can get you an ID card and a bank account, and deposit all the money from selling talismans for you.”
Ling Sheng shook his head seriously.
Qi Quan thought of the piles of sparrow jade cards in the storage room and decided to hold onto them for him. If he ever wanted them, she’d give them to him.
Upon learning that Qi Quan would be traveling tomorrow, Su Rong and Xue Hong both showed signs of reluctance.
Ji Shengzhe noticed Qi Quan staring at him and asked, “Am I going too?”
“Lu Jiang is very likely the one who stole your merits. Aren’t you going?” Qi Quan said.
Ji Shengzhe’s expression turned sharp: “I’m going!”
Watching the drama is more important than revenge!
Qi Quan instructed, “Butler Su and Teacher Xue will stay at home. Ling Sheng is coming with me to Longjing City.”
“You’re bringing Ling Sheng?” Su Rong was surprised.
Having spent so much time together, he guessed Ling Sheng’s constitution was special, and Qi Quan rarely let him travel. Why bring him this time?
Qi Quan didn’t hide it: “Ling Sheng’s relatives are from Longjing City.”
“Master, is it possible that Ling Sheng’s abduction wasn’t an accident?” Xue Hong asked seriously.
Qi Quan smiled, “I understand what you mean. Until we find out the truth, I won’t let Ling Sheng take any risks.”
The people and spirits of the lakeside villa had become like family who cared deeply for each other.
Qi Quan felt very gratified.
“There are plenty of spirit talismans stored in the warehouse. If there’s anything unusual with the villa’s formation, those jade cards can sustain it for quite a while.”
Su Rong smiled, “Thanks to Ling Sheng’s hard work carving them every day.”
It gave them peace of mind.
Qi Quan said, “Alright, meeting adjourned.”
A residence in Longjing City.
A handsome man sat in a chair, listening to his subordinate, the steward, report the latest news. Half of his face was shrouded in shadow, making his expression hard to read.
“You’re saying Yan Huai went too?” His voice was somewhat hoarse.
The steward replied nervously, “Yes, sir. Young Master Yan, along with personnel from the Investigation Department, escorted them onto the vehicle. They should have already been brought back to the Longjing Investigation Department by now.”
“Why is he tangled up with the Investigation Department?” The man scoffed. “Utter nonsense.”
The steward remained silent, unwilling to answer.
“Those two useless fools won’t spill anything. Don’t bother with them.”
“But Lu Shen is still in the interrogation room at the Longjiang City Investigation Department,” the steward reminded him.
The man sneered, “Do you really think those low-level investigators can touch a Level 7 Celestial Master? Ridiculous.”
The steward forced a smile. “Indeed.”
“However, I heard the authorities hired some sort of expert,” the man’s voice grew cold.
The steward replied, “At most, he should be a Level 6, Third Rank. Elder Lu is a Level 7, Second Rank.”
“Hmm.”
---
At 10 PM, late at night, the latest episode of *The Heiress Diaries* was released...
[Poor ghost died young.
When he died, televisions weren’t even widespread yet.
So after he broke free from prison, he became a TV addict. No matter where he went, the first thing he did was find a TV to catch up on dramas.
The night before going out to play, he stayed up all night watching shows, even skipping breakfast.
Such a habit actually saved on food.
I heard a recommendation and chose a highly praised resort.
The resort was nestled amid clear mountains and pure waters, filled with birdsong and blooming flowers. There was no industrial smoke or water pollution. The sky was a deep blue, the rivers crystal clear, and the air fresh.
We had a picnic on the grass.
From afar, the mountains rose tall and deep, the sky vast and the earth wide. It was truly uplifting.
Just as we were enjoying this beautiful scene, a cry for help echoed from the forest.
I took Poor Ghost with me to investigate.
It was an injured man. He had slipped down a hillside during an expedition, scratched deeply by sharp branches, bleeding heavily. His phone was broken and he couldn’t send a signal, so he had to shout for help.
Luckily, my hearing was good enough to catch it.
