Watching the timid expression on the little girl’s face, Yan Qi found it amusing but didn’t deliberately string her along. Instead, she answered straightforwardly.
“Talent isn’t something you can just see at a glance. It requires testing. Only after you pass the test can I take you as my disciple.”
“Can I take the test now?” Ma Fangfang asked eagerly.
“Not so fast,” Yan Qi replied. “I didn’t bring anything with me today, so I can’t test your aptitude. I’ll come back another time specifically to assess you.”
Unaware that Yan Qi was feeding her a lie through her doppelganger, Ma Fangfang accepted the explanation.
Remembering the inexplicable attack by supernatural beings on her family that night, she quickly nodded in understanding.
“That makes sense. After all, Sister Daoyan, like Sister Xiaoge, came here in a hurry today.”
Just then, the sound of police sirens echoed in the distance. Knowing the authorities were arriving, Yan Qi turned to Ma Fangfang.
“Alright, enough talk. Since things are settled here, I should get going.”
“Sister Daoyan, are you leaving already?”
“Yes. I still have a lot to do,” Yan Qi replied, patting Ma Fangfang’s head through her doppelganger with a smile.
“Wait, Miss Daoyan—I need to speak with you.”
Just as Yan Qi was saying her goodbyes through her doppelganger, a male voice suddenly called out from the direction of the villa’s entrance.
The voice belonged to Gan Lin, a supernatural agent from the Modu Supernatural Affairs Bureau, who had been observing the scene from outside the door.
Yan Qi, with her three-star supernatural perception, had long noticed his presence. Fully expecting him to stop her, she couldn’t help but smirk.
She turned around, her expression icy as she faced the agent she had just saved.
“What do you want to say to me?”
Facing the legendary “Empress Daoyan”—whose breathtaking beauty and terrifying strength had made her a household name in Xia after the Fengcheng Railway Station terrorist attack—Gan Lin couldn’t help but feel nervous.
After all, this was a woman capable of slaying a two-star abyssal beast with a single strike, her power far beyond that of ordinary supernatural beings.
But recalling the conversation he had just overheard—about alternative methods of gaining supernatural abilities beyond fusing with beast cores—Gan Lin took a deep breath and steadied himself.
“Miss Daoyan, I’m Gan Lin, an agent from the Modu Supernatural Affairs Bureau. It’s an honor to meet you.”
“I don’t recall asking for your name.”
“Apologies,” Gan Lin said, flustered. “I have a habit of introducing myself first. I hope you understand.”
Seeing the sincerity in his nervous expression, Yan Qi decided not to press the issue.
“Fine, I’ll let it slide. Now, what did you want to say?”
“Well, I happened to overhear your conversation with your friend and this young lady. So I took the liberty of approaching you to ask… Do you really possess another method of gaining supernatural abilities, one that doesn’t involve fusing with beast cores?”
“Is that all you wanted to ask?”
“Yes, that’s my question.”
“Then I’ll answer you directly—yes, I do have another way to obtain supernatural powers without relying on beast cores.”
Hearing her confirmation, Gan Lin’s face lit up with excitement.
“Miss Daoyan, I had no idea you held such knowledge! Would you be willing to share this method with the Supernatural Affairs Bureau?”
Yan Qi, who had been waiting for this very question, allowed a subtle smile to curl her lips.
Maintaining Empress Daoyan’s aloof demeanor, she replied:
“I can share this method with your Bureau.”
Before she could finish, Gan Lin eagerly cut in:
“That’s incredible! Thank you so much, Miss Daoyan—”
“I wasn’t done speaking. How rude to interrupt.”
Realizing his mistake, Gan Lin quickly apologized.
“I’m sorry, I got too excited. Please, continue.”
Satisfied, Yan Qi resumed:
“I’m willing to share this knowledge, but on one condition.”
“A condition? What would that be?”
“It’s simple. The Bureau must establish supernatural academies across the nation, appoint me as their honorary dean, and use the method I provide to train those with talent.”
Gan Lin blinked in surprise.
“I… didn’t expect that kind of condition.”
“Do you find it unreasonable?”
“No, not at all! It’s just… I’m not sure if my superiors will agree.”
“That’s fine. Once they accept my terms, I’ll share the method.”
With that, Yan Qi glanced at her main body and Ji Zige, then strode toward the exit.
“Well, since Daoyan’s leaving, I should get going too. See you another time, little Fangfang.”
“Fangfang, I’ll message you beforehand when Daoyan comes to test your aptitude. Take care!”
“Goodbye, Sister Daoyan, Sister Xiaoge, and Miss Hu Yao’er!”
As Yan Qi and her companions approached, Gan Lin quickly stepped aside, not daring to block their path.
He could only stand there, watching silently as the three figures gradually vanished into the night.