After speaking to Xu Caiyi, Yan Qi didn’t wait for a response. Controlling the water beneath her, she lifted herself up and left the area.
Seeing Yan Qi depart, Xu Caiyi—who didn’t dare try to stop her—glanced at the creepy man still lying unconscious nearby. She quickly pulled out her phone and, following Yan Qi’s earlier instructions, called the police to come and ensure her safety.
Putting the matter of Xu Caiyi behind her, Yan Qi took advantage of the time before the police arrived to find a safe and unnoticed spot where she could revert from her transformed state.
After changing back, she left the park and approached a nearby shared bike with internet access. Connecting through it, she entered the digital network and safely returned home.
…
Early the next morning, Wednesday, Yan Qi woke up and climbed out of bed.
After finishing her morning exercise, having breakfast with her parents, and completing her chores, Yan quickly retreated to her room under the pretext of working on her novel.
Having already planned out her day, Yan Qi left a clone of Hu Yao’er in her room and transformed into the Digital Diva, entering the internet. She emerged in Shanghai, a city thousands of miles away from Fangfeng City.
Arriving in Shanghai, she converted from her digital form back into a physical body. Looking toward the nearby villa district, she knew it was almost time for her meeting with Ma Fangfang and had no intention of being late.
She quickly found a secluded grove of trees, reverted from her Digital Diva form, and transformed into the Daoyan Empress.
Once the transformation was complete, she left the grove, soared into the sky, and flew toward Ma Fangfang’s family villa.
“That’s strange, why hasn’t Master Daoyan arrived yet? Did she forget about the time?”
Sitting in the living room of her family’s villa, Ma Fangfang wore a cute set of loungewear and swung her legs, clad in white knee-high socks. She was visibly restless and couldn’t hide the worry in her voice.
Hearing his daughter’s concern, Ma Hongxin—who had specially made time to wait with her for Yan Qi’s arrival—knew exactly what was troubling her. He moved closer to comfort her.
“Fangfang, don’t worry. There are still ten minutes left until the time we agreed on with the Daoyan Empress. Given her character, I’m sure she’ll be here soon.”
“I hope so… sigh.”
“Ma Fangfang, why do I hear you sighing as soon as I arrive?”
Just as Ma Fangfang and her father were speaking, Yan Qi—in her form as the Daoyan Empress—had already reached the entrance of their villa’s living room. Hearing Ma Fangfang’s sigh, she asked with a tone of concern.
Hearing Yan Qi’s voice, Ma Fangfang—who had been worried that Yan Qi might not show up—immediately broke into a bright smile. She stood up and welcomed her warmly.
“Master Daoyan, welcome to our home! Please, have a seat.”
“Yes, please sit down. It’s difficult to talk properly like this.”
“Alright, I won’t stand on ceremony then.”
Accepting the invitation from both father and daughter, Yan Qi quickly found a sofa in the living room and sat down facing them.
Once she was settled, Yan Qi—well aware of her purpose for visiting—got straight to the point.
“I’m sure you both know why I’m here today, so I’ll be direct. Ma Fangfang, could you please place your hand on this?”
As she spoke, Yan Qi reached into the empty air in front of her and pulled out a peculiar, oversized red glass orb—an identification treasure beads.
“What is this?”
Looking at the large red glass orb, Ma Fangfang had no idea what it was for and asked Yan Qi curiously.
Not intending to explain just yet, Yan Qi simply replied:
“Don’t worry about what it is for now. Just place your hand on it.”
“Okay.”
Suppressing her curiosity, Ma Fangfang complied.
In front of Yan Qi, Ma Hongxin, and members of the Special Affairs Bureau responsible for protecting the family, she placed her hand on the red glass orb.
Before long, faint blue lights began to glow within the orb where Ma Fangfang’s hand made contact.
As time passed, the blue light grew increasingly brighter, illuminating the already well-lit living room.
Seeing the blue light emitted by the orb, Yan Qi—confirming that Ma Fangfang possessed talent in Dao magic—couldn’t help but smile. She then said to Ma Fangfang:
“Alright, that’s enough. You can remove your hand now.”
Hearing this, Ma Fangfang quickly withdrew her hand.
“Master Daoyan, what exactly is this big red glass orb? Why did it emit such a strong blue light?”
In response to Ma Fangfang’s question, Yan Qi explained:
“This large red glass orb is a special detector I made using the core of an abyssal magical beast. It tests a person’s talent for Dao magic. The stronger the talent, the brighter the blue light it emits.”
After hearing the explanation, understanding dawned on Ma Fangfang’s face. Remembering her earlier performance, she asked nervously:
“The brighter the light, the better the talent? So… Master Daoyan, did my result qualify?”
Facing Ma Fangfang’s question, Yan Qi held nothing back and replied directly:
“Yes, you definitely qualify.”
Hearing this, Ma Fangfang—who had been worried her aptitude might be too low—immediately broke into a radiant smile. Full of anticipation, she asked further:
“Since I qualify, does that mean I can learn another method to gain supernatural power from you, Master Daoyan?”
Yan Qi nodded in response.
“Yes. Since you qualify, and since it is my intention to pass on the methods I possess, you may certainly learn.”