I called an ambulance for him, then took a closer look at his face.
Strange. He was born into a wealthy fate, yet looked so downtrodden.
—His messy hair and simple clothes made it obvious.
He was talkative. Before I could ask, he began to pour out his troubles.
He had once made a fortune, but for some unknown reason, bad luck struck him suddenly. His prospects plummeted, and his company was on the verge of collapse.
But judging by his appearance, he truly had financial luck and hadn’t faced many hardships.
Curious.
After he was taken to the hospital, I returned to the villa with Poor Ghost.
Nothing in the villa had changed, but for some reason, my attention was suddenly drawn to a statue.
Staff had introduced it to me when I first arrived.
It was called the “Luck-Transforming Deity.” As long as you had money, you could buy luck.
As a practitioner of the Mystical Path, I had never heard of such a bizarre thing.
Where in the world can you buy and sell luck?
Luck isn’t a product that can be manufactured or processed—it’s intangible.]
Suddenly, it occurred to me: could the man with a stable fate but plagued by bad luck be connected to this so-called "Luck-Transforming Master"?
I’m not entirely sure about this, but one thing I do know is that this "Luck-Transforming Master" is a sinister entity. People pay money to "buy luck" from him, but sooner or later, that luck will turn into misfortune and boomerang back onto themselves.
Sure enough, the very next morning, trouble struck the "Luck-Transforming Master." The police sealed off the resort, and I had no choice but to return home.
After getting home, I received a notification.
Tomorrow, another business trip awaits.
[End of new chapter.]
【If you see me, please call me to prepare lessons: Hahaha, the newly appeared "ghost" is so cute, staying up late to binge-watch. That "Luck-Transforming Master" clearly isn’t a good guy. If someone’s luck could really be turned around that easily, everyone would be climbing the ladder and making fortunes. Total landmine!】
【Good luck today: Sigh, there are too many bad people. The master really has it tough! A hundred deep-water drops!】
【Rich lady still needs leg accessories?: Business trip? The author isn’t using this as an excuse to delay updates again, is he?】
【So touched I could die: Upstairs just revealed the truth.】
【Literary drought is deadly: Ahhhhh, so happy! Ten deep-water drops!】
【Flying Luck Horse: Looking forward to it! Fifty deep-water drops!】
【Peaceful and Far-reaching: Fifty deep-water drops!】
【Only want male virtue novels: Shall we pool deep-water drops in the comments? This feels like a stream-of-consciousness novel, so where’s the appeal… but I just can’t stop reading. What to do?】
...
【Random passerby: Hahahahahaha】
《Diary of the Wealthy》 has a considerable following online. After many readers saw the new chapter’s content, they couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
Many of them have a statue of the Luck-Transforming Master at home.
Luck-Transforming Master Believers’ Group.
【Has anyone read 《Diary of the Wealthy》?】
【...Yes, I have.】
【What is this? A novel?】
【You know that resort in Changshun County, right? It’s been shut down by the authorities.】
【No way, is it connected to the Master?】
【I heard that at the resort, the Luck-Transforming Master caused everyone to wake up drenched in blood and tears overnight. Very scary.】
【Stop it, stop it, I’m terrified now. I don’t dare look at the Master anymore.】
【This has nothing to do with us, right? We didn’t do anything wrong.】
【...】
【...】
【Everyone knows deep down. Just from what’s been said and done, you can guess. Anyway, the police have now classified this as illegal pyramid schemes. Everyone, be careful.】
【So what do we do? Destroy them?】
【So, does 《Diary of the Wealthy》 say the Master is real? And that the Master’s power backfires?】
【Whether luck backfires or not, the law clearly states no harm can be done.】
【How do you regulate something you can’t see or touch?】
【Exactly, and there’s no evidence anyway!】
【Do you think the police who arrested He Yang and Qi Yingxue were just ordinary cops?】
【...】
Small groups like this exist in multiple regions. Believers are anxious, seeking comfort in their chats.
