Ji Wushuang was well aware of the Heavenly Dao's petty and vengeful nature. Should she compel someone to use the misfortune talisman on Mo Lanyi, their life would be plagued with endless misfortunes thereafter.
Suddenly, two familiar yet hapless faces surfaced in her mind.
Wait, if others were unsuitable, what about those with karmic ties to Mo Lanyi?
Although the Heavenly Dao might turn a blind eye, Mo Lanyi had stolen their fortune first. Should they strike back, it would merely be a case of retribution—a balance restored in the cosmic order.
With a slight lift of her brow, Ji Wushuang spoke, "Master Zhan, could you please invite Lian Yuan and Lu Xingzhou?"
"Lian Yuan and Lu Xingzhou?"
"Mm."
Zhan Fan, recalling this year's sect trials, remembered how the young girl had paid particular attention to those two individuals at the Ascension Hall.
Could it be that she favored their type more?
He glanced at his foolish apprentice beside him, his irritation flaring anew. Useless fool.
Yet, since Ji Wushuang had made the request, Zhan Fan personally made the trip.
Lian Yuan, a disciple under the Taishang Elder Huanglong Daoist Mu Ziqi of Dao Yi Peak, and Lu Xingzhou, trained by Taishang Elder Jade Sword Daoist Yao Cang of Tianhen Peak, both held esteemed statuses. If sent to summon them, Jin Fuxi might fail, but Zhan Fan's presence ensured their swift return.
Upon entering the room, Lian Yuan's gaze immediately fell upon the intricate arrangement of supreme-grade spirit stones on the ground.
Though his time at Dao Yi Peak had not been long, he could still recognize a formation when he saw one. The placement of those seemingly random spirit stones emanated an innate harmony of rules—astonishing!
Shocked and delighted, Lian Yuan exclaimed, "Master Zhan, have you brought us here to study this formation?"
"No, it's Ji Wushuang who wishes to see you."
Ji Wushuang?
Both raised their heads to see a young figure, delicate as jade, her complexion flawless like polished gem. Who else could it be but Ji Wushuang?
Their memories of Ji Wushuang were vivid.
First, for how brazenly she had "profited" at their expense in the Ascension Hall. Second, for being the unparalleled top disciple of the foundational six arts in this year's initiation phase.
Such talent was extraordinary.
Lian Yuan cupped his hands. "Junior Sister, it has been some time."
Lu Xingzhou also offered a courteous nod. "What matter brings you to summon us, Junior Sister Ji?"
Ji Wushuang silently appraised the two hapless figures. The golden glow on their foreheads hadn't improved since their last encounter, though it hadn't worsened either. Perhaps Mo Lanyi required a specific opportunity to further siphon their fortune.
She handed them the misfortune talisman. "Here, take this and use it on Mo Lanyi."
The two nearly doubted their ears.
"You want us to…do what?"
Ji Wushuang repeated with a calm demeanor, "Use this on Mo Lanyi. Who knows, it might even help you reclaim your stolen fortune."
"What is this?"
"A misfortune talisman."
A heavy silence followed until Lian Yuan finally spoke, his tone grave. "Ji Wushuang, you cannot let jealousy of Mo Lanyi's cultivation abilities lead you down such a path!"
Lu Xingzhou frowned deeply, disappointment evident in his expression. "Junior Sister Ji, this is not right. We shall pretend this conversation never occurred, but should you try to harm others again, we will not remain silent."
Nearby, Zhuang Xuan, enraged by their accusations, rolled up his sleeves, ready to confront them. "How dare you slander our Junior Sister! It's Mo Lanyi who has repeatedly smeared her name, forcing her to retaliate!"
Lian Yuan raised a skeptical brow. "Then enlighten us—how exactly has Mo Lanyi wronged Ji Wushuang?"
Zhuang Xuan stammered, "She…she said our Hongfu Peak favors Ji Wushuang excessively!"
Lu Xingzhou sneered, "And isn't that the truth?"
Zhuang Xuan: "…"
Well, it was, but there were reasons!
"Enough. If there's nothing else, we'll be leaving."
Lu Xingzhou had initially harbored a favorable impression of Ji Wushuang.
Now?
Now he felt utterly deceived.
