Hearing Yan Qi’s reply, Ma Fangfang—who had long dreamed of becoming a superhuman to protect her family—immediately burst into ecstatic joy. She leaped from her seat, dancing and cheering:
“Hooray! I can finally become a superhuman! Woohoo!”
After a good while of excitement, Ma Fangfang gradually regained her composure. As she calmed herself, she thought about her current relationship with Yan Qi. Turning to face her, she said:
“Since you’re willing to teach me how to gain superhuman abilities, Master Daoyan, that means you accept me as your disciple. Master, I honor you—please accept this bow from your apprentice.”
With those words, Ma Fangfang knelt down and kowtowed to Yan Qi.
Not used to receiving such a formal gesture, Yan Qi quickly rose from the sofa and hurried over to help Ma Fangfang up.
But for some reason, no matter how hard Yan Qi tried to lift her, the little girl refused to stand.
Perplexed, Yan Qi asked:
“Ma Fangfang, what are you doing? The floor is cold and dirty—please get up.”
“Master, you haven’t agreed yet to take me as your disciple,” Ma Fangfang lifted her head and reminded Yan Qi.
Hearing this, Yan Qi finally understood why the girl was unwilling to rise. A faint smile appeared on her face as she replied:
“Alright, I agree to take you as my disciple. Now will you please stand up?”
“Thank you, Master, for accepting me!”
With Yan Qi’s confirmation, Ma Fangfang’s face lit up with the same radiant joy as before. Supported by Yan Qi, she finally rose to her feet.
Noticing the dust on Ma Fangfang’s skirt and believing that a young girl should always look neat, Yan Qi knelt down without hesitation.
Ma Fangfang was surprised and didn’t understand what Yan Qi intended to do—until she saw her gently brushing the dust off her skirt.
Realizing why Yan Qi had knelt, Ma Fangfang was momentarily stunned, but a warmth spread through her heart.
Once satisfied that the skirt was clean, Yan Qi stood up again. Seeing the dazed expression on Ma Fangfang’s face, she found it utterly adorable and couldn’t resist the urge to gently pinch the girl’s cheek.
“Ma Fangfang, you really are such a cute girl.”
Only after her cheek was pinched did Ma Fangfang snap out of her daze. “Master, why did you pinch my face?” she asked.
“Because I think you’re adorable,” Yan Qi replied, withdrawing her hand.
Not wanting to waste any more time, Yan Qi remembered that her purpose today was not only to assess Ma Fangfang’s potential but also to teach her the method of cultivation. She turned to Ma Hongxin, who had been quietly observing all along, and said:
“Mr. Ma, having heard the conversation between your daughter and me, I believe you understand the situation. Could you prepare a spacious, quiet room for us where we won’t be disturbed?”
Faced with the inquiry from Yan Qi—who had transformed into the stunningly beautiful and powerful Empress Daoyan—Ma Hongxin, who had been afraid of interrupting and upsetting her, promptly replied:
“Of course. But Miss Daoyan, are you planning to teach my daughter how to gain superhuman abilities today?”
“Naturally. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have asked you to find us a spacious and private room.”
Hearing Yan Qi’s response, Ma Hongxin understood that the sooner his daughter gained superhuman abilities, the better it would be for both of them. He answered:
“Understood. Then I entrust my daughter to you, Miss Daoyan.”
“You’re welcome.”
After speaking with Yan Qi, Ma Hongxin, as the head of the Ma household, immediately called the servants and instructed them to prepare a room that met Yan Qi’s requirements.
The servants naturally obeyed without question. In just over ten minutes, the room was ready.
“Miss Daoyan, the room is prepared.”
“Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Ma.”
“It’s the least I can do.”
After exchanging a few polite words, Yan Qi took Ma Fangfang’s hand and said:
“Come with me.”
“Okay.”
With that, the two—one tall, one small—followed a servant to the newly prepared room.
“Thank you for leading the way,” Yan Qi said to the servant once they arrived.
“Honored guest, it is our duty. If there’s nothing else, I shall take my leave.”
“Very well. Goodbye.”
The servant nodded silently and soon left, closing the door behind them.
Once the servant was gone, Yan Qi turned to Ma Fangfang and said:
“Now that we’re alone, I will begin teaching you how to gain superhuman abilities.”
Hearing this, Ma Fangfang—who had been waiting for this day for a long time—immediately became serious. Worried about her poor memory, she asked:
“Master, may I go get a pen and notebook? Otherwise, I might forget what you teach me.”
“A pen and notebook? You won’t need those, Ma Fangfang. I have a better method to ensure you’ll never forget what I say.”
Ma Fangfang looked surprised at first, but then, remembering Yan Qi’s identity as a superhuman, she found it perfectly reasonable that her master would have such a miraculous method. Calmly, she asked:
“What method is it, Master?”
“It’s difficult to explain in just a few words. For now, just stand straight and stretch your neck forward.”
Finding it hard to explain the method she had deduced through Empress Daoyan’s innate talents to a child, Yan Qi didn’t attempt a detailed explanation and simply instructed Ma Fangfang to stretch out her neck.