Some believers, afraid of trouble, decisively discarded their Masters and deleted all related info from their phones.
But they overlooked one thing: the information on the internet and phones is under official surveillance.
Authorities monitor these groups’ activities, trace IP addresses, and sweep them all up in one go.
Those who harm others through such practices will inevitably suffer backlash.
What awaits them is severe legal punishment.
Longjiang City Investigation Department.
Inside the interrogation room, after a series of relentless questions, Qi Yingxue finally broke down and admitted to purchasing a Luck Transfer Talisman with the intent to harm Qi Quan.
She wept bitterly, tears streaming down her face like falling blossoms. “I didn’t know, I really didn’t know. I didn’t realize it would steal someone’s luck. I only used it once. It didn’t even require the other person’s name, and it gave me a hundred luck points. I truly didn’t understand it could cause harm… sob sob sob…”
Tang Mian watched from behind the glass and asked Shen Hui, “How can they possibly charge her for this?”
Stealing someone’s luck is a tricky matter; the extent of harm is difficult to define.
Shen Hui replied, “According to current laws, it’s considered attempted intentional injury, and since it’s a first offense with relatively minor circumstances, the punishment shouldn’t be too severe.”
Tang Mian pressed, “What if they don’t follow the law?”
Shen Hui smiled, “Then they’d have to consider the senior official’s face. If she wants to harm someone, but she’s the chief consultant of our investigation bureau, do you think the bureau would tolerate that?”
“So, what will actually happen?” Tang Mian asked again.
Shen Hui shrugged. “Most likely, it’ll be reported to headquarters, and they’ll decide from there.”
As officials representing fairness and justice, they were supposed to uphold the law and avoid favoritism.
The next morning, Steward Su packed Qi Quan’s luggage and sent her and Ling Sheng off by car.
Before leaving, Qi Quan cast an illusion over Ling Sheng’s face, disguising his appearance so he now looked like an unremarkable, delicate young man standing beside her—nothing that would draw attention.
Not only that, she placed talisman papers on him to mask his unique constitution.
Shen Hui was driving.
He had been assigned by the investigation bureau specifically to escort Qi Quan to Longjing City. When he got this assignment, he caught Tang Mian’s envious gaze and challenge.
“I’ll practice my driving skills and definitely drive better than you,” she said.
Shen Hui: …
The drive from Longjiang to Longjing took about six hours.
Qi Quan closed her eyes to cultivate from the moment she got in until they arrived.
The car stopped in front of a villa.
The surroundings were beautiful, far from the bustling city—a very pleasant place to live.
“Master, Director Li said you should rest for a day first. Tomorrow, he’ll personally come to discuss the matter of summoning Lu Jiang,” Shen Hui reported quietly.
Qi Quan nodded.
Just as she reached the villa’s gate, the door suddenly opened from inside.
“Quan Quan, sister!” A young, beautiful girl rushed out excitedly. “It’s been so long! I’ve missed you so much!”
Su Nuanuan was dressed simply in a jacket and jeans, her hair tied in a high ponytail, radiating youthful energy.
Behind her were Chen Feilu and Ning Zhi.
Qi Quan was puzzled.
Shen Hui smiled and explained, “Master, this villa was purchased by Mr. Su for Miss Su, so she can attend school here. Knowing you were coming, Miss Su volunteered to host you.”
“Quan Quan, even if you’re on a business trip, you have to be comfortable. I’ve already prepared your room. Take a look and see if you like it,” Su Nuanuan said brightly.
Behind her, Ning Zhi sighed quietly.
As a local of Longjing City, he should have been the gracious host, but his mind wasn’t quick, and he assumed the bureau would arrange accommodations for the master. He hadn’t anticipated this situation.
The Investigation Department would indeed arrange a place to stay, but the official budget was limited—it was impossible to provide such a nice villa.
So when Su Nuanuan brought it up, everyone agreed unanimously.
Qi Quan smiled and said, “Nuanuan, you’ve worked hard.”