Ji Wushuang, meanwhile, silently observed the three bickering figures, her small face crumpling like a steamed bun. Seeing her distress, Zhan Fan and Jin Fuxi quickly offered, "We'll handle the misfortune talisman for you."
"Yes, yes, leave it to us!"
Ji Wushuang shook her head. "No, you can't. Doing so would only bring backlash upon yourselves." Besides, while Mo Lanyi's actions were malicious, her claims were not entirely untrue.
If those two wouldn't comply with her request…
Fine then.
If they wouldn't listen to her, surely their masters would.
The more they resisted, the more resolved Ji Wushuang became.
She lifted her gaze to Zhan Fan and Jin Fuxi. "Take some time to familiarize yourselves with the level-five talisman. I won't be returning for now."
Zhan Fan grew alarmed. "Where are you going?"
"To Dao Yi Peak and Tianhen Peak."
Zhan Fan felt a pang of heartache. Why was Ji Wushuang so fond of those two? No matter. The next time he selected disciples, he would choose the most handsome ones to win Ji Wushuang's favor instead.
After Ji Wushuang left, Zhan Fan glanced at his eldest disciple, grumbling irritably, "Go, eat some beauty-enhancing pills. Your face annoys me."
Zhuang Xuan: "…"
Upon arriving at Zhu Xing Peak, Ji Wushuang immediately sensed an unfamiliar presence. Turning, she was greeted by a stunning face.
The beauty, clad in a fiery red gown, exuded a healthy, alluring glow. Her fox-like eyes brimmed with charm, her red lips as vivid as fresh blossoms, and a peculiar mark glimmered between her brows—clearly a restriction of some sort.
The aura emanating from the mark…
It seemed to be the handiwork of her Mahayana-stage senior apprentice, Little Stone?
Why had Little Stone placed a restriction on this young disciple?
The moment the beauty spotted Ji Wushuang, she rushed over excitedly, cupping Ji Wushuang's cheeks. "Are you my little Junior Sister? You're absolutely adorable!"
Ji Wushuang's face flushed from the enthusiastic embrace, her long lashes fluttering. "May I ask, are you Second Senior Sister?"
The beauty nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, yes, I'm your Second Senior Sister, Hua Fanyin! Sorry for not meeting you earlier—I was away on a mission. But now I'm here, and I've brought so many gifts for you!"
Hua Fanyin dragged Ji Wushuang to her quarters, pulling out one exquisite garment after another.
Some were playful and adorable, others elegant and ethereal, or bold and free-spirited, and even majestic and regal.
"I heard about your situation from Master. Each of these garments has defensive formations woven into them for protection. Since I didn't know your style, I prepared them all. Try them on!"
Her eyes sparkled with uncontainable joy.
She'd long dreamed of having a Junior Sister to dress up—adorable and fragrant, how delightful!
Apart from the outfits, Hua Fanyin had also prepared jewelry, boots, ribbons, and more.
Ji Wushuang, unable to refuse, tried on one outfit after another, much to Hua Fanyin's delight. Ultimately, Hua Fanyin gifted her everything.
In addition, Hua Fanyin brought out cultivation manuals and personal notes.
"Little Wushuang, Master mentioned your situation. These are notes I kept during my training. Perhaps they'll be of use to you?"
Hua Fanyin, now at the peak of the Golden Core stage, was a remarkable talent. A genius's training notes were invaluable, especially since Hua Fanyin herself had overcome numerous struggles in her journey. Seeing Ji Wushuang reminded her of her past self.
Hua Fanyin, originally from a renowned cultivation family, had excellent aptitude but inexplicably slow progress. She'd persevered until meeting her Master, Lian Xing, who uncovered the root of her issues. Only after a powerful restriction was placed upon her did her cultivation improve.
Though Ji Wushuang had no use for the notes, she couldn't refuse Hua Fanyin's sincerity.
"Thank you, Senior Sister."
"You're welcome, you're welcome."
Having received her gifts, Ji Wushuang naturally felt compelled to reciprocate—a principle she always upheld.
Her gaze lingered on the restriction at Hua Fanyin's brow as she recalled the absence of Hua Fanyin in the events she'd glimpsed in Lian Yuan's "life."
Could it be that something had happened to her Second Senior Sister?
Gently clasping Hua Fanyin's hand, Ji Wushuang activated the Heavenly Diagram once more. Slowly, Hua Fanyin's "life" unfolded before her eyes…