“Not at all!” Su Nuanuan said, leading her upstairs and opening a door. “I specifically asked my brother about your preferences. Take a look and see if there’s anything else you need.”
The room was large, decorated much like the lakeside villa’s bedroom, clearly showing her thoughtfulness.
Qi Quan was about to nod in approval when the system suddenly chimed in excitedly: [There’s even a computer!]
Qi Quan: ...
[Hahaha, boss, you can’t use that as an excuse anymore!]
Su Nuanuan didn’t get a response and nervously asked, “Qi Quan, is there something wrong?”
“No,” Qi Quan replied calmly, “It’s perfect.”
Su Nuanuan beamed and turned around, only to freeze when she spotted a young man in the hallway outside the room.
Huh, he looked quite delicate—why hadn’t she noticed him before?
He was practically invisible.
She asked, “Qi Quan, is that your assistant? Where does he sleep?”
Qi Quan casually replied, “Next door, I guess.”
“But...” Su Nuanuan hesitated, “I was planning to stay next door to you.”
“You’re not living on campus?”
“You rarely come here. I want to share a room with you,” Su Nuanuan coaxed softly, “Qi Quan, I don’t have many friends in Longjing, I want to live with you.”
Qi Quan didn’t really care where Ling Sheng stayed.
She nodded, “Alright.”
Su Nuanuan smiled brightly and arranged a room for Ling Sheng a bit farther away.
Ling Sheng said nothing, just following Qi Quan’s lead.
Downstairs.
Chen Feilu was pushing a suitcase and found himself in a standoff with Shen Hui.
“I’m the master’s assistant; I’ll carry it up.”
Shen Hui smiled gently, “The director told me to take good care of the senior this trip; I’ll carry it up.”
“I’ll do it!”
“No need, I’ve got this.”
“I’m her assistant—that’s assistant work.”
“I’m following orders from the leader.”
Chen Feilu: “...”
He was worried it was finally happening!
He couldn’t always stay by the master’s side, so others jealous of his position were eyeing it!
This Shen guy was really pushing it.
A hand reached out and effortlessly lifted the suitcase.
It was Ning Zhi.
He glanced at the two, saying, “The senior doesn’t like to waste time.”
Before they could react, he carried the suitcase upstairs on his own.
Both of them: Damn, so sneaky!
Longjing City Investigation Department.
“Director Li,” Di Meng knocked and entered the office, his thick brows tightly furrowed. “I just took the team to Lu Jiang’s residence. As per your instructions, we knocked and called out, and Lu Jiang’s disciple opened the door, but Lu Jiang himself didn’t appear. It seems he’s unwilling to cooperate with the investigation.”
A seventh-level Celestial Master, no matter where he went, was treated like a revered existence. If he could be summoned by the Investigation Department so easily, where would his dignity be?
Li Guoyan understood the logic of these high-level Celestial Masters.
However, the country had its laws. Standing on this land meant abiding by its rules.
Breaking the rules of the Spirit Sect comes with a price—no one gets away unscathed.
He smiled and said, “Isn’t that a good thing?”
“A good thing?” Di Meng was puzzled.
How could Lu Jiang’s refusal to cooperate be considered a good thing?
“He doesn’t live inside the Guiyuan Sect, which actually makes things easier for us,” Li Guoyan explained. “That way, we don’t have to negotiate with Guiyuan Sect directly.”
The Guiyuan Sect was built in a secluded valley on the outskirts of Longjing City—a place essentially off-limits to ordinary people. Naturally, no one could see what went on inside the sect’s grounds.
Within the sect, spiritual energy was abundant, and protective arrays were set up. Generally, senior elders of high rank preferred to cultivate quietly within the sect, rarely venturing out into the mundane world.
But this Elder Lu liked to stay outside. No one believed there wasn’t something fishy about that.
Could his residence possibly have better spiritual energy than the sect itself?
Di Meng finally understood, but he still asked, “What if he gets the news and runs back to the sect?”
“That’s even better,” Li Guoyan replied.
Di Meng blinked in surprise.
“Our investigation department will inevitably clash with the great Taoist sects or influential clans eventually. If he returns to the sect, we’ll just go straight to the Guiyuan Sect’s sect master and see whether he protects Lu Jiang or cooperates with us.”
Di Meng thought, Li Guoyan is truly formidable!
But—
Can the investigation department really go head-to-head with the top sect?
Li Guoyan saw the doubt in his eyes but said nothing, only smiling as he asked, “Did you run into that genius from the Yan family at the resort?”
“Yes. Didn’t expect him to show up there,” Di Meng said regretfully. “Too bad I didn’t get to see that senior.”
Li Guoyan gave him a sly look. “What do you think of Yan Huai?”
“You’re thinking of recruiting him into the investigation department?” Di Meng guessed his intention and replied seriously, “He’s pure-hearted and not morally ambiguous, but after all, he was born into the Yan family. I’m afraid...”
They both knew what was left unsaid.
The Yan family was Longjing City’s foremost Taoist clan, and Yan Huai was the new rising star, poised to inherit the family’s leadership. If he joined the investigation department, it would mean going against clans and sects—and the Yan family would never agree.
Li Guoyan’s gaze grew deeper. “Even if he doesn’t join the investigation department, he can still be useful.”
They needed to unite all the forces they could.
At Lu Jiang’s residence.
Lu Jiang was seated in meditation, cultivating, when a disciple outside reported, “Master, the investigation department people have left.”
“Mm, you may leave now,” Lu Jiang said.
The disciple nodded and left.
Lu Jiang opened his eyes. Though his face was plain and unremarkable, the aura of a high-level Taoist master added an ethereal, almost immortal charm to his presence.
He rose and walked to his desk.
On the desk stood a golden statue. Apart from its color and material, it was identical to the statue of the Fortune Master.
This one was crafted entirely from pure gold, making it the most precious of its kind.
A gleam of pride and arrogance flickered in Lu Jiang’s eyes as he reached out and twisted a hidden mechanism beneath the statue. A door opened, revealing a secret chamber.
He stepped inside.
The chamber was no more than ten square meters. In its center stood an altar adorned with a complex array formation. At the heart of the formation was a transparent crystal orb, glowing with golden light.
The orb was small enough to hold in one hand. Inside, the golden light had been compressed into a flowing substance, nearly filling the entire sphere, slowly intertwining and shifting within.
The crystal orb was connected to the intricate ley lines of the formation, channels responsible for transmitting golden light, gradually filling the orb bit by bit.
Lu Jiang’s eyes burned with fervor.
Over the years, he had relied on these golden merits to cultivate at an astonishing pace. In just thirty years, he had risen to become a Level Seven Celestial Master, reigning supreme over the entire Xuan Sect.
Unfortunately, the cultivation methods available to a Celestial Master at his level could only utilize a limited amount of these golden merits. The remaining merits he could no longer convert.
Wait—
At the end of the formation’s ley lines, a blank spot appeared!
What was going on?
These ley lines were firmly connected to that ghost’s body, which should have been continuously supplying merits. Although the process was slow, the lines should have been glowing with golden light without interruption!
Lu Jiang leaned in for a closer look.
Every single ley line ended abruptly.
This meant the supply had been completely cut off!
His heart pounded wildly. He hadn’t checked in for just a few days, so how could this sudden change have happened?
He had used this formation for thirty years without a single fault. Moreover, after reaching Level Seven, he had even reinforced the formation.
No one below Level Seven Celestial Master could possibly have broken the ghost’s sealing technique!
Unless... that ghost was truly “dead.”
But that ghost had nearly reached Level Seven itself. Who could have killed it?
Things seemed to be spiraling out of control.
Could the investigation department’s discovery of the “Transport Master” incident be connected to the ghost’s destruction?
Lu Jiang’s chest tightened with unease.
But he quickly calmed himself.
He was a Level Seven Celestial Master. His estate was protected by a Level Seven guardian formation. No matter how many investigators came, they couldn’t touch him.
Even if the ghost was gone and could no longer supply merits, he had already gathered enough golden merits. The small remainder was insignificant.
He left the dark chamber and resumed his cultivation with peace of mind.
One day, he would find a way to break through his limitations and absorb all the merits.
He would become a Celestial Immortal!
---
At Su Nuanuan’s villa.
Qi Quan had been cultivating in his room all afternoon and finally opened his eyes as mealtime approached.
A deeply enticing aroma wafted through the narrow cracks of the door, boldly invading his nostrils.
Her eyes brightened.
She had been worried about eating unfamiliar food during her business trip without Su Nuanuan’s housekeeper, but now she was pleasantly surprised.
The last time Ling Sheng had made lotus seed soup, she had been unable to forget the taste.
But he had only cooked it that once.
Downstairs in the living room, the four of them were already entranced.
This smells absolutely incredible!
She murmured,
“No wonder Quan Quan insists on bringing him along even on business trips. This cooking skill is truly unbeatable.”
Just smelling the aroma made her swallow hard.
Chen Feilu complained bitterly, “Masters always attract talented people with unique skills. The competition for positions is so fierce, I feel like I’m going to be crushed on the beach.”
Ning Zhi lowered his head without saying a word, but his expression clearly agreed with Chen Feilu’s remark.
Shen Hui: “...”
Maybe I’ll just diligently stick to being the driver.
Qi Quan came downstairs just as Ling Sheng finished preparing the last dish.
Everyone rubbed their hands in anticipation, ready to eat.
However—
Ling Sheng carried in several exquisite vegetable dishes on a tray. Each dish was served in delicate small bowls and plates, with just the right amount for two people, all placed in front of Qi Quan and himself.
Qi Quan: ?
Everyone else: ???
“Um…” Su Nuanuan couldn’t help but speak up, “Hey, handsome, aren’t there any vegetables for us?”
Ling Sheng pointed toward the kitchen.
Chen Feilu dashed into the kitchen. The dishes looked just like the master’s vegetables, but were served in large plates, and the aroma seemed to lack the master’s signature fragrance.
He brought out two plates and said, “Help yourselves. You’ve got to do it yourself to be self-sufficient. I’m not serving you.”
The three of them squeezed into the kitchen.
Ling Sheng’s culinary skills were quite impressive; the four of them devoured the dishes swiftly, each a fierce competitor for the best vegetables.
But as they ate, Chen Feilu began to feel something was off.
“Master, it’s the same vegetable dish, so why do ours feel rougher?” he asked.
Su Nuanuan nodded in agreement.
Compared to what they were eating, the two servings in front of Qi Quan were clearly more appealing.
Strange.
Qi Quan calmly said, “Maybe it’s because the vegetables in others’ bowls are more fragrant.”
“…”
She glanced at Ling Sheng, who lowered his eyelashes, focused on eating. The soft light of the restaurant’s lamps cast a gentle glow on his face, making him look especially kind and warm.
The system asked: [Boss, is Ling Sheng giving you special treatment?]
Qi Quan: [Yes. The vegetables in my meal have had impurities removed and contain spiritual energy. What they’re eating is just ordinary vegetables. But this is good—it helps hide his spiritual constitution.]
Except for Su Nuanuan, the other three were cultivators. If they ate the same vegetable dishes, they would taste the spiritual energy within.
It wasn’t that they were untrustworthy, but since it concerned Ling Sheng’s spiritual constitution, the fewer people who knew, the better.
The next morning, Li Guoyan arrived at the villa with Di Meng.
Di Meng pulled the handbrake and asked, “Aren’t we going to find Lu Jiang?”
“Have you not read the new chapter of ‘The Heiress Diary’?” Li Guoyan got out of the car, closed the door, and rang the doorbell.
Di Meng: “I’ve been busy watching the interrogation, didn’t have time.”
Sun Yong and the tall, thin Taoist master were minor leaders in the Fortune Transfer Great Immortal organization, having recruited many subordinates. Especially Sun Yong, who used the resort to promote the vegetables, pulling many clients in.
He was watching the interrogation while instructing his men to follow leads and make arrests, having no time to open the app.
“Why bring this up all of a sudden—”
Suddenly, he realized, his handsome eyebrows lighting up with excitement, “You didn’t invite her, did you?”
Li Guoyan deliberately left him hanging, not answering.
Di Meng: Damn! No one told him!
He quickly took out his phone and looked at the screen. He hadn’t rested much these past two days; his complexion looked a bit off, dark circles were obvious, his hair was unkempt, and his clothes…
His image was suffering!
Moments later, the door opened.
Su Nuanuan peeked out, glanced at the middle-aged man and the roguish young man at the door, and asked, “Who are you guys?”
Li Guoyan replied warmly, “Hello, we’re here to see Master Qi.”
“Oh!” Su Nuanuan opened the door wider, “Quan Quan said you’d be coming today. Please, come in.”
The two men stepped into the villa.
Qi Quan had just finished breakfast and sat by the window, basking in the morning light while savoring the herbal tea Ling Sheng had brewed for her.
The spiritual energy was ethereal and refreshing, soothing to the soul.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed two figures appear in the front courtyard.
Guests had arrived.
Di Meng felt a bit nervous, but more than that, he was excited.
He had come across the novel *The Diary of the Wealthy Family* by chance. At first, he dismissed it as a cliché romance story, but the deeper he read, the more he sensed the profound thoughts of Master Baishui woven within.
She was different from the other Taoist masters! She was a master with ideals and aspirations!
Di Meng had long grown weary of the distorted state of the Taoist sect. Though he appeared carefree on the surface, deep down he was loyal to the true path and utterly disdained the petty squabbles within the sect.
Suddenly encountering such a fresh and refined novel, he felt he had found a kindred spirit.
Yet, he had assumed Master Baishui was just a low-ranking minor master—after all, no high-ranking master would have the leisure to write novels.
But then, from the Yao Mountain ghost case, he picked up clues.
As an investigator, Di Meng was naturally well-informed about the details of what had happened at Yao Mountain. Coincidentally, Master Baishui mentioned “a business trip” and “life swapping” in her writing, which made him realize she was not a low-level master, but rather a noble and upright senior!
Di Meng tugged at the corner of his shirt, tightening his expression as he followed Li Guoyan into the villa’s living room.
“Investigator Li.”
A soft, low voice drifted through the air like a gentle breeze brushing the willow tips, like sweet rain nourishing the fields—gentle and embracing, carrying an aura of serene clarity without any arrogance or pride.
This was the true senior worthy of respect!
Di Meng turned to look.
She stood by the window, dressed simply yet elegantly, her brows and eyes calm and composed. The slanting sunlight caught her hair, reflecting a faint golden glow.
He sensed no spiritual energy from her.
Not because she was ordinary, but because she was overwhelmingly powerful.
Di Meng quickly put aside his casual demeanor and stood straight and solemn behind Li Guoyan.
Li Guoyan glanced back with a teasing smile and introduced, “Master Qi, this is Di Meng, a level-five investigator from the Longjing Investigation Department. He’s only twenty-three and quite gifted.”
Qi Quan looked at Di Meng.
The young, handsome man instantly held his breath.
*He looks so nervous,* the system mused.
Despite being a big shot, he wasn’t serious at all.
Qi Quan smiled lightly. “He truly has talent.”
Di Meng felt ashamed; compared to this senior, he hardly considered himself a genius.
“Haha, of course, I can’t compare to you,” Li Guoyan joked. “Master, shall we head out now?”
Qi Quan nodded. “Let’s go.”
Five people went to Lu’s residence.
Qi Quan rode with Shen Hui, and Ling Sheng accompanied them.
As for Su Nuanuan and the others, they had to rush to school for morning classes.
Lu Jiang was quite a man who knew how to enjoy life.
He had deliberately chosen a residence with excellent feng shui. The house was spacious—in a place like Longjing City, where land was precious, owning such a mansion spoke volumes about his wealth.
He was utterly confident.
Despite having received warnings from the Investigation Department yesterday, he still stayed at his residence to cultivate his skills.
...
Was this not a blatant show of contempt for the Investigation Department?
A few people got off the car, leaving Shen Hui alone inside to keep an eye on the surroundings.
Li Guoyan glanced at Qi Quan, whose expression remained calm and composed. Feeling somewhat reassured, he said, “When handling a case, we always start with courtesy before resorting to force. Yesterday, the investigation team already showed their courtesy; today, it’s time to show our strength.”
Qi Quan replied, “He has set up a seventh-level protective formation.”
“Exactly.” Li Guoyan’s expression grew serious. “Breaking through a seventh-level formation requires a large number of attack talismans, but Lu Jiang should have plenty of spirit talismans on hand.”
Qi Quan opened his palm. “Investigator Di, may I borrow the peachwood hammer from your wrist for a moment?”
The peachwood hammer was Di Meng’s treasured magical artifact, rarely allowed to be touched by others. But exceptions were made.
Excitedly, Di Meng took off the peachwood hammer and asked, “Do you want me to enlarge it?”
Qi Quan shook his head. “No need.”
The miniature version of the peachwood hammer was placed in his palm.
Qi Quan gently held it, infusing spiritual energy onto its surface, then swung the hammer like a shooting star, striking the protective formation.
Ripples spread across the formation.
He repeated the process, the hammer hopping around the formation—tapping on the east side, then pounding on the west—seemingly random and chaotic.
Inside the manor, Lu Jiang opened his eyes from meditation and sneered contemptuously at the peachwood hammer hovering above the formation.
Breaking his seventh-level formation with this? Dream on—
Crack.
Suddenly, several obvious cracks appeared on the protective shield.
Lu Jiang sprang up, instinctively pulling out a spirit talisman to reinforce the formation, but in the next moment, the formation collapsed with a thunderous roar!
The system applauded proudly: [No one understands protective formations better than the master!]
Di Meng was stunned. “What just happened...?”
Li Guoyan was much more composed, but a trace of excitement still flickered in his eyes as he sincerely praised, “Master Qi’s expertise in formations is truly impressive.”
With effortless skill, he identified the weaknesses in the seventh-level formation, struck precisely, and shattered it instantly.
Respectable! Admirable!
The miniature peachwood hammer completed its task and retreated, flying back under spiritual control to stop before Di Meng.
Di Meng was still dazed.
“Stop daydreaming!” Li Guoyan snapped, giving him a light tap.
Snapping back to reality, Di Meng’s eyes lit up as he carefully picked up the little hammer and strapped it back onto his wrist.
He had never found the little hammer so adorable before!
In the courtyard, Lu Jiang’s disciples stood frozen in shock.
After recovering from his surprise, Lu Jiang saw the intruders had already entered the courtyard. A ferocious glint flashed in his eyes as he unleashed a surge of spiritual power, activating another formation within the courtyard and shouted,
“Those who trespass will die!”
Just as Di Meng stepped into the courtyard, the scene before him suddenly shifted. The elegant pavilions and towers twisted into a gloomy, eerie nightmare, with countless malevolent spirits surging forward.
He instinctively swung his hammer to strike them down, but found his spiritual energy blocked, unable to release even a trace of power.
The ghosts closed in on his face!
In the blink of an eye, a slender, pale hand grabbed him by the collar and yanked him out of the illusionary formation.
He tumbled out of the courtyard, dazed, and looked up.
The illusion shattered like bubbles.
Within the exquisite and elegant Ting courtyard, a woman dressed in simple, understated attire carried herself with calm poise. One hand gripped Lu Jiang’s neck, while the other gracefully produced a seventh-level Spirit Binding Talisman, pressing it gently onto Lu Jiang’s forehead.
Lu Jiang: "…"
In his heart, Di Meng shouted wildly—
I swear to follow my senior to the death!
